# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=369 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 370 --- ## [What villains would retire in Old Man Logan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-villains-would-retire-in-old-man-logan/1014466)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-villains-would-retire-in-old-man-logan/1014466 "2025-02-19T22:20:36Z")
In the Old Man Logan setting the villains of Marvel Earth team up, defeat the heroes and divide the country between Magneto, Red Skull, Doom and Abomination. How many villains do you think would either retire after the … --- ## [FCC rules regarding CallerID packet information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-rules-regarding-callerid-packet-information/1012537)
**Author:** [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-rules-regarding-callerid-packet-information/1012537 "2025-02-19T21:21:57Z")
Looking for the FCC ‘chapter and verse’ rules regarding that little packet of data that is sent with every phone call. The one that has the originating caller, the originating number and the destination phone numbers cur… --- ## [Martin Niemoller a warning from history. Yeah, I know, NS Sherlock? But hear me out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-niemoller-a-warning-from-history-yeah-i-know-ns-sherlock-but-hear-me-out/1014389)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-niemoller-a-warning-from-history-yeah-i-know-ns-sherlock-but-hear-me-out/1014389 "2025-02-19T21:10:23Z")
So I’ve been reading up on Martin Niemoller (for those that don’t recognize the name he’s the author of the “first they came for…” passage about the Nazis which you’ve probably heard of). And yeah, the dude is literall… --- ## [What does "My song is a parody" do to protect me from committing copyright violation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-my-song-is-a-parody-do-to-protect-me-from-committing-copyright-violation/1014462)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-my-song-is-a-parody-do-to-protect-me-from-committing-copyright-violation/1014462 "2025-02-19T18:33:36Z")
Say I’m a songwriter (which I am, strictly amateur) and I’ve written a song (I have, two songs in fact) that use someone else’s music but original lyrics. Both songs make fun of the originals—think “Al Yankovich” or “Tom… --- ## [Early examples of author self-insertion in comics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-examples-of-author-self-insertion-in-comics/1014111)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-examples-of-author-self-insertion-in-comics/1014111 "2025-02-19T17:43:32Z")
I came across an archive of Homer the Happy Ghost comics, a very-thinly disguised rip-off of Casper the Friendly Ghost from the 1950s. In a four page story in issue 18 (March 1958) the characters are reading copies of Ho… --- ## [Americans living in the U.S.: what would make you take concrete action to expatriate yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-living-in-the-u-s-what-would-make-you-take-concrete-action-to-expatriate-yourself/1014372)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-living-in-the-u-s-what-would-make-you-take-concrete-action-to-expatriate-yourself/1014372 "2025-02-19T17:34:22Z")
Now that I am also Canadian and it’s a real possibility, Tom\_Scud and I are talking about it. Even had a consultation with a Canadian immigration attorney yesterday to iron out some of his problematic documentation issue… --- ## [Gulf of America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-of-america/1014515)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-of-america/1014515 "2025-02-19T17:24:38Z")
I was just perusing Google maps and I noticed that they are now calling the Gulf Of Mexico, Gulf of America. Wow. --- ## [I need a root canal treatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-root-canal-treatment/1013866)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-root-canal-treatment/1013866 "2025-02-19T17:07:48Z")
Got a filling redone 3 weeks ago, which I was worried about because the original filling was already very deep and close to the nerve, but my new dentist seemed blasé about it. A couple of days later the tooth started hu… --- ## [Car Body Damage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-body-damage/1014503)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-body-damage/1014503 "2025-02-19T16:36:38Z")
I’m putting this in “Factual Questions” because I’m truly hoping for a factual answer that works, but there may be more than one solution. A week or so ago, I was driving home from work on the interstate at approximatel… --- ## [Finding Historical Market Caps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-historical-market-caps/1014463)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-historical-market-caps/1014463 "2025-02-19T15:11:04Z")
So I follow a few startups that interest me. I’m not an investor in individual stocks, so this is just because these companies are in my field and I like what they’re working on. However, as they are startups, they issu… --- ## [Major appliance shopping (washer) for the first time. Recommendations and advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-appliance-shopping-washer-for-the-first-time-recommendations-and-advice/1014432)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-appliance-shopping-washer-for-the-first-time-recommendations-and-advice/1014432 "2025-02-19T15:05:00Z")
My condo came with a Samsung washer and dryer, circa 2017. The washer has been having issues with vibration in the spin cycle bad enough to significantly move the entire thing (something I hear is common with this compan… --- ## [Is this a good lease deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-good-lease-deal/1014288)
**Author:** [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-good-lease-deal/1014288 "2025-02-19T13:25:43Z")
I’m completely new to leases and I’d like to ask you experts your opinion. I just received this lease deal for a new 2025 car: Market value $73,225 Dealer discount $5075 Tint $574 (I’m going to remove this) Rebates $8… --- ## [Intentionally distorted flags as backdrops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intentionally-distorted-flags-as-backdrops/1014464)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intentionally-distorted-flags-as-backdrops/1014464 "2025-02-19T12:05:40Z")
So Wikipedia tells me that when French politicians attend photo ops with a national flag standing in the background, that flag will often have a white stripe that’s much narrower than the blue and red ones. The reason is… --- ## [Feel the bullet before hearing the gunshot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feel-the-bullet-before-hearing-the-gunshot/1014377)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feel-the-bullet-before-hearing-the-gunshot/1014377 "2025-02-19T10:36:40Z")
After a random search for the “speed of a bullet at impact 50 feet away”, I noticed that the speed of a bullet can be 2x to 3x the speed of sound. So I wondered if folks who have, unfortunately, been shot actually feel … --- ## [What is the best possible non-insane/non-evil explanation for Trump's efforts so far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-possible-non-insane-non-evil-explanation-for-trumps-efforts-so-far/1014420)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-possible-non-insane-non-evil-explanation-for-trumps-efforts-so-far/1014420 "2025-02-19T10:12:09Z")
Inspired by this comment in the “compendium” thread: Assume you are in a debate, and are assigned the position of defending this administration’s efforts so far. Likely not anything that could be persuasively expresse… --- ## [How much firepower would be required to reduce the faces on Mt. Rushmore to rubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-firepower-would-be-required-to-reduce-the-faces-on-mt-rushmore-to-rubble/1014132)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-firepower-would-be-required-to-reduce-the-faces-on-mt-rushmore-to-rubble/1014132 "2025-02-19T05:38:36Z")
Let’s say Dr. Evil gets in into his head to destroy Mt. Rushmore because reasons. Could he pull it off with a single, well-aimed tomahawk missile? Or would it require an entire barrage (as in, dozens)? --- ## [How do writers come up with names for their characters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-writers-come-up-with-names-for-their-characters/1014079)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-writers-come-up-with-names-for-their-characters/1014079 "2025-02-19T04:10:12Z")
I know, there are probably as many different answers as authors. But I don’t know any authors to ask. Do they just pick names out of a random list? Do they try to pick names that somehow match the character’s personali… --- ## [The Postmaster General](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-postmaster-general/1011473)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-postmaster-general/1011473 "2025-02-19T04:01:23Z")
He’s been in the news lately, and seeing him always makes me wonder: why does he even want that job? Was it just to somehow hamstring the post office in trump’s favor? I guess mission accomplished- he’s in office. So why… --- ## [How am I supposed to open this package?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-supposed-to-open-this-package/1014472)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-am-i-supposed-to-open-this-package/1014472 "2025-02-19T01:58:51Z")
\[Album\] imgur.com I received these delicious Swiss chocolates in a… --- ## [Window & Door Trim, Dealing with a Gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/window-door-trim-dealing-with-a-gap/1014087)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/window-door-trim-dealing-with-a-gap/1014087 "2025-02-19T01:40:45Z")
Hi Folks I’m redoing a room, and the plasterers left all the walls 1/16 to 1/4 proud of the windows and doors. So as I go to hang the moldings I have to deal with this. If I pull them tight in the window frame the gap j… --- ## [Santorini Earthquakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorini-earthquakes/1014255)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santorini-earthquakes/1014255 "2025-02-19T01:28:30Z")
I’m interested to hear what information and opinions folks can share about this situation. Some reports are showing over 10k earthquakes in less than three weeks. I’ve done my best to collect information and there seem… --- ## [JD Vance Discussion Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jd-vance-discussion-thread/1005892)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 838\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jd-vance-discussion-thread/1005892 "2025-02-19T01:23:28Z")
Continuing the discussion from Who will be Trump's running mate? (J. D. Vance Has Been Chosen): Per mod suggestion, this is a new thread for all topics surrounding Donald Trump’s running mate. --- ## [Why did democrats lose so many presidential votes in 2024 in safe democratic states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-democrats-lose-so-many-presidential-votes-in-2024-in-safe-democratic-states/1013851)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-democrats-lose-so-many-presidential-votes-in-2024-in-safe-democratic-states/1013851 "2025-02-19T01:09:20Z")
Examples: California 2024 Dem - 9 million votes 2024 Trump - 6 million votes 2020 Dem - 11 million votes 2020 Trump - 6 million votes New York 2024 Dem - 4.6 million votes 2024 Trump - 3.6 million votes 2020 Dem… --- ## [Can we consider allowing direct image uploads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-consider-allowing-direct-image-uploads/1013213)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-consider-allowing-direct-image-uploads/1013213 "2025-02-19T01:03:38Z")
(Not sure if this belongs here or ATMB… please move if needed) I was wondering… is there a reason we don’t allow direct image uploads? I know you can link to images hosted off-forum, but that’s quite a lot of hassle com… --- ## [Linking to hate speech, the Journey Continues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-to-hate-speech-the-journey-continues/1013506)
**Author:** [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linking-to-hate-speech-the-journey-continues/1013506 "2025-02-19T00:43:34Z")
Continuing the discussion from Linking to hate speech, again: I fully acknowledge that the prior thread went off track, but the question is still pertinent. And the last time it came up, it was similarly closed withou… --- ## [Question about Eyesafe 2.0 certification for laptops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-eyesafe-2-0-certification-for-laptops/1014474)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-eyesafe-2-0-certification-for-laptops/1014474 "2025-02-19T00:27:14Z")
According to Lenovo’s Product Specifications Reference, the display on the Thinkpad T16 Gen 2 (AMD, build your own) can be upgraded to low blue light Eyesafe certified 2.0. I purchased this upgrade. It’s my understanding… --- ## [A.I. artist claims people are stealing his work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-i-artist-claims-people-are-stealing-his-work/1008373)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-i-artist-claims-people-are-stealing-his-work/1008373 "2025-02-19T00:15:42Z")
So does this guy have a legitimate complaint that he should receive a copyright on his artwork? The article seems pretty dismissive of the idea and he sounds like a tool, but I don’t know a lot about the settled law. --- ## [New laptop quandary and query](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-quandary-and-query/1014460)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-laptop-quandary-and-query/1014460 "2025-02-18T23:51:22Z")
I’ve replaced my aging and failing HP laptop with a new one. That’s the good news. The changeover was very easy, as the new computer basically ‘sees’ whatever is on the old one and installed it. The problem is in gettin… --- ## [What's this (probably a children's song)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-probably-a-childrens-song/1014470)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-probably-a-childrens-song/1014470 "2025-02-18T22:15:46Z")
I’m trying to find the rest of the lyrics and where they come from. The tune is classical (just heard it play but no ID given), and the song may be from “Snow White” (maybe the dwarfs sang it?). Here is what I remember (… --- ## [What other part time jobs should Trump take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-part-time-jobs-should-trump-take/1014353)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-part-time-jobs-should-trump-take/1014353 "2025-02-18T21:42:50Z")
Apparently being the president of the United States of America leaves you with a lot of spare time: Trump made chair of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Our local Dairy Queen starts hiring for the summer in Apri… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=368) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=370)