# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1798 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1799 --- ## [The characterization of SCOTUS as a rubber stamp for Trump and Republicans is exaggerated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-characterization-of-scotus-as-a-rubber-stamp-for-trump-and-republicans-is-exaggerated/855911)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-characterization-of-scotus-as-a-rubber-stamp-for-trump-and-republicans-is-exaggerated/855911 "2020-07-09T14:50:19Z")
For a long time, some Dopers have characterized the Supreme Court (on which conservatives hold a 5-4 majority) as a de facto rubber stamp for Trump and the Republican Party. (Examples below - my point isn’t to call them… --- ## [R.I.P. Charlie Daniels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-charlie-daniels/914503)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-charlie-daniels/914503 "2020-07-09T14:40:20Z")
:disappointed\_relieved: --- ## [Trump Pardons Everyone!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pardons-everyone/848121 "2020-07-09T14:19:23Z")
This morning, Trump pardoned Edward DeBartelo, Jr., who was convicted of paying a $400,000 bribe to the governor of Louisiana to get a casino license. Then Trump pardoned Rod Blagojevich, who tried to sell a Senate seat… --- ## [Could POTUS appoint her/his VP to fill a Cabinet post as well?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-potus-appoint-her-his-vp-to-fill-a-cabinet-post-as-well/914026)
**Author:** [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-potus-appoint-her-his-vp-to-fill-a-cabinet-post-as-well/914026 "2020-07-09T13:38:14Z")
The question is pretty much in the title. Is there a reason this couldn’t happen? Traditionally the office of Vice-President hasn’t been much more than stay healthy and show up to break ties in the Senate. While the V… --- ## [Putting a link on its own line](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-a-link-on-its-own-line/914648)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-a-link-on-its-own-line/914648 "2020-07-09T13:31:49Z")
So, apparently if you post a link as a line by itself, it’s supposed to create a preview box. I’ve seen other Dopers doing this, but I can’t make it work. Am I missing something? I can still embed a link … --- ## [What the everloving Fuck is going on with racist threads/ thread-titles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-everloving-fuck-is-going-on-with-racist-threads-thread-titles/912594)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-everloving-fuck-is-going-on-with-racist-threads-thread-titles/912594 "2020-07-09T13:09:06Z")
In the last 10 minutes I’ve come across these two Threads: Thread on ’ Ricer Cars ’ American Indian Names for Pets What the FUCK is going on here??? They changed the goddamned wallpaper on The Dope. They did NOT mail … --- ## [Trump Tulsa Rally Count](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tulsa-rally-count/911186)
**Author:** [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tulsa-rally-count/911186 "2020-07-09T13:08:43Z")
So estimate is 6,000 - 7,000 which looks about right based on vids and pics. Massive overpromise blunder. I looked for accounts of previous rallies in Tulsa and only found one from early 2016, at a smaller indoor venue… --- ## [Willing to share your personal COVID comfort zone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willing-to-share-your-personal-covid-comfort-zone/913668)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/willing-to-share-your-personal-covid-comfort-zone/913668 "2020-07-09T11:38:10Z")
I wondered if anyone would be interested in sharing your personal experiences as to what sorts of activities/interactions you were/were not comfortable with. Feel free to opine as to the responsibility/irresponsibility … --- ## [New method of spam calls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-of-spam-calls/914750)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-method-of-spam-calls/914750 "2020-07-09T11:37:15Z")
So lately with increased frequency I get a call which goes through the spam filter. I don’t pickup calls from unknown numbers and let it go to voice mail. The real surprising part is that when I call these numbers back,… --- ## [What determines the meaning of words?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-determines-the-meaning-of-words/855333)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-determines-the-meaning-of-words/855333 "2020-07-09T11:30:30Z")
I think each person imparts meaning upon words. Words mean what people want them to mean; meaning follows usage. I reject the notion that words have some sort of intrinsic, Platonic meaning. Without people, words cease t… --- ## [We had a brownout earlier this evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-had-a-brownout-earlier-this-evening/914689)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-had-a-brownout-earlier-this-evening/914689 "2020-07-09T10:13:59Z")
My neighborhood had a power outage for a couple hours earlier this evening, and for the last hour or so, my incandescent bulbs were “on”, but barely orange, as was the blue light on my computer screen. But nothing else! … --- ## [Is there still time to get a stimulus payment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-time-to-get-a-stimulus-payment/914751)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-still-time-to-get-a-stimulus-payment/914751 "2020-07-09T08:19:48Z")
Kayla didn’t have a job in 2018, so she didn’t file a 2018 tax return. In 2019, she worked at Starbucks, and received a W-2. But she still hasn’t filed a tax return this year. I was looking at her W-2 (she had it out to … --- ## [Bring back the mouseover preview!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-back-the-mouseover-preview/911723)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bring-back-the-mouseover-preview/911723 "2020-07-09T08:04:06Z")
When I mouseover a topic subject in the list I no longer see a preview pop-up that shows me the first few lines of the first post. Is that gone forever, or is there a configuration setting that I can’t find? --- ## [Smoker recommendations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoker-recommendations/914384)
**Author:** [@turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turner)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoker-recommendations/914384 "2020-07-09T05:42:58Z")
So my smoker died on the 4th of July. It was a Masterbuilt electric and was the second I’ve had in about 10 years. I need you to disabuse me of my prejudices because I find fault with all the types that are on the mark… --- ## [Super Bowl 55 predictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-55-predictions/914791)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-bowl-55-predictions/914791 "2020-07-09T04:24:22Z")
I pencil in a Kansas City-San Francisco rematch. --- ## [Does power still pass through an extension cord if it is turned off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-power-still-pass-through-an-extension-cord-if-it-is-turned-off/914542)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-power-still-pass-through-an-extension-cord-if-it-is-turned-off/914542 "2020-07-09T04:15:57Z")
Scenario: Computers are turned off, power strip is turned off. If there were a blackout, lightning, or some sort of power surge, would the appliances be unaffected (since they are not drawing any power,) or does the elec… --- ## ["CAREN" law proposed in San Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caren-law-proposed-in-san-francisco/914762)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caren-law-proposed-in-san-francisco/914762 "2020-07-09T03:48:32Z")
CNN story: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/08/us/caren-act-911-san-francisco-trnd/index.html The acronym stands for Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies, which is one of the more stupid forced acronyms I ha… --- ## [Mary Kay Letourneau has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mary-kay-letourneau-has-died/914691)
**Author:** [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mary-kay-letourneau-has-died/914691 "2020-07-09T03:33:48Z")
Mary Kay Letourneau has died of Stage IV cancer at age 58. --- ## [Plan 9 From Outer Space Remake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-9-from-outer-space-remake/914754)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-9-from-outer-space-remake/914754 "2020-07-09T02:56:06Z")
Is there any conceivable way one could recapture the magic this movie possesses with any sort of remake? I mean the most obvious angle - playing it up as wink wink nudge nudge high camp - would necessarily result in an e… --- ## ["The End of History" - what's the consensus these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-history-whats-the-consensus-these-days/914702)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-history-whats-the-consensus-these-days/914702 "2020-07-09T02:00:06Z")
To me as a layperson, it certainly seems like the rise of demagogues from Duterte to Trump show that Fukuyama’s “end of history” concept was at best premature and quite possibly outright wrong. But I’m not a heavy thinke… --- ## ['trump Make America Great Again Committee' releases ad saying they will defend Brazilian Christ statue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-make-america-great-again-committee-releases-ad-saying-they-will-defend-brazilian-christ-statue/914509)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-make-america-great-again-committee-releases-ad-saying-they-will-defend-brazilian-christ-statue/914509 "2020-07-09T01:20:25Z")
From the “you just can’t make this shit up” department, the trump campaign releases a digital ad with a photo of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janiero, Brazil with the caption “WE WILL PROTECT THIS”. Oooohhka… --- ## [New Far Side Comics (this time, for real!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-far-side-comics-this-time-for-real/914736)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-far-side-comics-this-time-for-real/914736 "2020-07-09T01:13:32Z")
Gary Larson started his official site a few months ago, but he has actually published his first new Far Sides in 25 years now. See them here! --- ## [Remember the Wham-co Radio adds from the 80's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-wham-co-radio-adds-from-the-80s/465627)
**Author:** [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remember-the-wham-co-radio-adds-from-the-80s/465627 "2020-07-09T01:12:56Z")
If anybody listened to FM radio in the early 80s you may remember the Whamco Company parody adds. They use to make my laugh in high school and I still have a few on old cassette tapes. Imagine my surprise to find the com… --- ## [American Horror Story - does it get better after season 1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-horror-story-does-it-get-better-after-season-1/914632)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-horror-story-does-it-get-better-after-season-1/914632 "2020-07-09T01:09:54Z")
I recently watched S1 of “American Horror Story” on Netflix, and while it was interesting enough, I got so frustrated by them repeatedly breaking their own rules, or just ignoring the consequences of significant events, … --- ## [Tell me about footwear for plantar fasciitis/heel spur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-footwear-for-plantar-fasciitis-heel-spur/473481)
**Author:** [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-footwear-for-plantar-fasciitis-heel-spur/473481 "2020-07-09T00:24:11Z")
Disclaimer: I am seeing a podiatrist, just seeking opinions on footwear from others who’ve had this condition too. So I went to see the podiatrist for my heel pain, and the first thing he said when he saw my Crocs was, … --- ## [Lymphedema - WTF now is happeing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lymphedema-wtf-now-is-happeing/914703)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lymphedema-wtf-now-is-happeing/914703 "2020-07-08T23:49:12Z")
I have really no idea what this is, I’ve read up on it, apparently my lymph system (who knew we had one) is not working correctly. My right ankle is stiff to the touch and somewhat swollen, and doesn’t hurt a bit, but m… --- ## [Oh, Lil'Debbie what HAVE you done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-lildebbie-what-have-you-done/912588)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2020, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-lildebbie-what-have-you-done/912588 "2020-07-08T23:24:57Z")
The whole world loves Lil’Debbie. Even Dallas, Denver, Davenport and Duluth. Down here is South Arkansas she’s very popular among the youngsters and brown-bagging types. Hey, I like Lil’Debbie myself. DIL buys severa… --- ## [Name of or source of moisture absorber](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-or-source-of-moisture-absorber/914546 "2020-07-08T21:21:33Z")
One problem with finding a title for this thread is that I’m not even sure what to call what I’m looking for. You know how when you get a package sometimes there’s a little packet inside to absorb moisture? I’m looking… --- ## [Mundane and Pointless, Indeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mundane-and-pointless-indeed/914483)
**Author:** [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mundane-and-pointless-indeed/914483 "2020-07-08T21:18:48Z")
My beloved Dopers, I need your advice! And this is as Mundane as it gets! The country’s going to Hell, we’re all being stalked by COVID, and VOW has a stupid problem. I started an online blog years ago. Through the age… --- ## [How do the new mailboxes grasp letters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-new-mailboxes-grasp-letters/914752)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-new-mailboxes-grasp-letters/914752 "2020-07-08T20:31:07Z")
I’ve noticed that the new USPS mailboxes have some sort of mechanism that grabs letters that you deposit and pulls them in. Does anyone know how that works? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1797) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1799)