# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1166&period=all&state=muted [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1167 --- ## [Is there a logical fallacy to this tired argument about speeding tickets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-logical-fallacy-to-this-tired-argument-about-speeding-tickets/625495)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2012, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-logical-fallacy-to-this-tired-argument-about-speeding-tickets/625495 "2012-06-22T07:21:29Z")
I often hear the tired old argument that cops shouldn’t be “wasting their time” writing people speeding tickets when there are other, more serious criminals that they should be spending their time on. Is there an logica… --- ## [Who is Responsible for Political Correctness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-political-correctness/570176)
**Author:** [@kevlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevlaw)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-political-correctness/570176 "2011-02-07T22:02:50Z")
Over in Cafe Society, there is a thread asking which movies from the old days could not be made today? because of political correctness. The examples are all over the map from complaints about blackface, sensitivity abo… --- ## [Do people really enjoy sleeping? Can you actually enjoy being asleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-really-enjoy-sleeping-can-you-actually-enjoy-being-asleep/496780)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-really-enjoy-sleeping-can-you-actually-enjoy-being-asleep/496780 "2009-05-18T20:59:35Z")
I do not want this thread in IMHO. It is not a poll. I want to know if people actually enjoy themselves while sleeping in the same way someone enjoys watching a film or playing tennis. I have heard people say they do. … --- ## [Help! Plugged my surge protector into an extension cord and got sparks.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-plugged-my-surge-protector-into-an-extension-cord-and-got-sparks/614509)
**Author:** [@Caveat\_lector\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caveat_lector_1)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-plugged-my-surge-protector-into-an-extension-cord-and-got-sparks/614509 "2012-03-06T17:03:18Z")
I recently had a major electrical disruption in the place I rent where the cord from the meter to the breaker box got messed up. Part of the electrical items shut down, part of them browned out, and part of them got extr… --- ## [Now that I've finally got a girlfriend, I'm not sure I want her.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ive-finally-got-a-girlfriend-im-not-sure-i-want-her/269523)
**Author:** [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2004, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ive-finally-got-a-girlfriend-im-not-sure-i-want-her/269523 "2004-10-19T13:02:03Z")
Are there any perpetually single guys out there (i.e. I’m about 10 years +, now in my mid-30s) who finally, after all the sadness and lonliness, finally caught themselves a sweetie, and then found themselves about a mont… --- ## [Once undesireable fish served in fine restaurants.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-undesireable-fish-served-in-fine-restaurants/522549)
**Author:** [@enmity01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enmity01)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2010, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-undesireable-fish-served-in-fine-restaurants/522549 "2010-01-09T02:14:08Z")
Regarding this week’s column: Are upscale restaurants serving ugly fish?, Cecil missed an opportunity to answer that in ways that would befuddle and bemuse many a seafood snob. Lobsters were once caught almost exclusive… --- ## [Books by your favorite author you're glad you didn't read first](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-by-your-favorite-author-youre-glad-you-didnt-read-first/529713)
**Author:** [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/books-by-your-favorite-author-youre-glad-you-didnt-read-first/529713 "2010-02-25T02:16:22Z")
I’m not just talking your least favorite book by your favorite author – I mean a book by them that is so bad, so out of the ordinary for them, that had it been the first book you’d read by them, you likely wouldn’t have … --- ## [Dog walker LIED about what happened to my cousin's dog!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-walker-lied-about-what-happened-to-my-cousins-dog/556053)
**Author:** [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-walker-lied-about-what-happened-to-my-cousins-dog/556053 "2010-10-07T04:43:17Z")
Just sharing - not asking for advice or anything. About three weeks ago, my husband’s cousin Amy lost her dog, a small terrier type. She had a regular dog walker that took Kaiya out for on-leash walks along with a few o… --- ## [WTF? moments in video games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-moments-in-video-games/282652)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2005, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-moments-in-video-games/282652 "2005-01-21T23:26:09Z")
Civilization: Call to Power- I had a city with lots of defense upgrades. I had built a lawyer in the city (a nice non-combat unit). Suddenly the computer attacks my city with a stack of 9 samurais. I thought the city was… --- ## [People who hate the Patriots: explain, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-hate-the-patriots-explain-please/436267)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-hate-the-patriots-explain-please/436267 "2008-02-07T23:44:58Z")
The Patriots (and everything remotely connected to them.) Apparently, they are the subject of unending hatred from a large segment of miankind. Please post your bile and utter hatred, with details. This is not a “Well, … --- ## [Could the Japanese\* have done better starting with kamikaze attacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-japanese-have-done-better-starting-with-kamikaze-attacks/634653)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-japanese-have-done-better-starting-with-kamikaze-attacks/634653 "2012-09-18T14:03:43Z")
Could the Japanese have done significantly better in WWII by starting from say 1935 training the vast majority of their pilots as kamikaze? It certainly looks as though this was far more effective from a raid by raid per… --- ## [Can an Army officer shoot a soldier for refusing to follow orders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-army-officer-shoot-a-soldier-for-refusing-to-follow-orders/455223)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-army-officer-shoot-a-soldier-for-refusing-to-follow-orders/455223 "2008-07-06T17:44:17Z")
In a situation where an officer orders a soldier to go secure a position and the soldier refuses, can the officer pull out his sidearm and shoot the soldier? Does it matter if they are under fire? This is about the Amer… --- ## [The Frozen Binomial game - Please read the rules in the OP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-frozen-binomial-game-please-read-the-rules-in-the-op/1030725)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 651\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2026, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-frozen-binomial-game-please-read-the-rules-in-the-op/1030725 "2026-11-01T00:56:13Z")
A frozen binomial is a pair of words used together in a fixed order as an expression. For example, we say “salt and pepper”, not “pepper and salt”. Rules: You may use just ONE frozen binomial per post You must use it … --- ## [I need to vent -housing bailout, auto industry, share the wealth, and other ramblings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-vent-housing-bailout-auto-industry-share-the-wealth-and-other-ramblings/472323)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-to-vent-housing-bailout-auto-industry-share-the-wealth-and-other-ramblings/472323 "2008-11-20T03:35:27Z")
Rehashing and venting because I just have to. I know this has been hashed and rehashed, but today I just had to hammer it out myself. A few years ago, my wife and I were looking to buy a home. We saved for it, and eve… --- ## [20 Ways to Make Your Moderator Notice You.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-ways-to-make-your-moderator-notice-you/54521)
**Author:** [@meek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meek)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2001, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-ways-to-make-your-moderator-notice-you/54521 "2001-05-18T20:03:27Z")
This thread is for all the SDMB’ers out there who may need a few pointers on how to get the moderators to notice them. Please add any more ideas that you may think of to this list as needed. \*\*E-mail them often. \*\* … --- ## [Where my Anthem(0) homies at?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-my-anthem-0-homies-at/641258)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-my-anthem-0-homies-at/641258 "2012-11-28T02:35:25Z")
I wouldn’t be as concerned if I could tell this is was a troll. However, with the amount of time dedicated to posts and how sincere he seems, there is no way this is a simple troll. Anyway, I believe that Anthem(0) is p… --- ## [Bo-Bo Sneakers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-bo-sneakers/56728)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bo-bo-sneakers/56728 "2017-08-22T09:36:30Z")
Growing up in Philly, the slang for a no-name brand of sneakers was BO-BOs. What did they call’em in your neck of the woods? Also, did anyone ever trademark the name BO-BO for a brand of sneaker? --- ## [So I woke up this morning with a paralysed arm...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-woke-up-this-morning-with-a-paralysed-arm/58575)
**Author:** [@Doc\_Moss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Moss)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2001, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-woke-up-this-morning-with-a-paralysed-arm/58575 "2001-03-21T13:25:19Z")
And it’s not the first time. It’s been happening for years. But why? For some reason, on average perhaps once a month, I will wake up and one of my arms (it can be either) will have no feeling. And when I say no feeli… --- ## [Possible for Zebra to know foal is not his?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-for-zebra-to-know-foal-is-not-his/705886)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-for-zebra-to-know-foal-is-not-his/705886 "2014-12-06T15:50:29Z")
I watched a Nature program all about zebras. They claimed that a male who took over the harem when one of the females was only one or two months pregnant knew that her foal was not his foal when it was born almost a yea… --- ## [Sopranos 2006/3/19 (beware the spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-2006-3-19-beware-the-spoilers/349071)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2006, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sopranos-2006-3-19-beware-the-spoilers/349071 "2006-03-25T17:58:51Z")
Ten bucks says this episode will follow the previous one, chronologically. Flashbacks aside, of course. --- ## [What is your worst experience with the police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-worst-experience-with-the-police/692151)
**Author:** [@Lubricious\_Integument](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lubricious_Integument)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-worst-experience-with-the-police/692151 "2014-07-09T17:00:49Z")
Inspired by Why I hate cops… I’ve never been subject to abuse, harassment, or intimidation by the police. The worst thing that comes to mind was when I was sitting in the basement watching TV with my geriatric pug Lucy.… --- ## [Emergency Vet Situation-Opinions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-vet-situation-opinions/593592)
**Author:** [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-vet-situation-opinions/593592 "2011-08-25T02:14:29Z")
I have a friend that lives near Buffalo NY, and her adult daughter had an elderly cat named Annablle. Annabelle has been ‘fading’ (for lack of a better term) for some time now, and last night began moaning in pain. She … --- ## [Mathematicians and other math junkies: lets talk about the study and practice of math](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematicians-and-other-math-junkies-lets-talk-about-the-study-and-practice-of-math/644789)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mathematicians-and-other-math-junkies-lets-talk-about-the-study-and-practice-of-math/644789 "2013-01-02T05:33:09Z")
Here, have a seat… I just put a pot of coffee on, and there’s mineral water and soda in the fridge. There may even be a couple of beers left over from when Mike and Gail stayed over on their way to Cupertino… please, hel… --- ## [A new copyright and trademark law for a new era](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-copyright-and-trademark-law-for-a-new-era/603321)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-copyright-and-trademark-law-for-a-new-era/603321 "2011-11-19T22:34:25Z")
So with the advent of the internet, copyright is more or less broken. The DMCA both more or less allows corporations to bully internet content creators completely under fair use, and yet also doesn’t get them nearly as m… --- ## [Is there any place to donate blood besides the Red Cross?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-to-donate-blood-besides-the-red-cross/319922)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-to-donate-blood-besides-the-red-cross/319922 "2018-03-15T20:48:44Z")
My step-father is a very regular platelet donor. But he really doesn’t like the Int’l Red Cross political stance. He’d prefer to donate somewhere else, but doesn’t know of anywhere else that accepts blood products. Is t… --- ## [California vs Kansas economy... why can't we put bad ideas to rest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-vs-kansas-economy-why-cant-we-put-bad-ideas-to-rest/770583)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-vs-kansas-economy-why-cant-we-put-bad-ideas-to-rest/770583 "2016-11-08T21:40:10Z")
What bad idea? That higher taxes ipso facto reduce growth and cause increased stagnation and poverty. I don’t presume it all ends rosy no matter what, I’m sure California has some natural boosts being a large coastal… --- ## [What do I tell my son?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-tell-my-son/514327)
**Author:** [@Heckity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckity)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-tell-my-son/514327 "2009-10-22T21:59:28Z")
My poor son. He’s only 20 and lost his Dad this year. Now he’s learned that his girlfriend, who goes to University in a different city has been drugged and raped. She’s a sweet young 19 year-old who attended a party on F… --- ## [Closest point to the Earth's centre.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closest-point-to-the-earths-centre/700779)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closest-point-to-the-earths-centre/700779 "2018-09-11T17:53:49Z")
Hello good people, the question should be simple; What is the closest point to the Earth’s centre accessible to Man? Prior to humanity reaching the bottom of Lake Vostok I’ll propose a canyon under the Arctic Ice cap. … --- ## [A List Of Names--Princesses In Science Fiction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-list-of-names-princesses-in-science-fiction/718601)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-list-of-names-princesses-in-science-fiction/718601 "2015-04-30T11:08:23Z")
Can we assemble a list of women with the title of “Princess” in Science Fiction? I’ll start– \[ul\] \[li\]Leia Organa\[/li\]\[li\]Dejah Thoris\[/li\]\[/ul\] --- ## [Bill Belichick trips over his own ego](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-belichick-trips-over-his-own-ego/517800)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-belichick-trips-over-his-own-ego/517800 "2009-11-25T15:39:32Z")
Sure, he’s a Hall of Fame coach, but he knows it too well. Unfortunately he’s lost most of the assistants who used to keep his gametime decisionmaking and clock management under control. Now he’s on his own. That was … --- ## [So I'll take it to the Pit... (re: Miss Kaitlyn's first day)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ill-take-it-to-the-pit-re-miss-kaitlyns-first-day/283418)
**Author:** [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2005, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ill-take-it-to-the-pit-re-miss-kaitlyns-first-day/283418 "2005-01-12T08:24:13Z")
(I’ll get a link to the thread as soon as I finish.) Clothahump, that was a really rude, inconsiderate, and generally horrible thing to say to Kaitlyn. Try to imagine–just for one minute–what she must have gone through … --- ## [Please describe Borderline Personality Disorder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-describe-borderline-personality-disorder/320961)
**Author:** [@MaryEFoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaryEFoo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-describe-borderline-personality-disorder/320961 "2014-05-21T19:28:36Z")
It was being discussed in this IMHO thread about people who can’t stop talking. What are the characteristics of someone with BPD? The term pops up from time to time. Is there such a thing as Total Personality Disorder… --- ## [2022 NFL coaching carousel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nfl-coaching-carousel/957096)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2022, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nfl-coaching-carousel/957096 "2022-02-16T19:12:10Z")
Time for the annual thread of NFL coaching changes. The late season Covid flare up doesn’t help, so many teams got stuck fielding a bunch of backups as well as the longer season equaling more injuries. --- ## [Back to Gitmo: When The Heck Will The Prisoners' Fates Be Decided?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-gitmo-when-the-heck-will-the-prisoners-fates-be-decided/201124)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-gitmo-when-the-heck-will-the-prisoners-fates-be-decided/201124 "2003-09-18T17:51:38Z")
Or have they already? http://edition.cnn.com/2003/LAW/09/11/military.trials.ap/index.html Back when the U.S. was saying “these are not POWs,” I felt sympathetic to that position, because legally they probably aren’t. H… --- ## [Amazing Race - Two Fer Tuesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-two-fer-tuesday/323543)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2005, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazing-race-two-fer-tuesday/323543 "2005-10-02T23:00:52Z")
Well this tuesday both the new season of the Amazing Race starts and the first season is being released on DVD (what an amazing coincidence). I am defnitely picking up the DVD, it has a bunch of extras and it isstill te… --- ## [Why did people cut their hair when they were sick?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-people-cut-their-hair-when-they-were-sick/264573)
**Author:** [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2004, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-people-cut-their-hair-when-they-were-sick/264573 "2004-09-16T13:18:56Z")
You always read in books about women who, when they were sick with a long illness, especially a fever, usually “lost her hair”, either it felt out, or they cut it all off. Even for other things-I remember when reading a… --- ## [Headlines We'd Like to See](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlines-wed-like-to-see/205219)
**Author:** [@YellowTail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YellowTail)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/headlines-wed-like-to-see/205219 "2004-03-14T02:25:21Z")
Here’s mine: Spammer Assassin Strikes Again: Victim #38 and Killer Still at Large --- ## [Great aviation quotes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-aviation-quotes/535701)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-aviation-quotes/535701 "2010-04-13T17:28:45Z")
Perhaps the best-known aviation quote was made by British Aviation Insurance Group’s Captain A. G. Lamplugh: Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unf… --- ## [What the hell is going on on the bridge of the USS Porter as it crashes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-going-on-on-the-bridge-of-the-uss-porter-as-it-crashes/659293)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-going-on-on-the-bridge-of-the-uss-porter-as-it-crashes/659293 "2013-05-29T22:51:51Z")
On August 12 this year the guided missile destroyer USS Porter crashed into a supertanker in the Persian Gulf. An audio of the bridge communications and its partial transcription included in the accompanying news articl… --- ## [What's In A Name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-name/714740)
**Author:** [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-a-name/714740 "2015-03-19T00:22:07Z")
The original title of this thread was “Big self-indulgent bloated boring wall of text,” but the board rules say I oughtta have more descriptive thread titles, so I hereby respectfully comply. So if y’have a hard time wi… --- ## [Stupid Magnum P.I. question: How did Rick get out of Jail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-magnum-p-i-question-how-did-rick-get-out-of-jail/694612)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-magnum-p-i-question-how-did-rick-get-out-of-jail/694612 "2014-08-03T00:34:29Z")
Its too hot to go outside and do anything productive, so I’m watching TV in the daytime. I watch an episode of Magnum and at the end, Rick goes to jail for having an AK-47. A Federal No-No. Door slams shut, credits roll. … --- ## ["Loses battle with" \[disease\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loses-battle-with-disease/714868)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loses-battle-with-disease/714868 "2015-03-16T19:06:32Z")
Apropos of the recent death of the great Sir Terry Pratchett, he died of Alzheimer’s, the London Standard there reports “Fantasy novelist Sir Terry Pratchett dies aged 66 after losing battle with Alzheimer’s”. This isn’t… --- ## [How do you spot socks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-spot-socks/847054)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-spot-socks/847054 "2020-01-31T18:02:20Z")
I’m not talking about mods, who may have IP addresses or whatnot. Run-of-the-mill SDMB users, I often see accusations that so-and-so is a sock puppet, sometimes with inferences that he is a sock of a particular poster. … --- ## [Jeremy Irons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeremy-irons/840478)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jeremy-irons/840478 "2020-01-14T15:06:30Z")
In honor of the actor’s birthday, let’s play the Jeremy Irons Game. The only rule is that each post must contain a complete sentence, composed of the name of a famous person… or persons, as long as it’s a complete senten… --- ## [Stirling Engine vs Heat Pump. Fight!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stirling-engine-vs-heat-pump-fight/639314)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stirling-engine-vs-heat-pump-fight/639314 "2016-08-20T13:14:06Z")
Let me start by saying: In this household, we obey the Laws of Thermodynamics. So I got into a nerd-fight in the comments section (on a video of a Stirling Engine in operation) of YouTube. Someone posted (words to the … --- ## [Why is talking about autism America's new favorite pastime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-talking-about-autism-americas-new-favorite-pastime/551335)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-talking-about-autism-americas-new-favorite-pastime/551335 "2010-08-30T14:23:09Z")
I’ve brought this up before, but something has been bothering me a lot about the explosion of references in our culture to autism recently. I feel like I can’t do anything without someone bringing up autism, the genius o… --- ## [Could somebody whose status as a natural-born citizen cannot be verified become US President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-somebody-whose-status-as-a-natural-born-citizen-cannot-be-verified-become-us-president/647377)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-somebody-whose-status-as-a-natural-born-citizen-cannot-be-verified-become-us-president/647377 "2013-01-18T23:12:58Z")
The President of the United States has to be a natural-born citizen. This either means being born in the United States or alternatively being born abroad to parents who are American citizens. Let’s consider this case: A… --- ## [Do You Visit Your Ancestor's Graves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-visit-your-ancestors-graves/611806)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2012, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-visit-your-ancestors-graves/611806 "2012-02-09T05:52:00Z")
I ask because I don’t often visit graves. As a child, my parents took Memorial Day seriously-we would visit the graves, plant flowers (geraniums) tidy up and scrub the tombstones. Now that my parents are old, we don’t… --- ## [How many songs start out with a number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-songs-start-out-with-a-number/762672)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-songs-start-out-with-a-number/762672 "2016-10-09T20:11:29Z")
This question came to mind upon hearing Travelin’ Band -by Creedence Clearwater Revival, which starts out “737 coming outta the sky.” One obvious one is Three Dog Night’s One: One is the loneliest number. --- ## [How do manufacturers decide to use serial numbers on items or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-manufacturers-decide-to-use-serial-numbers-on-items-or-not/667195)
**Author:** [@DrGarry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrGarry)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-manufacturers-decide-to-use-serial-numbers-on-items-or-not/667195 "2013-08-27T22:25:33Z")
My Maglite torch {flashlight} has a serial number. I recently bought an Energizer LED lantern, for almost exactly the same price as the Maglite. It does not have a serial number. What motivates a manufacturer to assign… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1165&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1167&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)