# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=811 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 812 --- ## ["The Well of Friendship" - my second single and video premiere May 19th!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-well-of-friendship-my-second-single-and-video-premiere-may-19th/984269)
**Author:** [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2023, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-well-of-friendship-my-second-single-and-video-premiere-may-19th/984269 "2023-06-08T12:18:06Z")
Hi, everyone! I wanted to let you know that my second single, “The Well of Friendship”, premieres today, Friday, May 19th. You can find it on BandCamp, Apple Music, Spotify, and other streaming services as of 12 noon E… --- ## [Who's the smoothest political liar out there today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-smoothest-political-liar-out-there-today/985175)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2023, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-smoothest-political-liar-out-there-today/985175 "2023-06-08T08:17:44Z")
Please give examples of their smoothness at lying. However, some caveats: Not necessarily an elected politician, but someone who lies in the service of politics. And let’s leave out TV commentators, pundits and other “… --- ## [Computer Forensics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-forensics/985147)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-forensics/985147 "2023-06-08T02:04:09Z")
If I read an article, or look at a picture or drawing of something illegal, say - how to make drugs in my kitchen - does it leave any image on my computer if I don’t download it --- ## [Astrud Gilberto - of Girl from Ipanema fame - has died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astrud-gilberto-of-girl-from-ipanema-fame-has-died/985094)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2023, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/astrud-gilberto-of-girl-from-ipanema-fame-has-died/985094 "2023-06-08T00:05:35Z")
:frowning: What an iconic song… tbh, i was surprised she was still with us. Aged 83. --- ## [Help me start smoking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-smoking/985070)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-smoking/985070 "2023-06-07T23:09:25Z")
Summer’s here, and I want to smoke something before it’s over. I have a Char-Broil five-burner (four regular, and one sear) propane grill, a Webber Smoker Kit, a new thermometer for the grill hoodm, and a new thermomete… --- ## [Keep a Word, Delete a Word 2.0 (Part 1)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-word-delete-a-word-2-0-part-1/913663)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 9999\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-a-word-delete-a-word-2-0-part-1/913663 "2023-06-07T22:05:31Z")
Since the previous thread was shut down for reaching 10k posts. The last post there: moon beam --- ## [Robert Hanssen, FBI spy, completes his life sentence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-hanssen-fbi-spy-completes-his-life-sentence/985077)
**Author:** [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-hanssen-fbi-spy-completes-his-life-sentence/985077 "2023-06-07T21:49:49Z")
Robert Hanssen was found dead in his cell this morning. --- ## [Pancreatitis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancreatitis/985082)
**Author:** [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pancreatitis/985082 "2023-06-07T20:56:31Z")
Have any of you dealt with chronic pancreatitis? My boyfriend just left the hospital after 3 days of treatment, which came after 6 months of acute pancreatitis episodes. This was caused by drinking, which I think has fi… --- ## [Tipping - a primer for a US tourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-a-primer-for-a-us-tourist/984444)
**Author:** [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-a-primer-for-a-us-tourist/984444 "2023-06-07T20:32:53Z")
Amongst the very many things of life US-style which I don’t have a viable grounding is tipping. Here in AUS it’s not much practiced outside restaurants and even there optional. The economy being almost cashless is furthe… --- ## [Are You a Real Estate Owner? Questions about taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-real-estate-owner-questions-about-taxes/984973)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-real-estate-owner-questions-about-taxes/984973 "2023-06-07T20:10:45Z")
What sort of real estate do you own, commercial, meaning office or warehouse/industrial type real estate or are you more into residential property? I assume you pay taxes of some sort on this property, how are they dete… --- ## [We have a strange visitor at our back door. (Cat)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-a-strange-visitor-at-our-back-door-cat/985155)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-a-strange-visitor-at-our-back-door-cat/985155 "2023-06-07T19:06:26Z")
I opened up the blinds and sitting there was this guy … He has a collar & tag and looks well groomed. I’ve never seen him before. I think he wants to come in. 30 minutes l… --- ## [So, I decided to try writing some fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-decided-to-try-writing-some-fiction/985123)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-decided-to-try-writing-some-fiction/985123 "2023-06-07T17:32:03Z")
I’m retired, have much time and have had the desire to do things I have never done before or even thought about doing. I spent my career in math and never had the desire to write fiction. I don’t expect anything from it… --- ## [Condo Line Level Thermostat question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condo-line-level-thermostat-question/985124)
**Author:** [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condo-line-level-thermostat-question/985124 "2023-06-07T16:38:48Z")
My wife and I just purchased a condo to lease out as a rental unit. I would like to replace the old 70s (or possibly before) era thermostat with at least a nicer looking unit. What we have now is something like this: … --- ## [Experiment at Johns Hopkins \[allegedly\] sees transmutation of metals from electrical discharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiment-at-johns-hopkins-allegedly-sees-transmutation-of-metals-from-electrical-discharge/985002)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiment-at-johns-hopkins-allegedly-sees-transmutation-of-metals-from-electrical-discharge/985002 "2023-06-07T16:14:23Z")
This is from a request for (free) support from a machining group I belong to. The OP (wave44) wants to duplicate some experiments but lacks funds, so… But it is the nature of the experiments I find interesting. The rese… --- ## [Oklahoma school board approves taxpayer-funded charter Christian school](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-school-board-approves-taxpayer-funded-charter-christian-school/985119)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-school-board-approves-taxpayer-funded-charter-christian-school/985119 "2023-06-07T15:52:39Z")
Just imagine the outcry if some Muslims did this, or heaven forbid an LGBTQ±affirming congregation. I’m actually a bit surprised that they allowed this from Catholics. --- ## [How do emergency generators work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-emergency-generators-work/984346)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-emergency-generators-work/984346 "2023-06-07T14:19:10Z")
Are they permanently wired into the house wiring? Or do you somehow connect them if needed? And do they run on gasoline? batteries? Would welcome any information, thanks. --- ## [Question about TV / DVD / Firestick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-tv-dvd-firestick/985073)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-tv-dvd-firestick/985073 "2023-06-07T14:13:28Z")
I use an Amazon Firestick on my LG TV to access YoutubeTV. This is obviously plugged into the TV’s USB port. I also have a DVD player connected to HDMI 1. I have not used the DVD player in quite a while, I don’t think I… --- ## [Asteroid = 28 sheep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-28-sheep/985076)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-28-sheep/985076 "2023-06-07T14:05:46Z")
Newspaper writers seem to always want to use just about any nonstandard way of measuring objects rather than feet or meters or liters. Rocks zipping past the Earth are often measured in city buses or skyscrapers, for exa… --- ## [Former President vs. their VP--has it ever happened before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-president-vs-their-vp-has-it-ever-happened-before/985043)
**Author:** [@whc.03grady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whc.03grady)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-president-vs-their-vp-has-it-ever-happened-before/985043 "2023-06-07T12:54:18Z")
Mike Pence has file to run for POTUS. Donald Trump did so late last year. Presumably they will be on the same R ballot in at least some states. Has it ever been the case that a former US President and his Vice-president… --- ## [Golf: PGA sold out to Saudi Arabia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golf-pga-sold-out-to-saudi-arabia/985148)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golf-pga-sold-out-to-saudi-arabia/985148 "2023-06-07T09:38:29Z")
The NYT gift link, but probably being reported everywhere else too: For-profit entity, indeed. And for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Saudi Arabia and probably the Trump/Kushner family too (no prove on that except for… --- ## [VC recipient found to have committed war-crimes: Ben Roberts-Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vc-recipient-found-to-have-committed-war-crimes-ben-roberts-smith/985010)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vc-recipient-found-to-have-committed-war-crimes-ben-roberts-smith/985010 "2023-06-07T07:24:33Z")
An Australian SAS soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith, brought a defamation claim against a couple of news outlets and three journalists who had published that the Victoria Cross recipient had committed serious crimes, including … --- ## [Jan 6th vs Beer Hall putsch a comparison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6th-vs-beer-hall-putsch-a-comparison/967080)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jan-6th-vs-beer-hall-putsch-a-comparison/967080 "2023-06-07T03:06:38Z")
Both run or inspired by insane person Both failed People died at both of them People ended up in jail at both The 2 Leaders of the movements were not arrested (so far for Trump) Jan 6th inspired by the putsch Feel … --- ## [Lawns v sidewalks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawns-v-sidewalks/985036)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawns-v-sidewalks/985036 "2023-06-07T02:49:35Z")
Watching a few lawn care videos, I got to wondering: what exactly is the mechanism that makes the lawn expand over the side walk? How does all that dirt get there? Sometimes it’s shoveled up and looks just like sod. --- ## [When did humans start associating certain foods with specific times of the day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-humans-start-associating-certain-foods-with-specific-times-of-the-day/985107)
**Author:** [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-humans-start-associating-certain-foods-with-specific-times-of-the-day/985107 "2023-06-07T01:47:18Z")
Inspired by my four year old wondering why he couldn’t have mac and cheese for breakfast: Most (all?) cultures have certain foods that only get eaten in the morning and certain foods that only get eaten in the evening, o… --- ## [My job as a Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-job-as-a-republican/966838 "2023-06-07T01:47:08Z")
My prediction is that by post 2 this will be turned into an anti-Trump thread. At least I’m going to try. I consider myself a moderate Republican meaning fiscally conservative and recognizing the deficit/debt problem i… --- ## [Discounts for upfront payments, unfair on poorer folk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discounts-for-upfront-payments-unfair-on-poorer-folk/984936)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discounts-for-upfront-payments-unfair-on-poorer-folk/984936 "2023-06-07T01:47:05Z")
It’s time to renew my driver’s licence, so I jumped online yesterday to do the deed. And I found, like many agencies, that if I chose a 1 year renewal option, it would be around $85AUD, rising by years to the max of 5 ye… --- ## [Who are the players and how does a particular ad (and not others) end up on a page I am browsing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-players-and-how-does-a-particular-ad-and-not-others-end-up-on-a-page-i-am-browsing/985111)
**Author:** [@Mesquite-oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mesquite-oh)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-players-and-how-does-a-particular-ad-and-not-others-end-up-on-a-page-i-am-browsing/985111 "2023-06-07T00:31:36Z")
I understand how cookies work (more or less), but I don’t understand how a particular advertisement ends up on a particular web page I am browsing while others do not. Who are the players involved? Who gets paid for wh… --- ## [Heckling comedians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heckling-comedians/984890)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heckling-comedians/984890 "2023-06-07T00:24:03Z")
A book I’d like to read (has it been written?) is about hecklers. How do comics deal with them? Which comics have been especially gifted at dealing with them? Which ones not? What are some great heckler anecdotes? Are t… --- ## [Expiration dates on OTC meds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expiration-dates-on-otc-meds/985085)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2023, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expiration-dates-on-otc-meds/985085 "2023-06-06T23:57:51Z")
I’m talking about aspirin, ibuprofen, antihistamines, diarrhea meds, etc. What’s your tolerance on these WRT expiration dates? Six months? A year? Five years? I have a sore throat and stuffy head so I went rooting aroun… --- ## [Is this commercial for Starbucks playing a pop song?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-commercial-for-starbucks-playing-a-pop-song/984958)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-commercial-for-starbucks-playing-a-pop-song/984958 "2023-06-06T23:49:50Z")
Google search tells me the violin player is Yut Chia but absolutely nothing about the 20 second song bit he plays. I thought it sounded like a pop song but I’m not up on today’s pop so maybe not? Can anyone tell me? It’s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=810) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=812)