# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1313&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:** 1314 --- ## [Romney staffers were holding people prisoner at a PA rally.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-staffers-were-holding-people-prisoner-at-a-pa-rally/639917)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2012, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-staffers-were-holding-people-prisoner-at-a-pa-rally/639917 "2012-11-06T03:46:02Z")
One man passed out. This link has some images of tweets from people at the rally. http://americablog.com/2012/11/romney-staff-refusing-to-let-frostbitten-children-leave-pa-rally.html This link also has some tweets. h… --- ## [Where is the line drawn between oppresive cultural norms and taking resposibility for yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-line-drawn-between-oppresive-cultural-norms-and-taking-resposibility-for-yourself/675471)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2013, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-line-drawn-between-oppresive-cultural-norms-and-taking-resposibility-for-yourself/675471 "2013-12-07T09:44:09Z")
This question keeps coming back to mind again and again but I haven’t really found anything that’s really close to an answer. A lot of my politically engaged friends on Facebook like to post different videos about how wo… --- ## [I pit thee, SDMB Cafe Society Troglodytes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-thee-sdmb-cafe-society-troglodytes/487339)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-thee-sdmb-cafe-society-troglodytes/487339 "2009-02-28T07:06:57Z")
What for? Because all too often it’s nothing more than an asinine group bitch-fest about how someone doesn’t like some treasured, honored piece of culture. There are way too many threads such as “least deserving best pi… --- ## [V inspired alien question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-inspired-alien-question/517322)
**Author:** [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2009, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-inspired-alien-question/517322 "2009-11-21T13:06:42Z")
After decades of media depicting alien invasions in various forms from V to Independence Day to Mars Attacks to War of the Worlds to any 50’s sci fi movie, if a race of benevolent aliens did show up hovering over major c… --- ## [Recommend some entertaining nonfiction, please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-entertaining-nonfiction-please/373139)
**Author:** [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2012, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-entertaining-nonfiction-please/373139 "2012-06-25T21:12:57Z")
The title pretty much says it all. I’m looking for some nonfiction to read. I like history, social science, biography – that sort of stuff. Not so much for hard science because it tends to lose me, but if you give it … --- ## [Poll: the most beautiful woman who ever lived](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-most-beautiful-woman-who-ever-lived/181992)
**Author:** [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-most-beautiful-woman-who-ever-lived/181992 "2003-06-18T16:32:07Z")
I’m not talking sex appeal necessarily (otherwise I think I’d say Laetitia Casta). I want evidence too - Helen of Troy doesn’t count coz there aren’t any pictures of her. Anyway, my vote goes to Audrey Hepburn in her pr… --- ## [Pronounciation of "jalapeno"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronounciation-of-jalapeno/567853)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pronounciation-of-jalapeno/567853 "2011-01-17T16:11:21Z")
Keep hearing this word in various commercials and whatnot, and it bugs me when people pronounce it using English phonics rules, which I find rather strange. A French speaker might get a little miffed if us Americans sai… --- ## [Why was the Volkswagen Beetle of the 60's & 70's so popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-volkswagen-beetle-of-the-60s-70s-so-popular/450542)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-volkswagen-beetle-of-the-60s-70s-so-popular/450542 "2008-05-28T16:07:47Z")
In reviewing the VW Beetle there’s nothing about it that makes it a particularly compelling automobile vs it’s competitors, in fact it seems quite primitive technologically even for the 60’s, and yet it was wildly popula… --- ## [Professor's guide for how to piss off students](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professors-guide-for-how-to-piss-off-students/321391)
**Author:** [@Giant\_Spongess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giant_Spongess)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professors-guide-for-how-to-piss-off-students/321391 "2005-09-16T13:22:09Z")
Demand that students photocopy everything that they have to read. But! Instead of making sure that they can read whatever copious amounts of postmodernist theory they’rebeing dished this week, scribble all over your … --- ## [WWII aircraft carrier bows and friendly fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-aircraft-carrier-bows-and-friendly-fire/163558)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-aircraft-carrier-bows-and-friendly-fire/163558 "2011-07-08T22:43:27Z")
WWII aircraft carrier bows had a couple of antiaircraft gun emplacements, and the flight deck extended above them. I was told that there was an aircraft carrier that sailed through a hurricane and its flight deck had be… --- ## ["The President \[doesn't care about\] black people." (ed. title)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-doesnt-care-about-black-people-ed-title/320534)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-doesnt-care-about-black-people-ed-title/320534 "2005-09-11T03:48:37Z")
Kanye West’s comments during a relief concert were dismissed as out of place and rude-- which they were. That is not how you go about raising money for disaster victims. But, as monstro put it in another thread: Race is … --- ## [My neighbor, Mr. Ohseedee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-mr-ohseedee/711120)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-mr-ohseedee/711120 "2015-02-05T18:21:20Z")
I think I’ve snarked about my neighbor (the one in my front-and-center view) with his rather excessive yard maintenance habits. During the recent Great Blizzard of Ought-Fifteen, he set a new high. In summer, this guy m… --- ## [Your gender and your attitude toward your name](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-gender-and-your-attitude-toward-your-name/561180)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-gender-and-your-attitude-toward-your-name/561180 "2010-11-25T18:47:14Z")
Almost every female I’ve been close to has expressed distaste for her given name. Many adopt their middle name or some completely different name rather than keep the one their parents gave them. I cannot see anything obj… --- ## [I hate Japan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-japan/28730)
**Author:** [@eggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eggo)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2000, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-japan/28730 "2000-08-15T19:11:27Z")
I hate it. I dispise all things Japanese. I hate their cars, I hate their cartoons (ooo, I REALY hate their cartoons) I hate their music, I hate everything about that damn island. why is it that Quebec can bitch about t… --- ## [RAP is the most versatile music](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rap-is-the-most-versatile-music/240974)
**Author:** [@START](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/START)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2023, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rap-is-the-most-versatile-music/240974 "2023-08-22T07:25:25Z")
I was just thinking about how Rap and Hip Hop music can be effectively mixed with Jazz, Heavy Metal, Rock and Roll, R and B, Gospel, Classical, Country, etc. I have a CD that I burned that I call Rap, Rap and More Rap b… --- ## [People with unfortunate names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-with-unfortunate-names/196092)
**Author:** [@penny\_dreadful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penny_dreadful)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-with-unfortunate-names/196092 "2003-10-08T19:56:06Z")
This has been done before, probably several times. But I know ressurrecting months old threads is frowned upon, and I just had to share: Today I had to fill out some paperwork for a guy named Peter Shaver. (And while … --- ## [When did Britain become a de facto democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-britain-become-a-de-facto-democracy/632429)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-britain-become-a-de-facto-democracy/632429 "2012-08-25T16:59:55Z")
Nominally, the UK is a constitutional monarchy. My question is not about what the UK is nominally but what it is de facto. If you wish to engage in axe grinding concerning the Queen or the insufficiency of representative… --- ## [Asshat Martha Stewart to Face Criminal Indictment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asshat-martha-stewart-to-face-criminal-indictment/179561)
**Author:** [@And\_that\_s\_the\_bottom\_line](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/And_that_s_the_bottom_line)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asshat-martha-stewart-to-face-criminal-indictment/179561 "2003-06-09T13:26:30Z")
It was reported earlier today that Martha Stewart will face criminal charges as early as this week. If this happens Martha Stewart will step down as President and CEO of her own multi-billion dollar company. How the migh… --- ## [The Day After Tomorrow (spoilers?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-day-after-tomorrow-spoilers/247415)
**Author:** [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-day-after-tomorrow-spoilers/247415 "2004-06-14T13:24:00Z")
Fixin’ to go see a sneak preview. Anybody know things I should look for? (I’m a member of the Nitpickers Guild.) Has it been reviewed yet? Good or bad? Do you want to hear about it when I come back? --- ## [Oval Office gets a makeover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oval-office-gets-a-makeover/552157)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oval-office-gets-a-makeover/552157 "2010-11-01T19:45:41Z")
Here’s how it looked under Dubya and until recently: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/\_p2bw3CgJ08k/SX09tOxOtdI/AAAAAAAAChM/pFKfxq3z1YM/s400/oval+office.jpg And here’s the makeover: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/3… --- ## [Re-post Your First Post Here.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-post-your-first-post-here/91638)
**Author:** [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2002, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-post-your-first-post-here/91638 "2002-08-10T23:49:56Z")
:slight\_smile: Hi. :slight\_smile: My name is Houyhnhnm :). My father called me Who? and my mother called me him :D. I first heard about the Strange Dope Message Board about three months ago and I’ve been lurking ever s… --- ## [Why are most state songs so awful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-state-songs-so-awful/683850)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2014, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-most-state-songs-so-awful/683850 "2014-03-19T13:47:49Z")
While reading a conversation about state foods in another thread, I decided to check out state songs. Although there some good songs like “Home On the Rage” and “Tennessee Waltz”, most of them are obscure songs nobody… --- ## [What exactly does Cisco systems do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-cisco-systems-do/402903)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-cisco-systems-do/402903 "2007-05-06T02:58:34Z")
I’ve read the home page of Cisco Systems . It looks like the company sells physical products which are used by large companies to work with their computer systems. Is this correct? Why was this company considered the mo… --- ## [8 months pregnant woman murdered for her baby. What the fuck is wrong with people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/8-months-pregnant-woman-murdered-for-her-baby-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-people/280348)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2004, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/8-months-pregnant-woman-murdered-for-her-baby-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-people/280348 "2004-12-23T16:11:03Z")
Link I nominate this for Understatement of the Year. Other than the fact that it is now a baby (and to my mind always was), this might be the sickest APB I have ever seen. “Calling all cars, be on the lookout for a b… --- ## ["I love my sister...but I don't like her"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-sister-but-i-dont-like-her/715286)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-my-sister-but-i-dont-like-her/715286 "2015-03-24T21:16:19Z")
I had an ex girlfriend who’s three sisters were just little helliants. Mean, rude, talked back to mom, no respect, got into trouble blah blah blah. My ex would constantly say how annoyed she is with them and they never… --- ## [Is guys that only eat chicken fingers a thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-guys-that-only-eat-chicken-fingers-a-thing/992382)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2025, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-guys-that-only-eat-chicken-fingers-a-thing/992382 "2025-03-02T13:45:25Z")
About 10 years back my niece and her fiance’ were in town and we were to all go out for dinner. My niece let us know that we needed to choose a place that had chicken fingers on the menu because that was pretty much all … --- ## [SDMB Weight Loss Club, November 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-weight-loss-club-november-2008/470656)
**Author:** [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-weight-loss-club-november-2008/470656 "2008-12-01T19:06:01Z")
Link to previous month’s thread Uh, um . . . cough Remember me? I was a regular in these threads back around 2005-2006, something like that, but then life intervened and I fell off the wagon. Part of it was that I deci… --- ## [I laugh at the faux culture warriors.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-laugh-at-the-faux-culture-warriors/676892)
**Author:** [@Askthepizzaguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askthepizzaguy)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-laugh-at-the-faux-culture-warriors/676892 "2013-12-30T18:16:09Z")
I am not sure there’s really any way to take the piss out of the war-on-traditional-values people any more than they already have been by professional satirists. But the most amusing thing to me is the outrage at the su… --- ## [Math vs. The Universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-vs-the-universe/495996)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2009, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/math-vs-the-universe/495996 "2009-05-15T08:39:14Z")
I’m continuing the discussion that evolved rather sharply from this thread started by the cryptic rwjefferson (to say the least), which was eventually closed due to rwj’s unintelligible “poetry”. Mostly I found the disc… --- ## [Louisiana passes law to castrate rapists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/louisiana-passes-law-to-castrate-rapists/455914)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/louisiana-passes-law-to-castrate-rapists/455914 "2008-07-12T17:14:45Z")
I think this is great news. Rapists need to be severely punished. Their lives should be made to be almost unbearable. It is just too bad Louisiana did not pass a law that requires physical castration on the first offe… --- ## [What do you think of Hillary's smack down of Sanders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-hillarys-smack-down-of-sanders/844427)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2019, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-hillarys-smack-down-of-sanders/844427 "2019-12-10T08:01:42Z")
Based on this CNN article. Apparently Hillary did an interview with Howard Stern (I didn’t realize he was still enough of a thing to get the likes of Clinton to come on his show to do interviews) in which she either tol… --- ## [Top of the Line Roman Legion - how late in history before they would be beatable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-of-the-line-roman-legion-how-late-in-history-before-they-would-be-beatable/649936)
**Author:** [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-of-the-line-roman-legion-how-late-in-history-before-they-would-be-beatable/649936 "2013-02-13T11:52:23Z")
The Roman military machine ruled the Western World for a long, long time, as we know, but eventually the Empire fell. Europe spent a few centuries sorting itself out, then got on about the serious business of warfare. S… --- ## [There is a hoarder's car near where I work - how is that safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-a-hoarders-car-near-where-i-work-how-is-that-safe/635289)
**Author:** [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-a-hoarders-car-near-where-i-work-how-is-that-safe/635289 "2012-09-22T22:55:25Z")
I was going to do a thread about things while driving that really annoy the hell out of you (like people turning left, but not using the center turning lane :mad: ), when I got to thinking about my recent chicken shit sp… --- ## [DC Dopefest/St. Pat's Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-dopefest-st-pats-party/53614)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2001, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-dopefest-st-pats-party/53614 "2001-03-22T22:02:19Z")
Date: Saturday, March 17th (of course) Time: 3-ish to whenever. Management starts clearing unauthorized vehicles from the parking lot at 9pm. I will email address & directions to all interested parties. RTF: please c… --- ## [Best Cast/Worst Movie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cast-worst-movie/672912)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-cast-worst-movie/672912 "2013-11-03T20:42:48Z")
What’s the worst movie you’ve seen with the best cast stuck inside it, trying to act their way out? The reason I bring this up is, I have a candidate: The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant. This is not the Ray Milland/Rosi… --- ## [Car battery: health check?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-battery-health-check/369711)
**Author:** [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2006, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-battery-health-check/369711 "2006-08-27T17:03:11Z")
While this question surely has pretty broad relevance, it comes to mind right now pertaining to a specific vehicle: my 1997 Mazda B2300, 187,000 miles. The truck is on its second battery; the factory unit lasted almost … --- ## [Americans try an English breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-try-an-english-breakfast/723603)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-try-an-english-breakfast/723603 "2015-06-30T05:33:20Z")
I just stumbled across this video of Americans trying an English breakfast for the first time. As it happens, it was recorded at Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica, CA, and I’ve actually had their English breakfast. M… --- ## [Sentence diagramming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sentence-diagramming/615359)
**Author:** [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2012, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sentence-diagramming/615359 "2012-03-15T08:00:14Z")
There was a thread on this about four years ago, but I figure we could use a poll. I learned sentence diagramming in elementary school – either in fourth or fifth grade. Apparently, I learned what is known as the Reed K… --- ## [Watching 10.5- I'm so...ashamed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-10-5-im-so-ashamed/243225)
**Author:** [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2006, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watching-10-5-im-so-ashamed/243225 "2006-05-31T20:36:21Z")
Yes, I’m watching the latest earthquake disaster movie. God, I love watching landmarks bite the big one. What’s wrong with me? It has all the usual elements, government not wanting to create a panic, the plucky, misun… --- ## [Why don't Christians kill babies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-kill-babies/482482)
**Author:** [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-kill-babies/482482 "2009-01-25T04:59:54Z")
Do infants who die before they’ve had a chance to accept Jesus as their savior spend an eternity in Hell? If not, then doesn’t it make more sense to kill babies before they have a chance to blow their shot at Heaven? A… --- ## [Do You Have Any (semi-)Famous FB Friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-semi-famous-fb-friends/656731)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2013, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-any-semi-famous-fb-friends/656731 "2013-05-21T11:54:32Z")
A lot of somewhat well known people (not on the level of say President Obama or Justin Bieber obviously) have regular Facebook pages for their fans to friend and follow. Mine are: -John Ringo (right-wing Baen SF writer… --- ## ["Rules" - what a fucking joke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-what-a-fucking-joke/115790)
**Author:** [@Uekte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uekte)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2002, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-what-a-fucking-joke/115790 "2002-06-28T09:39:51Z")
I posted a response to a GQ thread. Louis B. insulted me in GQ, a bannable offense, and was mildly scolded. Then a Mod stepped in and ordered me to not respond anymore, or I’d get banned. Every heard of that before? … --- ## [Space Elevator within 15 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-elevator-within-15-years/100378)
**Author:** [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2002, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-elevator-within-15-years/100378 "2002-11-21T04:22:08Z")
According to this article the only real technical issue standing in the way of a Space Elevator is the quantity of carbon nanotubes that are being produced. This number is moving into the tons/year and only getting grea… --- ## [Your Life is a Lie: NASA Unveils New Zodiac Sign, Changes The Rest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-life-is-a-lie-nasa-unveils-new-zodiac-sign-changes-the-rest/766643)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-life-is-a-lie-nasa-unveils-new-zodiac-sign-changes-the-rest/766643 "2017-05-21T22:26:10Z")
NASA has unveiled a new zodiac sign. So, because of this, the rest all changed. Everything you thought you knew about yourself is a lie!! So what’s everyone’s new sign? How does it make you feel? Did anyone’s horoscop… --- ## [Anyone up for a game of Diplomacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-a-game-of-diplomacy/386533)
**Author:** [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2007, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-up-for-a-game-of-diplomacy/386533 "2007-06-22T02:16:05Z")
I haven’t done this for a long time and would be up for it if anyone else was willing to GM. I propose a plain-vanilla version - anyone interested? --- ## [Under what conditions is Niven's Ringworld unstable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-conditions-is-nivens-ringworld-unstable/676755)
**Author:** [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-conditions-is-nivens-ringworld-unstable/676755 "2013-12-21T21:06:49Z")
The thread Culture Orbital: Mass and orbit questions reminded me of something I’ve wondered about Niven’s Ringworld. It’s unstable if the ring is rigid, in that if the Ringworld isn’t perfectly centered, the near side w… --- ## [Were irregulars as important to the revolutionary war as the gun nuts would have us believe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-irregulars-as-important-to-the-revolutionary-war-as-the-gun-nuts-would-have-us-believe/662377)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-irregulars-as-important-to-the-revolutionary-war-as-the-gun-nuts-would-have-us-believe/662377 "2013-07-26T21:09:32Z")
So one of the arguments for the second amendment is that it provides a bulwark against tyranny. Gun nuts frequently point to the revolutionary war (along with stuff going on in the arab spring) to demonstrate the utilit… --- ## ["Russia says it will arrest openly-gay tourists"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-says-it-will-arrest-openly-gay-tourists/663326)
**Author:** [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-says-it-will-arrest-openly-gay-tourists/663326 "2013-07-14T13:57:52Z")
Link This could cause problems for visiting athletes during the '14 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Meanwhile, the Brazilians are courting gay tourists for the '14 World Cup and the '16 Summer Olympics… --- ## [2nd Amendment demonstration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-amendment-demonstration/651225)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-amendment-demonstration/651225 "2013-03-01T17:01:58Z")
Driving on a Costco run today in Kirkland WA (it’s an Eastside suburb of Seattle) with my family, I saw a group of maybe 20 boisterous middle aged folks waving signs. What the hey are they protesting until I saw a sign “… --- ## [WTF with Marc Marron (Comedian Interview Podcast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-with-marc-marron-comedian-interview-podcast/567264)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-with-marc-marron-comedian-interview-podcast/567264 "2011-08-08T16:15:21Z")
I remembered Maron as a comedian from back in the 80’s but hadn’t heard anything about him since. I don’t know from where, but I discovered that he has this podcast in which he interviews (mostly) comedians. I have fou… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1312&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=1314&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)