# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=419 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 420 --- ## [Several kinds of aliens plan to conquer mankind, and they have offices to do their planning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/several-kinds-of-aliens-plan-to-conquer-mankind-and-they-have-offices-to-do-their-planning/1011163)
**Author:** [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/several-kinds-of-aliens-plan-to-conquer-mankind-and-they-have-offices-to-do-their-planning/1011163 "2024-12-10T02:05:57Z")
I noticed this morning an office next door to a doctor’s office I was visiting. It’s called “The Conference of Major Superiors of Men.” So the alien are so convinced that they can conquer mankind that they rent offices… --- ## [Anyone here been voluntarily circumcised?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-been-voluntarily-circumcised/500069)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-been-voluntarily-circumcised/500069 "2024-12-10T01:49:09Z")
Inspired by this thread asking for advice on whether to circumcise a newborn boy. The suggestion arises that new parents should skip it and let the child decide later. How much later is anyone’s guess. I expressed tha… --- ## [Is Columbia a manifestation of Liberty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-columbia-a-manifestation-of-liberty/1010209)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2024, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-columbia-a-manifestation-of-liberty/1010209 "2024-12-10T01:13:28Z")
Columbia is the personification of the United States of America like Britannia is for Great Britain. But is Columbia also a manifestation of the Liberty persona? The reason I am asking is we are familiar with the “Wal… --- ## [Make the rich pay their fair share!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-rich-pay-their-fair-share/1011019)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 267\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2024, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-rich-pay-their-fair-share/1011019 "2024-12-10T00:58:08Z")
From the Department of “Be careful what you ask for”. Politicians like to scream, “Make the rich pay their fair share!” After reading this, the rich will want to but the r… --- ## [What happens to deposed dictators that flee and get asylum in another country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-deposed-dictators-that-flee-and-get-asylum-in-another-country/1011398)
**Author:** [@ByrdJrHs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ByrdJrHs)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-deposed-dictators-that-flee-and-get-asylum-in-another-country/1011398 "2024-12-10T00:57:39Z")
Off the top of my head I can only think of Ferdinand Marcos living pretty well in Hawaii. I’m sure there are other examples. I always assumed that the country offering the asylum was at least a one time ally of the dic… --- ## [Making the best use of an immersion blender](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-the-best-use-of-an-immersion-blender/1011367)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-the-best-use-of-an-immersion-blender/1011367 "2024-12-09T23:46:21Z")
I never - well, almost never - met a kitchen gadget I didn’t like, so recently got an immersion blender. I’ve used it twice and it seems handy, I suppose, in that you don’t have to use and clean a regular blender. Also, … --- ## [Permanent Ban for jlh3rd](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-ban-for-jlh3rd/1011421)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/permanent-ban-for-jlh3rd/1011421 "2024-12-09T23:01:01Z")
Moderating: After discussion in the mod loop, we’ve decided to permanently revoke @jlh3rd’s posting privileges. While their list of Warnings is short, so is their posting history. This poster only mostly posted to trol… --- ## [At what rough point in time did the Pyramids become a mystery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-rough-point-in-time-did-the-pyramids-become-a-mystery/1011063)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-rough-point-in-time-did-the-pyramids-become-a-mystery/1011063 "2024-12-09T19:23:43Z")
The Great Pyramids - all the pyramids of Egypt, actually - are old. Really, really old. As people are fond of pointing out, the Great Pyramids in Giza were more ancient to Cleopatra than Cleopatra is to us today. They… --- ## [Golden Globes - nominations and a question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-globes-nominations-and-a-question/1011404)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-globes-nominations-and-a-question/1011404 "2024-12-09T19:12:38Z")
Squid Game was nominated for best drama this year. Does this mean they saw the new season that drops Dec. 26 or they just nominated it on a whim? Nominations are here. Does not, for the most part, reflect my opinion on … --- ## [Hot political quotes I \*think\* I vaguely remember?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-political-quotes-i-think-i-vaguely-remember/1011402)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-political-quotes-i-think-i-vaguely-remember/1011402 "2024-12-09T18:48:35Z")
These faint memories bedevil me. Are they real? How accurate are they? I’ve searched around online but not substantiated them. I do occasionally have clear memories of things I can definitely confirm are NOT true, so I d… --- ## [(Old) It’s Moanday Again In The MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-it-s-moanday-again-in-the-mmp/1011058)
**Author:** [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Replies:** 331\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-it-s-moanday-again-in-the-mmp/1011058 "2024-12-09T17:34:24Z")
Good Mornin’ Y’all! Up and caffeinatin’. YAWN ‘Tis 32 Amurrkin out and clear with a predicted high of 58 and N.O.S. I shall make a Sam’s run this mornin’ to gather needed household supplies, tp bein’ one. We’re bown to o… --- ## [Saw my first hybrid concert/movie tonight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-hybrid-concert-movie-tonight/1011339)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saw-my-first-hybrid-concert-movie-tonight/1011339 "2024-12-09T16:41:58Z")
At the very last minute I scored a couple of tickets to see “Love Actually” at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall here in Portland. While the movie played on a big screen, all the music was played by a live orchestra righ… --- ## [Why does my apartment require so much water from my humidifier to increase the humidity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-apartment-require-so-much-water-from-my-humidifier-to-increase-the-humidity/1011329)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-apartment-require-so-much-water-from-my-humidifier-to-increase-the-humidity/1011329 "2024-12-09T15:35:24Z")
I’m not sure if this is the right forum, but here is the situation. My apartment is small, maybe 175 cubic meters. At around 70F air can hold something like 18 grams of water per cubic meter at 100% humidity, so thats 3… --- ## [What could the Harris campaign have done differently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 428\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-harris-campaign-have-done-differently/1009798 "2024-12-09T15:17:28Z")
All things considered, I think Harris actually ran a good campaign, especially given that she only had a few months to throw it together. She was positive, but also unafraid of dealing pointed jabs to Trump and his enabl… --- ## [Once Upon A Time, The Knights Of Malta had an Air Force. LINK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-upon-a-time-the-knights-of-malta-had-an-air-force-link/1011320)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-upon-a-time-the-knights-of-malta-had-an-air-force-link/1011320 "2024-12-09T15:03:27Z")
The Knights of Saint John, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta briefly has an air force, of 100% bombers, post-World War Two. It consisted of Savoia-Marchetti SM.82. LINK TO SPECS. LINK TO KNIGHT OF MALTA AF. --- ## [Booked an all-inclusive resort vacation in Jamaica- Montego Bay. Tips, warnings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booked-an-all-inclusive-resort-vacation-in-jamaica-montego-bay-tips-warnings/1011201)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/booked-an-all-inclusive-resort-vacation-in-jamaica-montego-bay-tips-warnings/1011201 "2024-12-09T15:01:25Z")
My wife and I haven’t had a full-on adults only vacation in years and years. Now that both our kids are pretty much out of the house and we’re empty nesters, we decided to pull the trigger and do a grown-up vacation at a… --- ## [What's the furthest you have ever been away from all other humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-furthest-you-have-ever-been-away-from-all-other-humans/1010920)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-furthest-you-have-ever-been-away-from-all-other-humans/1010920 "2024-12-09T14:58:23Z")
I was walking alone last night, on a fairly long and quiet country road, with probably a clear mile of road in either direction before a car or pedestrian would be found, but then when I looked off to one side, there was… --- ## [HEIC Files-assist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heic-files-assist/1011174)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heic-files-assist/1011174 "2024-12-09T13:10:40Z")
Somebody sent me some HEIC files, in an email. First I’ve ever encountered. Is there a free way to view them, & then convert them to jpegs? One that works? --- ## [The grammar of teaching (not the teaching of grammar)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grammar-of-teaching-not-the-teaching-of-grammar/1010194)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grammar-of-teaching-not-the-teaching-of-grammar/1010194 "2024-12-09T12:46:58Z")
In the verb “to teach”, is the student who is being taught the indirect object and the subject matter the direct object? I would think so: A sentence like “The professor taught the students English” could be rewritten as… --- ## [Most Useful Four-Year Degree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useful-four-year-degree/1003809)
**Author:** [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useful-four-year-degree/1003809 "2024-12-09T12:44:02Z")
I am getting to that stage of life where younger people occasionally ask for advice. They are generally people who don’t know me.too well but I will take what I can get! Anyway, it got me thinking-what would be the best … --- ## [The years of brain washing by the right paid off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-years-of-brain-washing-by-the-right-paid-off/1010667)
**Author:** [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-years-of-brain-washing-by-the-right-paid-off/1010667 "2024-12-09T05:53:54Z")
" If you only read The New York Times or watch CNN or so-called legacy networks such as CBS News, you might be surprised to learn there is a vast right-wing media ecosystem that goes well beyond Fox News." --- ## [Sandy Irvine’s foot has been found on Everest!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-irvine-s-foot-has-been-found-on-everest/1011333)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandy-irvine-s-foot-has-been-found-on-everest/1011333 "2024-12-09T04:19:35Z")
The 1924 Mallory-Irvine expedition is one of the mysteries of Everest — did they summit? They were last seen near the summit before weather closed in. They never came back. Mallory’s body was found in 1999, but it’s n… --- ## [How do classical musicians do it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-classical-musicians-do-it/1010052)
**Author:** [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-classical-musicians-do-it/1010052 "2024-12-09T03:49:01Z")
How is it that they (seemingly) never play a wrong note? We just got home from a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth, which was amazing. We’re talking about maybe 70 musicians and 70 more in the chorus. I’ve been playing … --- ## [Who likes the "tortured bush" effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-likes-the-tortured-bush-effect/1011110)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2024, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-likes-the-tortured-bush-effect/1011110 "2024-12-09T02:48:23Z")
The house directly across the street from us had very pleasant (to our eyes) front yard plantings - including a somewhat columnar evergreen near the front door and 3 mop cypress nearer the driveway. They had a fall clea… --- ## [Does a 4 year college degree matter wrt future earning potential?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-4-year-college-degree-matter-wrt-future-earning-potential/1011043)
**Author:** [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-4-year-college-degree-matter-wrt-future-earning-potential/1011043 "2024-12-08T23:56:48Z")
Im quoting the richest man on earth here (Elon Musk). “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands. We need electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. That’s a lot more important than having incremental p… --- ## [Russian troops in Syria. What next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-troops-in-syria-what-next/1011366)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-troops-in-syria-what-next/1011366 "2024-12-08T23:51:01Z")
The Russians are facing some people who they have brutally abused. Will they escape? Can they escape? How? And, if not–what then? --- ## [Whats the difference between \[ \] and ( )?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-and/1010659)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-and/1010659 "2024-12-08T23:44:48Z")
I probably learned in school, but have forgotten. I see them used quite arbitrarily. I never use \[ since i dont know when to use it. --- ## [Company Towns {spun off of "A thread for Rudy Giuliani"}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/company-towns-spun-off-of-a-thread-for-rudy-giuliani/1010354)
**Author:** [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/company-towns-spun-off-of-a-thread-for-rudy-giuliani/1010354 "2024-12-08T23:10:41Z")
My Google-fu is failing me at the moment, but I seem to vaguely recall reading about a company (the time period associated with this company is somewhere between 1940-1980, I’m thinking) that required its employees and t… --- ## [US Army deserter walks across Rainbow Bridge to US from Canada and turns himself in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-army-deserter-walks-across-rainbow-bridge-to-us-from-canada-and-turns-himself-in/1011241)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-army-deserter-walks-across-rainbow-bridge-to-us-from-canada-and-turns-himself-in/1011241 "2024-12-08T22:13:57Z")
After deserting in 2008, when he was 22. Army has taken him to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). --- ## [Are there any places, preferably in the US, that have good weather year round outside of southern California](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-preferably-in-the-us-that-have-good-weather-year-round-outside-of-southern-california/1011077)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-places-preferably-in-the-us-that-have-good-weather-year-round-outside-of-southern-california/1011077 "2024-12-08T21:46:18Z")
Southern California has nice weather year round, but its pretty expensive. Does any other place have good weather year round (mild summers, mild winters) in the US? If not in the US, then overseas? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=418) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=420)