# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=694&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:** 695 --- ## [The President can rule by decree. WTF???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-can-rule-by-decree-wtf/390297)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 231\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2007, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-can-rule-by-decree-wtf/390297 "2007-02-06T06:32:54Z")
No, not Bush. Chavez. Chavez gets powers to rule by decree. I’ve seen several progressives on this message board sing the praises of this guy. Now is the time to step forward and condemn him for what he is-- a powe… --- ## [Best Rock & Roll Pseudonyms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-rock-roll-pseudonyms/593839)
**Author:** [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-rock-roll-pseudonyms/593839 "2011-08-27T01:54:10Z")
(“AKA Nom de Rock”) Fee Waybill Stiv Bator Ringo Starr … --- ## [When you type the letter "P" into your address bar, what's the first suggestion that comes up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-type-the-letter-p-into-your-address-bar-whats-the-first-suggestion-that-comes-up/746584)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-type-the-letter-p-into-your-address-bar-whats-the-first-suggestion-that-comes-up/746584 "2016-02-27T22:01:09Z")
Well? Poll is anonymous. (Heh) --- ## [Quirky hobbies/pastimes which you suspect only you partake in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-hobbies-pastimes-which-you-suspect-only-you-partake-in/726278)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quirky-hobbies-pastimes-which-you-suspect-only-you-partake-in/726278 "2020-02-29T02:33:28Z")
Such that, if even a fellow Doper were to say that he or she did it too, you’d be surprised. We Dopers of course are a sufficiently odd slice of society so that you probably wouldn’t be able to put anything over us, but … --- ## [April Fools Day forum titles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/april-fools-day-forum-titles/534553)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/april-fools-day-forum-titles/534553 "2010-04-02T21:22:53Z")
You guys rock. That is all. --- ## [$1.99 + Free Shipping, How Does This Ebay Seller Make Money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-99-free-shipping-how-does-this-ebay-seller-make-money/525411)
**Author:** [@Gus\_Handsome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Handsome)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-99-free-shipping-how-does-this-ebay-seller-make-money/525411 "2010-01-20T00:09:59Z")
I misplaced my USB sync cable that connects my Blackberry Storm to my PC, so after refusing to pay $35 + tax at my local cellular store, I bought one on Ebay for $1.99 with free shipping. The seller is located in Hong K… --- ## [Profiting from Hobbies, a MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profiting-from-hobbies-a-mmp/759641)
**Author:** [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Replies:** 246\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profiting-from-hobbies-a-mmp/759641 "2016-07-19T02:27:24Z")
I sold a video. WooHoo!!! Around the time of this thread, I was sideswiped by a transit bus. I bought a GoPro to use as a \[del\]dash\[/del\] handlebar cam; however, the battery doesn’t last as long as I ride so I used it… --- ## [Have you ever been handcuffed by law enforcement personnel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-handcuffed-by-law-enforcement-personnel/691164)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-handcuffed-by-law-enforcement-personnel/691164 "2016-03-07T19:04:39Z")
Well, how about it? Have you been handcuffed by a police officer? Mall cop\*? Military police? Security guard\*? Basically anybody whose duties include enforcement of the law? I am stretching the definition of law enfor… --- ## [Can You Install a Bathtub/Surround Liner Yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-install-a-bathtub-surround-liner-yourself/664627)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-install-a-bathtub-surround-liner-yourself/664627 "2014-11-28T17:08:02Z")
I see those ads for bathtub surrounds, and they claim it goes on in a few hours. Basically, they are just plastic shells that glue onto the walls. Once the glue sets, you are good to go. It seems like something that wou… --- ## [An elderly person, a person on crutches, and a pregnant woman all get onto the train...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-elderly-person-a-person-on-crutches-and-a-pregnant-woman-all-get-onto-the-train/672710)
**Author:** [@TashaKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TashaKitty)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2013, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-elderly-person-a-person-on-crutches-and-a-pregnant-woman-all-get-onto-the-train/672710 "2013-11-17T08:05:18Z")
The train is packed but you have a seat. Which of the three do you give your seat to? --- ## [Is there going to be any voter suppression/intimidation in the 2010 midterms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-any-voter-suppression-intimidation-in-the-2010-midterms/555601)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2010, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-going-to-be-any-voter-suppression-intimidation-in-the-2010-midterms/555601 "2010-11-09T07:04:13Z")
This is something that has come up in recent election cycles, practically always coming from the GOP side. See these relevant GD threads: Right-wingers trying to block college-student voter-registration drives (2004) C… --- ## [Is Trump going to be remembered more fondly decades after he leaves office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-going-to-be-remembered-more-fondly-decades-after-he-leaves-office/824810)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2018, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-going-to-be-remembered-more-fondly-decades-after-he-leaves-office/824810 "2018-12-10T03:22:16Z")
It is generally the case that ex-Presidents are remembered more fondly as time goes on - Nixon’s reputation is being rehabilitated by some, George W. Bush isn’t vilified as much today as he was before (he is now seen as … --- ## [Has there ever been a Buddhist war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-buddhist-war/542740)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-buddhist-war/542740 "2020-11-26T17:43:24Z")
Something I’ve noticed since I’ve been doing the Buddhist thing is that Buddhist people (at least in the US) are very fond of saying that there has never been a Buddhist war. To what extent is that true? I understand t… --- ## [Emmett Till - sexual harrasser.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emmett-till-sexual-harrasser/398710)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emmett-till-sexual-harrasser/398710 "2017-01-29T16:29:51Z")
Seems that a teacher at a charter school in L.A. wanted her seventh graders to present a poem about Emmett Till during a Black History Month assembly. She was prevented from doing so, however, and when she protested she… --- ## [Movies that surprised you - good or bad ways. (spoilers, I assume)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-surprised-you-good-or-bad-ways-spoilers-i-assume/694512)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-that-surprised-you-good-or-bad-ways-spoilers-i-assume/694512 "2014-08-08T01:26:51Z")
This summer, I have been trying to watch a lot of movies, many of which I know are famous and I had missed. Some have surprised me by how great they are, while others have surprised me how great they…weren’t. What have y… --- ## [Famous People who wear an eyepatch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-who-wear-an-eyepatch/308104)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/famous-people-who-wear-an-eyepatch/308104 "2005-06-17T20:05:08Z")
Walking by a the desk of a co-worker who was leafing through the new “New York” magazine, I stopped and said, “Oh turn back. That must be an article about Andrew Vachss.” It was actually a review of his new book, but she… --- ## [Work pants that aren't Dickies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-pants-that-arent-dickies/478920)
**Author:** [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-pants-that-arent-dickies/478920 "2009-01-05T23:33:59Z")
OK, so I got a new job waiting tables, and I have to buy some black pants to work in. The job guide specifies no jeans, and no dockers, dickies brand work pants preferred. I don’t like to wear some humongous pants. Is… --- ## [So, just exactly how evil am I? Long story...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-just-exactly-how-evil-am-i-long-story/599909)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-just-exactly-how-evil-am-i-long-story/599909 "2011-10-25T13:33:51Z")
I use pot medicinally. State law allows it with a medical card. Federally, not legal as you all know. With or without a card, my employer would not have hired me had they known this, so I didn’t tell them. I really h… --- ## [ask the White guy who is married to the Black Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-white-guy-who-is-married-to-the-black-woman/529844)
**Author:** [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-white-guy-who-is-married-to-the-black-woman/529844 "2010-02-27T19:48:58Z")
So in this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=553002I promised to start a thread about my inter-racial marriage. I am an Italian American from the NYC area, originally, who is married to a Blac… --- ## [Survivor April 15 2010](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-april-15-2010/536280)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2010, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survivor-april-15-2010/536280 "2010-04-20T02:28:41Z")
Oh, Rusell is just fun to watch. I can’t blame the Heroes, it does look like the girls are in charge over at the villain tribe. I can’t believe they slipped him their idol. :smiley: --- ## [What Did We Do Before VHS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-we-do-before-vhs/405196)
**Author:** [@Gus\_Handsome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Handsome)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2007, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-we-do-before-vhs/405196 "2007-05-30T05:30:48Z")
I can still remember the whole VHS bs BETA thing, and I still have my copy of “The Blues Brothers”, one of the first VHS tapes I ordered from Columbia House. It got me thinking, what the heck did we do before VHS? Ther… --- ## [Where does all the matter in the universe come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-all-the-matter-in-the-universe-come-from/439564)
**Author:** [@World\_s\_Biggest\_Caner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_s_Biggest_Caner)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-all-the-matter-in-the-universe-come-from/439564 "2008-03-03T22:42:14Z")
Where does all the matter in the universe come from? I’m no but astrophysicist but I understand a little about the Big Bang Theory and also that there’s lots of stuff we don’t know or probably ever will know about it. B… --- ## [Help me name my music blog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-name-my-music-blog/521934)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2010, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-name-my-music-blog/521934 "2010-02-22T12:19:15Z")
So, I’ve been kicking this around for a few months now, but the recent “ID this song” threads I’ve participated in helped convince me it would be fun and worth the time (to me) to have a blog where I could write about th… --- ## [SCOTUS will hear case of Tolerant v. Intolerant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-will-hear-case-of-tolerant-v-intolerant/520448)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-will-hear-case-of-tolerant-v-intolerant/520448 "2009-12-16T16:50:56Z")
OK, it’s actually called Christian Legal Society v. Martinez. The Christian Legal Society sought recognition as a “Registered Student Organization” from Hastings School of Law in San Francisco. This is a designation tha… --- ## [Son of Sequential Threads, Part II, From Space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-of-sequential-threads-part-ii-from-space/489098)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 303\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-of-sequential-threads-part-ii-from-space/489098 "2009-04-30T15:33:05Z")
\*\*Moving on after losing your great dog I couldn’t hold out any longer. I got another dog. \*\* --- ## [Why I can't just laugh Ann Coulter off](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-cant-just-laugh-ann-coulter-off/298320)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-cant-just-laugh-ann-coulter-off/298320 "2005-04-13T13:01:21Z")
In this post, Maud’Dib asks why liberals are so bothered by Ann Coulter. So I figured I’d answer him, despite the fact that that thread was a total disaster. It’s a combination of two reasons: (1) She doesn’t just dis… --- ## [The Casting Couch: Overblown Myth? Harsh Reality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-casting-couch-overblown-myth-harsh-reality/429383)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-casting-couch-overblown-myth-harsh-reality/429383 "2008-03-17T23:03:48Z")
“If you want this role, my dear, you’ll have to show me… just how badly you want it. You said you’d do anything, didn’t you?” So says the lecherous old producer to the hopeful young starlet in a very common \[strike\]fant… --- ## [Most girls in HotOrNot. com make duckface in their pics. Do they think it's actually attractive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-girls-in-hotornot-com-make-duckface-in-their-pics-do-they-think-its-actually-attractive/702580)
**Author:** [@guesswhoiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guesswhoiam)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-girls-in-hotornot-com-make-duckface-in-their-pics-do-they-think-its-actually-attractive/702580 "2014-10-27T17:28:04Z")
So just for fun I signed up on HotOrNot. com (a website where you can rate picture of nearby people as “hot” or not, and potentially offer connection between people who rate each other as hot). Among other things, I fo… --- ## [Is it true Booze must leave the liquor store in a bag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-booze-must-leave-the-liquor-store-in-a-bag/714771)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-booze-must-leave-the-liquor-store-in-a-bag/714771 "2015-03-13T11:46:21Z")
I’ve had clerks claim booze must be bagged. They even have these special “bottle bags” that fits snugly. Think of the wino swigging from hisbagged bottle. Is this true in every state? Does it only apply to liquor stor… --- ## [Racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism/663744)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism/663744 "2013-07-31T16:01:52Z")
There has been a lot of racist ideas and talk going on after the Zimmerman Verdict. I personally do not believe that there are many races, The only race I see is the human race, people of different skin colors, sizes,… --- ## [What is Ayn Rand's contemporary status as a moral and political philosopher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ayn-rands-contemporary-status-as-a-moral-and-political-philosopher/549990)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ayn-rands-contemporary-status-as-a-moral-and-political-philosopher/549990 "2010-08-27T13:59:25Z")
Re Ayn Rand do most modern political and moral philosophers take objectivism (as she espoused it) seriously as a moral and social philosophy or not? The wiki section seems to suggest a somewhat dismissive attitude, but … --- ## [I pit people who talk to themselves in front of others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-talk-to-themselves-in-front-of-others/669231)
**Author:** [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-talk-to-themselves-in-front-of-others/669231 "2013-09-24T20:24:20Z")
Making unintelligible speech-like noises is a passive-aggressive ploy for attention. Speech is for communicating with others; silent thoughts are for communicating with yourself. Social obligation requires that people re… --- ## [Straight persons: ever kissed someone of the same sex as yourself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-persons-ever-kissed-someone-of-the-same-sex-as-yourself/655968)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2013, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-persons-ever-kissed-someone-of-the-same-sex-as-yourself/655968 "2013-04-20T13:15:00Z")
I’m tempted not to define straight. And, in fact, I’m not gonna. You’re straight if you consider yourself straight. I do, however, which to specify that “kissing” here refers to lip-to-lip contact involving at least one… --- ## [The Office "New Boss"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-new-boss/490110)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-new-boss/490110 "2011-08-27T03:06:42Z")
I think this was one of the least enjoyable episodes I’ve seen. The new boss is a buzz killing asshole. I liked seeing Michael summon the stones to quit, but I didn’t laugh at very much. I just thought the new guy was a … --- ## [Vile Concoctions-Soda Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-concoctions-soda-division/593782)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-concoctions-soda-division/593782 "2019-11-07T18:42:00Z")
What is the worst soft drink you’ve ever tried? For me, it would have to be Orbitz. I tried both the lemon and the raspberry flavors, and both were equally disgusting. The lemon smelled like Lemon Pledge and had the c… --- ## [Is Smoking Really 'THAT' Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-smoking-really-that-bad/778723)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-smoking-really-that-bad/778723 "2017-02-08T01:15:59Z")
Interesting discussion I had with my doctor not too long ago. He has since retired. But I told him, every year around Christmas time, I light up a cigar. I asked him, surely there is no harm in that, is there? He said, n… --- ## [Leaving a negative tip](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-negative-tip/361558)
**Author:** [@CMiller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CMiller)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-a-negative-tip/361558 "2006-06-26T01:49:59Z")
What happens if I leave a negative tip on a bill, as in: Subtotal: $40.00 Tax: 3.00 Total: 43.00 Tip: -7.00 Total: 36.00 Will the restaurant only be legally allowed to charge me $… --- ## [So if we expect the Gun Rights people to chill out, shouldn't the same be done for the 4th....?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-we-expect-the-gun-rights-people-to-chill-out-shouldnt-the-same-be-done-for-the-4th/660627)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-we-expect-the-gun-rights-people-to-chill-out-shouldnt-the-same-be-done-for-the-4th/660627 "2013-06-17T20:59:32Z")
…amendment people? I’d like to have a rational debate about this, but given the subject, I think I’ll save the Mods the headache and put it here. I find it rather curious, a lot of lefty pundits and a lot of left wing … --- ## [I just discovered my contractor is a sex offender and ex-con...talk me down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-my-contractor-is-a-sex-offender-and-ex-con-talk-me-down/574835)
**Author:** [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-discovered-my-contractor-is-a-sex-offender-and-ex-con-talk-me-down/574835 "2011-03-18T15:31:34Z")
The work is finished, thank god, but I can’t stop thinking about how he’s basically had the run of my house for a week, talked to my kids, etc. Intellectually, I know I’m over-reacting since there are thousands of sex of… --- ## [Spoken hits that aren't Rap.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoken-hits-that-arent-rap/711403)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spoken-hits-that-arent-rap/711403 "2015-02-06T16:10:54Z")
The past sixty years there have been isolated instances of mostly-spoken poetry with musical accompaniment on the radio. In the early years there was crap like Jimmie Dean’s sausagefest, “Big Bad John”. Others existed … --- ## [Political correctness - allowing China to dictate what we (Western nations) do or say.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-correctness-allowing-china-to-dictate-what-we-western-nations-do-or-say/841478)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-correctness-allowing-china-to-dictate-what-we-western-nations-do-or-say/841478 "2020-06-29T01:34:57Z")
Recently, the NBA issued an apology to China because one of its execs, Daryl Morey, issued a tweet that said, “fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.” James Harden, star player for the Houston Rockets, also issued an … --- ## [Is there "Evidence" of God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-evidence-of-god/292044)
**Author:** [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Replies:** 276\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-evidence-of-god/292044 "2005-03-11T20:15:31Z")
From this thread: I hate just about every part of that. It’s based on a faulty premise, that God refuses to give evidence. I don’t know where that comes from, and I’m kind of insulted every time Newsweek thinks it’s be… --- ## [How could one electrical outlet in my house stop working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-one-electrical-outlet-in-my-house-stop-working/505737)
**Author:** [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-one-electrical-outlet-in-my-house-stop-working/505737 "2009-08-10T01:40:10Z")
A little background: I installed a ceiling fan in my bedroom. Connected at the same junction box were wall sconces that went off and on via a dimmer switch. This caused sparks and tripping breaker switches, although y… --- ## [In the simpsons, which characters are based on actors outside the simpsons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-simpsons-which-characters-are-based-on-actors-outside-the-simpsons/706102 "2014-12-11T01:42:08Z")
I saw Dan Castellaneta claim Homer was partly based on Mr Magoo, which I didn’t know but I could see. I always assumed Gil was based on Jack Lemmon’s characters in Glengarry Glenross. So that wasn’t surprising when he v… --- ## [How old is too old for your kid to see you naked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-too-old-for-your-kid-to-see-you-naked/609072)
**Author:** [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-too-old-for-your-kid-to-see-you-naked/609072 "2012-01-13T15:38:13Z")
Let’s say you’re running around in the morning, trying to get everyone ready to leave the house. You’re not parading around naked for an extended period of time, you’re just going from the bathroom to the bedroom in orde… --- ## [Help! My voice is giving out and I have to sing tomorrow!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-voice-is-giving-out-and-i-have-to-sing-tomorrow/405550)
**Author:** [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-my-voice-is-giving-out-and-i-have-to-sing-tomorrow/405550 "2007-06-01T17:50:50Z")
I know this might edge into medical advice, but I’m really just looking for tips and tricks to help me regain my voice. Background: I sing in a rock band. We have a gig tomorrow. A Saturday night in a club we like to pl… --- ## [US Constitution - racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-constitution-racist/534206)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-constitution-racist/534206 "2010-03-31T16:23:58Z")
I just saw a claim on another site that the US Constitution is explicitly racist against black people but it gave no more detail then that. Any ideas as to what was meant? --- ## [Getting crowned - How much pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-crowned-how-much-pain/447225)
**Author:** [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-crowned-how-much-pain/447225 "2008-04-29T18:46:52Z")
In a few hours I will be toddling off to the dentist to start the process of having a tooth crowned. Last week I chomped on a candy cane and approximately 1/4 of a molar cracked off. It’s been driving me bonkers since. … --- ## [The Margaret Dumont Appreciation Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-margaret-dumont-appreciation-thread/68703)
**Author:** [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-margaret-dumont-appreciation-thread/68703 "2015-03-01T17:22:15Z")
I was going to put this in the Pit under “Groucho Marx, You Sonofabitch,” but decided to take the high road. I’ve been doing some research on my favorite dowager, the great Margaret Dumont (1889–1965). She appeared in s… --- ## [Anal Sex in The UK! (and other unusual sex-laws)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-in-the-uk-and-other-unusual-sex-laws/42462)
**Author:** [@Morrison\_s\_Lament](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morrison_s_Lament)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2000, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anal-sex-in-the-uk-and-other-unusual-sex-laws/42462 "2000-11-26T00:08:07Z")
I used to live in England and during that time I heard numerous references to the fact that anal sex was in fact illegal in Britain. I took this with a grain of salt untill I actually saw an hour long documentary on why… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=693&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=695&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)