# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=414 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 415 --- ## [In Your Eyes: What happened to the churches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-eyes-what-happened-to-the-churches/193526)
**Author:** [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-eyes-what-happened-to-the-churches/193526 "2024-12-16T16:11:35Z")
I’ve heard Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” twice in the last 24 hours, and I’ve noticed that the line “I see the doorway to a thousand churches” has been excised from the song. Is this some new development? Does anyone … --- ## [What is green corn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-green-corn/1011698)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-green-corn/1011698 "2024-12-16T15:59:20Z")
I just saw a picture of a hotel menu from 1890. The vegetable choices were mashed potatoes, roast sweet potatoes, boiled potatoes, macaroni in cream, green peas, green corn, and boiled rice. What is green corn? Judging … --- ## [The power of memory/nostalgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-memory-nostalgia/1011648)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-memory-nostalgia/1011648 "2024-12-16T15:39:17Z")
Today I did some grocery shopping and then made a batch of our nearly-sacred Christmas sugar cookie dough. These will be baked tomorrow, cut out with tin cutters I’ve inherited from my mother, and decorated in the only p… --- ## [The economic roots of fascism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economic-roots-of-fascism/1009349)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economic-roots-of-fascism/1009349 "2024-12-16T14:43:25Z")
The NYT published a chart (gift link) recently showing how much non-college-degree white men’s average income had fallen relative to everyone else’s. It was, well, graphic. In 1980, this group was the only one (on the ch… --- ## [Who chooses screensavers for software companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-chooses-screensavers-for-software-companies/1011553)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-chooses-screensavers-for-software-companies/1011553 "2024-12-16T14:11:54Z")
I’ve often wondered about the standard screen saver photos promulgated by my operating systems. Who chose THOSE specific photos and why. Usually they are landscapes. Sometimes they are MOSTLY natural settings, but alw… --- ## [Whatever happened to 1980s "life extension" authors Dirk Pierson and Sandy Shaw?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-1980s-life-extension-authors-dirk-pierson-and-sandy-shaw/214630)
**Author:** [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-1980s-life-extension-authors-dirk-pierson-and-sandy-shaw/214630 "2024-12-16T13:49:52Z")
Back in the 1980s, these two writers/researchers/biochemists were major champions of mega-vitamin therapy and other iffy propositions they claimed would radically extend lifespans and general health. I recall a rerun of… --- ## [Comedies with an extremely cringy and awkward major character](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedies-with-an-extremely-cringy-and-awkward-major-character/1011534)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedies-with-an-extremely-cringy-and-awkward-major-character/1011534 "2024-12-16T13:42:10Z")
Any good movies or TV shows where a main character makes you cringe in how awkward and embarrassing they are? The increasingly poor decisions of Todd Margaret The US version of the Office (the first few seasons at leas… --- ## [Abortion and shield laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-shield-laws/1011632)
**Author:** [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-shield-laws/1011632 "2024-12-16T13:39:05Z")
NY doctor sued by Texas for sending abortion pills to Texas. NY and other states protect their doctors with so called shield laws. --- ## [Obscure lines from commercials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obscure-lines-from-commercials/1011420 "2024-12-16T12:49:05Z")
I’ll start: “She can’t count too good, but she shore is purty.” Cowboy Sid, referring to Sheila The Wonder Horse on a Krystal commercial. --- ## [Engine death: how was I supposed to prevent this without indicators?!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-death-how-was-i-supposed-to-prevent-this-without-indicators/1008707)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/engine-death-how-was-i-supposed-to-prevent-this-without-indicators/1008707 "2024-12-16T12:06:52Z")
Keeping it simple. 2014 Kia Soul 70k miles. Purchased used at 25k miles Regular oil changes. 1 serious problem in 2019, the precise nature of which is locked away, but I expect to get the details from the repair shop… --- ## [Jan 6- Insurgency? Coup? Unarmed Riot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-insurgency-coup-unarmed-riot/1011206)
**Author:** [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6-insurgency-coup-unarmed-riot/1011206 "2024-12-16T06:53:25Z")
Continuing the discussion from Ohio's anti-trans brigade continues From roughly that post onward, the thread is hijacked by discussion of the January 6 “unarmed riot”. I publicly acknowledged that I had been part of th… --- ## [People lying about their 21st birthday just to get free drinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-lying-about-their-21st-birthday-just-to-get-free-drinks/1011242)
**Author:** [@sta3535](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sta3535)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-lying-about-their-21st-birthday-just-to-get-free-drinks/1011242 "2024-12-16T06:49:41Z")
Even though the bouncers/doormen check ID’s and know how old you are: I’ve heard of some people telling random strangers that it’s their 21st birthday, which resulted in free drinks for the night. However, I’m not sure… --- ## [(Old) Rainy Days and Mondays in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-rainy-days-and-mondays-in-the-mmp/1011386)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 366\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-rainy-days-and-mondays-in-the-mmp/1011386 "2024-12-16T05:25:12Z")
Woot. Its about to rain for a bit here. I awoke briefly to bathroom and to get over the weird dream. Who likes rain? --- ## [Found a can of gasoline out in the middle of nowhere. Is there any way to test it to determine if it's OK to use in my vehicle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-a-can-of-gasoline-out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-is-there-any-way-to-test-it-to-determine-if-its-ok-to-use-in-my-vehicle/1004823)
**Author:** [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-a-can-of-gasoline-out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere-is-there-any-way-to-test-it-to-determine-if-its-ok-to-use-in-my-vehicle/1004823 "2024-12-16T03:39:04Z")
So, yesterday. @Seanette and I took our Jeep out on the Volcanoville Trail. Along the way, we came upon a five-gallon (actually, labeled as 20 liters) gasoline can, which turns out to be full of a liquid that certainl… --- ## [Bus Crash Of Junior Hockey Players in Saskatchewan - Fatalities Confirmed \[in 2018\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bus-crash-of-junior-hockey-players-in-saskatchewan-fatalities-confirmed-in-2018/811965)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bus-crash-of-junior-hockey-players-in-saskatchewan-fatalities-confirmed-in-2018/811965 "2024-12-16T03:01:25Z")
A bus carrying a Junior Hockey League team to a playoff game in East-Central Saskatchewan was T-boned by a semi today. The Mounties have confirmed fatalities and injuries. Rumours say as many as 15 dead. Witnesses say… --- ## [Humankind: A Hopeful History](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humankind-a-hopeful-history/1011672)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humankind-a-hopeful-history/1011672 "2024-12-16T02:21:16Z")
I’ve been reading a book called Humankind: A Hopeful History. The author, Martin Bregman, sets out to prove that we are in fact evolutionarily wired for cooperation rather than competition, and that our instinct to trus… --- ## [Fast Food Kitchens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-food-kitchens/1011494)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fast-food-kitchens/1011494 "2024-12-16T00:13:01Z")
Maybe this belongs in IMHO, feel free to move it. I pondered this the other day as I stood waiting for my food at Taco Bell. Why do so many fast food restaurants have the view of their kitchen in plain view? I do not wa… --- ## [So if you worked at Mcdonald's , would you recognize the assassin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-you-worked-at-mcdonalds-would-you-recognize-the-assassin/1011441)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-you-worked-at-mcdonalds-would-you-recognize-the-assassin/1011441 "2024-12-15T23:21:28Z")
Well, would you? Huh? As for me…I sure wouldn’t. For two reasons: As a McD employee, I’m a minimum-wage slave who just wants to finish my shift. My situational awareness is pretty much limited to counting the burger… --- ## [(Old) “Oh shit! I see Monday!” - Spot‘s new MMP (told you I liked it)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-oh-shit-i-see-monday-spot-s-new-mmp-told-you-i-liked-it/1010747)
**Author:** [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Replies:** 375\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-oh-shit-i-see-monday-spot-s-new-mmp-told-you-i-liked-it/1010747 "2024-12-15T21:10:52Z")
I can’t tell if I did this new MMP at the crack o’ Monday dark in the am right. About all I can say is I tried, I really did. I’m not even home yet. Stayed late at my daughter’s house because they have streaming coveri… --- ## [I need a new TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-tv/1011681)
**Author:** [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-new-tv/1011681 "2024-12-15T18:58:10Z")
I have a 10-ish year old non-smart Samsung TV that I’m looking to replace. It still works fine but I’m thinking I want to replace before someone starts slapping tariffs on everything. I also have a fairly new Roku devi… --- ## [Trump won. How fucked is Ukraine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-won-how-fucked-is-ukraine/1009761)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-won-how-fucked-is-ukraine/1009761 "2024-12-15T18:25:24Z")
Obviously the EU will support Ukraine, but I doubt it will be enough. What’s going to happen? I doubt Ukraine will fall, but I bet that Donbas will be forever Russian. --- ## [What's wrong with using a microwave to make tea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-using-a-microwave-to-make-tea/1011513)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-using-a-microwave-to-make-tea/1011513 "2024-12-15T17:38:53Z")
A new XKCD strip is based on this. I’ll confess; this is how I make tea. I fill up my mug with water from the sink and then I heat it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Then I put a tea bag in the hot water. Thi… --- ## [Have you ever made a bundle buying something and reselling it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-bundle-buying-something-and-reselling-it/1001464)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-bundle-buying-something-and-reselling-it/1001464 "2024-12-15T15:57:05Z")
I was watching Antiques Roadshow which presents numerous accounts of someone buying a painting or lamp or something for a pittance and then discovering it is worth thousands of dollars. Other than real estate, I don’t th… --- ## [What kind of spam is this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-spam-is-this/1011523)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-spam-is-this/1011523 "2024-12-15T14:49:42Z")
Phone rings. I pick it up and say “Hello”. A recorded message says, “The service you have tried to reach is unavailable at this time. Please hold.” Of course, I hung up. What are they doing? --- ## [Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Debate Controversy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279)
**Author:** [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279 "2024-12-15T13:03:09Z")
I suppose it’s possible that I missed this being discussed in one of the other threads, but now he’s trying to pull the “Uno reverse-card” and say that he’s agreed to a September 4th debate with Harris to be moderated by… --- ## [What’s fair to reimburse this seller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-fair-to-reimburse-this-seller/1011584)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-fair-to-reimburse-this-seller/1011584 "2024-12-15T11:44:04Z")
I’ll try to make this brief as possible, I met a lady selling overnight oat packs at a farmers market this summer, tried them, and really liked them. Even though she’s located two towns over I’ve purchased from her webs… --- ## [Were your childhood friends from your school? Neighborhood? Both? Other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-your-childhood-friends-from-your-school-neighborhood-both-other/1011463)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-your-childhood-friends-from-your-school-neighborhood-both-other/1011463 "2024-12-15T10:39:56Z")
This morning my sister and I were discussing our childhood neighborhood - NW side of Chicago in the late 50s-70s. Our block had 16 nearly identical bungalows on each side of the street. I asked who lived in a certain h… --- ## [Name of the movie for SILK ROAD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-the-movie-for-silk-road/1011639)
**Author:** [@Sim77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sim77)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-the-movie-for-silk-road/1011639 "2024-12-15T09:04:52Z")
One friend of mine told me about a movie and the story was some people were looking to find a way through himalaya because they wanted to reach china by foot of course. Can anybody remember something ? --- ## [Mapfre Insurance Advantage Elite Add-on](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mapfre-insurance-advantage-elite-add-on/1011611)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mapfre-insurance-advantage-elite-add-on/1011611 "2024-12-15T08:35:50Z")
OK. I am hoping someone here is familiar with the optional add-on to Mapfre homeowner’s insurance, Advantage Elite. Background: A relative who is a first-time home buyer asked me to review the insurance quote, since she… --- ## [Using periods for emphasis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-periods-for-emphasis/1011620)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2024, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-periods-for-emphasis/1011620 "2024-12-15T08:08:09Z")
There’s a punctuation style that seems to have appeared relatively recently where the writer puts a period (full stop) after each word in a sentence or phrase to indicate that each word is to be emphasized individually, … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=413) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=415)