# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=941&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 942 --- ## [Christianity: Is it a sin to try and prove god?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-is-it-a-sin-to-try-and-prove-god/976784)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-is-it-a-sin-to-try-and-prove-god/976784 "2022-12-21T21:36:39Z")
OK. I’m not the least bit religious. But I did attend Sunday School as a lad, and I’m pretty sure that I was taught about the importance of faith, that one believed because of faith, and that faith was very important. B… --- ## [Skydiving: maneuvering during freefall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skydiving-maneuvering-during-freefall/976812)
**Author:** [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skydiving-maneuvering-during-freefall/976812 "2022-12-21T21:16:22Z")
A long time ago, I thought it was impossible (in real life, of course) for skydivers to do anything but fall straight down before their parachutes opened. Since then, I’ve seen videos that have made me think otherwise. F… --- ## [What is the deal with referrals from Congressional commitees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-deal-with-referrals-from-congressional-commitees/976826)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-deal-with-referrals-from-congressional-commitees/976826 "2022-12-21T20:56:22Z")
So lawyer dopers, what is the deal with referrals from Congressional commitees.to the justice dept, such as the one handed down by the Jan 6th committee ? Is there any weight behind them at all? Everyone goes to great p… --- ## [Earthquake in San Jose - 5.1 (10/25/22)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthquake-in-san-jose-5-1-10-25-22/973771)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earthquake-in-san-jose-5-1-10-25-22/973771 "2022-12-21T20:49:27Z")
Shit. I’m in a skyscraper and it was no fun at all. Just as I was taking my first bite of lunch too. --- ## [Lumps on Elbow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumps-on-elbow/975765)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lumps-on-elbow/975765 "2022-12-21T20:27:06Z")
I already have made a doctor’s appointment for this. Lately, I have noticed a lump on my left elbow. But today I discovered another. A doctor will see me in two weeks. How scared should I be in the mean time? The lu… --- ## [Actor's teeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-teeth/480556)
**Author:** [@SeanArenas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeanArenas)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-teeth/480556 "2022-12-21T20:17:21Z")
Why would a lead actor (who is one of the main stars in multiple movies or multiple TV shows) not make their teeth look at least decent, or even great? It’s somewhat bothersome to be watching an actor or actress who is … --- ## [How much of the €500k interview fee is Boris Becker allowed to keep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-500k-interview-fee-is-boris-becker-allowed-to-keep/976912)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-500k-interview-fee-is-boris-becker-allowed-to-keep/976912 "2022-12-21T19:01:21Z")
Boris Becker feared attack in UK jail but learned lesson Boris Becker feared attack in UK jail but learned lesson - BBC News As I understand, he was declared bankrupt and owed a lot of money. Are his creditors allowed a… --- ## [“Debate; Resolved: DoJ is better suited to determine if charges should be filed against Trump, so any referrals from Congress are just partisan politics”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-resolved-doj-is-better-suited-to-determine-if-charges-should-be-filed-against-trump-so-any-referrals-from-congress-are-just-partisan-politics/976916)
**Author:** [@Janus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-resolved-doj-is-better-suited-to-determine-if-charges-should-be-filed-against-trump-so-any-referrals-from-congress-are-just-partisan-politics/976916 "2022-12-21T18:35:40Z")
discuss. --- ## [If I put "IF"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-put-if/976907)
**Author:** [@Janus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janus)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-put-if/976907 "2022-12-21T18:29:18Z")
I, apparently, falsely assumed everyone knows Jane Fonda was not referred by congress to DOJ for treason. My thought was that this obvious hypothetical situation would illustrate some of the political theater with regar… --- ## [Why Would USPS Deliver A Package Back To The Sender With No Explanation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-usps-deliver-a-package-back-to-the-sender-with-no-explanation/976864)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-usps-deliver-a-package-back-to-the-sender-with-no-explanation/976864 "2022-12-21T18:04:51Z")
I mailed a package from Missouri to Ohio a week or so ago. Today our contractor rural carrier delivered it back. I wasn’t here when it happened, but Mrs. H said that she asked the carrier what was up with that, and point… --- ## [Whoa — I just retired today! How did your life change after retirement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-i-just-retired-today-how-did-your-life-change-after-retirement/975070)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoa-i-just-retired-today-how-did-your-life-change-after-retirement/975070 "2022-12-21T17:42:52Z")
I’m 61 and my wife is 57. I’ve been thinking about retiring for a couple of months, and then my wife and I talked about it for a few weeks. She’s still working and she wants to continue working for awhile, so I’ll get my… --- ## [Jane Fonda referred by Congress to DOJ for treason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jane-fonda-referred-by-congress-to-doj-for-treason/976880)
**Author:** [@Janus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janus)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jane-fonda-referred-by-congress-to-doj-for-treason/976880 "2022-12-21T12:03:41Z")
Obviously this has not happened. And Ms Fonda is not treasonous. But if a congressional committee referred this to the DOJ, would the DOJ be obliged to investigate? --- ## [Creepy CPI commercial with home video system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-cpi-commercial-with-home-video-system/976806)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepy-cpi-commercial-with-home-video-system/976806 "2022-12-21T17:02:52Z")
Am I overreacting? I just saw the CPI security systems commercial where a very young girl pulls out a tablet from under her pillow and pulls up the video and audio of her brother in his bedroom. They chat a bit and the… --- ## [WW II draft registration question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww-ii-draft-registration-question/976651)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww-ii-draft-registration-question/976651 "2022-12-21T16:59:21Z")
Through Ancestry.com, I just turned up my grandpa’s draft registration card, dated 1942. He was 64 years old in 1942, and he didn’t make it through 1943, so I wonder why the government was registering old men for a milit… --- ## [Diets and Obesity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diets-and-obesity/962955)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diets-and-obesity/962955 "2022-12-21T16:23:42Z")
I’ve been reading an interesting book on the scientific basis of dieting and obesity, Secrets From The Eating Lab. It makes a number of arguments and supports them, but I have not read the studies it cites. These inclu… --- ## [Classic Archives (Interviews, Concerts, Etc)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-archives-interviews-concerts-etc/976908)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-archives-interviews-concerts-etc/976908 "2022-12-21T16:16:27Z")
I love interviews of those in the arts (music, movies, comedy) and spend a lot of time searching. There’s many great sites, like archives.org for example, and many others. Does anyone else collect/upload and try to share… --- ## [A^0 definition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-0-definition/976776)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-0-definition/976776 "2022-12-21T15:06:48Z")
I read on Wikipedia that 0^0 = 1 is a definition. Is that also true for a^0=1, or does it follow from the a^b definition? --- ## [Deep Frying: How much oil do you need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deep-frying-how-much-oil-do-you-need/976767)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deep-frying-how-much-oil-do-you-need/976767 "2022-12-21T14:48:38Z")
I almost never deep fry food at home. Mainly because oil disposal is a problem for me. But, I was considering making my own potato chips. Not a lot but enough for a party. How deep does the oil need to be? The potat… --- ## [What were you wrong and right about - predicting future trends in fashion, music, etc.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-wrong-and-right-about-predicting-future-trends-in-fashion-music-etc/976589)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-you-wrong-and-right-about-predicting-future-trends-in-fashion-music-etc/976589 "2022-12-21T11:18:15Z")
Just searching topics for interesting things to read. And I found the What the Hell Was Wrong with People in the 1970’s? thread. In in there are several predictions about what people would think about 2006 (then curren… --- ## [Happy Gravy Day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-gravy-day/976893)
**Author:** [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-gravy-day/976893 "2022-12-21T11:08:45Z")
--- ## [Film Director Mike Hodges Has Died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-director-mike-hodges-has-died/976892)
**Author:** [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-director-mike-hodges-has-died/976892 "2022-12-21T10:31:02Z")
Mike Hodges has died aged 90. He was the British director of the superb Get Carter (the original starring Michael Caine) plus he also did Flash Gordon (with the soundtrack by Queen.) TCMF-2L --- ## [Will this never end? Seven more days of Xmas! Groan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-never-end-seven-more-days-of-xmas-groan/976770)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-never-end-seven-more-days-of-xmas-groan/976770 "2022-12-21T06:05:57Z")
I seem to get less tolerant every year of the dreck that bombards from every direction during this season, which I suppose is perfectly in line with being the cranky old atheist that I am. I stay away from stores as much… --- ## [Your favorite lesser-known Christmas recordings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lesser-known-christmas-recordings/976532)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lesser-known-christmas-recordings/976532 "2022-12-21T05:51:03Z")
You may interpret “lesser-known” however you like. As a guideline, though, think about that local radio station that plays Christmas music all season, and then think of something you probably won’t hear there. It can be… --- ## [Why do only movies get stars in reviews?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-only-movies-get-stars-in-reviews/976847)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-only-movies-get-stars-in-reviews/976847 "2022-12-21T05:41:42Z")
In my local paper (Washington Post), they review books, restaurants, plays, music, and movies. Only movies get a star rating (1 to 4). Why? IMHO except for the very best or very worst, whether you like a movie (or anyth… --- ## [Favourite characters from Cheers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-characters-from-cheers/976297)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favourite-characters-from-cheers/976297 "2022-12-21T05:34:33Z")
With the recent passing of Kirstie Allie, I thought it might be time to revisit our favourite characters from Cheers. (I’m sure we’ve had similar polls in the distant past, though the results have not survived the trans… --- ## [Fox Purse Art](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-purse-art/976879)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-purse-art/976879 "2022-12-21T05:28:37Z")
Anyone recognize the artist or origin of the artwork on this purse/wallet? It looks like something from DeviantArt or similar. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71otIzWtEDL.AC\_UY625.jpg --- ## [How many days' march would it have been for the Persians from Thermopylae to Athens (ca. 85 miles)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-days-march-would-it-have-been-for-the-persians-from-thermopylae-to-athens-ca-85-miles/976877)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-days-march-would-it-have-been-for-the-persians-from-thermopylae-to-athens-ca-85-miles/976877 "2022-12-21T05:13:21Z")
How many days’ forced march would it have been for the Persians from Thermopylae to Athens (ca. 85 miles). One day or less? --- ## [What's the earliest (calendar date) you know of someone in your social circle getting a vasectomy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-earliest-calendar-date-you-know-of-someone-in-your-social-circle-getting-a-vasectomy/976816)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-earliest-calendar-date-you-know-of-someone-in-your-social-circle-getting-a-vasectomy/976816 "2022-12-21T04:41:32Z")
I was on newspapers.com reading 1940s and 1950s articles about vasectomies. Some were Q&As. But many said it was difficult to get one without a medical cause (and some politicians wanted to make it a crime for doctors d… --- ## [Help with understanding a relativity video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-understanding-a-relativity-video/976824)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-understanding-a-relativity-video/976824 "2022-12-21T03:24:25Z")
The specific part is here and deals with the Schwarzchild metric and curvature of space-time. Here is the trouble I’m having with it. Two bodies are side by side near a gravitational body, one in freefall (inertial) an… --- ## [Hit songs of the '60s through the '80s that didn't endure - and do you think they should have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hit-songs-of-the-60s-through-the-80s-that-didnt-endure-and-do-you-think-they-should-have/976509)
**Author:** [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2022, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hit-songs-of-the-60s-through-the-80s-that-didnt-endure-and-do-you-think-they-should-have/976509 "2022-12-21T03:22:02Z")
I’m thinking of songs that made it high on the charts, maybe even stayed there for weeks, but just don’t get remembered. Aren’t often played on classic rock/oldies/whatever-you-call-it stations and even moreso, aren’t us… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=940&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=942&state=muted)