# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=246 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 247 --- ## [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 … --- ## [Movie, Caught Stealing (2025; Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, Regina King)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-caught-stealing-2025-austin-butler-zoe-kravitz-regina-king/1022721)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-caught-stealing-2025-austin-butler-zoe-kravitz-regina-king/1022721 "2025-09-04T22:19:42Z")
Had Date Night with the wife last night and we saw this. Have you seen it? What did you think? There is a lot of crime and violence but it’s not gratuitously so (but if vi… --- ## [Help with astrophotography telescope problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-astrophotography-telescope-problem/1022693)
**Author:** [@Vlad\_Igor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vlad_Igor)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-astrophotography-telescope-problem/1022693 "2025-09-04T21:02:35Z")
So, I have an older Nikon D5700 and bought a t-mount (no lens, just an attachment ring and tube) to take pictures with it through my Celestron NexStar 130SLT telescope. I’d be happy with photos of recognizable celestial … --- ## [Vintage Pulp Science Fiction Publication, three stories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-pulp-science-fiction-publication-three-stories/828029)
**Author:** [@The\_Squire\_Of\_Gothos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Squire_Of_Gothos)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vintage-pulp-science-fiction-publication-three-stories/828029 "2025-09-04T20:02:07Z")
Hi, I’m looking for a back issue of a pulp science fiction publication I bought at a used comic store years ago when I was a boy, but I can’t remember the name or issue date, but judging by the artwork and stories it was… --- ## [Sleeping through society's collapse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-through-societys-collapse/1022669)
**Author:** [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleeping-through-societys-collapse/1022669 "2025-09-04T18:17:10Z")
One of my streamers has just added 28 Days Later, which is always worth a repeat watching. This time watching Jim (Cillian Murphy) regaining consciousness in a hospital ward and gradually coming to the realisation that … --- ## [Has Democratic voter turnout basically hit a ceiling and can't go any higher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-democratic-voter-turnout-basically-hit-a-ceiling-and-cant-go-any-higher/1022410)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-democratic-voter-turnout-basically-hit-a-ceiling-and-cant-go-any-higher/1022410 "2025-09-04T15:55:52Z")
In 2020 and 2024, there was seemingly every motivator or incentive there could possibly be to get Democratic voters to turn out and vote. Nobody could claim the stakes weren’t high - the stakes were immensely high. Nobod… --- ## [Why are dry docks (for ships) such a seemingly (relatively) rare thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-dry-docks-for-ships-such-a-seemingly-relatively-rare-thing/1022542)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-dry-docks-for-ships-such-a-seemingly-relatively-rare-thing/1022542 "2025-09-04T15:38:58Z")
I have read a few articles that bemoan the lack of repair capacity the US Navy has. Mostly this is related to a lack of dry docks for ships to get maintenance. But why is this so? IIRC this is a problem going back to … --- ## [Anyone a fan of Hanabi (card/tile game)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-a-fan-of-hanabi-card-tile-game/799261)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-a-fan-of-hanabi-card-tile-game/799261 "2025-09-04T15:21:15Z")
It’s a cooperative game in which you all work together to try to fill in sequences of cards or tiles in the middle of the table. The trick is that each player has a hand of cards, but you can’t see your own cards, you ha… --- ## [The Paper- new show streaming Sep 4th](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paper-new-show-streaming-sep-4th/1022746)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paper-new-show-streaming-sep-4th/1022746 "2025-09-04T14:36:46Z")
I haven’t seen a thread on this. The Paper is a sorta kinda sequel to The Office. I believe there may be some cameos from the original show. Looks like it starts streaming today on Peacock. I have not seen it. I did see … --- ## [Ever been badgered into a vacation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-badgered-into-a-vacation/1022579)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-been-badgered-into-a-vacation/1022579 "2025-09-04T14:21:20Z")
My sister in law and her wife want to celebrate their daughter’s 2nd birthday in Sicily next Spring. My father in law and his girlfriend are going. They want me, my husband and son to come, too. I don’t not want to go, … --- ## [Chuck E. Cheese is a sleeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chuck-e-cheese-is-a-sleeze/1022715)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chuck-e-cheese-is-a-sleeze/1022715 "2025-09-04T09:29:48Z")
Police have released bodycam video of their arrest of Chuck E Cheese at work. He had stolen cheddar off someone’s credit card. --- ## [Can an Attorney General's suit be defamation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-attorney-generals-suit-be-defamation/1022720)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-attorney-generals-suit-be-defamation/1022720 "2025-09-04T08:45:03Z")
I thought we’d seen the weirdest of legal counterattacks against Democrats states, but this latest one has me boggled. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/climate/exxon-california-plastics-defamation-lawsuit.html?unlocke… --- ## [In which activities/crafts do people excel without ongoing "coaching"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-activities-crafts-do-people-excel-without-ongoing-coaching/1022576)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-activities-crafts-do-people-excel-without-ongoing-coaching/1022576 "2025-09-04T06:39:02Z")
In most sports (golf, baseball, etc), even top pros use coaches. My impression is that some top musicians (classical?) continue take lessons, but I’m not sure all do. And I don’t know about on-classical musicians. Sin… --- ## [Just curious how drowning a bunch of kids can be considered God's will](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-curious-how-drowning-a-bunch-of-kids-can-be-considered-gods-will/1020860)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 396\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-curious-how-drowning-a-bunch-of-kids-can-be-considered-gods-will/1020860 "2025-09-04T06:08:22Z")
So, I presume the folks who ran that camp in Texas are trying to figure out how it was that God saw fit to drown a bunch of little kids. They were at a Christian camp, clearly a setting with a powerful religious ethic. … --- ## [How do medevac helicopters work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-medevac-helicopters-work/1021728)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-medevac-helicopters-work/1021728 "2025-09-04T05:55:03Z")
Children’s Hospital in Oakland has a rooftop helicopter pad, and occasionally copters arrive there. It’s a mystery how the system could work. Firstly, the scene of the car crash. Who decides to call in a copter, instead… --- ## [Things your favorite authors do that annoy you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-your-favorite-authors-do-that-annoy-you/1020201)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-your-favorite-authors-do-that-annoy-you/1020201 "2025-09-04T05:42:55Z")
Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe novels are among my favorite books. I’ve read all 47 of them multiple times, and every few years I’ll run through the whole series again, just to be able to spend some time in the brownstone on Wes… --- ## [Echos of Y2K in a hole in my barn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/echos-of-y2k-in-a-hole-in-my-barn/726625)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/echos-of-y2k-in-a-hole-in-my-barn/726625 "2025-09-04T02:29:57Z")
Some of you may recall the first part of this tale, told a few times here in passing over the years. But now the tale has a 2nd, more bizarre part. Back about 1998 or so, the Mrs. and I rented out the old farmhouse (bu… --- ## [Far be it from me to "pooh pooh" something you like, but.... RottenTomatoes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-be-it-from-me-to-pooh-pooh-something-you-like-but-rottentomatoes/1022659)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-be-it-from-me-to-pooh-pooh-something-you-like-but-rottentomatoes/1022659 "2025-09-04T02:26:01Z")
I just saw the reply by someone else, in another thread “And it has a 93% on the popcorn meter!” … like that’s really gonna sway me either way. :roll\_eyes: I just read those types of comments and I can’t help but thin… --- ## [What's the hardest Cube-y thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-hardest-cube-y-thing/747183)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-hardest-cube-y-thing/747183 "2025-09-04T00:33:59Z")
I have in my house at the moment… A 3x3 Rubiks cube A 5x5 cube A megaminx (dodecahedron) I’ve also had in my possession, over the years, a 4x4, pyraminx, and a few other random rubiksish puzzles (the snake, rubik’s m… --- ## [The Orgy Tent at Burning Man has been destroyed in a windstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orgy-tent-at-burning-man-has-been-destroyed-in-a-windstorm/1022509)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orgy-tent-at-burning-man-has-been-destroyed-in-a-windstorm/1022509 "2025-09-03T21:46:39Z")
Of course, there are lots of jokes about this not being the kind of blowjobs one expected to see in and around this structure. I’ll leave any theological discussions to people, regarding their own personal beliefs. ETA… --- ## [What are the biggest out-of-pocket medical costs for elderly Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-biggest-out-of-pocket-medical-costs-for-elderly-americans/1022489)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-biggest-out-of-pocket-medical-costs-for-elderly-americans/1022489 "2025-09-03T20:42:07Z")
Yesterday my wife and I were discussing retirement finances. We are in a very fine situation. Maintaining our current level of income, we will face some hefty RMDs down the line. I asked whether we might want to incre… --- ## [Crash tests with humans: what's the record for g's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-tests-with-humans-whats-the-record-for-gs/1022722)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crash-tests-with-humans-whats-the-record-for-gs/1022722 "2025-09-03T20:41:54Z")
The Wikipedia article on John Paul Stapp says he has the record, 46 g, but maybe that’s just the record for facing forward? The question arises looking at Aviation Week 2 June 1958 p23, which says “an Air Force captain” … --- ## [Ethics of shopping at thrift stores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-shopping-at-thrift-stores/1022510)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-shopping-at-thrift-stores/1022510 "2025-09-03T20:27:12Z")
I’ll admit I don’t know the economics of running a thrift store and I realize they are going to vary from case to case. So I’m just looking for opinions. As I see it, there are two opposing ways to look at shopping at t… --- ## [I want to watch an EPL game (or highlight reel) from 2003](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-watch-an-epl-game-or-highlight-reel-from-2003/1022717)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-watch-an-epl-game-or-highlight-reel-from-2003/1022717 "2025-09-03T20:00:59Z")
I read somewhere that it’s possible to watch any English Premier League match ever broadcast. I jumped through the hoops to create a MyPremierLeague account, and their archives appear to extend only to 2016. I want to wa… --- ## [Mississippi Pot Roast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-pot-roast/1022687)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-pot-roast/1022687 "2025-09-03T19:37:14Z")
Although I’ve been a home cook for 40 year, I ain’t never heard about Mississippi Pot Roast until today. Here’s my issue. No one besides me would want pepperoncini in it. What am I missing if I leave them out? Is it … --- ## [Souvenirs of yesteryear (1950s-1960s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/souvenirs-of-yesteryear-1950s-1960s/1022550)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/souvenirs-of-yesteryear-1950s-1960s/1022550 "2025-09-03T19:19:15Z")
I re-visited Polar Caves in Rumney, NH recently. I had been there as a kid, and the place hasn’t changed all that much. They used to have a guide to take you through the tortuous paths and stairways through the interstic… --- ## [Making Italian beef at home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-italian-beef-at-home/1022561)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-italian-beef-at-home/1022561 "2025-09-03T17:48:08Z")
Have you ever wanted an Italian beef sandwich, but you’re not in Chicago? I have. and I’ve realized, there are lots of recipes for making it at home in a slow cooker. It’s really just a beef roast braised in stock and… --- ## [Is your birthday a Big Deal to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-birthday-a-big-deal-to-you/1022139)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-your-birthday-a-big-deal-to-you/1022139 "2025-09-03T17:39:34Z")
Like, does it matter to you if casual friends/co-workers say Happy Birthday to you? Does your family/friends do some kind of special celebration? Anything from “just have a cake with supper that day” to full on parties… --- ## [Legal hypothetical involving store theft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-involving-store-theft/1022676)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-hypothetical-involving-store-theft/1022676 "2025-09-03T16:37:26Z")
Let us say a store prominently posts this sign: “WARNING SHOPLIFTERS! ALL ITEMS IN THIS STORE ARE MARKED $1000. NON-CRIMINAL DISCOUNTS APPLIED AT CHECKOUT FOR ALL PAYING CUSTOMERS ONLY. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITH PR… --- ## [US Interstates - maintenance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-interstates-maintenance/1022390)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-interstates-maintenance/1022390 "2025-09-03T15:31:53Z")
Many Interstates and other divided highways have wide, well-kept grassy medians and margins. However - I don’t ever recall seeing a mower doing their job. How is the grass so well kept in most places? How often is it mow… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=245) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=247)