# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=676&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 677 --- ## [What do insurance companies do if they have to track down the driver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-insurance-companies-do-if-they-have-to-track-down-the-driver/994111)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2023, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-insurance-companies-do-if-they-have-to-track-down-the-driver/994111 "2023-12-12T06:21:03Z")
Let’s say I’m the victim of a hit-and-run. The damage would be paid for by my insurance under uninsured motorist I believe. But what if I had a dashcam and was able to get a license plate? What would my insurance do b… --- ## [Middle Tennessee dopers: are you okay after the storm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-tennessee-dopers-are-you-okay-after-the-storm/994364)
**Author:** [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2023, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-tennessee-dopers-are-you-okay-after-the-storm/994364 "2023-12-12T04:47:10Z")
Several tornadoes rolled through Middle Tennessee last night. Nashville tornado: Severe storms tear through central Tennessee | AP News Luckily on the south side of I-40, we just had lightning strikes and brief power o… --- ## [What was the purpose of Lend-Lease if not to circumvent stubborn Republicans in Congress? (Ukraine)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-lend-lease-if-not-to-circumvent-stubborn-republicans-in-congress-ukraine/994444)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2023, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-purpose-of-lend-lease-if-not-to-circumvent-stubborn-republicans-in-congress-ukraine/994444 "2023-12-12T02:10:44Z")
Starting a side thread - this could be FQ or GD: I’ve been confused about Lend-Lease, but I thought the whole purpose of it was that Biden and the D’s anticipated that Republicans might get stubborn (as they are right n… --- ## [Bah, humbug!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bah-humbug/994452)
**Author:** [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2023, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bah-humbug/994452 "2023-12-12T00:35:08Z")
Continuing the discussion from The bah humbug MMP: Bah, humbug! Really, like you, just a day to stay in my jammies works for me. You’re in good company; both Nelson and his mother can’t catch worth a damn. My sister … --- ## [Managing an estate--generic legal/tax advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/managing-an-estate-generic-legal-tax-advice/994422)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/managing-an-estate-generic-legal-tax-advice/994422 "2023-12-11T23:21:40Z")
My MIL died in November. She owned a condo rental property. We plan to continue renting the property to the current tenant, and then reassess whether to sell when the tenant decides to no longer renew the least. My wife … --- ## [Helicopters getting caught by their winch cables](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopters-getting-caught-by-their-winch-cables/994445)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/helicopters-getting-caught-by-their-winch-cables/994445 "2023-12-11T22:54:02Z")
I can think of three. The first Batman movie. Don’t remember if the copter crashed or not. Cliffhanger, in which it crashes. And one of the Improbable Mission movies, I think it was Jon Voight at the controls, who was ap… --- ## [Bridge Between Sicily and Italy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-between-sicily-and-italy/994436)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridge-between-sicily-and-italy/994436 "2023-12-11T22:33:44Z")
Even by government standards, talking about building something for 2000 years is a pretty long time. So I was interested in this article discussing a bridge between Sicily and Italy. Anyone have opinions or knowledge o… --- ## [Will there ever be a time without capitalism and what would it look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-time-without-capitalism-and-what-would-it-look-like/992862)
**Author:** [@Persimmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persimmon)\ **Replies:** 310\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-time-without-capitalism-and-what-would-it-look-like/992862 "2023-12-11T22:15:00Z")
Money is great, if you have it. Those on the wrong end of the system might feel like capitalism is greed, manipulation, and unjust for various reasons. Those who have mastered the system are at the top of the heap and … --- ## [Fun little geometry problem (add yours if you want)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-little-geometry-problem-add-yours-if-you-want/994312)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-little-geometry-problem-add-yours-if-you-want/994312 "2023-12-11T21:55:34Z")
Thought this one up to ask my teenager to see how he might go about solving it: You want to buy a 1/2" diameter iron rod in the longest length you can fit in a crate you have. The inner dimensions of the crate are 12" … --- ## [What was this comedy set in an apartment building with feuding tenants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-comedy-set-in-an-apartment-building-with-feuding-tenants/994433)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-comedy-set-in-an-apartment-building-with-feuding-tenants/994433 "2023-12-11T20:48:07Z")
It’s making me nuts. I can’t remember what this movie was. I’m thinking it was about 1960s vintage, set in a big city (maybe NY). We pretty much just saw the middle aged couple in one apartment, but the husband is feudin… --- ## [When exactly were the dates of geologic time periods nailed down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-exactly-were-the-dates-of-geologic-time-periods-nailed-down/994307)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-exactly-were-the-dates-of-geologic-time-periods-nailed-down/994307 "2023-12-11T19:30:42Z")
So in the 18th and 19th century geologists started to notice similarities between rock formations across the world and link them together, resulting in the naming of our geologic eras. At this point they could sort them… --- ## [Gym Teacher's Cage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-teachers-cage/993865)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-teachers-cage/993865 "2023-12-11T19:12:32Z")
Why was it that gym teachers’ offices used to be in a cage in the locker room? By ‘used to be’ I mean that I’ve found that this was the observation of people I’ve talked to who, like myself, went to high school in buildi… --- ## [What do you stream for background sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-stream-for-background-sound/983276)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-stream-for-background-sound/983276 "2023-12-11T19:12:29Z")
You’re studying or reading or busy in your home and want some background sound from the tv, what do you pick? Ideally I look for something I have seen before so I can ignore it, but something I liked enough so it doesn’… --- ## [Joss Whedon TV shows (and a Dollhouse question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joss-whedon-tv-shows-and-a-dollhouse-question/923206)
**Author:** [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joss-whedon-tv-shows-and-a-dollhouse-question/923206 "2023-12-11T19:01:01Z")
I’ve just finished a Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (re)watch. As there have been numerous threads already on the shows which captured mostly everything, I didn’t start a new thread about that. Following that, I’ve … --- ## [Help me identify this commercial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-commercial/994351)
**Author:** [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-commercial/994351 "2023-12-11T18:42:14Z")
It was for a crock pot, or similar. It played on Saturdays, and this blonde man advertised it, made food in it, and made it sound so delicious. I swear his name was Terry. Anyone remember and can help me with it? --- ## [Why are there so few ocean liners left sailing? (I think there is only one currently)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-few-ocean-liners-left-sailing-i-think-there-is-only-one-currently/984933)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-few-ocean-liners-left-sailing-i-think-there-is-only-one-currently/984933 "2023-12-11T18:34:19Z")
My family was looking at possibly taking a cruise together. No one in my family goes on cruises so we thought this might be interesting. In researching it we looked at the Queen Mary 2 run by Cunard and I was surprised… --- ## [Static electricity is ruining my coffee!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445)
**Author:** [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/static-electricity-is-ruining-my-coffee/754445 "2023-12-11T18:16:01Z")
Well, it’s annoying me a little bit. I grind the beans in a burr grinder, which imparts an electric charge to the grounds and makes them cling to the sides of the grinder receptacle. If I try to pour them into the espre… --- ## [Your favorite personal vehicle ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-personal-vehicle-ever/993063)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-personal-vehicle-ever/993063 "2023-12-11T17:56:38Z")
What personal vehicle do you have the most fond memories of? What is it about the vehicle that makes you feel so fondly about it? Some feature or performance aspect? Would you actually want to drive it today as your ma… --- ## [Help with eyeglasses prescription (readers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-eyeglasses-prescription-readers/994301)
**Author:** [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-eyeglasses-prescription-readers/994301 "2023-12-11T17:42:31Z")
I have an Optometrist’s prescription (written) and have used it to order glasses from EyeBuyDirect. These worked perfectly for distance, but now I need readers for close up vision, and the notation is confusing. The ac… --- ## [Rogue Trader (PC, Owlcat Games)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rogue-trader-pc-owlcat-games/994259)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rogue-trader-pc-owlcat-games/994259 "2023-12-11T17:37:29Z")
Out today on Steam. Most of the early buzz I’ve seen has been good, though PC Gamer somehow scored it lower than Gollum, maybe as a way of proving that scoring systems for games are absolutely useless. Owlcat made the P… --- ## [Do you have any experience with Home Energy Management Systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-experience-with-home-energy-management-systems/994315)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-experience-with-home-energy-management-systems/994315 "2023-12-11T17:29:27Z")
\[ETA: Sorry this turned out so long.\] Background: Last spring we had our old asphalt driveway torn up and expanded with stone pavers, and had an electric snow melt system (SMS) installed under it, because the driveway i… --- ## [How big is Paul Newman? (snicker)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-is-paul-newman-snicker/303509)
**Author:** [@DuhCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DuhCow)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-is-paul-newman-snicker/303509 "2023-12-11T16:46:30Z")
on imdb it lists his height as 5’8 or something to that effect, but my dad says it’s more like 5’1. who’s right? --- ## [Pawn Stars - Something I notice every time that drives me insane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pawn-stars-something-i-notice-every-time-that-drives-me-insane/593864)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pawn-stars-something-i-notice-every-time-that-drives-me-insane/593864 "2023-12-11T16:35:57Z")
Here is what makes my serum sizzle when watching this show (and I’ll bet no one else has ever noticed it but me): The way Big Hoss shakes hands at the conclusion of the deal. He has this over-the-top (literally) I’m-so-… --- ## [One Man Band](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-man-band/994177)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-man-band/994177 "2023-12-11T15:42:24Z")
Guy with 3-neck guitar simultaneously plays all three necks. (1) U2 - With Or Without You - Luca Stricagnoli - Fingerstyle Guitar - YouTube --- ## [Can you light a cigar with a light saber?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-light-a-cigar-with-a-light-saber/937185)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-light-a-cigar-with-a-light-saber/937185 "2023-12-11T15:32:58Z")
I’m guessing no; the saber will obliterate the cigar before it can catch on fire but maybe if you got it really close without quite touching it? Somebody needs to try this on the next Mandalorian. Maybe it’s how they e… --- ## [What happened to Elon Musk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-elon-musk/994365)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-elon-musk/994365 "2023-12-11T15:30:44Z")
10 years ago, he was seen as a progressive who wasn’t entirely polished for the Media which was part of his charm, he even cultivated Obama and seemed a darling of the Liberal class. Fast forward to today, and he’s unba… --- ## [Husky argues with back-talking toy bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/husky-argues-with-back-talking-toy-bird/994400)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/husky-argues-with-back-talking-toy-bird/994400 "2023-12-11T15:12:14Z")
Enjoy! (1) Husky Has Argument With Bird That Talks Back! - YouTube --- ## [Thoughts on Transparent Wood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-transparent-wood/994377)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-transparent-wood/994377 "2023-12-11T14:44:32Z")
Seems like a cool material. Wonder if it will soon be as ubiquitous as this rah rah article makes it sound. Anyone seen or used transparent wood? --- ## [Funky Flea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funky-flea/993833)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funky-flea/993833 "2023-12-11T13:07:46Z")
Ivy, the indomitable decided we just had to go to the Dollar General in the little village I live near. She’s outta chocolate, I guess. “Hey”, sez I, “there’s that new Flea market opened up, we’ll hit that too!” Yay! I… --- ## [Have super groups fallen out of favor or am I just out of touch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-super-groups-fallen-out-of-favor-or-am-i-just-out-of-touch/994184)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2023, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-super-groups-fallen-out-of-favor-or-am-i-just-out-of-touch/994184 "2023-12-11T11:49:16Z")
In the 60’s and 70’s, it was fairly common for a band to disband and then join together with other well-known musicians to form a super group. Eric Clapton did it at least 3 times. Steve Winwood did it a couple of time… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=675&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=677&state=muted)