# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=824&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 825 --- ## [Media harassment of public figures has gone too far](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-harassment-of-public-figures-has-gone-too-far/984342)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-harassment-of-public-figures-has-gone-too-far/984342 "2023-05-22T20:06:05Z")
Continuing the discussion from Harry and Meghan New York Car Chase…Bullshit?: The law currently allows public figures to be followed in public, photographed at any time, and IMHO harassed in order to feed the public’s d… --- ## [HP blocking using 3rd party ink cartridges in printers again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-blocking-using-3rd-party-ink-cartridges-in-printers-again/984365)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hp-blocking-using-3rd-party-ink-cartridges-in-printers-again/984365 "2023-05-22T19:35:00Z")
apparently this has been tried once before and hp was successfully sued but they’re trying again Now my question is this Keurig tried the same thing years ago with its k-cups but all everyone did was copy the technol… --- ## [YouTube seems to delete any comment containing an email address?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-seems-to-delete-any-comment-containing-an-email-address/984336)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youtube-seems-to-delete-any-comment-containing-an-email-address/984336 "2023-05-22T19:14:11Z")
Recently got into a discussion on YouTube comments about a rather technical issue involving audio levels. I thought it was probably of not much interest to the general audience, so I suggested we take it to email, and p… --- ## [I don't drink water; fish poop in it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-drink-water-fish-poop-in-it/984348)
**Author:** [@Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dodgy_Dude)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-drink-water-fish-poop-in-it/984348 "2023-05-22T17:54:02Z")
I clearly remember my high school science teachers telling me that water vapor is a by-product of all sorts of chemical reactions, yet when I watch The Science Channel and The Discovery Channel do shows about the history… --- ## [What's the point of the (US budget) debt ceiling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-the-us-budget-debt-ceiling/951655)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-the-us-budget-debt-ceiling/951655 "2023-05-22T17:40:40Z")
This is the most worthless thing in US politics. First of all, it might be unconstitutional and if tested it might violate the 14th Amendment re: the validity of the debt. But more to reality, has it ever stopped any s… --- ## [Ron "Desanctimonious"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-desanctimonious/984362)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-desanctimonious/984362 "2023-05-22T15:30:19Z")
Does anyone think “sanctimonious” is a part of Trump’s vocabulary, or even that he knows what it means, apart from a general sense that it’s bad, a name you don’t want to be called? Lord knows, I’m no fan of Ron Desanti… --- ## [Writers Strike - AI demands unlikely to succeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-strike-ai-demands-unlikely-to-succeed/984263)
**Author:** [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writers-strike-ai-demands-unlikely-to-succeed/984263 "2023-05-22T14:59:27Z")
Haven’t been following it too closely but this specific demand struck me as doomed to failure. (MBA here stands for “minimum basic agreement” as I understand it) regulate use of artificial intelligence on MBA-covered p… --- ## [What are some groups of 3 words or more that can be combined in any order to create valid sentences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-groups-of-3-words-or-more-that-can-be-combined-in-any-order-to-create-valid-sentences/984126)
**Author:** [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-groups-of-3-words-or-more-that-can-be-combined-in-any-order-to-create-valid-sentences/984126 "2023-05-22T12:47:21Z")
I was wondering about groups of words which can be combined in any order such that they always make valid sentences. I can think of groups with 2 words, but not groups with 3 words or more. For example, the small group … --- ## [How is answering this question by another poster off-topic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-answering-this-question-by-another-poster-off-topic/983853)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-answering-this-question-by-another-poster-off-topic/983853 "2023-05-22T12:06:14Z")
In this thread a post asked how many purposes there were for owning a gun. My answer was hidden as “off-topic” despite the fact I was just answering the question. I described how one might have reasons for more than on… --- ## [The Straight Dope Menagerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-menagerie/984297)
**Author:** [@Celtic\_Kitsune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celtic_Kitsune)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-menagerie/984297 "2023-05-22T11:16:20Z")
I noticed that quite a few people here have animal based avatars or usernames and I’m curious how many there are of each species and what is the most popular, I suspect dogs. They’re very suspicious. Anyway. First fox … --- ## ["So Lost without You" - video for my first single premieres March 31st](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-lost-without-you-video-for-my-first-single-premieres-march-31st/981898)
**Author:** [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-lost-without-you-video-for-my-first-single-premieres-march-31st/981898 "2023-05-22T10:11:10Z")
Hi, everyone! I wanted to let you know that the video for my first single, “So Lost without You”, premieres on YouTube at 10 am EDT, Friday, March 31st, 2023. The link for it is here - So Lost without You (Official Mus… --- ## [The Secret Service Has an Ink Library](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-secret-service-has-an-ink-library/984090)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-secret-service-has-an-ink-library/984090 "2023-05-22T09:34:48Z")
A collection of every single kind of Ink, over the last 100 years. https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/news/a13875/secret-service-ink-forensics-library/ --- ## [(Old) The Joy of Brain Farts in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-joy-of-brain-farts-in-the-mmp/984073)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 347\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-the-joy-of-brain-farts-in-the-mmp/984073 "2023-05-22T07:41:42Z")
Last night, I neglected to shut the freezer completely. Dammit. This morning, there was a frosty residue from the slight crack that permitted not-freezer air in all night. Which means the stoopit appliance was running al… --- ## [Did anyone go to SatanCon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-go-to-satancon/984357)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-go-to-satancon/984357 "2023-05-22T05:49:23Z")
Story here. I’ve supported them for awhile, and I hope they continue to do good work. The world needs more people pushing back against overbearing religious authority. Maybe I’ll go to the next one. --- ## [What is the longest urban warfare battle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-urban-warfare-battle/984033)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-longest-urban-warfare-battle/984033 "2023-05-22T04:51:44Z")
The Battle of Bakhmut, in which Russian invaders try to capture a town in eastern Ukraine, has been going on for the past 9 months, 1 week and 6 days. In comparison, the largest urban warfare battle ever, the Battle of S… --- ## [Do pistol grips make AR-15 better people killers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-pistol-grips-make-ar-15-better-people-killers/984096)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-pistol-grips-make-ar-15-better-people-killers/984096 "2023-05-22T02:19:15Z")
What I mean is, afaik, there’s a certain stance a target shooter or a hunter would take for greatest accuracy. Do the mass shooters tend to shoot more or less from the hip, or do they actually use the sights? If from the… --- ## [Was the Bible banned in Nazi Germany?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-bible-banned-in-nazi-germany/6925)
**Author:** [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-bible-banned-in-nazi-germany/6925 "2023-05-22T01:35:43Z")
I was flipping through a book called “100 Banned Books”. In the section on “Mein Kampf” is this line: It goes on to quote several points from Nazi crank Alfred Rosenberg’s “30 points” (1942) proposal for a National Rei… --- ## [Small Dogs versus Coyotes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-dogs-versus-coyotes/719054)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-dogs-versus-coyotes/719054 "2023-05-22T01:07:10Z")
We live on the western Rocky Mountain front, and see and hear coyotes fairly often. Sometimes we will hear them ‘yipping’ in the early evening hours. If I happen to be outside at the time with my Parson Russell Terrier h… --- ## [Has the Centre Pompidou had many Structural Problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-centre-pompidou-had-many-structural-problems/732606)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-centre-pompidou-had-many-structural-problems/732606 "2023-05-22T00:21:06Z")
The building is unusual, in that the pipes, ductworks, etc. are all exposed. I wonder if this has lead to any problems-does the building leak excessively? I also wonder if this mode of construction has been emulated-I ha… --- ## [Verbose Song Lyrics Part Whatever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verbose-song-lyrics-part-whatever/984301)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verbose-song-lyrics-part-whatever/984301 "2023-05-21T20:28:21Z")
We do this from time to time here. Take the lyrics to a song and make them as verbose as possible. I’ll start. Relieve yourself of your burdens, Stephanie There’s no charge for relief Relieve yourself of your burdens,… --- ## [The Quote System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quote-system/983034)
**Author:** [@Celtic\_Kitsune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celtic_Kitsune)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-quote-system/983034 "2023-05-21T19:46:36Z")
I realise it’s just how the board is designed but the quote system seems needlessly convoluted and complicated, or is there a really simple way to quote multiple people and I’m just being dense? Which is of course entir… --- ## [Setting for Acrobat Professional: language of new Bookmark -?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-for-acrobat-professional-language-of-new-bookmark/984337)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-for-acrobat-professional-language-of-new-bookmark/984337 "2023-05-21T19:05:09Z")
I have Adobe Acrobat Pro 8.0, somewhat out of date at this point but it does what I need it to and I feel no urge to upgrade. But it has one annoying proclivity. Whenever I create a new bookmark, in a PDF of my own cre… --- ## [New trend in TV show dialog device?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-trend-in-tv-show-dialog-device/984146)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-trend-in-tv-show-dialog-device/984146 "2023-05-21T19:00:46Z")
The last few months I have noticed a dialog quirk come up again and again, on almost every show I watch. The character is getting angry or frustrated with another character, and is carrying on a barely-contained rant. Th… --- ## [What does the beeping noise in this ship in rough sea indicate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-beeping-noise-in-this-ship-in-rough-sea-indicate/984341)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-beeping-noise-in-this-ship-in-rough-sea-indicate/984341 "2023-05-21T17:40:17Z")
YouTube video: Ship in Storm | Cruise Ship Climbing Up Big Waves - YouTube Apparently YouTube has determined that I am interested in videos of ships in rough seas. This beeping noise is common after crashing into the se… --- ## [pH and dissolved oxygen levels in rivers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ph-and-dissolved-oxygen-levels-in-rivers/984343)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ph-and-dissolved-oxygen-levels-in-rivers/984343 "2023-05-21T16:46:47Z")
I have been doing some prospecting for gold this year and have been using the USGS site to check water depth and turbidity (clarity). Here is their page for the Vermilion River water height. We had some rain last night a… --- ## [Concentrated sunlight using mirrors enough to kill someone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concentrated-sunlight-using-mirrors-enough-to-kill-someone/983739)
**Author:** [@Celtic\_Kitsune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celtic_Kitsune)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concentrated-sunlight-using-mirrors-enough-to-kill-someone/983739 "2023-05-21T13:06:50Z")
I once read a collection of Arthur C Clarke short stories and in one of them the main character visits a football / soccer game in South America where the referee is under threat, so much so that he wears a bullet-proof … --- ## [Who are the people dying now of Covid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-people-dying-now-of-covid/978844)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-people-dying-now-of-covid/978844 "2023-05-21T12:54:45Z")
Almost three years and several vaccinations into the pandemic, a few hundred people are still dying daily in the U.S. from Covid. My latest check of USA Facts.org shows a seven-day average of 284 deaths per day as of Ja… --- ## [Where do right-wingers get the idea that Biden suffers from dementia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-right-wingers-get-the-idea-that-biden-suffers-from-dementia/984152)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-right-wingers-get-the-idea-that-biden-suffers-from-dementia/984152 "2023-05-21T12:04:50Z")
On right-wing message boards, I see that there are many claims that Biden suffers from dementia. That he can only repeat what is provided to him on teleprompters, by other people; and that there are some sort of “handle… --- ## [Could Earth capture a new, small moon without it hitting us and killing us all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-earth-capture-a-new-small-moon-without-it-hitting-us-and-killing-us-all/966679)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-earth-capture-a-new-small-moon-without-it-hitting-us-and-killing-us-all/966679 "2023-05-21T10:30:46Z")
Suppose that a rogue planetoid were to enter our solar system from parts unknown and barrel towards us. To make this specific, let us suppose this object is about the size of Ceres, the largest object in the asteroid, s… --- ## [How could this small plane fly from San Francisco to Hawaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-this-small-plane-fly-from-san-francisco-to-hawaii/984354)
**Author:** [@Petek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petek)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2023, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-this-small-plane-fly-from-san-francisco-to-hawaii/984354 "2023-05-21T10:26:42Z")
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