# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=949 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 950 --- ## [What are the limits to the orders that subordinates in the military must obey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-limits-to-the-orders-that-subordinates-in-the-military-must-obey/974739)
**Author:** [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-limits-to-the-orders-that-subordinates-in-the-military-must-obey/974739 "2022-11-12T20:34:44Z")
It’s common knowledge, and perfectly logical, that in the military it is a serious offense to refuse to obey a direct order from your superior. Obviously, if you are given the order to advance on the enemy, and you decli… --- ## [American accents: "ear" and "air"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-accents-ear-and-air/974503)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-accents-ear-and-air/974503 "2022-11-12T20:32:56Z")
I’ve lived in northern New Jersey for most of my life, and the way most locals speak has always sounded pretty normal so me. But in the last 5 or 10 years or so, I have found some people, and increasing numbers of them, … --- ## [The Wood Wide Web](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wood-wide-web/972551)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wood-wide-web/972551 "2022-11-12T20:03:05Z")
I’m currently reading a serious and well researched book which makes the claim botanists have recently discovered that trees in a forest, not always of the same species, sometimes communicate with each other. I presume … --- ## [Examples of "rushed" singing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-rushed-singing/974610)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-rushed-singing/974610 "2022-11-12T19:14:44Z")
Not sure if it originated in the blues, or what, but I always found it a fun technique, especially trying to cram a whole bunch of extra syllables into one line of lyrics so that sometimes they’re kinda spilling into the… --- ## [Human consumption of sundew nectar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-consumption-of-sundew-nectar/974701)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-consumption-of-sundew-nectar/974701 "2022-11-12T19:11:15Z")
I just read about carnivorous sundew plants (Drosera) and how they attract prey with sweet mucilage on the tips of the tentacles. I’m talking abo… --- ## [Touch lamp stopped working, any ideas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touch-lamp-stopped-working-any-ideas/958602)
**Author:** [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touch-lamp-stopped-working-any-ideas/958602 "2022-11-12T17:20:23Z")
It’s already broken, so I’m more than willing to take it apart and see if wires are loose or anything, but I have no idea how they work or what to look for/at. Any suggestions before I go at it with a screwdriver. I do … --- ## [Identify this Pecker!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-pecker/974777)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-pecker/974777 "2022-11-12T16:55:43Z")
Couldn’t get a picture, and pretty sure its some kind of PeckerWood. Here is what I can report: Small crest on his head, but sharply pointed back. Black Triangle on his chest, bordered in white, very distinctive. Short-… --- ## [English words with silent letters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-silent-letters/974486)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-words-with-silent-letters/974486 "2022-11-12T16:22:44Z")
Parallel to the double letter thread I’d like to start one about silent letters. A late colleague of mine once told me that he had examples of each letter of the alphabet being silent in some word with the sole exceptio… --- ## [Expanding Language Options for the Keyboard, Windows 10](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expanding-language-options-for-the-keyboard-windows-10/974668)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expanding-language-options-for-the-keyboard-windows-10/974668 "2022-11-12T14:40:32Z")
I like to play around with studying languages. Up until recently, I’ve been studying languages that use the Latin alphabet so the default keyboard plus a couple of keystrokes have been sufficient. I’m now expanding to … --- ## [Michigan Democrats supporting pro-Trump candidates in GOP primary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-democrats-supporting-pro-trump-candidates-in-gop-primary/969086)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-democrats-supporting-pro-trump-candidates-in-gop-primary/969086 "2022-11-12T13:28:27Z")
Democrats face blowback after boosting far-right Michigan candidate - The Washington Post I don’t like the idea of the Democratic party in the State of Michigan spending money that was given to support democratic candid… --- ## [What Roman month was 2 August 216 BCE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-roman-month-was-2-august-216-bce/974780)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-roman-month-was-2-august-216-bce/974780 "2022-11-12T13:22:54Z")
What Roman month was 2 August 216 BCE? Their 10 months at that time were: Martius, Aprilis, Maius\*,Junius\*, Quintilis\*, Sextilis\*, September\*, October\*, November\*, December --- ## [In war, why is it seemingly difficult to blow up bridges?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-war-why-is-it-seemingly-difficult-to-blow-up-bridges/974440)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-war-why-is-it-seemingly-difficult-to-blow-up-bridges/974440 "2022-11-12T11:13:55Z")
I was watching this video on the Battle of the Bulge and they noted several times where Germans were able to capture bridges (sometimes they failed). This is one example but there were many others during the war. My qu… --- ## [Parsnip gardening question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parsnip-gardening-question/974692)
**Author:** [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parsnip-gardening-question/974692 "2022-11-12T04:31:19Z")
I planted parsnips this year. Everything in the universe says “wait until after the first frost” to harvest. Okay: HOW LONG AFTER? Nobody will tell me! It says that this is what converts the starches to sugars, which I a… --- ## [Kevin Conroy RIP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kevin-conroy-rip/974749)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kevin-conroy-rip/974749 "2022-11-12T04:11:08Z")
For me he was Batman. Even when I read the comics I hear his voice. RIP (One caveat. I saw this news on Twitter. With the current chaos there there is a slight chance this was a hoax but I don’t think so). --- ## [Politics moderation re Trump and Ivanka](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-moderation-re-trump-and-ivanka/974732)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-moderation-re-trump-and-ivanka/974732 "2022-11-12T03:41:45Z")
Huh? Trump’s inappropriate comments about Ivanka and his general predilection for women much younger than he is is well known. Maybe a nudge to keep on subject was warranted, maybe not, it was a mild off topic jibe,… --- ## [Recommendations for calorie counting program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-calorie-counting-program/974774)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-calorie-counting-program/974774 "2022-11-12T02:44:33Z")
I am looking for a basic program where I simply click on the ingredients and it will give me a calorie count for my recipe. I would also like it to store my recipes. Nutritional values also if possible. --- ## [Who has been to the Pinball Hall of Fame?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-been-to-the-pinball-hall-of-fame/817972)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-been-to-the-pinball-hall-of-fame/817972 "2022-11-12T01:25:09Z")
I have a 3-day weekend in October. Am thinking of going to the Pinball HoF. Never been before. Who here has been? What do I need to know about it? Is October a bad time to go for any reason? It won’t be over Halloween. I… --- ## [Tropical Storm / Hurricane (?) Nicole \[Nov 2022\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tropical-storm-hurricane-nicole-nov-2022/974583)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2022, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tropical-storm-hurricane-nicole-nov-2022/974583 "2022-11-12T00:58:56Z")
A thread to discuss Nicole and whatever it does to wherever it does it. Here in the Greater Miami Metroblob we’re seeing the latest news on Tues morning as favorable to us. The latest jog is a bit farther north. We’re… --- ## [Is There a Term/Word For Those Who Love Interviews?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-word-for-those-who-love-interviews/974537)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-term-word-for-those-who-love-interviews/974537 "2022-11-11T23:51:54Z")
Of course, if you try to do research, you get nothing but interviews, and even then, most are about job interviews… I think this word/term (if it exists) would help me search through the archives. Thanks! --- ## [Did the GOP underperform this election cycle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-gop-underperform-this-election-cycle/974669)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-gop-underperform-this-election-cycle/974669 "2022-11-11T23:30:33Z")
In comparison to expectations and actual advantages? If so, to what extent? (Encompassing all races, not just for federal government, thus why I started a new thread.) Related question: how did the polls perform? --- ## [What If They Had Today's Technology in 1968?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-they-had-todays-technology-in-1968/974768)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-they-had-todays-technology-in-1968/974768 "2022-11-11T23:06:49Z")
Everyone had their own YouTube channel, etc… But, you also have TMZ everywhere. Maybe “social” media would be a short fad? Maybe there would be less concerts, and more musicians staying home and making music, instead of… --- ## [Can you ID this old jazz song? \[solved\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-id-this-old-jazz-song-solved/974451)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-id-this-old-jazz-song-solved/974451 "2022-11-11T22:30:09Z")
I’ve had this earworm for days. My roommate and I think its an old jazz song from the '30s or '40s… rather than an unrecognizable amalgamation of things I’ve listened to over the years. (click the black box to listen) … --- ## [Your current first-world problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-current-first-world-problems/951904)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-current-first-world-problems/951904 "2022-11-11T22:38:28Z")
I have bigger problems in my life, sure. But it’s getting annoying that I cannot get my favorite canned soft drinks in the last months. My favorite, Canada Dry Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale, in particular. I can often fin… --- ## [What is a US military group](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-us-military-group/974761)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-us-military-group/974761 "2022-11-11T21:24:19Z")
Reading about Chile and the 1973 coup, I’ve come across a “SITREP” by Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick J. Ryan, headed NAVY SECTION, UNITED STATES MILITARY GROUP, CHILE, CASTILLA 141-V VALPARISO, CHILE. His 2013 obituary note… --- ## [J. B. Pritzker, WTF are you thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-b-pritzker-wtf-are-you-thinking/967180)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-b-pritzker-wtf-are-you-thinking/967180 "2022-11-11T21:10:08Z")
I don’t pay much attention to Illinois state politics, so I wasn’t aware of this until I saw the primary results yesterday: Gov. Pritzker, a Democratic billionaire who easily won renomination, financed his GOP challenge… --- ## [This is Ulster County, New York's version of "Boaty McBoatface"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-ulster-county-new-yorks-version-of-boaty-mcboatface/968286)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-ulster-county-new-yorks-version-of-boaty-mcboatface/968286 "2022-11-11T20:46:48Z")
They had an art contest for teenagers, to design the “I Voted” stickers to be given out next November. The number of votes speaks volumes. LOL and SFW. https://elections.ulstercountyny.gov/i-voted-sticker-contest/ --- ## [Least Formal Place Been, Wearing Fancy Clothes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/least-formal-place-been-wearing-fancy-clothes/974626)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/least-formal-place-been-wearing-fancy-clothes/974626 "2022-11-11T20:22:39Z")
Since I already asked about sweatpants, and no one yet mentioned a wedding a la Friends in Low Places - time to turn things around. Apart from school dances or when you went to traffic school, what is the least formal s… --- ## [Is it just me, or is it only Republicans that outperform the polls these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-it-only-republicans-that-outperform-the-polls-these-days/974328)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-or-is-it-only-republicans-that-outperform-the-polls-these-days/974328 "2022-11-11T20:16:53Z")
We all know that polls aren’t a 100% perfect predictor of an election. But it’s occurred to me more than once that whenever the polls are “wrong,” it always seems to be the Republican candidate that wins. It’s never the … --- ## [Trump vs. DeSantis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-desantis/970088)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-desantis/970088 "2022-11-11T19:58:13Z")
Is it more likely or less likely than usual that Trump’s supporters will fall into line and support DeSantis if DeSantis beats him for the GOP nomination? One argument goes that Trump will fill his supporters with such … --- ## [Pretty pictures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pretty-pictures/974720)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pretty-pictures/974720 "2022-11-11T19:19:40Z")
No particular reason to share these “can’t believe I got this picture” photos. But some are nice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=948) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=950)