# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=519&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:** 520 --- ## [The 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC) thread (spoilers almost guaranteed during and after games)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2019-rugby-world-cup-rwc-thread-spoilers-almost-guaranteed-during-and-after-games/840200)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2019, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2019-rugby-world-cup-rwc-thread-spoilers-almost-guaranteed-during-and-after-games/840200 "2019-11-05T23:41:19Z")
Are you ready for rugby? It’s just under a week until the 2019 Rugby World Cup gets under way in Japan, and I’m as excited as all get-out, even though I’m not especially confident about my team’s chances in the tourname… --- ## [Can men be "taught not to rape"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-men-be-taught-not-to-rape/672447)
**Author:** [@the\_apples\_fell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_apples_fell)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-men-be-taught-not-to-rape/672447 "2013-11-04T20:35:56Z")
A common response against victim blaming is “Why not teach men not to rape?” I don’t think you can. Can you teach a murderer not to murder? You can try, but they aren’t going to listen. You can try to teach a thief not… --- ## [Who is "funny looking"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-funny-looking/624056)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-funny-looking/624056 "2012-06-06T00:31:58Z")
Using your own standards for what “funny looking” connotes or denotes, give a good example. Lee Evans does it for me. Google images of him for better examples than this one. --- ## [Airline passenger etiquette: reclining your seat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-passenger-etiquette-reclining-your-seat/848044)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-passenger-etiquette-reclining-your-seat/848044 "2020-02-29T14:17:10Z")
I fly quite a bit. I often recline my seat after reaching altitude and don’t think twice about it. But a recent news story suggests I’m being rude in doing so. At the very least, according to Delta’s CEO, I should ask pe… --- ## [The Gun Debate itself: a synthesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gun-debate-itself-a-synthesis/644739)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gun-debate-itself-a-synthesis/644739 "2013-01-02T20:00:14Z")
I’ve gotten pretty burned out on following the current gun debate. I think at this point all sides are pretty much argued out and there’s probably little new to say. After reading all the posts pro- and anti- firearm, I … --- ## [Prejudices, stereotypes, and dreams – a far-too-serious MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prejudices-stereotypes-and-dreams-a-far-too-serious-mmp/525410)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 262\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prejudices-stereotypes-and-dreams-a-far-too-serious-mmp/525410 "2010-01-25T01:36:38Z")
Today in the US is the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It has gotten me thinking about a particular line from his famous “I have a dream” speech: that people be judged not by the color of their ski… --- ## [Thinking of getting cartilage piercings - advice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-getting-cartilage-piercings-advice/663057)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-of-getting-cartilage-piercings-advice/663057 "2013-07-11T05:28:46Z")
(If you are only in this thread to tell me not to get them because they’re ugly or you hate them or you think that all piercings and body modifications are mutiliations, please don’t.) I have two piercings in each ear, … --- ## [It's too goddamn early for Christmas commercials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-too-goddamn-early-for-christmas-commercials/559175)
**Author:** [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-too-goddamn-early-for-christmas-commercials/559175 "2015-11-09T19:52:01Z")
I know they typically start the day after Halloween, but I submit that it’s still too early. I don’t want to see commercials where people are eating at Wendy’s with Christmas decorations in the background. I don’t want… --- ## [Steampunk - Where do I start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steampunk-where-do-i-start/509726)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steampunk-where-do-i-start/509726 "2010-10-19T00:11:04Z")
There’s probably an existing thread somewhere, but I couldn’t find it. Anyhoo… I’m trying to fill in the gaps in my geek knowledge. Where do I start with steampunk? Which books, comics, movies do you recommend? Give … --- ## [Alpaca, And Camel, And Musk Ox, And Yak, And Algae! Oh My! – A Fibrous MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alpaca-and-camel-and-musk-ox-and-yak-and-algae-oh-my-a-fibrous-mmp/393685)
**Author:** [@The\_Blue-Sighted\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blue-Sighted_Shadow)\ **Replies:** 268\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alpaca-and-camel-and-musk-ox-and-yak-and-algae-oh-my-a-fibrous-mmp/393685 "2007-03-05T05:19:00Z")
Stitches West is held the last weekend in February in Santa Clara, CA every year. It’s a chance for knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and other fiber artists to get together and salivate over new yarns, new patter… --- ## [How much of religious charity work is really fixing problems caused by religion in the first place?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-religious-charity-work-is-really-fixing-problems-caused-by-religion-in-the-first-place/582013)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-religious-charity-work-is-really-fixing-problems-caused-by-religion-in-the-first-place/582013 "2011-05-17T18:44:32Z")
I have been actively involved in my church for years, but recently realized I am atheist. We are disengaging from our church, but it is a long process. Our kids are in a musical tonight, and there was a preview in the … --- ## [Hypothetical: Should the military overthrow Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-should-the-military-overthrow-trump/778874)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2017, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-should-the-military-overthrow-trump/778874 "2017-02-14T02:32:16Z")
Back during the campaign, and during his Cabinet nominee announcements, the Left seemed very concerned that Trump was too cozy with the military, and doing things to undermine the principle of civilian control over the m… --- ## [Popular songs that are waltzes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-are-waltzes/420449)
**Author:** [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-are-waltzes/420449 "2007-11-11T18:32:34Z")
So in the semi-weekly dance group that I attend, we often wind up wanting to waltz for the last few songs. Now, we’ve discovered a few popular (I use the term loosely) songs that fit the criteria, like “Hear You Me” by … --- ## [Songs that are just plain wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-are-just-plain-wrong/270580)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 231\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-are-just-plain-wrong/270580 "2004-10-30T02:34:06Z")
The radio here at work is currently on the local classic rock station. One of the songs that gets fairly heavy rotation is “Only The Good Die Young.” If you think about it, this stong is pretty stupid. Bad people die … --- ## [Eerie Resemblances](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eerie-resemblances/566522)
**Author:** [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2011, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eerie-resemblances/566522 "2011-01-11T15:32:52Z")
“Dude A totally looks like Dude B” threads have probably been done before, but I just had to point this one out. Every time I see No Ordinary Family I get totally creeped out by this guy who plays a bad guy or something … --- ## [How much of "Enemy at the Gates" was accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-enemy-at-the-gates-was-accurate/117890)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2002, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-enemy-at-the-gates-was-accurate/117890 "2002-07-12T06:18:50Z")
I just got done watching Enemy at the Gates for the first time tonight and from what I understand it is based on actual events. How much of that movie was really true though. Alot of it seemed very hard to beleive. The … --- ## [What is the perfect first question to strangers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-perfect-first-question-to-strangers/630758)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-perfect-first-question-to-strangers/630758 "2012-08-10T14:38:50Z")
I’m trying to formulate the perfect wording of that first question, when you meet someone for the first time, that most accurately and efficiently helps draw out the salient aspects of their personality. The perfect firs… --- ## [Man lives for 70 years without water and food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-lives-for-70-years-without-water-and-food/537856)
**Author:** [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-lives-for-70-years-without-water-and-food/537856 "2010-05-13T21:40:23Z")
…A team of doctors in western India is carrying out a study on a hermit who claims to have survived without food and water for 70 years. The holy man claims that he derives energy through meditation. from BBC. --- ## [Going to stripclubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-stripclubs/613517)
**Author:** [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-stripclubs/613517 "2012-02-22T23:08:19Z")
Yesterday I just happened to be watching a rerun of ‘Two and a Half Man’ – the batteries of the remote were dead and…uhh…I was eating a hot bowl of pasta…and my leg is in a cast…uhh…I was also feeding a starving kitten,… --- ## [Does the "heat death" make life possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-heat-death-make-life-possible/530486)
**Author:** [@kaneslatranz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaneslatranz)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-heat-death-make-life-possible/530486 "2013-06-29T15:14:24Z")
Creationists get into trouble when they say that such complex order as life in a universe governed by disorder must be deliberate, an act of God. One thing that is pointed out to them is that entropy represents the stati… --- ## [What happens if you miss a flight due to security screening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-miss-a-flight-due-to-security-screening/611284)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-you-miss-a-flight-due-to-security-screening/611284 "2012-02-03T02:23:03Z")
(No answer needed fast here!) Suppose you have your flight booked and you head to the airport with plenty of time to spare. However, once you get there you’re randomly subject to a very thorough security screening and b… --- ## [Is there anything lemon does that lime doesn't do better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-lemon-does-that-lime-doesnt-do-better/542292)
**Author:** [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-lemon-does-that-lime-doesnt-do-better/542292 "2010-06-09T23:16:04Z")
I like lemons. They’re tart, flavorful goodness. Even more than lemons I like limes, which are even more tart (I don’t like the word tarter; it sounds like tartar) flavorful goodness. I may be biased because I grew up wi… --- ## [Stuff you thought you had figured out as a child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-thought-you-had-figured-out-as-a-child/766642)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-you-thought-you-had-figured-out-as-a-child/766642 "2016-11-04T18:39:27Z")
but later found out you were completely wrong! The very first time I saw an algebraic equation was when I was in elementary school. One of my older friends showed me his algebra textbook. I immediately figured it all … --- ## [On Manspreading](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-manspreading/733945)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2015, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-manspreading/733945 "2015-10-15T08:52:12Z")
In one of LinusK’s interminable anti-women threads, another poster (whom I won’t name; you can look it up if you really want) cited the following as “feminist bullshit”: Apart from the drooling idiocy of the logic ther… --- ## [Early instances of 'Ruby Begonia?" (pre-1960)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-instances-of-ruby-begonia-pre-1960/786920)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-instances-of-ruby-begonia-pre-1960/786920 "2020-05-10T22:22:40Z")
Flip Wilson in one of his comedy routines would say, sounding like The Kingfish from “Amos ‘n’ Andy” (or possibly Dewey ‘Pigmeat’ Markham), “Do da name ‘Ruby Begonia’ strike a familya note?” Most people assumed that it … --- ## [Going from super long to super short (hair, of course!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-from-super-long-to-super-short-hair-of-course/615591)
**Author:** [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-from-super-long-to-super-short-hair-of-course/615591 "2012-03-20T17:13:56Z")
I’ve decided that I’m ready for a radical change of hairstyle. But, since I haven’t had short hair since I was 10, I really don’t know where to start or what to ask for. What I know is what I \*don’t \*want: no fauxhawk (t… --- ## [Non-dirt-floor sitters: Why is furniture so expensive? I don't get it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-dirt-floor-sitters-why-is-furniture-so-expensive-i-dont-get-it/591626)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-dirt-floor-sitters-why-is-furniture-so-expensive-i-dont-get-it/591626 "2011-08-11T19:50:17Z")
I’m new to the home furnishing stuff, I barely understand the different between a side table and a console. So . . . Ok I went to Crate & Barrell to look at sofas and to get a five seat section goes for $2700 (+tax and … --- ## [Out of checks. They cost HOW much? Need answer fast.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-checks-they-cost-how-much-need-answer-fast/637697)
**Author:** [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-of-checks-they-cost-how-much-need-answer-fast/637697 "2012-10-17T20:27:04Z")
Well, like most of the rest of the world, I don’t use as many checks as I used to. I pay most bill online. I just discovered that I’m down to my last ones. So, I call the national company that printed my last order. T… --- ## [Ukraine and Russia with Trump Still at the Helm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-and-russia-with-trump-still-at-the-helm/959718)
**Author:** [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-and-russia-with-trump-still-at-the-helm/959718 "2022-03-22T20:29:52Z")
Preemptive summary: If Trump was still President, what would have happened in Ukraine, and would happen in the future? The wordy version: Based upon a profound and sincere belief that Donald J. Trump can take any situ… --- ## [Was Peanuts creator Schulz an atheist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-peanuts-creator-schulz-an-atheist/653712)
**Author:** [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-peanuts-creator-schulz-an-atheist/653712 "2013-04-25T20:42:57Z")
There seems to be some recent beliefs that despite his being a Sunday School teacher and insisting that the Biblical birth of Christ narrative be recited by Linus in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” it appears that in later y… --- ## [My house is too dusty!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-house-is-too-dusty/624947)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-house-is-too-dusty/624947 "2012-06-14T16:54:35Z")
Do any of you fantastic people out there have any suggestions regarding the mundane problem of household dust? The furniture in my house collects dust at an alarming rate. I am hardly finished dusting and the furniture… --- ## [So now that NCLB has hit the reality of the scholastic ability bell curve. What happens next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-that-nclb-has-hit-the-reality-of-the-scholastic-ability-bell-curve-what-happens-next/589554)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-now-that-nclb-has-hit-the-reality-of-the-scholastic-ability-bell-curve-what-happens-next/589554 "2011-08-02T17:20:01Z")
In reading articles about NCLB lately it seems that in addition to stories of rampant cheating enabled by the top levels of local school administrations, a lot of the achievement targets set with the evangelical fervor o… --- ## [Asians and facial hair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asians-and-facial-hair/493081)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2009, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asians-and-facial-hair/493081 "2009-04-16T16:30:30Z")
I hope this doesn’t come off as racist, but I’ve been thinking about for, well, decades. How come I rarely see men of Chinese, Japanese, or Korean descent sporting a nice full beard? Is it a cultural thing, or a genetic… --- ## [Fighter pilots who re-united with opponents they shot down, years later](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighter-pilots-who-re-united-with-opponents-they-shot-down-years-later/600017)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighter-pilots-who-re-united-with-opponents-they-shot-down-years-later/600017 "2013-03-12T03:15:45Z")
I just read this interesting story about two fighter pilots of the Vietnam War - Maj. Dan Cherry and Lt. Hong My - on opposing sides, who were actually reunited 36 years after Cherry shot down Hong’s plane in Vietnam. Th… --- ## [The State of the CIVIL Union Address](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-the-civil-union-address/225455)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 314\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-the-civil-union-address/225455 "2004-02-02T21:03:57Z")
Well, we knew he was going to make a statement regarding gay marriage. We knew it wasn’t going to be good. But I was taken aback at the vicious, hateful look he had in his eyes when he addressed the camera and said they … --- ## [Which animal has killed the most humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animal-has-killed-the-most-humans/687441)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-animal-has-killed-the-most-humans/687441 "2014-05-04T15:20:36Z")
Outside of humans, of course. --- ## ["Anything that can happen, will happen, given enough time." -- Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-that-can-happen-will-happen-given-enough-time-really/499316)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-that-can-happen-will-happen-given-enough-time-really/499316 "2009-06-12T21:36:07Z")
I have previously (and on this board) argued against this statement. To illustrate my reasoning, let’s pretend for a moment that there’s three things that can happen (with equal probability), A, B, and C. A ‘world’ would… --- ## [Why are Trump and the Republicans polling better now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-trump-and-the-republicans-polling-better-now/808255)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-trump-and-the-republicans-polling-better-now/808255 "2018-02-23T03:38:28Z")
Trump has seen a significant improvement in his polling since mid-December, and the generic ballot question has shown considerable improvement for Republicans over the same time period. Why? I certainly don’t want to ov… --- ## [If someone asked you the "first rule of gun safety"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-asked-you-the-first-rule-of-gun-safety/691438)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2014, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-someone-asked-you-the-first-rule-of-gun-safety/691438 "2014-06-25T03:18:42Z")
…what’s the thing that springs to mind immediately? If someone who didn’t have a clue about guns (like me) asked you, what’s the most important thing you think they should know in order to handle a firearm safely? Let’s… --- ## [Game of Thrones 2.07 "A Man Without Honor" 5/13/12 No Book Spoilers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-07-a-man-without-honor-5-13-12-no-book-spoilers/621784)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-of-thrones-2-07-a-man-without-honor-5-13-12-no-book-spoilers/621784 "2012-06-05T13:25:15Z")
Episode 1: The North Remembers Episode 2: The Night Lands Episode 3: What is Dead May Never Die Episode 4: “Garden of Bones” Episode 5: The Ghosts of Harrenhall Episode 6: The Old Gods and the New This is the threa… --- ## [Brick House - A Silly Games MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brick-house-a-silly-games-mmp/608886)
**Author:** [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brick-house-a-silly-games-mmp/608886 "2012-01-16T13:24:08Z")
So, it’s an early MMP (for those of us in the official MMP time zone, AKA Eastern Standard Time :slight\_smile: ). Went for a walk with my brother and nephew, who brought his iPod along and was broadcasting songs for our… --- ## [Marriages of convenience, for immigration - what happens after?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriages-of-convenience-for-immigration-what-happens-after/485366)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriages-of-convenience-for-immigration-what-happens-after/485366 "2009-02-14T16:26:27Z")
In the circles where I grew up, it was not uncommon to hear that so-and-so got married to someone solely to bring them to this country. Sometimes there would be payment involved. Sometimes it would be friendly. What I a… --- ## [Do you wake up in the night feeling inexplicably and overwhelmingly sad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wake-up-in-the-night-feeling-inexplicably-and-overwhelmingly-sad/666495)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wake-up-in-the-night-feeling-inexplicably-and-overwhelmingly-sad/666495 "2015-03-21T04:57:44Z")
I say “inexplicably,” knowing that the world in general and most people’s lives in particular provide enough reasons to feel sad, but I mean just a sort of heavy, weighty, draggy, almost \*physical \*sadness that envelopes… --- ## [In which I am reminded of how totally K-Mart sucks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2015, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-am-reminded-of-how-totally-k-mart-sucks/716075 "2015-04-08T06:33:10Z")
The backstory: my wife and I use melatonin as a sleep aid, but we don’t need the heavy stuff. Even though you can buy it in 3mg, 5mg, and 10mg strengths, we just need the 300 mcg strength, 1/10 the concentration of the … --- ## [People getting "cut in half" by machine-gun fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-getting-cut-in-half-by-machine-gun-fire/368771)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2006, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-getting-cut-in-half-by-machine-gun-fire/368771 "2006-08-18T06:26:38Z")
Can a human body be literally torn apart by machine-gun fire? I have heard the expression “cut in half by machine gun fire” before – I was wondering if this could actually happen? --- ## [My rage burns with the fire of a million suns.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-burns-with-the-fire-of-a-million-suns/56599)
**Author:** [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2001, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-burns-with-the-fire-of-a-million-suns/56599 "2001-03-07T16:40:18Z")
Sometimes it just burns with the fire of the cheese on a slice of leftover pizza you microwaved for too long, and you hurt the roof of your mouth. Either way, my rage burns at one time or another. (That pizza thing is pr… --- ## [Obesity and Health Care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obesity-and-health-care/495515)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obesity-and-health-care/495515 "2009-05-08T22:33:22Z")
Looking at Japan and the US, which are respectively the countries with the lowest and highest obesity rates, and also noticing that Japan had nearly the highest lifespan of all nations in the world where the US has a non… --- ## [Fastest 180 Degree Personality Change Of A TV Character?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-180-degree-personality-change-of-a-tv-character/534884)
**Author:** [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fastest-180-degree-personality-change-of-a-tv-character/534884 "2010-04-09T20:14:20Z")
I first started watching The Office just about a year or so back, after reading about the show on SDMB. I jumped in and was able to (for the most part) enjoy the show, even though I had not watched from the start. A few… --- ## [Can the US President ignore the Supreme Court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-us-president-ignore-the-supreme-court/609994)
**Author:** [@martu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martu)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-us-president-ignore-the-supreme-court/609994 "2012-01-25T06:02:48Z")
According to this Guardian article here is he correct? If so is this as scary as it sounds? --- ## [What to do with tonic water?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-tonic-water/434045)
**Author:** [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-tonic-water/434045 "2008-01-19T03:46:29Z")
Maybe I should be afraid to ask, but recently I was shopping and found a decent deal. It was a case of drinks that was much cheaper than soda. Of course, in my money-saving efforts, I never considered it completely. I lo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=518&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=520&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)