# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=228&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 229 --- ## [How do you decide when it's time to get rid of your vehicle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-decide-when-its-time-to-get-rid-of-your-vehicle/1021864)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-decide-when-its-time-to-get-rid-of-your-vehicle/1021864 "2025-10-04T20:11:48Z")
My husband and I have had this conversation many times, always about my car because I choose to drive them till they die while he freaks out as the mileage approaches 100K. (So my 220K Sonata is making him crazy.) Since … --- ## [Technically how do they accomplish "Playing For Change"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technically-how-do-they-accomplish-playing-for-change/1023212)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technically-how-do-they-accomplish-playing-for-change/1023212 "2025-10-04T18:53:25Z")
Topic says it all. I love the very idea of these collaborative performances. I work in live television. Satellites, fiber optic cable signals, got alla that. It seems impossible to have musicians ALL over the planet p… --- ## [I should'a used my knife](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-shoulda-used-my-knife/1023652)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-shoulda-used-my-knife/1023652 "2025-10-04T18:47:29Z")
We had a real character at NASA who was an older Word War II veteran. (see note). He was full of wild tales but damn-it-all we could never prove any of them wrong.(note #2) One recurring theme was his time in Burma trai… --- ## [WWI Question: Could Hungary hsve refused to go to war in 1914?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-question-could-hungary-hsve-refused-to-go-to-war-in-1914/1023593)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-question-could-hungary-hsve-refused-to-go-to-war-in-1914/1023593 "2025-10-04T18:32:10Z")
Query about the dual monarchy, Austria-Hungary. Could Hungary have refused to go to war in 1914? Or was the decision to go to war a decision of the central government that bound Hungary ? Follow-up question: was there m… --- ## [Attempted Murder {of Justice Brett Kavanaugh}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attempted-murder-of-justice-brett-kavanaugh/965920)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attempted-murder-of-justice-brett-kavanaugh/965920 "2025-10-04T13:41:29Z")
Nicholas Roske charged with attempting to murder Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh - CBS News A California man who was allegedly armed with a gun, knife and various tools when he was arrested in the early morning n… --- ## [LP ID: Old record for children about the solar system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lp-id-old-record-for-children-about-the-solar-system/314735)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lp-id-old-record-for-children-about-the-solar-system/314735 "2025-10-04T04:28:22Z")
I had a record when I was a kid, about the solar system. It was full of catchy tunes like The Wandering Stars (which my older sister hated because I played the album so much – but which helped her out on a science test … --- ## [Strange hypothetical: oxygenless cooking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-hypothetical-oxygenless-cooking/1023644)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-hypothetical-oxygenless-cooking/1023644 "2025-10-04T04:14:18Z")
Inspired by the “Maxwell House” thread, it occurred to me to wonder if roasting coffee beans actually means slightly scorching them so they’re partially burnt or if it’s a caramelization reaction based on polymerizing so… --- ## [Positive masculinity and positive femininity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-masculinity-and-positive-femininity/1023566)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positive-masculinity-and-positive-femininity/1023566 "2025-10-04T00:30:48Z")
Any difference in the sets of characteristics between the two? Or are they just filtered by how the same characteristics gets expressed by gender? Dedication to family. More emphasis on providing and defending as mascul… --- ## [Here’s what I do for passwords. Thoughts? Secure enough, or no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-s-what-i-do-for-passwords-thoughts-secure-enough-or-no/1023263)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2025, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-s-what-i-do-for-passwords-thoughts-secure-enough-or-no/1023263 "2025-10-04T00:26:33Z")
I’d be interested in learning what the wise sages here think of this. Similar to the @Schnitte thread but I didn’t want to hijack it, here ➜ Plase recommend a solution for my password management needs ■ I don’t use any… --- ## [I had an abnormal screening mammogram.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 326\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-had-an-abnormal-screening-mammogram/797018 "2025-10-03T22:39:56Z")
Yesterday, I went to another center to have a more advanced mammogram, as well as a breast ultrasound, and the doctor found something that she called an “architectural anomaly” and she wants me to have a needle biopsy, w… --- ## [Dr. Jane Goodall died today of natural causes at age 91. {2025-10-01}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-jane-goodall-died-today-of-natural-causes-at-age-91-2025-10-01/1023578)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-jane-goodall-died-today-of-natural-causes-at-age-91-2025-10-01/1023578 "2025-10-03T22:31:48Z")
She led a remarkable life and studied chimps for over 60 years. She first went to Gombe Stream National Park in 1960. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977. Goodall’s legacy includes inspiring countless women … --- ## [Breaking news: Sean "Diddy" Combs – homes raided by feds (25 Mar 2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-sean-diddy-combs-homes-raided-by-feds-25-mar-2024/999371)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-sean-diddy-combs-homes-raided-by-feds-25-mar-2024/999371 "2025-10-03T22:07:24Z")
Video report: Homes searched in Los Angeles and Miami. Miami-focused article with some historical background on recent accusations and controversies: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article287085590.htm… --- ## [Great acting as antagonists in films who are not really bad/evil but just serious a\*\*holes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-acting-as-antagonists-in-films-who-are-not-really-bad-evil-but-just-serious-a-holes/1022682)
**Author:** [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-acting-as-antagonists-in-films-who-are-not-really-bad-evil-but-just-serious-a-holes/1022682 "2025-10-03T20:35:57Z")
This topic probably has been done before, but I just rewatched Contact and Tom Skerritt’s character David Drumlin, the national science advisor who impedes, takes over, and gets credit for Jodie Foster’s character’s work… --- ## [When, in human history, did the concept of paid, sustained (not contractual, not ad hoc) employment become a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-human-history-did-the-concept-of-paid-sustained-not-contractual-not-ad-hoc-employment-become-a-thing/1023528)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-human-history-did-the-concept-of-paid-sustained-not-contractual-not-ad-hoc-employment-become-a-thing/1023528 "2025-10-03T19:18:56Z")
Paid employment is mentioned a in the Bible (for example, Ruth 2) in the context of day laborers. And of course, we know that the Pyramids were built not by slaves, but by paid laborers – but I asume their emplyment was … --- ## [Do military service members and veterans skew Republican?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-military-service-members-and-veterans-skew-republican/1023640)
**Author:** [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-military-service-members-and-veterans-skew-republican/1023640 "2025-10-03T19:18:02Z")
Continuing the discussion from Gobb’s Pit thread: Do military service members and veterans skew Republican? Overall, the answer appears to be yes, according to the Pew Research Center: But veterans are not a monolith… --- ## ["Political violence is never the answer." Talk to me about this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-violence-is-never-the-answer-talk-to-me-about-this/1022962)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-violence-is-never-the-answer-talk-to-me-about-this/1022962 "2025-10-03T17:23:59Z")
I’m not advocating for political violence. I’m not saying we should go out and start shooting people we sorta (or even vehemently) disagree with. What I’m asking, without a shred of an angle here, is: Is political viole… --- ## [Botticelli, September 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-september-2025/1022694)
**Author:** [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Replies:** 391\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-september-2025/1022694 "2025-10-03T16:33:22Z")
I am V. --- ## [Monthly Photo Competition #35 – October, 2025 – “Spooky”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-35-october-2025-spooky/1023579)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-35-october-2025-spooky/1023579 "2025-10-03T16:28:45Z")
This is the monthly thread for October, 2025. The topic this month is “Spooky”, chosen by @ShadowFacts. Please post only your photo and, if you want, a title in this thread. Any other text belongs in the rolling discuss… --- ## [Thoughts on Patrick O'Brian's Novels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-patrick-obrians-novels/772078)
**Author:** [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-patrick-obrians-novels/772078 "2025-10-03T16:23:14Z")
I (finally) watched Master and Commander yesterday and really got into it. I loved the sailing lingo, watching the sailors’ tasks, and the language. Should I try a novel in his Aubrey-Maturin series? If so, which one? I… --- ## [Air traffic control circa 1952](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-traffic-control-circa-1952/1023540)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-traffic-control-circa-1952/1023540 "2025-10-03T16:17:08Z")
Dunno whether these controllers are approach/departure, or en route, but the charts are Los Angeles area, and 1952 looks good a guess as any. Did any en route controllers in the US sit at radar screens then? Probably LA … --- ## [Why does a government shutdown mean that Trump can fire people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-government-shutdown-mean-that-trump-can-fire-people/1023603)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-a-government-shutdown-mean-that-trump-can-fire-people/1023603 "2025-10-03T15:37:02Z")
I get why he wants to do it, mainly that he’s an asshole, but how does the shutdown facilitate the firings? --- ## [Counting French Toast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-french-toast/797764)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-french-toast/797764 "2025-10-03T15:34:55Z")
While eating breakfast I overheard a nearby couple having an argument about how many pieces of French Toast were on one of their plates. It was a slice of bread cut diagonally and cooked into French Toast. Two pieces, as… --- ## [Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - September 2025 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-september-2025-edition/1022554)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-september-2025-edition/1022554 "2025-10-03T14:23:45Z")
September… so after an incredibly dry summer-as in no measurable precipitation since May- my city got, I kid you not, a normal summer’s worth of rain in an hour. In other words it poured. Today is nice, sunny and a bit … --- ## [Two dead in attack on synagogue in Manchester, UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-dead-in-attack-on-synagogue-in-manchester-uk/1023592)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-dead-in-attack-on-synagogue-in-manchester-uk/1023592 "2025-10-03T12:16:17Z")
From the Guardian, is this report. (I removed the bolding for readability.) There is much more at the link. This is obviously a developing story right now. One should also note Yom Kippur runs from sunset on 1 Octobe… --- ## [Anthropic Copyright Settlement math questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthropic-copyright-settlement-math-questions/1023634)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthropic-copyright-settlement-math-questions/1023634 "2025-10-03T12:05:46Z")
Nevermind; off in my initial number! Mods, please close. --- ## [Fried wonton question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fried-wonton-question/1023611)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fried-wonton-question/1023611 "2025-10-03T11:29:43Z")
We all know to enjoy our tuna poke to serve it on a fried wonton. What if I took some almost-completely thawed tuna, mixed in the poke sauce then wrapped it and fried it? Too much moisture in the filling? Will the tun… --- ## [Religious expansion and the possible need to control outsiders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-expansion-and-the-possible-need-to-control-outsiders/1023486)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-expansion-and-the-possible-need-to-control-outsiders/1023486 "2025-10-03T07:59:21Z")
Are there any religious sects (Christian or otherwise) that, once they have gained enough political power to assert control, have not used that power to assert control over outsiders instead of just saying “We’ve got our… --- ## [TV commercials recruiting cops for ICE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-commercials-recruiting-cops-for-ice/1023394)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-commercials-recruiting-cops-for-ice/1023394 "2025-10-03T05:07:36Z")
I saw this yesterday, I’m wondering how many of these are showing. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the station, even whether it was local or national/cable. It was late afternoon or early evening. The basic line was to … --- ## [How often do you poop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-poop/1021880)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-you-poop/1021880 "2025-10-03T04:15:46Z")
When I was a kid, my grandparents made it a point to inquire about the status of your “B.M.” (Bowel movement). This group leans older, right? Old people care about pooping. And for good reason! Few things are as sati… --- ## [Pedro is banned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedro-is-banned/1023627)
**Author:** [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2025, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedro-is-banned/1023627 "2025-10-03T03:15:35Z")
We have decided to ban Pedro for trolling and for insulting a mod while the mod was acting in an official capacity. Several of you reported him for trolling in the Charlie Kirk thread there, and had those reports reject… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=227&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=229&state=muted)