# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=370 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 371 --- ## [What’s your best serious life advice right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-best-serious-life-advice-right-now/1014218)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-your-best-serious-life-advice-right-now/1014218 "2025-02-18T21:37:33Z")
Something I alluded to in a previous thread of mine that’s kind of at the heart of a lot of what I’ve been interested in here. A Pit thread inspired me to ask directly. Suppose someone in your life who you care about de… --- ## [Rasmussen called last night](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rasmussen-called-last-night/1014453)
**Author:** [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rasmussen-called-last-night/1014453 "2025-02-18T21:36:05Z")
Yes - I still have a landline. Not just because I’m an old fart; I work in telecom, and I know how reliable wireless lines are. Also, polling operations call landlines. Last night, Rasmussen called, and I got the oppo… --- ## [EU and open Norway-Sweden border](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-and-open-norway-sweden-border/1014330)
**Author:** [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-and-open-norway-sweden-border/1014330 "2025-02-18T21:05:31Z")
There was (is I guess) concern about the open border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and the fact that only the latter is in the EU. This problem already existed with the Norway-Sweden border. How did they hadn’t … --- ## [Leonard Peltier Up for Parole (for Murder of 2 FBI Agents in 1975--American Indian Movement)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leonard-peltier-up-for-parole-for-murder-of-2-fbi-agents-in-1975-american-indian-movement/1002742)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leonard-peltier-up-for-parole-for-murder-of-2-fbi-agents-in-1975-american-indian-movement/1002742 "2025-02-18T21:00:32Z")
Two other Native American men (Robert Robideau and Dino Butler) who fired at the agents were tried in 1976 and found not guilty by reason of self-defense. Peltier fled to Canada before the trial. He was eventually extr… --- ## [Coffee is literally Magic!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-is-literally-magic/1014166)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coffee-is-literally-magic/1014166 "2025-02-18T20:28:12Z")
You take a bean and heat it. Then you crush it into powder. You then filter hot water through the powder until there is a fluid unfused with the powder. You then extract out the used up powder. You drink the resulting li… --- ## [Name the perfect movie to see with a date on Valentine's Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-perfect-movie-to-see-with-a-date-on-valentines-day/1014293)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-perfect-movie-to-see-with-a-date-on-valentines-day/1014293 "2025-02-18T19:32:28Z")
I can think of three: Lady and the Tramp, American Graffiti, and Zefferelli’s Romeo and Juliet. --- ## [Worst Texas poker hand is 2 and 7?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-texas-poker-hand-is-2-and-7/1014243)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-texas-poker-hand-is-2-and-7/1014243 "2025-02-18T18:33:48Z")
OK, like a good boy scout I did a search and found this explanation from 2005. The problem is that it is entirely posted by people who obviously have a good understanding of Texas Hold Em poker, which I do not. I’m an en… --- ## [I may have saved a life yesterday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-have-saved-a-life-yesterday/1014418)
**Author:** [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-have-saved-a-life-yesterday/1014418 "2025-02-18T18:21:28Z")
Yesterday on my ride, I spotted far ahead a person sprawled on the sidewalk. At first I thought it was a homeless person taking a nap but a moment later I registered the wheelchair against the curb and the direction he w… --- ## [Early cultural references to Star Trek?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-cultural-references-to-star-trek/1014398)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-cultural-references-to-star-trek/1014398 "2025-02-18T18:05:39Z")
I just watched the wedding episode of I Dream of Jeannie from December 2nd 1969, and as an excuse for Jeannie destroying cameras (because genies don’t show up on film) they blame an “anti-photo phaser”. While it doesn’t … --- ## [Misunderstanding on purpose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misunderstanding-on-purpose/1014416)
**Author:** [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misunderstanding-on-purpose/1014416 "2025-02-18T18:04:51Z")
My father claimed that one of the early 20th century US Presidents had a ‘Misunderstander-in-Chief’ whose job was to preview various proclamations and put the worst possible construction on them - presumably so they coul… --- ## [Who still watches NASCAR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-still-watches-nascar/1014438)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-still-watches-nascar/1014438 "2025-02-18T15:39:20Z")
So, more to clear the disgusting stench of the NFL out of my mouth than anything, I decided to record the Daytona 500 and watch as much as I could. Here’s what I recall: An extremely crowded and busy pit row. Some pre… --- ## [The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - the first one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-the-first-one/1014441)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-the-first-one/1014441 "2025-02-18T14:53:22Z")
Why is the original so hard to find? All I ever see on “On Demand” is the 2nd version with Daniel Craig. --- ## [What would it take to directly make carbohydrates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-directly-make-carbohydrates/1014272)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-directly-make-carbohydrates/1014272 "2025-02-18T14:21:46Z")
Is photosynthesis using chlorophyll the only way? If you can run that process in a test tube what type of carbohydrates might you end up with - anything useful? --- ## [What are YOUR important marital(ish) duties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-important-marital-ish-duties/1014267)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-important-marital-ish-duties/1014267 "2025-02-18T14:20:00Z")
Yeah, yeah. For richer or poorer. In sickness or health. Love honor and obey. All that stuff they actually put in the marriage vows. But they tend to leave out the quirky yet critical to partnership happiness stuff. … --- ## [I pit my "new" Kindle now a brick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-new-kindle-now-a-brick/1013754)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-my-new-kindle-now-a-brick/1013754 "2025-02-18T13:14:20Z")
It’s a Paperwhite from slightly less than 2 years ago so out of warranty but WTF it is too new to not be working. Luckily - by god I have library books to read - I still have a Kindle Fire I replaced because it doesn’t … --- ## [Project 2025 is more than a playbook for Trumpism, it’s the Christian Nationalist manifesto](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-2025-is-more-than-a-playbook-for-trumpism-it-s-the-christian-nationalist-manifesto/998369)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/project-2025-is-more-than-a-playbook-for-trumpism-it-s-the-christian-nationalist-manifesto/998369 "2025-02-18T10:39:34Z")
Project 2025 is more than a playbook for Trumpism, it’s the Christian Nationalist manifesto Salon, 3/1/2024 Mainstream media outlets have begun to expose Project 2025’s radical vision: A gutted federal government; imm… --- ## [What Should Be Done About Air Safety? Trump: Reduce the Number Air Traffic Controllers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-about-air-safety-trump-reduce-the-number-air-traffic-controllers/1013726)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-about-air-safety-trump-reduce-the-number-air-traffic-controllers/1013726 "2025-02-18T05:51:10Z")
Air traffic controllers were emailed by the Trump administration urging them to quit their jobs and take mass “buyouts” just 24 hours after the D.C. plane crash. And I had been thinking this would be a category excl… --- ## [Why would a campaign worker just come to my house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-campaign-worker-just-come-to-my-house/1014393)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-campaign-worker-just-come-to-my-house/1014393 "2025-02-18T03:53:45Z")
I was out cleaning up my driveway when I noticed a car pull over three doors up and just stay there. About 5 min later, I finished up and went back inside. A few minutes later this car pulls up in front of my house, th… --- ## [How stupid, ignorant, uneducated etc are Trump and his sycophants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-stupid-ignorant-uneducated-etc-are-trump-and-his-sycophants/1013918)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-stupid-ignorant-uneducated-etc-are-trump-and-his-sycophants/1013918 "2025-02-18T02:49:32Z")
After the whole George W/Iraq episode, I started thinking that a degree in world history (probably a post-grad degree) should be mandatory for US presidential candidates. Now, obviously, things are much, much worse. As s… --- ## [Government layoffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-layoffs/1014303)
**Author:** [@Honolulu\_Lulu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honolulu_Lulu)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-layoffs/1014303 "2025-02-18T00:54:01Z")
What effect (if any) have all these government layoffs had on the real estate market in the D.C. area (including northern VA & southern MD). Have the government layoffs had secondary effects, such as retail stores, etc. … --- ## [RIP Tom Robbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-tom-robbins/1014136)
**Author:** [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-tom-robbins/1014136 "2025-02-17T23:56:03Z")
Author Tom Robbins passed away yesterday. NEW YORK – Tom Robbins, the novelist and prankster-philosopher who charmed and addled millions of readers with such screwball adventures as “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” and “J… --- ## [Coke limited edition flavors (formerly Starlight Coke)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-limited-edition-flavors-formerly-starlight-coke/960620)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coke-limited-edition-flavors-formerly-starlight-coke/960620 "2025-02-17T23:01:29Z")
I’m drinking one of the new Starlight Cokes right now. (Actually it’s a Starlight Coke Zero.) I am not having a favorable impression. It has a weird taste that’s somehow reminiscent of grain; like you made a barley flav… --- ## [Cats losing legs -- how well did it turn out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-losing-legs-how-well-did-it-turn-out/1014391)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-losing-legs-how-well-did-it-turn-out/1014391 "2025-02-17T14:55:51Z")
Our cat is scheduled for surgery Thursday to remove what is almost certainly a cancerous tumor on the back of her thigh. However, when she’s sedated they will do X-rays and blood work before the surgery. Depending on the… --- ## [Android help? My on-screen keyboard disappeared](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-help-my-on-screen-keyboard-disappeared/1014397)
**Author:** [@LynnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LynnM)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-help-my-on-screen-keyboard-disappeared/1014397 "2025-02-17T13:27:39Z")
I have a Vortex HD65 Android phone. When I try to text, instead of the on-screen keyboard appearing, I’m getting “Tap to speak” with a red circle around a microphone icon. I must have changed a setting or something, but … --- ## [(Old) Buddying With Allies in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-buddying-with-allies-in-the-mmp/1014118)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 389\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-buddying-with-allies-in-the-mmp/1014118 "2025-02-17T12:53:05Z")
Yes, Spot is a very cute and amusing cat, but he’s gotten several thread titles recently, so IMO other Mumpets should step up and take a turn. :slight\_smile: For newer MMPers, I have two cats: Allie is 14 and we met her… --- ## [Help finding a commercial from the 70s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-a-commercial-from-the-70s/1014360)
**Author:** [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-finding-a-commercial-from-the-70s/1014360 "2025-02-17T12:21:34Z")
Don’t ask why, but I am trying to find an old commercial from the 70s (possibly early 80s.) I feel like it was for Hush Puppies shoes, but not certain. It was a man’s face in closeup, and then a number of feet come in an… --- ## [Android WebView: Default to Browser possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-webview-default-to-browser-possible/1014407)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/android-webview-default-to-browser-possible/1014407 "2025-02-17T10:17:17Z")
I have a minor annoyance that I thought would have an easy fix, but apparently doesn’t. Opening any link from within an app or from the discover feed on my mobile device doesn’t open the full browser, but only the (Chrom… --- ## [Do you anagram words as you read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-anagram-words-as-you-read/1013484)
**Author:** [@mattgg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mattgg)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-anagram-words-as-you-read/1013484 "2025-02-17T09:10:17Z")
I’ve always been a slow reader. A large part of the problem is that I tend to anagram words as I’m reading. I’m not doing this consciously. That is, I don’t stop and think of an anagram. I read the word the correct way a… --- ## [Do you think we could train or tame dinosaurs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-could-train-or-tame-dinosaurs/1014140)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-could-train-or-tame-dinosaurs/1014140 "2025-02-17T07:53:50Z")
I have seen a few alligator acts where a guy puts his head in the beastie’s mouth but I’m not sure how well trained they really are. I don’t think I have seen one dance or do much in the way of a trick. Has anyone even t… --- ## [How could a foreigner get used to Mexican tap water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-foreigner-get-used-to-mexican-tap-water/1013987)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2025, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-foreigner-get-used-to-mexican-tap-water/1013987 "2025-02-17T06:58:04Z")
We all know that Mexican tap water isn’t purified to the degree that the American digestive system is used to. But if one were to spend a long time there, they couldn’t avoid Mexican tap water forever. You’ll eventually … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=369) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=371)