# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=723 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 724 --- ## [Ballot stuffing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ballot-stuffing/991017)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ballot-stuffing/991017 "2023-10-09T17:49:40Z")
Remember when the 20 Mules guy and Rudy were presenting videos they claimed were evidence of ballot stuffing? Given that trump’s supporters are known for being a bit more fanatical than Joe’s, shouldn’t the question have… --- ## [Robot v Xmas tree lights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robot-v-xmas-tree-lights/986895)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robot-v-xmas-tree-lights/986895 "2023-10-09T15:30:10Z")
No, this isn’t a new Marvel adventure, this is a real question about a technical problem I am facing. I have a Stihl robot lawn mower that is connected to the internet via my home wifi so that I can manage settings etc … --- ## [National Alert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-alert/991110)
**Author:** [@allyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/allyn)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-alert/991110 "2023-10-09T12:12:52Z")
Just got my alert at 11:18 am Pacific… --- ## [(Old) Writing Letters - A Stationery MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993)
**Author:** [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Replies:** 305\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-writing-letters-a-stationery-mmp/990993 "2023-10-09T08:17:34Z")
Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 14c/57f with a predicted high of 17c/62f, and cloudy. Weather app says “Welcome to today. It’s a grey bucket of fucking suck outside. You’re fucking welcome.” I wouldn’t go that far,… --- ## [CIA conducted operations to build popular support to go against Somoza](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cia-conducted-operations-to-build-popular-support-to-go-against-somoza/991232)
**Author:** [@cannonkuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cannonkuo)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cia-conducted-operations-to-build-popular-support-to-go-against-somoza/991232 "2023-10-09T06:48:12Z")
On December 1, Reagan signed a finding that authorized the CIA to “support and conduct paramilitary operations against the Cuban presence and Cuban-Sandinista support infrastructure in Nicaragua and elsewhere in Central … --- ## [I'm About To Pre-Inherit (so to speak) A House; Tax Liability?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-about-to-pre-inherit-so-to-speak-a-house-tax-liability/991211)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-about-to-pre-inherit-so-to-speak-a-house-tax-liability/991211 "2023-10-09T02:58:29Z")
So, Mrs. H and I rent a house that belongs to a relative on her mother’s side. Mrs. H’s mother is about to come into some money and intends to buy our house and then put it in our name (collecting rent on a rental proper… --- ## [The future of the Russian Ruble/Russian economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-the-russian-ruble-russian-economy/991189)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-the-russian-ruble-russian-economy/991189 "2023-10-09T01:42:37Z")
The Russian Ruble has broken through the 100 Rubles = 1 US Dollar milestone. If it continues to decline in value at the current rate, it will be worth nothing by around the end of next year. Assuming western support con… --- ## [Alexa says the 2020 election was stolen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexa-says-the-2020-election-was-stolen/991274)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alexa-says-the-2020-election-was-stolen/991274 "2023-10-09T01:12:17Z")
This is not good. The article goes on to say that people tend to trust Alexa more than other sources like Wikipedia, because it sounds like a real person talking to them, and because they think the statements are endor… --- ## [PowerPoint keeps messing up my carefully designed (and saved) slides](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerpoint-keeps-messing-up-my-carefully-designed-and-saved-slides/991205)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powerpoint-keeps-messing-up-my-carefully-designed-and-saved-slides/991205 "2023-10-09T00:47:54Z")
HUGE SIGH. I spent a week designing a 20-slide PPT deck on my company’s history for an MBA class. Each slide is designed to resemble a 2-page magazine article, each article focused on a company milestone. After getting e… --- ## [Who wins in 2024?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wins-in-2024/974481)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 195\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wins-in-2024/974481 "2023-10-08T22:55:59Z")
Why not guess as to who wins the White House in 2024? It’s more than 2 years away, which is something like a thousand dog years, so anything could happen. I think it’s easier guessing who the two main nominees will be, b… --- ## [Rao’s, Broth, Gravy and Higher End Grocery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rao-s-broth-gravy-and-higher-end-grocery/991174)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rao-s-broth-gravy-and-higher-end-grocery/991174 "2023-10-08T22:08:41Z")
Through a mix of marketing, reputation and simple quality ingredients, Rao’s has sold hundreds of millions of dollars of pasta sauce, then Savos was bought out by Campbells for $2.7B It’s not hard to make great sauce. … --- ## [NFL 2023: WEEK FOUR leaf clover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-four-leaf-clover/990831)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-four-leaf-clover/990831 "2023-10-08T19:59:03Z")
Hey, did any of you hear that Taylor Swift was at the Chiefs game last week and is dating Travis Kelce? I had no idea. I’m sure the massive increase in his jersey sales has to do with his resumption of his Hall of Fame c… --- ## [What is the Democrats' strategy behind not supporting McCarthy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-democrats-strategy-behind-not-supporting-mccarthy/991075)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-democrats-strategy-behind-not-supporting-mccarthy/991075 "2023-10-08T19:45:46Z")
I understand the general, “I’m not going to vote for a Republican”, but I don’t follow why the Democrats would vote against McCarthy and throw things into dissarray. Do they think with McCarthy out, that they can get an… --- ## [Is Elizabeth Warren a viable presidential candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-elizabeth-warren-a-viable-presidential-candidate/991090)
**Author:** [@Loggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loggins)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-elizabeth-warren-a-viable-presidential-candidate/991090 "2023-10-08T17:57:49Z")
I did get a notice that there is a similar thread, but while trying to click on those, i got no response. So is she? --- ## [Can you convince yourself that you are you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-convince-yourself-that-you-are-you/989904)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-convince-yourself-that-you-are-you/989904 "2023-10-08T17:34:47Z")
You have acquired a device that allows you to send one short (1000 character) text message into the past. You are going to use it to send a message to yourself ten years ago. For reasons I needn’t get into, it is vitally… --- ## [Multiple levels of acting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-levels-of-acting/991171)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-levels-of-acting/991171 "2023-10-08T16:10:48Z")
In Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Orlando is in love with Rosalind. For reasons, Rosalind is forced to flee her home, disguised as a man, Ganymede. Orlando meets Ganymede but does not recognize him as Rosalind. Orlando ta… --- ## [A futuristic oxygen storage system for space suits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-futuristic-oxygen-storage-system-for-space-suits/643105)
**Author:** [@s0meguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/s0meguy)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-futuristic-oxygen-storage-system-for-space-suits/643105 "2023-10-08T15:30:21Z")
In science fiction, you often see people walking around on atmosphere-less planets and in space in spacesuits that look like armor, without the huge oxygen tanks that astronauts have to carry around today. So I’m wonderi… --- ## [Are Palestinians in Gaza a distinct ethnic group? Is pushing Palestinians out of Gaza "ethnic cleansing?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-palestinians-in-gaza-a-distinct-ethnic-group-is-pushing-palestinians-out-of-gaza-ethnic-cleansing/991255)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-palestinians-in-gaza-a-distinct-ethnic-group-is-pushing-palestinians-out-of-gaza-ethnic-cleansing/991255 "2023-10-08T14:28:43Z")
Given the current attacks in Israel by Hamas along the Gaza strip a discussion on the SDMB about it has formed. Some posters are saying if Israel clears out Gaza it amounts to ethnic cleansing. From that thread: @Wal… --- ## [Do you feel guilty about using a library?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-guilty-about-using-a-library/991144)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-feel-guilty-about-using-a-library/991144 "2023-10-08T09:00:53Z")
I was recently discussing books with some friends, and one guy said he sorta feels guilty about taking books out from the library, because he feels he should put more money in the author’s pocket by buying a copy. I hav… --- ## [Was H.L. Mencken a fascist who would have supported Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-h-l-mencken-a-fascist-who-would-have-supported-trump/991184)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-h-l-mencken-a-fascist-who-would-have-supported-trump/991184 "2023-10-08T08:59:22Z")
(Starting a new thread so as not to hijack the other.) Continuing the discussion from The Impending Attempt to Oust Speaker McCarthy {10/1/2023}; Patrick McHenry is now Speaker Pro Tempore {2023-10-03}: For the record… --- ## [Recommend some foreign movies and TV series - with caveats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-foreign-movies-and-tv-series-with-caveats/985035)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-foreign-movies-and-tv-series-with-caveats/985035 "2023-10-08T05:55:11Z")
I’m interested in watching movies and TV from other cultures, and would like some recommendations. Here’s the two guidelines. Anything goes as far as genre. Drama, comedy, mystery, horror, action, it’s all up for c… --- ## [Indiana Jones and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indiana-jones-and/989348)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indiana-jones-and/989348 "2023-10-08T04:34:03Z")
You get to pick the topic for the next Indiana Jones movie and since we have flawless CGI and a NASA budget we get to make it in any era the character makes sense. For starters, Wiki’s plot summary of Indiana Jones and … --- ## [Tolkien Fan Entmoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-fan-entmoot/437328)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 284\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolkien-fan-entmoot/437328 "2023-10-08T03:14:04Z")
I tend to notice many of the frequent posters to Tolkien threads or those with Tolkien related names. This is the short list I have: \*\*artemis athelas bbs2k Captain Carrot Cyn eleanorigby Elendil’s Heir Eonwe E… --- ## [Arcade Game ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcade-game-id/991185)
**Author:** [@WhyKickAMooCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyKickAMooCow)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcade-game-id/991185 "2023-10-08T02:25:56Z")
I’d like to find out the name of an arcade game and wondered if anyone here might be able to help. I played it in 2007 and it had been out a year or two at the time. I believe at least two differently themed games were b… --- ## [Chucky (TV series) - Anyone else watch this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chucky-tv-series-anyone-else-watch-this/991207)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chucky-tv-series-anyone-else-watch-this/991207 "2023-10-08T00:49:51Z")
I have a guilty pleasure and it is the TV show Chucky that serves as a continuation of the Child’s Play movies, probably the most fun horror-comedy series of the 1980’s and 1990’s. And 2000’s, to be honest. In a rarity,… --- ## [How "woke" are movies really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-woke-are-movies-really/965849)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2023, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-woke-are-movies-really/965849 "2023-10-07T20:53:51Z")
People on the internet have been yelling about Hollywood being too woke for what seems like forever. Some even celebrate the Top Gun sequel because of its white maleness. That got me wondering, so I looked up the top 25… --- ## [Problem Rental House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-rental-house/989794)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-rental-house/989794 "2023-10-07T20:11:51Z")
We purchased a home in 2017 and we’ve been pretty happy with everything. My neighbor’s are great, people aren’t afraid to let their kids play outside during the day, and when I go for my evening walks everyone is friend… --- ## [Bad bad bad beck misses the old days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-misses-the-old-days/991088)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-beck-misses-the-old-days/991088 "2023-10-07T18:19:37Z")
I remember my best friend, when I was 13, sleeping over. We gossiped and made fun of our runner-up best friend. I remember 1st best friend told runner-up bestie all about it. And then the little crums talked about me. A… --- ## [Advice about routing round grooves in wood, several in a row, close together (kind of long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-about-routing-round-grooves-in-wood-several-in-a-row-close-together-kind-of-long/991113)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-about-routing-round-grooves-in-wood-several-in-a-row-close-together-kind-of-long/991113 "2023-10-07T17:55:36Z")
Wood is poplar, 3/4" thick, about 12" x 23". I expect to use a plunge router and a round-nose bit to make 5/8" or 3/4" wide grooves about 18-1/2" long, cut with the grain, and about 1/4" apart. There will be 12 or 13 gro… --- ## [Recommend a crime-of-the-week type show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-crime-of-the-week-type-show/986480)
**Author:** [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-crime-of-the-week-type-show/986480 "2023-10-07T17:19:28Z")
Here’s what I’m looking for: Something kind of along the lines of Monk, Bones, CSI, Sherlock, the various Law & Orders, etc. where there’s a different crime each episode. Or even like the first few series of Shetland, w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=722) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=724)