# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=515&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 516 --- ## [What did communists in the West think about the fact that communist states like the Soviet Union or Cuba held people prisoners and didn’t let them leave the country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-communists-in-the-west-think-about-the-fact-that-communist-states-like-the-soviet-union-or-cuba-held-people-prisoners-and-didn-t-let-them-leave-the-country/1002280)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-communists-in-the-west-think-about-the-fact-that-communist-states-like-the-soviet-union-or-cuba-held-people-prisoners-and-didn-t-let-them-leave-the-country/1002280 "2024-07-24T22:04:56Z")
I’m curious about people in the West who were communists before the fall of the Soviet Union. It was clear that communist states like the Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea, East Germany were essentially keeping their popu… --- ## [Fuck BlackLivesMatter.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-blacklivesmatter-com/1004713)
**Author:** [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-blacklivesmatter-com/1004713 "2024-07-24T21:07:26Z")
Guess what? BLM’s “official” website has just decided they want to repeat the nonsense talking points you only see from MAGA, and claim people didn’t vote for Harris, and created discord. They demand an informal phone ca… --- ## [Amazon Vine Program. (Free products in exchange for honest reviews.) Is anyone in it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-vine-program-free-products-in-exchange-for-honest-reviews-is-anyone-in-it/1004731)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-vine-program-free-products-in-exchange-for-honest-reviews-is-anyone-in-it/1004731 "2024-07-24T20:37:05Z")
The last few times I reviews purchases on Amazon, I’ve been invited to join the Amazon Vine Program. What is Amazon Vine? Amazon Vine is an invitation-only program which selects the most insightful reviewers in the Ama… --- ## [John Steinbeck on Human Nature, Vices, and Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-steinbeck-on-human-nature-vices-and-love/1004627)
**Author:** [@NegativeZer0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NegativeZer0)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-steinbeck-on-human-nature-vices-and-love/1004627 "2024-07-24T20:30:39Z")
Re-reading East of Eden recently and an oft-quoted section stood out at me and has been pestering my brain the last few days. The quote in question: In uncertainty I am certain that underneath their topmost layers of f… --- ## [Have you been on a diet that worked for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-been-on-a-diet-that-worked-for-you/917622)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-been-on-a-diet-that-worked-for-you/917622 "2024-07-24T19:56:02Z")
Most women and more men are concerned about their weight, and diets are probably more popular than ever before. Many work in the short term. I’m curious about any successes you’ve had keeping off the pounds or eating m… --- ## [2023-24 Ski and Snowboard Thread - Moguls and Sitzmarks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-24-ski-and-snowboard-thread-moguls-and-sitzmarks/991363)
**Author:** [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2023-24-ski-and-snowboard-thread-moguls-and-sitzmarks/991363 "2024-07-24T19:03:54Z")
First snow is being reported in a bunch of places, it’s time to think snow. We bought Indy Passes again this year, and today they announced 50 new resorts but only a few are really of interest to us. We also bought a fe… --- ## [For MST3K fans: Use of short films in PBS program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-mst3k-fans-use-of-short-films-in-pbs-program/1004718)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-mst3k-fans-use-of-short-films-in-pbs-program/1004718 "2024-07-24T17:48:20Z")
Watching this documentary about stewardesses and to portray gender roles in the 1950s, they’re showing clips from “A Date With Your Family” and “The Home Economics Story” (alas without the bots or Joel or Mike). --- ## [Pharmaceutical drug rep collectibles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmaceutical-drug-rep-collectibles/1004518)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmaceutical-drug-rep-collectibles/1004518 "2024-07-24T17:19:15Z")
Hopefully some of the medical people here will have some insight on this. Apparently (I don’t know about it first hand) drug company salesmen travel from doctor’s office to doctor’s office trying to convince doctors to p… --- ## [Death comes for us all eventually. Last original member of the Four Tops passes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-comes-for-us-all-eventually-last-original-member-of-the-four-tops-passes/1004737)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-comes-for-us-all-eventually-last-original-member-of-the-four-tops-passes/1004737 "2024-07-24T17:13:10Z")
There is only one original Temptation left, Otis Williams. He is 82. --- ## [Are men who talk about their large shoe sizes in public just trying to talk about their penises?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-men-who-talk-about-their-large-shoe-sizes-in-public-just-trying-to-talk-about-their-penises/1004480 "2024-07-24T17:12:03Z")
Weird premise, but I’ve seen it enough I think it may be the case. Inspired by a dude at work who randomly brought up his “big” size 10 feet in front of a female coworker and made a big deal about how hard it is to find… --- ## [Car problem: heater core](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-heater-core/1003995)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-heater-core/1003995 "2024-07-24T16:46:45Z")
A few years ago my Jeep Wrangler heating was luke warm during the winter. I poked around under the hood, and replaced the thermostat since it was easy to do, but no joy. I just put up with shivering, but then one day th… --- ## [Finial, aglet and grommet conversation split from the Trolls R Us Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finial-aglet-and-grommet-conversation-split-from-the-trolls-r-us-thread/1004534)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finial-aglet-and-grommet-conversation-split-from-the-trolls-r-us-thread/1004534 "2024-07-24T16:35:39Z")
The other day I was blocking on the decorative piece on top of a post or flagpole. So I googled “decorative piece on top post or flagpole” and hit enter. Yes, finial is the word. It happens disturbingly often lately. Th… --- ## [Great Debates and the NY Times puzzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-debates-and-the-ny-times-puzzle/1004527)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-debates-and-the-ny-times-puzzle/1004527 "2024-07-24T16:23:54Z")
I know others here do the NY Times puzzle. I just want to say that participating in GD for all these years made today’s puzzle a piece of cake. I’m just filling in the long clues. --- ## [Explain why people keep diaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-why-people-keep-diaries/1004618)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-why-people-keep-diaries/1004618 "2024-07-24T16:04:09Z")
I was reading a work of history and it mentioned a 18th century man who keep a voluminous diary, which was one source of material for the work. Which made me wonder why he did so. I’ll admit I have never had any urge to… --- ## [Rotator Cuff Injury](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotator-cuff-injury/1004686)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotator-cuff-injury/1004686 "2024-07-24T14:49:45Z")
This past February I slipped on a patch of ice and fell, my left hand side took the brunt of the fall. I never bruised (probably because I was wearing a heavy winter jacket and snow pants). My shoulder was a bit sore as … --- ## [What would happen if gravity was lessened by 10%](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-gravity-was-lessened-by-10/1004575)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-gravity-was-lessened-by-10/1004575 "2024-07-24T13:31:58Z")
Stolen (with permission) from @Moriarty. What would be the effects if gravity on Earth was lessened by 10%…besides having to rewrite basketball rules and regs, of course? --- ## [RF information density in an urban environment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rf-information-density-in-an-urban-environment/1004526)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rf-information-density-in-an-urban-environment/1004526 "2024-07-24T12:59:29Z")
Just an idle thought: it occurred to me that anywhere in a modern city there are probably several WiFi networks within range. Several cell phone (mobile, for UK readers) networks. Then you could pick up quite a few AM … --- ## [Use of quotation marks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-quotation-marks/1004129)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-quotation-marks/1004129 "2024-07-24T12:27:03Z")
I got into a kerfuffle with another poster, @colinfred. Theyposted a comment puporting to quote me. They used my screen name, and put quotation marks around what I had supposedly said. We got modded which was fair. It wa… --- ## [Question about a possible business expense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-possible-business-expense/1004730)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-possible-business-expense/1004730 "2024-07-24T12:05:07Z")
If you buy nylons for the sole purpose of masking your face during robberies, can you deduct them as a business expense? --- ## [Eve writes Hollywood obituaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eve-writes-hollywood-obituaries/1004351)
**Author:** [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eve-writes-hollywood-obituaries/1004351 "2024-07-24T11:10:24Z")
No, she’s not dead. I’m not good enough for clever thread titles. Beloved former Doper and gossip columnist to the Silent Screen has a website with just breaking obits from Hollywood. www.evesobits.com. The blurb fro… --- ## [Monopoly...Reading Railroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monopoly-reading-railroad/1003238)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monopoly-reading-railroad/1003238 "2024-07-24T05:01:38Z")
Is it pronounced “Redding” or “Reeding”? Need answer fast …! --- ## [Thoughts on an old ThelmaLou thread from August 2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-an-old-thelmalou-thread-from-august-2017/1004668)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-an-old-thelmalou-thread-from-august-2017/1004668 "2024-07-24T03:09:11Z")
The current situation with Kamala Harris as the potential adversary to Trump made me think of ThelmaLou’s thread after Trump’s election. Though I really, really hope that Harris wins this, I honestly don’t know how re… --- ## [Are We Moving Past Experience As a Criteria in Our Elections? (2024 and future elections)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-moving-past-experience-as-a-criteria-in-our-elections-2024-and-future-elections/1004704)
**Author:** [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-moving-past-experience-as-a-criteria-in-our-elections-2024-and-future-elections/1004704 "2024-07-24T02:51:49Z")
Inspired by our many current discussions on Harris’ qualifications for 2024, and the qualifications of any VP picks, I want to actually dig down on the subject in the title. First, the orange elephant in the room: Trum… --- ## [Yellowstone geyser goes kablooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowstone-geyser-goes-kablooey/1004711)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowstone-geyser-goes-kablooey/1004711 "2024-07-24T02:07:52Z")
A largeish, unfaithful event. Nobody boiled. --- ## [High schools and gun clubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-and-gun-clubs/1004327)
**Author:** [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-schools-and-gun-clubs/1004327 "2024-07-24T01:49:26Z")
Is it common for high schools (or junior high schools) to have gun clubs/ rifle clubs? Are they generally “officially sanctioned” by the school districts? I never heard of such a thing at the suburban public school I at… --- ## [TV diagonal measurement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-diagonal-measurement/1004406)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-diagonal-measurement/1004406 "2024-07-24T01:30:09Z")
I’m sure we’ve all seen memes where people complain their televisions are smaller than advertised, because they measure the width instead of the diagonal length. Big laughs at people who don’t know that TV screens are m… --- ## [Relativity: Even if an hour on Planet X is ten years on Planet Earth, don't events happen equally fast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-even-if-an-hour-on-planet-x-is-ten-years-on-planet-earth-dont-events-happen-equally-fast/1004700)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2024, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relativity-even-if-an-hour-on-planet-x-is-ten-years-on-planet-earth-dont-events-happen-equally-fast/1004700 "2024-07-24T01:02:27Z")
Re: movies like Interstellar Suppose that on Planet X, one hour there is equivalent to 10 years on Planet Earth. But certain events, as a matter of practicality, must still be the equivalent in Earth-time, right? It’s … --- ## [If Hillary ran against Trump again, you'd stay home? Please explain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-ran-against-trump-again-youd-stay-home-please-explain/1002335)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 315\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2024, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-ran-against-trump-again-youd-stay-home-please-explain/1002335 "2024-07-23T23:18:20Z")
Continuing the discussion from Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here (Guilty on all 34 counts, May 30, 2024): In the “Manhattan prosecutors” thread, this … --- ## [Curious mod action by What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curious-mod-action-by-what-exit/1004615)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curious-mod-action-by-what-exit/1004615 "2024-07-23T19:56:00Z")
… in this thread: Kamala Harris and the runup to the 2024 Presidential Election In post ~18, my post that mentions Obama’s (so far) failure to endorse Harris is deemed “basically off-topic”, as this is “a thread assumin… --- ## [Last Example of Hollywood Star Power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-example-of-hollywood-star-power/1004479)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-example-of-hollywood-star-power/1004479 "2024-07-23T21:02:58Z")
I saw an interesting question asked on Twitter: What was the last American movie that was a hit purely (or mostly purely) because people wanted to see the person who was starring in it. Not an IP or effects laden extrava… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=514&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=516&state=tracking)