# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=886&state=tracking [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 887 --- ## [How does China's claim over Taiwan currently manifest itself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-chinas-claim-over-taiwan-currently-manifest-itself/980299)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-chinas-claim-over-taiwan-currently-manifest-itself/980299 "2023-03-01T08:13:04Z")
The US claims many states and territories as its own. This manifests in many ways, including but not limited to: some level of federal authority over what sorts of state/territorial laws can or cannot be enacted feder… --- ## [Is it possible to 'reconstruct" (?) an entire photo from a piece of the negative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-reconstruct-an-entire-photo-from-a-piece-of-the-negative/979972)
**Author:** [@Amikejo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amikejo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-reconstruct-an-entire-photo-from-a-piece-of-the-negative/979972 "2023-03-01T07:04:02Z")
I don’t know how ask the question better because I know nothing about photography and I only heard a vague description of this. The only other thing I can remember is that it involves lasers. So is possible to recreate … --- ## [Why 55+ retirement communities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-55-retirement-communities/973559)
**Author:** [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-55-retirement-communities/973559 "2023-03-01T04:52:20Z")
As opposed to 62 or 50? We’ve got a lot of them around here and they’re all 55+ and never anything else. Is there a regulation that says it’s no longer discrimination to not sell/rent to you if you’re not that age? --- ## [Why Do Washing Machine Hoses Apparently Burst More Than Other Modern Plumbing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-washing-machine-hoses-apparently-burst-more-than-other-modern-plumbing/979808)
**Author:** [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-washing-machine-hoses-apparently-burst-more-than-other-modern-plumbing/979808 "2023-03-01T04:43:38Z")
This may be horribly dorky to ask, but here goes. Many web sites speak of the danger of washing machine hoses bursting, recommending stainless steel reinforcement and replacement every few years. Example: Choose the Ri… --- ## [There's a new season of Doc Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-new-season-of-doc-martin/980475)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-new-season-of-doc-martin/980475 "2023-03-01T04:30:45Z")
Season 10. Yeah! I had pretty much given up on it. I’m watching it on Acorn. --- ## [How to silence snap buttons on outerwear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-silence-snap-buttons-on-outerwear/530306)
**Author:** [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-silence-snap-buttons-on-outerwear/530306 "2023-03-01T03:54:14Z")
I have a jacket with snap buttons down the front (in addition to the zipper) and the little rings inside the buttons rattle. Is there some way to shut them up while leaving the snaps functional? Seems like a common issu… --- ## [Local McDonald's removed all the doors to their public restroom stalls, illegal? \[fixed title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-mcdonalds-removed-all-the-doors-to-their-public-restroom-stalls-illegal-fixed-title/971755)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-mcdonalds-removed-all-the-doors-to-their-public-restroom-stalls-illegal-fixed-title/971755 "2023-03-01T03:19:13Z")
The McDonald’s next to my work which I’ll occasionally use the restroom in during my lunch break recently took all the doors off the public restroom stalls (3 stalls total) citing illegal activities being done in the clo… --- ## [Will this Space-X Launch be Visible from Sea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-space-x-launch-be-visible-from-sea/979674)
**Author:** [@bernardch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernardch)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-space-x-launch-be-visible-from-sea/979674 "2023-03-01T02:59:45Z")
Not sure if this belongs in Factual Questions or here - Mods move if you see fit. I board a cruise on Saturday, February 25 from Port Canaveral, Florida. We set sail at 4:00PM EST. The Space-X crew 6 launch is schedul… --- ## [When Did American Schools Start Teaching Comprehensive Sex-Ed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-american-schools-start-teaching-comprehensive-sex-ed/980399)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-american-schools-start-teaching-comprehensive-sex-ed/980399 "2023-03-01T01:54:57Z")
In this thread we’re discussing whether or not there have ever been people who entered marriage having no idea how human reproduction worked or how their genitalia was intended to function. Turns out it’s true. There is… --- ## [Hospital admissions and chest x-rays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-admissions-and-chest-x-rays/980509)
**Author:** [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-admissions-and-chest-x-rays/980509 "2023-03-01T01:37:00Z")
In general, do hospitals still require all admitted patients to have a chest x-ray? I remember when I had my tonsils removed back in my early years (late 1960s) that I had an x-ray. If not required, when did the practice… --- ## [Where could Russia find outside strategic expertise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-could-russia-find-outside-strategic-expertise/980443)
**Author:** [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-could-russia-find-outside-strategic-expertise/980443 "2023-02-28T23:48:13Z")
There’s historical precedence for nations at war bringing in outsiders to command their forces. Russia planned for a quick decapitation and perhaps a prolonged insurgency; but nothing like the war they now find themselve… --- ## [Are there any spectacular cases coming up of ultra-long term leases expiring in England?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-spectacular-cases-coming-up-of-ultra-long-term-leases-expiring-in-england/980455)
**Author:** [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-spectacular-cases-coming-up-of-ultra-long-term-leases-expiring-in-england/980455 "2023-02-28T23:16:25Z")
In English land law, it is not rare that real estate is let on a lease for extremely long periods, such as 999 years, with only a nominal land rent. Of course, for all practical purposes a lease of this duration is equiv… --- ## [Dilbert (Jan 10, 2023)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dilbert-jan-10-2023/977984)
**Author:** [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dilbert-jan-10-2023/977984 "2023-02-28T23:07:25Z")
Dilbert - Jan 10, 20203 OK, who is that supposed to be? --- ## [I used t hate Jack McCoy...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-t-hate-jack-mccoy/306288)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-t-hate-jack-mccoy/306288 "2023-02-28T23:00:13Z")
… because he kept relying on dramatic courtroom confessions. Then I realized it was becausew the judges in New York have this fetish hard-on thing for tossing out every last scrap of actual evidence. Heh. --- ## [Khadaji’s Whatcha Reading Thread - February 2023 edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-february-2023-edition/979072)
**Author:** [@DZedNConfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DZedNConfused)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khadaji-s-whatcha-reading-thread-february-2023-edition/979072 "2023-02-28T22:27:17Z")
February: Days are getting longer in the Northern Hemisphere, snow is melting (maybe, I hear the east coast is getting ice this week) and I had to use the visor in my car today for the first time in months! So what’re w… --- ## [Navy to Rename Ships with Confederate Names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-to-rename-ships-with-confederate-names/980476)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/navy-to-rename-ships-with-confederate-names/980476 "2023-02-28T21:29:33Z")
Well, really only one ship it seems. USS Chancellorsville, a guided missile cruiser. Although it is traditionally bad luck to rename a ship, this is certainly called for. This one seems to be fated to become the USS Pla… --- ## [About the opposable thumb(s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-opposable-thumb-s/979621)
**Author:** [@longtry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/longtry)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-opposable-thumb-s/979621 "2023-02-28T21:29:20Z")
It seems pretty clear to me why we have 1 thumb and 4 others: once our ancestors developed an opposable digit, the mission of grabbing branches was accomplished, so there was no evolutionary need to get another. Accident… --- ## [Did they ever follow up "The Corbomite Maneuver?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-they-ever-follow-up-the-corbomite-maneuver/979281)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-they-ever-follow-up-the-corbomite-maneuver/979281 "2023-02-28T20:54:06Z")
Random thought that flashed through my tiny brain: Did they ever follow up on Lt. Bailey and Balok? The episode leaves us with Bailey as an emissary to what appears to be a very powerful race. Was there ever any novel or… --- ## [Publishers clearing house--scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publishers-clearing-house-scam/980284)
**Author:** [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publishers-clearing-house-scam/980284 "2023-02-28T18:36:26Z")
I know Cecil addressed this back in 1984, but the question remains–has there been any evidence that people have won sweepstakes without getting subscription? I can see PCH not wanting this to be known since it would dest… --- ## [Biden to nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson to SCOTUS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-to-nominate-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-scotus/960102)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-to-nominate-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-scotus/960102 "2023-02-28T18:10:30Z")
Fantastic choice. Hopefully will be a smooth confirmation. --- ## [Are moms supposed to sell the Girl Scout cookies with out the girls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-moms-supposed-to-sell-the-girl-scout-cookies-with-out-the-girls/980256)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-moms-supposed-to-sell-the-girl-scout-cookies-with-out-the-girls/980256 "2023-02-28T18:00:06Z")
The recent Girl Scout threads got me to thinking about this. As I’m walking out of a Kroger one morning, I see a couple of moms with a table set up full of GS cookies. I step up to buy a box, and so does another lady ri… --- ## [Passing a knife between your hands during a knife fight, is that an actual technique?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-knife-between-your-hands-during-a-knife-fight-is-that-an-actual-technique/978936)
**Author:** [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-knife-between-your-hands-during-a-knife-fight-is-that-an-actual-technique/978936 "2023-02-28T17:00:07Z")
This happens all the time in pirate movies but basically a pirate armed with a knife confronts someone else with a melee weapon. The pirate approaches the other person and starts passing the knife between their left and … --- ## [Another "ident this movie/TV show": Civil War flashback -- "You didn't keep your powder dry!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-ident-this-movie-tv-show-civil-war-flashback-you-didnt-keep-your-powder-dry/980085)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-ident-this-movie-tv-show-civil-war-flashback-you-didnt-keep-your-powder-dry/980085 "2023-02-28T16:55:43Z")
I’m pretty sure this was a feature film. Whatever it is, I’m also fairly certain that it was produced in the last 5 - 6 years. Someone in the main story, presumably in the 21st century, is telling about something that h… --- ## [Has Mustard Ever Been](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-mustard-ever-been/979989)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-mustard-ever-been/979989 "2023-02-28T16:17:59Z")
Distilled into spirits? I’ve seen references to mustard flavored liqueur(spelling?) and many mustard condiments have wine in them, but has mustard, seeds, or greens, or even the whole plant ever been fermented and disti… --- ## [Where's the best place to end up if you're old with dementia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-best-place-to-end-up-if-youre-old-with-dementia/978865)
**Author:** [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-best-place-to-end-up-if-youre-old-with-dementia/978865 "2023-02-28T15:43:45Z")
Inspired by this thread: Euthanasia of dementia patients - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board If you can’t be in your own home and you can afford private pay…are the memory care “communities” of assisted livin… --- ## [Identify these two movies for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-these-two-movies-for-me/590324)
**Author:** [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-these-two-movies-for-me/590324 "2023-02-28T14:23:49Z")
Both are movies that I caught a little bit of on TV years ago, and have been idly wondering about for a while A pretty cruddy movie about 4 or 5 high school students who gain various superpowers, and use them in petty… --- ## [Landing a helicopter at a small airport – why this process?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-a-helicopter-at-a-small-airport-why-this-process/980442)
**Author:** [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landing-a-helicopter-at-a-small-airport-why-this-process/980442 "2023-02-28T13:28:47Z")
On Sunday we watched a helicopter land at Shoreham Airport, a small airport used mostly by light aircraft. We’d seen the process before, but had kind of assumed we were watching flying lessons; however this appeared to b… --- ## [Big Book of Losers revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-book-of-losers-revisited/980417)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-book-of-losers-revisited/980417 "2023-02-28T12:19:46Z")
I’ve been cleaning out my den. In my bookcase there I have a complete sets of large-format paperback books from Paradox Press (a division of DC) in a series called The Big Book of (Whatever). For Whatever substitute the … --- ## [Speculation on the First Nation tribe Gray Beaver belongs to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-on-the-first-nation-tribe-gray-beaver-belongs-to/979979)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculation-on-the-first-nation-tribe-gray-beaver-belongs-to/979979 "2023-02-28T05:12:17Z")
I’m curious to know whether Gray Beaver in Jack London’s White Fang might be a member of the Han tribe ( Tr’ondëk Hwëch’ in First Nation) There is nothing I know of in the novel that indicates any specific tribe but he m… --- ## [Seriously? John Travolta in a commercial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-john-travolta-in-a-commercial/980021)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2023, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-john-travolta-in-a-commercial/980021 "2023-02-28T05:03:42Z")
Shocked. I tell you. Shocked. There he is in all his bald glory. Singing a take off on music from ‘Grease’ For T-Mobile. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=885&state=tracking) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=887&state=tracking)