# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=435 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 436 --- ## [Trump=Tesla video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tesla-video/1010042)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-tesla-video/1010042 "2024-11-14T16:36:42Z")
I hesitate posting stuff like this and I did try to vet it. But there’s not much out there about it. Anyway, it’s very frightening to me, if true, and I wonder how this kind of chicanery could have gone on unchecked. So… --- ## [Has anyone here tried growing a mango tree from seed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-tried-growing-a-mango-tree-from-seed/1004537)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-tried-growing-a-mango-tree-from-seed/1004537 "2024-11-14T15:25:42Z")
It occurs to me that I live in a tropical climate, my front yard gets a lot of sun (not all day but close), and I have a lot of mango pits that I usually throw out. It takes time, I understand, to go from a pit into a tr… --- ## [The Outer Wilds - my thoughts, speculations, and wonderings while I play. (spoilers as far as I am, no more)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-outer-wilds-my-thoughts-speculations-and-wonderings-while-i-play-spoilers-as-far-as-i-am-no-more/1009619)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-outer-wilds-my-thoughts-speculations-and-wonderings-while-i-play-spoilers-as-far-as-i-am-no-more/1009619 "2024-11-14T14:55:43Z")
NO SPOILERS OR NUDGES PAST MY POINT I know, finally! I’ve meandered around not playing the game and now I have begun. I went in knowing only: time loop \<–even reviews said this part unfold the mysteries as you go type… --- ## [What happened ? SDMB in read only mode for about 20 minutes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-sdmb-in-read-only-mode-for-about-20-minutes/1010213)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-sdmb-in-read-only-mode-for-about-20-minutes/1010213 "2024-11-14T14:35:03Z")
Site maintenance ? Something more sinister ?! --- ## [Solar Freakin' Railways](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-railways/981462)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-freakin-railways/981462 "2024-11-14T12:58:28Z")
We’ve discussed, and totally crucifued, solar freakin’ roadways. Now someone has had the bright idea of placing solar panels between railroad ties. This idea is IMHO even worse than the highway idea. Think about the vib… --- ## [Amazon Lord of the Rings series; The Rings of Power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 1717\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-lord-of-the-rings-series-the-rings-of-power/830497 "2024-11-14T11:29:45Z")
What’s up with this? I searched for and couldn’t find a thread about it. I first heard of it recently when I saw a couple of videos on Youtube about some maps that Amazon has been releasing, giving clues about the series… --- ## [Thankful Songs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thankful-songs/1010080)
**Author:** [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thankful-songs/1010080 "2024-11-14T11:26:26Z")
I’ve been coping by spending a lot more time listening to music and a lot less time online or watching news. It occurred to me that given the time of year and recent events, it might be worth putting together a playlist … --- ## [RFK Jr Files to Run for President (Dropped Out on August 23, 2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 943\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-to-run-for-president-dropped-out-on-august-23-2024/982260 "2024-11-14T01:49:04Z")
That would be the same Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who’s an outspoken antivaxxer and complained that Anne Frank had a better chance against the Nazis than she would have against a vaccine mandate. Kennedy joins Marianne Will… --- ## [IRS vs Bank. I lose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-vs-bank-i-lose/996963)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irs-vs-bank-i-lose/996963 "2024-11-14T01:27:05Z")
I will try to keep this as simple as possible. I was eligible for the 3rd covid stimulus check back in 2021 – $4200. I was expecting to receive this in the form of a physical check in the mail several months after it wa… --- ## [The ultimate, bad first date. Can it get any worse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-bad-first-date-can-it-get-any-worse/1003497)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-bad-first-date-can-it-get-any-worse/1003497 "2024-11-13T22:35:20Z")
Imagine showing up for a first date and they call 911. This could have gone really bad. Domestic violence charges carry heavy penalties. Fortunately the man had the dating App messages and Texts to prove he just met her… --- ## [What's the future of vaccine policy in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-future-of-vaccine-policy-in-the-us/1010196)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-future-of-vaccine-policy-in-the-us/1010196 "2024-11-13T21:20:52Z")
I was just reading Your Local Epidemiologist , and wondering about the future of vaccines in America. Trump is talking about putting anti-vaxxers in charge of US health policy. Robert Kennedy, for instance, believes vac… --- ## [Trump's Cabinet of Curiosities v. 2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities-v-2-0/1010211)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities-v-2-0/1010211 "2024-11-13T19:34:09Z")
A reboot of a thread from this time 8 years ago. What do we think of having a Fox “personality” running the DoD? Is “Department of Government Efficiency” a real thing, or is he just giving Musk & Ramaswamay something t… --- ## [Trump crashes the economy. Trump spikes the economy. Which is worse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-crashes-the-economy-trump-spikes-the-economy-which-is-worse/1010013)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-crashes-the-economy-trump-spikes-the-economy-which-is-worse/1010013 "2024-11-13T21:18:54Z")
I’m pretty confident that if trump enacts his new tariffs, the economy is going to take a beating. Maybe not crash, but it will certainly slow down, and send inflation higher. If this happens, might people realize they m… --- ## [GFI outlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfi-outlet/1010208)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gfi-outlet/1010208 "2024-11-13T19:54:02Z")
I have small pond in my landscaping…The pump is powered by underground wiring from a GFI outlet under my deck. The GFI keeps tripping. When I push the red reset button it comes on for 15 seconds or so, then it trips aga… --- ## [KFC: Original Recipe or Extra Crispy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kfc-original-recipe-or-extra-crispy/1008463)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kfc-original-recipe-or-extra-crispy/1008463 "2024-11-13T19:34:54Z")
Which do you prefer, original recipe or extra crispy? poll When I was a kid, original recipe was all there was and I loved it. Then, they came out with extra crispy and I don’t think I’ve ordered original since. --- ## [Question about expanding the Supreme court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-expanding-the-supreme-court/1010034)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-expanding-the-supreme-court/1010034 "2024-11-13T19:20:01Z")
There was a lot of talk about Harris, with a Democratic Senate behind her, expanding the Court to 13 Justices, based on the 9 federal circuits (now 13) being assigned to each of the 9 Justices. I don’t know how realistic… --- ## [Five famous folks are coming for dinner, but there is a catch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-famous-folks-are-coming-for-dinner-but-there-is-a-catch/1009503)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-famous-folks-are-coming-for-dinner-but-there-is-a-catch/1009503 "2024-11-13T18:52:14Z")
You are hosting a dinner party. You may invite five celebrity guests, living or dead. Each guest must have been born in the year of your own birth. State your year along with your five choices; a brief explanation of wh… --- ## [Russian Propaganda](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-propaganda/1008951)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-propaganda/1008951 "2024-11-13T18:47:06Z")
Continuing the discussion from When did the American Empire begin: The US did not cause revolution in Ukraine. That is an excuse the Russians manufactured to invade. Also, the Orange Revolution happened in 2004, not 2… --- ## [Stop Automatic "Tracking" of Threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-automatic-tracking-of-threads/1010202)
**Author:** [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-automatic-tracking-of-threads/1010202 "2024-11-13T18:29:15Z")
How do I stop the board from automatically setting any particular thread to “Tracking” after simply visiting that thread? Not every thread does this, and seems to be random. Perhaps this is a bug? if I want to track a … --- ## [Paper size question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-size-question/927598)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paper-size-question/927598 "2024-11-13T17:43:42Z")
North American Letter size paper is 8 1/2" x 11", an “aspect ratio” of 22/17 or about 1.2941. Is there any other common standard size that is closer to 1/1, or squarer, than this? If there is, my Google-fu fails me; A4 f… --- ## [Will Biden Attend Trump's Second Inauguration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-biden-attend-trumps-second-inauguration/1009767)
**Author:** [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-biden-attend-trumps-second-inauguration/1009767 "2024-11-13T17:37:27Z")
Trump broke the tradition in 2021. Will Biden follow suit in January 2025? --- ## [Folks who voted for Trump, then Biden, then Trump again. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folks-who-voted-for-trump-then-biden-then-trump-again-why/1010142)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folks-who-voted-for-trump-then-biden-then-trump-again-why/1010142 "2024-11-13T16:08:30Z")
This is just a rule of thumb: 45% of the electorate will almost always vote for the Democrats. 45% of the electorate will almost always vote for the Republicans. Which leaves the 10% of swing voters. I don’t know wha… --- ## [Do you expect the recent election will affect your SDMB participation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-expect-the-recent-election-will-affect-your-sdmb-participation/1009853)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-expect-the-recent-election-will-affect-your-sdmb-participation/1009853 "2024-11-13T15:37:36Z")
In short, do you think you’ll read/post more? Less? About the same? Differently? Will you spend more time in different forums than before? Change your tone in any way? Me, I think spending time on-line - including … --- ## [Care of tiny succulent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-of-tiny-succulent/1009727)
**Author:** [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/care-of-tiny-succulent/1009727 "2024-11-13T15:20:33Z")
I haven’t had a houseplant in 5.5 years and was just gifted a baby snake plant (mother in law’s tongue). it is ridiculously important to me that I do my best caring for it. the woman who gave it to me had planted it in … --- ## [Would temporarily keeping ALL the political threads in one forum be reasonable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-temporarily-keeping-all-the-political-threads-in-one-forum-be-reasonable/1009807)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-temporarily-keeping-all-the-political-threads-in-one-forum-be-reasonable/1009807 "2024-11-13T14:17:30Z")
A few hours ago I decided to mute P&E. Likely not for more than a few days but I’d still like to give myself a break. However, as I write this, here’s all the election/trump threads I see near the top of my New Posts pa… --- ## [Mud volcano blows the eff up in Colombia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mud-volcano-blows-the-eff-up-in-colombia/1010143)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mud-volcano-blows-the-eff-up-in-colombia/1010143 "2024-11-13T13:45:05Z")
“Mud volcano” sounds kind of peaceful. Like, not something you’d want to shower in, but not something to be worried while watching. But then I learn that they can be like lighting God’s shart. --- ## [varicose veins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/varicose-veins/558751)
**Author:** [@clearglass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clearglass)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/varicose-veins/558751 "2024-11-13T07:15:50Z")
My varicose veins are caused by failure of a valve in the upper thigh. Although heart valves are replaced, my doctor never heard of replacement of a valve in the leg nor could he give me a reason this is not done. Is i… --- ## [What do you think this painted tile depicts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-this-painted-tile-depicts/1010043)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-this-painted-tile-depicts/1010043 "2024-11-13T06:22:54Z")
I bought this painted tile in Amsterdam about 15 years ago. (Most of the damage occurred after I bought it, but that’s not relevant.) There was a tag on it that says it dates from about 1740, along with the text “Cow ‘sp… --- ## [Trump going after NGO's he doesn't like](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-going-after-ngos-he-doesnt-like/1010168)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-going-after-ngos-he-doesnt-like/1010168 "2024-11-13T05:17:42Z")
I saw a report on MSNBC where they said Trump was going to go after certain Non-Government Organizations he dislikes, and declaring them as “terrorist organizations”. Which NGO’s is he likely to go after; NAACP, Black Li… --- ## [Bizarre, preposterous videos about the UK royals on YouTube](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-preposterous-videos-about-the-uk-royals-on-youtube/1009292)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bizarre-preposterous-videos-about-the-uk-royals-on-youtube/1009292 "2024-11-13T04:21:58Z")
(No link, because I don’t believe in linking to inane nonsense, or I’m pretty sure it’s nonsense) I don’t normally follow the Royal Family, but I occasionally catch some of these videos when my wife watches them. The … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=434) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=436)