# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=321 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 322 --- ## [When someone's "help" leaves you silently cursing them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someones-help-leaves-you-silently-cursing-them/1017931)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-someones-help-leaves-you-silently-cursing-them/1017931 "2025-05-06T21:39:08Z")
We have relatives staying with us currently. This isn’t a problem, we have spare rooms and they’re pleasant people we normally get along with well. Also, it’s for a short/defined period – they’re spending about a week’… --- ## [Germany’s government collapses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-s-government-collapses/1011717)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-s-government-collapses/1011717 "2025-05-06T21:32:06Z")
Snap election to come. Caretaker government for now. I fear the far right will end up as kingmaker. France, South Korea, the list of previously stable governments in highly developed countries falling into disarray, a… --- ## ["Conclave" currently free for Amazon prime members to stream \[Open spoilers starting in post 5-ish\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conclave-currently-free-for-amazon-prime-members-to-stream-open-spoilers-starting-in-post-5-ish/1017580)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conclave-currently-free-for-amazon-prime-members-to-stream-open-spoilers-starting-in-post-5-ish/1017580 "2025-05-06T21:20:30Z")
For non-Prime members it’s $5.99 to rent. When it first came out, it was $19.99 even for Prime members to rent. If you’ve been planning to see it, or want to see it again like me, now would be a good time. --- ## [“The Last of Us” casts for Season 2’s antagonist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-of-us-casts-for-season-2-s-antagonist/995895)
**Author:** [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-last-of-us-casts-for-season-2-s-antagonist/995895 "2025-05-06T20:55:22Z")
Trying to keep from spoiling anything for people who are unfamiliar with the events of the second game. HBO has officially announced the antagonist for season 2 of the series. It seems that Kaitlyn Devers, who was recen… --- ## [The specific clusterfuck of discussing war plans over Signal, a consumer cellphone app](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 295\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-specific-clusterfuck-of-discussing-war-plans-over-signal-a-consumer-cellphone-app/1016157 "2025-05-06T20:14:22Z")
I feel like this specific incident deserves its own pit thread. With Miller’s permission, I have moved all the threads from the general “clusterfuck” thread to this one. Hopefully, I did it fairly cleanly. My apologies f… --- ## [Can an ADD diagnosis get you out of paying taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-add-diagnosis-get-you-out-of-paying-taxes/1017926 "2025-05-06T19:51:01Z")
Seems like a longshot to me, but I just had a patient in here insisting that if I write him a letter confirming the diagnosis, the IRS will forgive the various late fees associated with him not having gotten around to fi… --- ## [Should Democrats be raising more actual -\>Hell\<- publicly about Trump, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-be-raising-more-actual-hell-publicly-about-trump-etc/1017086)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-democrats-be-raising-more-actual-hell-publicly-about-trump-etc/1017086 "2025-05-06T18:40:46Z")
I didn’t want to launch this in The Pit, as there is already a lot of discussion in that forum about WHAT there is to raise Hell over. Also, I’d like to hear from Dopers who don’t visit the Pit. (My first few years on th… --- ## [Cream - Royal Albert Hall Reunion was 20 years ago this week!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cream-royal-albert-hall-reunion-was-20-years-ago-this-week/1017964)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cream-royal-albert-hall-reunion-was-20-years-ago-this-week/1017964 "2025-05-06T17:56:32Z")
Time flies when you are a geezer. I was listening to the Cream at Royal Albert Hall double CD set this morning at work when I happened to notice the dates: May 2 - 3 - 5 - 6 2005. Wow, twenty years ago! Of course, Jack B… --- ## [Help me understand how a diaphragm carburetor works](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-how-a-diaphragm-carburetor-works/1017952)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-how-a-diaphragm-carburetor-works/1017952 "2025-05-06T17:24:32Z")
The most basic carburetor, typically found on a gasoline-powered lawn mower, is pretty darn simple: Fuel from the tank flows (or is pumped) into a float bowl. When the float bowl is full, a float rises up and shuts a… --- ## [Why no poultry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-poultry/1017921)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-poultry/1017921 "2025-05-06T15:22:26Z")
I noticed when i go to grocery deli, there’s diced/cubed ham–usually a small company–but no diced chicken or turkey. I would think that there was a market for big poultry companies like Hormel/Tyson/Purdue to sell diced … --- ## [Do we actually know that late-Roman society was basically monotheistic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-actually-know-that-late-roman-society-was-basically-monotheistic/1015721)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-actually-know-that-late-roman-society-was-basically-monotheistic/1015721 "2025-05-06T14:39:38Z")
So a fact, that comes up in any modern history of the later Roman empire, is that long before Christianity became the dominant religion, Roman society had basically become monotheistic. By late antiquity (approx the rei… --- ## [Playing "air" instruments while driving down the highway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-air-instruments-while-driving-down-the-highway/1017887)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-air-instruments-while-driving-down-the-highway/1017887 "2025-05-06T13:35:24Z")
I’m watching “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and the scene with John Candy doing “The Mess Around” with Ray Charles. I’ve played my fair share of air guitar over the years on the the highway (not dangerously like in th… --- ## [Airports and buildings in Denver, etc. - also similar lack of oxygen due to high altitude, or is the internal air different?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airports-and-buildings-in-denver-etc-also-similar-lack-of-oxygen-due-to-high-altitude-or-is-the-internal-air-different/1017492)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airports-and-buildings-in-denver-etc-also-similar-lack-of-oxygen-due-to-high-altitude-or-is-the-internal-air-different/1017492 "2025-05-06T10:22:20Z")
Dumb question, but when buildings like airport terminals are located in Denver, Salt Lake City, Colorado Springs or other places 6,000 feet high, is the interior air also lacking oxygen to the extent that the outside air… --- ## [What were your favorite lunatic theories on the SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-your-favorite-lunatic-theories-on-the-sdmb/947021)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2025, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-your-favorite-lunatic-theories-on-the-sdmb/947021 "2025-05-06T05:32:44Z")
I believe that I was suspended, or not yet a member, in time for the controversy over male circumcision. (Is that why the name Jack Dean Tyler is stuck in my head?) What was that all about? OTOH, I was here for the fl… --- ## [Cool Math Thing in the Bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-math-thing-in-the-bible/1017847)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-math-thing-in-the-bible/1017847 "2025-05-05T23:58:04Z")
I was legit mindblown to learn this today… First Kings 7:23 reads in translation: “Then he made the tank of cast metal, 10 cubits across from brim to brim, completely round; it was 5 cubits high, and it measured 30 cub… --- ## [Submarine meals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submarine-meals/1017591)
**Author:** [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submarine-meals/1017591 "2025-05-05T22:45:57Z")
In Big Red, which takes place in 1999, it says that Lieutenant JG Such-and-Such had to pay $500 for the meals he ate on patrol (let’s say 3 months). This is on a Trident-class ballistic missile submarine. So, dining in… --- ## [Donald Trump and the Sede Vacante](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-and-the-sede-vacante/1017565)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-and-the-sede-vacante/1017565 "2025-05-05T19:54:36Z")
Do you think that it is likely that Donald Trump will say, “They should make me pope. I would be the greatest pope ever.” or something similar. I would hope that his handlers have already warned him not to say this bu… --- ## [Why did we evolve finger- and toenails? What purpose do they serve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-evolve-finger-and-toenails-what-purpose-do-they-serve/1010056)
**Author:** [@Ceretarges](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceretarges)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-evolve-finger-and-toenails-what-purpose-do-they-serve/1010056 "2025-05-05T19:39:20Z")
I mean, I don’t see what they do that some tougher skin couldn’t do. Plus, with tougher skin on it, you wouldn’t have the issue where if you get a bruise under there it stays there for ages. I’d say it’s just the first t… --- ## [Is MAGA a fifth column?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-maga-a-fifth-column/1006924)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-maga-a-fifth-column/1006924 "2025-05-05T19:30:32Z")
Recently the DOJ indicted a couple of Russian nationalists and seized 32 web domains tied to a Russian propaganda campaign. I have heard that many people were shocked by this, including online influencers like Tim Pool… --- ## [Mechanic drained the transmission instead of oil - big deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanic-drained-the-transmission-instead-of-oil-big-deal/1017873)
**Author:** [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mechanic-drained-the-transmission-instead-of-oil-big-deal/1017873 "2025-05-05T19:12:58Z")
My mom has a Subaru Outback that is about ~8 years old and lightly driven. She takes it to a local place for oil changes about once a year (she doesn’t drive enough to hit the recommended mileage between changes) and thi… --- ## [Park in one country and fly from another?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/park-in-one-country-and-fly-from-another/1017916)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/park-in-one-country-and-fly-from-another/1017916 "2025-05-05T18:54:02Z")
San Diegans traveling to Mexican destinations often cross the border by land and fly from Tijuana, both for the lower prices and avoiding airport customs and immigration. That’s been streamlined in recent years by buildi… --- ## [King Charles will open the next Canadian Parliament](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-charles-will-open-the-next-canadian-parliament/1017810)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-charles-will-open-the-next-canadian-parliament/1017810 "2025-05-05T18:45:02Z")
The King will open the Parliament and give the Speech from the Throne, the first time the monarch has done so since Queen Elizabeth in 1957. Sounds like the Speech will address housing and crime issues, two things that … --- ## [Please explain apps to this 20th century relic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-apps-to-this-20th-century-relic/1017343)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-apps-to-this-20th-century-relic/1017343 "2025-05-05T17:33:12Z")
These days it seems like almost anywhere you want to go and anything you want to do, there’s a specialized smartphone app for it. Heck there’s an app for logging on to the Straight Dope Message Board. Doubtless marketing… --- ## [A Student Loan Quandary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-student-loan-quandary/1017519)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-student-loan-quandary/1017519 "2025-05-05T17:04:34Z")
I am not, strictly speaking, asking for financial advice, but I want to explain my situation and I’m hoping people here can give me different aspects of this situation to consider. I am also talking with a (former) finan… --- ## [Do you dress up/down to exercise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dress-up-down-to-exercise/1016266)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-dress-up-down-to-exercise/1016266 "2025-05-05T16:52:27Z")
I often see people IRL and on-line who seem to make a bit of effort to make sure that when exercising they wear matching, coordinated “outfits” - often seemingly designed for a specific sport/activity. Others (like myse… --- ## [How do you feel about your scars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-your-scars/1017288)
**Author:** [@Bonnie14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonnie14)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-feel-about-your-scars/1017288 "2025-05-05T16:08:35Z")
I have a scar or 2 that actually bring back good memories. I also have a couple of surgical scars that went very well. Tell us your stories. --- ## [Rejection of science and/or factual information in favor of feelings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejection-of-science-and-or-factual-information-in-favor-of-feelings/1015208)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejection-of-science-and-or-factual-information-in-favor-of-feelings/1015208 "2025-05-05T15:49:52Z")
My family and I have recently adopted a dog from the SPCA, and I’ve been doing my research on what to feed him. I’m amazed at the level of nonsense that’s out there, how much is marketing driven, and more importantly, h… --- ## [List of Haunted House Caper movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-haunted-house-caper-movies/1017806)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/list-of-haunted-house-caper-movies/1017806 "2025-05-05T14:48:13Z")
Wiki doesn’t seem to have this as a separate category because there’s a lot of overlap in genres. Basically the sort of 1930s-1940s era movies that Scooby Doo is a parody of. --- ## [Can someone decipher theses hockey stats for me, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-decipher-theses-hockey-stats-for-me-please/1017504)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-decipher-theses-hockey-stats-for-me-please/1017504 "2025-05-05T14:07:34Z")
The other night I’m watching the Carolina/New Jersey game, using the FanDuel app on my phone. Across the top were the following stats (sorry, not sure how to post a picture). S, BLK, FW%, PP, PO, PIM, H. I assume S is… --- ## ["My Undead Yokai Girlfriend"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-undead-yokai-girlfriend/1017600)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2025, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-undead-yokai-girlfriend/1017600 "2025-05-05T11:32:57Z")
One of the things I did over my spring break was watch an Amazon Prime video series called, My Undead Yokai Girlfriend , and I must say I really enjoyed it. It’s only 8 episodes at about 35 minutes a piece, so it’s eas… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=320) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=322)