# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=226&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 227 --- ## [Problematic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic/1023752)
**Author:** [@melaniethewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melaniethewitch)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problematic/1023752 "2025-10-07T19:38:29Z")
Hello, im Melanie :3 I’m here now to talk about problematic topics without judgement this thread is going to be based on this iceberg credits to the op of the iceberg and without further Ado let’s start. Logan and Jak… --- ## [Trump's violations of the Constitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-violations-of-the-constitution/1022914)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-violations-of-the-constitution/1022914 "2025-10-07T19:23:55Z")
My wife is planning a candlelight vigil for the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, Constitution Day, which will feature readings from the charter and other founding documents. We’re interested in developing a list of ways i… --- ## [Authors having characters name check themselves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authors-having-characters-name-check-themselves/1023221)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/authors-having-characters-name-check-themselves/1023221 "2025-10-07T19:19:53Z")
I’m reading Badlands, the latest release from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. They have written many books together, most of which deal with recurring characters. In this book, one of the characters mentions listening… --- ## [Doper authors, how large was your expected reader audience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-authors-how-large-was-your-expected-reader-audience/1023439)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doper-authors-how-large-was-your-expected-reader-audience/1023439 "2025-10-07T17:14:03Z")
For those who have published books, the answer would of course be, “Hopefully as large as possible,” but did you expect a particular number, like, “I think my book will, at most, be read by 300 people?” Does the size of … --- ## [Banned Episode of the TV series...The Flintstones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banned-episode-of-the-tv-series-the-flintstones/1023730)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banned-episode-of-the-tv-series-the-flintstones/1023730 "2025-10-07T17:05:34Z")
Ok…I’m puzzled. Is there a banned episode of this series? Why? And, where can I see it, on DVD, Blue Ray, or streaming? --- ## [Diddy gets 50 month sentence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diddy-gets-50-month-sentence/1023659)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diddy-gets-50-month-sentence/1023659 "2025-10-07T15:27:34Z")
Of which he’ll serve no more than 30 days, tops. With his lawyers, turning over his passport is the only repercussion he’ll get today, take a mugshot, and pay the chump change bail. His lawyers have already reached out … --- ## [How to go about assassinating somebody? {with a squirt gun, this is from 2010}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-go-about-assassinating-somebody-with-a-squirt-gun-this-is-from-2010/550181)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-go-about-assassinating-somebody-with-a-squirt-gun-this-is-from-2010/550181 "2025-10-07T14:41:02Z")
…with a squirt gun, that is. Monday morning is the start of the DC CouchSurfer’s “Water Gun Assassination Game”. All the participants provided a photo, home address, work address, full name, and phone number. I’ll rec… --- ## [Serendipity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serendipity/1023496)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serendipity/1023496 "2025-10-07T14:31:18Z")
Heh. I had to replace the electronic lock on the front door of our new house. Just another task. Needed done. Could not change the code. Bought one, installed it and suggested to my wife that we should use the month and… --- ## [When do you quit sending holiday cards to non-responsive family/friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-you-quit-sending-holiday-cards-to-non-responsive-family-friends/1023678)
**Author:** [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-you-quit-sending-holiday-cards-to-non-responsive-family-friends/1023678 "2025-10-07T12:24:56Z")
poll I’m looking for opinions here. I’ve got a lot of extended family that I haven’t heard from in awhile. Holiday cards ain’t cheap. Postage ain’t cheap either. I usually get pre-printed cards and hand-address each e… --- ## [No Country For Old Men question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-country-for-old-men-question/1023470)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-country-for-old-men-question/1023470 "2025-10-07T09:07:21Z")
After the big fight at the hotel, Moss goes to Mexico to heal up a little. He (from bad memory) pulls up to a convenient parking place right by the bridge. Is the vehicle he drove to the bridge the same pickup truck he t… --- ## [Well, The kumquat is happy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-kumquat-is-happy/1021056)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2025, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-kumquat-is-happy/1021056 "2025-10-07T03:18:12Z")
I passed by the bank. The giant sign says 101°. Right? It’s hotter than that. I’m glistening, a bit. Next little town, another(nicer) bank sign says flashing: Heat Advisory! But the temp says 102°. Come on. Is this … --- ## [Tony Blair is back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-is-back/1023543)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-is-back/1023543 "2025-10-06T22:43:23Z")
Something for UK Dopers: This is rather terrifying. Blair is not going back into politics directly, but according to this, his Institute is increasingly influential, and his ideas even more so. And he doesn’t believe… --- ## [Shackleton's Antarctic ship "Endurance" found](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shackletons-antarctic-ship-endurance-found/960741)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shackletons-antarctic-ship-endurance-found/960741 "2025-10-06T21:27:35Z")
For anyone who’s familiar with the story of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton and his legendary ship Endurance… The vessel, which in 1915 had to be abandoned, has now been found at a depth of 3000 m. Today’s Guardian … --- ## [Must things to do in Mexico City](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-things-to-do-in-mexico-city/1023689)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/must-things-to-do-in-mexico-city/1023689 "2025-10-06T20:38:15Z")
In a few months I am traveling to Mexico City with some friends. This is meant to be a fun trip (not business). Any recommendations of things I really should not miss (food or museum or whatever)? I have, of course, s… --- ## [What's wrong about a lethal military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-about-a-lethal-military/1023584)
**Author:** [@Gobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gobb)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-about-a-lethal-military/1023584 "2025-10-06T19:05:53Z")
The United States military should be the most dominant force on Earth and should kill and deter the enemy. Hegseth is an idiot, but he has some points. Why is this an issue? Lethality is the main goal of the military. … --- ## [Texas "anti-anime" law kicks in, already having fallout](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-anti-anime-law-kicks-in-already-having-fallout/1023023)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-anti-anime-law-kicks-in-already-having-fallout/1023023 "2025-10-06T18:50:16Z")
The language and intent of the law is vague enough to potentially include vast amounts of widely available anime and manga, (This topic came up in the nutty “demons and porn” thread weeks ago but has been declared off-to… --- ## [Imgur blocked in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imgur-blocked-in-the-uk/1023695)
**Author:** [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imgur-blocked-in-the-uk/1023695 "2025-10-06T18:16:27Z")
I’m not one who typically rails agains the Nanny State, but this is getting ridiculous: From September 30, 2025, access to Imgur from the United Kingdom is no longer available. UK users will not be able to log in, view… --- ## [(Old) Hunt for Bed October in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hunt-for-bed-october-in-the-mmp/1023473)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 272\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hunt-for-bed-october-in-the-mmp/1023473 "2025-10-06T07:38:09Z")
Hope thats not been used before. Has your bedtime changed? I used to stay up past midnight. Now, 10 o’clock works best. Sometimes I actually stay in bed all night. I turn but not getting out of bed. Back to sleep fo… --- ## [MAGA Capture of Mainstream Television News Begins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-capture-of-mainstream-television-news-begins/1022864)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maga-capture-of-mainstream-television-news-begins/1022864 "2025-10-06T14:18:25Z")
I do not think this is sufficient to turn CBS News into the official administration mouthpiece DJT would like. But it’s a big step. --- ## [The EA leveraged buyout acquisition raises a few questions, in my opinion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ea-leveraged-buyout-acquisition-raises-a-few-questions-in-my-opinion/1023532)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ea-leveraged-buyout-acquisition-raises-a-few-questions-in-my-opinion/1023532 "2025-10-06T14:04:24Z")
Jared Kushner, Saudi Arabia Team Up To Buy Video Game Developer For $55 Billion | HuffPost Impact It is the largest leveraged buyout in history, Silver Lake Partners, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Affini… --- ## [Des Moines, IA school superintendent arrested by ICE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/des-moines-ia-school-superintendent-arrested-by-ice/1023421)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/des-moines-ia-school-superintendent-arrested-by-ice/1023421 "2025-10-06T13:51:49Z")
He’s from Guyana, and came here in 1999 on a student visa. It doesn’t look like the school system did a very good job of vetting him. (One wonders, of course, if he would have been on ICE’s radar if he was Caucasian.) … --- ## [From the World of John Wick: Ballerina](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-world-of-john-wick-ballerina/1023596)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-the-world-of-john-wick-ballerina/1023596 "2025-10-06T13:40:35Z")
Last night, I watched this movie for third time in three nights. Though John Wick makes a brief appearance early in the movie and is instrumental in the outcome, the movie is not about him, but it is every bit as good as… --- ## [President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-russell-m-nelson-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-passed-away/1023450)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-russell-m-nelson-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-passed-away/1023450 "2025-10-06T13:39:29Z")
From the church’s newsroom: --- ## [Teen Dies on Hunting Trip After Being Mistaken for a Squirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teen-dies-on-hunting-trip-after-being-mistaken-for-a-squirrel/1023639)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teen-dies-on-hunting-trip-after-being-mistaken-for-a-squirrel/1023639 "2025-10-06T08:39:49Z")
This isn’t The Onion. This is real life. Other sites are reporting it. I suspect Carson’s hunting buddy is so upset he won’t even be able to attend his next Mensa meeting. Carson Ryan, 17, died last Saturday after bei… --- ## [Republicans/Libertarians should not receive government healthcare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-libertarians-should-not-receive-government-healthcare/1023665)
**Author:** [@Gobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gobb)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-libertarians-should-not-receive-government-healthcare/1023665 "2025-10-06T03:44:56Z")
Republicans and Libertarians should not receive government healthcare since they oppose government involvement in healthcare. From the opposition of Medicare, Medicaid, to rich Republican health care CEOs like Rick Scot… --- ## [Some questions related to particle physics and cosmology (Higgs field, dark energy, and more)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-related-to-particle-physics-and-cosmology-higgs-field-dark-energy-and-more/1023696)
**Author:** [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-related-to-particle-physics-and-cosmology-higgs-field-dark-energy-and-more/1023696 "2025-10-06T03:10:18Z")
In another thread, @dougrb asks a few questions related to particle physics and cosmology. To not hijack that thread (which was originally about gravity), I am bringing @dougrb’s questions into a new thread. He notes t… --- ## [The next battle: Blue State Soft Secession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-battle-blue-state-soft-secession/1023671)
**Author:** [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-battle-blue-state-soft-secession/1023671 "2025-10-06T01:17:55Z")
This is not an armed secession, but a financial & “rights” focused secession. This is about states asserting their rights. Red States have ignored laws they hate for years. Blue States are finally waking up, and consi… --- ## [Gobb is Pitted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gobb-is-pitted/1023604)
**Author:** [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Replies:** 202\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gobb-is-pitted/1023604 "2025-10-06T00:22:12Z")
Joined 14 hours ago and has started 2 threads pushing right wing talking points. Feigning ignorance to farm outrage. Block or wait for the inevitable ban, but don’t engage. --- ## [Your favorite retro/forgotten/by-gone foods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2025, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-retro-forgotten-by-gone-foods/995611 "2025-10-05T23:29:34Z")
…and I’m thinking mostly of stuff you just don’t see in restaurants anymore (not pre-pckaged foods). Dishes like Lobster Thermidor. Chicken Cordon Bleu. Baked Alaska. I’m sure they’re out there somewhere, but they’re not… --- ## [Are "States' Rights" still being pushed by the Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-states-rights-still-being-pushed-by-the-right/1023645)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-states-rights-still-being-pushed-by-the-right/1023645 "2025-10-05T22:22:12Z")
For the longest time “States’ Rights” has been a dog whistle used to oppose same-sex marriage, reproductive rights, abortion, desegregation and basically civil rights in general, but I am not hearing much of the way of “… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=225&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=227&state=muted)