# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1767 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1768 --- ## [New house has strong chemical odor in tap water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-house-has-strong-chemical-odor-in-tap-water/917121)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-house-has-strong-chemical-odor-in-tap-water/917121 "2020-08-03T14:23:50Z")
My family just bought a newly built house in Austin. Everything seems great, except that the tap water has an intensely strong chemical PVC odor, so much so that I don’t dare cook, wash, drink or bathe with it. Is this c… --- ## [What the hell did I photograph?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-did-i-photograph/917145)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-did-i-photograph/917145 "2020-08-03T12:32:27Z")
I’m currently working on sorting and categorizing 20 years worth of digital photos, and there are of course some photos in there I have no memory of taking. This is one. … --- ## [Is it ok to give a critique if the discourse format now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-give-a-critique-if-the-discourse-format-now/917123)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-give-a-critique-if-the-discourse-format-now/917123 "2020-08-03T12:31:25Z")
I don’t know, does this go here in ATMB or over in Site Feedback? Anyway, we’ve been here a few weeks now. It seems that most people have settled in and adapted, mostly. I think a critique of the new platform is warra… --- ## [Will Trump pull an LBJ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-pull-an-lbj/913700)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-pull-an-lbj/913700 "2020-08-03T11:50:41Z")
Just today an item has been popping up on my news feed that “Republican operatives” are speculating that Trump may drop out / not run. The reporting seems to have started with Charles Gasparino from Fox News but has bee… --- ## [The Ghost of Herman Cain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ghost-of-herman-cain/916851)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ghost-of-herman-cain/916851 "2020-08-03T09:12:57Z")
Digital insertion of the ghost of Herman Cain, standing behind Trump at all his video tapings, should be a norm for the rest of the year. // A personal recommendation from me to the Universe. --- ## [Songs that are forever linked to a specific movie/TV scene in your mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-are-forever-linked-to-a-specific-movie-tv-scene-in-your-mind/916341)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-are-forever-linked-to-a-specific-movie-tv-scene-in-your-mind/916341 "2020-08-03T06:28:25Z")
I almost mentioned this in the “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” thread, but I realized this could be its own thread. I can never hear “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” without thinking of the scene in Three Bil… --- ## [Perjury Trap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perjury-trap/916789)
**Author:** [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perjury-trap/916789 "2020-08-03T03:05:54Z")
So an article about Ghislaine Maxwell argues that she was possibly the victim of a perjury trap. So, of course I looked up what a perjury trap is, and it is where a prosecutor brings someone before a grad jury and asks … --- ## [Pulling US troops from Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulling-us-troops-from-germany/916773)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pulling-us-troops-from-germany/916773 "2020-08-03T01:58:15Z")
Trump has announced he wants to pull some 12,000 troops from Germany to relocate in Italy and Belgium. The reasons given seem vague and may include personal unhappiness with Germany among other things. It might be expe… --- ## [Human sperm swims in a corkscrew motion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-sperm-swims-in-a-corkscrew-motion/916943)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-sperm-swims-in-a-corkscrew-motion/916943 "2020-08-03T00:08:25Z")
Sometimes the news bleeds over into my local jazz station. Today the story was, scientists have discovered that human sperm swims in a corkscrew motion instead of zig-zagging from side to side. They’ve had it wrong for h… --- ## [Saturday follies at the Wrek house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturday-follies-at-the-wrek-house/917038)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturday-follies-at-the-wrek-house/917038 "2020-08-03T00:07:16Z")
The badminton tourney had the championship match this afternoon. They were tied up 10-10 win the Lil’wrekker landed the winning volley. A brief argument over boundaries and the referee(me) stepped in and called the birdi… --- ## [Umbrella Man is a Hell's Angel and not Antifa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umbrella-man-is-a-hells-angel-and-not-antifa/916663)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umbrella-man-is-a-hells-angel-and-not-antifa/916663 "2020-08-02T23:02:35Z")
From AP: "Police say a man captured on surveillance video breaking windows at a south Minneapolis auto parts store in the days after George Floyd’s death is a Hell’s Angels member who was bent on stirring up social unres… --- ## [Man from U.N.C.L.E. swish-pan decoded at last](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-from-u-n-c-l-e-swish-pan-decoded-at-last/668896)
**Author:** [@Vashbul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vashbul)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-from-u-n-c-l-e-swish-pan-decoded-at-last/668896 "2020-08-02T22:49:57Z")
Well, today I was watching an old “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” episode. This spy series ran from 1964 to 1967 and one of the things it accomplished was to popularize the “swish pan”, also called the zip pan. Whenever the actio… --- ## [Welcome to Discourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-discourse/7)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2020, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-discourse/7 "2020-06-19T17:23:38Z")
Welcome Straight Dope Message Board Your direct line to thousands of the smartest, hippest people on the planet, plus a few total dipsticks. --- ## [The Irish Times is nailing it!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-irish-times-is-nailing-it/913715)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-irish-times-is-nailing-it/913715 "2020-08-02T22:38:26Z")
This is the second political commentary, on US politics, article I’ve read by this fellow that is on the mark. To be honest, this one is more unsettling than the last! Give it a read. --- ## [Why don't the Portland police arrest the camouflaged feds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-portland-police-arrest-the-camouflaged-feds/916331)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-portland-police-arrest-the-camouflaged-feds/916331 "2020-08-02T22:36:26Z")
In the news, unmarked federal agents wearing camouflage have been kidnapping people in Portland, Oregon and generally harrassing peaceful protesters (Federal Agents Push Into Portland Streets, Stretching Limits of Their … --- ## [Trump: "I don't take responsibility at all"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-i-dont-take-responsibility-at-all/849444)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-i-dont-take-responsibility-at-all/849444 "2020-08-02T22:06:57Z")
He was speaking specifically about the government’s response to COVID-19, but it’s been true of his entire Presidency. When has he taken responsibility for anything? But this responsibility’s gonna be hard to dodge. I… --- ## [Adult show/movie references in kids' shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-show-movie-references-in-kids-shows/917098)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-show-movie-references-in-kids-shows/917098 "2020-08-02T21:54:52Z")
One thing I find interesting is when shows for kids make references or parodies of decidedly non-kid-friendly shows or movies. Arthur, the PBS cartoon, has parodied South Park and The Sopranos, both very, VERY much not … --- ## [Anyone hear last weekend's "Live from Here" on NPR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-hear-last-weekends-live-from-here-on-npr/916751)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-hear-last-weekends-live-from-here-on-npr/916751 "2020-08-02T21:07:15Z")
I normally record the show (among others), but something went haywire and I got 2 hours of dead air instead. Judging by the website, which hasn’t been updated since June 14’s episode, it was another rerun, but I’m hoping… --- ## [Identity politics---balkanization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identity-politics-balkanization/916361)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identity-politics-balkanization/916361 "2020-08-02T20:49:56Z")
Do you like identity politics? I personally don’t. Yes, politics is now about race. The Republican Party nationally, but mostly in the South and the Midwest will be aiming to turn out every single Caucasian vote as ne… --- ## [Are doctors really being denied, harassed, or intimidated from using Hydroxychloroquine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-doctors-really-being-denied-harassed-or-intimidated-from-using-hydroxychloroquine/917026)
**Author:** [@txobbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txobbin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-doctors-really-being-denied-harassed-or-intimidated-from-using-hydroxychloroquine/917026 "2020-08-02T20:38:00Z")
First there was the “America’s Frontline Doctors” video and the kerfluffle about censorship when major media banned it. On Facebook I posted a debunking article “Don’t Believe These 3 Dangerous Lies from the Viral Stella… --- ## [Should I pipe in to let people know I'm interested in the debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-pipe-in-to-let-people-know-im-interested-in-the-debate/917063)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-pipe-in-to-let-people-know-im-interested-in-the-debate/917063 "2020-08-02T20:25:32Z")
A large part of my participation here - for better or for worse - is for exposure to people with different points of view. People like you! I will often come across a debate that I don’t want to heavily participate in, b… --- ## [Can i get in trouble for this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-in-trouble-for-this/917037)
**Author:** [@jonpluc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonpluc)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-in-trouble-for-this/917037 "2020-08-02T20:04:02Z")
My Mother passes away 4 years ago, and as Executor of her Estaste, i had all of her mail forwarded to my address to take care of her posthumous business. She was a (gullible) generousperson and appears to have donated t… --- ## [Before the Nazis zoomed to being a buzzword](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-nazis-zoomed-to-being-a-buzzword/916993)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/before-the-nazis-zoomed-to-being-a-buzzword/916993 "2020-08-02T17:59:30Z")
Everyone you do not agree with is a Nazi (2020)… I believe that before the Nazis became infamous, perhaps Bolshevic was used in the same way. I don’t know. But is there in history other terms that were used to deride fol… --- ## [Why don't female children experience female menopause symptoms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-female-children-experience-female-menopause-symptoms/917006)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-female-children-experience-female-menopause-symptoms/917006 "2020-08-02T17:55:12Z")
If the cause of the symptoms are low estrogen, why don’t prepubescent female children experience them? Estrogen levels are low before puberty. In adult women, low estrogen causes heat-sweats, hairloss, brittle bones, … --- ## [Welcome message on DiscourseHub](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-message-on-discoursehub/916626)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-message-on-discoursehub/916626 "2020-08-02T17:45:07Z")
The DiscourseHub app (which I think is the official app but I’m not sure) shows a welcome message that seems to still be at its default. This is the first thing a user sees when they use the app and come to the fora. I … --- ## [Pixar non sequitur thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pixar-non-sequitur-thread/837425)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pixar-non-sequitur-thread/837425 "2020-08-02T17:38:57Z")
No capes! --- ## [The Grand Poseur (1986)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grand-poseur-1986/917086)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grand-poseur-1986/917086 "2020-08-02T16:44:06Z")
Back when I was young and cool, I was dating this amazing girl. I was introduced to her circle of friends, including one who acted in Flashdance and was a backup singer for Pink Floyd. This one was in a short film call… --- ## [Browser "find" function doesn't work for long threads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browser-find-function-doesnt-work-for-long-threads/917084)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/browser-find-function-doesnt-work-for-long-threads/917084 "2020-08-02T16:21:28Z")
When trying to find an older post in a large thread, I’d sometimes just use the text find function in my browser (Firefox), vs. the board search (usually the former would turn out to be quicker, and also not risk a X sec… --- ## [16g finish nails for exterior use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/16g-finish-nails-for-exterior-use/916867)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/16g-finish-nails-for-exterior-use/916867 "2020-08-02T14:13:51Z")
So I was wondering if it would work ok to use 16g finish nails in my air nailer for outdoor use, if they’ll be under caulked joints and painted over. The boards they’ll be fastening will also be held with a dab of const… --- ## [Do wifi extenders work reliably](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wifi-extenders-work-reliably/914245)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wifi-extenders-work-reliably/914245 "2020-08-02T14:09:23Z")
I remember years ago I had trouble with the router, so I bought a wifi extender. It was a piece of garbage, and reading online the consensus was that they pretty much sucked. I think I ended up using a powerline adapter … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1766) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1768)