# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=355&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:** 356 --- ## [Effects of waking from a long term coma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effects-of-waking-from-a-long-term-coma/351546)
**Author:** [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2006, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effects-of-waking-from-a-long-term-coma/351546 "2006-04-09T14:32:12Z")
Attn Qagdop, picnurse, and all other medical dopers… I’m writing a story (more of an epilogue, really) about someone who wakes from a four to six month coma, resulting from a gunshot wound to the chest, which is (possib… --- ## [If you like your health insurance, you can ... um ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-like-your-health-insurance-you-can-um/708410)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-like-your-health-insurance-you-can-um/708410 "2015-01-05T05:34:10Z")
Well, it’s been slightly over a year since the official launch of Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. In April, liberals from the President on downwards crowed about the 8 million people who had enrolled in … --- ## [Upgrading HVAC/minor remodeling do you pull a permit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrading-hvac-minor-remodeling-do-you-pull-a-permit/571309)
**Author:** [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/upgrading-hvac-minor-remodeling-do-you-pull-a-permit/571309 "2011-02-21T13:26:09Z")
It never occured to me that we should have filled out permits and paid fees to our local government, just changing out a furnace and water heater recently. We hired a licensed contractor to do the work. It seems like it… --- ## [Words and phrases you misunderstood as a child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-and-phrases-you-misunderstood-as-a-child/679655)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2014, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-and-phrases-you-misunderstood-as-a-child/679655 "2014-02-02T07:38:19Z")
This thread is not about misunderstood song lyrics (aka ‘mondegreens’). Rather, this therad is about words or phrases that you misunderstood when you were little. I’ll start… I thought daytime dramas, the ones shot on… --- ## [Is Curious George a monkey or a chimpanzee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-curious-george-a-monkey-or-a-chimpanzee/579561)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-curious-george-a-monkey-or-a-chimpanzee/579561 "2011-05-03T03:11:14Z")
There is a major debate going on in my house and I need the straight dope. My brother insists that Curious George is not a monkey, but is a chimpanzee because he has no tail, walks upright, and has a bare face and hands.… --- ## [Question about The Godfather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-godfather/486716)
**Author:** [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-godfather/486716 "2020-02-21T13:57:43Z")
I caught part of the Godfather on AMC last night, I still have not seen the entire film. One thing puzzled me, when Michael had his brother in law killed in the car why did he go through the whole story of telling him he… --- ## [Why isn’t a revolver considered a “semi-automatic” handgun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2003, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isn-t-a-revolver-considered-a-semi-automatic-handgun/155332 "2003-02-19T09:07:31Z")
It is my understanding that 1911s, Glocks, etc. are called “semi-automatic” because “the gun fires upon each trigger pull.” The same definition is also used with rifles and shotguns that fire upon each trigger pull. Bu… --- ## [When do vomiting and diarrhea become serious illnesses in themselves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-vomiting-and-diarrhea-become-serious-illnesses-in-themselves/607573)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2011, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-vomiting-and-diarrhea-become-serious-illnesses-in-themselves/607573 "2011-12-28T06:13:45Z")
Hypothetical question, but whenever I have eaten something that irritated my stomach and digestive system, or when I have had food poisoning or a viral infection I was always told to not stop myself from vomiting or havi… --- ## [Why men's underwear aren't more confortable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mens-underwear-arent-more-confortable/666862)
**Author:** [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-mens-underwear-arent-more-confortable/666862 "2014-07-19T02:57:25Z")
I understand this is a strange question, but it got me thinking. Recently, our community was disturbed by news of a guy getting caught stealing women’s underwear and wearing them. His defence to the newspapers was that … --- ## [A kid bit my kid at daycare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-kid-bit-my-kid-at-daycare/595665)
**Author:** [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-kid-bit-my-kid-at-daycare/595665 "2011-09-09T22:57:37Z")
The Little One (20 months) had her second day of daycare today. She’s going two mornings a week (the other mornings she has a babysitter). This morning one of the other kids bit her on the cheek (thank goodness, not bre… --- ## [The Arizona "audit"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arizona-audit/949239)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 195\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arizona-audit/949239 "2022-02-13T22:27:32Z")
Supposedly, the report drops Monday. Everyone is saying it can’t be trusted. What if the report says that Biden actually did win Arizona? Are the redumblicans going to say “Well, you said it can’t be trusted. So, tha… --- ## [Drinking Pure Water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-pure-water/358577)
**Author:** [@73elsie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/73elsie)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2006, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinking-pure-water/358577 "2006-06-06T14:57:09Z")
Long time lurker, first time poster. Yesterday my buddy’s girlfriend stated something that seems utterly ridiculous to me, but I can’t find any proof to refute her claim. She told me that water, in its pure form (witho… --- ## [Crab or crabs? (Grammar Question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crab-or-crabs-grammar-question/546501)
**Author:** [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crab-or-crabs-grammar-question/546501 "2010-07-19T00:23:09Z")
I’m in the middle of proofreading an English-language book for a Japanese publisher. In one chapter, there is a scene in which the characters are in a Japanese restaurant trying out various dishes. Within the conversatio… --- ## [Introducing SteamOS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introducing-steamos/669530)
**Author:** [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2014, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/introducing-steamos/669530 "2014-01-17T00:20:28Z")
SO Valve is been hyping three upcoming announcements, all to do with making Steam much more “TV room” friendly. Reveal number 1 is SteamOS: It’s linux based. It’s optimized for gaming and media. It’s free. They seem … --- ## [2022 \[THEMED\] Celebrity Death Pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-themed-celebrity-death-pool/955444)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2023, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-themed-celebrity-death-pool/955444 "2023-01-02T02:35:24Z")
NOTE: As we started in 2019, Themed Death Pool Lists will be posted and tracked in a separate thread. If you are looking for the 2021 Celebrity Death Pool thread, click here phungi (aka: the Death Shroom) checking in a… --- ## [Was Boo Radley Mentally Handicapped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-boo-radley-mentally-handicapped/531434)
**Author:** [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-boo-radley-mentally-handicapped/531434 "2010-03-07T17:28:53Z")
This thread reminded me of the question. Many synopses of \*To Kill a Mockingbird \*say that Boo is mentally handicapped, but this is not made explicit in the book. The behavior of the character’s family–keeping him shut… --- ## [Normal people reaction to ink on clothes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-people-reaction-to-ink-on-clothes/642399)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normal-people-reaction-to-ink-on-clothes/642399 "2012-12-03T00:32:26Z")
just curious how other people would handle this, seeing as how I am an unapologetic slob. So a pen snuck into my dryer, and as a result about half of my business clothes have a few well set in blue ink spots, maybe 2-2… --- ## [The Walking Dead; 3.10 "Home" (open spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-10-home-open-spoilers/650651)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-10-home-open-spoilers/650651 "2013-02-23T04:28:10Z")
Glen & Maggie are back home, the Governor’s planning something, the Dixons are gone, and Rick’s having visions of a useless dead woman. Hopefully my power will stay on. --- ## [SDMB Auction Fantasy Football 2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-auction-fantasy-football-2011/587723)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-auction-fantasy-football-2011/587723 "2011-12-27T13:27:49Z")
Last Year’s thread We are currently recruiting 1 member. We had 2 empty slots last year and had to run the league 10 handed. I’ve already recruited one replacement (D\_odds who I know to be reliable from other leagues). … --- ## [Freedom of religion in Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-religion-in-israel/649995)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-religion-in-israel/649995 "2013-02-16T17:29:57Z")
A group of Jewish women were detained in Israel for praying at the Western Wall outfitted in religious garb traditionally worn by men. This offends Orthodox Jews, and a court-order has barred the women from praying at t… --- ## [We should end the general lock-downs. Now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-end-the-general-lock-downs-now/913281)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 422\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2020, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-end-the-general-lock-downs-now/913281 "2020-07-22T13:22:10Z")
I’m going to take a lot of heat for this from Dopers but I think it’s a rational, reasonable position. Until recently I have moderately supported the various lockdowns but that changed when I saw this data on COVID-19 d… --- ## [Why doesn't H come before G in the alphabet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-h-come-before-g-in-the-alphabet/693656)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-h-come-before-g-in-the-alphabet/693656 "2014-07-29T18:07:15Z")
Yeah, I realize it goes way back, to the Phoenicians, or some other ancient script, but somewhere along the line it seems to me someone messed up. --- ## [Cataract surgery lens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataract-surgery-lens/565983)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cataract-surgery-lens/565983 "2011-01-19T22:21:10Z")
I recently had cataract surgery. They gave me a card describing the implanted lens: MODEL: SN60WF POWER: 20.5D LENGTH (ØT): 13.0mm OPTIC: (ØB) 6.0mm SN: 10980830 007 What does this all mean? And is this just a gene… --- ## [Best Movies with Redemption Themes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-with-redemption-themes/215910)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-with-redemption-themes/215910 "2014-05-06T16:35:52Z")
I love movies where the main character is burned out, or beaten down, or maybe even a bad person, but then that character finds some avenue for redemption in the course of the film. The film usually (but not always) ends… --- ## [Largely lacklustre directors who've nonetheless made one or two gems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/largely-lacklustre-directors-whove-nonetheless-made-one-or-two-gems/540608)
**Author:** [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/largely-lacklustre-directors-whove-nonetheless-made-one-or-two-gems/540608 "2010-05-28T19:50:35Z")
To get this ball rolling, I nominate Ron Howard. True, for most of his career he’s made decidedly safe, uninteresting, middlebrow fare. But he also started his career with Night Shift, a witty little paean to the pimp … --- ## [Why hasn't blu-ray caught on more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-blu-ray-caught-on-more/735922)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-blu-ray-caught-on-more/735922 "2015-11-09T15:30:26Z")
It seems to me like Blu-ray is still very much a niche product. Some of the stores I go to have a very large DVD section, but have one shelf of blu-rays in a corner. You can buy a portable DVD player at any electronics s… --- ## [The perplexing appeal of Florida](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perplexing-appeal-of-florida/972021)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 240\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perplexing-appeal-of-florida/972021 "2023-01-30T17:01:57Z")
Living in Ohio my whole life, I have encountered many people who vacation in Florida. My supervisor has a condo there. I also have family members who have retired there. All my life, people have talked about the place, a… --- ## [Let's cheer up! A Rosenmontag MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-up-a-rosenmontag-mmp/487020)
**Author:** [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Replies:** 379\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2009, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-cheer-up-a-rosenmontag-mmp/487020 "2009-03-02T11:50:07Z")
Last week, a number of us were filled with crankiness. For some of us (I’m looking at you, Nava.), it was time to work on a career change. Others (Hi rigs!) screamed. Others just crawled back into bed (me, on Saturday… --- ## [really, exactly how DID Jackson become white all over his body?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-exactly-how-did-jackson-become-white-all-over-his-body/501754)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-exactly-how-did-jackson-become-white-all-over-his-body/501754 "2009-07-12T04:48:39Z")
Seriously. The man was born black and died white. The pictures of his exposed chest and legs and arms recently. Not makeup. He had genuinely become white. How? --- ## [Pitting ALL those who are Ok with a man watching a child being raped](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-all-those-who-are-ok-with-a-man-watching-a-child-being-raped/602982)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-all-those-who-are-ok-with-a-man-watching-a-child-being-raped/602982 "2012-02-01T02:32:47Z")
Ok, I am pitting everyone who thinks it is ok to watch a small child being raped and not contact the police. This is in response to the “Explain The Penn State Fiasco” thread here: Explain The Penn State Fiasco - Factua… --- ## [Nietschze: The Anti-American Philosophy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nietschze-the-anti-american-philosophy/529733)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nietschze-the-anti-american-philosophy/529733 "2010-03-17T22:35:31Z")
Was the philosophy of Friedrich Nietschze the antithesis of “Americanism”? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy\_of\_Friedrich\_Nietschze “Americanism” professes human equality, democracy, optimism, and (to most Americ… --- ## [My (ex) friend said he wants to fight me.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ex-friend-said-he-wants-to-fight-me/655105)
**Author:** [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2013, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-ex-friend-said-he-wants-to-fight-me/655105 "2013-04-11T03:33:33Z")
What should I do? Here’s the story. My old pal (Lets call him “Fred”) broke up with his girlfriend (Let’s call her “Chantelle”) and is extremely pissed about it. This past friday night I went to a bar that we all usua… --- ## [I pit 48 fps](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-48-fps/644152)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-48-fps/644152 "2013-01-10T14:19:33Z")
Just saw the Hobbit in 48 fps 3D. It looked like absolute shit. It’s hard to describe how bad it was. After the movie, my friend said he almost got up and left in the first 10 minutes. So did I. Now, the movie was g… --- ## [If Greece votes no to EU bailout what will happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-greece-votes-no-to-eu-bailout-what-will-happen/601473)
**Author:** [@Oliveritaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oliveritaly)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2011, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-greece-votes-no-to-eu-bailout-what-will-happen/601473 "2011-11-10T09:22:05Z")
Reading here among other people: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1101/breaking5.html?via=mr It seems as if the people of Greece might vote no on the EU bailout package. If this happens, a number of … --- ## [Why has so much power/influence left labor and gone to capital, at least in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-so-much-power-influence-left-labor-and-gone-to-capital-at-least-in-the-us/575656)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-so-much-power-influence-left-labor-and-gone-to-capital-at-least-in-the-us/575656 "2011-04-11T16:07:11Z")
I don’t know much about economics (it has never stopped me from having opinions on the subject though), and don’t know much about economies in foreign nations. Its one of the things I regret about college is not taking m… --- ## [Do Illegal Immigrants Vote In U.S. Elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-illegal-immigrants-vote-in-u-s-elections/548529)
**Author:** [@Sinisterniik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinisterniik)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-illegal-immigrants-vote-in-u-s-elections/548529 "2016-01-31T06:02:26Z")
I hear all the time about how the illegals are voting in our elections: But I have a terribly hard time finding reputable (nonpartisan) sources documenting this type of voter fraud. Can anyone find any numbers on how … --- ## [A letter to my childs Kindergarten teacher - your opinions, please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-letter-to-my-childs-kindergarten-teacher-your-opinions-please/428104)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-letter-to-my-childs-kindergarten-teacher-your-opinions-please/428104 "2007-11-30T18:23:49Z")
Perhaps we’re expecting too much, perhaps we’re not. But we’re not very happy with Sophie’s parochial school for reasons expressed in the following letter. Questions: Are we expecting too much? Both from Sophie and th… --- ## [Prince vs. Michael Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-vs-michael-jackson/546704)
**Author:** [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2010, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-vs-michael-jackson/546704 "2010-07-18T10:57:39Z")
OK, these “Beatles vs. …” threads are getting silly and bizarre. Here’s one where the matching seems to be a bit more even: Prince vs. MJ. Most of us have been to (or seen posters for) Prince vs. Michael nights at clubs… --- ## [He Thinks \*I\* Am Not Good Enough For \*Him\*??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-thinks-i-am-not-good-enough-for-him/506636)
**Author:** [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-thinks-i-am-not-good-enough-for-him/506636 "2009-08-25T19:51:38Z")
So I recently encountered a man through an online personals site. I’ll call him “David”, because that’s his name. David and I exchanged a few emails, and then spoke on the phone a few times. We seemed to have a lot in… --- ## [Improving My Lottery Scratch-Off Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-my-lottery-scratch-off-odds/536159)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2010, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-my-lottery-scratch-off-odds/536159 "2010-04-19T02:08:19Z")
Say I want to buy ten scratch-off tickets. The local store sells a variety of scratch-off $1 tickets. Are my odds any better if I buy all ten in a row (from the same roll of tickets), or should I mix things up buying d… --- ## [Most underrated leaders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-leaders/655950)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2013, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-underrated-leaders/655950 "2013-06-02T04:53:50Z")
Who in your reckoning are the most underrated leaders\* for various countries and why? George HW Bush. Handled the end of the Cold War and the Soviet collapse skillfully. It could have been much more untidy than it was. … --- ## [What's up with "gypsy" scam artists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-gypsy-scam-artists/4265)
**Author:** [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-gypsy-scam-artists/4265 "2010-06-03T22:10:07Z")
“Gypsies” for lack of a better description at the risk of be labeled bigoted. I just saw a segment on ‘Dateline’ on gypsy thieves. It was about bands that go into businesses and completely distract the clerks in order to… --- ## [How long were Brenda and Eddie married?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-were-brenda-and-eddie-married/749717)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-were-brenda-and-eddie-married/749717 "2016-11-22T18:35:32Z")
I’ve been humming along with this song for decades, and then a few days ago, I realized… The mathematical impossibility boggles the mind. They were going steady in 1975, and then they got married and saved up some mone… --- ## [Why is it illegal to possess Cuban cigars or is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-illegal-to-possess-cuban-cigars-or-is-it/525044)
**Author:** [@Dandmb50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandmb50)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-illegal-to-possess-cuban-cigars-or-is-it/525044 "2010-01-21T17:04:32Z")
I have always wondered why Americans cannot possess Cuban cigars or fly to Cuba from the USA? Or is that true since America is big on “freedom”? I’m not sure I would want to go there except for the weather but I have alw… --- ## [Star Trek, Commander Data, and His SLOW Computational Speed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-commander-data-and-his-slow-computational-speed/134947)
**Author:** [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-commander-data-and-his-slow-computational-speed/134947 "2016-07-01T17:22:02Z")
On a “Star Trek: Next Generation” episode, Commander Data is said to possess “a total linear computational speed rated at 60 trillion operations per second.” This strikes me as rather glacial, given that this Star Trek … --- ## [Twilight Zone sucks - spoilers for some episodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twilight-zone-sucks-spoilers-for-some-episodes/640780)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twilight-zone-sucks-spoilers-for-some-episodes/640780 "2012-11-17T06:13:51Z")
Ok, so I expected it to be hokey, I expected it to be dated, I expected the all-white cast. No biggie. I didn’t expect it to suck so bad. I know it’s my jaded eyes looking at it, but the sheer haste people go to extreme… --- ## [Life imitating art - What common movie plot devices are mistakenly believed by most people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-imitating-art-what-common-movie-plot-devices-are-mistakenly-believed-by-most-people/738229)
**Author:** [@guitario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guitario)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-imitating-art-what-common-movie-plot-devices-are-mistakenly-believed-by-most-people/738229 "2015-12-02T23:07:20Z")
I’m placing this in general questions simply because I’m looking for specific things - so apologies in advance if in the wrong section. Anyway, so common movie plot devices that don’t exist in the real world, but are w… --- ## ["Classic" movies or TV shows with situations or premises basically impossible today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-movies-or-tv-shows-with-situations-or-premises-basically-impossible-today/851922)
**Author:** [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2020, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classic-movies-or-tv-shows-with-situations-or-premises-basically-impossible-today/851922 "2020-05-08T13:29:43Z")
About five years ago, when my two oldest kids were young teenagers, I put on a movie I remembered from my own youth at around the same age: National Lampoon’s “Vacation”. To my great surprise, they found it only mildly … --- ## [What's The Difference Between a Freedom Fighter and a Terrorist.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-freedom-fighter-and-a-terrorist/645774)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-freedom-fighter-and-a-terrorist/645774 "2013-01-12T19:19:26Z")
A Freedom Fighter won the war and a Terrorist lost the war. Hmmm…I might be a bit harsh here, so is there a real difference besides who won. --- ## [Rebecca Black "Friday"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebecca-black-friday/575951)
**Author:** [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2011, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebecca-black-friday/575951 "2011-04-22T22:47:46Z")
Couldn’t find a thread on this, so I figured I’d start one here. If my Google Fu is just weak, feel free to merge or close or ignore or whatever. So yeah, watched the video on Youtube. Very bland, very flat, very not… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=354&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=356&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)