# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=425&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 426 --- ## [AMA: I Marched in the 2024 NYC Macy's T-Day Parade !1! Woot!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ama-i-marched-in-the-2024-nyc-macys-t-day-parade-1-woot/1010936)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ama-i-marched-in-the-2024-nyc-macys-t-day-parade-1-woot/1010936 "2024-12-01T14:07:36Z")
Hi folks - Courtesy of a certain well-connected Doper who shall remain anonymous I had the rare privilege yesterday of marching in the famous parade. His role is that of a balloon “pilot”; the guy in charge of getting o… --- ## [Appearance at Forum level has changed since a couple of hours ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appearance-at-forum-level-has-changed-since-a-couple-of-hours-ago/1010958)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appearance-at-forum-level-has-changed-since-a-couple-of-hours-ago/1010958 "2024-12-01T13:33:15Z")
Sam’s Simple Theme. Board level and Topic level seem to be the same. But the Forum level (where I see lists of Topics) appears to have changed the colors of the Topic titles. Current: Topic with unread posts, the title … --- ## [.avi files won't play on Windows laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/avi-files-wont-play-on-windows-laptop/1010984 "2024-12-01T13:23:40Z")
I bought my wife a trail camera for her birthday. In the last week, we captured 21 video files. I have a Juiced adapter with various input possibilities. We plugged it into her laptop, and inserted the memory card int… --- ## [An important question about Doors (not the band)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-important-question-about-doors-not-the-band/1010673)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-important-question-about-doors-not-the-band/1010673 "2024-12-01T11:40:15Z")
This is based on a Facebook post I had seen: would you say a door is “on” or “off” when it’s closed? --- ## [Australia's Upcoming ban on social media for people 16 and under-What exactly does in cover?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australias-upcoming-ban-on-social-media-for-people-16-and-under-what-exactly-does-in-cover/1010950)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australias-upcoming-ban-on-social-media-for-people-16-and-under-what-exactly-does-in-cover/1010950 "2024-12-01T11:31:26Z")
This is not the place to debate the existence of the upcoming law-This is the place to explain and/or debate the use of the law. What does it cover, what it does not cover, etc. --- ## [Has the US political landscape even been this divided in living memory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-political-landscape-even-been-this-divided-in-living-memory/1004329)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-us-political-landscape-even-been-this-divided-in-living-memory/1004329 "2024-12-01T09:40:08Z")
I put this in GD because there might not be a factual answer to this. The us left and right absolutely hate each other. Has this always been the case? I am not a student of political science and I have not really been e… --- ## [Can't imbed YT refs in a post?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-imbed-yt-refs-in-a-post/1010977)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-imbed-yt-refs-in-a-post/1010977 "2024-12-01T05:31:50Z")
I just tried to create a post to an ongoing thread, and got the error message “can’t imbed…in a post”. Is this specific to the poster, the forum, or something else? --- ## [The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade '24](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-macys-thanksgiving-parade-24/1010995)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-macys-thanksgiving-parade-24/1010995 "2024-12-01T05:22:12Z")
All right, it’s going to be four long days to vainly attempt to shake off the mental burden of recent events, so let’s begin with that glitzy annual tradition, the Macy’s Thanksgiving D… \[Sees that the streets are darke… --- ## [Any economists or political hobbyists here? A few questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-economists-or-political-hobbyists-here-a-few-questions/1010888)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-economists-or-political-hobbyists-here-a-few-questions/1010888 "2024-12-01T04:34:48Z")
I came across a video and feel the need to ask: What were the specific actions that US gov did in 1997 (3:10), Sweden in 1997- (3:12), UK & Greece in 1998-9 (3:19), Japan in 2003 (3:48), Germany in 2006 (4:15), Nether… --- ## [Which immigrants would have been good Presidents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-immigrants-would-have-been-good-presidents/1010848)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-immigrants-would-have-been-good-presidents/1010848 "2024-12-01T03:12:26Z")
I didn’t think of this question myself, but i wanted to see the Dope’s answers. By immigrants I obviously mean people who were not born here, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who ordinarily wouldn’t be allowed to be Presi… --- ## [Warmest winter hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warmest-winter-hats/1010798)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warmest-winter-hats/1010798 "2024-12-01T01:51:38Z")
What sorts of winter hats do you like best for use in cold temperatures? --- ## [The Shaggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shaggs/1010437)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-shaggs/1010437 "2024-12-01T00:14:43Z")
I’m gonna guess most of you are passing familiar with this girl group from the 60s. I got to reading about them, and there’s a story there somewhere. Their dad was a Bizarro Murray Wilson. Where Murray pushed his boys to… --- ## [Mystery Sex Tool in Peach Jello package](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-sex-tool-in-peach-jello-package/1010643)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mystery-sex-tool-in-peach-jello-package/1010643 "2024-11-30T19:04:37Z")
Peach is the only Jello flavor worth a fuck. There is ‘Red’ (Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry) which all taste the same, Orange, which tastes like Open Ass, and Green (Lime) which is a Crime Against Humanity. But I can I g… --- ## [What's the best way to store silver and platinum coins to avoid tarnish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-store-silver-and-platinum-coins-to-avoid-tarnish/1010866)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-store-silver-and-platinum-coins-to-avoid-tarnish/1010866 "2024-11-30T18:12:14Z")
Gold doesn’t tarnish. Titanium and aluminum tarnish to some extent, but the thin layer of corrosion resists further corrosion, or so I understand. What’s the best way to store silver and platinum bullion or coins that ar… --- ## [2024 Hurricane Season](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-hurricane-season/1003076)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 423\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-hurricane-season/1003076 "2024-11-30T18:06:45Z")
I thought I would start a general thread for hurricanes this season: With winds up to 50 mph and thus not a hurricane: Some areas of Texas could get up to 5 to 10 inches of rain, while some areas of Mexico could ge… --- ## [Fire blankets - do they work? worth having one in the kitchen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-blankets-do-they-work-worth-having-one-in-the-kitchen/995527)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-blankets-do-they-work-worth-having-one-in-the-kitchen/995527 "2024-11-30T16:34:04Z")
So, I’ve been seeing adverts for fire blankets on YouTube. They show people calming putting a fire blanket over a stovetop fire and it’s out. Are they really all that? do they work? is it worth having one in the kitc… --- ## [Name for a geometric shape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-a-geometric-shape/1010939)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-for-a-geometric-shape/1010939 "2024-11-30T15:20:42Z")
Is there a name for this shape: Basically a square or rectangle with curved sides. Two of those on opposite sides curve inward and the other two curve outward. If they have the same curvature and length, they’ll tile th… --- ## [Subbing fresh mushrooms for canned ones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subbing-fresh-mushrooms-for-canned-ones/1010922)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subbing-fresh-mushrooms-for-canned-ones/1010922 "2024-11-30T14:44:08Z")
In a few days I will be making my mom’s old tetrazzini recipe to use up some Thanksgiving leftovers. Like many recipes from that era, it calls for canned mushrooms. While I have nothing against the canned variety, I ha… --- ## [Ben Shapiro Explains Tariffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-shapiro-explains-tariffs/1010022)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-shapiro-explains-tariffs/1010022 "2024-11-30T14:38:16Z")
If any of you have conservative or moderate friends or family to whom you want to explain tariffs and why they are a bad idea, consider having the message come from a friendlier (to them) source - namely, Ben Shapiro. H… --- ## [How did Harris’ 2019 position on fracking harm her?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-harris-2019-position-on-fracking-harm-her/1010913)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-harris-2019-position-on-fracking-harm-her/1010913 "2024-11-30T14:35:01Z")
This question isn’t so much specifically about her position on fracking, but on any past position she might have held that was used against her in the 2024 campaign. “Fracking 2019” is just a convenient example. In the … --- ## [Killers Of The Flower Moon (open spoilers after first post)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killers-of-the-flower-moon-open-spoilers-after-first-post/997317)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killers-of-the-flower-moon-open-spoilers-after-first-post/997317 "2024-11-30T12:44:39Z")
I haven’t seen a discussion of this movie, yet. (Maybe i missed it?) I just saw it a couple days ago and was really impressed. We did take an intermission (and eat lunch in the middle of it) but it held my attention. The… --- ## [Did the font size just change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-font-size-just-change/1009101)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-font-size-just-change/1009101 "2024-11-30T10:49:57Z")
Today it looks like the thread titles are larger. I also see some code at the top right that might not have been there before. --- ## [The five most powerful men in the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-five-most-powerful-men-in-the-world/1010823)
**Author:** [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-five-most-powerful-men-in-the-world/1010823 "2024-11-30T10:28:01Z")
I think four of them are quite easy to identify: Trump, Musk, Xi, and Putin. Who’s number 5? Scholz? I doubt it. --- ## ["Wedding at Cana" by Veronese](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wedding-at-cana-by-veronese/1010776)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wedding-at-cana-by-veronese/1010776 "2024-11-30T08:52:22Z")
(Note: Continuing the discussion from Have you ever been underwhelmed? and What's an underappreciated work of classic art?) Those discussions mentioned an old painting, The Wedding at Cana by Veronese (Wikipedia). Or s… --- ## [How many members of Congress before we need a new chamber?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-members-of-congress-before-we-need-a-new-chamber/1010527)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-members-of-congress-before-we-need-a-new-chamber/1010527 "2024-11-30T07:42:20Z")
If the US House of of Representatives were to be increased in size how many members could the current chamber be remodeled to fit before an entirely new chamber would need to be built? Or even a new Capitol? --- ## [Gammon vs. ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gammon-vs-ham/1010731)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gammon-vs-ham/1010731 "2024-11-30T05:51:34Z")
AIUI, the difference between gammon and ham is that ham is cooked, and gammon is sold raw. Is gammon sold in the United States? When British people serve gammon, is it really gammon? Or is it just what they call their… --- ## [Haunting Aroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813)
**Author:** [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haunting-aroma/1010813 "2024-11-30T04:51:08Z")
Since 2007 I have experienced an occasional but random haunting aroma. It’s hard to describe but it elicits a nostalgic sorrow in me. Part industrial, part water, a mix of gentle chemicals. It happens everywhere almost … --- ## [Does anyone know how Roman numerals were pronounced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-how-roman-numerals-were-pronounced/1007672)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-know-how-roman-numerals-were-pronounced/1007672 "2024-11-30T04:30:43Z")
In English, it’s fairly easy to imagine that, say, XIII could be pronounced “three-ten,” or thirteen. Don’t know about what that might be like in Latin, though - maybe something similar. But then what about XL? How i… --- ## [DJTJ and the rubbing of the gums](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djtj-and-the-rubbing-of-the-gums/1010956)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/djtj-and-the-rubbing-of-the-gums/1010956 "2024-11-30T04:25:05Z")
AFA this incident goes, I’m most curious as to how DJTJ handles his stash in his pocket. What kind of container was it, and how do you pull out a dose without losing some on your clothes? I’m sure he’s had a lot of pract… --- ## [I'll be danged. Looks like I got a job (racist threats by text)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-danged-looks-like-i-got-a-job-racist-threats-by-text/1010051)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-be-danged-looks-like-i-got-a-job-racist-threats-by-text/1010051 "2024-11-30T02:42:14Z")
I have 2 phones. A regular one that was my daughter’s old IPhone. Piece of junk. But it gets calls and texts. Mostly from medical stuff. I don’t block stuff on it. Because you never know what number a doctors office or … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=424&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=426&state=tracking)