# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1776 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1777 --- ## [Are We OK with PPE & Ventilators Now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-ok-with-ppe-ventilators-now/916228)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2020, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-ok-with-ppe-ventilators-now/916228 "2020-07-27T00:50:37Z")
We had a couple of weeks of respite, with declining death if not infection rates. That seems to be over now. Have we used our time wisely? Is the US now in better shape for PPE and ventilators? --- ## [My First Piting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-piting/915892)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2020, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-piting/915892 "2020-07-27T00:42:53Z")
This probably won’t be very good, because the worse word I know is shmok. However, I would like to mention all the people who work fast food, and were their masks under their noses. IT DOESN’T DO ANY BLOOY GOOD THERE! … --- ## [Enamel paint with brush attached, is there such a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enamel-paint-with-brush-attached-is-there-such-a-thing/915462)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enamel-paint-with-brush-attached-is-there-such-a-thing/915462 "2020-07-26T23:10:43Z")
I’m looking for small (approx 1-2 ozs) containers of enamel paint where the brush is attached to the inside of the lid. Somewhat like a nail polish bottle, with the brush attached to the cap, but with a bigger container … --- ## [I wish someone would write a new map UI mod for LOTRO](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wish-someone-would-write-a-new-map-ui-mod-for-lotro/916423)
**Author:** [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wish-someone-would-write-a-new-map-ui-mod-for-lotro/916423 "2020-07-26T23:07:15Z")
I wish someone would write a grid overlay type map mod for LOTRO. I farm by crossing the map \[hopefully\] evenly so I can catch the ore or wood spawns \[and sometimes critters for hides\] but it can get annoying getting off… --- ## [Trump a Democrat Argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-a-democrat-argument/915214)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-a-democrat-argument/915214 "2020-07-26T22:47:30Z")
I know that this a trying time for Democrats. Heck, it’s a trying time for all of us that think President Trump is unfit for office, which includes a lot of Republicans and even über conservatives. Think about it. Anywa… --- ## [Oh man, I miss Robin Williams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-man-i-miss-robin-williams/915971)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-man-i-miss-robin-williams/915971 "2020-07-26T22:46:20Z")
I was reading about the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting. What a genius he was. YouTube (5:00), Good Will Hunting | ‘Your Move Chief’ (HD) - Matt Damon, Robin Williams | MIRAMAX Oh man, I miss Robin Williams. --- ## [If you shoot someone in self-defense are you better off (from a legal standpoint) to kill the person rather than wound them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-shoot-someone-in-self-defense-are-you-better-off-from-a-legal-standpoint-to-kill-the-person-rather-than-wound-them/914018)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-shoot-someone-in-self-defense-are-you-better-off-from-a-legal-standpoint-to-kill-the-person-rather-than-wound-them/914018 "2020-07-26T22:06:44Z")
I was reading the comments section of a Reddit thread and came across this string of responses where a very large number of people responded that if you shoot someone in self-defense you are far, far better off from lega… --- ## [Umbrella Academy on Netflix - Spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umbrella-academy-on-netflix-spoilers/829781)
**Author:** [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/umbrella-academy-on-netflix-spoilers/829781 "2020-07-26T21:41:36Z")
I just binge watched the Umbrella Academy on Netflix with my wife. I thought it was great. I had not read the comics previously, and the story pretty much just starts, leaving you to figure out what is going on as it p… --- ## [The Elmer Fud "Accent"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elmer-fud-accent/92118)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elmer-fud-accent/92118 "2020-07-26T20:41:59Z")
What causes this? Is it a speech impediment? If so what causes it? Or is it just another way of talking? Do other languages have it? --- ## [Is fascism always an alliance between business owners and prejudiced citizens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fascism-always-an-alliance-between-business-owners-and-prejudiced-citizens/912432)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fascism-always-an-alliance-between-business-owners-and-prejudiced-citizens/912432 "2020-07-26T19:16:44Z")
I remember in high school reading a book about Nazi germany. It said the support for the nazis came from business leaders and working class conservatives. At the time that made no sense to me, it seemed like those two gr… --- ## [Should "Lord of the Flies" be read as a parody/satire of "Plato's Republic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lord-of-the-flies-be-read-as-a-parody-satire-of-platos-republic/916379)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lord-of-the-flies-be-read-as-a-parody-satire-of-platos-republic/916379 "2020-07-26T17:14:33Z")
I have just reread Lord of the Flies after many years. I was wondering if it’s correect to read it as a satire of Plato’s Republic. I haven’t come across it linked with Plato’s Republic in that way online or anywhere el… --- ## [Which US Presidents need a definitive book written about them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-presidents-need-a-definitive-book-written-about-them/915448)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-presidents-need-a-definitive-book-written-about-them/915448 "2020-07-26T16:49:15Z")
Off the top of my head, I’m thinking we need new and substantial books on Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Andrew Jackson. --- ## [Unable to search for topics started by any poster with private profile?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unable-to-search-for-topics-started-by-any-poster-with-private-profile/916354)
**Author:** [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unable-to-search-for-topics-started-by-any-poster-with-private-profile/916354 "2020-07-26T16:43:44Z")
Am I missing something? Is it possible to perform a search for threads/topics started by a poster via the search dialogue? If they have a private profile, there’s no way to search via their profile activity. --- ## [Scotland Independence Referendum Mk2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotland-independence-referendum-mk2/782081)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 304\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotland-independence-referendum-mk2/782081 "2020-07-26T16:34:35Z")
Sturgeon is going to aim for a new referendum come 2018/2019 Somehow I feel after the uncertainty that was Brexit; they might not win again. --- ## [With a coin shortage, why don't stores round their pricing (to include tax if applicable)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-coin-shortage-why-dont-stores-round-their-pricing-to-include-tax-if-applicable/915756)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-coin-shortage-why-dont-stores-round-their-pricing-to-include-tax-if-applicable/915756 "2020-07-26T16:20:16Z")
I understand there’s a coin shortage here in the US. While I normally use a debit card, it got me thinking about why stores don’t round their pricing to the next dollar (to include sales tax). For example, here in my c… --- ## [Build off the EXACT song title word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-off-the-exact-song-title-word/763731)
**Author:** [@Baggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baggs)\ **Replies:** 2063\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-off-the-exact-song-title-word/763731 "2020-07-26T14:31:59Z")
Also : only from the genres: prog, psych,heavy/hard,pop,popsike. NO country, crooner-shit, soundtracks. You can use lp titles. Also ,in brackets, please indicate source (artist). Here goes then: CLOUDS and CLOWNS (… --- ## [Truancy laws in the age of COVID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truancy-laws-in-the-age-of-covid/915414)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truancy-laws-in-the-age-of-covid/915414 "2020-07-26T14:08:37Z")
With the talk of reopening schools in spite of rising new cases of COVID, I was wondering how laws requiring school attendance will work if schools reopen but a significant number of parents decide not to send their kids… --- ## [What's up with all the Christmas entertainment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-all-the-christmas-entertainment/916310)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-all-the-christmas-entertainment/916310 "2020-07-26T13:56:40Z")
It seems like every time I flip channels, I see a Christmas movie, some kind of Christmas-related documentary, and that lots of the sales channels are advertising Christmas stuff, not to mention there are lots of cooking… --- ## [How bad are alkaline soaps/shave creams for the face?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-alkaline-soaps-shave-creams-for-the-face/427091)
**Author:** [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-are-alkaline-soaps-shave-creams-for-the-face/427091 "2020-07-26T13:44:51Z")
I belong to a shave forum where most members shave with old fashioned DE razors and use tradition shave soaps/creams (the kind that are usually applied with a badger brush). Someone started a thread mocking a video put … --- ## [I Have an Extra Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-an-extra-tooth/916364)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-an-extra-tooth/916364 "2020-07-26T13:17:22Z")
Weird story. When I first joined these boards about 20 years ago, I thought one of the first things I would post in MPSIMS would be this story. But in all these years, it just never happened for some reason. Anyways, it… --- ## [Finding a new species - how much of a boon is it to scientists today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-species-how-much-of-a-boon-is-it-to-scientists-today/916189)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-new-species-how-much-of-a-boon-is-it-to-scientists-today/916189 "2020-07-26T12:42:45Z")
Say you’re wandering through the jungles of Brazil or a forest in Vietnam and - hey, it’s a bug you’ve never seen before. You take a live specimen or two back to the lab and before long, it is officially confirmed; this… --- ## [Question about cashier's check, money order, certified check](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cashiers-check-money-order-certified-check/915250)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-cashiers-check-money-order-certified-check/915250 "2020-07-26T11:56:23Z")
I am on the verge of making a major purchase from a private seller. The seller requires a certified or cashier’s check (or, I guess, money order). Reasonable. My question: Is one better (for me) than the others? To whom… --- ## [Beck takes a walk down a bad, bad, bad memory lane.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beck-takes-a-walk-down-a-bad-bad-bad-memory-lane/853359)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beck-takes-a-walk-down-a-bad-bad-bad-memory-lane/853359 "2020-07-26T09:12:59Z")
I was thinking about my baby brother. He’s almost exactly 2 years younger than me. Harry was the biggest klutz, chubby, blond and his feet grew before the rest of him. He also smelled bad. The worst thing he did was ta… --- ## [What is today's sneaker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-todays-sneaker/744731)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-todays-sneaker/744731 "2020-07-26T04:46:51Z")
Once upon a time, there were only tennis shoes and basketball shoes (high-tops). In my neck of the woods, either could also be known as a sneaker, but it was more likely for the tennis shoe, and they weren’t work just fo… --- ## [Regis Philbin has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regis-philbin-has-died/916337)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regis-philbin-has-died/916337 "2020-07-26T04:11:16Z")
Citation here. --- ## [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (her brilliant retort to Yoho)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-her-brilliant-retort-to-yoho/916220)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 198\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-her-brilliant-retort-to-yoho/916220 "2020-07-26T04:10:59Z")
This incident has been referred to in other threads but not directly. For those who aren’t up to date, a few days ago, U.S. Rep. Theodore S. “Ted” Yoho (R-Florida) ran into U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York… --- ## [Today's NYT crossword: How can FIEND possibly be the correct answer to DEVOTEE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-nyt-crossword-how-can-fiend-possibly-be-the-correct-answer-to-devotee/855162)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/todays-nyt-crossword-how-can-fiend-possibly-be-the-correct-answer-to-devotee/855162 "2020-07-26T03:49:51Z")
In today’s NYT crossword, the clue for 22A is DEVOTEE and the answer turns out to be FIEND. How on earth is this possible? Is it some recent slang usage? Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk --- ## ["Virtue Signaling"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtue-signaling/855565)
**Author:** [@Dan\_Turk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_Turk)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtue-signaling/855565 "2020-07-26T03:42:09Z")
I am not certain this belongs in GD. It may be political, GQ, or even MPSIMS, but I’m starting it here… This phrase has had a lot of mileage in the last couple of years. What do you take it to mean? Do you think it’s … --- ## [Advice for cultivating Venus Fly Traps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-cultivating-venus-fly-traps/916153)
**Author:** [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-cultivating-venus-fly-traps/916153 "2020-07-26T02:52:16Z")
I’ve recently acquired some Venus Fly Traps and they seem to be a bit fickle. I mixed 50/50 sphagnum moss & perlite. They’re in a large round globe-like bowl that’s roughly shaped like a jack-o-lantern - it’s rounded but… --- ## [Salary/income: Do you think in terms of per-month or per-year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salary-income-do-you-think-in-terms-of-per-month-or-per-year/914862)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salary-income-do-you-think-in-terms-of-per-month-or-per-year/914862 "2020-07-26T02:26:20Z")
In America, I have noticed that income is generally described on a per-year basis: i.e., the average American earns $38,000 a year, or something like that. But living abroad, I noticed it was much more commonly describe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1775) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1777)