# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=727&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 728 --- ## [A factual question about Trump's potential "Advice of counsel" defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-factual-question-about-trumps-potential-advice-of-counsel-defense/988043)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-factual-question-about-trumps-potential-advice-of-counsel-defense/988043 "2023-10-02T22:51:59Z")
There is much speculation that former President Trump will use the “Advice of counsel” defense in his upcoming January 6th trial. AIUI, this defense is basically that “I believed that my actions were legal based upon th… --- ## [Explosions in space, ala Stargate special effects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-in-space-ala-stargate-special-effects/990935)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosions-in-space-ala-stargate-special-effects/990935 "2023-10-02T21:49:48Z")
In the film and the television series, exploding a nuclear device in the bad guy space ship creates a sphere of energy. I’m good with that, in a weightless vacuum I would expect energy to move in all directions. However… --- ## [Using the 14th Amendment to bar Trump from office - how does that work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-14th-amendment-to-bar-trump-from-office-how-does-that-work/975084)
**Author:** [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-the-14th-amendment-to-bar-trump-from-office-how-does-that-work/975084 "2023-10-02T21:34:41Z")
I’ve heard speculation that folks may try to bar Trump from holding elected office under the 14th Amendment due to his having participated in the attempt to overthrow the government on Jan 6. So how does that work exactl… --- ## [What Humbles You?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-humbles-you/990511)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-humbles-you/990511 "2023-10-02T21:29:12Z")
I read a book written by a dying woman, and I’m humbled that she’s writing books while dying (when I finished this one, I saw an advert for yet another book she wrote after it.) Meanwhile I’m like, “my life is too crazy … --- ## [Lethal injection and choking on blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lethal-injection-and-choking-on-blood/990998)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lethal-injection-and-choking-on-blood/990998 "2023-10-02T21:25:34Z")
I recently came across this editorial piece: It includes the following sentence, which really caught my attention: My own research has shown that death by lethal injection involves choking on your own blood about 80… --- ## [How Is Wifi Distributed Over A Large Area (like a theme park or college campus)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-wifi-distributed-over-a-large-area-like-a-theme-park-or-college-campus/990961)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-wifi-distributed-over-a-large-area-like-a-theme-park-or-college-campus/990961 "2023-10-02T21:16:14Z")
What’s the process that distributes wifi over a large area where there will be users both indoors and outdoors? Like a college campus, or a theme park? Do these facilities use off-the-shelf routers (just a bunch of them?… --- ## [What are you buying on Amazon, and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-buying-on-amazon-and-why/990799)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-buying-on-amazon-and-why/990799 "2023-10-02T20:59:54Z")
From reading the thread on Amazon starting to charge a separate price for streaming, I noticed a lot of people saying how they’re constantly ordering things from Amazon, and so the free shipping from them is worth it. N… --- ## [Identify well-known on hold song maybe from TV show](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-well-known-on-hold-song-maybe-from-tv-show/990971)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-well-known-on-hold-song-maybe-from-tv-show/990971 "2023-10-02T20:55:56Z")
I keep coming across this well-known song when I’m waiting on hold on the phone. I think it may have been used as the theme song on a '90s TV show, but I can’t remember which one. Which is it then? --- ## [One day in Reykjavík - what to see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-day-in-reykjavik-what-to-see/988270)
**Author:** [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-day-in-reykjavik-what-to-see/988270 "2023-10-02T19:46:38Z")
Long story short, I’m going to be in Germany for a couple of weeks in September. As I refuse to fly Air Canada and Transat doesn’t go directly to any airports in Germany, I booked with Icelandair. I have less than an hou… --- ## [Diet Coke is worse than vaccines! It really causes autism!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diet-coke-is-worse-than-vaccines-it-really-causes-autism/990792)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diet-coke-is-worse-than-vaccines-it-really-causes-autism/990792 "2023-10-02T18:21:37Z")
Well, the causation I claim may be just correlation, and only for males and not for females (but males are more affected by autism than females, so it fits, does it not?). Anyway, that is the article: What are your tho… --- ## [Can a "Bouncing Betty " be defused?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-bouncing-betty-be-defused/990669)
**Author:** [@Chickenwrangler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenwrangler)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-bouncing-betty-be-defused/990669 "2023-10-02T17:35:05Z")
“Bouncing betty” is the nickname given to a mine that when stepped on bounce up and detonate at about 3ft causing serious injury to anyone within range. Not very nice I’ve seen a couple of movies where some one has step… --- ## [Do you make mundane photos with your phones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-make-mundane-photos-with-your-phones/990892)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-make-mundane-photos-with-your-phones/990892 "2023-10-02T16:48:42Z")
Inspired by this thread: do you use the camara function of your cel.phone for mundane purposes, like: making a photo of a product/price in a retail store, making a photo of the parking space (in those huge parking de… --- ## [Messages from the 'Dope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-from-the-dope/990974)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-from-the-dope/990974 "2023-10-02T16:46:45Z")
What is the deal with getting notifications from the Straight Dope before I log onto my PC? --- ## [Curt Schilling is still an asshole](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curt-schilling-is-still-an-asshole/990836)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curt-schilling-is-still-an-asshole/990836 "2023-10-02T16:44:30Z")
Curt Schilling revealed, without their permission, that Tim Wakefield and Wakefield’s wife both suffer from cancer. Schilling revealed that Wakefield has brain cancer, and his wife has pancreatic cancer. Both wished to k… --- ## [Are there widescreen computer monitors that would allow me to "split" the screen between two different sources at once?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-widescreen-computer-monitors-that-would-allow-me-to-split-the-screen-between-two-different-sources-at-once/990968)
**Author:** [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-widescreen-computer-monitors-that-would-allow-me-to-split-the-screen-between-two-different-sources-at-once/990968 "2023-10-02T16:26:59Z")
On my desk, I have: My work-issued laptop My personal Mac Mini, which is my main desktop computer Monitor 1, which has only the Mac Mini connected to it Monitor 2 which has both the Mac Mini and the work laptop connect… --- ## [British Airways Pilot Fired For Snorting A Line Of Cocaine Off Of A Topless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-airways-pilot-fired-for-snorting-a-line-of-cocaine-off-of-a-topless/990863)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-airways-pilot-fired-for-snorting-a-line-of-cocaine-off-of-a-topless/990863 "2023-10-02T15:12:31Z")
Related to a time honored sentiment on the SDMB of “snorting blow off a hooker’s ass.” Perhaps the pilot was a reader/commenter here? --- ## [I need advice on selling cookbooks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-on-selling-cookbooks/990317)
**Author:** [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-on-selling-cookbooks/990317 "2023-10-02T13:50:02Z")
My Mother passed at the beginning of this month, I am trying to pack up everything in her apartment. My mom loved to cook as does my brother. Brother has already been here and took what he wanted. I have 30 to 40 pretty … --- ## [Buncha slackers in the MMP! {OLD}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buncha-slackers-in-the-mmp-old/990668)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 363\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buncha-slackers-in-the-mmp-old/990668 "2023-10-02T12:52:06Z")
It’s almost 6:30 a.m. in the Mitten State - some of y’all have usually already started balconatin’ and caffeinatin’ and are halfway through your third load of laundry AND the dishes are done. … and yet, nobody started u… --- ## [Balancing a checkbook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/balancing-a-checkbook/990696)
**Author:** [@ric62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ric62)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/balancing-a-checkbook/990696 "2023-10-02T11:04:08Z")
Do you still sit down and balance your checkbook or do you check you balance and trust that it is correct? I still do a month balance but it is a pain with all the small debit purchases and also that I don’t always ask, … --- ## [County Highway newspaper: Never online, old fashioned broadsheet paper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/county-highway-newspaper-never-online-old-fashioned-broadsheet-paper/990955)
**Author:** [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/county-highway-newspaper-never-online-old-fashioned-broadsheet-paper/990955 "2023-10-02T09:38:39Z")
County Highway, a print-only newspaper Just saw this snippet, I’m intrigued! Has anyone seen it? I miss old style newspapers. --- ## [What do internet services care more about, speed of conect time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-internet-services-care-more-about-speed-of-conect-time/988867)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-internet-services-care-more-about-speed-of-conect-time/988867 "2023-10-02T04:58:09Z")
Say that you need to download a file that is 1 GB. Does the source prefer to send it to you with the most bandwidth you can handle, minimizing connection time, or preserving bandwidth at the cost of a longer connection? … --- ## [Is there any advantage (or disadvantage) to having secondary, private health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-advantage-or-disadvantage-to-having-secondary-private-health-insurance/962796)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-advantage-or-disadvantage-to-having-secondary-private-health-insurance/962796 "2023-10-02T03:52:39Z")
So our situation is this: we have a young daughter with serious long term health issues that require a lot of ongoing treatment from various different specialists. I have healthcare through my job, for a big multination… --- ## [Can someone go blind from "shell shock"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-go-blind-from-shell-shock/987404)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-go-blind-from-shell-shock/987404 "2023-10-02T03:30:57Z")
I’ve been reading about a WWI veteran from Saskatchewan who went blind due to injuries in a battle. The cause of the blindness is reported in one contemporary account as “shell shock”. I’ve seen one picture of him, I t… --- ## [Why is the Swahili language considered "potentially vulnerable" by "UNESCO" Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger? Doesn't make sense to me since it's a major language of Africa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-swahili-language-considered-potentially-vulnerable-by-unesco-atlas-of-the-worlds-languages-in-danger-doesnt-make-sense-to-me-since-its-a-major-language-of-africa/990972)
**Author:** [@Jagraze1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jagraze1)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-swahili-language-considered-potentially-vulnerable-by-unesco-atlas-of-the-worlds-languages-in-danger-doesnt-make-sense-to-me-since-its-a-major-language-of-africa/990972 "2023-10-02T03:10:50Z")
Link: https://en.wal.unesco.org/languages/swahili --- ## [Do you send emails to yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-send-emails-to-yourself/990829)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-send-emails-to-yourself/990829 "2023-10-02T01:56:59Z")
Or text messages to yourself? To remind yourself to do something? I suspect I’m not the only one. --- ## [Do Irish prefixed words like t-Anam (t-prosthesized form of Anam, meaning soul), count as Irish grammatical word forms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-irish-prefixed-words-like-t-anam-t-prosthesized-form-of-anam-meaning-soul-count-as-irish-grammatical-word-forms/990288)
**Author:** [@Jagraze1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jagraze1)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-irish-prefixed-words-like-t-anam-t-prosthesized-form-of-anam-meaning-soul-count-as-irish-grammatical-word-forms/990288 "2023-10-02T01:00:43Z")
So there are times in Irish when the t- prefix Gets added to words that are masculine starting with vowels in Irish like t-Anam? Do these could as grammatical forms or words? --- ## [Why doesn't someone sell a TV remote control that skips commercials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-someone-sell-a-tv-remote-control-that-skips-commercials/990692)
**Author:** [@Caribbean\_cruiser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caribbean_cruiser)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-someone-sell-a-tv-remote-control-that-skips-commercials/990692 "2023-10-02T00:43:35Z")
Before Comcast “upgraded” my TV remote control, I could skip 30 seconds ahead or back, meaning I could leap 5 minutes of commercials in a single bound, with just a few quick clicks. In fact, i programmed another button t… --- ## [Gimmick Books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gimmick-books/974167)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gimmick-books/974167 "2023-10-02T00:30:58Z")
Book publishers are constantly bedeviled by the need to make their books stand out from the piles of others issued every year. Every once in a while they’ll come up with ways to make them distinctive that I call gimmick … --- ## ["Please disable your ad blocker" Okay, HOW?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-disable-your-ad-blocker-okay-how/990966)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2023, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-disable-your-ad-blocker-okay-how/990966 "2023-10-01T22:15:09Z")
Sites that give me this message tell me to go the icon on my top right menu bar and click on the ad blocker icon; except I don’t have one. In the spot where an ad blocker icon should be I have “Avira Browser Safety”. Thi… --- ## [What is your threshold tolerance for unusual or oft repeated words in books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-threshold-tolerance-for-unusual-or-oft-repeated-words-in-books/983327)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-threshold-tolerance-for-unusual-or-oft-repeated-words-in-books/983327 "2023-10-01T21:52:01Z")
I was listening to a writing podcast yesterday and the host was cautioning against using phrases or unusual words more than once in a book. This will means fiction, I’m guessing. Anyway, I remember a book I started read… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=726&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=728&state=tracking)