# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=538 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 539 --- ## [Hail, roof damage and insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hail-roof-damage-and-insurance/505076)
**Author:** [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hail-roof-damage-and-insurance/505076 "2024-06-21T17:44:05Z")
It seems that every year two or three hail storms blow through town (Austin, TX) immediately followed by a migration of roofing companies eager to put up new roofs paid for by insurance companies. In the past 20 years or… --- ## [Is there a gadget for wringing moisture out of frozen food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-gadget-for-wringing-moisture-out-of-frozen-food/1001799)
**Author:** [@GailForce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GailForce)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-gadget-for-wringing-moisture-out-of-frozen-food/1001799 "2024-06-21T16:52:27Z")
I have been having some good luck recently making my own home-cooked cauliflower pizza. It begins with squeezing all of the moisture out of a package of defrosted cauliflower rice through cheesecloth. This does the trick… --- ## [Life and Electricity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-and-electricity/1003062)
**Author:** [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-and-electricity/1003062 "2024-06-21T15:23:27Z")
So humans and other large animals use electrical signals in our nerves to allow different parts of our bodies to communicate. But it seems like this is dependent on having nerve cells. Is electricity used other than in… --- ## [Looking for a particular party favor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-particular-party-favor/1003147)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-particular-party-favor/1003147 "2024-06-21T13:59:21Z")
Many years ago I saw a a party favor that was a ribbon ball that when unwrapped slowly, would reveal little toys/trinkets as it unraveled. Everyone would get a ball, and we took turns tossing a die and unwrapping the ba… --- ## [Another edition of "What is this Weird Thing I Found?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-edition-of-what-is-this-weird-thing-i-found/1003128)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-edition-of-what-is-this-weird-thing-i-found/1003128 "2024-06-21T13:41:56Z")
We had to remove part of our back deck for some plumbing work, and under the deck we found this thing. Covered in dirt and corrosion, I thought it was a broken bottle at first. But it’s made of metal with a symmetrical c… --- ## [Intellectual property question: rights to one's "likeness" then and now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intellectual-property-question-rights-to-ones-likeness-then-and-now/1003131)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intellectual-property-question-rights-to-ones-likeness-then-and-now/1003131 "2024-06-21T12:56:26Z")
When I read MAD Magazine as a kid, I became aware of the way they sometimes drew incidental characters in their TV/movie satires to resemble celebrities. One example: in the satire of “Hawaii Five-O” (“How-Are-Ya-Five-O”… --- ## [New and "very ornate" dinosaur discovered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-very-ornate-dinosaur-discovered/1003118)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-and-very-ornate-dinosaur-discovered/1003118 "2024-06-21T11:51:57Z")
Very snazzy looking beastie indeed --- ## [What makes nuclear weapons a reason not to intervene against Russia, but less cause for concern when intervening against China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-nuclear-weapons-a-reason-not-to-intervene-against-russia-but-less-cause-for-concern-when-intervening-against-china/1001083)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-nuclear-weapons-a-reason-not-to-intervene-against-russia-but-less-cause-for-concern-when-intervening-against-china/1001083 "2024-06-21T06:53:13Z")
In every discussion about Ukraine, the main reason given for the U.S. (or NATO) to not intervene directly militarily against Russia has been, “Putin’s got nukes. You don’t go to war against a nuclear power; it’s suicide.… --- ## [RIP Willie Mays (1931-2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-willie-mays-1931-2024/1003032)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-willie-mays-1931-2024/1003032 "2024-06-21T05:52:35Z")
Willie Mays, legendary Giants outfielder and 24-time All-Star, known as the “Say Hey Kid”, has passed away. --- ## [Medical marijuana and banned smoking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-and-banned-smoking/1003070)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-and-banned-smoking/1003070 "2024-06-21T03:52:17Z")
Don’t think this has been covered. With medical marijuana legal in 38 states, I wonder about changes with government/private campuses. Do companies still do drug testing? What about possessing illegal drugs? And, of cour… --- ## [Hurray! I have Diabetic Neuropathy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurray-i-have-diabetic-neuropathy/1003137)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurray-i-have-diabetic-neuropathy/1003137 "2024-06-21T03:00:36Z")
First, let me state that I am a diabetic, and I am under a doctor’s supervision for that. Due to some laxity in my own personal vigilance, my A1C has gone up by point two points according to my last testing in May. But… --- ## [How is using "bonkers" not editorializing in a news article?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-using-bonkers-not-editorializing-in-a-news-article/1003126)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-using-bonkers-not-editorializing-in-a-news-article/1003126 "2024-06-21T02:09:38Z")
I don’t want to place this in “politics” because I’m more expressing an opinion on the use of the term ‘bonkers’ in a headline that is supposed to be from an unbiased news agency. My opinion is that the headline should … --- ## [Seth Meyer's Pencil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seth-meyers-pencil/1003029)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seth-meyers-pencil/1003029 "2024-06-20T23:27:21Z")
I’ve recently started watching his late night show. It’s not bad. Some pretty funny stuff sometimes. He does seem to shout everything… But what is it with him and that damn pencil? Constantly moving it around the desk, … --- ## [Marge Simpson image in Egyptian coffin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marge-simpson-image-in-egyptian-coffin/1003113)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marge-simpson-image-in-egyptian-coffin/1003113 "2024-06-20T23:07:03Z")
Woman with yellow skin? Check. Tall blue hair? Check. Strapless light green dress? Check. No matching Homer coffin, however. --- ## [Survivor 46 - open spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-46-open-spoilers/998267)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 286\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-46-open-spoilers/998267 "2024-06-20T22:43:06Z")
Oh Lordy! What a first episode. There is potential there, we saw a peek of it, but the showcase of tonight was cluelessness. At least it had me cheering from couch for their collective resolve. And I’m already tired o… --- ## [Martin Shkreli's trial starts today {June 26, 2017}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-shkrelis-trial-starts-today-june-26-2017/789916)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 197\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martin-shkrelis-trial-starts-today-june-26-2017/789916 "2024-06-20T22:10:26Z")
“Pharma Bro” just won’t keep his mouth shut. I thought about resurrecting one of the zombie threads, but there were a few of them and I finally decided that we might as well have a new one just for the trial and any aft… --- ## [What is the Best Way to Teach a (Young) Child to Read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-teach-a-young-child-to-read/978113)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-teach-a-young-child-to-read/978113 "2024-06-20T21:04:30Z")
I think my kid really wants to learn to read. He is almost three years old. He knows that letters spell words (“M-A-R-S spells Mars!”) and he knows that words represent objects/concepts. Lately he has been flipping throu… --- ## [Where can I get good marzipan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-good-marzipan/1003025)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-get-good-marzipan/1003025 "2024-06-20T20:01:24Z")
I’m indulging in one of my trashy romance novels and the hero in this saga is a fan of marzipan. So, naturally, I would like to try some. But only the good stuff. Google shows lots of brands and vendors but I’d rather… --- ## [Advice Needed Regarding Minor Car Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-regarding-minor-car-accident/1002598)
**Author:** [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-regarding-minor-car-accident/1002598 "2024-06-20T19:48:30Z")
So my wife was involved in a small accident yesterday. She was driving on a major expressway where construction was being done. There was a lane shift, and she shifted lanes as she should, as did the person to the righ… --- ## [The detritus of abandoned technologies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-detritus-of-abandoned-technologies/1002929)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-detritus-of-abandoned-technologies/1002929 "2024-06-20T19:29:12Z")
I’ve made several posts of my adventures in the crawl space of my new (old) house. Today I ran a new stove feeder, and pulled many hundreds of feet of old cable- phone, TV, Ethernet, and cable out from under the house: … --- ## [Weird pickle-ish smell; Google suggests clogged air conditioner filter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-pickle-ish-smell-google-suggests-clogged-air-conditioner-filter/1003084)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-pickle-ish-smell-google-suggests-clogged-air-conditioner-filter/1003084 "2024-06-20T16:37:27Z")
Earlier this evening, when I was sitting out on my porch reading, I detected a strange pickle-esque smell, which came and went, and at first assumed somebody had cooked something rather fragrant. However, in the meantim… --- ## [Mike Rowe has nothing on me!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-rowe-has-nothing-on-me/1002853)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-rowe-has-nothing-on-me/1002853 "2024-06-20T15:50:56Z")
We just bought a house built in 1959, with a cramped crawlspace. I’ve needed to go under the house to do a bunch of electrical work, but the first thing I had to do was to try to clean up the many pounds of lint that wer… --- ## [High school Spanish textbook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-spanish-textbook/1003023)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-spanish-textbook/1003023 "2024-06-20T14:02:42Z")
I took German in high school (way back last Century). I have a copy of the textbook somewhere. It started out with dialogues, followed by explanations. The dialogues became longer as the lessons progressed. Here are … --- ## [2024 NBA Playoffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 313\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297 "2024-06-20T13:56:17Z")
The 2024 NBA Playoff bracket has been set after a wild final day of the regular season. Eastern Conference (1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) To Be Determined (2) New York Knicks vs. (7) To Be Determined (3) Milwaukee Bucks … --- ## [Can you identify this song from the '70s or '80s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086)
**Author:** [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-identify-this-song-from-the-70s-or-80s/1003086 "2024-06-20T13:53:09Z")
I have no idea what it’s called or what the true lyrics are, but the first line has always sounded like “It’s the Gambay Bolonga, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh!” to me. It has a distinct West Indies/African beat. I thought it might … --- ## [Shish kebab](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shish-kebab/1003081)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shish-kebab/1003081 "2024-06-20T13:44:53Z")
The newest shish kebab thread is from 2011. Prior to that, 2005. So new thread. We had Trader Joe’s Middle Eastern Style Kebabs for dinner tonight. That made me think of shish kebabs, which are different things altog… --- ## [One million dollars needed for retirement?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-million-dollars-needed-for-retirement/1000593)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-million-dollars-needed-for-retirement/1000593 "2024-06-20T13:25:56Z")
Perhaps I should of asked this question before retiring last month. I have noticed several websites saying that you need a million USD to retire and even then you can run out of money. For example, this page describes … --- ## [Life by You - Paradox Interactive's take on "The Sims"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-by-you-paradox-interactives-take-on-the-sims/997079)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-by-you-paradox-interactives-take-on-the-sims/997079 "2024-06-20T13:16:46Z")
Continuing discussion from It’s been delayed again. --- ## [Flying Over Antarctica](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-over-antarctica/1002457)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-over-antarctica/1002457 "2024-06-20T12:01:43Z")
I’m assuming there’s a factual answer involving the capability of passenger aircraft. Could a passenger aircraft fly between Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International Airport and Cape Town International Airport via fl… --- ## [What's your writing-to-posting ratio?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-writing-to-posting-ratio/1002559)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2024, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-writing-to-posting-ratio/1002559 "2024-06-20T11:20:43Z")
A recent thread\* (which I don’t want to discuss) about unhealthy posting behavior got me thinking about how I engage here. I probably write ten posts (or partial posts) for every one that actually gets the ol’ submit of… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=537) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=539)