# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=166&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 167 --- ## [Say the Dems sweep the 2026 midterms...then what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-the-dems-sweep-the-2026-midterms-then-what/1026294)
**Author:** [@Latimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latimera)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-the-dems-sweep-the-2026-midterms-then-what/1026294 "2026-01-08T20:13:03Z")
I’m Canadian and not terribly knowledgeable about the topic, so sorry if this is a dumb question. But if the Dems were to sweep the 2026 midterms, what would that mean? Could they take the majority in both the Senate and… --- ## [Does milk clean ivory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-milk-clean-ivory/1026426)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-milk-clean-ivory/1026426 "2026-01-08T20:00:55Z")
I have a beautiful old upright piano, that as of now, is at least 99 years old. I got it from my parents, who got it from my paternal grandmother, whom I presume bought it new in about 1927 or so. It is a fine old inst… --- ## [Bedazzled-the guy in jail.....Who was he?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedazzled-the-guy-in-jail-who-was-he/52105)
**Author:** [@cerebrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerebrum)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedazzled-the-guy-in-jail-who-was-he/52105 "2026-01-08T19:46:00Z")
In the movie Bedazzled…This guy in jail gives this really sage advice about the main characters soul etc…Who exactly was this guy in jail?? an angel? god? and y was he playing chess with the devil at the end of the movie… --- ## [Is the movie "The Villain" available on any streaming service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-the-villain-available-on-any-streaming-service/1026469)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-the-villain-available-on-any-streaming-service/1026469 "2026-01-08T19:34:14Z")
I am looking for the 1979 version with Kirk Douglas and Arnold Schwarzenegger. --- ## [I fought Amazon, and I won!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-fought-amazon-and-i-won/1026377)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-fought-amazon-and-i-won/1026377 "2026-01-08T19:23:01Z")
£1, 107.54 or $1,377.45 The Samsung S25 flagship for my wife. Amazon didn’t deliver (NDD) in two days. I cancelled and bought a pink one, only available from Samsung—next-day delivery. Yet Amazon kept the money they sh… --- ## [Trump’s Murder on the High Seas: Lawyers, Guns, & Drugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-s-murder-on-the-high-seas-lawyers-guns-drugs/1025418)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-s-murder-on-the-high-seas-lawyers-guns-drugs/1025418 "2026-01-08T19:08:23Z")
This is a general discussion about the war on cocaine in the Caribbean. I imagine soon it will be more than boat strikes. Trump claims drug cartels attacked America with cocaine and there are thousands of casualties (a… --- ## [First Words on Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-words-on-mars/64385)
**Author:** [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-words-on-mars/64385 "2026-01-08T17:34:58Z")
According to Kim Stanley Robinson’s Red Mars, the first words spoken on Mars will be “Well, here we are.” I love the idea, but I think it’s a bit unlikely that it’d get past the PR people at NASA. But it got me thinking… --- ## [Did US companies leave Venezuela and go to Canada?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-us-companies-leave-venezuela-and-go-to-canada/1026403)
**Author:** [@Carolxi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carolxi)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-us-companies-leave-venezuela-and-go-to-canada/1026403 "2026-01-08T17:11:23Z")
Did US compies leave Venezuela and go to Canada ? --- ## [Woohoo, I just won $300,000 and a new Tesla](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woohoo-i-just-won-300-000-and-a-new-tesla/1026421)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woohoo-i-just-won-300-000-and-a-new-tesla/1026421 "2026-01-08T16:11:58Z")
I know it’s true, because Elon texted me personally. Eat my dust suckers! Ha ha Sadly, I read up on this and lots of people have gotten taken by this scam. Unbelievable and these vermin (the scammers) deserve to rot in … --- ## [Anyone else getting "Content Not Viewable In Your Region" from imgur.com?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-getting-content-not-viewable-in-your-region-from-imgur-com/1025293)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-getting-content-not-viewable-in-your-region-from-imgur-com/1025293 "2026-01-08T14:46:59Z")
Nothing against Darren\_Garrison yet his post here shows a big box with “Content not viewable in your region.” My “region” is the UK: England. Is it just KCIII that has banned imgur content? Or has imgur banned KCIII? … --- ## [What is the best evidence/analysis of modern human behavior before 10,000 BC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-evidence-analysis-of-modern-human-behavior-before-10-000-bc/1026412)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-evidence-analysis-of-modern-human-behavior-before-10-000-bc/1026412 "2026-01-08T03:57:21Z")
I’ve never been a believer of the “chariots of the gods/lost city of Atlantis/lost super civilization/inexplicable stonework” theories. However, I often find myself wondering what life was like for homo sapiens before 1… --- ## [Feeling Bad Rambles About My Mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeling-bad-rambles-about-my-mom/1018671)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeling-bad-rambles-about-my-mom/1018671 "2026-01-08T02:20:41Z")
I don’t know what is going on with me but I’m having serious blues lately about my Mom. I’ve been having nightmares about her pretty regularly, mostly dreams that we start talking again. We are estranged for a number of… --- ## [How do you conceptualize/navigate "settings" on your compute/phone/car/etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-conceptualize-navigate-settings-on-your-compute-phone-car-etc/1025834)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-conceptualize-navigate-settings-on-your-compute-phone-car-etc/1025834 "2026-01-08T01:39:23Z")
I periodically encounter something on my computer, phone, or car, which I wish to address, and am told that it can be managed in settings. Unfortunately, to me that is often the equivalent of “go look for your needle in… --- ## [What was the point of Saruman in LotR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-point-of-saruman-in-lotr/1026418)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-point-of-saruman-in-lotr/1026418 "2026-01-08T00:25:27Z")
It occurs to me that with a minimum of rewriting you could tell almost the same story without the character of Saruman at all. It would have been easy enough to have some other trouble delay Gandalf, have Sauron be the e… --- ## [After 44 Years, MTV Is Officially Dead \[outside North America\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-44-years-mtv-is-officially-dead-outside-north-america/1026242)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-44-years-mtv-is-officially-dead-outside-north-america/1026242 "2026-01-07T21:05:10Z")
Sad to see it end, but it was past it’s time for more than a decade. Curious to notice that on Sirius radio, the old time DJs of MTV show up on the 80s Sirius channel; fun for nostalgia, but I have to say that Nina Bla… --- ## [eBay: are we done with auctions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-are-we-done-with-auctions/1026327)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-are-we-done-with-auctions/1026327 "2026-01-07T19:43:58Z")
The last few times I’ve sold things on eBay, I used the default auction setup, and the items didn’t get any bids until the last couple of minutes and sold for a tenth of comparable “buy it now” items. When I used to sel… --- ## [Are there any past or present Venezuelans here on the Dope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-past-or-present-venezuelans-here-on-the-dope/1026321)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-past-or-present-venezuelans-here-on-the-dope/1026321 "2026-01-07T19:27:56Z")
You folks would be the experts, WRT what’s going on now (1/3/2026). MHO: These problems are NOT the U.S.’s to solve. --- ## [How do Certificates of Deposit work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-certificates-of-deposit-work/1026387)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-certificates-of-deposit-work/1026387 "2026-01-07T18:40:32Z")
I understand the fundamental structure of this product, but I’m confused on the details. Let’s say I put a grand in a six-month CD for 4% fixed APY. Does that mean that at the end of six months, the bank cuts me a check … --- ## [Is the McRib really worth eating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mcrib-really-worth-eating/1011749 "2026-01-07T18:26:16Z")
I am seeing as touting that the McRib is bring brought back again temporarily, as they do periodicalky - to much fanfare. It’s at least 20 years since I’ve tried one, and I don’t recall that it was all that memorable. … --- ## [Mal Evans - a man behind the Beatles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mal-evans-a-man-behind-the-beatles/1026386)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mal-evans-a-man-behind-the-beatles/1026386 "2026-01-07T17:55:50Z")
I can’t say I ever heard his name. I should have. This is a fascinating look at a man who gave his all for the Fab Four but got little in return. I like it that it was Mal who counted aloud the 24 bars of “A Day In th… --- ## [DOJ/Jack Smith Investigation into Trump and Election Interference, January 6th Insurrection (Re-Indicted August 27, 2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 2727\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-jack-smith-investigation-into-trump-and-election-interference-january-6th-insurrection-re-indicted-august-27-2024/975455 "2026-01-07T17:54:15Z")
The January 6th Committee is winding down, we don’t know what future investigations may occur in the Senate to pick up where the House left off. However, the investigation that will matter most to Trump is what the DOJ … --- ## [Backup means Backup, Microsoft, not move and destroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backup-means-backup-microsoft-not-move-and-destroy/1017839)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backup-means-backup-microsoft-not-move-and-destroy/1017839 "2026-01-07T17:44:14Z")
So I accidentally trusted Microsoft and am suffering for it. On my new computer, I got a popup about activating OneDrive backup, and I clicked it (foolish me). Now I thought backup meant “backup” - copy my files and put… --- ## [USPS Changes Postmark Date System. Why This is Bad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-changes-postmark-date-system-why-this-is-bad/1026168)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-changes-postmark-date-system-why-this-is-bad/1026168 "2026-01-07T15:05:19Z")
So the US Postal Service has now changed its processing rules such that the postmark on any mail received by the USPS will no longer be dated according to the date or receipt, but rather by the date of processing. Sound… --- ## [The Williamsburg series by Elswyth Thane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-williamsburg-series-by-elswyth-thane/1026432)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-williamsburg-series-by-elswyth-thane/1026432 "2026-01-07T14:20:45Z")
I have all 7 of the books in the series in hardback. Thrift Books doesn’t want them back and my options are the library or the landfill. But first, I offer them here for the cost of postage. They are a product of their … --- ## [Why does the sun feel warmer from a reflection than it does straight on in this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sun-feel-warmer-from-a-reflection-than-it-does-straight-on-in-this-situation/1026278)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sun-feel-warmer-from-a-reflection-than-it-does-straight-on-in-this-situation/1026278 "2026-01-07T13:22:51Z")
On my morning dog walk, there’s a place where I’m in the shadow of a house to the east but I’m hit with the light from the sun reflecting on a window from a house across the street on the west. Something like this: … --- ## [Viral Rampaging Idiots being Fired - What Next For Them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viral-rampaging-idiots-being-fired-what-next-for-them/1025985)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viral-rampaging-idiots-being-fired-what-next-for-them/1025985 "2026-01-07T10:35:36Z")
Continuing the discussion from this post in the Pit: Omnibus Stupid MFers in the news thread (Part 2). Note this OP is in IMHO. The linked post by @Jackmannii has cites to a woman who was recorded on a drunken rampage i… --- ## [Billy Joel diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, cancels current tour per advice from doctor (23 May 2025)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-joel-diagnosed-with-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus-cancels-current-tour-per-advice-from-doctor-23-may-2025/1018710)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billy-joel-diagnosed-with-normal-pressure-hydrocephalus-cancels-current-tour-per-advice-from-doctor-23-may-2025/1018710 "2026-01-07T08:51:08Z")
Billy’s camp says his shows through July 3, 2026, are canceled and tickets will be refunded. We’re told Billy is on a boat with his wife today in Florida … and he’s already undergone surgery. Our source says Billy… --- ## [Windows 10 (64-bit) Update: You're not up to date but we ain't fixing it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-64-bit-update-youre-not-up-to-date-but-we-aint-fixing-it/1026376)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-10-64-bit-update-youre-not-up-to-date-but-we-aint-fixing-it/1026376 "2026-01-07T07:14:17Z")
I run virtual machines, spanning a wide range of vintages. I have Microsoft’s OS ranging from Windows 3.11 for Workgroups through Windows 11. In all the modern-to-semi-modern editions, I’m used to having to check for u… --- ## [Did Pavlov Think About Feeding His Dog Every Time He Heard a Bell Ring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pavlov-think-about-feeding-his-dog-every-time-he-heard-a-bell-ring/1026352)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pavlov-think-about-feeding-his-dog-every-time-he-heard-a-bell-ring/1026352 "2026-01-07T05:50:47Z")
Did Pavlov think about feeding his dog every time he heard a bell ring? (For all the nitpickers - after he performed his famous experiments, of course.) poll --- ## [Where does Trump's military adventurism stop? What are the consequences of that to the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-trumps-military-adventurism-stop-what-are-the-consequences-of-that-to-the-us/1026315 "2026-01-07T05:26:55Z")
What is happening in Venezuela is a topic of much discussion on this board right now (for good reason). But what next? I posted this (below) in the Venezuela thread and @Aspenglow let it stay but suggested a new thread… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=165&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=167&state=muted)