# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=184&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 185 --- ## ["Hurricane" Huron (1996)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-huron-1996/1025589)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-huron-1996/1025589 "2025-12-12T14:39:24Z")
If ”Hurricane” Huron were plunked down in the middle of the western Caribbean or had somehow migrated there, would there be any reason not to say it was a hurricane rather than an extratropical cyclone? Didn’t it have al… --- ## [Legally permissible political dirty tricks that have not been openly tried yet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-permissible-political-dirty-tricks-that-have-not-been-openly-tried-yet/1025581)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legally-permissible-political-dirty-tricks-that-have-not-been-openly-tried-yet/1025581 "2025-12-12T06:08:54Z")
Reporting came out today that the bid to run Jasmine Crockett for Texas Senate was partially astroturfed by Republicans But the Republican efforts didn’t stop there. In what the source dubbed an “AstroTurf recruitment … --- ## [Tell Me About Your Local Malls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-local-malls/985901)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-local-malls/985901 "2025-12-12T04:57:13Z")
Buying over the Internet has replaced traditional stores to some degree. Malls doing badly is neither new, nor news (natch). I was reading some statistics today suggesting plenty of people rarely go there, which I unde… --- ## [Earliest Maharg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-maharg/824037)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earliest-maharg/824037 "2025-12-12T04:02:59Z")
Maharg is a surname. For example, a John Archibald Maharg (1872-1944) was a Saskatchewan politician. But it also is a backwards spelling of Graham. Apparently someone named Graham (which is the name of a Scottish clan) r… --- ## [British man fined £150 for spitting up leaf that flew into his mouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-man-fined-150-for-spitting-up-leaf-that-flew-into-his-mouth/1025631)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-man-fined-150-for-spitting-up-leaf-that-flew-into-his-mouth/1025631 "2025-12-12T02:56:21Z")
An elderly man in Skegness, England, was fined £250 (later reduced to £150 on appeal) back in February when a leaf blew into his mouth and he spit it out. They said he was committing an “environmental crime”. A bit he… --- ## [Would a single gunshot deflate a modern automobile tire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-single-gunshot-deflate-a-modern-automobile-tire/1025534)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-single-gunshot-deflate-a-modern-automobile-tire/1025534 "2025-12-12T00:46:42Z")
I’m currently binge-watching for the second time the excellent British cop series “Inspector George Gently,” which is set in the 1960s. In today’s episode, the Inspector fires a single bullet into each front tire of the … --- ## [Are modern vehicle headlights adjustable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-vehicle-headlights-adjustable/1025556)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-modern-vehicle-headlights-adjustable/1025556 "2025-12-11T23:52:22Z")
Or, why does my driver’s side headlight look like it’s pointing off to the left? 2017 Toyota RAV4. Sometime back over the summer I noticed (when seeing a reflection of my front end in a window) that my left headlight wa… --- ## [ID this time signature for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-time-signature-for-me/1025602)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-this-time-signature-for-me/1025602 "2025-12-11T23:26:24Z")
Further to Fly by Paul Simon. Main verse sounds like 3/4, 6/4, or 12/4 and then I can’t even clock what’s going on in the chorus. --- ## [Ghost dog? Ghost girl? Yeah, no](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-dog-ghost-girl-yeah-no/1025628)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-dog-ghost-girl-yeah-no/1025628 "2025-12-11T23:20:03Z")
In a fit of retail need, Ivy says she needs stuff. I grouse a bit. Look, we were shopping allover bigger town yesterday. I say “Why?” She says “coz, looky I have coupons!” Can I tell you how bad I hate Dollar General… --- ## [eBay sellers' tales](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-sellers-tales/1025571)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-sellers-tales/1025571 "2025-12-11T21:53:50Z")
I sell stuff on eBay - not much, mostly books & stuff I have lying around that I no longer use. I’ve occasionally sold things for friends who don’t want to navigate the process. I take care that my listings are clear a… --- ## [The UK (and Europe's) free speech problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-and-europes-free-speech-problem/1021153)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 431\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-and-europes-free-speech-problem/1021153 "2025-12-11T21:45:52Z")
Splitting this from the Roger Waters thread to avoid side tracking… Roger Waters is a tankie - #338 by OldOlds IMO this is a demonstration of something that comes up pretty frequently. JR Vance’s pro-fascist lectures i… --- ## [Raul Malo, leader singer of the Mavericks, dies at 60](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raul-malo-leader-singer-of-the-mavericks-dies-at-60/1025559)
**Author:** [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raul-malo-leader-singer-of-the-mavericks-dies-at-60/1025559 "2025-12-11T21:43:29Z")
Very sad to hear this - their concerts were terrific. Apparently he was fighting two different kinds of cancer. --- ## [How will AI change childhood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-ai-change-childhood/1025473)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-ai-change-childhood/1025473 "2025-12-11T20:15:37Z")
Food for thought from The Economist. Excerpt, from article below: Toymakers in China have declared 2025 the year of artificial intelligence (AI) and are producing robots and teddies that can teach, play and tell storie… --- ## ["Rudolph" T.V. Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudolph-t-v-special/43518)
**Author:** [@poohpah\_chalupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poohpah_chalupa)\ **Replies:** 828\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rudolph-t-v-special/43518 "2025-12-11T18:44:14Z")
On the Island of Misfit Toys, in addition to Charlie-In-The-Box and a choo-choo train with square wheels (among others), there was a red-haired rag doll. What was her name and why was she a misfit? Also, the (flying) Li… --- ## [On Being a Nice Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-being-a-nice-guy/1025483)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-being-a-nice-guy/1025483 "2025-12-11T18:20:45Z")
Because I am one. Yeah, that kind. I accept all the criticism of us as well-placed, even though I know the discussion hasn’t been about me, personally. “Eww, why do you choose to ally yourself with and identify with N… --- ## [Jeff Goldblum Oz ad edited?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeff-goldblum-oz-ad-edited/1025611)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeff-goldblum-oz-ad-edited/1025611 "2025-12-11T17:47:36Z")
I just saw this ad for Xfinity The beginning shows an overhead shot of Jeff Goldblum walking to his car from opening night for “Wicked for Good,” and we hear a voice-over “My son is already in the car” - w… --- ## [Selling the family home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-family-home/997775)
**Author:** [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-the-family-home/997775 "2025-12-11T16:16:33Z")
I have a question about selling my FIL’s house. He is 92 and his health is slowly fading. My wife has been his most everything since her mother went into memory care then passed away. When the time does come, she would l… --- ## [What Should We Call the Process of Reversing MAGA Control of the U.S. Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-call-the-process-of-reversing-maga-control-of-the-u-s-government/1025510)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-call-the-process-of-reversing-maga-control-of-the-u-s-government/1025510 "2025-12-11T14:42:04Z")
There’s another thread on what the process should be – Here I’m just trying to figure out what to call it. I posted this question on both ChatGPT and Gemini: “What are alternative words that have been suggested (not by… --- ## [Why is the verse of Dr Seuss so difficult for anyone else to do well?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-verse-of-dr-seuss-so-difficult-for-anyone-else-to-do-well/1025604)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-verse-of-dr-seuss-so-difficult-for-anyone-else-to-do-well/1025604 "2025-12-11T14:27:39Z")
I’ve seen quite a few examples of verse written in an attempt to mimic the style of Dr Seuss - from amateurs, a lot and it’s nearly always cringe, but even in produced works where presumably there were professionals task… --- ## [USA seizes oil tanker off of the coast of Venezuela](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-seizes-oil-tanker-off-of-the-coast-of-venezuela/1025605)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-seizes-oil-tanker-off-of-the-coast-of-venezuela/1025605 "2025-12-11T14:06:05Z")
Don’t know where to put this. But this is another act of war/piracy. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/10/us-seizes-venezuelan-oil-tanker-00685289 --- ## [Have some All in the Family episodes been edited?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-some-all-in-the-family-episodes-been-edited/297708)
**Author:** [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-some-all-in-the-family-episodes-been-edited/297708 "2025-12-11T11:45:38Z")
To remove Archie Bunker’s most egregious racial epithets? I’ve heard this, but a google search doesn’t bring up any answers. It seems unlikely that Archie’s racial slurs would be acceptable for the 70’s but not now. A… --- ## [The military. Did you join? Why or why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-military-did-you-join-why-or-why-not/1002246)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-military-did-you-join-why-or-why-not/1002246 "2025-12-11T11:40:56Z")
Why did you join? Or not join? Did you come from a family with a strong military tradition? Did you grow up wanting to join? Or did you simply stumble into it? Or were you standing in front of a judge who said join or go… --- ## [A tiny issue ("I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain" thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tiny-issue-i-ve-seen-fire-and-i-ve-seen-rain-thread/1025595)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tiny-issue-i-ve-seen-fire-and-i-ve-seen-rain-thread/1025595 "2025-12-11T08:43:27Z")
I opened a short(few months old) zombie about a thread I like. This thread was asking the point behind the “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain” thread. We have #3 going now. I’ve posted an inordinate amount in these threa… --- ## [Name your all-time three favorite novels, in order. No more than three, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-all-time-three-favorite-novels-in-order-no-more-than-three-please/1025316)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-your-all-time-three-favorite-novels-in-order-no-more-than-three-please/1025316 "2025-12-11T07:26:48Z")
Has this been done before? Probably. I dunno. Whatever. As mentioned, please rank your selections. And, I know it’s difficult, but please mention only three. Three shall be the number thou shalt submit, and the number … --- ## [Hate filling up for gas in the cold of winter? I feel like I need to share this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-filling-up-for-gas-in-the-cold-of-winter-i-feel-like-i-need-to-share-this/1025600)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-filling-up-for-gas-in-the-cold-of-winter-i-feel-like-i-need-to-share-this/1025600 "2025-12-11T06:00:13Z")
I just recently discovered this and I just love it so much. I used the Kroger app. But if Kroger has it I’m sure others do too. So I pull up to the pump, open my app, enter the pump number and turn the pump on. The app… --- ## [Movies into TV series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-into-tv-series/1025438)
**Author:** [@hideousidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hideousidiot)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-into-tv-series/1025438 "2025-12-11T05:02:27Z")
Imagine you’ve written the screenplay for a movie that doesn’t get picked up by a studio but someone has the bright idea that this screenplay, lightly transformed, would make for a good TV series. You’d have to re-couch … --- ## [Is it possible to be racist against AIs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-be-racist-against-ais/1023946)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-be-racist-against-ais/1023946 "2025-12-11T03:24:18Z")
I was talking to my sister earlier today about how so much of the United States’ GDP growth is just based on AI advancements right now, and how we’ve got practically nothing else going for us. She asked me why I’m so ra… --- ## [Any Old School AOL'ers Still Around?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-old-school-aolers-still-around/1025306)
**Author:** [@slkaopi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slkaopi)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-old-school-aolers-still-around/1025306 "2025-12-11T01:08:46Z")
Something made me think about the old message boards today and I couldn’t help but wonder if any of my old friends were still around? I signed back up using my OG screen name. The only ones I can remember off the top o… --- ## [Speculation About How Republicans Will Run the 2028 Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-how-republicans-will-run-the-2028-election/1025269)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-about-how-republicans-will-run-the-2028-election/1025269 "2025-12-11T01:05:16Z")
Continuing the discussion from Is there any non-nutty way that Republicans could even try to claim that Trump can run again?: Which is why I think all this concern and speculation about reelecting Trump is just a ploy … --- ## [Grammy-nominated gospel and opera singer Jubilant Sykes dead at 71; mentally ill son charged with his murder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammy-nominated-gospel-and-opera-singer-jubilant-sykes-dead-at-71-mentally-ill-son-charged-with-his-murder/1025598)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammy-nominated-gospel-and-opera-singer-jubilant-sykes-dead-at-71-mentally-ill-son-charged-with-his-murder/1025598 "2025-12-11T00:23:05Z")
This is a horrible situation. He was nominated for a Grammy for his 2010 recording of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, and he does a breathtaking rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?”. Rest, good and faithful ser… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=183&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=185&state=muted)