# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1782 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1783 --- ## [Turkish man paraglides on his sofa over ocean while watching TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkish-man-paraglides-on-his-sofa-over-ocean-while-watching-tv/915474)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkish-man-paraglides-on-his-sofa-over-ocean-while-watching-tv/915474 "2020-07-22T00:19:25Z")
Occasionally, important news fails to make the front page, so this needs shared. Not only did he paraglide on his sofa while watching TV, he was tuned to Tom and Jerry and eating Doritos at the time. Truly a man of tas… --- ## [Bicycle people...help me pick out a bike!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-people-help-me-pick-out-a-bike/817623)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-people-help-me-pick-out-a-bike/817623 "2020-07-21T23:04:06Z")
Some things to know up front: Everything I know about bikes I have learned in the last 36 hours or so. The last time I really rode a bike was a Murray 10-speed from Wal-Mart, 1985 vintage. I ain’t made of money, but un… --- ## [CDC bypassed in Covid data collection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cdc-bypassed-in-covid-data-collection/915491)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cdc-bypassed-in-covid-data-collection/915491 "2020-07-21T23:02:50Z")
My wife told me about the story yesterday and swore it meant that covid data would be reported directly to the White House and was done for the purpose of filtering and permitting public health data to be manipulated p… --- ## [Why do people swear on a Bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-swear-on-a-bible/915890)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-swear-on-a-bible/915890 "2020-07-21T22:54:13Z")
People are often depicted in courtroom dramas as swearing on a Bible. A lot of public officials are sworn in on a Bible, though it is not legally required. Keith Ellison was sworn into Congress on a Quran. You can be swo… --- ## [Marcus Harvey (and Tre Jones)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-harvey-and-tre-jones/915958)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-harvey-and-tre-jones/915958 "2020-07-21T22:28:52Z")
Continuing the discussion from Serendipity: Probably not the same Marcus Harvey that Chaotic Donkey was referring to back in 2005, but someone by that same name and his friend Tre Jones just pulled somebody out of a ho… --- ## [Presidential Nominees Rarely Speak To Muslim Audiences. Biden Did Monday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-nominees-rarely-speak-to-muslim-audiences-biden-did-monday/915897)
**Author:** [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-nominees-rarely-speak-to-muslim-audiences-biden-did-monday/915897 "2020-07-21T21:56:38Z")
Good for him. (If, according to the story, perhaps a little late.) Story here: --- ## [Businesses cutting out Facebook ads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-cutting-out-facebook-ads/912489)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-cutting-out-facebook-ads/912489 "2020-07-21T21:41:45Z")
I agree with this, facebook is like a giant virus that needs a vaccine. One example here: --- ## [Could we discuss blood serum? Effective as a treatment? Effective as a vaccine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-discuss-blood-serum-effective-as-a-treatment-effective-as-a-vaccine/915663)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-discuss-blood-serum-effective-as-a-treatment-effective-as-a-vaccine/915663 "2020-07-21T21:37:07Z")
I see a lot of discussion and news articles about drug treatments and vaccines, but almost only passing mention about blood serum. That is odd because it seems to me that almost anyone who has survived an infection coul… --- ## [Men's shorts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts/915848)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-shorts/915848 "2020-07-21T21:28:41Z")
I’ve been wearing a pair of cargo shorts that are now much too big for me. Yesterday I got some roofing adhesive on them, so I decided it’s time to get some new shorts. I went for Carhartt 10" ‘Rigby’ shorts, as I’m ki… --- ## [What's in your Quarentine Garden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-quarentine-garden/852515)
**Author:** [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-your-quarentine-garden/852515 "2020-07-21T19:46:17Z")
I’ve been seeing a lot more windowsill gardens while I’m walking the dogs and and am reading online that many folks have taken up gardening in a small or large way to help pass the time. I have a yard and love playing in… --- ## [States secede, Trump lets them go](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-secede-trump-lets-them-go/915831)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-secede-trump-lets-them-go/915831 "2020-07-21T19:32:23Z")
Trump multiplies ‘Portland’ times 100…California, Washington and Oregon secede…and surprisingly Trump lets them go. Trump: We hope to peacefully negotiate economic, citizen, and border relations to make the new country … --- ## [Theoretical Ultimate Biplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theoretical-ultimate-biplane/914885)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Reynolds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Reynolds)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theoretical-ultimate-biplane/914885 "2020-07-21T19:30:22Z")
One thing that bothered me in aircraft development is the sudden jump from planes that would not look out of place in WWI to the BF-109 and similar fighters. A sudden switch from rotary-engine, fixed landing gear, open-c… --- ## [Trump sends federal agents to prevent election. Possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sends-federal-agents-to-prevent-election-possible/915873)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sends-federal-agents-to-prevent-election-possible/915873 "2020-07-21T19:29:56Z")
Until I read about what is happening in Portland, I would have ridiculed this suggestion. But what if Homeland Security agents descend en masse into Philadelphia, Detroit, Milwaukee to prevent people from voting? Scotu… --- ## [Military Question: Shining Your Belt Buckle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-question-shining-your-belt-buckle/915417)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-question-shining-your-belt-buckle/915417 "2020-07-21T19:22:39Z")
There’s a scene in An Officer And A Gentleman where the men are trying, and failing, to properly shine their belt buckles. Gere’s character then offers to sell them some bootleg belt buckles that he’s hidden away. First… --- ## [Is ethnic theming (always) offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ethnic-theming-always-offensive/915833)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ethnic-theming-always-offensive/915833 "2020-07-21T19:02:05Z")
Inspired by the petition against ‘Trader Jose’s taco shells’ mentioned in this post: Is this use of the verb "belie" correct? I don’t really understand why this is supposed to be offensive, but it made me think. When I… --- ## [The new software is 'helpfully' inserting registered trademark symbols](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-software-is-helpfully-inserting-registered-trademark-symbols/915941)
**Author:** [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-software-is-helpfully-inserting-registered-trademark-symbols/915941 "2020-07-21T18:46:48Z")
Is there a way I can override this? e.g. Joe Blow (D) will face John Doe ® in this fall’s Arkanhoma senate race. Similarly… ® \<- ( r ) with no spaces © \<- ( c ) with no spaces ™ \<- ( tm ) with no spaces I can see h… --- ## [Bering Sea Gold (TV show)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bering-sea-gold-tv-show/915864)
**Author:** [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bering-sea-gold-tv-show/915864 "2020-07-21T18:24:53Z")
Watched this in years past. Somewhat interesting. Going through a pile of currently taped episodes now. Each 1 hour show takes about 8 minutes to watch when you fast forward the deliberately staged screaming matches a… --- ## [I'm in love with a vacuum cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-a-vacuum-cleaner/158106)
**Author:** [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-a-vacuum-cleaner/158106 "2020-07-21T18:14:51Z")
Seriously. Check this out: http://www.trilobite.electrolux.se/ Is that the coolest thing ever, or what? Only 1600 Euros. :slight\_smile: --- ## [Ethics of taking money to remove a negative review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-taking-money-to-remove-a-negative-review/913188)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-taking-money-to-remove-a-negative-review/913188 "2020-07-21T17:25:46Z")
in December I bought a pair of phone chargers from a third-party Amazon marketplace seller. Neither one actually charged the phone. I returned them, got a refund, and wrote a review: I plugged this into a Galaxy S10 an… --- ## [Help me compile a list of why Biden is better than Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-list-of-why-biden-is-better-than-trump/914352)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-list-of-why-biden-is-better-than-trump/914352 "2020-07-21T17:22:08Z")
I have a friend, very liberal and very well read, a socialist if not a communist. I used to work with someone who said, “I am a socialist, sometimes I think I am a communist.” Well I am not a communist. In theory, I am, … --- ## [Fatality Choppiness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatality-choppiness/915520)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fatality-choppiness/915520 "2020-07-21T16:51:42Z")
Looking at daily fatalities for Coronavirus, there’s a pretty stable pattern of there being reduced deaths on Sunday and Monday: It’s sufficiently stable that, by this point, I think it’s fair to say that it’s not jus… --- ## [Baklava suggestions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baklava-suggestions/915881)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baklava-suggestions/915881 "2020-07-21T16:47:14Z")
I decided to give this wonderful treat a try. It wasn’t all that difficult to put together, and it’s still cooling, so I haven’t had a chance to try it yet. I’d be interested in recipes and helpful hints from anyone who … --- ## [Seeking Sci Fi book suggestions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-sci-fi-book-suggestions/70616)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-sci-fi-book-suggestions/70616 "2020-07-21T16:41:53Z")
Does anyone have any good suggestions for sci-fi books specifically about time travel or invisibility? Thanks in advance. --- ## [How much PTO would you keep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-pto-would-you-keep/911957)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-pto-would-you-keep/911957 "2020-07-21T16:27:33Z")
In these uncertain times, I’m lucky enough to have a good job I can WFH in. My current company is one of those that puts sick and vacation time in one PTO pool. During a discussion with a manager recently, she mentioned … --- ## [Happy birthday, Colonel Tom!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-colonel-tom/852907)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-colonel-tom/852907 "2020-07-21T15:35:05Z")
British WWII vet, Col.Tom Moore, who has raised over $39,000,000 for Britain’s National Health Care Service by walking 100 laps of his garden earlier this month celebrates his 100th birthday today. He has received over 1… --- ## [Norelco bodygroom and Electric Shaver Battery Issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norelco-bodygroom-and-electric-shaver-battery-issue/915713)
**Author:** [@rogerfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerfrank)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norelco-bodygroom-and-electric-shaver-battery-issue/915713 "2020-07-21T15:27:56Z")
I have norelco bodygroom bg2040 that i bought about a few years ago. I also have a philips electric shaver to shave facial hair that i bought years ago as well. I grow very little facial hair. My electric shaver i notic… --- ## [Poll: What does BLM Mean to You?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-does-blm-mean-to-you/915786)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-what-does-blm-mean-to-you/915786 "2020-07-21T15:19:04Z")
If you see the initialism BLM without any further context, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? poll --- ## [Make Social Justice Great Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-social-justice-great-again/915081)
**Author:** [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-social-justice-great-again/915081 "2020-07-21T15:11:56Z")
Preamble: this thread isn’t directed at everyone who reads it. I trust the individuals of the Dope community to be by and large smart and honest enough to self-identify. There’s the modern concept that the right invente… --- ## [No permission to view my own bookmarks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-permission-to-view-my-own-bookmarks/915926)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-permission-to-view-my-own-bookmarks/915926 "2020-07-21T14:46:53Z")
I finally decided to actually use a bookmark, in the Lateral Thinking game thread so I could find where I left off. (I’m generally always behind.) But I try to go to my bookmarks today, and the dropdown is blank. I then… --- ## [How to take care of young kittens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-take-care-of-young-kittens/915886)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-take-care-of-young-kittens/915886 "2020-07-21T14:45:42Z")
I just saw at least 3 kittens under a slab of concrete in the house next to my place. The kittens look quite small, one month old probably. If I were to take them in, how would I take care of them? What would I feed them… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1781) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1783)