# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=668 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 669 --- ## [Shane McGowan of the Pogues has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shane-mcgowan-of-the-pogues-has-died/993900)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shane-mcgowan-of-the-pogues-has-died/993900 "2023-12-21T16:33:02Z")
Just seen the breaking news. He’d been in intensive care with a lingering infection and was discharged only last week. --- ## [What was the original local indigenous name for the 'old Indian camp' L'Anse Aux Meadows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-original-local-indigenous-name-for-the-old-indian-camp-lanse-aux-meadows/994878)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-original-local-indigenous-name-for-the-old-indian-camp-lanse-aux-meadows/994878 "2023-12-21T15:49:57Z")
What was the original local indigenous name for the ‘old Indian camp’ L’Anse Aux Meadows? --- ## [Just bought some Malibu Coconut flavored liqueur and Coke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-bought-some-malibu-coconut-flavored-liqueur-and-coke/994840)
**Author:** [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-bought-some-malibu-coconut-flavored-liqueur-and-coke/994840 "2023-12-21T14:50:08Z")
My wife was in the mood for Malibu and Coke tonight. She’s not often suggesting anything except sometimes a bottle of wine for Saturday dinner. From wiki: is a coconut flavored liqueur, made with Caribbean rum, and ha… --- ## [A brilliant bit of writing on CNN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brilliant-bit-of-writing-on-cnn/994880)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brilliant-bit-of-writing-on-cnn/994880 "2023-12-21T14:28:04Z")
This opinion piece on CNN about the recent scandal regarding a sex video recorded in a US Senate hearing room is a genius piece of work, both serious and loaded with comical double-entendres: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12… --- ## [FBI investigates couple for racial discrimination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-investigates-couple-for-racial-discrimination/994931)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-investigates-couple-for-racial-discrimination/994931 "2023-12-21T13:45:11Z")
Here is the article: FBI investigating after South Carolina couple accused of harassing Black neighbors - ABC News THe couple has been charged with misdemeanors from the state. I don’t understand how or why the feds wo… --- ## [Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples if they don't resemble marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-approves-blessings-for-same-sex-couples-if-they-dont-resemble-marriage/994780)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-approves-blessings-for-same-sex-couples-if-they-dont-resemble-marriage/994780 "2023-12-21T06:27:11Z")
A big change. --- ## [What Are Some Songs That Begin With The Chorus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-songs-that-begin-with-the-chorus/983643)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-songs-that-begin-with-the-chorus/983643 "2023-12-21T06:09:36Z")
Shamefully, I must admit that, at the moment, I can only think of two. Miracles by The Jefferson Airplane. I’m pretty sure this song is one of the more obscure in the TJA canon, but a classic rock expert I am not, and I… --- ## [I think you wrote unclear LSLGuy, do you really think the Chinese armed forces can defeat the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-you-wrote-unclear-lslguy-do-you-really-think-the-chinese-armed-forces-can-defeat-the-us/994373)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-you-wrote-unclear-lslguy-do-you-really-think-the-chinese-armed-forces-can-defeat-the-us/994373 "2023-12-21T03:49:35Z")
Continuing the discussion from How Large and Competent is the Philippines' Armed Forces?: So as not to hijack an FQ thread, but to ask the question. You know the US Navy is far more powerful than China’s. Hell with ju… --- ## [Obesity; Do you think this disease will ever be cured or have we already cured it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obesity-do-you-think-this-disease-will-ever-be-cured-or-have-we-already-cured-it/994744)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obesity-do-you-think-this-disease-will-ever-be-cured-or-have-we-already-cured-it/994744 "2023-12-21T03:42:14Z")
Hello youse guys, I was watching Colbert the other night and Oprah Winfrey came on. She looks amaze balls. She recently confirmed that she used medication to lose weight. I believe that Ozempic is one of the main medi… --- ## [The Definitive Rules of Flying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-rules-of-flying/994650)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definitive-rules-of-flying/994650 "2023-12-21T02:43:41Z")
This seems a pretty harsh list. But what are the real definitive rules? --- ## [What’s the controversy over Warner Brothers/Discovery + merging?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-controversy-over-warner-brothers-discovery-merging/969120)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-controversy-over-warner-brothers-discovery-merging/969120 "2023-12-21T02:30:05Z")
I know it doesn’t take much to send people on social media into a frenzy, but there’s an awful lot of people seriously doomering now. I’ve never had HBO Max and I only have Discovery + because I got a freebie from Ver… --- ## [Explain a cryptic crossword clue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-a-cryptic-crossword-clue/944568)
**Author:** [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-a-cryptic-crossword-clue/944568 "2023-12-21T02:04:07Z")
I’m not sure what forum to put this in. Mods, feel free to move it. I’ve been working on British cryptic crosswords for a while, specifically from the London Times. I find them very challenging but I can usually figure… --- ## [There's a newly erupting volcano in Iceland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-newly-erupting-volcano-in-iceland/994795)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-newly-erupting-volcano-in-iceland/994795 "2023-12-21T00:00:50Z")
It’s the one outside Grindavik, a town in the southwestern portion of the country that was evacuated recently due to an earthquake storm, which led to scientists concluding that this is coming. There are several YouTube… --- ## [Funny But Wrong Memes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-but-wrong-memes/994901)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-but-wrong-memes/994901 "2023-12-20T23:57:40Z")
Some of these made me chuckle. --- ## [What is the best automobile to have post-apocalypse? (think Mad Max or zombie apocalypse)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-automobile-to-have-post-apocalypse-think-mad-max-or-zombie-apocalypse/994162)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-automobile-to-have-post-apocalypse-think-mad-max-or-zombie-apocalypse/994162 "2023-12-20T23:50:45Z")
While it might be fun to nab a sportscar in a post apocalyptic world and zoom around I doubt it is a good choice. I am thinking an ideal car/truck would need to be fuel efficient, durable, reliable, easy to repair and a… --- ## ["Boys in the Boat" is a new movie? I thought that movie came out several years ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boys-in-the-boat-is-a-new-movie-i-thought-that-movie-came-out-several-years-ago/994759)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boys-in-the-boat-is-a-new-movie-i-thought-that-movie-came-out-several-years-ago/994759 "2023-12-20T23:12:44Z")
It’s quite a story, about an underdog American sculls team who competed in the 1936 Olympics . The book of that title was a huge best-seller; I tried to read it and didn’t find the intricate details of the boat’s constru… --- ## [What is the best song that begins with the letter F? See rules in OP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-f-see-rules-in-op/992367)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-f-see-rules-in-op/992367 "2023-12-20T21:28:15Z")
Rules: Submissions are limited to 5 per person. @Q.Q.Switcheroo gets up to 8 and @gkster gets up to 6 due to past sins on my part. Exclude articles such as “a”, “an”, “the”, etc. in the title. Exclude titles that beg… --- ## [What is the best song that begins with the letter B? See rules in OP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-b-see-rules-in-op/992931)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-b-see-rules-in-op/992931 "2023-12-20T21:16:21Z")
Rules: Submissions are limited to 5 per person. Exclude articles such as “a”, “an”, “the”, etc. that begin the title. Example: “The Hokey Pokey” belongs in the H poll, not the T poll. Exclude titles that begin with pu… --- ## [Something Positive question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-positive-question/582187)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-positive-question/582187 "2023-12-20T21:16:11Z")
A question for readers of the webcomic Something Positive. Has Milholland established a link between Bian and the rest of the cast yet? As far as I recall, she’s essentially living in a completely separate strip. I’m as… --- ## [Singapore stereotypes -- unfounded](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singapore-stereotypes-unfounded/994754)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singapore-stereotypes-unfounded/994754 "2023-12-20T20:40:48Z")
I’m in Singapore right now, in the middle of a 3-day stay. I researched quite a bit beforehand including speaking with a friend who was just here a month ago. I took all the precautions including not bringing in any pro… --- ## [Which war is more geopolitically important to the US and the West: Russia/Ukraine or Israel/Hamas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-war-is-more-geopolitically-important-to-the-us-and-the-west-russia-ukraine-or-israel-hamas/994858)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-war-is-more-geopolitically-important-to-the-us-and-the-west-russia-ukraine-or-israel-hamas/994858 "2023-12-20T20:20:59Z")
If Ukraine loses the war to Russia, would that be more negatively impactful to the US (and the West in general) than if Israel loses to Hamas/the Arab nations? I’m assuming that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine (esp. if th… --- ## [Voyaging by hamster wheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voyaging-by-hamster-wheel/989711)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voyaging-by-hamster-wheel/989711 "2023-12-20T19:41:59Z")
A headline you don’t see every day: Florida man arrested by Coast Guard for trying to cross Atlantic in human-sized hamster wheel --- ## [Is now the time for moderate Republicans to try to retake control of the party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-now-the-time-for-moderate-republicans-to-try-to-retake-control-of-the-party/969704)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 242\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-now-the-time-for-moderate-republicans-to-try-to-retake-control-of-the-party/969704 "2023-12-20T19:06:27Z")
The FBI raid on Mar-A-Lago seems to be driving a wedge in the Republican party. Some folks are screaming to defund and dismantle the FBI, while others are going “Whoa, easy there, not so fast!” Seems to me like this woul… --- ## [Flooded Basement: Asking for Safety](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flooded-basement-asking-for-safety/994793)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flooded-basement-asking-for-safety/994793 "2023-12-20T18:45:42Z")
I have no experience with a flooded basement, so I must ask - even if this may be obvious to the next guy…: Our basement flooded from this heavy rain that dumped on the east coast. We got about 1/8-in across our basement… --- ## [NFL 2023: Week 15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-15/994557)
**Author:** [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-15/994557 "2023-12-20T18:42:50Z")
The bye weeks are gone, and every team has played 13 games with 4 left to play. The playoff picture, as usual, is far from settled. Once again, all lines are taken from DraftKings. Thursday night: Chargers @ Raiders … --- ## [Non-beef meat burgers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-beef-meat-burgers/994699)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-beef-meat-burgers/994699 "2023-12-20T18:29:13Z")
A BBQ Pit thread is currently running a hijack about bison meat. I thought I’d start a thread for burgers that are made with meat (i.e., no ‘vegie burgers’ as tasty as they are, bean burgers, Impossible burgers, etc), b… --- ## [Can I Shoot the Earth with a Gun While on the Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-shoot-the-earth-with-a-gun-while-on-the-moon/994877)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-shoot-the-earth-with-a-gun-while-on-the-moon/994877 "2023-12-20T18:18:54Z")
I guess I could do the math myself but what fun would that be when I can get the great minds of this message board to do it for me. Using a gun and ammunition that is commercially available in the United States, can I h… --- ## [How to become a single malt connoisseur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-become-a-single-malt-connoisseur/979115)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-become-a-single-malt-connoisseur/979115 "2023-12-20T18:14:15Z")
At a recent holiday party, a family member offered me a glass of 12 year old Macallan single malt whisky. I told him offering it to me was casting pearls before swine as I’m no judge of whiskey, but he insisted. So I sip… --- ## [December 2023 New England power outages - who's with me!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/december-2023-new-england-power-outages-whos-with-me/994830)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/december-2023-new-england-power-outages-whos-with-me/994830 "2023-12-20T16:55:23Z")
There are more than 600,000 people in New England still without power, though that number is pretty far down from where it was. We are one of those households, though after first saying in 2011 that I was going to get a… --- ## [Christmas Nostalgia -- Escalating Nativity Scenes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-nostalgia-escalating-nativity-scenes/994879)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-nostalgia-escalating-nativity-scenes/994879 "2023-12-20T15:43:57Z")
Now that Christmas is almost upon us (and I have finished my shopping, wrapping, Christmas Card sending, and cookie baking), I have time to reflect on the long-ago Christmases of my parochial school youth. One thing I r… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=667) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=669)