# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1644 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1645 --- ## [Funerals in times of COVID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funerals-in-times-of-covid/925314)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funerals-in-times-of-covid/925314 "2020-11-18T16:38:44Z")
Just interested in thoughts about whether/how you would attend funerals these days. We know 2 people in their 90s - my wife’s best fired’s mom, and my FIL. The friend’s mom is ill, in the hospital w/ CHF. FIL is havin… --- ## [Another Heartbreaking Dog Tale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-heartbreaking-dog-tale/925330)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-heartbreaking-dog-tale/925330 "2020-11-18T16:36:53Z")
This Thursday it will be 3 weeks since we had to say goodbye to our sweet Luca due to bone cancer. After he died, Romeo, our 7 yo boxer barely ate, didn’t want to go for walks and was just kind of listless. I assumed he … --- ## [NFL 2020: Week 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-10/925430)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2020-week-10/925430 "2020-11-18T16:12:30Z")
A blowout loss and Tom Brady absolutely sucking. The Houston Texans ownership and team President can go blow goats after firing their P.R. director for, apparently, being supportive of Kamala Harris. The Dolphins and Vik… --- ## [Why no sitcoms on American daytime TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-sitcoms-on-american-daytime-tv/925776)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-sitcoms-on-american-daytime-tv/925776 "2020-11-18T16:07:58Z")
American daytime television is full of first-run children’s programming, soap operas, game shows, news shows, talk shows, and court shows. But there are never any sitcoms (except for reruns from primetime). Why is this… --- ## [Laptop reccomendations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-reccomendations/843567)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laptop-reccomendations/843567 "2020-11-18T13:30:36Z")
My wife is asking for one for Xmas. Here’s what I’m looking for with some of her input: She’s a writer so less bells and whistles and more ease of use keyboard. That said she is on Facebook a lot and love to play Face… --- ## [Creepy Info Sharing or Anonymously Linked Databases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-info-sharing-or-anonymously-linked-databases/925839)
**Author:** [@Raucous84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raucous84)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-info-sharing-or-anonymously-linked-databases/925839 "2020-11-18T13:20:03Z")
Hi All. I called a local area health group to make an appointment. The office manager began asking questions, and I gave my name, birthdate, and current address. Within a few moments after her entries, she asks if my pre… --- ## [Would putting the wrong coin into a gumball machine break it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-putting-the-wrong-coin-into-a-gumball-machine-break-it/925649)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-putting-the-wrong-coin-into-a-gumball-machine-break-it/925649 "2020-11-18T12:49:21Z")
Many years ago when I worked at Blockbuster, I was waiting on a woman and her rather unruly son at the register. He kept fiddling with the gumball machine and was trying to put a nickel in the quarter slot, which freake… --- ## [Who do you call when your house sustains unexpected structural damage (don't need answers fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-call-when-your-house-sustains-unexpected-structural-damage-dont-need-answers-fast/925319)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-do-you-call-when-your-house-sustains-unexpected-structural-damage-dont-need-answers-fast/925319 "2020-11-18T11:33:44Z")
My next door neighbors have spent the entire pandemic doing questionable construction projects (including using an electric saw outside in the pouring rain to remove a deck) and I think this has crawled into my brain bec… --- ## [Placebos (testing new medicine)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placebos-testing-new-medicine/925558)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placebos-testing-new-medicine/925558 "2020-11-18T08:27:57Z")
A question about testing a new medicine. When testing a new medicine for safety and effectiveness it is common to divide the test subjects into two groups. One group gets the experimental medicine, the other group is a … --- ## [Peru's democracy is in trouble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perus-democracy-is-in-trouble/925667)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perus-democracy-is-in-trouble/925667 "2020-11-18T05:03:20Z")
Quick version of events: Last Tuesday, Peru’s Congress ousted the popular elected President, Martín Vizcarra, using a law from the 1800s to remove him for “permanent moral incapacity”; he was accused of “taking more tha… --- ## [Can a President act as the head of an executive department?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-act-as-the-head-of-an-executive-department/925794)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-act-as-the-head-of-an-executive-department/925794 "2020-11-18T04:57:58Z")
Apologies if this has been floated elsewhere - I can barely keep up with the main election thread, let alone all of the other ones. With all the talk of McConnell obstructing even yea unto cabinet appointments, I’ve bee… --- ## [Urbanredneck: Trifecta of ignorance.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urbanredneck-trifecta-of-ignorance/798209)
**Author:** [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Replies:** 283\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urbanredneck-trifecta-of-ignorance/798209 "2020-11-18T04:55:43Z")
Homophobe: Check! Misogynist: Check! Bigot: Check! Living proof that hateful and ignorant is certainly one way to get through life. --- ## [Am I the only guy who hasn't gotten a haircut since February?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-guy-who-hasnt-gotten-a-haircut-since-february/916169)
**Author:** [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-guy-who-hasnt-gotten-a-haircut-since-february/916169 "2020-11-18T04:46:22Z")
It seems like everywhere I go (which basically consists of the grocery store, liquor store and post office), 9 out of 10 men appear to have gotten a haircut fairly recently. I am a bit puzzled since ‘nonessential’ (to me… --- ## [Why am I seeing ads with my paid membership?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-ads-with-my-paid-membership/925807)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-ads-with-my-paid-membership/925807 "2020-11-18T02:17:18Z")
I’m a Charter Member, and I’m pretty sure my paid subscription is good for at least another five or six months; yet I’m seeing ads as I scroll through threads. Why is that? --- ## [More, 'Beware of your heroes' (Alton Brown)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-beware-of-your-heroes-alton-brown/925793)
**Author:** [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-beware-of-your-heroes-alton-brown/925793 "2020-11-18T01:56:54Z")
Alton Brown’s own private holocaust: --- ## [How to prevent this election nonsense from happening again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-this-election-nonsense-from-happening-again/924791)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-prevent-this-election-nonsense-from-happening-again/924791 "2020-11-18T01:54:55Z")
Given the complete 50-state patchwork of election procedures and regulations, and the threats of lawsuits and chicanery and shenanigans; but also taking into consideration the Constitutional provision that elections are … --- ## [My Cat Just Coughed Up an 18 Inch Piece of This Plastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-just-coughed-up-an-18-inch-piece-of-this-plastic/925243)
**Author:** [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-just-coughed-up-an-18-inch-piece-of-this-plastic/925243 "2020-11-18T01:08:20Z")
The type of plastic that I think may have been used to wrap up a small package. What on earth would motivate him to swallow such a thing? --- ## [Why aren't repeat offenders in jail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-repeat-offenders-in-jail/925716)
**Author:** [@Yelnick\_McWawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yelnick_McWawa)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-repeat-offenders-in-jail/925716 "2020-11-18T00:59:09Z")
Occasionally we hear about repeat offenders who flaunt the law, yet are free to flaunt it again. I’m talking about DUI, or multiple felony arrests or driving suspensions or any other crimes you’d like to mention. Appar… --- ## [Any advice for retuning to SDMB after long hiatus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advice-for-retuning-to-sdmb-after-long-hiatus/925664)
**Author:** [@Crenshaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crenshaw)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-advice-for-retuning-to-sdmb-after-long-hiatus/925664 "2020-11-18T00:58:24Z")
Looks like we all went through some things. What’s new around here since 2008 or so? --- ## [Can my building association refuse to fix the internet in my unit if it is preventing me from working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-building-association-refuse-to-fix-the-internet-in-my-unit-if-it-is-preventing-me-from-working/925615)
**Author:** [@Bacom15](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacom15)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-building-association-refuse-to-fix-the-internet-in-my-unit-if-it-is-preventing-me-from-working/925615 "2020-11-17T23:24:07Z")
I just moved to Hawaii, and am renting an apartment that is on the 3rd floor of a three story walk up. The building itself is actually more of a condo style situation where each unit is owned by a different owner. The bu… --- ## [Have any authoritarian regimes fallen due to their “base” turning on them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-authoritarian-regimes-fallen-due-to-their-base-turning-on-them/925334)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-authoritarian-regimes-fallen-due-to-their-base-turning-on-them/925334 "2020-11-17T23:07:45Z")
Inspired by the threads in P&E about parler and Trump’s supporters. It’s my opinion that Trump’s supporters, at least the MAGAs, will support Trump no matter what. The question for this thread is about historical examp… --- ## [Almost blew the easiest job interview question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/almost-blew-the-easiest-job-interview-question/925561)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/almost-blew-the-easiest-job-interview-question/925561 "2020-11-17T22:38:37Z")
Got laid off a couple of months ago, have been on Indeed and other sites sending out applications. Got a request for phone interview yesterday for call center rep, remote, for a bank. I had that job for a year in 201… --- ## [Poking potatoes before baking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poking-potatoes-before-baking/925739)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poking-potatoes-before-baking/925739 "2020-11-17T22:02:29Z")
I just popped a couple of Idahos in the microwave, but first, I poked them about 10-12 ties w/ a fork. Got me thinking. Is poking really necessary? How many times do you poke a potato? What is the minimum to be effec… --- ## [WTF happened to my contact lens solution (Clear Care)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-my-contact-lens-solution-clear-care/603195)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-happened-to-my-contact-lens-solution-clear-care/603195 "2020-11-17T21:18:26Z")
So, first off, I use Clear Care. For those who don’t know what it is, it’s a hydrogen peroxide based contact lens solution. You put your lenses in the solution with a platinum disk overnight. Throughout the night, the… --- ## [Four astronauts on SpaceX Crew Dragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-astronauts-on-spacex-crew-dragon/925702)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-astronauts-on-spacex-crew-dragon/925702 "2020-11-17T21:14:46Z")
The recent launch of Crew Dragon has four people on board. Is that number a record number for any spacecraft other than the Shuttle? I can’t recall any other launch with more than three on board. --- ## [Do saved baby teeth usually crack into pieces over the years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-saved-baby-teeth-usually-crack-into-pieces-over-the-years/925201)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-saved-baby-teeth-usually-crack-into-pieces-over-the-years/925201 "2020-11-17T21:07:10Z")
In a sweetly sentimental gesture, my father saved all my baby teeth in a small box. When both my parents had passed away, when I was about 58, I came into possession of the box. The teeth in the box were not whole - it … --- ## [More than 73% of my patients have covid now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-than-73-of-my-patients-have-covid-now/922839)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-than-73-of-my-patients-have-covid-now/922839 "2020-11-17T20:10:08Z")
Fuck. We kept the numbers to zero until August. Now it’s exploded. 814 of my patients tested positive, and 412 are currently active (the others have recovered). None of my patients have died YET. Some are quite ill,… --- ## [What’s the new “politicly correct” resistor color code mnemonic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-new-politicly-correct-resistor-color-code-mnemonic/925710)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-new-politicly-correct-resistor-color-code-mnemonic/925710 "2020-11-17T20:07:10Z")
This got me thinking. When I was a lad, the mnemonic used to remember the resistor color code was “Bad Boys Rape Our Young Girls But Violet Gives Willingly.” I suspect that is no longer suitable to teach. So, what is th… --- ## [Explain this joke from a Looney Toon cartoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-joke-from-a-looney-toon-cartoon/925571)
**Author:** [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-joke-from-a-looney-toon-cartoon/925571 "2020-11-17T20:00:32Z")
I stumbled across this compendium of old cartoons recently. And the very first one on the attached link is a Looney Toons cartoon called “Daffy-The Commando”. It’s a World War II era cartoon where Daffy Duck plays a com… --- ## [Should I change the colour of my motorcycle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-the-colour-of-my-motorcycle/923114)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2020, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-the-colour-of-my-motorcycle/923114 "2020-11-17T19:46:50Z")
When I got my 1994 Yamaha XJ600 Seca II, it was offered in two colours: Faraway Blue and Reddish Yellow Cocktail The yellow was stunning. The… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1643) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1645)