# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1805 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1806 --- ## [7/4 is around the corner. Do you like patriotic songs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-4-is-around-the-corner-do-you-like-patriotic-songs/913820)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2020, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-4-is-around-the-corner-do-you-like-patriotic-songs/913820 "2020-07-04T06:06:07Z")
These days, Comcast’s “Sounds of the Season” music channel is belting out the songs one would expect to hear at a July 4th fireworks show. Lots of Sousa/Williams instrumental marches, but in between lots of other songs … --- ## [Where do I buy REAL medical-grade masks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-buy-real-medical-grade-masks/855120)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2020, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-buy-real-medical-grade-masks/855120 "2020-07-04T04:25:59Z")
There are a lot of blue face masks for sale on Amazon, but they all seem to carry the disclaimer of “not for medical use - not proven to reduce transmission of disease.” Well, fuck that, I want a real medical mask that i… --- ## [Spoofed phone numbers, and now names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoofed-phone-numbers-and-now-names/914115)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2020, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoofed-phone-numbers-and-now-names/914115 "2020-07-04T03:04:39Z")
We are constantly bombarded on our land line\* with calls from spoofed phone numbers. Many of them are easy to recognize because the caller ID says “out of area” even when the area code and even the exchange is the same a… --- ## [... unless it is a vine bearing nuts or a railroad tunnel on an Indian reservation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unless-it-is-a-vine-bearing-nuts-or-a-railroad-tunnel-on-an-indian-reservation/914107)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unless-it-is-a-vine-bearing-nuts-or-a-railroad-tunnel-on-an-indian-reservation/914107 "2020-07-04T02:51:39Z")
Many years ago I was reading the instructions for an I.R.S. form regarding depreciation and came across an interesting phrase. The phrase was so silly and oddly specific that I remember it verbatim to this day. The phr… --- ## [What, if any effect will the gold scandal in China have (Kingold using fake gold to secure loans)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-any-effect-will-the-gold-scandal-in-china-have-kingold-using-fake-gold-to-secure-loans/914215)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-any-effect-will-the-gold-scandal-in-china-have-kingold-using-fake-gold-to-secure-loans/914215 "2020-07-04T00:39:54Z")
Haven’t seen any threads on this, so thought I’d ask economically oriented 'dopers what effect, if any, the recent revelations of Kingold using fake gold to secure over $4 billion in loans will have on the China’s or the… --- ## [Reason Behind the Post Office blue box orifice change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reason-behind-the-post-office-blue-box-orifice-change/914113)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2020, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reason-behind-the-post-office-blue-box-orifice-change/914113 "2020-07-04T00:18:09Z")
A handful of months ago, the public post office mailboxes — those classic blue rounded-top thingies—were modified. Previously, you would walk up to them and pull the handle forward; a section at the top would swing towa… --- ## [How Much Money in a Self-Checkout Kiosk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-in-a-self-checkout-kiosk/914073)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-money-in-a-self-checkout-kiosk/914073 "2020-07-03T22:11:11Z")
Prompted by this thread , how much physical money is typically kept in a self-checkout kiosk that handles cash? The person in the thread said that each one of theirs typically contains around $5000, and someone else thou… --- ## [Lieutenant Governor of Texas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lieutenant-governor-of-texas/914089)
**Author:** [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lieutenant-governor-of-texas/914089 "2020-07-03T21:47:56Z")
I have deliberately stayed far far away from this category in SDMB. So understand my ignorance of how you run the show here, and my great reluctance to become embroiled in an energetic political debate. HOWEVER (you kne… --- ## [Herbology: Native wisdom vs. superstition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herbology-native-wisdom-vs-superstition/913969)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/herbology-native-wisdom-vs-superstition/913969 "2020-07-03T21:20:39Z")
Indigenous peoples are frequently credited with having a veritable encyclopediac knowledge of the local plant life: what’s good to eat, what’s poisonous, what’s medicinally useful, what will let you talk with the spirit… --- ## [Does beer get colder quicker in bottles or cans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beer-get-colder-quicker-in-bottles-or-cans/913468)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beer-get-colder-quicker-in-bottles-or-cans/913468 "2020-07-03T20:22:24Z")
I’ve got one of those cooling machines that will cool a room temperature bottle or can in 30 seconds or so. It seems a longneck bottle of beer cools better then a 12 ounce can. I assume it’s either due to the glass of th… --- ## [Is there any other way to interpret this? (Dating)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-other-way-to-interpret-this-dating/914075)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-other-way-to-interpret-this-dating/914075 "2020-07-03T20:14:38Z")
A friend of mine, that I had a crush on TEN years ago is showing what I think is interest. Over the past few years we have not been in close contact. Mainly just saying hi to each other on Facebook. Yesterday, I gave h… --- ## [I'm in the market for a used truck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-the-market-for-a-used-truck/914091)
**Author:** [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-the-market-for-a-used-truck/914091 "2020-07-03T19:32:36Z")
My wife and I plan to buy a camping trailer soon. Small- to mid-sized. We’ve gone to an RV show, and done additional research. The trailers we’ve looked at are in the 17-20 foot range. I compiled a list of trailers and … --- ## [Why are a lot of spare tire wheels yellow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-a-lot-of-spare-tire-wheels-yellow/913320)
**Author:** [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-a-lot-of-spare-tire-wheels-yellow/913320 "2020-07-03T18:37:43Z")
Why are a lot of spare tire wheels painted a school bus yellow color? Is it limited to Japanese manufacturers? Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 --- ## [Entropy? Siri is no help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entropy-siri-is-no-help/913990)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entropy-siri-is-no-help/913990 "2020-07-03T18:30:46Z")
I’m working on something. How can the net amount of entropy of the universe be massively decreased? --- ## [China skips phase 3 testing, approves vaccine for use by military](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-skips-phase-3-testing-approves-vaccine-for-use-by-military/913966)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-skips-phase-3-testing-approves-vaccine-for-use-by-military/913966 "2020-07-03T17:28:30Z")
I saw this in the news and was wondering what 'dopers think about it. Apparently, China has waved phase 3 trials and is going ahead with a broader test of a vaccine candidate for use by their military. Also, Brazil mig… --- ## [Instead of payroll tax cut, Trump now plans to send checks directly to Americans, soon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-payroll-tax-cut-trump-now-plans-to-send-checks-directly-to-americans-soon/849678 "2020-07-03T17:11:51Z")
Plan is for a big cash infusion within the next 2 weeks, because the payroll tax cut plan (which effect would take 6-8 months to percolate through the economy and be felt) was criticized as much too slow. --- ## [TubaDiva's Passing and Board Administration/Name Change Requests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tubadivas-passing-and-board-administration-name-change-requests/914172)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tubadivas-passing-and-board-administration-name-change-requests/914172 "2020-07-03T16:52:51Z")
TubaDiva’s passing is a shocker and a tragedy. We thank you for all your hard work, Jennifer. To whom do I address a name change request now? --- ## [When's the last time a liberal SCOTUS justice dissented 3/1 with his/her peers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-last-time-a-liberal-scotus-justice-dissented-3-1-with-his-her-peers/913670)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whens-the-last-time-a-liberal-scotus-justice-dissented-3-1-with-his-her-peers/913670 "2020-07-03T16:16:42Z")
Mods can move this to P&E if they think it’s too political: By and large the Supreme Court is considered to consist of 5 conservatives - Roberts, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, Alito and Thomas… …and 4 liberals, Gainsbourg, Breye… --- ## [Do viruses serve any useful purpose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-viruses-serve-any-useful-purpose/914001)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-viruses-serve-any-useful-purpose/914001 "2020-07-03T15:51:49Z")
Just to be clear, I mean the biological type, not the computer type. I’m all for conservation. Any kind of living species should be preserved if at all possible. But it’s dubious if viruses count as living anyway. Anyw… --- ## [Which long time red state might turn blue in November?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-long-time-red-state-might-turn-blue-in-november/855681)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-long-time-red-state-might-turn-blue-in-november/855681 "2020-07-03T15:31:47Z")
I’m not asking about perennial swing states like Florida or Pennsylvania, that have gone back and forth between voting red and blue. But which state that has consistently voted Republican for presidents do you think has… --- ## [EVO 2020 cancelled, and not because of COVID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evo-2020-cancelled-and-not-because-of-covid/914182)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evo-2020-cancelled-and-not-because-of-covid/914182 "2020-07-03T15:04:19Z")
No, it got cancelled because of something MUCH worse. EVO 2020, which was to be an online tournament in 2020, has been cancelled. Earlier, it was reported that EVO CEO Joey Cuellar was being placed on administrative … --- ## [The House of Lords Gambling Committee says video game loot boxes should be regulated under gambling laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-house-of-lords-gambling-committee-says-video-game-loot-boxes-should-be-regulated-under-gambling-laws/914108)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-house-of-lords-gambling-committee-says-video-game-loot-boxes-should-be-regulated-under-gambling-laws/914108 "2020-07-03T14:28:24Z")
From: Loot boxes: Lords call for ‘immediate’ gambling regulation The Lords say they should be classified as “games of chance” - which would bring them under the Gambling Act 2005. “If a product looks like gambling and… --- ## [The new Postal Service 477 exam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-postal-service-477-exam/913888)
**Author:** [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-postal-service-477-exam/913888 "2020-07-03T14:23:27Z")
I find myself, due to COVID-19, unlikely to continue to be employed as a corporate travel counselor as I have for the past many years; so I’m in the process of trying to find new employment. I’ve applied with the US Pos… --- ## [Need answer fast, split AC throwing water inside, Covid risk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-split-ac-throwing-water-inside-covid-risk/913554)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-split-ac-throwing-water-inside-covid-risk/913554 "2020-07-03T14:20:14Z")
My split AC has been throwing water since yesterday. Since the outlet is pretty close to my bed, its been dripping some on the headboard and some drops fell on me. I cleaned it as much as I could and hopefully someone w… --- ## [Problem with images](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-images/913099)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-images/913099 "2020-07-03T13:59:18Z")
I just tried to post a link directly to a jpeg and Discourse decided that I wanted the image and so started copying it over. No matter what I did, there was no way to just link to it. And, of course, the board is set up … --- ## [Traditional ex-Presidential Cone of Silence vs Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traditional-ex-presidential-cone-of-silence-vs-trump/913561)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traditional-ex-presidential-cone-of-silence-vs-trump/913561 "2020-07-03T13:49:24Z")
It’s long been traditional that when a sitting President leaves office he (so far always “he”) retreats into silence for a year or two to let the new President have all the spotlight. IOW, no kibitzing. Yes, the immedia… --- ## [It's hot, I hurt, too much to do, and a bad mood on top of it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hot-i-hurt-too-much-to-do-and-a-bad-mood-on-top-of-it/912757)
**Author:** [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-hot-i-hurt-too-much-to-do-and-a-bad-mood-on-top-of-it/912757 "2020-07-03T12:42:27Z")
It’s hot, I hurt, too much to do, and a bad mood on top of it all! --- ## [Let's see your masks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-see-your-masks/855459)
**Author:** [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-see-your-masks/855459 "2020-07-03T12:21:09Z")
I’ve been using good ol’ disposable masks since it was suggested we all wear them. Now, with the need to wear them seemingly extending into who-knows-when, I’ve finally broken down and ordered nice fabric masks: Flowers… --- ## [It Was Twenty Years Ago Today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-twenty-years-ago-today/913513)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-was-twenty-years-ago-today/913513 "2020-07-03T12:09:48Z")
… that I registered at this board. That’s crazy. I’ve literally spent 37% of my life registered here. --- ## [Hugh Downs dies at 99](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugh-downs-dies-at-99/914090)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2020, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugh-downs-dies-at-99/914090 "2020-07-03T11:20:08Z")
I thought he worked recently [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1804) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1806)