# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1904 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1905 --- ## [What happens if a COMEX gold contract writer fails to deliver](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-comex-gold-contract-writer-fails-to-deliver/852564)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-a-comex-gold-contract-writer-fails-to-deliver/852564 "2020-04-27T15:08:16Z")
With the talk of COMEX possibly defaulting on gold deliveries I was curious what happens. Now I know that if the contract holder wishes physical delivery, COMEX will deliver the gold and if it doesn’t have gold it can s… --- ## [Minor league baseball may lose 40 teams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-league-baseball-may-lose-40-teams/852380)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minor-league-baseball-may-lose-40-teams/852380 "2020-04-27T14:55:31Z")
Minor league baseball probably cutting 40 teams. In this plan each MLB team would only have 4 minor league teams. The teams that are cut could still play as independent teams. They would keep AAA , AA, and high and low … --- ## [Any problems with Twitter today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-problems-with-twitter-today/852449)
**Author:** [@Mislav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mislav)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-problems-with-twitter-today/852449 "2020-04-27T14:34:41Z")
When I try to access my Twitter profile on Android, I get “Something went wrong, but don’t fret-it is not your fault” error message. But I can still tweet and access my notifications, messages etc. And I can access my pr… --- ## [Executive Orders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-orders/852667)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-orders/852667 "2020-04-27T14:16:21Z")
Are there any limitations on what governors can order once they declare a State of Emergency? If you look at the recent history of the NJ governor’s orders, ISTM that he can pretty much order whatever he wants, from ban… --- ## [What does it mean if a car has cruise control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-if-a-car-has-cruise-control/852345)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-if-a-car-has-cruise-control/852345 "2020-04-27T13:51:36Z")
Well in a song by Status Quo called Little Me and You there is a line which says Cruise control the motorway It’s the freedom that I love and I want to sail away away away and I believe it is something that you set when … --- ## [So ... about black holes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-black-holes/852516)
**Author:** [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-black-holes/852516 "2020-04-27T13:28:25Z")
The laws of space and time break down inside a black hole. Is there a possibility that 2 + 2 ≠ 4 inside a black hole? --- ## [Earthquake-proofing my book cases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthquake-proofing-my-book-cases/852640)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthquake-proofing-my-book-cases/852640 "2020-04-27T13:26:13Z")
I’ve just moved my bookcases around in my study. Because they are quite over-loaded I have been worried they might topple so I stuck a small batten about a cm thick under the front edge. That seems to have shifted thei… --- ## [Microwaves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwaves/852501)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microwaves/852501 "2020-04-27T12:35:06Z")
Supposedly if you put the virus in a microwave, it kills it in about 1 minute. So what if we had Ford convert the ventilators they are making (which we don’t need anymore) into human sized microwaves, that a person coul… --- ## [A Chronicly Early MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chronicly-early-mmp/852166)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 287\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chronicly-early-mmp/852166 "2020-04-27T10:27:42Z")
It’s 4/20 today, in the month of 4/20. So in the spirit of Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart, partake if it’s legal, or just bake something if it’s not.:smiley: Which reminds me of my Dollar Tree Days. If you are buying 1… --- ## [How many atoms in a glass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-atoms-in-a-glass/638422)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-atoms-in-a-glass/638422 "2012-10-22T16:47:38Z")
I’m sure this must have been bought up before but perhaps my search powers are week… One of my favourite little factoids is this: Take a glass dip it in the sea and then magically tag every atom in the water. Pour the w… --- ## [Are German 'Klausuren' limited to 'Oberstufe Gymnasiasten'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-german-klausuren-limited-to-oberstufe-gymnasiasten/852416)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-german-klausuren-limited-to-oberstufe-gymnasiasten/852416 "2020-04-27T09:36:15Z")
Are German ‘Klausuren’ limited to ‘Oberstufe Gymnasiasten’? or do junior Gymnasium students also take “Klausuren” rather than just “Prüfungen”.? I look forward to your feedback --- ## [Are you willing to die from Covid 19 to help the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-willing-to-die-from-covid-19-to-help-the-economy/850198)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-willing-to-die-from-covid-19-to-help-the-economy/850198 "2020-04-27T08:46:02Z")
Apparently this feller is: --- ## [The most mundane pointless thing I know](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-mundane-pointless-thing-i-know/845008)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-mundane-pointless-thing-i-know/845008 "2020-04-27T08:20:14Z")
If you eat in a Jersey Mike’s sub shop, you might notice the giant reproduction of a vintage postcard from Point Pleasant, New Jersey. That card was postmarked 20 days before my 10th birthday. Thank you and have a pleas… --- ## [Study: Elderly Trump voters dying of coronavirus could cost him in November](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-elderly-trump-voters-dying-of-coronavirus-could-cost-him-in-november/852485)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-elderly-trump-voters-dying-of-coronavirus-could-cost-him-in-november/852485 "2020-04-27T06:29:13Z")
Or: Branch Covidians on their way to Waco: In other words, the GOP should stop the God-Emperor from suggesting people inject disinfectant before he kills off too much of the base. --- ## [which is worse, neuropsychologically speaking- chronic sleep deprivation or occasional all-nighters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-neuropsychologically-speaking-chronic-sleep-deprivation-or-occasional-all-nighters/852597)
**Author:** [@peterpinkpuss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peterpinkpuss)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-worse-neuropsychologically-speaking-chronic-sleep-deprivation-or-occasional-all-nighters/852597 "2020-04-27T03:25:17Z")
Help me settle this bet with my “roommate”. Assuming they both have similar sleep hygiene and biological factors, who will be more impaired: a person who gets 8+ hours of solid sleep every night of the week except Satu… --- ## [weight of set concrete](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-of-set-concrete/852622)
**Author:** [@shinnen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shinnen)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-of-set-concrete/852622 "2020-04-27T03:10:31Z")
Hi, I’m thinking of using concrete to make a one gallon size kettlebell. I’ve read that concrete weighs approximately 20 or 25 lbs, depending on whether one uses an American or British gallon. My question is, how much w… --- ## [What do doctors and medical staff actually do to keep COVID patients alive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-doctors-and-medical-staff-actually-do-to-keep-covid-patients-alive/852599)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-doctors-and-medical-staff-actually-do-to-keep-covid-patients-alive/852599 "2020-04-27T01:54:16Z")
While most of us who follow the news know about the importance of ventilators when the situation is dire, is there an established protocol for treatment upon entry into the hospital and possibly the ICU? Has this change… --- ## [What plane is shown in this clip from Who’s Harry Crumb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-plane-is-shown-in-this-clip-from-who-s-harry-crumb/852605)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-plane-is-shown-in-this-clip-from-who-s-harry-crumb/852605 "2020-04-27T01:40:32Z")
The link is to a clip from the John Candy movie Who’s Harry Crumb? The plane is supposed to flying from LAX to Buenos Aires. It’s one of those three engine planes with one of the engines being in the middle. The ques… --- ## [Trouble with a friend who has very different 'closeness' needs than I do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-with-a-friend-who-has-very-different-closeness-needs-than-i-do/852467)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trouble-with-a-friend-who-has-very-different-closeness-needs-than-i-do/852467 "2020-04-27T00:47:15Z")
I’m having trouble thinking of a good title to get my meaning across, hopefully something better will occur to me before I post. Anyway. I admit I am way on the introvert side when it comes to interpersonal relationshi… --- ## [Help me find a line: "I. Know. You're. Faking it!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-line-i-know-youre-faking-it/852611)
**Author:** [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-line-i-know-youre-faking-it/852611 "2020-04-27T00:33:01Z")
So yeah. This line of dialogue has been plowing through my head, and I can’t for the life of me remember where it’s from. I vaguely remember someone half-yelling it at someone who they think isn’t dead, but maybe is? “I… --- ## [My nephew killed himelf today \[update: nephew's 2 year old son drowned\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-nephew-killed-himelf-today-update-nephews-2-year-old-son-drowned/836327)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-nephew-killed-himelf-today-update-nephews-2-year-old-son-drowned/836327 "2020-04-27T00:31:05Z")
Aged 22. Married with two kids. He was riding in a car with his wife, his brother and his brother’s girlfriend, and opened the car door and jumped into oncoming interstate traffic. I’m so sorry, not only for him, but for… --- ## [Do poisonous spiders lurk under toilet seats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-poisonous-spiders-lurk-under-toilet-seats/852487)
**Author:** [@clevecallison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clevecallison)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-poisonous-spiders-lurk-under-toilet-seats/852487 "2020-04-27T00:15:42Z")
Regarding the non-existent “medical” Journal JUMA, I’m surprised that the SD Staff Report did not mention the meaning of the acronym that was widely shared in my college days, “Jump Up My Ass”. Appropriate for the topic. … --- ## [New season of Bosch will be up 4/13! \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-season-of-bosch-will-be-up-4-13-edited-title/809067)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-season-of-bosch-will-be-up-4-13-edited-title/809067 "2020-04-27T00:11:45Z")
Very exciting that this excellent cop-noir show is back on Amazon. --- ## [Cider. Explain.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cider-explain/852571)
**Author:** [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cider-explain/852571 "2020-04-26T23:03:22Z")
In the UK, there’s no such term as “hard” cider, for the same reason as there’s no such thing as hard beer or hard wine: cider is an alcoholic drink. It’s not just the UK - I’ve visited quite a few Normandy cider farms a… --- ## [TV newscasters working from home and their bookshelves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-newscasters-working-from-home-and-their-bookshelves/851358)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-newscasters-working-from-home-and-their-bookshelves/851358 "2020-04-26T22:40:17Z")
I can’t be the only Doper who does this. When I see a working-from-home newscaster, they are usually filmed standing in front of a shelf full of books. I always concentrate more on which books are on the shelves and wh… --- ## [Greetings!(new member)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greetings-new-member/852286)
**Author:** [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greetings-new-member/852286 "2020-04-26T22:21:38Z")
Hello all. I’ve been meaning to create an account here for some time, i just usually forget what the heck i wanted to comment on and put off or get frustrated trying to set up an account on my cellphone. Come to think o… --- ## [NPR and the quarantine. The thing that's bugging the crap out of me. Irrationally, perhaps.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-and-the-quarantine-the-thing-thats-bugging-the-crap-out-of-me-irrationally-perhaps/852638)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/npr-and-the-quarantine-the-thing-thats-bugging-the-crap-out-of-me-irrationally-perhaps/852638 "2020-04-26T22:16:42Z")
Wasn’t sure whether this should go in MPSIMS (because it\* is\* mundane and pointless) or here because it involves radio broadcasts. So, now most people that are interviewed on public radio are at their homes and being in… --- ## [Use of an indefinite article before a proper noun phrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-an-indefinite-article-before-a-proper-noun-phrase/852553)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-an-indefinite-article-before-a-proper-noun-phrase/852553 "2020-04-26T22:14:17Z")
I was reading with an ESL student today and we came upon the passage below. The student promptly asked me if the article usage was correct, but she didn’t specify which article. I quickly scanned the selection and nothi… --- ## [POTUS plans to pause green card issuance: how does this help US workers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-plans-to-pause-green-card-issuance-how-does-this-help-us-workers/852325)
**Author:** [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-plans-to-pause-green-card-issuance-how-does-this-help-us-workers/852325 "2020-04-26T21:30:30Z")
The President announced yesterday he would temporarily halt issuance of green cards in an effort to help US workers regain their feet in this crisis. Sounds like a plan with noble intent. But I do not understand how this… --- ## [Re-districting: When does it happen, and controlled by whom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-districting-when-does-it-happen-and-controlled-by-whom/852335)
**Author:** [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-districting-when-does-it-happen-and-controlled-by-whom/852335 "2020-04-26T21:27:19Z")
Okay, we’re doing a census this year. And sometime after that, districts get re-drawn. When does that happen? Before the November election? After the election but before a new Congress (and new state legislatures and… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1903) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=1905)