# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=472&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 473 --- ## [Would an updated boarding ax/gun work properly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-updated-boarding-ax-gun-work-properly/1007161)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2024, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-updated-boarding-ax-gun-work-properly/1007161 "2024-09-24T06:25:35Z")
So in the midst of looking up weird weapons for a story I may or may not write, I came across information about this combination boarding ax/rifle. It’s apparently workable (though you obviously couldn’t run around with … --- ## [Picadillo!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picadillo/1007504)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2024, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picadillo/1007504 "2024-09-24T04:47:49Z")
Trader Joe’s used to carry jarred picadillo sauce. You’d brown some ground beef, add the jar of sauce, and there was dinner. Because it was so easy and tasty, they discontinued it (some years ago). I’ve had it at Cuban… --- ## [Do you enjoy "block parties"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-enjoy-block-parties/1007515)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2024, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-enjoy-block-parties/1007515 "2024-09-24T03:39:52Z")
Obviously, this will apply mostly to folk who live in neighborhoods of single-family homes, rather than apartment buildings (tho I assume there may be some analogous “building parties.”) After growing up in Chicago, as … --- ## [What is going on with my network connection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-my-network-connection/1007541)
**Author:** [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-my-network-connection/1007541 "2024-09-23T22:43:45Z")
I think I need a serious network engineer for this. I’d file an IT request but it takes them forever to escalate things. I noticed some strange network issues on my work machine. I popped open Task Manager (this is Wi… --- ## [Do you occasionally or routinely practice the habit of "first sleep" and "second sleep"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-occasionally-or-routinely-practice-the-habit-of-first-sleep-and-second-sleep/1007417)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-occasionally-or-routinely-practice-the-habit-of-first-sleep-and-second-sleep/1007417 "2024-09-23T21:35:47Z")
Apparently there is evidence that medieval and ancient peoples followed the practice of going to sleep for a couple of hours, then waking up and performing various tasks, and then going back to bed and sleeping until mor… --- ## [Shit through a canebrake query](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-through-a-canebrake-query/1007617)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shit-through-a-canebrake-query/1007617 "2024-09-23T21:29:22Z")
I vaguely remember this phrase, attributed to Barry Goldwater(?), that “\[something\] went through \[him? it?\] like shit through a canebrake” and though the phrase is colorful, I have no idea what it means. Wot is a canebr… --- ## [Will Trump Debate Harris On October 23, on CNN?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-debate-harris-on-october-23-on-cnn/1007566)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trump-debate-harris-on-october-23-on-cnn/1007566 "2024-09-23T21:19:11Z")
This article says Harris has agreed to debate Trump on CNN on October 23. However Trump has not yet agreed. Will it happen? Methinks no. But Trump is so mercurial he might not know either. There are known knowns, un… --- ## [How accurate is the war movie trope of soldiers or entire units wandering around just sort of doing their own thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-the-war-movie-trope-of-soldiers-or-entire-units-wandering-around-just-sort-of-doing-their-own-thing/1007559)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-is-the-war-movie-trope-of-soldiers-or-entire-units-wandering-around-just-sort-of-doing-their-own-thing/1007559 "2024-09-23T19:26:13Z")
There seems to be a common movie trope of soldiers or entire units who become disconnected from their chain of command, appear to have no mission or larger purpose, and often appear to be pursuing their own agenda or mis… --- ## [Tell me about disc replacement surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-disc-replacement-surgery/1003680)
**Author:** [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-disc-replacement-surgery/1003680 "2024-09-23T19:22:28Z")
I hurt my back a few months back. Actually, I thought I had hurt my leg, but I was diagnosed with a herniated (slipped) disc. I had a fiendish plan to avoid surgery, but after three months of PT with only moderate symp… --- ## [A little bit of this, a little bit of that](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-bit-of-this-a-little-bit-of-that/1007571)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-bit-of-this-a-little-bit-of-that/1007571 "2024-09-23T18:57:00Z")
Have you ever put together something from odds and ends, had it come out rather tasty, and then been frustrated because you will never be able to have it just that way again? Today I finished a project that took me a wh… --- ## [Am I required to provide my SSN to a third-party payor in this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-required-to-provide-my-ssn-to-a-third-party-payor-in-this-situation/1007557)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-required-to-provide-my-ssn-to-a-third-party-payor-in-this-situation/1007557 "2024-09-23T18:34:21Z")
I’ll try to keep this simple. I regularly teach classes for a Large Training Company, as do a dozen other people, as a contractor. Large Training Company has just informed me that they have engaged a Third-Party Payor … --- ## [Question for Jimmy Cagney fans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jimmy-cagney-fans/1007615)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-jimmy-cagney-fans/1007615 "2024-09-23T15:59:42Z")
Was Jimmy Cagney known for playing a gangster with a death wish, like at the end of White Heat when he goes up in a blaze of glory? I ask because last night’s episode of Foyle’s War a psycho hood was (an informer said) … --- ## [Recommend Some Science Fiction Novels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-science-fiction-novels/986389)
**Author:** [@cjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjackson)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-science-fiction-novels/986389 "2024-09-23T15:46:53Z")
Right now I am reading Revenge of the Sith and Heir to the Empire. I have read 2001: A Space Odyssey, Rendezvous With Rama, Fountains of Paradise, Tau Zero, Dragon’s Egg and Leviathan Wakes. I will next be reading Caliba… --- ## [How many people actually believed 51% or more that Harold Camping's May 21st 2011 Apocalypse prediction was going to come true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-actually-believed-51-or-more-that-harold-campings-may-21st-2011-apocalypse-prediction-was-going-to-come-true/1007448)
**Author:** [@GoodZuckerbergs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodZuckerbergs)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-actually-believed-51-or-more-that-harold-campings-may-21st-2011-apocalypse-prediction-was-going-to-come-true/1007448 "2024-09-23T15:13:30Z")
I know that there’s no way anyone could know an exact number (or closer than a ballpark educated guess backed up by certain numbers) of how many human beings believed with 51% or greater fervency/conviction that May 21… --- ## [How worried should Patients be about the BiPap and Cpap recall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-worried-should-patients-be-about-the-bipap-and-cpap-recall/997005)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-worried-should-patients-be-about-the-bipap-and-cpap-recall/997005 "2024-09-23T14:11:01Z")
I’m confused by where this foam is coming from? My BiPap uses a nylon mesh screen to filter. My mask has a plastic or nylon seal. I don’t see any foam I know there are serious health hazards associated with sleep apnea.… --- ## [Does Trump's Private Jet Have a Military Escort?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trumps-private-jet-have-a-military-escort/1007382)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trumps-private-jet-have-a-military-escort/1007382 "2024-09-23T09:37:09Z")
Does Trump’s private jet have a military escort of fighter aircraft as it flies around the country? --- ## [Who is the narrator in this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-narrator-in-this/1007609)
**Author:** [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-narrator-in-this/1007609 "2024-09-23T05:46:04Z")
In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozz-Hsx-QCI , which is the cold open of SNL that’s set in Politics and Prose bookstore and is it the only cold open that ends with the narrator, not an actor in the sketch, saying “Live… --- ## [Tom Brady takes a break finally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642)
**Author:** [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-brady-takes-a-break-finally/958642 "2024-09-23T02:32:05Z")
He’s retiring. --- ## [NATO vessel fired on by Russian Warship? Uncertain value to news. Confirmation/details?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nato-vessel-fired-on-by-russian-warship-uncertain-value-to-news-confirmation-details/1007608)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nato-vessel-fired-on-by-russian-warship-uncertain-value-to-news-confirmation-details/1007608 "2024-09-23T02:05:32Z")
I was watching a news accumulator/compiler channel on ROKU (Haystack News), and one of the channels ran a news bar at the bottom of the page stating that a Russian Naval vessel fired on a NATO vessel in NATO waters. I c… --- ## [Video post test thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-post-test-thread/1007501)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-post-test-thread/1007501 "2024-09-23T00:15:41Z")
Testing if I can simply post the URL of a previously posted Youtube video with no problems. --- ## [A Blackadder question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blackadder-question/1007288)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2024, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blackadder-question/1007288 "2024-09-23T00:10:51Z")
I was re-watching an episode of Blackadder Goes Forth (the World War I series) and something occurred to me; why was Captain Blackadder in the trenches? We saw that he feuded with Captain Darling, who was a staff officer… --- ## [Calphalon Cookware Questions (regarding their need for TLC)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calphalon-cookware-questions-regarding-their-need-for-tlc/1007590)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calphalon-cookware-questions-regarding-their-need-for-tlc/1007590 "2024-09-22T22:55:12Z")
In the year before Joan (my second wife) died, we bought a nice set of Calphalon cookware online. We never got an opportunity to use them (or even open the box they came in) before she died, so I brought them to Oregon w… --- ## [Why did Christianity become the dominant form of religion in some nations conquered by the west, but not others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-the-dominant-form-of-religion-in-some-nations-conquered-by-the-west-but-not-others/1006279)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-christianity-become-the-dominant-form-of-religion-in-some-nations-conquered-by-the-west-but-not-others/1006279 "2024-09-22T22:54:56Z")
My understanding of how Christianity became the world’s dominant faith is basically this. In Judea after the Romans conquered it, a lot of Jews were motivated by nationalism and religious fervor to kick the Romans out. … --- ## [Does anyone use a CO2 meter in their home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-use-a-co2-meter-in-their-home/1006951)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-use-a-co2-meter-in-their-home/1006951 "2024-09-22T22:46:46Z")
I was reading some things about CO2 (not Carbon Monoxide but Dioxide) levels in household air especially while you sleep (“Doing my own research” as it were) and was considering getting a CO2 meter. I was wondering if a… --- ## [Hot Dogs vs. Hamburgers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-dogs-vs-hamburgers/1007353)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-dogs-vs-hamburgers/1007353 "2024-09-22T22:34:24Z")
I saw this in a tweet and I am honestly not sure what I think about it and I was curious what others think: “A 10/10 burger beats a 10/10 hot dog but a 5/10 hot dog beats a 5/10 burger” Assuming they both have whatever… --- ## [Who would be at fault here, driver or pedestrian? (Pedestrian hit by vehicle)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-at-fault-here-driver-or-pedestrian-pedestrian-hit-by-vehicle/1004095)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-at-fault-here-driver-or-pedestrian-pedestrian-hit-by-vehicle/1004095 "2024-09-22T21:42:26Z")
I’m looking for factual answers so I put this here in FQ. In the video link below, vehicle 1 is driving on a 2-lane road. Other vehicles in the adjacent lane are stopped at a crosswalk. As vehicle 1 approaches the cross… --- ## [Any jigsaw puzzle fans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jigsaw-puzzle-fans/961634)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-jigsaw-puzzle-fans/961634 "2024-09-22T21:41:27Z")
We usually have one going at all times over the winter months. I just cracked open the number one rated puzzle from this site, which ranks the top 18 best 1000 piece puzzles. This is it: … --- ## [Why did Trump mismanage the covid pandemic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-trump-mismanage-the-covid-pandemic/1007528)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-trump-mismanage-the-covid-pandemic/1007528 "2024-09-22T21:25:55Z")
Continuing the discussion from What is the point of political yard signs?: \[quote=“We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves, post:1, topic:1007392, full:true”\] Hmm, I’m trying to take @What\_Exit 's advice about linking an answer, b… --- ## [But WHY is playing first base "incredibly hard"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-why-is-playing-first-base-incredibly-hard/1007034)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-why-is-playing-first-base-incredibly-hard/1007034 "2024-09-22T20:40:41Z")
It’s not that hard, Scott. Tell him, Wash. It’s incredibly hard. Hey, anything worth doing is. I assume it’s because first base is BEHIND the first baseman while he’s watching all the action going on in front of him… --- ## [Do you have trouble being a villain in a game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-trouble-being-a-villain-in-a-game/1003630)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-trouble-being-a-villain-in-a-game/1003630 "2024-09-22T20:34:32Z")
I’m perhaps too nice in games. I always try to help, avoid fighting, and don’t like to watch something play out if the answer about who’s the bad guy seems obvious or if I’d get some reward for helping one side. . (I als… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=471&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=473&state=muted)