# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1244&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:** 1245 --- ## [I Pit me over Sarah Palin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-me-over-sarah-palin/466134)
**Author:** [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-me-over-sarah-palin/466134 "2008-10-04T00:34:32Z")
When I heard about the Sarah Palin interview, I went to YouTube and watched it. Not that bad I thought, and posted. Then I saw John Stewart showing a Couric interview with Palin. I had earlier only seen a clip. The clips… --- ## [Two arguments against the death penalty: one effective, one ineffective](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-arguments-against-the-death-penalty-one-effective-one-ineffective/725013)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-arguments-against-the-death-penalty-one-effective-one-ineffective/725013 "2015-07-18T16:32:59Z")
Someone (can’t recall who) once pointed out that opponents of the death penalty often use two arguments. One is highly effective, the other is highly ineffective. The \*effective \*argument points out that innocent people… --- ## [How does player acquisition work in European soccer leagues?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-player-acquisition-work-in-european-soccer-leagues/614193)
**Author:** [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-player-acquisition-work-in-european-soccer-leagues/614193 "2012-02-28T22:27:57Z")
The thread on European soccer leagues has me wondering how teams acquire players. In American leagues, we have an annual draft in which teams take turns picking the top school-age players. Each team then owns exclusive… --- ## [Can a King/Queen be removed by the government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-king-queen-be-removed-by-the-government/826826)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2019, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-king-queen-be-removed-by-the-government/826826 "2019-01-07T12:23:10Z")
I don’t mean by an armed method , by a legal method. Can the UK, Sweden, Spain, etc. parliament decide one day to say “we prefer John Smith to be King and approve that law?” And the current King/Queen no longer has t… --- ## [Why Would Assad Use Chemical Weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-assad-use-chemical-weapons/667238)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-assad-use-chemical-weapons/667238 "2013-08-31T17:11:53Z")
It’s hard for me to see the motive in this. He knows that doing so will risk having major powers drawn in to the war against him. I can see the reason for doing it if he was down for the count, and/or if he did a major g… --- ## [Enterprise: Exile spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-exile-spoilers/207501)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 254\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2003, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enterprise-exile-spoilers/207501 "2003-10-29T23:14:58Z")
Bad science right from the start as NX01 whooshes through space. I began to wonder if the spheres (hey, the sign said spoilers) emit enough gravametric waves to produce gravity about themselves, but I don’t think Berman… --- ## [The future of political polling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-political-polling/771150)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-political-polling/771150 "2016-11-14T20:06:51Z")
Because 2012 had the “skewed polls” meme, I think that made a lot of people and institutions skeptical about not believing polls this time around, and we see the result. But even then, I can’t imagine that the Democratic… --- ## [So, why does Britain need an absolute majority in parliament?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-does-britain-need-an-absolute-majority-in-parliament/538866)
**Author:** [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-does-britain-need-an-absolute-majority-in-parliament/538866 "2010-05-11T01:46:56Z")
In other words: help the stupid American figure out your somewhat confusing form of government! As I understand it, there’s currently no absolute majority, meaning that the Labour and Liberal Democrat party combined hav… --- ## [MMP – The Year In Review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmp-the-year-in-review/338070)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 232\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmp-the-year-in-review/338070 "2006-01-09T02:57:19Z")
It’s Jan 2, 2006. That doesn’t give me a whole lot to review. I spent New Year’s Day doing laundry, playing solitaire on line, and pretty much just hanging out. That sums it up. But that’s too short for a MMP, so ins… --- ## [Why all the fuss over Ward Churchill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-the-fuss-over-ward-churchill/290980)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-the-fuss-over-ward-churchill/290980 "2005-03-29T19:36:53Z")
Sampiro already started a Pit thread on this – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=300055 – but I think it merits GD treatment. Ward Churchill is a professor of ethnic studies at the University of Color… --- ## [chicken pot pie CHICKEN POT PIE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-pot-pie-chicken-pot-pie/537821)
**Author:** [@Alpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpine)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicken-pot-pie-chicken-pot-pie/537821 "2010-05-04T14:42:59Z")
Creamy, flaky goodness in a pan. We’ve used the Cook’s Illustrated recipe from the New Best Recipe book several times now, and it is simply scrumptious. Homemade savory crust, simple veggies (carrots, celery, onions, pe… --- ## [Is this legal? (cash register discrepancy/tip jar)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-legal-cash-register-discrepancy-tip-jar/660519)
**Author:** [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-legal-cash-register-discrepancy-tip-jar/660519 "2017-03-11T20:29:52Z")
Say (in the US) a person works as a cashier at a fairly busy, locally owned takeaway food place, where there is a tip jar on the counter. If at the end of his/her shift there is determined to be a shortage in the cash r… --- ## [Good work ethic vs obedient slave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-work-ethic-vs-obedient-slave/704416)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-work-ethic-vs-obedient-slave/704416 "2014-12-09T15:41:23Z")
Now many of us were taught to study hard, do our best work, show up on time, don’t steel from the company. The implication being that if you demonstrate a good work ethic, you will be rewarded with more responsibility, … --- ## [DIY help requested: replacing furnace blower](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-help-requested-replacing-furnace-blower/510956)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-help-requested-replacing-furnace-blower/510956 "2009-09-22T16:58:54Z")
For the last few days, the blower fan in my furnace/AC was running loudly, and now this morning, as I resolved to do something about it, it stopped running altogether. There’s a blower on/off switch mounted on a duct, a… --- ## [How did MJ get all those botched plastic surgeries, with all his $$?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-mj-get-all-those-botched-plastic-surgeries-with-all-his/501174)
**Author:** [@Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fell_through_the_Ice)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-mj-get-all-those-botched-plastic-surgeries-with-all-his/501174 "2009-06-30T02:09:36Z")
Wasn’t he like one of the richest people on the planet at one time? With all his money, you’d think you could afford the best plastic surgeons in the world, yet it seems that there was one botched operation after anothe… --- ## [Name every hero's arch-nemesis!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-every-heros-arch-nemesis/107046)
**Author:** [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2002, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-every-heros-arch-nemesis/107046 "2002-05-19T14:35:17Z")
Some of these are easy: Superman::Lex Luthor Fantastic Four::Dr. Doom Batman::The Joker X-Men::Magneto But for other heroes it’s not as clear-cut. Is Spider-Man’s opposite number Doctor Octopus or the Green Goblin … --- ## [What two people or things do you always confuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-two-people-or-things-do-you-always-confuse/445312)
**Author:** [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-two-people-or-things-do-you-always-confuse/445312 "2008-04-26T04:43:15Z")
I have a lot of crossed wires, I think. It started when I was a little girl and was constantly insistent on watching the Disney movie The Black Hole. I kept insisting I’d never seen it before. What I meant to ask for (an… --- ## [Help me get rid of the jerk in our basement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-rid-of-the-jerk-in-our-basement/642897)
**Author:** [@ThreadPirateRoberts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThreadPirateRoberts)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2012, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-get-rid-of-the-jerk-in-our-basement/642897 "2012-12-05T08:58:12Z")
So, this guy has lived in my boyfriend’s parent’s basement. He has never paid rent, but is supposed to do all of the maintenance on the vehicles. The car that I’m supposed to be using to learn how to drive in has been si… --- ## [At what age do men and women have peak sex appeal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-do-men-and-women-have-peak-sex-appeal/713177)
**Author:** [@Syne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syne)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2015, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-do-men-and-women-have-peak-sex-appeal/713177 "2015-02-22T12:07:06Z")
I was having a drunken discussion with a few buddies about this over the weekend. I have a friend who maintains that because of limited fertility time, women hit their peak sex appeal at the end of puberty, then the cloc… --- ## [Raindog, why can't a loving God accept homosexual relationships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raindog-why-cant-a-loving-god-accept-homosexual-relationships/244305)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raindog-why-cant-a-loving-god-accept-homosexual-relationships/244305 "2004-05-21T18:36:30Z")
In this thread on Chrstianity and homosexuality, The raindog\* posted the following comment: Raindog was asked repeatedly in that thread to clarify why a belief in a loving God is incompatible with a belief that God wou… --- ## [I want to watch sports without commentary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-watch-sports-without-commentary/419044)
**Author:** [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-watch-sports-without-commentary/419044 "2007-09-14T19:30:02Z")
Football season has begun again, and it’s reminded of how much I loathe (most) announcers. The best moments in TV sports are those of high drama, when the crowd is rocking, and the play-by-play guy has the common sense t… --- ## [How will the ban on denials for pre-existing conditions work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-ban-on-denials-for-pre-existing-conditions-work/533784)
**Author:** [@Fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fang)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2010, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-ban-on-denials-for-pre-existing-conditions-work/533784 "2010-04-02T00:21:31Z")
Perhaps the most publicized point of the Obama health care bill has been that insurance companies can no longer deny people for pre-existing conditions. How will this work in practice? Will they have to cover people f… --- ## [bacteria danger from refilling water bottle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacteria-danger-from-refilling-water-bottle/666858)
**Author:** [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bacteria-danger-from-refilling-water-bottle/666858 "2013-08-24T14:56:36Z")
I much prefer to drink carbonated/sparkling water, so sometimes I want to have a bottle with me. I keep a couple of old San Pellegrino bottles in the freezer, with about three ounces of water so I start out with a plug … --- ## [What's your "Flung control in disgust" moments in computer gaming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-flung-control-in-disgust-moments-in-computer-gaming/459852)
**Author:** [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-flung-control-in-disgust-moments-in-computer-gaming/459852 "2008-09-04T16:01:47Z")
All right, so as not to exclude PC gamers, I think the title should be What’s your “Flung control or throw your keyboard out of the window in disgust” moments in computer gaming but that’s a bit tad too long. What’s the… --- ## [Shagging birds in school uniforms: Yeah baby !](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shagging-birds-in-school-uniforms-yeah-baby/124171)
**Author:** [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2002, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shagging-birds-in-school-uniforms-yeah-baby/124171 "2002-08-20T08:04:41Z")
I’m not sure what to think of this but I’m putting it here because it could easily wander off course and on to all manner of jagged rocks. Let me explain: There is a huge party trend in these here parts for something ge… --- ## [Recommend some hiking / camping gear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-hiking-camping-gear/596104)
**Author:** [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-hiking-camping-gear/596104 "2011-09-20T03:04:15Z")
Next month I will be hiking a small portion of the Superior Hiking Trail with a friend of mine. I have very little in the way of proper hiking gear. My friend says I will have to spend at least $400-$500 or so to gear … --- ## [Communal Laundry Room Etiquette Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/communal-laundry-room-etiquette-question/545330)
**Author:** [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/communal-laundry-room-etiquette-question/545330 "2010-07-06T20:25:38Z")
We live in an apartment building with a washer and dryer on each floor (they are in a little room in the middle of each floor). There are 5 floors. There are about 10 apartments on each floor. Tenant A accidentally le… --- ## [Cheerleader who supposedly got dystonia from flu vaccine is "cured" and has a website.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerleader-who-supposedly-got-dystonia-from-flu-vaccine-is-cured-and-has-a-website/516653)
**Author:** [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerleader-who-supposedly-got-dystonia-from-flu-vaccine-is-cured-and-has-a-website/516653 "2009-11-12T04:07:01Z")
I haven’t seen anything here on Desiree Jennings. Desiree Jennings works in marketing and was trying out to be a Redskins Cheerleader. She supposedly had dystonia caused by a flu shot, which left her unable to walk excep… --- ## [How many (dead) people are in cryogenic tanks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dead-people-are-in-cryogenic-tanks/665143)
**Author:** [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2013, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dead-people-are-in-cryogenic-tanks/665143 "2013-12-15T05:52:05Z")
Any number? What’s the cost to maintain all of them? Have any storage process been abandoned due to mishap or expense and the person(s) interred permanently? I remember Elizabeth Taylor wanting to be kept in a cryo tank.… --- ## [TV Western characters who were dicks.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-western-characters-who-were-dicks/839862)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-western-characters-who-were-dicks/839862 "2019-09-16T00:47:43Z")
Paladin, Have Gun Will Travel. Hired at exorbitant rates to solve problems, he solved them to his own opinion, not that if the guy who hired him. Gil Favor, Rawhide. Worse than a dick, he would become an asshole at the … --- ## [The O left out in the word God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-o-left-out-in-the-word-god/683794)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-o-left-out-in-the-word-god/683794 "2014-03-23T21:18:26Z")
I wonder why some people write the word God and leave out the O. I believe it comes from Not taking the Lord’s name in vain, but the word God is a title not a name. --- ## [Your favorite "Star Trek" moments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-star-trek-moments/181041)
**Author:** [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-star-trek-moments/181041 "2003-07-14T03:05:36Z")
Just got finished watching the TNG episode “Sarek,” where Picard mindmelds with Sarek and must deal with the onslaught of Sarek’s loss of control of his emotions. Just… wow. Patrick Stewart is a remarkable actor, and t… --- ## [Going on our first cruise! Advice, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-our-first-cruise-advice-please/703701)
**Author:** [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2014, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-on-our-first-cruise-advice-please/703701 "2014-11-13T06:06:13Z")
My husband and I are going on a 5-day cruise during Thanksgiving week! Being as we’re newbies, what tips, tricks or advice should we be aware of? We’ll be going to Grand Turk and the Bahamas on the Carnival Victory. I’v… --- ## [Is Mexico a failed state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mexico-a-failed-state/842178)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2019, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mexico-a-failed-state/842178 "2019-11-09T22:56:32Z")
This was posted a couple of days ago, regarding the recent fighting in Culiacán: The fact that a drug cartel was able to fight the army to enough of a stalemate that the government acceded to their demand seems … signi… --- ## [What is the tattoo on Mike Holmes' right bicep? (the guy from Holmes on Homes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-tattoo-on-mike-holmes-right-bicep-the-guy-from-holmes-on-homes/442298)
**Author:** [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-tattoo-on-mike-holmes-right-bicep-the-guy-from-holmes-on-homes/442298 "2010-10-08T15:53:16Z")
My husband and I are big fans of the show, but we are dying to figure out what that tattoo is. We have TiVo, and have paused many times at many angles trying to decipher it, but since we don’t have hi-def or a big scree… --- ## [Artie Lange Suicide Attempt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artie-lange-suicide-attempt/524026)
**Author:** [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artie-lange-suicide-attempt/524026 "2010-01-16T16:09:43Z")
Artie Lange has been absent from the Howard Stern radio show since they returned from the Christmas break. All that’s been mentioned on the air was that Artie was in the hospital, but it’s being reported in the New York … --- ## [I am Moderate America, sell me on Ted Cruz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-moderate-america-sell-me-on-ted-cruz/744921)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-moderate-america-sell-me-on-ted-cruz/744921 "2016-02-05T02:29:33Z")
What are we looking for that he brings to the table? --- ## [Would a remake of Airplane! work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-remake-of-airplane-work/601374)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-remake-of-airplane-work/601374 "2011-11-04T19:05:41Z")
I watched Airplane! last night and I actually think a decent remake could be made. I’m sure they could do a good job of making fun of TSA security and all the annoying airline fees. --- ## [Question about insider trading and the movie "Wall Street"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-insider-trading-and-the-movie-wall-street/579249)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-insider-trading-and-the-movie-wall-street/579249 "2012-05-10T22:16:03Z")
Note to Mods: I know this is about a movie, but I am looking for a factual question about insider trading. Thanks. I just recently watch the movie “Wall Street” for the first time. One of the first assignments that Bu… --- ## [Can a supreme court decision be overturned, due to fraud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-supreme-court-decision-be-overturned-due-to-fraud/536045)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-supreme-court-decision-be-overturned-due-to-fraud/536045 "2010-04-20T17:00:14Z")
Please forgive my ignorance in the legal underpinnings of my own country, but it’s late, I’m tired, stressed out, and I’m curious. I could use a pick me up. Anyway, the setup is: the US Supreme Court issues a 6-3 ruling… --- ## [Lowe's "security" for credit card usage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-security-for-credit-card-usage/577962)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lowes-security-for-credit-card-usage/577962 "2011-04-14T13:38:58Z")
I have been wondering about this for awhile, but perhaps there is someone out here that works for Lowes, or can explain the logic behind this… I check out at Lowes and use my credit card. For some inexplicable reason, … --- ## [Dick Van Dyke's legacy: worst accents in movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dick-van-dykes-legacy-worst-accents-in-movies/257880)
**Author:** [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dick-van-dykes-legacy-worst-accents-in-movies/257880 "2004-08-31T14:05:16Z")
I know this has been done before, but what the hell… I’m watching Michael Collins at the moment, and Julia Roberts’s Irish accent is making my ears bleed. The poor love also repeats the same aural atrocity in Mary Reill… --- ## ["Times Reporter Who Resigned Leaves Long Trail of Deception"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/times-reporter-who-resigned-leaves-long-trail-of-deception/174419)
**Author:** [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/times-reporter-who-resigned-leaves-long-trail-of-deception/174419 "2003-05-16T12:42:38Z")
New York Times reporter Jayson Blair resigned after being caught plagiarizing. It turned out that he had committed a great many acts of fraud over a period of several years. To their credit, the Times laid them out in … --- ## [Physics: Could I trap light in a mirrored box?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-could-i-trap-light-in-a-mirrored-box/120059)
**Author:** [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physics-could-i-trap-light-in-a-mirrored-box/120059 "2002-07-24T01:02:39Z")
Assume we have a box with perfect reflection on the inside. Now we somehow shine a flashlight in there while keeping the box sealed and without putting something in (something like a one-way mirror perhaps?). Assuming th… --- ## ["I hate Mondays"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-mondays/655841)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-mondays/655841 "2013-04-17T22:08:36Z")
This morning, while patronizing my local McDonald’s and waiting for my order, I was approached by a woman who apparently had an interest in idle chit-chat. As it happens, we are both black. I wasn’t really interested in … --- ## [The Office 3/25 - Happy Hour](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-3-25-happy-hour/533887)
**Author:** [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-3-25-happy-hour/533887 "2010-04-01T01:46:32Z")
Am I the only one still watching this show? For all of its flaws (do I need to start reciting MST3K lyrics here? The documentary format is a STYLE FORMAT only. There’s no real documentary!!!) I still find the show quite … --- ## [Help me pronounce "dictum meum pactum"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pronounce-dictum-meum-pactum/606374)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pronounce-dictum-meum-pactum/606374 "2011-12-19T23:27:02Z")
I need to know that I am saying the phrase “dictum meum pactum” correctly. Is it: dicktum meeyum packtum? --- ## [my sister finally assaulted me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sister-finally-assaulted-me/646366)
**Author:** [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-sister-finally-assaulted-me/646366 "2013-01-15T14:58:20Z")
Well she finally snapped but I haven’t called the police and don’t know if I should She didn’t hit me but she got right in my face threatening me and said it was all she could do to keep from hitting me I wasn’t even … --- ## [Name the movie based only on the punchline.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-movie-based-only-on-the-punchline/441794)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-movie-based-only-on-the-punchline/441794 "2008-03-23T20:22:00Z")
“I thought it was my grandmas douchebag but that’s in Iowa” --- ## [The Big Bang Theory 11-8-12: The Habitation Configuration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-11-8-12-the-habitation-configuration/640479)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-theory-11-8-12-the-habitation-configuration/640479 "2012-11-10T15:35:45Z")
I’ll be right back. Here: feel free to play with yourself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1243&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1245&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)