# Latest **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=97&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 98 --- ## [I want this shirt!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-this-shirt/1029690)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-this-shirt/1029690 "2026-05-01T22:39:12Z")
Huh. It looks like it won’t load directly, so I’ll just tell y’all what you’ll see if you click the link. It’s a picture of Sean Astin wearing his Twoflower costume from Th… --- ## [What would Democrats do with a supermajority in Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-democrats-do-with-a-supermajority-in-congress/1029627)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-democrats-do-with-a-supermajority-in-congress/1029627 "2026-05-01T21:49:12Z")
First, the hypothetical. The results are from the midterms, and the blue tsunami was enormous. Democrats have a 100 seat advantage in the House and have 70 seats in the Senate. Yes, I know this is extremely unlikely, … --- ## [Fuck the Sackler family, and fuck the DOJ for letting them skate without jail time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-sackler-family-and-fuck-the-doj-for-letting-them-skate-without-jail-time/923596)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-the-sackler-family-and-fuck-the-doj-for-letting-them-skate-without-jail-time/923596 "2026-05-01T21:08:09Z")
Profiteers off of human misery and manufacturer of the opiod crises, the Sackler family owned Purdue Pharma has reached a global settlement with the DOJ over criminal charges that they aided and abetted the unnecessary … --- ## [Current views on tipping in restaurants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-views-on-tipping-in-restaurants/929607)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-views-on-tipping-in-restaurants/929607 "2026-05-01T20:56:07Z")
I don’t understand tipping in restaurants sometimes these days. Pre-COVID, if a youngster asked me why people tip in a restaurant, I might say… Sometimes they get you a good seat Sometimes they’re very quick getting t… --- ## [Obligation for tip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligation-for-tip/1027365)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obligation-for-tip/1027365 "2026-05-01T20:53:17Z")
So in the thread about Door Dash’s DoubleDash option, I noticed that @aceplace57 said that he wouldn’t tip less than $7 or 8 for something inexpensive- under $14, as it was a paltry $3.50. Now I got to wondering, why w… --- ## [Medicare: Advantage vs. Medigap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-advantage-vs-medigap/1024830)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-advantage-vs-medigap/1024830 "2026-05-01T20:22:12Z")
I’ve been on Medicare, with an Aetna Advantage plan, for five years. I’ve been happy with it, and have had no serious problems with it. My wife turned 65 in September and on the advice of a broker we enrolled her in a Hu… --- ## [RIP to the mass market paperback](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-to-the-mass-market-paperback/1025726)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-to-the-mass-market-paperback/1025726 "2026-05-01T20:15:19Z")
Last Call for Mass Market Paperbacks They were already moribund - see the stats in the attached article - but their main distributor has said they’re done with them at the end of this year. It hits with a nostalgic pain… --- ## [Most despicable movie characters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-despicable-movie-characters/1029585)
**Author:** [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-despicable-movie-characters/1029585 "2026-05-01T19:29:31Z")
Who do we think are the most despicable characters in movie history? I don’t mean most evil or scariest. I mean the ones we find most loathsome, most deplorable. Anton Chigurh in “No Country for Old Men” is terrifying, b… --- ## [Weird Discourse feature. New or new discovery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-discourse-feature-new-or-new-discovery/1029692)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-discourse-feature-new-or-new-discovery/1029692 "2026-05-01T16:35:24Z")
Today for the first time in the years that I’ve been reading this site in Discourse on my phone, something new happened. While touching a thread subject in a forum, a preview box if the first post in the thread popped up… --- ## [Learning Mandarin: HelloChinese and written language](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-mandarin-hellochinese-and-written-language/1022797)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-mandarin-hellochinese-and-written-language/1022797 "2026-05-01T16:04:11Z")
I speak a few languages and have studied many others out of interest or due to travel. I went to China twenty years ago and learned a few hundred words and phrases but only a few symbols. I have now decided to try to l… --- ## [Lingvano, or learning how to sign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lingvano-or-learning-how-to-sign/1029269)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lingvano-or-learning-how-to-sign/1029269 "2026-05-01T15:51:38Z")
I’ve bought a few used books on sign language before and kind of ignored them. It occurred to me an app might be better substitute for actual lessons and You Tube. So I tried Lingvano. It seems pretty good, but is abo… --- ## [Cheers - Happy 64th, Freddie Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheers-happy-64th-freddie-mercury/552714)
**Author:** [@pythonzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pythonzzz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheers-happy-64th-freddie-mercury/552714 "2026-05-01T13:39:19Z")
The man at his best: --- ## [PJD tries a PBJ - you'll be AMAZED etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pjd-tries-a-pbj-youll-be-amazed-etc/1029666)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pjd-tries-a-pbj-youll-be-amazed-etc/1029666 "2026-05-01T13:17:09Z")
Inspired by the discussion on PBJ in the poll discussion thread (and a previous discussion in the cheese and pickle thread), I finally bit the bullet by the horns and made a PBJ sandwich!! I made a loaf of basic white b… --- ## [Displaying images: any FAQ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/displaying-images-any-faq/1029679)
**Author:** [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/displaying-images-any-faq/1029679 "2026-05-01T12:48:19Z")
Apologies if my perfunctory search wasn’t enough to find any answers already put on the site, but in our caption competition thread in Thread Games, I’ve often struggled with getting images to display reliably for all … --- ## [Neville Chamberlain: Misunderstood Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neville-chamberlain-misunderstood-hero/1029248)
**Author:** [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neville-chamberlain-misunderstood-hero/1029248 "2026-05-01T12:24:19Z")
Everything you probably think you know about Chamberlain – that he was a gullible fool who was easily manipulated by Hitler – is absolutely wrong. This post is based on the work of Dr. Gerhard Weinberg, an award-winning… --- ## [The annoyance that is Windows 11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-annoyance-that-is-windows-11/1029530)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-annoyance-that-is-windows-11/1029530 "2026-05-01T11:57:20Z")
Sadly, i agree that Windows 11 is in many ways indistinguishable from malware. It gave me a ransomware attack, moving all my files offline and then threatening to delete them if i didn’t buy (cloud) space for them. Als… --- ## [How can cat hairs with one color on the tip and another at the base?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cat-hairs-with-one-color-on-the-tip-and-another-at-the-base/1020383)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-cat-hairs-with-one-color-on-the-tip-and-another-at-the-base/1020383 "2026-05-01T11:10:44Z")
I have a gray tabby. If I part some fur, it’s white at the base, gray at the tips. I can imagine a scenario where a hair follicle might apply pigment to a new hair, then stop, so the bottom looks white. Then the hair ev… --- ## [Monthly Photo Competition #41 – April, 2026 – “Ancient”: Poll added](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-41-april-2026-ancient-poll-added/1028934)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-41-april-2026-ancient-poll-added/1028934 "2026-05-01T11:07:01Z")
This is the monthly photo competition thread for April, 2026. The topic this month is “Ancient” chosen by @romansperson One entry per person per month. In this thread, please post only your photo and, if you like a brie… --- ## [NYT List of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-list-of-the-30-greatest-living-american-songwriters/1029619 "2026-05-01T10:50:27Z")
Gift link: I would say that I have some disagreements with the list. For example, Madonna wrote a lot of her own stuff and I’d put her ahead of Mariah Carey. Norah Jones isn’t on the list and neither is Alicia Keys,… --- ## [Donald Trump, Jesus, and a doctor walk into a bar …](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-jesus-and-a-doctor-walk-into-a-bar/1029347)
**Author:** [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-jesus-and-a-doctor-walk-into-a-bar/1029347 "2026-05-01T07:38:58Z")
Donald Trump, Jesus, and a doctor walk into a bar … Desi Lydic started this joke on the Daily Show but didn’t finish. I think it’s too good a setup to waste. 100 internet points to whoever makes the funniest version! … --- ## [Discussion regarding Democrats forcing a shutdown over ICE overreach (2026 ICE shootings)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-regarding-democrats-forcing-a-shutdown-over-ice-overreach-2026-ice-shootings/1027058)
**Author:** [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-regarding-democrats-forcing-a-shutdown-over-ice-overreach-2026-ice-shootings/1027058 "2026-05-01T03:24:39Z")
Continuing the discussion from The ICE shootings in Minneapolis (1/7/2026): I mentioned that I supported this in the above thread, but am spinning it off as to not hijack the parent. In short - ICE actions in MN have b… --- ## [Count DOWN FROM 1,000,000 "game" thread thingymado](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/count-down-from-1-000-000-game-thread-thingymado/828655)
**Author:** [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Replies:** 733\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/count-down-from-1-000-000-game-thread-thingymado/828655 "2026-05-01T03:00:40Z")
Based off of Beck’s weird phrasing here, I’ve decided to start a counter game to the million post thread. Let’s count DOWN FROM a million. And it’ll be…well…not really interesting…but…uh…curious? To see when the two game… --- ## [Oklahoma state Senate candidate found dead in truck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-state-senate-candidate-found-dead-in-truck/1029684)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oklahoma-state-senate-candidate-found-dead-in-truck/1029684 "2026-05-01T02:57:55Z")
Barry Christian, 54, a Republican candidate for the OK state senate, missed a scheduled meeting yesterday and was reported missing. Today he was found dead in the trunk of his own car, which was abandoned on the side of… --- ## [Any particular vocalists who annoy you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-particular-vocalists-who-annoy-you/1029540)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-particular-vocalists-who-annoy-you/1029540 "2026-05-01T01:53:43Z")
Yeah, I got a few. Axl Rose - voice of a whiny punk. And I don’t mean punk rocker. Eddie Vedder - blue-eyed soul dreariness. David Clayton Thomas not pleased. Roger Chapman - Family vocalist and his vibrato squakings … --- ## [The German killer joke from Monty Python](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-german-killer-joke-from-monty-python/23397)
**Author:** [@SarumanRex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SarumanRex)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-german-killer-joke-from-monty-python/23397 "2026-05-01T01:31:09Z")
In an episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus there was a WWII skit where the British discover a joke that is so funny it will kill anyone who hears it (and understands it). Only British soldiers who do not speak German … --- ## [Actors / comedians who played a worse version of themselves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-comedians-who-played-a-worse-version-of-themselves/997737)
**Author:** [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actors-comedians-who-played-a-worse-version-of-themselves/997737 "2026-05-01T01:12:58Z")
I’ve been watching the final season of ‘Curb your Enthusiasm’, and I’m currently listening to Larry David being interviewed on Conan O’Brien’s podcast. Conan (half?) jokes to Larry at one point that he’s supposed to be … --- ## [Midsomer Murders - What is that nocturnal animal/bird cry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midsomer-murders-what-is-that-nocturnal-animal-bird-cry/703581)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midsomer-murders-what-is-that-nocturnal-animal-bird-cry/703581 "2026-05-01T01:05:46Z")
In pretty much every episode of “Midsomer Murder” with an outdoor night time scene, sooner or later you hear a cry. A sort of loudish “YAWWK.” At first I thought it might be the death cry of some animal, but sometimes … --- ## [SimulaVerse on YouTube - Simulating different ideas about our planet and Solar System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulaverse-on-youtube-simulating-different-ideas-about-our-planet-and-solar-system/1029680)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulaverse-on-youtube-simulating-different-ideas-about-our-planet-and-solar-system/1029680 "2026-04-30T22:18:59Z")
I recently discovered the channel “SimulaVerse” on YouTube, in which a guy is challenged to alter certain facts about our planet and the others, and the Sun, to see what would happen if circumstances were different. And… --- ## [NYT article suggests shoplifting as a form of protest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-suggests-shoplifting-as-a-form-of-protest/1029596)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-article-suggests-shoplifting-as-a-form-of-protest/1029596 "2026-04-30T21:56:00Z")
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/opinion/shoplifting-political-protest-microlooting-whole-foods.html I am wondering if any of you heard about this article, it’s been making the rounds on BlueSky with both condemnation… --- ## [Sawe breaks the 2 hour barrier in the marathon at London](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawe-breaks-the-2-hour-barrier-in-the-marathon-at-london/1029568)
**Author:** [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawe-breaks-the-2-hour-barrier-in-the-marathon-at-london/1029568 "2026-04-30T21:48:59Z")
Sebastian Sawe runs the first sub-2 hour marathon in a time of 1:59:30. Sabastian Sawe runs first sub-2-hour marathon race, shatters world record in London A HISTORIC MARATHON WORLD RECORD!!! || The 2026 London Maratho… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=96&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md?page=98&state=muted)