# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=40&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 41 --- ## [ABC License Renewal Threats Getting Serious](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-license-renewal-threats-getting-serious/1029635 "2026-08-20T11:04:36Z")
FCC orders early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses The stations concerned are WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham… --- ## [Ignore not working correctly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignore-not-working-correctly/1030941)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignore-not-working-correctly/1030941 "2026-08-20T07:56:01Z")
I’m suddenly seeing posts from a user I have on Ignore, and have confirmed that person’s user ID is still showing on my Ignore list. --- ## [I bit my lip for the 3rd time today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-bit-my-lip-for-the-3rd-time-today/529413)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-bit-my-lip-for-the-3rd-time-today/529413 "2026-08-20T03:44:04Z")
3 times, you guys! In the same day! ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGH!!! :mad: --- ## [August 2026: The drying-up of the Danube River exposes all kinds of unusual artifacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-2026-the-drying-up-of-the-danube-river-exposes-all-kinds-of-unusual-artifacts/1032415)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-2026-the-drying-up-of-the-danube-river-exposes-all-kinds-of-unusual-artifacts/1032415 "2026-08-20T03:41:37Z")
And the latest: A 1940s era motorcycle and two skeletons, most likely of Nazi soldiers. The most likely scenario IMHO: They were on the bike, most likely at night, and they were drunk too and went off the road and int… --- ## [Songs with notable backup singers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-notable-backup-singers/1027275)
**Author:** [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-notable-backup-singers/1027275 "2026-08-20T03:13:50Z")
On the radio I just heard “An American Dream” (1979) by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (going by the moniker The Dirt Band at the time), which features lovely backing (and uncredited) vocals by Linda Ronstadt: … --- ## [Why is passing Customs soooo much easier coming off a cruise ship than an airplane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-passing-customs-soooo-much-easier-coming-off-a-cruise-ship-than-an-airplane/1032390)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-passing-customs-soooo-much-easier-coming-off-a-cruise-ship-than-an-airplane/1032390 "2026-08-20T03:06:56Z")
I have only been on two cruises in my life. The second one I disembarked today. Both were international cruises. One ended in Southampton and one was a circle Miami - Miami but stopped in the Bahamas. On both going t… --- ## [The Brink of War…Accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brink-of-war-accurate/1032414)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-brink-of-war-accurate/1032414 "2026-08-20T01:32:32Z")
As I find the subject matter interesting I very much enjoyed it. Good glimpse into history. I am curious, however, much license, if any, was taken? Is anyone who was present at the Reagan/Gorbachev meetings even alive?… --- ## [What is known about the Telegony?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-known-about-the-telegony/1032255)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-known-about-the-telegony/1032255 "2026-08-19T23:18:37Z")
The Odyssey movie prompted me to reread Stephen Fry’s version of the story. After the ending, Fry says: But Odysseus’s debt to Poseidon is not yet fully discharged. The price he has to pay for poking that stick in Poly… --- ## [Did The Russians COPY the B-29 Bomber?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-russians-copy-the-b-29-bomber/276251)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-russians-copy-the-b-29-bomber/276251 "2026-08-19T23:11:57Z")
I caught a bit of the story on the History Channel, about the Russians copying the Boeing B-29bomber, in the 1950’s.Three B-29s landed in Vladivostok, in 1945 (they made emergency landings after a raid on japan). Apparen… --- ## [WTF is this contraption my neighbor has in their front yard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-this-contraption-my-neighbor-has-in-their-front-yard/1023382)
**Author:** [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-this-contraption-my-neighbor-has-in-their-front-yard/1023382 "2026-08-19T22:34:06Z")
Last week I was walking down my street when I noticed a weird set-up in my neighbor’s front “yard.” (Not really a yard, just a small span of concrete). It appears to be some kind of garden storage unit jury-rigged with … --- ## [Help! French lyric from "Twist and Shout"--1997 Superbowl](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-french-lyric-from-twist-and-shout-1997-superbowl/237356)
**Author:** [@Stage\_Manager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stage_Manager)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-french-lyric-from-twist-and-shout-1997-superbowl/237356 "2026-08-19T21:22:48Z")
Mary Chapin Carpenter performed her hit “Down at the Twist and Shout” live at the 1997 Superbowl. It is included on one of her CDs, however, without a transcription of the lyrics. She sang a portion of one of the choru… --- ## [Tap student ID to ride school bus: safer, Orwellian, or both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tap-student-id-to-ride-school-bus-safer-orwellian-or-both/1031907)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tap-student-id-to-ride-school-bus-safer-orwellian-or-both/1031907 "2026-08-19T21:20:49Z")
My local school system is instituting a requirement for students to tap their IDs to board or exit the school bus. That will help keep track where students are, and that they are on the right bus. My kids long since aged… --- ## [Anyone remember a movie where a bologna was fired as a torpedo by mistake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-remember-a-movie-where-a-bologna-was-fired-as-a-torpedo-by-mistake/720794)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-remember-a-movie-where-a-bologna-was-fired-as-a-torpedo-by-mistake/720794 "2026-08-19T20:12:02Z")
I think it was from the sixties, I thought either Don Knotts or Tim Conway was in it but I can’t find the movie on their IMDB pages. It might have been some other lunch meat like a salami or olive loaf but I think it was… --- ## [WE'RE BACK AGAIN, BABY ! WOO! Futurama begins new season on Hulu {July 29, 2024}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-back-again-baby-woo-futurama-begins-new-season-on-hulu-july-29-2024/1004157)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-back-again-baby-woo-futurama-begins-new-season-on-hulu-july-29-2024/1004157 "2026-08-19T18:06:18Z")
Futurama begins new season on Hulu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPelef46rlk&ab\_channel=Hulu --- ## [Fictish creative writing challenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictish-creative-writing-challenge/1031838)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictish-creative-writing-challenge/1031838 "2026-08-19T16:52:32Z")
There’s a site called Fictish for communal storytelling–you write the first part (called a chapter, but they’re usually far shorter than the average novel’s chapter), then someone else writes the next chapter, and so on.… --- ## [Medical provider pulls a Judge Crater](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-provider-pulls-a-judge-crater/1032398)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-provider-pulls-a-judge-crater/1032398 "2026-08-19T14:30:40Z")
Two years ago, I was treated by a pulmonology practice whom my PCP had referred me to. Recently, the symptom recurred, so I called their office to try to get an appointment. I left a voice message. The outgoing message … --- ## [PT lumber deck: sand the railings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pt-lumber-deck-sand-the-railings/1032378)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pt-lumber-deck-sand-the-railings/1032378 "2026-08-19T12:55:51Z")
We just had our front deck replaced. Like the others, it’s constructed entirely of pressure treated lumber. There has arisen some controversy about the tops of the railings, 2X6 boards – should they be sanded to eliminat… --- ## [On Tuesday: aortic aneurysm and tear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-tuesday-aortic-aneurysm-and-tear/978961)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-tuesday-aortic-aneurysm-and-tear/978961 "2026-08-19T01:56:34Z")
Right now it is early Saturday afternoon. At 4pm on Tuesday it felt like Muhammad Ali was punching me smack in the middle of my thorax, rapid fire like, 8-10x. It hurt like hell. I crumpled over, and literally cried out,… --- ## [Giving back to the Coinstar machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-back-to-the-coinstar-machine/1032366)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-back-to-the-coinstar-machine/1032366 "2026-08-19T01:01:03Z")
I check the reject slot of a Coinstar machine when I walk past one. Over the years I have found a number of neat coins and things. Old, 90% silver coins often get rejected. Dirty coins also Various tokens and foreign coi… --- ## [Longest regular non-stop airplane flight.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-regular-non-stop-airplane-flight/561881)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 247\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-regular-non-stop-airplane-flight/561881 "2026-08-18T23:17:43Z")
In Inception, Sato mentions that Sydney, AUS to Los Angeles, USA is one of the longest flights. What is the longest? Must be a flight serviced by a commercial airliner on a regular (let’s say at least once a week) basi… --- ## ["Hey, Rocky, watch me pull this dvd out of my hat"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-rocky-watch-me-pull-this-dvd-out-of-my-hat/1032292)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-rocky-watch-me-pull-this-dvd-out-of-my-hat/1032292 "2026-08-18T22:29:04Z")
I was looking on Amazon and I saw there is a dvd set titled The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends: The Complete Series (which I will call RB1 in this thread). There is also a dvd set titled Rocky & Bullwinkl… --- ## [Upload on Amazon Prime; A fun binge with awesome world building](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upload-on-amazon-prime-a-fun-binge-with-awesome-world-building/852973)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upload-on-amazon-prime-a-fun-binge-with-awesome-world-building/852973 "2026-08-18T22:27:39Z")
I binged this show last night. Kind of like The Good Place. Only except the “good place” in this scenario is a digitally created virtual world people can download themselves to moments before they die. Lot’s of funny, … --- ## [Historical question: Did sport divisions start segregating by sex because women were beating men in competitions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-question-did-sport-divisions-start-segregating-by-sex-because-women-were-beating-men-in-competitions/1031876)
**Author:** [@r3bdr355](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/r3bdr355)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-question-did-sport-divisions-start-segregating-by-sex-because-women-were-beating-men-in-competitions/1031876 "2026-08-18T22:23:54Z")
I’ve seen this argument being shared online but is there any historical evidence that prove this to be true? --- ## [The Bannerman books by John R. Maxim](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bannerman-books-by-john-r-maxim/1032399)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bannerman-books-by-john-r-maxim/1032399 "2026-08-18T21:33:08Z")
I just read that AMC has a “Bannerman” series in development, based on the John R. Maxim series. By the way, as I told this to My Beloved she surprised me by saying “Ah, the surprise is spoiled! I just ordered the whole… --- ## [Flies, how to get rid of](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flies-how-to-get-rid-of/1032258)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flies-how-to-get-rid-of/1032258 "2026-08-18T20:32:54Z")
The thread on ants reminds of the fact that we have been invaded by flies. Any thoughts on how to deal with them? What happened is that our air conditioner has stopped working. Try to get an air conditioner repairman to… --- ## [Huge gold stash discovered in Belgium](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huge-gold-stash-discovered-in-belgium/1032357)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huge-gold-stash-discovered-in-belgium/1032357 "2026-08-18T18:18:49Z")
Article. Construction workers dug up $10 million worth of gold bullion and coins while digging up a former brewery building in East Flanders, Belgium. I’m happy to find a quarter in my pants pocket. --- ## [Countdown to retirement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 1114\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653 "2026-08-18T17:44:23Z")
My last day of work - a day I have been actively counting down toward for the past 5 years, is Thursday. Five days from now. I have been at my place of employment for 36 years. I’ve been in the workforce, counting my 5:0… --- ## [Has anyone ever heard of Zoom Books?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-heard-of-zoom-books/1030364)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-ever-heard-of-zoom-books/1030364 "2026-08-18T15:54:14Z")
It seems it is a Canadian second hand book shop: they buy books on line, mostly non fiction. They buy old books that have very little use at first sight, then they cut off the binding, scan them, and pulp them. Here is a… --- ## [Change in species](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-in-species/1032282)
**Author:** [@cladking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cladking)\ **Replies:** 292\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-in-species/1032282 "2026-08-18T14:14:30Z")
The irony is sublime. Right off the bat it tells us that real world “natural selection” is based on behavior and every experiment and observation confirm this. Ancient people didn’t take “wolfpups” to create a new spec… --- ## [People who don't like sports - what sport do you most tolerate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-dont-like-sports-what-sport-do-you-most-tolerate/1031684)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2026, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-dont-like-sports-what-sport-do-you-most-tolerate/1031684 "2026-08-18T13:58:04Z")
Watching the baseball All Star Game last night, as a big baseball fan, I got the feels for the beauty of the game, the pace, and the ballparks themselves. I thought “surely no one can dislike this.” But, that’s definite… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=39&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=41&state=watching)