# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=413&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 414 --- ## [Furious At My New Landlords! They Won't Make Repairs!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furious-at-my-new-landlords-they-wont-make-repairs/1007493)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furious-at-my-new-landlords-they-wont-make-repairs/1007493 "2024-12-19T06:31:53Z")
I was finally able to move out of my old apartment. It was rodent infested, in a high crime neighborhood, 500 something feet (as opposed to the apartment in Somerton which was almost 800), yet the rent ws more each month… --- ## [The travesty of not running Joe Biden in 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-travesty-of-not-running-joe-biden-in-2016/1004617)
**Author:** [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-travesty-of-not-running-joe-biden-in-2016/1004617 "2024-12-19T06:29:30Z")
So now this saga is over. Joe Biden achieved his lifelong dream which begun in earnest over thirty years ago to become President of the United States. One which he was first on the public record for before anyone outside… --- ## [Fuck you, Joe Manchin!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-joe-manchin/953201)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 371\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-joe-manchin/953201 "2024-12-19T06:28:16Z")
Fuck you, Joe Manchin! And that is all. --- ## [I pit Elmo and his Tesla heist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-elmo-and-his-tesla-heist/1002838)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-elmo-and-his-tesla-heist/1002838 "2024-12-19T06:25:42Z")
Ok I don’t have the highest opinion of modern corporations, but even I am pretty floored by this, maybe I’m too naive. Elon Musk just reached in the till at Tesla and pocketed 55 BILLION! I’ve never had a high opinio… --- ## [Ballot drop-boxes are being torched in Oregon and Washington](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ballot-drop-boxes-are-being-torched-in-oregon-and-washington/1009368)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ballot-drop-boxes-are-being-torched-in-oregon-and-washington/1009368 "2024-12-19T06:17:01Z")
That Oregon does all mail-in voting makes this act even more despicable. Does the perp really, seriously think there are no Trump votes in there? (I do see another thread in P&E. I’m leaving it here.) On a happier no… --- ## [Fusion Power - No longer 30 years away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-power-no-longer-30-years-away/1011823)
**Author:** [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fusion-power-no-longer-30-years-away/1011823 "2024-12-19T02:00:01Z")
So apparently someone thinks they can have an operating fusion power plant within a decade. However, I feel like the following line in the story is doing a lot of work: Oh, you don’t say! --- ## [Could you have a true dictatorship in a country with more guns than people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-have-a-true-dictatorship-in-a-country-with-more-guns-than-people/1009915)
**Author:** [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-have-a-true-dictatorship-in-a-country-with-more-guns-than-people/1009915 "2024-12-19T01:37:10Z")
Pulling off a dictatorship will necessarily require some harsh measures and the cancelation of civil liberties that will even piss off a lot of Trump supporters. If elections are cancelled or become show votes, even GOP … --- ## [Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-socialists-of-america-dsa/1010264)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-socialists-of-america-dsa/1010264 "2024-12-19T01:07:36Z")
Would joining the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) make me one of Trump’s “enemies within”, a target of harassment by Trump’s jackbooted thugs? What harm could there be in joining the DSA? Does the DSA allow Vete… --- ## [Beware: PDF attachments can contain viruses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beware-pdf-attachments-can-contain-viruses/1011762)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beware-pdf-attachments-can-contain-viruses/1011762 "2024-12-18T23:42:55Z")
Hi, a PSA for today. Apologies if this has been discussed recently. This morning I received this text — A quick search yielded these — No, I di… --- ## [Inadvertent flag…](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inadvertent-flag/1011822)
**Author:** [@MarkF2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarkF2004)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inadvertent-flag/1011822 "2024-12-18T21:42:07Z")
Hi, My twitchy finger just touched a flag icon on a post. A Genuine Caption Contest (Part 2) - #678 by needscoffee Entirely my error but wouldn’t want any fallout to ensue… --- ## [Can Anyone ID this Sci Fi Duology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-id-this-sci-fi-duology/1011821)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-id-this-sci-fi-duology/1011821 "2024-12-18T21:37:44Z")
I was thinking of a duology I read years ago (mid 2000s maybe). It was set on an Earth where Venus and Mars were the way 1800s scifi writers thought of them. Venus was Swampy and filled with Dinosaurs. Mars had an ancien… --- ## [Is there a SF alien invasion story told from the aliens' point of view?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sf-alien-invasion-story-told-from-the-aliens-point-of-view/1011575)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sf-alien-invasion-story-told-from-the-aliens-point-of-view/1011575 "2024-12-18T21:01:45Z")
What I am talking about is an alien invasion of Earth in the mold of War of the Worlds or Independence Day only the story is told from the perspective of the alien invaders. I’m especially interested in the sort where t… --- ## [Any experiences with Mahjong for Seniors? Does it keep your mind alert?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-mahjong-for-seniors-does-it-keep-your-mind-alert/1011769)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-experiences-with-mahjong-for-seniors-does-it-keep-your-mind-alert/1011769 "2024-12-18T20:02:48Z")
I’ve seen ads for Mahjong for Seniors. It’s a free App. Does it really help keep the mind active and alert? Which version (brand) are you using? --- ## [A problem for people who love math \[calculating component values in an electrical circuit\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-problem-for-people-who-love-math-calculating-component-values-in-an-electrical-circuit/1011766)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-problem-for-people-who-love-math-calculating-component-values-in-an-electrical-circuit/1011766 "2024-12-18T19:36:19Z")
I am designing a circuit that requires a resistance value to be calculated (or measured). Measuring it would be pretty simple, but I would like to know if the value can be calculated. Given an 60Hz AC input at 480v, ch… --- ## [Shelf stable caviar review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-caviar-review/1011775)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-stable-caviar-review/1011775 "2024-12-18T19:09:16Z")
Every so often I get the idea to try some more caviar. I had some at a party decades ago and liked it. Since then I have tried it a few times but have not found any “real” caviar that is inexpensive enough to buy so I h… --- ## [Is Trans fear driven by a fear of being deceived?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trans-fear-driven-by-a-fear-of-being-deceived/1010837)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trans-fear-driven-by-a-fear-of-being-deceived/1010837 "2024-12-18T18:14:23Z")
I had a thought, I don’t know how insightful it is, but I put it here for others to consider with me. One thing that stands out in all the anti-Trans conversations and topics is the fact that a lot of us are uncomforta… --- ## [What has happened to Nvidia GPU prices? They recently went crazy higher](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-happened-to-nvidia-gpu-prices-they-recently-went-crazy-higher/1011675)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-happened-to-nvidia-gpu-prices-they-recently-went-crazy-higher/1011675 "2024-12-18T18:13:41Z")
I am getting to the point of a new PC build. I figured holiday sales and the upcoming release of Nvidia’s new line of GPUs (the 50xx series expected in March) would mean their 40xx series would be going down in price. N… --- ## [Why aren't assassinations more common? (not advocating)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-assassinations-more-common-not-advocating/1011408)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-assassinations-more-common-not-advocating/1011408 "2024-12-18T17:23:18Z")
Whenever I see world leaders jetting around, meeting other leaders and doing tours, it is surprising to me that these visits are not more risky. There are a lot of crackpots out there, and, for some leaders, millions wit… --- ## [Material suggestions ( prototyping)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/material-suggestions-prototyping/1011759)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/material-suggestions-prototyping/1011759 "2024-12-18T17:23:06Z")
I will be making something that will have a shape almost identical to the plastic lid on a 5 gal bucket. It has to be several times stronger and rigid. Any suggestions. Right now I am thinking fiberglass But there might … --- ## [Legal question about Elon's monetary support of trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-elons-monetary-support-of-trump/1011649)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-about-elons-monetary-support-of-trump/1011649 "2024-12-18T16:52:02Z")
Elon invested some $200 million into electing trump and it’s my understanding that while Citizens United says that super PACs can spend unlimited money supporting an issue, they’re not allowed to coordinate with the cand… --- ## [eBay "return" advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-return-advice/1011471)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-return-advice/1011471 "2024-12-18T16:11:02Z")
My phone started having a bulge and glitching up, after overheating. So I decided to get a new phone. The phone seemed fine the day I got it (3 days ago), but today has crashed and started bootlooping (just keeps rebooti… --- ## [I'd support the right to arm bears, but](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-support-the-right-to-arm-bears-but/1011776)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-support-the-right-to-arm-bears-but/1011776 "2024-12-18T11:29:26Z")
…it looks like they don’t need it. A Virginia man has died after a bear in a tree shot by one of his hunting partners fell on him That’s some Three Stooges stuff right there. Yeah, I know they probably took him to a … --- ## [What would happen if someone ate a bowl of Colon Blow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-someone-ate-a-bowl-of-colon-blow/1011778)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-someone-ate-a-bowl-of-colon-blow/1011778 "2024-12-18T11:16:24Z")
Or, god forbid, Super Colon Blow? --- ## [How can an IP68 smartphone be okay with being submerged in water, but not be okay with some rain droplets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-ip68-smartphone-be-okay-with-being-submerged-in-water-but-not-be-okay-with-some-rain-droplets/1011701)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-ip68-smartphone-be-okay-with-being-submerged-in-water-but-not-be-okay-with-some-rain-droplets/1011701 "2024-12-18T05:22:28Z")
So I accidentally left my smartphone (Samsung S22) exposed to rain (to the point where it sat, almost soaked, for a while) and I’m getting contradictory info: On the one hand, it’s IP68 rated, and advertised as being a… --- ## [Are Korean names generally monosyllabic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-korean-names-generally-monosyllabic/1011692)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-korean-names-generally-monosyllabic/1011692 "2024-12-18T05:16:31Z")
Following the news events in Korea I was struck by how the surnames all generally seem to be monosyllabic (Han, Yoon, Kim etc), and the personal names mostly to be monosyllabic, or two syllables separated by a hyphen. I… --- ## [Should duplicates of recent threads be closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-duplicates-of-recent-threads-be-closed/1011764)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-duplicates-of-recent-threads-be-closed/1011764 "2024-12-18T02:03:04Z")
Inspired by this recent thread. Some questions seem to get asked over and over again. This is just a sorta extreme recent example. Made me wonder if “fighting ignorance” might be advanced by educating folk about how… --- ## [What's with the Veteran of Foreign Wars membership criteria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-veteran-of-foreign-wars-membership-criteria/1011647)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2024, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-veteran-of-foreign-wars-membership-criteria/1011647 "2024-12-18T00:54:30Z")
They only allow you if you’re literally a veteran of a foreign war, so people who served in the military but were never in an actual war or during wartime were stationed stateside don’t count. Also it has to be a declare… --- ## [Antarctic colony](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antarctic-colony/1011204)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antarctic-colony/1011204 "2024-12-17T23:15:55Z")
Could we set up a colony in Antarctica that could live for hundreds or thousands of years without resupply with today’s technology? --- ## [Timely Question: The Waltons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timely-question-the-waltons/1011685)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/timely-question-the-waltons/1011685 "2024-12-17T22:49:20Z")
Yes, I am guilty of being THE last to warm up to a show. I am the last hold-out (probably) to start watching the Waltons. Anyway, two questions: a) What is Olivia’s maiden name? Do they ever say? b) In what season does… --- ## [Why is Amazon shipping my order from Australia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-amazon-shipping-my-order-from-australia/1011683)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-amazon-shipping-my-order-from-australia/1011683 "2024-12-17T21:52:53Z")
And since it’s a video game do I need to worry it won’t work on my PS5? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=412&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=414&state=muted)