# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=386 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 387 --- ## [Hey, SURVIVOR fans, you might like this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-survivor-fans-you-might-like-this/1013179)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-survivor-fans-you-might-like-this/1013179 "2025-01-24T16:01:30Z")
Deal or No Deal Island. We started it once and didn’t make it past the first episode. Tried again, and the rest of the show was actually pretty good. They do play Deal or No Deal at some point in the show but the empha… --- ## [Mariano Rivera accused of ignoring sexual abuse at his ministry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mariano-rivera-accused-of-ignoring-sexual-abuse-at-his-ministry/1013218)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mariano-rivera-accused-of-ignoring-sexual-abuse-at-his-ministry/1013218 "2025-01-24T13:52:13Z")
https://www.gnvinfo.com/former-ny-yankee-pastor-mariano-rivera-sued-for-intimidating-child-in-gainesville-2/ The victim is identified as Jane Doe… Clara Rivera convinced Doe’s mom to allow her daughter to attend the Ig… --- ## [Farewell letter from Biden to Federal employees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farewell-letter-from-biden-to-federal-employees/1013120)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farewell-letter-from-biden-to-federal-employees/1013120 "2025-01-24T13:07:43Z")
A couple of days ago, President Biden sent a farewell letter to federal employees. It was a nice letter; you can read the text here, but what we federal employees received was a PDF file of a letter drafted on US White… --- ## [What is Trump inheriting from Biden in terms of broader economy/crime/energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trump-inheriting-from-biden-in-terms-of-broader-economy-crime-energy/1011722)
**Author:** [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-trump-inheriting-from-biden-in-terms-of-broader-economy-crime-energy/1011722 "2025-01-24T12:47:38Z")
I would argue that Biden is handing Trump a nation that is economically & socially in much better shape than what Trump handed to Biden in 2021. Biden got no credit for this at all. And the Dems lost an election, even … --- ## [Identify this Science Fiction Novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-science-fiction-novel/1013290)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-science-fiction-novel/1013290 "2025-01-24T12:44:16Z")
I read it in the late 70s, but I’d guess it’s 60’s or earlier, I remember the book being reasonably weathered when I got it from the library. A fleet of aliens visits Earth. They tell us there’s a migrant species that i… --- ## [The Silk Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silk-road/664996)
**Author:** [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silk-road/664996 "2025-01-24T06:52:54Z")
I was wondering - does anyone have any experience with The Silk Road on the TOR network? Any stories? I am curious in how it works. Basically a person looking to sell makes a post and people make a payment through bitco… --- ## [USA 2025 Inauguration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-2025-inauguration/1013153)
**Author:** [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-2025-inauguration/1013153 "2025-01-24T03:13:05Z")
I’ve always enjoyed watching the ceremonies with the pageantry. They’ve usually had close-up shots of the senators, Supremes and family with entourage. They’ve usually a Marine Corps band, a vocalist and a poet come up i… --- ## [Did anyone take tomorrow off work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-take-tomorrow-off-work/1009692)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-take-tomorrow-off-work/1009692 "2025-01-24T03:08:40Z")
I’m going to get pizza, drink whiskey and cross my fingers. I voted early, donated money, and don’t live in a swing state. --- ## [I met Keir Dullea tonight!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-keir-dullea-tonight/589324)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-met-keir-dullea-tonight/589324 "2025-01-24T02:19:00Z")
The Cleveland Cinematheque screened a new print of 2001: A Space Odyssey tonight and Keir Dullea, who played astronaut David Bowman, appeared for Q&A and autographs afterwards. The Cinematheque has shown several of his … --- ## ['Kingmakers' PC game - travel back in time to 1400AD with modern weapons to save the future...groovy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kingmakers-pc-game-travel-back-in-time-to-1400ad-with-modern-weapons-to-save-the-future-groovy/1012856)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2025, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kingmakers-pc-game-travel-back-in-time-to-1400ad-with-modern-weapons-to-save-the-future-groovy/1012856 "2025-01-24T00:20:14Z")
I have no words… --- ## [Are Department Stores Dinosaurs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-department-stores-dinosaurs/293078)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-department-stores-dinosaurs/293078 "2025-01-23T22:52:01Z")
Reecently, MACY’s (Federated Department Stores) has announced its intention to acquire the MAY Co. chain (including FILENE’s Dept. stores. This seems to me to be evidence that the decline of the department store is accel… --- ## [Muting the announcers during sporting events](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muting-the-announcers-during-sporting-events/1010064)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muting-the-announcers-during-sporting-events/1010064 "2025-01-23T22:27:22Z")
As I’ve gotten older I have become increasingly annoyed the announcers during games. Not because I like or dislike any of them in particular, but because they never shup up, not for a second, both of the talking loud and… --- ## [LA valve Trump speaks of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-valve-trump-speaks-of/1013291)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-valve-trump-speaks-of/1013291 "2025-01-23T21:30:08Z")
What is this “valve” that Trump wants turned back to Los Angeles? Is he confused about something, or did he make it up? --- ## [Apparently Facebook wants everyone to follow Donald Trump now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-facebook-wants-everyone-to-follow-donald-trump-now/1013180)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-facebook-wants-everyone-to-follow-donald-trump-now/1013180 "2025-01-23T21:27:28Z")
My cousin just posted that she got a notification on Facebook that Donald Trump changed his profile pic. “Why the fuck am I getting notifications from this rapist?” she wondered out loud to herself. She went to her profi… --- ## [Correlation between inflation and crime rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-between-inflation-and-crime-rates/1013258)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-between-inflation-and-crime-rates/1013258 "2025-01-23T20:46:51Z")
Just thinking rationally but knowing nothing factual, it seems to me that crime, particularly petty crimes, would increase in tough economic times, since the poor bear the burden most as things get more expensive while p… --- ## [What’s the point of withdrawing from W.H.O.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-point-of-withdrawing-from-w-h-o/1013227)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-point-of-withdrawing-from-w-h-o/1013227 "2025-01-23T20:51:39Z")
I assume that Trump’s reasoning is that the U.S. doesn’t benefit directly from WHO membership, and that we spend money on other countries (small, weak, populated by non-white non-Christians, etc.) that do benefit from WH… --- ## [New conspiracy theory in the works?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-conspiracy-theory-in-the-works/1013200)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-conspiracy-theory-in-the-works/1013200 "2025-01-23T20:38:45Z")
Mods: I put this here as it tangentially involves politics. If I was mistaken, please move it to the appropriate venue. So I was in the local Family Dollar today, and I heard an extremely loud guy was asking one of the … --- ## [Can someone explain to me how Executive Orders work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-how-executive-orders-work/1013248)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-how-executive-orders-work/1013248 "2025-01-23T20:35:13Z")
I’m not American, but like everyone in the World, I’ve been witnessing the flurry of executive orders coming out of the White House. I’m intrigued with how these work, and how they differ from other initiatives which th… --- ## [Problem solving as we age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solving-as-we-age/1013295)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-solving-as-we-age/1013295 "2025-01-23T20:32:01Z")
This is primarily about solving obligatory problems as opposed to non-obligatory problems. I have noticed a definite change in my thought processes since retirement. Nonobligatory problems were usually shelved when I ran… --- ## [Perry Mason on HBO](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perry-mason-on-hbo/911306)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perry-mason-on-hbo/911306 "2025-01-23T20:07:55Z")
I liked it but it was slow. It’s set in 1932 when Perry is young and struggling to find work. He lives on a farm with 2 cows and there is also a small runway. He is working on case as a private detective. He a… --- ## [Cigar Aficianodos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigar-aficianodos/1013252)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigar-aficianodos/1013252 "2025-01-23T17:32:55Z")
One of my coffee shop buddies’ smokes cigars. He has what I think an odd habit of dipping the end of his cigar in coffee then spending the next 15 min or so trying to light it. Is this a real thing? or does my friend jus… --- ## [Ever have laminate flooring repaired/replaced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-laminate-flooring-repaired-replaced/1013226)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-have-laminate-flooring-repaired-replaced/1013226 "2025-01-23T17:32:55Z")
After being ultra careful with keeping the laminate flooring (fake wood planks) that covers out entire first level for the past 7 years we finally had a dishwasher leak that ran down the seams of the flooring and now hav… --- ## [I have knee problems - tell me about arthroscopic surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-knee-problems-tell-me-about-arthroscopic-surgery/1013254)
**Author:** [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-knee-problems-tell-me-about-arthroscopic-surgery/1013254 "2025-01-23T16:47:00Z")
I’m old, fat, and lazy, and my knees are taking the brunt of the stress. I’ve got arthritis and a torn medial meniscus in my left knee. I’ve had a hyaluronic acid shot recently, so I’m waiting to see how that works. I’ve… --- ## [What are my options for a diuretic for hypertension, considering that my potassium runs low](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-diuretic-for-hypertension-considering-that-my-potassium-runs-low/1013217)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-my-options-for-a-diuretic-for-hypertension-considering-that-my-potassium-runs-low/1013217 "2025-01-23T16:24:09Z")
I have hypertension, I’m currently on an ARB and CCB (100mg losartan and 10mg amlodipine). They help a bit, but not a lot. My BP still runs about 160/100. In the past, I’ve tried the diuretic chlorothiazide. It took abo… --- ## [Debt relief commercial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debt-relief-commercial/1013266)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debt-relief-commercial/1013266 "2025-01-23T16:24:00Z")
I’ve seen this commercial numerous times but still don’t remember the debt relief service name. But that shouldn’t matter as the question I have is about the hapless over-spender. He claims to have $47,000 in debt that w… --- ## [What's the mechanism for keeping Trump off 2028 ballots?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-mechanism-for-keeping-trump-off-2028-ballots/1012931)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-mechanism-for-keeping-trump-off-2028-ballots/1012931 "2025-01-23T15:44:20Z")
Work with me here on the hypothetical, please. Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that TFG decides to throw all pretense of following the law out the window and announces that he’s running for President in the 2028… --- ## [Okay, I'm gonna tell this (TW: childhood abuse)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-im-gonna-tell-this-tw-childhood-abuse/1012857)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-im-gonna-tell-this-tw-childhood-abuse/1012857 "2025-01-23T13:41:30Z")
I think I’ve hinted around about this story before, but I’ve never told it on SDMB. I’ve hardly ever told it IRL. But something in another thread brought it to mind. Mainly it’s about a standoff between my parents when I… --- ## [The upcoming Big Freeze (1-18 to 1-22)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-upcoming-big-freeze-1-18-to-1-22/1013016)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-upcoming-big-freeze-1-18-to-1-22/1013016 "2025-01-23T12:04:32Z")
There is a super-frigid front on the way for the Lower 48 east of the Rockies which will arrive for the Great Plains states this Saturday and will continue in the usual southeastern direction for most of the following we… --- ## [Did anything ever give you a sudden burst of clarity in your life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anything-ever-give-you-a-sudden-burst-of-clarity-in-your-life/1013002)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anything-ever-give-you-a-sudden-burst-of-clarity-in-your-life/1013002 "2025-01-23T11:49:26Z")
For pretty much my whole life, I’ve always had a badly muddled mind. This was especially so with most life decisions. I would be stuck with indecision for months or even years on decisions that take most people fairly li… --- ## [British law enforcement, Peelian Principles and the underclasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-law-enforcement-peelian-principles-and-the-underclasses/1011895)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2025, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-law-enforcement-peelian-principles-and-the-underclasses/1011895 "2025-01-23T10:09:35Z")
When Sir Robert Peel founded what is considered to be the first modern municipal police force in London, he had to overcome a historical aversion towards standing law enforcement– an aversion so strong that originally pr… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=385) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=387)