# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=759&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:** 760 --- ## [For what, exactly, was Galileo threatened with torture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-what-exactly-was-galileo-threatened-with-torture/609114)
**Author:** [@Tyrrell\_McAllister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyrrell_McAllister)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-what-exactly-was-galileo-threatened-with-torture/609114 "2016-03-14T17:20:46Z")
Everyone agrees that Galileo was threatened with torture by the Catholic Church during his 1633 trial, in which he was accused of defending Copernicanism. This trial culminated with his being forced to recant and abjure… --- ## [Women's leg hair and the existence of God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-leg-hair-and-the-existence-of-god/696275)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-leg-hair-and-the-existence-of-god/696275 "2014-08-26T19:47:14Z")
If God designed women, why did he give them leg hair? For some women it is very thick. Also the same thing about arm pit hair. What is its purpose? So that people know that the woman is mature? What was God thinking? --- ## [Damn you Apple and your vicious, brilliant, decisions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-apple-and-your-vicious-brilliant-decisions/565695)
**Author:** [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-you-apple-and-your-vicious-brilliant-decisions/565695 "2011-01-02T15:01:27Z")
You make the first seriously successful tablet. It is truly awesome. But you only make it REALLY awesome when one enters their email/calendar/Facebook/personal settings. Then you make it not support multiple users. M… --- ## [Wearing engagement and wedding rings stacked on ring finger - new trend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-engagement-and-wedding-rings-stacked-on-ring-finger-new-trend/513349)
**Author:** [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-engagement-and-wedding-rings-stacked-on-ring-finger-new-trend/513349 "2011-03-13T01:06:32Z")
I’ve only started noticing women doing this in the past several years. Is it a recent trend or am I just unobservant? And if it is recent, is there any historic tradition regarding whether to and where to wear an engage… --- ## [So, how well DID hotcakes sell?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-well-did-hotcakes-sell/679023)
**Author:** [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-well-did-hotcakes-sell/679023 "2014-01-25T02:24:07Z")
Most people are familiar with the phrase “sell/sold like hotcakes”. Were they really the best selling thing ever, to the point where everything else was measured by their sales? --- ## [Porn question I may regret asking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-question-i-may-regret-asking/552452)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/porn-question-i-may-regret-asking/552452 "2010-09-08T20:54:05Z")
The accepted wisdom is that most porn is made for a male audience, and I’m guessing most male-female porn is made for a straight male audience. So, why are the penises so large (or at least are shown in ways to maximize… --- ## [Adults out on your own with living parents: how often do you call them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-out-on-your-own-with-living-parents-how-often-do-you-call-them/581803)
**Author:** [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2011, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-out-on-your-own-with-living-parents-how-often-do-you-call-them/581803 "2011-05-15T13:18:13Z")
Idle curiosity brought about by Maternal Guilt Ray. :slight\_smile: I’ve never been the “call home” type, but as my mom gets older, apparently it bothers her more and more that I will sometimes go weeks without checking … --- ## [Technically, what quality of guitarist is Jack White compared to the 80s shredders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technically-what-quality-of-guitarist-is-jack-white-compared-to-the-80s-shredders/298778)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2005, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technically-what-quality-of-guitarist-is-jack-white-compared-to-the-80s-shredders/298778 "2005-04-12T10:53:30Z")
Jack White has a reputation for being one of the most talented musicians playing today. Critics love him; and the White Stripes have an impassioned, if not meha-huge, popular following. I don’t know much about his music… --- ## ["For various complicated reasons, I have decided to piss all over my own work"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-various-complicated-reasons-i-have-decided-to-piss-all-over-my-own-work/424165)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2007, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-various-complicated-reasons-i-have-decided-to-piss-all-over-my-own-work/424165 "2007-11-05T00:43:32Z")
Otherwise known as the \*\*Midi \*\* (for midichlorian) award. Every so often, an artist decides to revisit a previous work, years after its original release, in such a way that the new product is much, much worse. This is… --- ## [Curly or Shemp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curly-or-shemp/681576)
**Author:** [@Melchior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melchior)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curly-or-shemp/681576 "2014-03-01T08:09:07Z")
Curly or Shemp? --- ## [NHL: November 2010](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-november-2010/559082)
**Author:** [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-november-2010/559082 "2010-12-01T02:31:48Z")
After all the Halloween candy has been dispensed, your division leaders are the Kings, Avalanche and Blackhawks in the West, and the Habs, Bolts and the Pens and Flyers in the East. The Flames looked just awful in the s… --- ## [The more intelligent an animal is, the more wrong is it to eat it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-more-intelligent-an-animal-is-the-more-wrong-is-it-to-eat-it/580194)
**Author:** [@SyuRi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SyuRi)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-more-intelligent-an-animal-is-the-more-wrong-is-it-to-eat-it/580194 "2013-07-20T12:33:03Z")
I watched a documentary yesterday, The Cove, about a massacre of dolphins that was happenning in Taiji. Even though their method of killing was absurdly horrific, i wondered myself if it would still be wrong to eat dolph… --- ## [What happened to Nazis who didn't follow orders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-nazis-who-didnt-follow-orders/637190)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-nazis-who-didnt-follow-orders/637190 "2012-10-11T15:02:42Z")
I learned in High School history class that during the Nuremberg Trials, many of those used a Superior Orders defense to try and get leniency. I also learned that it didn’t work, and I’m okay with that. Nazi officers a… --- ## [If you were suddenly rich, would you give money to your friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-suddenly-rich-would-you-give-money-to-your-friends/548512)
**Author:** [@gallan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallan)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-suddenly-rich-would-you-give-money-to-your-friends/548512 "2010-07-31T23:02:25Z")
I recently saw the movie “Friends with Money” and there’s a part when a wealthy woman briefly considers whether or not to give 1 million dollars to one of her not-so-well-off friends. This got me thinking if giving mone… --- ## [NC Preacher advocates beating the gay out of kids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nc-preacher-advocates-beating-the-gay-out-of-kids/620663)
**Author:** [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nc-preacher-advocates-beating-the-gay-out-of-kids/620663 "2012-05-09T14:49:42Z")
This makes me more sad than ranty. In North Carolina, we’re getting ready to vote on whether or not there should be an amendment added to our constitution defining the only legally recognized domestic union as a marriag… --- ## [Now you do one....no one will blame you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-you-do-one-no-one-will-blame-you/58614)
**Author:** [@Darwinself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwinself)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2001, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-you-do-one-no-one-will-blame-you/58614 "2001-10-16T18:38:29Z")
Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we happen to conceive. your turn anonymouse --- ## [How to defend against dog attacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-defend-against-dog-attacks/481342)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2009, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-defend-against-dog-attacks/481342 "2009-01-18T18:23:03Z")
I am wondering what the best way to defend against against an attack from a vicious dog like a pit bull, doberman or a rottwieler (sp)? My father told me when he was in the service that a crusty old Gunnery Sargent was … --- ## [So it seems the claim that the Oscars are snubbing black people is false](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-seems-the-claim-that-the-oscars-are-snubbing-black-people-is-false/743611)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-it-seems-the-claim-that-the-oscars-are-snubbing-black-people-is-false/743611 "2016-01-24T19:28:58Z")
Thank you, EyebrowsofDoom for providing us with some fact: That is 29 nominations And 9 wins What a bizarre claim to say that black people are being snubbed by the Academy Awards! PS: I agree that the roles for blac… --- ## [If Lieberman Loses On Tuesday...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lieberman-loses-on-tuesday/367541)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 223\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lieberman-loses-on-tuesday/367541 "2006-08-13T05:21:34Z")
Here is an MSNBC link to the background of a possible (likely?) loss by Lieberman in the upcoming election. Personally, although at one point I liked him and would have voted for him a few years ago in the Democratic Pr… --- ## [American Idol 4/22 and 4/23](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-22-and-4-23/446405)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 234\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-22-and-4-23/446405 "2008-04-25T20:03:30Z")
The six remaining hopefuls take on songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber. See you later… --- ## [Mini rants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rants/320695)
**Author:** [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mini-rants/320695 "2005-09-23T03:46:07Z")
Bitch here about things that don’t really deserve their own Pit rant. This thread is for the people in this thread who are quitting smoking, or for anyone else who wants to rant about something small. It’s OK if your … --- ## [The Russian female solider parade uniform is high heels and a mini skirt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-russian-female-solider-parade-uniform-is-high-heels-and-a-mini-skirt/582874)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-russian-female-solider-parade-uniform-is-high-heels-and-a-mini-skirt/582874 "2011-05-27T05:38:03Z")
Is this pic for real? --- ## [Band names: how far is too far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-how-far-is-too-far/734966)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/band-names-how-far-is-too-far/734966 "2015-11-03T00:34:38Z")
There’s been some fuss in the indie rock community about the recent name change of the band Viet Cong. Apparently the band was getting a lot of blowback from the Vietnamese community, ending up in shows being cancelled.… --- ## [Is Cecil Adams a real person, or a title for a group of people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-adams-a-real-person-or-a-title-for-a-group-of-people/595621)
**Author:** [@SDMBKL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SDMBKL)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cecil-adams-a-real-person-or-a-title-for-a-group-of-people/595621 "2011-09-12T18:44:01Z")
I am not sure whether Cecil Adams is a real person, or merely a title for a group of people. The website does say that Cecil Adams is a man and hints that he worked as a Chicago Reader journalist before he started (presu… --- ## [No Shirt, No Shoes, No DICE!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-shirt-no-shoes-no-dice/511497)
**Author:** [@Bamboo\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bamboo_Boy)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-shirt-no-shoes-no-dice/511497 "2009-10-09T19:29:54Z")
I posted this question here: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11571231#post11571231 but the spark never ignited over there, so I am going to try again here. I have wondered about this almost as lon… --- ## [Is carrying an exposed gun to everyday shopping & social events OK manners wise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-an-exposed-gun-to-everyday-shopping-social-events-ok-manners-wise/452275)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 233\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-carrying-an-exposed-gun-to-everyday-shopping-social-events-ok-manners-wise/452275 "2008-06-15T00:29:18Z")
Referencing this story in the LA Times where this man and wife with carry permits make a point of having their guns strapped to their hips when out and about shopping, dining etc. I’m not asking a legal question, but o… --- ## [Is this the nastiest, meanest Presidential campaign of modern times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-nastiest-meanest-presidential-campaign-of-modern-times/468605)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2009, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-nastiest-meanest-presidential-campaign-of-modern-times/468605 "2009-05-02T11:17:51Z")
The 2004 campaign was nasty, but at least to my perception this one is way, way past it. It’s now pretty much open season for Republicans to claim “liberals” are un-American terrorists. The Democrats are winning and ha… --- ## [Massage as therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massage-as-therapy-for-diabetic-neuropathy/505210)
**Author:** [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massage-as-therapy-for-diabetic-neuropathy/505210 "2009-08-07T03:42:16Z")
This is not a request for medical advice, I’m under the care of a doctor, and in fact have a regular appointment in a couple of days where I’ll ask this same question. But I would like to know if any one else has experi… --- ## [Highway 1 Bridge fails cutting off Big Sur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999 "2017-05-27T13:38:20Z")
California is having a tough 2017. First the Oroville Dam spillway and now a key bridge connecting Big Sur. Any California dopers here? Want to check in? They plan to demolish the bridge Monday (3/13). A question to … --- ## [The College Football Belt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-college-football-belt/533024)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-college-football-belt/533024 "2011-01-17T05:25:12Z")
The College Football Belt is a fascinating approach to the notion of the Mythical National Championship. I would have looked for previous mentions of this site and concept but “belt” is one of the no-no words (length) fo… --- ## [Help me understand why people share albums worth of 'personless' travel photos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-why-people-share-albums-worth-of-personless-travel-photos/615433)
**Author:** [@KellyCriterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyCriterion)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-why-people-share-albums-worth-of-personless-travel-photos/615433 "2012-03-13T12:40:00Z")
I don’t get it. 98% of my travel snaps have a familiar face in them - either me, or a travelling companion. When I visited the Taj Mahal, I stood right smack in front of it, and got my friend to snap a pic of me with th… --- ## [When do expect to pay more when you order "extra" at a restaurant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-expect-to-pay-more-when-you-order-extra-at-a-restaurant/727610)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-expect-to-pay-more-when-you-order-extra-at-a-restaurant/727610 "2015-08-19T01:45:35Z")
At McDonalds today, I upsized a drink and was charged 9¢ for it. I thought that was a good deal. I also ordered extra pickles and extra onions on my burger. I’ve done this for years. Today, I noticed on my receipt that e… --- ## [Testicle questions (serious question about pain)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testicle-questions-serious-question-about-pain/643780)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2017, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testicle-questions-serious-question-about-pain/643780 "2017-05-13T14:29:35Z")
I picked up my daughter today using the hand-under-each-armpit technique. This was to catch her before she got too far up the staircase, as it was time for dinner and she was making a dash upstairs for more playtime. W… --- ## [White people getting killed by police under questionable circumstances - the omnibus thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-getting-killed-by-police-under-questionable-circumstances-the-omnibus-thread/718733)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2015, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-people-getting-killed-by-police-under-questionable-circumstances-the-omnibus-thread/718733 "2015-05-01T00:48:40Z")
We keep hearing about all these black people getting killed by police under debatable circumstances. There must be similar incidents happening where the victims are white, right? Assuming there are, that’s what this th… --- ## [Is blackface really offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-blackface-really-offensive/673304)
**Author:** [@Astrid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astrid)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2013, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-blackface-really-offensive/673304 "2013-11-28T09:45:10Z")
A friend of mine is getting some flak for using brownface to dress up as Pi to his wife’s Richard Parker. Is black/brownface inherently offensive if the costume itself isn’t a rude racial caricature? What makes it non of… --- ## [No more mailman at the door under U.S. Postal Service plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-mailman-at-the-door-under-u-s-postal-service-plan/664366)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-mailman-at-the-door-under-u-s-postal-service-plan/664366 "2013-07-29T09:21:05Z")
"Under a cost-saving plan by the U.S. Postal Service, Americans moving into newly built homes will not have mail delivered to their doors and will instead have to trek to the curb or neighborhood cluster boxes. The Post… --- ## [I thought cat pee showed up under black light?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-cat-pee-showed-up-under-black-light/512642)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-thought-cat-pee-showed-up-under-black-light/512642 "2009-10-06T14:23:31Z")
One of the furballs has been thinking outside the box (I know why and when it started, just haven’t, you know, been able to quite stop it.) I got a UV flashlight to spot the spots, so I can Nature’s Miracle them away an… --- ## [Do you give "dead fish" handshakes? Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-give-dead-fish-handshakes-why/261189)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2014, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-give-dead-fish-handshakes-why/261189 "2014-05-06T09:48:17Z")
Too many people do this for not one of them to be on these boards. So fess up. Admit it. Why do you do it? --- ## [I can't be the only one who saw Hunger Games and realized (Spoliers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-be-the-only-one-who-saw-hunger-games-and-realized-spoliers/678011)
**Author:** [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-be-the-only-one-who-saw-hunger-games-and-realized-spoliers/678011 "2014-01-14T15:47:22Z")
…that Katniss hardly does Any.Thing. Yet, she’s got all these people helping her because she’s so strong and moral and…helpable…and inspires people to …help her. Right up until she blows up the supplies, she hasn’t done… --- ## [Turns out Romney isn't an a@@hole after all! I read it in an email.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turns-out-romney-isnt-an-a-hole-after-all-i-read-it-in-an-email/622708)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turns-out-romney-isnt-an-a-hole-after-all-i-read-it-in-an-email/622708 "2012-08-19T21:58:29Z")
I got this little story in an email from a friend yesterday: So, I’m supposed to be impressed because Romney helped out a friend who is just like him. I mean, suppose that it was the janitor’s kid who turned up missin… --- ## [How long would the US last in a war with China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-the-us-last-in-a-war-with-china/723829)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-the-us-last-in-a-war-with-china/723829 "2015-07-05T15:44:19Z")
A couple of recent threads have discussed the fates of Germany and Japan in WWII. One theme is that, regardless of early victories, once the greater industrial capacity of the US and USSR were brought on-line, the Axis w… --- ## [What conditions allow socialism to be effective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-conditions-allow-socialism-to-be-effective/606681)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-conditions-allow-socialism-to-be-effective/606681 "2011-12-22T19:29:53Z")
I’m no economist and it has alwyas confused me as to how socialism seems to work perfectly in some countries like Sweden and fail in many others. What are the “good” conditions for socialism to be effective? --- ## [Do sick people smell funny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sick-people-smell-funny/170393)
**Author:** [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sick-people-smell-funny/170393 "2003-04-30T00:03:49Z")
Twice in my life I’ve had conversations about The Odor of Sick People. And I don’t mean “Jean’s been in bed for a week and hasn’t seen a bar of soap since Tuesday” odor, I mean an odor specific to the illness. I mean, … --- ## [Ask a guy with a Medical Marijuana card anything.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-guy-with-a-medical-marijuana-card-anything/578256)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2011, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-guy-with-a-medical-marijuana-card-anything/578256 "2011-04-21T00:57:17Z")
I have seen a few posts asking questions about the card so I thought I would chime in and offer my experience for anyone who is curious or interested in getting one. I live in California --- ## [The evolution of "fanny"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evolution-of-fanny/606219)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evolution-of-fanny/606219 "2011-12-17T04:38:09Z")
Just wondering: in America, fanny is an innocuous, somewhat childish term for the butt. In England, and Australia, and probably other English-speaking countries as well, fanny is a crude term for female genitalia. How d… --- ## [3M accidentally invents force field? Has anyone else heard this one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-accidentally-invents-force-field-has-anyone-else-heard-this-one/527771)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3m-accidentally-invents-force-field-has-anyone-else-heard-this-one/527771 "2013-06-06T13:06:08Z")
A 3M plant in South Carolina was the site of a very weird occurrence: So, is this an old chestnut or has it just been backdated? Does anyone else have similar stories to this? I don’t believe it for a minute, but if i… --- ## [2025 California Wildfire Season Has Begun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 340\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707 "2025-10-09T19:45:21Z")
Last year the thread didn’t start until June. Some trees and vegetation at the Getty Villa Museum have burned, but so far staff and the collection remain safe. --- ## [I'm moving to Oregon. What should I know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-oregon-what-should-i-know/538212)
**Author:** [@ReuvenB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReuvenB)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2010, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-moving-to-oregon-what-should-i-know/538212 "2010-05-09T06:01:43Z")
I’ve been accepted to the University of Oregon graduate program in Physics, and will be moving there somewhere around June 10th. What should I know in advance? Is Eugene bike and pedestrian friendly? Is there some sor… --- ## [So I just saw Iron Man (unboxed minor spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283)
**Author:** [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283 "2008-10-14T16:20:46Z")
So I just saw \*\*Iron Man \*\*last night. I had to wait for it to be on DVD, since there is no english dialogue theater near me. Iron Man was always one of my favorite superheroes when I was kid, but I hate the wya they tur… --- ## [Why is the SDMB special?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sdmb-special/432585)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-sdmb-special/432585 "2008-01-20T17:17:03Z")
I got a kick out of this, and I thought it might be fun to accumulate some examples here in ATMB about “what makes us special.” I’m not asking for personal feelings, mind, but for actual real-life examples. It might mak… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=758&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=760&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)