# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=645 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 646 --- ## [Biden needs a new VP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559)
**Author:** [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-needs-a-new-vp/996559 "2024-01-23T22:31:03Z")
I’m starting a new thread because this is a serious problem, and I was banned from the thread in P&E. The VP pick is very important in this election. Why are we not talking about this weak performance on the View from VP… --- ## [1099B. Makes no sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1099b-makes-no-sense/996522)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1099b-makes-no-sense/996522 "2024-01-23T22:03:09Z")
I had 2 accounts with TD Ameritrade, a regular account and my Roth IRA and as you may know TDA accounts became Charles Schwab accounts in 2023. Under my tax forms for my regular (important) account, I have a 1099B. Lot… --- ## [Birds, smell taste, vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-smell-taste-vision/996542)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birds-smell-taste-vision/996542 "2024-01-23T21:58:30Z")
Is it possible that birds use vision in place of smell? When a fruit or a flower puts out a fragrance could the fragrance be seen in ultra violet ranges? It amazes me how some birds are able to locate food just by flying… --- ## [Trump can't get more than 50% in the Ignorantowa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-get-more-than-50-in-the-ignorantowa/996163)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-get-more-than-50-in-the-ignorantowa/996163 "2024-01-23T21:43:54Z")
Most of the talking heads are spouting off about how Trump dominated the Iowa caucuses. Right in heart of the overwhelmingly ‘white’ Christian conservative evangelical state of ignorance he could only get 50% of the vote… --- ## [Poll: Should we retire the Quarantine Zone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-we-retire-the-quarantine-zone/996173)
**Author:** [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-should-we-retire-the-quarantine-zone/996173 "2024-01-23T20:39:21Z")
We launched the Quarantine Zone at the start of the pandemic, when the coronavirus was the chief topic of discussion. Now that the crisis has ebbed, QZ gets minimal traffic and the staff is debating what to do with it. W… --- ## [Easy way to earthquake proof things sitting on a shelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-earthquake-proof-things-sitting-on-a-shelf/996520)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-earthquake-proof-things-sitting-on-a-shelf/996520 "2024-01-23T20:17:40Z")
I have a bunch of mugs/glassware I have on display on shelves around my house, the shelves are basically flat boards protruding from the wall. My mugs/glasses basically have a few inches of space before they reach the ed… --- ## [A thought about sharing pain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thought-about-sharing-pain/996414)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thought-about-sharing-pain/996414 "2024-01-23T19:20:01Z")
I’ve come to understand that when dealing with those in pain, you cannot “share” it or “feel” it. You can sympathize, you can empathize, you can love, you can help etc. but pain itself is private-You cannot understand … --- ## [Things you find pretentious](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-find-pretentious/581232)
**Author:** [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)\ **Replies:** 490\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-find-pretentious/581232 "2024-01-23T18:50:01Z")
According to some posters, speaking French is pretentious. That got me thinking. What do Dopers find pretentious? I’ll make my list: Dancers (Not people who like to boogie, people have taken a class or two and think th… --- ## [Squid Game: The Challenge - the competition show based on the TV series](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squid-game-the-challenge-the-competition-show-based-on-the-tv-series/993699)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/squid-game-the-challenge-the-competition-show-based-on-the-tv-series/993699 "2024-01-23T18:18:04Z")
Is anyone else watching this on Netflix? It’s…well, it’s OK. I’m three episodes in and I think they did not plan it well enough to be adapted to television and they do not edit the series in an interesting way. Just very… --- ## [Entertainment time sink vs. underemployment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-time-sink-vs-underemployment/996512)
**Author:** [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainment-time-sink-vs-underemployment/996512 "2024-01-23T17:58:10Z")
I’ve spent a staggering amount of time on video games, watching pro sports, movies, concerts, Wordle, etc. Lots of other folks have too. Lucky me, I have time for that crap. I’m fueling some big industries I guess. But… --- ## [Translation: English to Latin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-english-to-latin/996548)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-english-to-latin/996548 "2024-01-23T17:19:52Z")
I was Skyping a long-standing friend when he seemed to ‘convulse’. :flushed: Fortunately the accompanying sound effect 7 second Elephant Fart (youtube.com) revealed that he was just ‘releasing the tension’. :wink: Anyw… --- ## [I'm in the "foot of new snow, temps below zero F" zone. It's no fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-the-foot-of-new-snow-temps-below-zero-f-zone-its-no-fun/996103)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-the-foot-of-new-snow-temps-below-zero-f-zone-its-no-fun/996103 "2024-01-23T16:35:55Z")
This afternoon, I decided to go outside and exhume my car from its snowy blanket, and run the heat to thaw some of the ice on the windows. I was about 3/4 finished when my body screamed “STOP!” I got really dizzy, beca… --- ## [Majority rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-rights/28687)
**Author:** [@Gomez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gomez)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-rights/28687 "2024-01-23T16:01:24Z")
Before I start I wholly understand that it is important to make sure that minorities feel integrated into society, however I think that it is coming to a point now where the will of the majority is in danger of being sid… --- ## [Menu Trends, Restaurants in 2024](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menu-trends-restaurants-in-2024/996544)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menu-trends-restaurants-in-2024/996544 "2024-01-23T16:00:13Z")
I enjoyed this fun article on restaurant trends, gift linked below. But Canada takes it time to sneeze when America catches cold, so I wonder how long for these trends to diffuse northward. But are they actual trends? … --- ## [Sudden unexpected food allergy - best to try to throw up or not? (do not need answers fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-unexpected-food-allergy-best-to-try-to-throw-up-or-not-do-not-need-answers-fast/996375)
**Author:** [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudden-unexpected-food-allergy-best-to-try-to-throw-up-or-not-do-not-need-answers-fast/996375 "2024-01-23T15:52:51Z")
A few weeks ago my wife ate a fish dish on a river cruise and unexpectedly got an attack of a food allergy that she never had had before. She said she experienced the first symptoms seconds after swallowing. What follow… --- ## [How can I prove that two songs don't sound the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-prove-that-two-songs-dont-sound-the-same/996427)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-prove-that-two-songs-dont-sound-the-same/996427 "2024-01-23T14:30:29Z")
I’ve been scouring the web for sites that might have a tool I could use, but have had no luck yet. I am trying to find a way to prove that two songs are not alike. Why? Well, one friend, “Sally,” insists that “Welcome … --- ## [Assassin's spaghetti](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassins-spaghetti/979215)
**Author:** [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassins-spaghetti/979215 "2024-01-23T12:53:57Z")
So I was watching Food wishes on Youtube and he prepared something called assassin’s spaghetti which had me drooling by the time the episode finished. I thought you reprobates would appreciate a new recipe if you haven’t… --- ## [Hypothetical What If--King Kong was real](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-if-king-kong-was-real/996361)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-what-if-king-kong-was-real/996361 "2024-01-23T12:46:28Z")
Let us, for argument’s sake, assume the events in the 1933 classic film King Kong were based on real, historical events, which, obviously, would have taken place some years before the '33 docudrama. What effect would th… --- ## [Ex-PM Morrison of Australia held down 5 jobs!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pm-morrison-of-australia-held-down-5-jobs/970135)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-pm-morrison-of-australia-held-down-5-jobs/970135 "2024-01-23T10:59:29Z")
It’s just recently broken. During the pandemic, PM Morrison had the GovGen appoint him to the position of five different ministers, without telling the other holders of those offices that he was now a co-minister. Call… --- ## [LOTR Question: What if Frodo kept the One Ring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-question-what-if-frodo-kept-the-one-ring/996510)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-question-what-if-frodo-kept-the-one-ring/996510 "2024-01-23T10:39:28Z")
We know Frodo failed at the last moment to destroy the One Ring. If he had been able to keep it would he have become some ubermensch or would he be in thrall to Sauron or would he die (he seemed at the end of his rope w… --- ## [Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor, is Ninety Years Old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-baker-the-fourth-doctor-is-ninety-years-old/996388)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-baker-the-fourth-doctor-is-ninety-years-old/996388 "2024-01-23T08:36:51Z")
Happy ninetieth birthday Tom, you definite article, you. I’m truly happy to see you live this long. And to speak absolute truth, I never thought you would. For so many happy hours of my life that you gave me, I salut… --- ## [(Old) Heading to the land of penguins in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 390\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-heading-to-the-land-of-penguins-in-the-mmp/996115 "2024-01-23T06:05:32Z")
Well, this is it - the week my spousal unit and I will head to Chile to catch the ship that will take us to Antarctica. OK, not exactly to but really, really close - we’ll cruise around the peninsula. Anyway, I need to … --- ## [Old SDMB thread, riddle never answered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-sdmb-thread-riddle-never-answered/996466)
**Author:** [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-sdmb-thread-riddle-never-answered/996466 "2024-01-23T05:31:30Z")
I can’t remember what the puzzle was. Something like “14 F in a G.” Anyone remember what I’m talking about? I just saw a post on Reddit that reminded me of that puzzle: https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/s/228FLRVG3A O… --- ## [Did you jiggle the handle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-jiggle-the-handle/996416)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-jiggle-the-handle/996416 "2024-01-23T03:39:07Z")
I guess not. Some used the toilet in the house we just bought, and didn’t notice that it never stopped running. In the time between when they did this and when we took possession of the house (around a month later), tha… --- ## [Ron DeSantis 2024 (Campaign suspended on January 21, 2024)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-desantis-2024-campaign-suspended-on-january-21-2024/851592)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 599\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-desantis-2024-campaign-suspended-on-january-21-2024/851592 "2024-01-23T03:34:12Z")
Do you see Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis being elected president in 2024 if he runs? DeSantis is seen as a 2024 presidential contender. --- ## [About trump's immunity fantasy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-trumps-immunity-fantasy/996229)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-trumps-immunity-fantasy/996229 "2024-01-23T03:02:47Z")
Did anybody point out that if he could order Seal Team Six to murder someone, he wouldn’t be immune from state prosecution, as murder is not usually a Federal offense? --- ## [I have turned 31,776 times on this orb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-turned-31-776-times-on-this-orb/996515)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-turned-31-776-times-on-this-orb/996515 "2024-01-23T02:25:36Z")
The title says it all. And you don’t have to reply. Sorry --- ## [What responsibility do a people have to change their country/state rather than flee it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-do-a-people-have-to-change-their-country-state-rather-than-flee-it/995357)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-do-a-people-have-to-change-their-country-state-rather-than-flee-it/995357 "2024-01-23T02:03:24Z")
This is something I’ve been struggling with for a while now. I read about people fleeing places and complaining about the conditions where they fled to, or who move to other states because they don’t like the policies a… --- ## ["A carton of Camels by noon, or permanent penguin pâté!"| {Bloom County}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-carton-of-camels-by-noon-or-permanent-penguin-pate-bloom-county/995202)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2024, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-carton-of-camels-by-noon-or-permanent-penguin-pate-bloom-county/995202 "2024-01-23T01:10:56Z")
Just having a midnight snack of pepper pâté on water crackers. Every time I spread the pâté, that quote from Steve Dallas runs through my mind. :slight\_smile: What Bloom County lines are still buried in your memory? --- ## [The Semiquincentennial is approaching!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-semiquincentennial-is-approaching/996507)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-semiquincentennial-is-approaching/996507 "2024-01-22T23:57:46Z")
In two years the USA will celebrate 250 years of existence. I know Philadelphia is planning events for all year long. England: “250 years? We’ve got new buildings that are older then that.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=644) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=646)