# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=47&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 48 --- ## [NSPM-7 (National Security Presidential Memorandum 7)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nspm-7-national-security-presidential-memorandum-7/1032172)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nspm-7-national-security-presidential-memorandum-7/1032172 "2026-08-05T23:02:34Z")
Has anyone here heard of a thing called National Security Presidential Memorandum 7? It appeared in an article in The Nation, and appears to be a draconian move against political activity by all organizations considered … --- ## [Who is responsible for this windshield crack in a rental car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-this-windshield-crack-in-a-rental-car/1011846)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-this-windshield-crack-in-a-rental-car/1011846 "2026-08-05T22:52:11Z")
Might turn into a request for legal advice but I doubt it. My son rented a car from Turo. (Turo is like Airbnb for cars.) After he returned it the owner sent him a photo of the windshield, clearly with a crack running f… --- ## [Minnesota Dopers - ever had a South American sandwich? How are they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-dopers-ever-had-a-south-american-sandwich-how-are-they/1029265)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-dopers-ever-had-a-south-american-sandwich-how-are-they/1029265 "2026-08-05T22:30:27Z")
One of my idle hobbies is to look up regional cuisines, or less-well-known recipes from various international cuisines, on Wikipedia to see if I can find anything that seems interesting that I’d like to try making. That’… --- ## [Does the Lincoln Tunnel really carry 1850 buses into NY in four hours?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-lincoln-tunnel-really-carry-1850-buses-into-ny-in-four-hours/1031863)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-lincoln-tunnel-really-carry-1850-buses-into-ny-in-four-hours/1031863 "2026-08-05T22:26:59Z")
That’s what its Wikipedia article says: 1850 buses, 70000 passengers between 6 and 10 AM, which is a bus every eight seconds. Can that be right? --- ## [MLB - "appeal" vs "challenge"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-appeal-vs-challenge/1032006)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-appeal-vs-challenge/1032006 "2026-08-05T20:09:21Z")
On a ball/strike call - the batter or the catcher (pitcher as well?) can “challenge” the call - losing the challenge costs the team a challenge. Who can “appeal” a call (usually to the 1st or 3rd base umpire)? If you ca… --- ## [Fallout 4 quest mod questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-4-quest-mod-questions/1021201)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-4-quest-mod-questions/1021201 "2026-08-05T20:01:33Z")
I’m kind of between games right now, and feeling like I want to revisit F04. It’s my favorite Fallout game (unlike many of you, I know, but it was the first Fallout game I played so maybe that’s why I like it best). But… --- ## [Monthly Photo Competition #44 – July, 2026 – “Beautiful”: Poll added](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-44-july-2026-beautiful-poll-added/1031332)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-44-july-2026-beautiful-poll-added/1031332 "2026-08-05T18:49:19Z")
This is the monthly photo competition thread for July, 2026. The topic this month is “Beautiful” chosen by @romansperson. One entry per person per month. In this thread, please post only your photo and, if you like a br… --- ## [What constitutional reforms would you like to see post-Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutional-reforms-would-you-like-to-see-post-trump/1031444 "2026-08-05T18:28:49Z")
So as to avoid fighting the hypothetical here, let’s assume a best-case scenario for the next few years. Trump dies of natural causes or is rendered incapable of functioning, maga implodes without its charismatic leader,… --- ## [Family Reunions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-reunions/1032032)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-reunions/1032032 "2026-08-05T15:27:47Z")
I have seen a thread with this same title but it was started in 2004, so I thought I would start over. Do any of your family names have regular reunions? When I was a child my mother’s side of the family had two, one f… --- ## [Favorite Miniseries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-miniseries/1031915)
**Author:** [@Gordon\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_G)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-miniseries/1031915 "2026-08-05T14:53:56Z")
Instead of rating movies or rating TV series, what about miniseries? Googling “best miniseries” produces several lists, with Band of Brothers and Chernobyl at the top, and those are my two top favorites. (Roots comple… --- ## [Help with a family quandary -- freeloading relatives/cottage might be sold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-family-quandary-freeloading-relatives-cottage-might-be-sold/1032020)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-family-quandary-freeloading-relatives-cottage-might-be-sold/1032020 "2026-08-05T14:34:53Z")
One of my relatives has been allowing a “semi-relative” (the daughter of a man she’s been living with for nearly five years) to live basically rent-free in a small cottage she owns for the past five years. It was suppos… --- ## [The (SF) Futures Left Behind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sf-futures-left-behind/708674)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sf-futures-left-behind/708674 "2026-08-05T12:22:52Z")
Since it’s 2015, which is the year that Marty McFly travels forward to in Back to the Future II, it’s gotten me to thinking about all the other SF futures that we’ve caught up with, or have already left behind. The gran… --- ## [Nicknames for drug effects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-drug-effects/1031872)
**Author:** [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-drug-effects/1031872 "2026-08-05T04:41:15Z")
If you are addicted to methamphetamine, and your teeth rot away, you have “Meth Mouth”. If you are addicted to fentanyl, and your torso is perpetually hunched over, you have “the Fentanyl Fold”. If a psychiatrist sedat… --- ## [C-130 Hercules cargo plane turns 60](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/c-130-hercules-cargo-plane-turns-60/717121 "2026-08-05T04:33:32Z")
An amazingly durable and useful plane: http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/us/c-130-hercules-military-plane-anniversary/index.html My favorite variant: Lockheed AC-130 - Wikipedia --- ## [Glowing (eye) pupils in black light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glowing-eye-pupils-in-black-light/286899)
**Author:** [@robotic\_panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robotic_panda)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glowing-eye-pupils-in-black-light/286899 "2026-08-05T04:12:58Z")
I have been wondering this for quite a while. When my eyes are exposed to a black light, a common, flourescent tube type, my pupils glow greenish blue. When my friends and I discovered this, we tried in every way to re… --- ## ["The Martian Chronicles" is either a clumsy fix-up or a brilliant satire, and I'm not sure which but maybe it's both: A very belated book report](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-martian-chronicles-is-either-a-clumsy-fix-up-or-a-brilliant-satire-and-im-not-sure-which-but-maybe-its-both-a-very-belated-book-report/1029062)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-martian-chronicles-is-either-a-clumsy-fix-up-or-a-brilliant-satire-and-im-not-sure-which-but-maybe-its-both-a-very-belated-book-report/1029062 "2026-08-05T01:17:13Z")
.When I was in 4th grade I was in an advanced class for gifted learners. These days, I’m not sure if I actually was gifted or if I was just an undiagnosed autist whose neurodivergent way of thinking and obsessing over fa… --- ## [Trump still claims he won in 2020 - wouldn't that invalidate his election in 2024?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-still-claims-he-won-in-2020-wouldnt-that-invalidate-his-election-in-2024/1032086)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-still-claims-he-won-in-2020-wouldnt-that-invalidate-his-election-in-2024/1032086 "2026-08-05T00:14:51Z")
If Trump won in 2020 (obviously he didn’t) that would mean he was elected for a third time in 2024. This would be in violation 22nd Amendment which says that no person can be elected more than twice. It seems to me tha… --- ## [Anyone ever stationed at Trumbo Naval Air Station on Key West?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-stationed-at-trumbo-naval-air-station-on-key-west/1032154)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-stationed-at-trumbo-naval-air-station-on-key-west/1032154 "2026-08-04T23:59:48Z")
If you go through the main base you can drive to Fleming Key, the home of the Special Forces Underwater Operations School. There is some interesting stuff on Fleming. Google Maps shows a bunch of ammunition magazines. Mo… --- ## [Botticelli - the letters we've used so far](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-the-letters-weve-used-so-far/619048)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/botticelli-the-letters-weve-used-so-far/619048 "2026-08-04T23:07:52Z")
I had some time on my hands and went back through all of our Botticelli threads since May 2011. To guard against repeating the same letters too soon and thus to keep the game fresher, I thought this record might be help… --- ## [Question about a writers award-Is it legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-writers-award-is-it-legit/1032124)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-writers-award-is-it-legit/1032124 "2026-08-04T22:22:47Z")
A couple of writers have contacted me about a book award supposedly using AI to pick winners. It can be found here: Book Awards for Authors That Are Actually Honest — BookyAwards, and they do charge an entry fee. They … --- ## [When did changing laptop batteries become hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-changing-laptop-batteries-become-hard/1032115)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-changing-laptop-batteries-become-hard/1032115 "2026-08-04T20:48:29Z")
I always carried a 2nd charged battery for my Dell laptop. Slide three plastic tabs and the old one popped out. Changing a laptop battery was a 2 minute job. My older Win 10, Dell Laptop was manufactured in 2017. I bou… --- ## [Supermassive Black Hole Gravity Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supermassive-black-hole-gravity-question/1031721)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supermassive-black-hole-gravity-question/1031721 "2026-08-04T19:02:29Z")
I was watching a Nova episode with the physicist Janna Levin describing the mass of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Andromeda galaxy. She mentioned that its mass is estimated at 100 million solar masses… --- ## [Today is August 4, 2026, in the city of Allendale, California](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-august-4-2026-in-the-city-of-allendale-california/1032132)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-is-august-4-2026-in-the-city-of-allendale-california/1032132 "2026-08-04T18:14:44Z")
If you haven’t read “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury, check it out. But be advised, it’s a downer. It’s also an example of how it’s not so hard to predict how technology will develop (Snow Crash is another g… --- ## [A very specific Art Direction question about Alien Earth and the rest of the Alien universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-very-specific-art-direction-question-about-alien-earth-and-the-rest-of-the-alien-universe/1032081)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-very-specific-art-direction-question-about-alien-earth-and-the-rest-of-the-alien-universe/1032081 "2026-08-04T17:54:54Z")
I’m half way through Season 1 Ep 1 of “Alien Earth”. I’m watching a tracking shot down a hallway in the ship that has crashed. I’m noticing suddenly that just about all of the hallways in the spaceships in all of the Al… --- ## [Could a warp drive escape a black hole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-warp-drive-escape-a-black-hole/1032037)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-warp-drive-escape-a-black-hole/1032037 "2026-08-04T17:43:22Z")
The picture we have of black holes is that within the event horizon there are no paths through spacetime leading out again. But of course that’s with the caveat of being restricted to the speed of light. If it really is … --- ## [Music you listen(ed) to when high?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-you-listen-ed-to-when-high/949517)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/music-you-listen-ed-to-when-high/949517 "2026-08-04T17:32:40Z")
I think I’ve made threads about getting high before, with some success on these boards… but never Cafe Society. C’mon, I know y’all are stoners, or former stoners. Anyway. What do you like to listen too when you’re hi… --- ## [Why does scratching an itch feel so good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-scratching-an-itch-feel-so-good/1031749)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-scratching-an-itch-feel-so-good/1031749 "2026-08-04T17:07:08Z")
I’m not talking about a casual brushing something off your skin, or pulling off a bit a dried skin. I mean when the urge to scratch goes on and on, to the point you are actually damaging your skin, sometimes drawing blo… --- ## [Can someone make a picture for me "celebrating" the Jets' accomplishment this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-make-a-picture-for-me-celebrating-the-jets-accomplishment-this-year/1026389)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-make-a-picture-for-me-celebrating-the-jets-accomplishment-this-year/1026389 "2026-08-04T15:12:54Z")
I would like to see a meme in which every NFL and FBS team logo are all together on one screen. The caption: “Did your defense get at least one interception this year?” Every team logo except the Jets is circled in gre… --- ## [Babylon Five full episodes coming to YouTube](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babylon-five-full-episodes-coming-to-youtube/1032126)
**Author:** [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/babylon-five-full-episodes-coming-to-youtube/1032126 "2026-08-04T13:32:11Z")
I have the boxed DVD set, but we may get updated comments from JMS Brian ETA: some eps are already there --- ## [Would you mind if someone parked in front of your house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-mind-if-someone-parked-in-front-of-your-house/1031446)
**Author:** [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-mind-if-someone-parked-in-front-of-your-house/1031446 "2026-08-04T13:23:07Z")
In the clover lawn thread @Stratocaster posted: I didn’t want to hijack that thread but that reminded me of this encounter I had the other day. I live across the street from a school, and teachers, parents, and other … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=46&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=48&state=watching)