# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=334 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 335 --- ## [Way to ensure a message gets to family if stop interacting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-ensure-a-message-gets-to-family-if-stop-interacting/1015297)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-ensure-a-message-gets-to-family-if-stop-interacting/1015297 "2025-04-15T17:00:37Z")
Just thinking about how long it took to realise there was a problem with Gene Hackman, and that could easily happen to me if I somehow disabled myself, could be nobody has reason to check on me for weeks. Is there a good… --- ## [Debit card: PIN or no PIN?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debit-card-pin-or-no-pin/1016452)
**Author:** [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debit-card-pin-or-no-pin/1016452 "2025-04-15T17:00:28Z")
For at least the last few years, every time I stick my debit card into a slot, I am given the option of typing in my PIN and hitting Enter or simply hitting Enter. I’m fairly sure this happens regardless of where I am or… --- ## [What, in people's humble opinions, are the best brands of ebikes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-peoples-humble-opinions-are-the-best-brands-of-ebikes/1016841)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-peoples-humble-opinions-are-the-best-brands-of-ebikes/1016841 "2025-04-15T16:21:49Z")
Most interested in ebike opinions, but if someone has a strong opinion about some similar form of transportation, feel free. I am not interested in gas-powered bikes, but if the thread drifts that was for the larger audi… --- ## [Retirees: anybody miss working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirees-anybody-miss-working/1011071)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirees-anybody-miss-working/1011071 "2025-04-15T15:07:22Z")
I retired a year and a half ago. It has been great for the most part, after a couple of hiccups re IRMAA and changing our minds about moving. The last couple of years of working were starting to become too much for me.… --- ## [Sperm racing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-racing/1017002)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-racing/1017002 "2025-04-15T14:40:43Z")
Surprisingly, there’s a thread called Sperm Racing from 2003. Now there’s this: Sperm racing? A new sport is coming to Los Angeles You read that right. A startup recently announced the launch of the world’s first l… --- ## [Mushroom saving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mushroom-saving/1017058)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mushroom-saving/1017058 "2025-04-15T13:59:03Z")
Can you cook and freeze mushrooms? --- ## [Why my category titles grayed out today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-my-category-titles-grayed-out-today/1017068)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-my-category-titles-grayed-out-today/1017068 "2025-04-15T13:58:46Z")
I use the ‘Straightdope Dark’ theme. Usually thread titles are white unless I’ve read all the posts in that thread, in which case that thread title is grayed out. But the Category titles, on the left column of the main p… --- ## [Ever noticed how the "racial ratio" of a place changes overnight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-noticed-how-the-racial-ratio-of-a-place-changes-overnight/1017024)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-noticed-how-the-racial-ratio-of-a-place-changes-overnight/1017024 "2025-04-15T13:40:55Z")
I would like to hear a sociological explanation of this phenomenon. Lets exclude Las Vegas, LA, NYC, and certain parts of Chicago. You’ll see people of any race out overnight in those locations. Lets also exclude inner … --- ## [Today I got Wordle in two, Connections in four and Queen Bee on Spelling Bee plus it's my Dope anniversary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-i-got-wordle-in-two-connections-in-four-and-queen-bee-on-spelling-bee-plus-its-my-dope-anniversary/1017047)
**Author:** [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-i-got-wordle-in-two-connections-in-four-and-queen-bee-on-spelling-bee-plus-its-my-dope-anniversary/1017047 "2025-04-15T13:21:20Z")
I don’t normally make posts like this but I just had to share. --- ## [Are there any ties between the rehabilitation of Marvel's Norman Osborn and DC's Lex Luthor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-ties-between-the-rehabilitation-of-marvels-norman-osborn-and-dcs-lex-luthor/1017001)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-ties-between-the-rehabilitation-of-marvels-norman-osborn-and-dcs-lex-luthor/1017001 "2025-04-15T13:01:50Z")
At pretty much the same time in their respective comic book universes both characters have had the evil “sucked” out of them in one way or the other. Is this just a coincidence, and which will revert back to their evil w… --- ## [For the first time ever: A mouse in the house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-first-time-ever-a-mouse-in-the-house/1001282)
**Author:** [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-first-time-ever-a-mouse-in-the-house/1001282 "2025-04-15T12:33:00Z")
I guess I’ve lived a sheltered life because yesterday was the first time I ever encountered a mouse in the house. Sure, there’s been a cockroach or two (or a hundred), spiders big and small, those lizards we get in the S… --- ## [Nobel for Literature: Mario Vargas Llosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobel-for-literature-mario-vargas-llosa/556385)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobel-for-literature-mario-vargas-llosa/556385 "2025-04-15T05:10:47Z")
MSNBC Story. It is amazing to me how much the Nobel Prize has come down in importance over my lifetime - maybe that is an American-centric view, because the international winners over the past number of years have been … --- ## [Superautomatic espresso machines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superautomatic-espresso-machines/1017035)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superautomatic-espresso-machines/1017035 "2025-04-15T05:01:01Z")
Anyone have experience with these? A “superautomatic” espresso machine is one that not only pumps water through your grounds, but also includes a built-in grinder, tamper, and sometimes a milk frother too (see one explan… --- ## [What would it take for Congress to take back its tariff powers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-congress-to-take-back-its-tariff-powers/1016959)
**Author:** [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-congress-to-take-back-its-tariff-powers/1016959 "2025-04-15T04:38:57Z")
A tariff is a tax. The Constitution puts that power squarely in the legislative branch. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-congress-can-end-trumps-trade-war/ There’s an array of things that Congress needs to… --- ## [Who's the most respectable economist (i.e. not a Trump sycophant) who has a positive assessment of tariffs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-most-respectable-economist-i-e-not-a-trump-sycophant-who-has-a-positive-assessment-of-tariffs/1016842)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-most-respectable-economist-i-e-not-a-trump-sycophant-who-has-a-positive-assessment-of-tariffs/1016842 "2025-04-15T03:53:45Z")
Are there any? Or are they all unanimous that Trump’s tariffs make no sense, are self-defeating, will lead to recession/depression, etc.? --- ## [Question about old-fashioned newspaper headlines starting with a verb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-old-fashioned-newspaper-headlines-starting-with-a-verb/1016420)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-old-fashioned-newspaper-headlines-starting-with-a-verb/1016420 "2025-04-15T03:42:43Z")
I’m going to try my best to explain what I’m talking about. Over the years I’ve come across old news headlines, old like from the 40s and earlier, that start off with a verb instead of the noun that is doing the verb. Ex… --- ## [One little thing you wish you could change in a movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-little-thing-you-wish-you-could-change-in-a-movie/1012944)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-little-thing-you-wish-you-could-change-in-a-movie/1012944 "2025-04-15T02:01:26Z")
I have just watched . Independence Day again. I really like that movie but there’s one little thing I wish hadn’t been said. After the President’s wife dies he comes out of her room and walks over to his daughter, a li… --- ## [NHL offseaon 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-offseaon-2024/1006463)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-offseaon-2024/1006463 "2025-04-15T01:42:09Z")
Freaking drunken ratbastard, in attempting to drive around two vehicles, ends up running over and killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, who were on bikes. --- ## [How will this be enforced? (judge orders Trump administration to abide by his restraining order)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-this-be-enforced-judge-orders-trump-administration-to-abide-by-his-restraining-order/1014147)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 241\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-this-be-enforced-judge-orders-trump-administration-to-abide-by-his-restraining-order/1014147 "2025-04-15T01:40:34Z")
So how will this be enforced? Does it come down to Congress having to impeach him if he doesn’t comply? --- ## [DHS is now trying to sneak into schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dhs-is-now-trying-to-sneak-into-schools/1017044)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dhs-is-now-trying-to-sneak-into-schools/1017044 "2025-04-15T01:35:12Z")
Of note, these were Homeland Security agents and not ICE. Apparently they were in plainclothes and not only didn’t identify themselves, but told the front office they were family to see certain students … in an elementa… --- ## [Looking for a particular movie sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-particular-movie-sword/1017039)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-particular-movie-sword/1017039 "2025-04-15T00:41:40Z")
I am looking for a replica of the tri-blade from the movie “The Sword And The Sorcerer”, and Google isn’t helping at all. It doesn’t have to actually shoot out the two smaller blades, of course. :grin: --- ## [Is Trump trying to return the USA to a Mercantilism economic model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-trying-to-return-the-usa-to-a-mercantilism-economic-model/1016889)
**Author:** [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-trying-to-return-the-usa-to-a-mercantilism-economic-model/1016889 "2025-04-15T00:32:35Z")
Mercantilism is an economic theory and system that emphasizes national wealth and power through a positive balance of trade, where a nation’s exports exceed its imports. It was prominent in Europe from the 16th to 18th c… --- ## [Bob & Seanette's Adventure, on the Thirtieth Anniversary of our Marriage…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-seanettes-adventure-on-the-thirtieth-anniversary-of-our-marriage/1017020)
**Author:** [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-seanettes-adventure-on-the-thirtieth-anniversary-of-our-marriage/1017020 "2025-04-15T00:01:12Z")
As of today, @Seanette and I have been married for THIRTY years. Not really because of that, we went today, on an epic adventure. I became aware, a few weeks ago, of a mountain peak appearing prominently on the horizon… --- ## [Profiles in Courage, 2025–](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profiles-in-courage-2025/1017053)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profiles-in-courage-2025/1017053 "2025-04-14T23:52:06Z")
This thread is to recognize Americans who put their livelihoods on the line by resisting the White House regime in a principled and high-profile way. (It doesn’t include Democratic politicians; opposition is part of the… --- ## [Is it random luck that in the US, politics is evenly divided on the national level, or is there some other reason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-random-luck-that-in-the-us-politics-is-evenly-divided-on-the-national-level-or-is-there-some-other-reason/1017043)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2025, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-random-luck-that-in-the-us-politics-is-evenly-divided-on-the-national-level-or-is-there-some-other-reason/1017043 "2025-04-14T23:08:24Z")
In the US, politics can be heavily biased on the local and state level. That seems to be the common trend. Rural Mississippi is deeply republican and urban California is deeply democrat. The (vast) majority of local and … --- ## [Urban Trash Removal on Strike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-trash-removal-on-strike/1017051)
**Author:** [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/urban-trash-removal-on-strike/1017051 "2025-04-14T20:33:14Z")
I saw a news story about the trash company on strike in Birmingham, England being on strike for an extended period now. Residents said trash bags are piling in the streets and are overrun by rats. They said they can take… --- ## [Posting a thread about antique firearms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-a-thread-about-antique-firearms/969629)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/posting-a-thread-about-antique-firearms/969629 "2025-04-14T17:56:52Z")
Later this year, I’ll be visiting a relative and I might inherit some antique (by USA standards) firearms eventually from them, probably sooner rather than later. I live in Chicago, so any thread that even hints about gu… --- ## [What is this electrical(?) facility/structure in Central Illinois?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-facility-structure-in-central-illinois/1017041)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-electrical-facility-structure-in-central-illinois/1017041 "2025-04-14T17:43:34Z")
Near I-55 Exit 39 in Central/Southwestern Illinois, not far from the town of Hamel, on the west side of the road is some sort of facility/structure that I drove past yesterday on my way home. On Google Maps it’s labeled … --- ## [Some more thoughts on restaurant tipping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-more-thoughts-on-restaurant-tipping/1016113)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-more-thoughts-on-restaurant-tipping/1016113 "2025-04-14T13:52:33Z")
Here’s a web PFA (pic for attention) — There’s a recent thread in FQ on tipping where @Asuka used a gift card and their tip didn’t register; here ➜ Would a waitress know s… --- ## [Information on a speeding ticket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-a-speeding-ticket/1016970)
**Author:** [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/information-on-a-speeding-ticket/1016970 "2025-04-14T13:24:35Z")
I was reading a linked story in another thread about the 1980 Harvey’s Casino bombing and came upon this passage: On 14 August 1981, FBI special agents once again brought 20-year-old John Jr. in for questioning. They to… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=333) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=335)