# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=683&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 684 --- ## [UK Dopers, can you still buy gift cards with your Amazon credit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-can-you-still-buy-gift-cards-with-your-amazon-credit/993977)
**Author:** [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-can-you-still-buy-gift-cards-with-your-amazon-credit/993977 "2023-12-01T21:14:43Z")
Another forum I visit does competitions occasioally. I win more than my fair share of them, and the prize is always Amazon gift credit. For over a year I’ve been skimming off it by buying myself gift cards to Greggs, Pri… --- ## [How was usury practiced by Christians punished by the Catholic Church in medieval times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-usury-practiced-by-christians-punished-by-the-catholic-church-in-medieval-times/990479)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-was-usury-practiced-by-christians-punished-by-the-catholic-church-in-medieval-times/990479 "2023-12-01T21:02:42Z")
If a Christian in medieval times were punished for practicing usury how would they be punished? Would they be denied the sacrements ? Does Canon Law mention any punishment that could be meted out to a n offender? --- ## [Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - November 2023 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-november-2023-edition/992334)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-november-2023-edition/992334 "2023-12-01T20:54:50Z")
Autumn has hit my beloved Wasatch Front with a vengeance! Everything is yellow, orange and red; the crunch of leaves accompanies every footstep. AC units everywhere are going into storage and warm jackets, hoodies and s… --- ## [How would the U.S. Army deal with this injured soldier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-u-s-army-deal-with-this-injured-soldier/993300)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-u-s-army-deal-with-this-injured-soldier/993300 "2023-12-01T17:30:33Z")
I’m working on a bit of fiction and I’d like some information on U.S Army administrative procedures in order to flesh out a character’s back story. In short, how would the army deal with a soldier who has been badly inju… --- ## [What are your favorite songs that begin with the letter U? See rules in OP: Final Poll Added](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-u-see-rules-in-op-final-poll-added/993768)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-songs-that-begin-with-the-letter-u-see-rules-in-op-final-poll-added/993768 "2023-12-01T17:25:03Z")
Rules: If you edit your already-posted entry to make a change, I may not see it. Please do not re-post your entire list – this gets confusing - just add a new post with changes or additions only. EXAMPLE: Remove “Elea… --- ## [I pit chrisjourney's hate "comedy"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-chrisjourneys-hate-comedy/993934)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-chrisjourneys-hate-comedy/993934 "2023-12-01T17:19:11Z")
In this (now closed) thread, chrisjourney posted a video of himself doing stand-up comedy with a laugh track. As he had requested feedback, I gave him a list of pointers and wished him well. Then I saw this one, in whi… --- ## [The Boys: Mexico (Not the official title) may appear at some point](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boys-mexico-not-the-official-title-may-appear-at-some-point/993967)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boys-mexico-not-the-official-title-may-appear-at-some-point/993967 "2023-12-01T16:20:14Z")
So it looks like Erik Kripke, Diego Luna, and Gael Garcia Bernal would executive produce the series. No idea what it would be about, but hopefully it would be as good as The Boys or Gen V. The guy who wrote Blue Beetle w… --- ## [Interesting Bible verse-](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-bible-verse/993821)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-bible-verse/993821 "2023-12-01T15:42:37Z")
We all know the GOP, trump, De Santis, Abbott, etc are hypocrites, but here is some ammo to use- Exodus 22:21 KJVThou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. --- ## [What gifts are you giving this holiday season?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gifts-are-you-giving-this-holiday-season/993307)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-gifts-are-you-giving-this-holiday-season/993307 "2023-12-01T15:09:57Z")
I know it’s a bit early, but just in case you guys start early, or shop Black Friday: please tell me what kind of gifts you’re giving. Honestly, I just want to copy off you guys. I’m going to allow myself to give cas… --- ## [Facebook/Download Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-download-question/993939)
**Author:** [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-download-question/993939 "2023-12-01T13:34:17Z")
Downloading most pictures is pretty straightforward. Not so much videos. Is it possible? --- ## [More home workshop advice sought -- how to cut 18-gauge sheet steel (need answer sort of fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-home-workshop-advice-sought-how-to-cut-18-gauge-sheet-steel-need-answer-sort-of-fast/993789)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-home-workshop-advice-sought-how-to-cut-18-gauge-sheet-steel-need-answer-sort-of-fast/993789 "2023-12-01T13:23:33Z")
Short story: I want to buy a steel tool storage top cabinet with drawers (the kind that normally sits on top of a matching rolling cabinet) to go under my workbench. I have plenty of width and depth, but not much height,… --- ## [Three Palestinians shot in Burlington, Vermont](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-palestinians-shot-in-burlington-vermont/993766)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-palestinians-shot-in-burlington-vermont/993766 "2023-12-01T12:38:09Z")
Heard this on the radio this morning. It’s not known what the motivation for the crime was, but reports were that no words were exchanged, so it looks as if the three men were shot simply because they were wearing kuffiy… --- ## [Physics/optics: why does angle of incidence = angle of reflection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-optics-why-does-angle-of-incidence-angle-of-reflection/993248)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-optics-why-does-angle-of-incidence-angle-of-reflection/993248 "2023-12-01T11:33:02Z")
If you create a smooth enough surface - whether it’s the free surface of a liquid, or the polished surface of a hard solid material - you can achieve specular reflection, i.e. what most people know as a mirror. The defi… --- ## [India: A Rogue State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-a-rogue-state/993904)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-a-rogue-state/993904 "2023-12-01T06:29:45Z")
Back in the summer, the Government of Canada accused India of having orchestrated the assassination of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia. Freeze in relations between Canada and India resulted. President Biden appar… --- ## [Your top 10 John Cleese characters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-top-10-john-cleese-characters/993886 "2023-12-01T04:15:28Z")
In keeping with mysterious whisperings currently about Monty Python in threads not in this forum, I figured why not get this going. Can be from either the tv show (including Fawlty!) or movies. Arthur Equator Ken Clean… --- ## [NHL: November 2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-november-2022/992415)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-november-2022/992415 "2023-12-01T03:32:48Z")
New month and the season is in full swing. The Bruins continue to surprise, I thought they just had lightening strike last year with their incredible regular season run. Figured with the retirements that they’d regress … --- ## [Hall takes out restraining order against Oates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hall-takes-out-restraining-order-against-oates/993562)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hall-takes-out-restraining-order-against-oates/993562 "2023-12-01T02:42:26Z")
The '80s pop rocker is suing his former bandmate over a contract/debt issue, but the details remain sealed at this time. https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/22/entertainment/daryl-hall-restraining-order-john-oates/index.html I… --- ## [Video of my stand-up comedy about "transgender" (Give me your opinions)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-my-stand-up-comedy-about-transgender-give-me-your-opinions/993906)
**Author:** [@chrisjourney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisjourney)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-my-stand-up-comedy-about-transgender-give-me-your-opinions/993906 "2023-12-01T01:28:52Z")
Link removed. --- ## [Video of me doing stand-up comedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-me-doing-stand-up-comedy/993720)
**Author:** [@chrisjourney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisjourney)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-me-doing-stand-up-comedy/993720 "2023-12-01T01:25:55Z")
Click on the title: “Me doing stand-up comedy.” Let me know what you think. --- ## [Resolved: Companies should have to pay you for data breaches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-companies-should-have-to-pay-you-for-data-breaches/989872)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2023, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-companies-should-have-to-pay-you-for-data-breaches/989872 "2023-12-01T00:04:55Z")
Just got another letter from a company where someone got into their system and downloaded my personal information. Their solution for my name and SSN being on the Dark Web now? A year on credit monitoring. Just to be … --- ## [Weird and interesting family trees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-and-interesting-family-trees/993855)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-and-interesting-family-trees/993855 "2023-11-30T22:16:31Z")
We all know about family trees and the phylogenetic (evolutionary) tree showing the branching and development of species. The meaning and construction of these trees of des cent are pretty clear and straightforward. But… --- ## [Is Biodiesel Kosher and/or Halal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biodiesel-kosher-and-or-halal/993831)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biodiesel-kosher-and-or-halal/993831 "2023-11-30T21:21:04Z")
Biodiesel is a renewable resource made from trans-esterizing/de-glycerizing plant-derived shortening and animal-derived fat. This includes pork grease. Given that observant Jews and Muslims eschew the eating of pig fle… --- ## [Slicedalone has been banned for hostility toward other users and failing to debate in good faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slicedalone-has-been-banned-for-hostility-toward-other-users-and-failing-to-debate-in-good-faith/993922)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slicedalone-has-been-banned-for-hostility-toward-other-users-and-failing-to-debate-in-good-faith/993922 "2023-11-30T20:47:47Z")
After a discussion in the mod loop, we have decided to permanently revoke @slicedalone’s posting privileges, based on a continuing pattern of problematic behavior including hostility towards other users, refusing to deba… --- ## [How Is A Criminal Mind Developed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-criminal-mind-developed/208906)
**Author:** [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-criminal-mind-developed/208906 "2023-11-30T20:25:09Z")
How is it that some people become criminals, while the majority do not? When the same temptations face all of us, why do certian individuals succumb, while others keep to the narrow path of righteousness? Are criminals… --- ## [Instead of a "Last Night on Bill Maher" thread... \[basically "Is Putin Evil?"\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-a-last-night-on-bill-maher-thread-basically-is-putin-evil/993679)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instead-of-a-last-night-on-bill-maher-thread-basically-is-putin-evil/993679 "2023-11-30T20:09:43Z")
…because he was off the air, I watched his Club Random this morning, where he “interviewed” Oliver Stone. I put “interviewed” in quotes because IMO Maher is a very poor interviewer of right-wing conspiracy nutballs, whom… --- ## [The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade '23](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-23/993738)
**Author:** [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-23/993738 "2023-11-30T19:09:05Z")
Just finished watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC yesterday. I don’t know how much you all follow it, but I felt like talking about it for some reason. (I don’t have anyone to Christmas shop for, so not mu… --- ## [Realestate Apps for other countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/realestate-apps-for-other-countries/993882)
**Author:** [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/realestate-apps-for-other-countries/993882 "2023-11-30T18:01:24Z")
The US had Zillow and Redfin and realtor\[dot\]com so when you see some random house of interest, you can get an idea of how expensive it (and the market) is for that area. It’s a good passtime the wife and I have…while r… --- ## [Bands named for a member that is not the lead singer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716 "2023-11-30T16:20:06Z")
The J. Geils Band would count but The Steve Miller Band would not. I could go either way on Santana. --- ## [“You can use other people’s knowledge, but you can’t use other people’s wisdom”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-use-other-people-s-knowledge-but-you-can-t-use-other-people-s-wisdom/993775)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-use-other-people-s-knowledge-but-you-can-t-use-other-people-s-wisdom/993775 "2023-11-30T16:18:57Z")
I came across this quote, credited to Montaigne (although he used the term “men”). I think it speaks to the value of experience and self-discovery. But I’m not sure if it is true or profound. So what do you think? --- ## [Question about a spam email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-spam-email/993879)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2023, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-a-spam-email/993879 "2023-11-30T14:40:11Z")
I got a spam email (it’s certainly been going around, I’ve had dozens of these from different senders) where the header information appears to be: From: CVSPharmacy \ To: taylorcody55@… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=682&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=684&state=watching)