# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=701&state=watching [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 702 --- ## [Virginia state elections 2023](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-state-elections-2023/992787)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-state-elections-2023/992787 "2023-11-08T12:58:07Z")
A thread to discuss my state’s elections. It appears that the Democrats will hold the state senate - the house of delegates is still up for grabs. This Twitter account is a good source for state legislature election cal… --- ## [Darts vs balls: Which is the better military antipersonnel weapon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darts-vs-balls-which-is-the-better-military-antipersonnel-weapon/985910)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darts-vs-balls-which-is-the-better-military-antipersonnel-weapon/985910 "2023-11-08T10:05:25Z")
In various wars militaries have used munitions designed to explode and spray shrapnel at enemy personnel. The shrapnel has usually either been metal darts or metal balls. An example of the former would be the beehive art… --- ## [Most lopsided casualty ratio between combatants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-lopsided-casualty-ratio-between-combatants/982719)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-lopsided-casualty-ratio-between-combatants/982719 "2023-11-08T08:48:37Z")
Can’t find this on the Googs, so wanted to throw it out here: what war, between industrialized opponents (so not Pizarro vs the Incas, for example) had the most lopsided ratio between combatants in terms of casualties? I… --- ## [Military vehicle where you fire the "gun" with your feet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-vehicle-where-you-fire-the-gun-with-your-feet/983135)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-vehicle-where-you-fire-the-gun-with-your-feet/983135 "2023-11-08T08:15:49Z")
I vaguely remember seeing this when I was a kid. It was either a tank, car, or aircraft, but basically you drove it like a normal vehicle with your hands, but the “pedals” were actually what activated the guns. In order… --- ## [Ohio Issue 1 re Threshold to bring a Constitutional amendment to vote(election on Aug 8) {2023 It was voted down)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-issue-1-re-threshold-to-bring-a-constitutional-amendment-to-vote-election-on-aug-8-2023-it-was-voted-down/987136)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-issue-1-re-threshold-to-bring-a-constitutional-amendment-to-vote-election-on-aug-8-2023-it-was-voted-down/987136 "2023-11-08T07:31:40Z")
Starting a spin-off from the “Ohio Republicans in your Bedroom” thread, since I think it deserves it’s own attention separate from the ad. Here’s the text of the issue as it will appear on the ballot: The proposed amen… --- ## [Omnibus Horrible Parents in the News Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-horrible-parents-in-the-news-thread/992483)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/omnibus-horrible-parents-in-the-news-thread/992483 "2023-11-08T06:45:40Z")
This thread is for news stories of the worst parents ever. Like the Party Mom of Los Gatos. A Los Gatos woman alleged to have hosted parties in which she pressured underage girls to have sex with drunken boys she help… --- ## [What would be a good gift for someone going to visit Africa? And other questions about a trip to Africa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-a-good-gift-for-someone-going-to-visit-africa-and-other-questions-about-a-trip-to-africa/992638)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-a-good-gift-for-someone-going-to-visit-africa-and-other-questions-about-a-trip-to-africa/992638 "2023-11-08T05:32:56Z")
Hi youse guys, My sister is going to Africa in February and I’d like to get some ideas for a good gift I could get for her trip. She’s an extremely picky eater and so I know she’s a bit worried about food. She mostly e… --- ## [Which Columbo episode to start with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-columbo-episode-to-start-with/991660)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-columbo-episode-to-start-with/991660 "2023-11-08T00:52:43Z")
I’m a fan of the 1970s to 1990s detective show Columbo, and I’d like to introduce my girlfriend (who’s never seen an episode) to it. Which episode would be best for a newcomer? It should be a high-quality one to whet the… --- ## [Pool cleaning chemical question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-cleaning-chemical-question/992737)
**Author:** [@thevolleyballer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thevolleyballer)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pool-cleaning-chemical-question/992737 "2023-11-07T23:30:16Z")
I know nothing about pool maintenance, but have heard of chlorine to kill microorganisms. I’m watching this movie The Boys Next Door - it’s starting off with these juvenile delinquent boys who crash a classmate’s party w… --- ## [Re joining the RCChurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-joining-the-rcchurch/992311)
**Author:** [@bentleyfox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bentleyfox)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-joining-the-rcchurch/992311 "2023-11-07T23:24:36Z")
Advice please: How would a 74-year-old woman who was a practising RC ( baptised and confirmed) return to the Church following conversion to the Anglican faith, divorce and re-marriage? The first marriage was not annulle… --- ## [A modest proposal -- buy Fox News and OANN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-buy-fox-news-and-oann/992725)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-buy-fox-news-and-oann/992725 "2023-11-07T22:44:30Z")
Given that the people who watch those two particular services are living in their own reality bubble and seem loathe to leave it I would propose that some rich billionaire – George Soros comes to mind – buys them both an… --- ## [Medicare for me soon. Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-me-soon-questions/992726)
**Author:** [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-me-soon-questions/992726 "2023-11-07T22:36:47Z")
I am in open enrollment for Medicare. I was going to enroll in an advantage plan because I need dental and optical. I shopped a little a couple of months ago and thought I had a likely plan. Last week I was looking with … --- ## [Your thoughts on the evolution of SDMB in time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-thoughts-on-the-evolution-of-sdmb-in-time/991935)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-thoughts-on-the-evolution-of-sdmb-in-time/991935 "2023-11-07T22:14:21Z")
Hi there, if you’d do a synthesis on how the SDMB has changed/evolutioned over the past 20 or 10 years … what would be your thoughts? Here are my gut-anwers: we got collectively old! - I still recall 20 or so years a… --- ## [Is the word imbeciles prohibited?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-imbeciles-prohibited/991961)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-imbeciles-prohibited/991961 "2023-11-07T22:03:29Z")
In the polls only thread, somebody used the term dribbling imbeciles. It was not directed at anyone specifically. But it got a moderator note saying it was a slur against disabled people. It seems to me that if that’s t… --- ## [Interesting school art work you saw at school](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-school-art-work-you-saw-at-school/992773)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-school-art-work-you-saw-at-school/992773 "2023-11-07T19:24:49Z")
I remember various works of student art that I saw at school and that caught my interest. Let me share some of the ones that I remember, why not leave some record of these anonymous old works that would otherwise be comp… --- ## [Will this cooking hack (no one is talking about) work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-cooking-hack-no-one-is-talking-about-work/992699)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-cooking-hack-no-one-is-talking-about-work/992699 "2023-11-07T21:15:00Z")
I have had a huge success with coating tatertots with a little oil and baking them. Deep fried goodness with a lot less oil. That’s the hack that Big Tots™ doesn’t want you to know about but not the one this thread is … --- ## [Philadelphia bridges falling down, falling down (breaking) {2023-06-11}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philadelphia-bridges-falling-down-falling-down-breaking-2023-06-11/985323)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philadelphia-bridges-falling-down-falling-down-breaking-2023-06-11/985323 "2023-11-07T21:08:23Z")
I-95 collapses in NE Philly Okay, so it was an overpass, not a bridge, & it was a tanker truck on fire underneath it that caused it to buckle & NB lanes to collapse but SB lanes are also comprised --- ## [How good or bad a movie is/was "Sixteen Candles"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-or-bad-a-movie-is-was-sixteen-candles/992665)
**Author:** [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-or-bad-a-movie-is-was-sixteen-candles/992665 "2023-11-07T20:58:19Z")
About 40 years after it was first released, I just saw “Sixteen Candles.” I was expecting something light and charming, if perhaps a little dated. Boy, was I disappointed. IMHO, by today’s standards it was pretty terrib… --- ## [Invitations, rejections, and alternatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invitations-rejections-and-alternatives/992710)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invitations-rejections-and-alternatives/992710 "2023-11-07T20:45:08Z")
Allow me to clarify my topic. You issue an invitation to a group - family or friends or coworkers or whatever - to an event or a restaurant or whatever, your treat. You are so generous and such a cool friend!! :+1: Not… --- ## ["Now and Then" - the last Beatles song being debuted {2023-11-02}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-and-then-the-last-beatles-song-being-debuted-2023-11-02/992460)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-and-then-the-last-beatles-song-being-debuted-2023-11-02/992460 "2023-11-07T20:17:29Z")
When the three surviving Beatles got together in the mid 90s, they turned two of John’s demos into new Beatles songs (“Free as a Bird” and "Real Love). There was a third song that they did some work on, but it was such a… --- ## [Bad bad bad, whatcha got there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-whatcha-got-there/992716)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-whatcha-got-there/992716 "2023-11-07T20:08:24Z")
I got a interesting birthday gift. I won’t tell you which knucklehead decided this was a good idea of a gift for me. They are close to me, apparently not close enough. I received a cute little tin. I thought maybe a sc… --- ## [Has Anyone Placed Recording Devices in "Haunted" Houses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019 "2023-11-07T19:49:28Z")
Inspired by those idiotic “Ghost HUnter” TV shows (like “TAPS”); my question: why clamber around old houses, castles, hospitals, etc., in hopes of catching a glimpse of a ghost? Why not set up a series of detectors (temp… --- ## [The Banning of Sam Stone for Socking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-sam-stone-for-socking/992767)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-banning-of-sam-stone-for-socking/992767 "2023-11-07T18:24:02Z")
Could we get some more information on this? My understanding of socking is that someone gets banned, comes back under another name and within a few weeks suspicions are raised, data checked and the person gets banned. B… --- ## [Do mixed octane fuels average out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mixed-octane-fuels-average-out/992371)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-mixed-octane-fuels-average-out/992371 "2023-11-07T17:49:24Z")
My car’s manufacturer recommends 91 octane. All the pumps around here have 87, 89 and 93. Do octane ratings average arithmetically, or is there some qualitative difference? If I mix 89 and 93 do I get gas that is rated 9… --- ## [What is the best song that begins with the letter L? Please limit to 3 submissions or less](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-l-please-limit-to-3-submissions-or-less/991881)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-l-please-limit-to-3-submissions-or-less/991881 "2023-11-07T16:13:06Z")
Exclude articles “a”, “an”, and “the”. Please include the artist. Possible poll fodder. mmm --- ## [Happy Fall Back Day!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-fall-back-day/992636)
**Author:** [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-fall-back-day/992636 "2023-11-07T15:24:18Z")
I know there are many arguments we can have about the strain of changing back and forth between Standard and Daylight Savings times and about which time we should settle in if we cut it out, but this isn’t that. This is… --- ## [Most impressively sung single line of lyrics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360 "2023-11-07T14:47:56Z")
Joni Mitchell’s final line in “Big Yellow Taxi” shoes off her chops, stretching her range from quite high to quite low. I’m pretty sure, though, the laughter (which came across to me as contrived, forced) was a separa… --- ## [What is your favourite live sport stadium or venue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-live-sport-stadium-or-venue/992644)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-live-sport-stadium-or-venue/992644 "2023-11-07T14:39:48Z")
I’ve seen rankings of “the best places to watch” whatever live sport, but it is a fact that the sports teams most prefer are usually the same ones they liked when they were under ten years old. There is something nostal… --- ## ["I stopped explaining myself ... people only understand from their level of perception": Origin of quote known?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-stopped-explaining-myself-people-only-understand-from-their-level-of-perception-origin-of-quote-known/984595)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-stopped-explaining-myself-people-only-understand-from-their-level-of-perception-origin-of-quote-known/984595 "2023-11-07T11:08:09Z")
Factual Question is essentially the title. The full quote (I think?) is as follows: “I stopped explaining myself when i realized people only understand from their level of perception.” Googling that quote makes it look… --- ## [What was the state of cellphone video camera quality in 2007?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-state-of-cellphone-video-camera-quality-in-2007/992646)
**Author:** [@thevolleyballer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thevolleyballer)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2023, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-state-of-cellphone-video-camera-quality-in-2007/992646 "2023-11-07T10:48:16Z")
I’m watching an episode from late 4th season of 2 & 1/2 Men. For those who don’t know, it was a sitcom with Charlie Sheen as a playboy Charlie in a Malibu beach house, with Jon Cryer as the brother Alan who comes to live… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=700&state=watching) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=702&state=watching)