# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=245 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 246 --- ## [MP3 burning to CD off Amazon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-burning-to-cd-off-amazon/1022793)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mp3-burning-to-cd-off-amazon/1022793 "2025-09-06T17:44:47Z")
Can MP3s bought off Amazon still be burned to CD, like they used to? Or are they adding another huge dump on the customer base by blocking that? --- ## [National Guard in cities: what instructions do troops get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-guard-in-cities-what-instructions-do-troops-get/1022725)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-guard-in-cities-what-instructions-do-troops-get/1022725 "2025-09-06T17:38:12Z")
They’re supposed to walk around (with loaded rifles?). What else are they told to do, if anything? What are they told they’re authorized to do? If someone throws something at them, have they been told how they’re allowed… --- ## [Another polygon question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-polygon-question/1022750)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-polygon-question/1022750 "2025-09-06T17:17:15Z")
Many of the smaller common and even not so common polygons have (Greek?) names that describe them. But if you “invent” a new polygon do you get to name it? Obviously you don’t really invent a polygon since all of them ex… --- ## [Trump to be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-to-be-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/1019948)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-to-be-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/1019948 "2025-09-06T16:04:36Z")
…by Pakistan! Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize | Reuters “Pakistan said on Saturday it would recommend U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, an accolade that he has said he craves, for … --- ## [Email pet peeve: Everything is in the subject](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-pet-peeve-everything-is-in-the-subject/1022671)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-pet-peeve-everything-is-in-the-subject/1022671 "2025-09-06T13:32:51Z")
There is someone who sends me emails who puts all the content in the subject. Which doesn’t fit in the Subject field of the summary list of emails so I have to open it anyway to see what it says. Why do people do this? … --- ## [Should SDMB have a standard image hosting site?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sdmb-have-a-standard-image-hosting-site/1022753)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sdmb-have-a-standard-image-hosting-site/1022753 "2025-09-06T13:12:14Z")
While this might add some amount of burden to posters, there might be advantages: guaranteeing that images remain available indefinitely; possibly allowing cross-referencing by poster or what threads and posts an image a… --- ## [At what point does it become unethical to work for the US Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-it-become-unethical-to-work-for-the-us-government/1022553)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-it-become-unethical-to-work-for-the-us-government/1022553 "2025-09-06T12:09:22Z")
I’m a federal contractor for the DoD (DoW?) I have lots of friends and coworkers in the military. We’re all supporting a fascist warfighting force in some capacity. At what point is the only ethical move to walk away? … --- ## [How are some foods able to give me diarrhea so quickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-some-foods-able-to-give-me-diarrhea-so-quickly/157973)
**Author:** [@Talking\_Meat\_Puppet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talking_Meat_Puppet)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-some-foods-able-to-give-me-diarrhea-so-quickly/157973 "2025-09-06T11:27:29Z")
First post here, and it’s a juicy one. OK, so I have noticed a trend. When I eat at Chinese Buffet, I get bad diarrhea about 20 minutes after the meal is over. At Mongolian BBQ, I get bad diarrhea about 45 minutes aft… --- ## [US Passport Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passport-questions/509435)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-passport-questions/509435 "2025-09-06T11:26:15Z")
I will be using my passport this winter, and on checking it I see that it will expire 10/2010. I have a few questions that perusal of the various passport web pages have not answered. When my passport is scrutinized b… --- ## [Ending sentences with 'yet'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-sentences-with-yet/955226)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-sentences-with-yet/955226 "2025-09-06T03:50:28Z")
The guy who gives traffic reports on our local NPR affiliate seems to end every other sentence with ‘yet’, or include it in his sentences. ‘Traffic is slow getting into Seattle yet, due to wet roads.’ ‘There’s a collis… --- ## [Running an entertainment filled USB kit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-an-entertainment-filled-usb-kit/1022729)
**Author:** [@IMadeLem0nade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMadeLem0nade)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-an-entertainment-filled-usb-kit/1022729 "2025-09-06T01:53:09Z")
IDK if the title actually makes sense, but for about a month now, I’ve been running my own little ‘company’ at my school; I’ve been making little USB packages with entertainment in them, like movies and music and shows f… --- ## [Resolved: America is a dystopian shithole. Also, leopard hijacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-america-is-a-dystopian-shithole-also-leopard-hijacks/1022330)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-america-is-a-dystopian-shithole-also-leopard-hijacks/1022330 "2025-09-06T00:07:49Z")
Continuing the discussion from Surprises coming for voters for the Leopards-Eating-Faces Party: I have no problem with madmonk expressing this perception, I just think he’s doing it in the wrong thread. Also, there’s … --- ## [Counting years that don’t start on January 1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-years-that-don-t-start-on-january-1/1022537)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counting-years-that-don-t-start-on-january-1/1022537 "2025-09-05T20:46:14Z")
In some formal contexts, it is common to refer to dates not only by the Gregorian calendar but also by a count of years starting from a certain event. For instance, American presidential proclamations are dated by the ye… --- ## [Question about new home solar system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-new-home-solar-system/1019164)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-new-home-solar-system/1019164 "2025-09-05T19:14:12Z")
We are getting a solar system installed on our new house. 9000kwh. It’s not a battery system, it feeds it back into the grid and we get credits. Should bring our electric bill down to nothing. Each panel has it’s own in… --- ## [Can I market something that is used with another product?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-market-something-that-is-used-with-another-product/1022551)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-market-something-that-is-used-with-another-product/1022551 "2025-09-05T19:11:40Z")
I often buy those Pepperidge Farms frozen cakes. They are about 7” square and fit closely in the box. But as you use the cake and slide the tray with the cake out and in a several times the frosting tends to get smeared … --- ## [What's the Best Prank You Pulled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-prank-you-pulled/22970)
**Author:** [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-prank-you-pulled/22970 "2025-09-05T18:59:44Z")
I used to work for military intelligence, and since being outsmarted by my dog I’ve begun to worry for the safety of our country. This reminded me of John Mahoney, who was an airman in my squadron and we called him ‘The … --- ## [When should I opine on what people want to eat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-opine-on-what-people-want-to-eat/1020422)
**Author:** [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-i-opine-on-what-people-want-to-eat/1020422 "2025-09-05T18:24:43Z")
We often get posts here asking about a food someone wants to eat, is looking for, etc. This often comes in the Cafe Society category. I don’t want to be an ass and say “you shouldn’t be eating that crap”, but really, the… --- ## [Do raccoons make vocal noise? Beckdawrek?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-raccoons-make-vocal-noise-beckdawrek/1021842)
**Author:** [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-raccoons-make-vocal-noise-beckdawrek/1021842 "2025-09-05T17:30:23Z")
I have on this youtube channel called “the bird perch” as background noise, and they have a nighttime feed channel thing. Question is, do raccoons make noise? Answer, yes. The parent just bit/moved a youngster and it … --- ## [MLB: August 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2025/1021595)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2025/1021595 "2025-09-05T17:09:38Z")
I didn’t see the August thread yet. --- ## [Memorable Short Films](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-short-films/1022317)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memorable-short-films/1022317 "2025-09-05T14:07:39Z")
My entire life I have been obsessed with the short story format. Sci-Fi, horror, comedy, whatever, when a dramatic punch is delivered with very little setup that to me is showcasing a masterclass in plot, setting, and a… --- ## [Do we know all the rocks there are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-all-the-rocks-there-are/1018569)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-all-the-rocks-there-are/1018569 "2025-09-05T10:43:30Z")
What’s the most recent new type of rock that was discovered? Are there types of rocks out there waiting to be discovered, whether on Earth or elsewhere? Could any of them have exotic or useful properties? Are there theor… --- ## [You're at Warp Factor 5 and your bubble collapses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-at-warp-factor-5-and-your-bubble-collapses/1022652)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-at-warp-factor-5-and-your-bubble-collapses/1022652 "2025-09-05T08:09:48Z")
I figured this was the best place for this thread as it involves science and literature and TV & movies and quite a bit of theory and conjecture. You are in a spaceship traveling at 5X the speed of light. Of course you… --- ## [Windows 11 curiosity question (don't need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-11-curiosity-question-dont-need-answer-fast/1022713)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-11-curiosity-question-dont-need-answer-fast/1022713 "2025-09-05T07:26:28Z")
I’m working from home, controlling a workplace computer via a combo of VPN + the Mac version of Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection. Not too long ago, the workplace upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11. I do most of … --- ## [Suggestive road names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestive-road-names/970820)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestive-road-names/970820 "2025-09-05T06:58:11Z")
I know we have discussed odd road names and how they came about if known. My new favorite, a rather suggestive road name is from Ottawa County, Ohio. I can picture a conversation where I tell my address and get funny lo… --- ## [Monthly Photo Competition #33 – August, 2025 – “Eye or eyes” {Poll Added}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-33-august-2025-eye-or-eyes-poll-added/1021654)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-33-august-2025-eye-or-eyes-poll-added/1021654 "2025-09-05T04:21:57Z")
This is the monthly thread for August, 2025. The topic this month is “Eye or eyes”, chosen by @MacDoc. Please post only your photo and, if you want, a title in this thread. Any other text belongs in the rolling discussi… --- ## [US losing population](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-losing-population/1017904)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-losing-population/1017904 "2025-09-05T02:20:42Z")
Any demographers out there? How likely it is that the US will lose population this year? Next year I’m pretty sure the population will go down, but I’m not so sure about this year. Explanation time: here’s the Worldomet… --- ## [Fitness rebounders/mini trampolines springs vs bungee cords](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fitness-rebounders-mini-trampolines-springs-vs-bungee-cords/1022763)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fitness-rebounders-mini-trampolines-springs-vs-bungee-cords/1022763 "2025-09-05T01:10:59Z")
TLDR: 2 manufacturers claim springs are better for anyone worried about their (old) joints, while AI search and everyone else thinks bungee cords are better (lower impact). How does the claimed science (linked) stand up? … --- ## [I just had a square birthday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-had-a-square-birthday/1022735)
**Author:** [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-had-a-square-birthday/1022735 "2025-09-05T00:37:41Z")
…I turned 45 today, which is the square root of 2025! After this year, it won’t happen again until 2116, when the lucky ones reach 46…. and the last time it happened was 1936, for those hitting 44. Very mundane and poi… --- ## [Irish pronunciation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irish-pronunciation/1020115)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irish-pronunciation/1020115 "2025-09-04T22:38:13Z")
It’s no secret that we Americans can have difficulty pronouncing some Irish names. I just saw a list of Irish names and their pronunciations and I noted that Caoimhe is pronounced Kee-va, Meabh is Mayv, Naomh is Neev, Si… --- ## [An Idea For Something the Federal Government Can Do That's Actually USEFUL](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-something-the-federal-government-can-do-thats-actually-useful/1022681)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-something-the-federal-government-can-do-thats-actually-useful/1022681 "2025-09-04T22:27:17Z")
Not sure if this would fall under the purview of the FDA, the USDA, or the FTC (also whether it should be in IMHO or Cafe Society). When a frozen foodstuff manufacturer/marketer includes instructions for preparing their … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=244) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=246)