# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=518 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 519 --- ## [Republican National Convention 7/15/24-7/18/24 Milwaukee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-7-15-24-7-18-24-milwaukee/1004069)
**Author:** [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2024, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-7-15-24-7-18-24-milwaukee/1004069 "2024-07-20T15:59:29Z")
I’ve been meaning to start this thread for a while now. It’s local for me and I don’t want to dump all the news about it into the Stupid Republican News thread. I’ll start things off with the first thing attendees will … --- ## [Question about a (probably) hung restore to a laptop SSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-probably-hung-restore-to-a-laptop-ssd/1004481)
**Author:** [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2024, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-probably-hung-restore-to-a-laptop-ssd/1004481 "2024-07-20T12:21:58Z")
I’m trying to do a restore to a friend’s laptop who spilled some water on it. The laptop went dead for awhile but then seemed to recover but Windows couldn’t boot properly and boot repair failed. So I’m doing a full res… --- ## [Do Quiet/Silent Characters Have An Advantage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-quiet-silent-characters-have-an-advantage/1004428)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-quiet-silent-characters-have-an-advantage/1004428 "2024-07-20T12:18:10Z")
The more mysterious an actor is, there’s more curiosity. I’ve seen non-actors play a part in a mediocre movie but come across as a good performance. There’s less probability to come across as fake to the audience, as op… --- ## [Why is there a statue of an iron in Romania?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-statue-of-an-iron-in-romania/1004468)
**Author:** [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-statue-of-an-iron-in-romania/1004468 "2024-07-20T11:33:55Z")
Featured at the beginning of this video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/E4qbQKB1SbQ?feature=share --- ## [Why does it feel like more people are "out and about" these days? Especially during the week?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-like-more-people-are-out-and-about-these-days-especially-during-the-week/1004476)
**Author:** [@sta3535](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sta3535)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-feel-like-more-people-are-out-and-about-these-days-especially-during-the-week/1004476 "2024-07-19T22:45:27Z")
Even though it depends on where we live & work, I live and work around suburban areas (the biggest city around my area isn’t that far of a drive as well) However, I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed, but there seems… --- ## [Help me fix my floors, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fix-my-floors-please/995300)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fix-my-floors-please/995300 "2024-07-19T19:35:48Z")
We just bought a 1959 house in Durango. For some baffling reason the previous owners had painted the original oak floors deep brown, and then painted over them with white to sell the house. In the 5 days we spent in the … --- ## [I pit the people giving the widow crap for NOT taking call from President Biden](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-people-giving-the-widow-crap-for-not-taking-call-from-president-biden/1004321)
**Author:** [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-people-giving-the-widow-crap-for-not-taking-call-from-president-biden/1004321 "2024-07-19T19:15:19Z")
I like to pit the people giving crap to the widow of the man who was killed during the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Apparently President Biden tried calling her to offer condolences and she refused to talk to … --- ## [Adult Issues in the Disneyverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-issues-in-the-disneyverse/1004402)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-issues-in-the-disneyverse/1004402 "2024-07-19T17:27:18Z")
In This tidbit about Sulfa Drugs: retroist on X: “Walt Disney Presents…The Sulfa Drugs. https://t.co/2ri36nwEoq” / X There is a panel regarding the treatment of gonhorrea, so in the world of Mickey, Goofy, and Donald…t… --- ## [Can e-readers generally do email?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-e-readers-generally-do-email/1004437)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-e-readers-generally-do-email/1004437 "2024-07-19T14:46:11Z")
I reading a fiction book in which one of the characters uses an e-reader to send and receive e-mails. Is this generally possible? Say for a Kindle, although the novel doesn’t specify. My e-reader, a Kobo, certainly ca… --- ## [A terrifying thought about the Supreme Court (long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-thought-about-the-supreme-court-long/1002978)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-terrifying-thought-about-the-supreme-court-long/1002978 "2024-07-19T12:30:33Z")
The terrifying part isn’t the thought itself, which was always true but purely theoretical, but rather the notion that now it’s not purely theoretical. This actually could happen (and soon), though it is (I hope) admitte… --- ## [Is there any difference between these 2 laptops?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-difference-between-these-2-laptops/1004372)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-difference-between-these-2-laptops/1004372 "2024-07-19T07:09:41Z")
So, it’s Amazon Prime day and I was thinking I might get a laptop. I had interest in this one jumper 14 inch laptop, FHD IPS Display, 256GB SSD 12GB LPDDR4 Laptop, Quad-Core Celeron J4105, USB 3.0, 2.4/5G WiFi, Bluetoot… --- ## [If there was a gap between North and South America, and Columbus managed to miss both, how much trouble would he have been in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-was-a-gap-between-north-and-south-america-and-columbus-managed-to-miss-both-how-much-trouble-would-he-have-been-in/1003915)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-was-a-gap-between-north-and-south-america-and-columbus-managed-to-miss-both-how-much-trouble-would-he-have-been-in/1003915 "2024-07-19T05:22:11Z")
Say that there was a big enough gap between the two continents that Columbus somehow missed land, and proceeded across the Pacific. Would he have made it to Asia? Or would everyone have starved? --- ## [Earlier works, thematically similar to 'Castle on a Cloud' from Les Mis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earlier-works-thematically-similar-to-castle-on-a-cloud-from-les-mis/1004374)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earlier-works-thematically-similar-to-castle-on-a-cloud-from-les-mis/1004374 "2024-07-19T03:41:50Z")
When I was a small child (early 1970s), my mum used to sing to me at times. The other day I attended a choral concert where one of the numbers was Castle on a Cloud from Les Misérables - it gave me strong déjà vu for on… --- ## [What has being "on call" meant for you? Expectations, experiences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-being-on-call-meant-for-you-expectations-experiences/1004417)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2024, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-being-on-call-meant-for-you-expectations-experiences/1004417 "2024-07-19T00:12:35Z")
I’m doing a new volunteer thing, and it involves being “on call”. The organization is brand new, so there’s no prior history about how we do this. I’m hearing a range of how immediately available we need to be, that is, … --- ## [This Years Overpriced Hallmark Ornament](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-years-overpriced-hallmark-ornament/1004333)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-years-overpriced-hallmark-ornament/1004333 "2024-07-18T23:52:47Z")
Last year it was the “Han Solo, and He’s been Frozen in Carbonite” ornament for $70. You got the immortal dialogue, and you saw Hane disappear into the hole, then come back up, carbonit-dipped. This year it’s the “Shut … --- ## [Being Taught How to Dive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-taught-how-to-dive/1004395)
**Author:** [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-taught-how-to-dive/1004395 "2024-07-18T22:38:49Z")
Do you remember ever being taught how to dive? I saw a kid getting tips from his dad or whatever down in the pool - doing that whole hands over your head, bend the knees, lean forward, let your weight take you - and I do… --- ## [What really happened at Port Chicago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-really-happened-at-port-chicago/40834)
**Author:** [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-really-happened-at-port-chicago/40834 "2024-07-18T22:13:11Z")
On the evening of July 17th, 1944 a huge explosion destroyed a US Navy munitions loading facility in Port Chicago, California killing 320 men. Some people contend it was the America’s first nuclear weapon that accidenta… --- ## [Do you think assassination attempts on supreme court judges is going to become more common in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-assassination-attempts-on-supreme-court-judges-is-going-to-become-more-common-in-the-us/1004022)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-assassination-attempts-on-supreme-court-judges-is-going-to-become-more-common-in-the-us/1004022 "2024-07-18T21:03:41Z")
Historically the US has always had a problem with people trying to assassinate the president. Obama had to beef up his security, Reagan was shot, JFK was shot, Garfield, Lincoln, McKinley, Roosevelt, etc were all either … --- ## [Law enforcement on surrounding roofs for political rallies. Did they have any right to be there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-on-surrounding-roofs-for-political-rallies-did-they-have-any-right-to-be-there/1004207)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-on-surrounding-roofs-for-political-rallies-did-they-have-any-right-to-be-there/1004207 "2024-07-18T20:34:29Z")
Did they have any right to be there? If the building is on private property, perhaps the owner did not consent for its use by law enforcement. Could be that the owner was not contactable, or that law enforcement asked… --- ## [President Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID {2024-07-17}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-has-tested-positive-for-covid-2024-07-17/1004397)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-has-tested-positive-for-covid-2024-07-17/1004397 "2024-07-18T18:37:10Z")
Story just broke in the media, including this CNN story. So far it appears to be a mild case. Let’s hope that’s all it becomes. --- ## [Career paths you considered and rejected](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/career-paths-you-considered-and-rejected/1003636)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/career-paths-you-considered-and-rejected/1003636 "2024-07-18T17:14:28Z")
If you’re one of those people who knew what you wanted to be from childhood, this thread probably isn’t for you. But if it took you a while to decided, do share what options you looked at along the way. When I was in hi… --- ## [Smart, cheap, or something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cheap-or-something-else/1004331)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-cheap-or-something-else/1004331 "2024-07-18T16:49:15Z")
What do you think of someone who has a plug-in electric car, but they refuse to plug it in at their house because they don’t want to pay for the electricity to recharge it? Instead, they put their bike in the back of th… --- ## [Bow and arrows question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-and-arrows-question/1004401)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bow-and-arrows-question/1004401 "2024-07-18T16:30:20Z")
The ancient problem was how to construct a bow that was both elastic and strong using only available natural materials. A lot of ingenuity went into bow design. But recently I saw a video for what seems like a clever sol… --- ## [Let's talk about CHEESE!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cheese/1003941)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-cheese/1003941 "2024-07-18T14:22:04Z")
Tell me about your favorite cheeses! Tell me about unusual cheeses! Tell me how you prepare and serve cheese! Some of my favorites: Camembert – I like a very funky camembert, smeared on toast or just in funky chunks … --- ## [Baby Robins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-robins/1003897)
**Author:** [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-robins/1003897 "2024-07-18T13:53:25Z")
Last year I was too invested in a mama robin and her nests/babies. I was heartbroken twice. Her first nest must have been raided by something that took her eggs. She built a new nest. I finally saw her feeding her babies… --- ## [The most disappointing dessert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-disappointing-dessert/1003971)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-disappointing-dessert/1003971 "2024-07-18T13:47:46Z")
Floating Island pudding? A lump of meringue on a thin puddle of vanilla pudding? I’d sooner you gave me an empty plate. --- ## [Let's talk air fryers please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-air-fryers-please/939152)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-air-fryers-please/939152 "2024-07-18T13:47:22Z")
I bought an air fryer a few weeks ago. I have been having lots of fun with it. It works great with frozen foods. Potatoes come out wonderfully crisp and fluffy on the inside. I have found lean meats tend to be a proble… --- ## [Help me understand Katy Perry's "Woman's World"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-katy-perrys-womans-world/1004300)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-katy-perrys-womans-world/1004300 "2024-07-18T13:43:47Z")
I just saw the video and I realize that I, a maleish type guy creature, am not owed an explanation. But I would like to understand how this video empowers women so any womansplaining would be greatly appreciated. Fro… --- ## [How bad would a Trump election be for you personally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-would-a-trump-election-be-for-you-personally/1003448)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bad-would-a-trump-election-be-for-you-personally/1003448 "2024-07-18T13:12:40Z")
Pretty down after yesterday’s debate and the recent spate of Supreme decisions. Sitting here in my blue state just keeping my fingers crossed, and not seeing a realistic option for myself other than intentionally becomi… --- ## [Did you ever run away from home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-run-away-from-home/1004326)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2024, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-ever-run-away-from-home/1004326 "2024-07-18T13:05:04Z")
I did. I was maybe four and had had it up to here with my mom being all bossy. I told her I was leaving and slammed the door on my way out. Then I was all out of ideas and sat down on the steps. After a while Mom ask… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=517) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=519)