# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=968&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 969 --- ## [What is the bell symbol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bell-symbol/974913)
**Author:** [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-bell-symbol/974913 "2022-11-15T18:19:06Z")
To the right of New Topic and/or Open draft is a bell symbol. Would someone tell me its purpose? Thank you! --- ## [2022 Governor Races](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-governor-races/957723)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-governor-races/957723 "2022-11-15T17:22:09Z")
Looks like 20 Republican and 16 Democratic governorships are up for grabs in 2022. It should prove interesting as it goes along with a very partisan midterm election. Will the Trumpinistas triumph or will the result sh… --- ## [Freeze-thaw-cook-freeze?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freeze-thaw-cook-freeze/974943)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freeze-thaw-cook-freeze/974943 "2022-11-15T17:14:16Z")
Does thorough cooking give you a second life on refreezing previously frozen food? I have some turkeys that I bought in a frozen state (49 cents per pound!!) and I’m roasting both of them, but I know I’ll be sick of tur… --- ## [Fireplace Propane Insert](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireplace-propane-insert/974960)
**Author:** [@dauerbach1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach1)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireplace-propane-insert/974960 "2022-11-15T17:02:22Z")
We want to add a propane insert to our current masonry fireplace. It currently uses propane but when we use it it just makes the room colder so we want an insert with fan. We like the heat n glo escape model. Unfortun… --- ## [World diabetes day!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-diabetes-day/974892)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-diabetes-day/974892 "2022-11-15T16:36:16Z")
I do not have diabetes, just to be clear. But I live a few blocks from Frederick Banting’s house, with it’s eternal flame out front. So, of course, the local news covered this day. And when they did, they mentioned that… --- ## [What do you use to control your entertainment systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-control-your-entertainment-systems/974827)
**Author:** [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-control-your-entertainment-systems/974827 "2022-11-15T15:41:25Z")
My home entertainment setup is rather antiquated, but then so am I. Basically, it’s just a TV and cable box. The TV has internet connectivity, but it’s old enough that some apps are no longer supported for it. I know … --- ## [Recommend a decent microscope and telescope for my kids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-decent-microscope-and-telescope-for-my-kids/972898)
**Author:** [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-decent-microscope-and-telescope-for-my-kids/972898 "2022-11-15T14:42:14Z")
I am thinking of Christmas gifts and would like to get a microscope and/or telescope for my budding scientist daughters (age 12 and 9). A couple of years ago I made the mistake of buying a combo set with both for about $… --- ## [2022 House Vote: Republicans: 51.7%, Democrats: 46.8%, a Significant Switch to Republicans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-house-vote-republicans-51-7-democrats-46-8-a-significant-switch-to-republicans/974920)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-house-vote-republicans-51-7-democrats-46-8-a-significant-switch-to-republicans/974920 "2022-11-15T14:30:59Z")
Here are the numbers of people who voted Democratic vs Republican in the 2022 House elections Democrats: 47,400,328 46.8% Republicans: 52,328,829 51.7% Compare this with 2020 House elections Democrats: 77,545,850 vot… --- ## ["Roberta Flack announces she has ALS"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roberta-flack-announces-she-has-als/974914)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roberta-flack-announces-she-has-als/974914 "2022-11-15T14:00:14Z")
Damn. “…“impossible to sing and not easy to speak”…” :cry: Hard to believe she’s 85. --- ## [Senate and House Obligations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-and-house-obligations/974703)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-and-house-obligations/974703 "2022-11-15T06:10:17Z")
Hi SD, Not sure if Politics is a better place for this question, but I am only looking for factual answers–no political opinion. Do Senators and House members frequently vote against the party line? Are they in comple… --- ## [There are four ways to transfer heat? I thought there were three](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-four-ways-to-transfer-heat-i-thought-there-were-three/974714)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-four-ways-to-transfer-heat-i-thought-there-were-three/974714 "2022-11-15T03:58:13Z")
Forever I’ve been told that there are three ways to transfer heat: Conduction Convection Radiation But in a recent thread a doper here mentioned a fourth way to transfer heat: Evaporative Cooling I sort of understa… --- ## [PLEASE refi your house with us](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-refi-your-house-with-us/974854)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-refi-your-house-with-us/974854 "2022-11-15T03:47:23Z")
We are locked in at 3.75% fixed for our mortgage. With the interest rates going up, people are begging us to refi. My bank has called me a few times. We have $200K in equity and now lenders are offering to let us pull… --- ## [Ukraine invasion: What would it take for Russia’s current allies to abandon their support?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-invasion-what-would-it-take-for-russia-s-current-allies-to-abandon-their-support/973021)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-invasion-what-would-it-take-for-russia-s-current-allies-to-abandon-their-support/973021 "2022-11-15T02:56:06Z")
They haven’t applied sanctions on the US have they? Why would China (and especially India most of whose military is Russian origin equipment) apply pressure on Russia. For the feels? Vibes don’t make foreign policy. D… --- ## [Trying to find old comic strip about micro-transactions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-old-comic-strip-about-micro-transactions/974902)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-old-comic-strip-about-micro-transactions/974902 "2022-11-15T02:17:58Z")
I remember reading a comic strip, I think it was in the early 2000s, that was trying to explain the future concept of micro-transactions. It was pretty well drawn, and over several panels that you had to scroll through,… --- ## [Major Kong: Vegas or Dallas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-kong-vegas-or-dallas/974709)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-kong-vegas-or-dallas/974709 "2022-11-15T01:43:31Z")
In the 1964 movie Dr. Strangelove survival kit contents check scene, Major Kong said “Shoot, a fellow could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.” Originally, the line was “Dallas” but it was overdubb… --- ## [Remembering the Fitz - November 10, 1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remembering-the-fitz-november-10-1975/974722)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remembering-the-fitz-november-10-1975/974722 "2022-11-15T00:29:59Z")
Lost this day in 1975 with all hands aboard. My father was friends with Edmund B. Fitzgerald, the son of Edmund Fitzgerald after whom the ship was named. --- ## [How is the word Gerrymander used in the UK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-word-gerrymander-used-in-the-uk/974819)
**Author:** [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2022, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-word-gerrymander-used-in-the-uk/974819 "2022-11-15T00:15:15Z")
While watching an old episode of Sister Boniface last weekend I noticed that the titular character used the word ‘gerrymander’ in what I considered an odd way. She was talking about someone monkeying with a bronze plaque… --- ## [She-Hulk: Attorney at Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/she-hulk-attorney-at-law/964591)
**Author:** [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Replies:** 639\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/she-hulk-attorney-at-law/964591 "2022-11-14T23:46:55Z")
(Streaming August 17th on Disney+) It looks very promising, and if they can match the tone of the comics (which it seems like they’re trying to do) it could be a lot of fun… …but oh, that CGI. It’s easy … --- ## [Things my pulmonologist just told me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-my-pulmonologist-just-told-me/974904)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-my-pulmonologist-just-told-me/974904 "2022-11-14T23:18:08Z")
This morning I had another routine office visit with my pulmonologist, who treats my chronic bronchitis. I’ve worried about her because the pandemic seemed like it must be such a brutal thing for pulmonologists. She com… --- ## [What's the name of that whimsical song that plays in this Simpsons episode](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-that-whimsical-song-that-plays-in-this-simpsons-episode/296109)
**Author:** [@LarrySpankowitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LarrySpankowitz)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-name-of-that-whimsical-song-that-plays-in-this-simpsons-episode/296109 "2022-11-14T22:56:18Z")
It’s in a lot of movies and cartoons, but the most notable example I can think of is the Simpsons episode where Homer has to take a Traffic School class and they’re showing a movie about people who were injured in car ac… --- ## [Light Fixture Help --swapping a three screw globe for a single middle screw fixture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-fixture-help-swapping-a-three-screw-globe-for-a-single-middle-screw-fixture/974763)
**Author:** [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-fixture-help-swapping-a-three-screw-globe-for-a-single-middle-screw-fixture/974763 "2022-11-14T22:42:17Z")
My wife and I just bought our first house and are in the process of making it our own. We added a ceiling fan to our bedroom and the light fixture is the standard globe held up with the three screws at the base. We have… --- ## [Is COVID over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-covid-over/974718)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-covid-over/974718 "2022-11-14T22:27:57Z")
Right from the beginning of the pandemic, many infectious disease experts correctly predicted how the pandemic would progress. The probable end state was that it would transition from pandemic to endemic, and just becom… --- ## [Looking for a pre-Roman Cathaginian calendar (Coptic ? Egyptian?) and early Roman calendar correspndence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-pre-roman-cathaginian-calendar-coptic-egyptian-and-early-roman-calendar-correspndence/974803)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-a-pre-roman-cathaginian-calendar-coptic-egyptian-and-early-roman-calendar-correspndence/974803 "2022-11-14T22:10:30Z")
I hope someone can help me find a month to month correspondence between months as the Cartheginians would have known them prior to their defeat by the Romans and their Roman equivalents. Did the Romans use the Egyptian c… --- ## [Anyone work in a billing center?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-work-in-a-billing-center/974901)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-work-in-a-billing-center/974901 "2022-11-14T21:56:01Z")
Every day when I open the day’s mail it is a pain in the ass. Some I just grab the corner and tear. For envelopes I might want to keep I get my handy knife and slit the top open. I know there are machines that cut a smal… --- ## [Can you recommend a home office chair for a heavy person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-recommend-a-home-office-chair-for-a-heavy-person/963855)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-recommend-a-home-office-chair-for-a-heavy-person/963855 "2022-11-14T21:33:54Z")
Alright, it well into my third year of working for home and I really need to get a good home office chair now. But I’m a big guy so I need something very strong and supportive. But I’m in a small space at home so it ca… --- ## [How effective is black pepper at dissipating THC affects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-black-pepper-at-dissipating-thc-affects/974871)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-effective-is-black-pepper-at-dissipating-thc-affects/974871 "2022-11-14T20:17:54Z")
I could link but it seems to be generally true, no matter where you look, that black pepper has some ability to mitigate the mind altering abilities of Marijuana. However, I can’t find numbers anywhere. Could you sit c… --- ## [Voter intimidation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-intimidation/974278 "2022-11-14T19:55:07Z")
This has been puzzling me. I often see news stories about voter intimidation - folks standing near ballot boxes with firearms, especially. What I wonder is, how are they selecting who to harass? Votes are not public, a… --- ## [Daylight Savings Time: Why is the US congress split on this matter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daylight-savings-time-why-is-the-us-congress-split-on-this-matter/974456)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 260\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daylight-savings-time-why-is-the-us-congress-split-on-this-matter/974456 "2022-11-14T19:52:19Z")
As most know Daylight Savings ends a few hours from now (November 6 at 2a). My question is, congress has seemed to consider ending it for a while now. It seems universally popular to end. So, why doesn’t it end? Is t… --- ## [Crazy car story from my youth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-car-story-from-my-youth/974665)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-car-story-from-my-youth/974665 "2022-11-14T19:45:09Z")
I posted this on Reddit recently and think it deserves a place here. Reminds me of a childhood memory. A guy we hung out with shows up with his dad’s car. Dad is out of town for a few days. He is allowed to drive to sch… --- ## [Tipping Redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-redux/971413)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-redux/971413 "2022-11-14T19:44:26Z")
Our trip to Vegas, which was cancelled 2-1/2 years ago by the pandemic, is on again. We’ll be there in November. While the wife has made trips to the mainland and Thailand, this will be my first time outside of Hawaii si… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=967&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=969&state=muted)