# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=176&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 177 --- ## [Honduras Election is Close](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honduras-election-is-close/1025301)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honduras-election-is-close/1025301 "2025-12-25T01:12:11Z")
Trump endorsed Tito Asfura (AKA Nasry Asfura) is still a bit ahead, but the trend in the last few updates goes against him. Local media with Google Translate: --- ## [If you mute a thread, are you (also) not allowed to say you have outside the Pit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-mute-a-thread-are-you-also-not-allowed-to-say-you-have-outside-the-pit/1025988)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-mute-a-thread-are-you-also-not-allowed-to-say-you-have-outside-the-pit/1025988 "2025-12-25T00:33:23Z")
I know you can’t announce you have someone on ignore outside the Pit. Does that also hold for threads, since it could cast aspersions on the thread starter? I’ve been nuking them at an increasing rate, typically just sil… --- ## [My husband and fb scams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-husband-and-fb-scams/1026008)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-husband-and-fb-scams/1026008 "2025-12-24T23:28:36Z")
He gets on Facebook and wants to use my walmart card to “win” a Les Paul guitar … twice. I call the company the post is claiming is giving away the very expensive guitar and guess what it’s fake. Who knew! Me! I knew! Ga… --- ## [Can somebody explain the Calibri issue to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-the-calibri-issue-to-me/1025690)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-the-calibri-issue-to-me/1025690 "2025-12-24T22:33:18Z")
Marco Rubio has degreed that the official font of the Department of State is being switched from Calibri to Times New Roman. Okay, he’s the Secretary of State and I guess he makes those decisions although it seems like a… --- ## [Uncle Buck: the three mystery men in the mail slot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncle-buck-the-three-mystery-men-in-the-mail-slot/577136)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uncle-buck-the-three-mystery-men-in-the-mail-slot/577136 "2025-12-24T21:41:12Z")
Watched Uncle Buck this weekend. TiVo’s scheduler gave it two and a half stars, which is dead wrong in my book: Uncle Buck is comedy gold. The movie occasionally veers into the surreal for comedic effect (e.g. the clow… --- ## [Goon, you're free!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goon-youre-free/1025240)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goon-youre-free/1025240 "2025-12-24T21:40:45Z")
Before approving this design, it would have helped if the marketing executives were aware that “goon” is a (pretty new?) slang term for “masturbate”. Of course, mayne they did know and this was a very savvy bit of vir… --- ## [Extremely ignorant question about mandatory IRA withdrawals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-ignorant-question-about-mandatory-ira-withdrawals/1025915)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-ignorant-question-about-mandatory-ira-withdrawals/1025915 "2025-12-24T19:25:54Z")
So, this will be the first time I’ve withdrawn money from my IRA – the mandatory minimum requirement thing. I found various on-line calculator, fed them my birthdate and the not impressive total amount of my IRA (it’s s… --- ## [Gen V (spin-off of The Boys)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-v-spin-off-of-the-boys/990886)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-v-spin-off-of-the-boys/990886 "2025-12-24T19:19:36Z")
The first three episodes are out. I’ve watched the first one. It is very slow in places, but in others they turn to The Boys and say “Hold my beer.” --- ## [The gateway idiot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gateway-idiot/1025557)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gateway-idiot/1025557 "2025-12-24T18:40:41Z")
Was Sarah Palin the gateway idiot that lowered the political bar enough to let Trump ooze over? --- ## [A new Xmas tradition in Cleveland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-xmas-tradition-in-cleveland/1025916)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-xmas-tradition-in-cleveland/1025916 "2025-12-24T18:06:31Z")
About 2 weeks ago on the r/Cleveland sub Reddit someone posted a photo of an abandoned microwave sitting forlornly on a park bench wondering why it was there. This was followed by Day 2, Day 3, etc. as the weather change… --- ## [Anything I can or should do with realized long-term capital losses this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-i-can-or-should-do-with-realized-long-term-capital-losses-this-year/1025992)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-i-can-or-should-do-with-realized-long-term-capital-losses-this-year/1025992 "2025-12-24T17:19:54Z")
Due to some companies going private and some other long shots not working out, I have realized LTCL of about $10,000 this year. The rest of the portfolio, like most of America’s, is green but unrealized. I’ve also rece… --- ## [For the 1st time in history an aircraft takes over in an emergency and lands safely](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-1st-time-in-history-an-aircraft-takes-over-in-an-emergency-and-lands-safely/1025993)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-1st-time-in-history-an-aircraft-takes-over-in-an-emergency-and-lands-safely/1025993 "2025-12-24T15:40:02Z")
Wow. The pilots were actually OK but decided to let the automatic system finish it’s task. --- ## [Should I disable/remove Bitlocker on my laptop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-disable-remove-bitlocker-on-my-laptop/955895)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-disable-remove-bitlocker-on-my-laptop/955895 "2025-12-24T15:30:30Z")
I’ve had my Dell XPS-13 laptop for almost a year, and I’ve just realized that Bitlocker was turned on by default when I got it. This annoyed me because of a recent negative experience I had with the program. My mother h… --- ## [Weapons (2025) Seen it Thread with Spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weapons-2025-seen-it-thread-with-spoilers/1022268)
**Author:** [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weapons-2025-seen-it-thread-with-spoilers/1022268 "2025-12-24T15:26:04Z")
The best way to enjoy this film is to go in blind. The less you know beforehand, the better. If you haven’t seen it yet and intend to stop reading now. As with Zach Cregger’s previous film, Barbarian, you don’t really kn… --- ## [What to do when there's a rat where you poo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-when-theres-a-rat-where-you-poo/1025983)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-when-theres-a-rat-where-you-poo/1025983 "2025-12-24T12:41:38Z")
This story is currently making the rounds. What do do if a rat climbs out of your toilet. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/us/washington-flooding-toilet-rats.html I let AI tackle the illustration. … --- ## [Does Trump believe the things he says?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-believe-the-things-he-says/1025926)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-believe-the-things-he-says/1025926 "2025-12-24T04:03:32Z")
Donald Trump says many things which are not true. Do you think he knows this? Does he know he’s lying but figures his audience will believe his lies? Or does he believe the things he says are true? Do you think this ha… --- ## [Recommend Me Some Bad Poetry (Need Answer Fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-bad-poetry-need-answer-fast/1025923)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-bad-poetry-need-answer-fast/1025923 "2025-12-24T02:25:22Z")
Should have started this sooner. Anyway, tomorrow I’m hosting a holiday party for my writers group. Unfortunately, one of our members passed away on Thanksgiving Day, and it’s our first time meeting without him. He alway… --- ## [Insurance Agent: Real Thing or Mythical Beast from the Distant Past?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-agent-real-thing-or-mythical-beast-from-the-distant-past/1025973)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-agent-real-thing-or-mythical-beast-from-the-distant-past/1025973 "2025-12-24T02:23:24Z")
Continuing the discussion from Advice after serious car accident: In that thread the OP has just been in a life-threatening car crash. And is asking about all manner of insurance related stuff. Many people have advise… --- ## [In the next five years will AI be able to produce a motion picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-five-years-will-ai-be-able-to-produce-a-motion-picture/1025847)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-next-five-years-will-ai-be-able-to-produce-a-motion-picture/1025847 "2025-12-24T02:08:19Z")
Will I be able to give the text of a Shakespeare play, Hemingway, Twain, Tolkien to some AI ‘engine’? Instruct it on the length, some assumptions I expect, and have it develop a real-looking motion picture. I’ve been ex… --- ## [Trump Media merges with fusion power firm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-media-merges-with-fusion-power-firm/1025827)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-media-merges-with-fusion-power-firm/1025827 "2025-12-24T01:46:47Z")
https://www.reuters.com/business/trump-media-tae-technologies-combine-6-billion-deal-2025-12-18/ Trump Media is merging with fusion power hopefully TAE, because obviously, that makes a ton of sense, they’re in very simi… --- ## [Is it possible Musk and DOGE crew scrubbed or tampered with Epstein info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-musk-and-doge-crew-scrubbed-or-tampered-with-epstein-info/1025986)
**Author:** [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-musk-and-doge-crew-scrubbed-or-tampered-with-epstein-info/1025986 "2025-12-24T00:21:15Z")
He did make reference to Trumps involvement while they were spatting over Trump ending e vehicle rebates ? There was more to DOGE than saving taxpayers money! --- ## [Insurance coverage for an accident while driving under the influence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-coverage-for-an-accident-while-driving-under-the-influence/1025805)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-coverage-for-an-accident-while-driving-under-the-influence/1025805 "2025-12-23T23:55:20Z")
A friend’s son in law was driving impaired. He rear ended a car and pushed that car into a second car. He failed a breath test and was arrested. He called his wife from jail and pleaded with her to not divorce him and… --- ## [Your country's (and culture's) relationship with TIME](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-countrys-and-cultures-relationship-with-time/1025967)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-countrys-and-cultures-relationship-with-time/1025967 "2025-12-23T23:39:03Z")
We have that interesting thread about time ( What is your relationship with Time? ) … that made me wonder about our countries/states and cultures and their relationship to time … stuff like: Siesta in spain (sleeping … --- ## [Screw you, Burl Ives!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833)
**Author:** [@De\_La\_Rue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/De_La_Rue)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screw-you-burl-ives/1011833 "2025-12-23T23:38:23Z")
“Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you didn’t hear Well, by golly have a holly joll–” You JUST told us to have a holly jolly Christmas two seconds ago! Of course we fucking heard! How stupid do you think we are… --- ## [Why does Medicare not cover a Vitamin D-3 blood test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-medicare-not-cover-a-vitamin-d-3-blood-test/1025770)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-medicare-not-cover-a-vitamin-d-3-blood-test/1025770 "2025-12-23T21:25:39Z")
My husband recently had this test, requested by his PCP among a bunch of others, and this test alone was not covered. Does anyone here have any idea why not? It cost $306 out of pocket. We haven’t had a chance yet to as… --- ## [TSA BAD!11! according to Sean Duffy's Daughter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-bad-11-according-to-sean-duffys-daughter/1025871)
**Author:** [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-bad-11-according-to-sean-duffys-daughter/1025871 "2025-12-23T20:54:47Z")
I just don’t understand what she thinks her little outburst is going to achieve. Also, if you know you’re going to want a patdown vs. scanner when going through security, wouldn’t you leave yourself more than fifteen min… --- ## [Chris Rea dead at 74](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-rea-dead-at-74/1025953)
**Author:** [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-rea-dead-at-74/1025953 "2025-12-23T20:26:03Z")
That’s a bummer, and almost as ironic as George Michael having died on Christmas, both having had massive Christmas hits. But I’ve always liked Chris Rea for more than just “Driving Home For Christmas”, though it’s one o… --- ## [The Mystery of the Mojave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mystery-of-the-mojave/1025905)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mystery-of-the-mojave/1025905 "2025-12-23T20:19:54Z")
I like to follow this guy, Steve. He goes to some interesting places. In this video, he discovers what looks like to be a bear canister with a set of numbers in it. I don’t believe it’s a plant by Steve. But these days, … --- ## [Your favorite five shows from the last five years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-five-shows-from-the-last-five-years/1025952)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-five-shows-from-the-last-five-years/1025952 "2025-12-23T20:18:19Z")
In order, what are your five favorite shows of the last five years? To qualify, it either has to be currently on the air, or the finale must have aired in the last fiver years. For me: 1. Slow Horses: darkly fun… --- ## [How many roots are there in a square root?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-roots-are-there-in-a-square-root/1025864)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-roots-are-there-in-a-square-root/1025864 "2025-12-23T19:50:19Z")
I keep seeing ‘square root’ reels in one of my Facebook feeds. For example: √((82 + 82)/8). So: 64 + 64 = 128 128 ÷ 8 = 16 √16 = ± 4 I was taught that a square root can be positive or negative. 4 x 4 = 16, and -4 … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=175&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=177&state=muted)