# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1745 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1746 --- ## [Help me switch over from conventional motor oil to synthetic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-switch-over-from-conventional-motor-oil-to-synthetic/691511)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2020, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-switch-over-from-conventional-motor-oil-to-synthetic/691511 "2020-08-22T02:36:06Z")
I have a 1999 Toyota Corolla CE, manual transmission with 125K miles. The car gets a combined 30 MPG consistently. At 120K I found a reliable mechanic and dropped 2 grand into the car and it drives like new. The mechanic… --- ## [Michael Keaton to appear in Flash movie as Batman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-keaton-to-appear-in-flash-movie-as-batman/913478)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-keaton-to-appear-in-flash-movie-as-batman/913478 "2020-08-22T02:17:37Z")
Michael Keaton, star of 1989’s Batman and its sequel Batman Returns, is set to reprise his role as the Caped Crusader in the upcoming Flash movie starring Ezra Miller. He is confirmed to be playing Bruce Wayne/Batman and… --- ## [And now Plague. With a 50% chance of pestilence and famine coming out of the Southwest at twelve miles per hour](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-plague-with-a-50-chance-of-pestilence-and-famine-coming-out-of-the-southwest-at-twelve-miles-per-hour/918422)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2020, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-plague-with-a-50-chance-of-pestilence-and-famine-coming-out-of-the-southwest-at-twelve-miles-per-hour/918422 "2020-08-22T01:57:05Z")
The good news is that treatment works well to deal with the old fashion plague, most people get better within a week or two with antibiotics. But without treatment, most people with the plague die. --- ## [Unwinnable Free Cell Game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unwinnable-free-cell-game/100644)
**Author:** [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2020, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unwinnable-free-cell-game/100644 "2020-08-22T01:48:49Z")
Well, it appears I’ve found a Free Cell game that cannot be won. It is game number: 11982 and I hereby submit that it cannot be solved. Now it is said that all free cell games are winnable but I’ve always figured that… --- ## [Got my Hebrew class cards working!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-hebrew-class-cards-working/918698)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-hebrew-class-cards-working/918698 "2020-08-22T01:10:45Z")
https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-with-my-hebrew-class-guess-what-this-means/918647/12 --- ## [Renewing a housing lease in the time of Covid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renewing-a-housing-lease-in-the-time-of-covid/918467)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renewing-a-housing-lease-in-the-time-of-covid/918467 "2020-08-22T01:05:33Z")
I’ve seen several news stories lately about rising apartment vacancies, especially in the big cities. Usually cast as the renters saying “I pay a premium rate for all the perks that a Big City offers, and they don’t exi… --- ## [Grantwriters/fundraisers, should our non-profit use FDO or Guidestar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grantwriters-fundraisers-should-our-non-profit-use-fdo-or-guidestar/918695)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grantwriters-fundraisers-should-our-non-profit-use-fdo-or-guidestar/918695 "2020-08-21T23:40:54Z")
In the early 1980s, I was a reasonably successful grant writer, but to say the professional landscape has changed since then would be an understatement. In my possibly inaccurate recollection, the Foundation Directory wa… --- ## ["Executive vs Legislative" VS "Executive vs Judicial"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-vs-legislative-vs-executive-vs-judicial/847600)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-vs-legislative-vs-executive-vs-judicial/847600 "2020-08-21T23:39:36Z")
The US Constitution provides for the three branches of government - legislative, executive and judicial - and the system of checks and balances between and among them. These checks and balances are meant to ensure that … --- ## [Earth's magnetic field is changing. Normally this wouldn't be that worrisome, but this is 2020](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earths-magnetic-field-is-changing-normally-this-wouldnt-be-that-worrisome-but-this-is-2020/918628)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earths-magnetic-field-is-changing-normally-this-wouldnt-be-that-worrisome-but-this-is-2020/918628 "2020-08-21T21:59:57Z")
A growing dent in Earth’s magnetic field could impact satellites and spacecraft: --- ## [China and COVID-19 from here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-and-covid-19-from-here/851072)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-and-covid-19-from-here/851072 "2020-08-21T21:52:49Z")
Even assuming that China has under-reported identified case and death numbers by an order of magnitude it would be true that 99% of Hubei was uninfected and even more in the rest of China. Most of China’s residents are s… --- ## [That's "fire"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-fire/917619)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-fire/917619 "2020-08-21T21:29:50Z")
This is a pretty new expression, right? I caught it for the first time just a couple of weeks ago, and now I notice it every time it pops up. I had to look on my keyboard to ascertain that it wasn’t a poster somewhere me… --- ## [Michael Keaton calls on Donald Trump to resign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-keaton-calls-on-donald-trump-to-resign/918595)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-keaton-calls-on-donald-trump-to-resign/918595 "2020-08-21T20:25:43Z")
He says it would be “very patriotic.” And believe me, you don’t wanna cross Beetlejuice! --- ## [Golden State Killer/East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker arrested?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-state-killer-east-area-rapist-original-night-stalker-arrested/813110)
**Author:** [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-state-killer-east-area-rapist-original-night-stalker-arrested/813110 "2020-08-21T20:22:41Z")
This case has fascinated me for some time (and considering all of the amateur sleuths working on it, I was not the only one). Earlier this year, I listened to Casefile’s excellent 5 part series on it, and was also intere… --- ## [How do Wi-Fi Access Points Work? (Schools)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-wi-fi-access-points-work-schools/918449)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-wi-fi-access-points-work-schools/918449 "2020-08-21T19:57:17Z")
I’m a bit unclear how a Wi-Fi Access Point devices brings Internet access into a Student’s home? I had DSL which used the phone line and a DSL modem. I currently use U-verse which uses fiber optic from the street and CA… --- ## [Repairing speaker surrounds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-speaker-surrounds/918438)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-speaker-surrounds/918438 "2020-08-21T18:44:21Z")
So I’ve got this high-end-for-early/mid-90’s home theater active subwoofer that has spent a few too many year in an environmentally unregulated garage. I fired it up today and everything is great except the surround has … --- ## [New variant on fake tax return scams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-variant-on-fake-tax-return-scams/918676)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-variant-on-fake-tax-return-scams/918676 "2020-08-21T18:32:20Z")
About 2 months back, my MIL phoned me because they got a check from such-and-such bank, for about 7,000 dollars, for the refund for their 2019 tax return. The cover note said that since their electronic deposit info had … --- ## [The "influenced by his/her supporters" factor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-influenced-by-his-her-supporters-factor/918678)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-influenced-by-his-her-supporters-factor/918678 "2020-08-21T18:31:29Z")
IMHO, media analysis always focuses on two things, in a campaign: They focus on what the campaigns and candidates themselves (Biden, Trump) do or say; They focus on external factors, such as a terrorist attack, the… --- ## [What is your preferred floor mop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-preferred-floor-mop/853089)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-preferred-floor-mop/853089 "2020-05-17T17:57:23Z")
This is Mundane to the Max, but since I’m asking for opinions, I put it in IMHO. I still haven’t had my cleaning lady come back (but I am still paying her, in case anyone is wondering), so I’m mopping my own floors. I l… --- ## [Trust Level 3](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trust-level-3/916768)
**Author:** [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trust-level-3/916768 "2020-08-21T17:51:57Z")
I can now apparently do the following (among other things): You can now … Edit the title of any topic Change the category of any topic I’m not sure it’s really a good idea to give these functions to the teeming masses… --- ## [Sigh - probable tax ID theft. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-probable-tax-id-theft-now-what/854889)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-probable-tax-id-theft-now-what/854889 "2020-08-21T16:22:29Z")
Mother-in-law called me this afternoon. She got a letter, with a large check in it, from Green Dot Bank. It referenced Santa Barbara Tax something-or-other. The letter said that because they had been unable to direct d… --- ## [Cornhole in the country. (Such an unfortunate name for a game)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornhole-in-the-country-such-an-unfortunate-name-for-a-game/917217)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornhole-in-the-country-such-an-unfortunate-name-for-a-game/917217 "2020-08-21T16:10:04Z")
The badminton tournament has ended. Walking is just soooooo boring. They can’t beat me at Scrabble and Trivial pursuit. So, Son-of-a-wrek has decided to build a cornhole game. He studied up on official size requiremen… --- ## [SKUNKS! Northside Chicago SKUNKS!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skunks-northside-chicago-skunks/918539)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skunks-northside-chicago-skunks/918539 "2020-08-21T15:24:59Z")
So I went outside after dark to relay grab my dinner from the delivery guy, and I see a creature rooting around the wrought iron fence. It waddles. It has long fur, black with a double white stripe along its back and t… --- ## [Beggars with Signs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beggars-with-signs/911731)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beggars-with-signs/911731 "2020-08-21T14:36:48Z")
This may have been covered before, but I’m going to ask anyway. What’s the deal with the people that stand by a mall or by/in an intersection with a sign that says that they are stranded, a veteran, jobless, etc and nee… --- ## [The Suez Canal: Alleged difference in levels between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-suez-canal-alleged-difference-in-levels-between-the-red-sea-and-the-mediterranean/918590)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-suez-canal-alleged-difference-in-levels-between-the-red-sea-and-the-mediterranean/918590 "2020-08-21T14:06:09Z")
I have repeatedly read the claim that an objection that was raised in the 19th century against proposals to construct a Suez Canal was that the sea level of the Red Sea was considerably higher than that of the Mediterran… --- ## [Using too high octane gasoline can damage your engine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-too-high-octane-gasoline-can-damage-your-engine/918546)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-too-high-octane-gasoline-can-damage-your-engine/918546 "2020-08-21T13:49:05Z")
Today this post from a local car dealership, explaining regular versus premium gasoline, showed up as a sponsored post in my Facebook feed. This particular claim caught my attention: If you’re putting premium gas in… --- ## [Once Upon a Time (TV series). Lol WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-upon-a-time-tv-series-lol-wtf/918597)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-upon-a-time-tv-series-lol-wtf/918597 "2020-08-21T13:31:19Z")
Being stuck at home, I decided to binge OUAT. For the most part, it was an okay show. Personally, I found the villains to be WAY more interesting than the heroes. Also loved to hate watch Charming and Snow. The two most… --- ## [Hello everyone. My name is Lisa and I am new to the Café Society Board](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-everyone-my-name-is-lisa-and-i-am-new-to-the-cafe-society-board/918636)
**Author:** [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hello-everyone-my-name-is-lisa-and-i-am-new-to-the-cafe-society-board/918636 "2020-08-21T11:03:51Z")
Hi there. I’m Lisa and I am new to Café Society. I usually hang out in MPSIMS. I goofed today and started a new thread in MPSIMS that was musical in nature and so far this thread in MPSIMS has 51 views and exactly ze… --- ## [Coronavirus Having a Negative Impact on Blood Donations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366)
**Author:** [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-having-a-negative-impact-on-blood-donations/849366 "2020-08-20T04:45:47Z")
If you can, I urge you to donate blood. We don’t need a nationwide blood shortage on top of everything else. Link Link Link --- ## [I seem to be one of the few people who does not believe that COVID victims were murdered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-seem-to-be-one-of-the-few-people-who-does-not-believe-that-covid-victims-were-murdered/917193)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-seem-to-be-one-of-the-few-people-who-does-not-believe-that-covid-victims-were-murdered/917193 "2020-08-21T04:27:44Z")
Maybe this belongs in Great Debates, or even the Pit, IDK, but while a COVID death is unfortunate in any case and a tragedy in some, unless those people crossed paths with a medical serial killer, I don’t think they were… --- ## [Problem with "Why are there so many mattress stores?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-why-are-there-so-many-mattress-stores/745133)
**Author:** [@Zarquon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zarquon)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-why-are-there-so-many-mattress-stores/745133 "2020-07-10T23:04:43Z")
Interesting article, but there’s something wrong with the logic. “What accounts for this? It’s your classic oligopoly, where the market is dominated by just a few makers — think familiar names like Serta, Sealy, et al.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1744) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1746)