# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=344 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 345 --- ## [They're kicking my non-ambulatory dad out of inpatient rehab soon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-kicking-my-non-ambulatory-dad-out-of-inpatient-rehab-soon/1016287)
**Author:** [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-kicking-my-non-ambulatory-dad-out-of-inpatient-rehab-soon/1016287 "2025-03-30T23:48:15Z")
My dad had an occipital hemorrhagic stroke two weeks ago. He was in the ICU for a few days, then discharged to inpatient intensive rehab, where he has been since the evening of 3/22. My mom got a call from them today, te… --- ## [Have you ever gotten the "Grandma/Grandpa, I'm in jail" scam call?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-the-grandma-grandpa-im-in-jail-scam-call/1015914)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-the-grandma-grandpa-im-in-jail-scam-call/1015914 "2025-03-30T21:48:54Z")
My late MIL got these calls several times, and she was sharp enough to either hang up or say “The police are tracing this call right now.” How could the caller know that her only grandson was blind and would never be arr… --- ## [Were fights between enslaved people (and their enslavers betting on them) ever a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-fights-between-enslaved-people-and-their-enslavers-betting-on-them-ever-a-thing/1016312)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-fights-between-enslaved-people-and-their-enslavers-betting-on-them-ever-a-thing/1016312 "2025-03-30T20:59:15Z")
In this thread, I ask about a book I heard about years ago, in which an enslaved man makes money for the man who enslaved him by bare-knuckle fighting other enslaved men (and being unbeatable). Was this a thing in the A… --- ## [How would you categorize this genre of music? Ragtime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-categorize-this-genre-of-music-ragtime/1016350)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-categorize-this-genre-of-music-ragtime/1016350 "2025-03-30T20:40:34Z")
The intro music in this video. What’s the genre? Ragtime? Pop Bluegrass? --- ## [January 1, 2025 is Public Domain day for 1929](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-1-2025-is-public-domain-day-for-1929/1011643)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/january-1-2025-is-public-domain-day-for-1929/1011643 "2025-03-30T20:30:33Z")
Copyright law today puts anything that is over 95 years old into public domain. For ease of handling, all of 1929 goes into the public domain as of January 1 in the 95th year. That means on January 1, 2025 all works from… --- ## [Secret ban--Carl Hiaasen unavailable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-ban-carl-hiaasen-unavailable/1015847)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-ban-carl-hiaasen-unavailable/1015847 "2025-03-30T19:49:09Z")
moderator feel free to move) In 2020 a Florida author, Carl Hiassen wrote a novel about wildlife ranger, “Squeeze Me” that included wicked satire about Trump. Recently, I was looking another one of his books and discove… --- ## [Could Trumps Tariff's cause Ford and Gm’ pensions to default](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-trumps-tariffs-cause-ford-and-gm-pensions-to-default/1016343)
**Author:** [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-trumps-tariffs-cause-ford-and-gm-pensions-to-default/1016343 "2025-03-30T19:36:52Z")
These companies are doing fairly well up to this point but they could never reshuffle and bring back there there assembly division to what would be needed, Not to forget the enormous parts divisions of Delco and Motorcra… --- ## [Is N.K. Jemisin's "Broken Earth" trilogy appropriate for tweens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-n-k-jemisins-broken-earth-trilogy-appropriate-for-tweens/832344)
**Author:** [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-n-k-jemisins-broken-earth-trilogy-appropriate-for-tweens/832344 "2025-03-30T19:27:39Z")
Seems like it would be good for my 12 yo daughter, who is already well into YA fiction. Not sure how adult this is though. Thanks for your help. --- ## [User Jasmine’s opinions regarding the US system of jurisprudence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/user-jasmine-s-opinions-regarding-the-us-system-of-jurisprudence/1016214)
**Author:** [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/user-jasmine-s-opinions-regarding-the-us-system-of-jurisprudence/1016214 "2025-03-30T18:35:14Z")
Continuing the discussion from Luigi murder case–15,000 documents?: This is an incredibly ignorant statement to make. Under US Constitutional jurisprudence, everyone accused of a felony crime is afforded presumption of… --- ## [Shower registry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-registry/1016330)
**Author:** [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shower-registry/1016330 "2025-03-30T17:22:28Z")
I’m curious, what’s the most expensive item(s) you’ve ever seen on a wedding or baby shower registry? --- ## [Answering the phone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/answering-the-phone/1012261)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/answering-the-phone/1012261 "2025-03-30T17:00:29Z")
Has anyone here adopted the gruff “Talk to me” from The Fugitive, when the one-armed guy answers the phone? “Ahoy” died in birth, and “Hello” has had a good run. Time for a change. --- ## [What is Alina Habba's deep game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-alina-habbas-deep-game/995829)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-alina-habbas-deep-game/995829 "2025-03-30T15:36:51Z")
What is the deal with Alina Habba? She reminds one of a Fox news host. On the surface, she appears to be utterly incompetent as an attorney; (in)famously doing things like neglecting to request a jury trial for Trump’s … --- ## [Are companies still pulling up sunken timber from Lake Superior et al.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-companies-still-pulling-up-sunken-timber-from-lake-superior-et-al/1014811)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-companies-still-pulling-up-sunken-timber-from-lake-superior-et-al/1014811 "2025-03-30T15:16:50Z")
Nigh on thirty years ago there were several outfits pulling long-sunken logs from the bottom of Lake Superior (and probably bayous and lakes elsewhere), selling the tight-grained old growth lumber at a premium to folks l… --- ## [Using Roman lead ingots for research](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-roman-lead-ingots-for-research/1016118)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-roman-lead-ingots-for-research/1016118 "2025-03-30T08:24:56Z")
This is piggy backed off the sunken timbers thread. It was noted that scientists are using old Roman lead ingots for shielding sensitive experiments. I really don’t have a problem with this. I would think they could cast… --- ## [Your video gaming habits? Use of walkthroughs, tutorials, cheat codes, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-video-gaming-habits-use-of-walkthroughs-tutorials-cheat-codes-etc/1016201)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-video-gaming-habits-use-of-walkthroughs-tutorials-cheat-codes-etc/1016201 "2025-03-30T05:56:34Z")
Just a little gaming history about me-- I got into gaming later in life (well, arcade games in the 80s, then nothing at all until just a couple years ago). I’m just wondering what other players’ strategies are for gettin… --- ## [Help Me Identify an SF/Fantasy Short Story--Robert E. Howard meets Ernest Hemingway in the afterlife](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-sf-fantasy-short-story-robert-e-howard-meets-ernest-hemingway-in-the-afterlife/1016276)
**Author:** [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-an-sf-fantasy-short-story-robert-e-howard-meets-ernest-hemingway-in-the-afterlife/1016276 "2025-03-30T03:57:27Z")
Basic plot: Robert E. Howard (and I think another pulp SF/Fantasy writer) enter the “afterlife” where (amongst other things I forget) they meet Ernest Hemingway who cannot completely hide a sneer when Howard describes t… --- ## [Russia at war and GDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-at-war-and-gdp/1015759)
**Author:** [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-at-war-and-gdp/1015759 "2025-03-30T02:29:42Z")
How can Russia with an economy a bit smaller than Italy’s (both with a GDP a bit over 2 trillion); afford a large scale, 3 year war? I get: it is a largely extractive economy (likely a bit more immune to sanctions), Col… --- ## [Forrest Fenn Treasure - Part deux - Netflix version](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forrest-fenn-treasure-part-deux-netflix-version/1016263)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forrest-fenn-treasure-part-deux-netflix-version/1016263 "2025-03-30T02:03:12Z")
There’s a new ‘documentary’ on Netflix, Gold and Greed:The Hunt For Fenn’s Treasure. For reference, we’ve done this before. See this and this. Anyhoo, I’ve always been skeptical of the way that it was found, along with… --- ## [? about Galaxy Quest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-galaxy-quest/1014867)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-galaxy-quest/1014867 "2025-03-30T01:24:05Z")
Is it “sons of Warvan” or “suns of Warvan”? --- ## [About space and gravity, too long to explain in thread title](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-space-and-gravity-too-long-to-explain-in-thread-title/1011558)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-space-and-gravity-too-long-to-explain-in-thread-title/1011558 "2025-03-30T01:08:59Z")
Let’s say I have a one-meter sphere weighing, say, 1000kg. I’m out in deep DEEP space – as in, light years away from the nearest star or what have you. I also have a one-millimeter sphere weighing, say, one milligram. If… --- ## [Rediscovering obscure old songs from your youth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rediscovering-obscure-old-songs-from-your-youth/737234)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rediscovering-obscure-old-songs-from-your-youth/737234 "2025-03-30T00:47:38Z")
Isn’t it fun when you do that? I’m thinking about that because several days ago, I stumbled onto this wonderful song that I used to hear late at night on the AOR station as a tween in the late 1970s; they would play wha… --- ## [Is desalination going to be the solution to the water crisis? Questions and thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-desalination-going-to-be-the-solution-to-the-water-crisis-questions-and-thoughts/1015110)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-desalination-going-to-be-the-solution-to-the-water-crisis-questions-and-thoughts/1015110 "2025-03-30T00:28:01Z")
I teach remedial reading in middle school and one unit we read about and study is the impending Water Crisis, the lack of fresh, clean water and how it will affect people in the future(some even affected now). I show a … --- ## [Getting rid of freezer, need advice re:defrosting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-freezer-need-advice-re-defrosting/1016315)
**Author:** [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-freezer-need-advice-re-defrosting/1016315 "2025-03-29T22:38:59Z")
Many years ago, our fridge died on a Friday night right after grocery shopping. Our immediate solution was a cheap, small, Walmart chest freezer. We bought a new fridge on Monday. After we got the new fridge, I told FiL… --- ## [Would a waitress know specifically I didn't tip if I paid at the counter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-waitress-know-specifically-i-didnt-tip-if-i-paid-at-the-counter/1016094)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-waitress-know-specifically-i-didnt-tip-if-i-paid-at-the-counter/1016094 "2025-03-29T22:27:06Z")
Long story short I went to a restaurant with a gift card. I was told I could tip using gift card funds, and so at the end of the meal I paid entirely using the gift card and hit the button to add a tip at the front cashi… --- ## [Controversial DeJoy is out-who do you think will take his place?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-dejoy-is-out-who-do-you-think-will-take-his-place/1016062)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-dejoy-is-out-who-do-you-think-will-take-his-place/1016062 "2025-03-29T19:13:09Z")
Louis DeJoy says that this is his day as Postmaster General- Exclusive: Louis DeJoy Resigns as Postmaster General | TIME Who will probably get the job…if anybody? --- ## [Why do grocery stores allow sales people to come into their stores and harass their customers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-grocery-stores-allow-sales-people-to-come-into-their-stores-and-harass-their-customers/1016135 "2025-03-29T19:08:24Z")
Seriously why? I can’t imagine there is a single customer there that appreciates it. I’ve decided the best way to deal with these people is to not acknowledge them at all. Rude, but less rude than the words that would … --- ## [A musical legend in Dallas and a friend of mine has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-musical-legend-in-dallas-and-a-friend-of-mine-has-died/1005923)
**Author:** [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-musical-legend-in-dallas-and-a-friend-of-mine-has-died/1005923 "2025-03-29T17:21:53Z")
I’m not really sure whether to put this in Cafe Society or MPSIMS. He was an artist and well known enough that his passing generated press, so I’m sticking it here. John Freeman is probably the only person I’ve played w… --- ## [Selena: what happened afterwards?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selena-what-happened-afterwards/285018)
**Author:** [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selena-what-happened-afterwards/285018 "2025-03-29T16:59:08Z")
Last night on late night TV they had a bio-pic starring Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos about Selena Quintanilla Perez. It was quite watchable but afterwards I had a question that I haven’t been able to answer. Wh… --- ## [Identify this story about an enslaved man who earns his freedom through fighting other enslaved men](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-story-about-an-enslaved-man-who-earns-his-freedom-through-fighting-other-enslaved-men/1016311)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-story-about-an-enslaved-man-who-earns-his-freedom-through-fighting-other-enslaved-men/1016311 "2025-03-29T16:55:33Z")
A memory has popped into my head. Years ago, NPR (I think) discussed this book. An enslaved man makes money for the man who enslaved him by bare-knuckle fighting other enslaved men. Our Hero, who is unbeatable, states th… --- ## [How would you write the death of your favorite comic hero?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-write-the-death-of-your-favorite-comic-hero/1016193)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-write-the-death-of-your-favorite-comic-hero/1016193 "2025-03-29T15:40:18Z")
If you had to make an alternate universe story where your favorite comic hero dies, what would you write and why? My example is Wolverine. The story would be the same as Old Man Logan but instead of retiring after killi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=343) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=345)