# Top **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=995&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:** 996 --- ## [I guess I won an iPad Mini at work.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-i-won-an-ipad-mini-at-work/697330)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2014, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-i-won-an-ipad-mini-at-work/697330 "2014-09-07T03:05:03Z")
For weeks a big promo at work involved people getting raffle tickets with the prize being an iPad Mini. They would win them for games, for sales, for getting friends hired; all sorts of shit. I think my one ticket was … --- ## [The Fourteenth Amendment and 'Original Intent'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fourteenth-amendment-and-original-intent/755631)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2016, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fourteenth-amendment-and-original-intent/755631 "2016-06-17T17:50:33Z")
Original intent, when it comes to the U.S. constitution, at least, does have a certain draw for some people. What better way could there be to interpret any document, including the U.S. Constitution, than the original w… --- ## [Would Russia have failed in Afghanistan anyway ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-russia-have-failed-in-afghanistan-anyway/735128)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2016, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-russia-have-failed-in-afghanistan-anyway/735128 "2016-03-23T23:14:06Z")
Would it not have been better to have just left Russia to it in Afghanistan, rather than foment and support the jihad which has caused so much trouble ? If the USSR was so rickety, and communism collapsed under it’s own… --- ## [New \[XKCD\] Map of the Internet!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-xkcd-map-of-the-internet/556222)
**Author:** [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-xkcd-map-of-the-internet/556222 "2010-10-09T17:45:08Z")
XKCD updated their map of the internet. First reactions: Holy cow, Facebook is huge. And KOL made the map! Awesome! --- ## [What's this guy's game: stranger asking me to sell him my truck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-guys-game-stranger-asking-me-to-sell-him-my-truck/546708)
**Author:** [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-guys-game-stranger-asking-me-to-sell-him-my-truck/546708 "2010-07-16T19:09:17Z")
So I was working at home this afternoon, minding my own business, when the doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw a slightly disheveled looking guy, about 30yo. I saw that he had driven up in a U-Haul truck. He asked… --- ## [How to get my mother to stop pushing faith on me or at least understand me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-my-mother-to-stop-pushing-faith-on-me-or-at-least-understand-me/567178)
**Author:** [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-my-mother-to-stop-pushing-faith-on-me-or-at-least-understand-me/567178 "2011-01-14T00:22:57Z")
Today I got home, checked my mail, and discovered a letter written to me by mother. I won’t bore you with all the little details, but it was long (4.5 pages, written in long hand) and the take-home message was clear: “W… --- ## [Why would a neighbor's dog poop and pee on my doormat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-neighbors-dog-poop-and-pee-on-my-doormat/673252)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2013, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-a-neighbors-dog-poop-and-pee-on-my-doormat/673252 "2013-11-11T01:26:55Z")
The neighbor’s dog is a year old female chihuahua. I am friends with the neighbor and the dog. I don’t understand why she does this. How can I get her to stop? --- ## [Bald-Faced Lies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bald-faced-lies/39073)
**Author:** [@ThreeLeggedBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThreeLeggedBob)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bald-faced-lies/39073 "2003-01-17T16:10:09Z")
You’ve probably seen those lists called “Interesting Facts”, which contain tidbits like “a duck’s quack does not echo”. The following are simply not true, but hopefully interesting. Add your own! 104% of the world’s pop… --- ## [Does it Count if you just "drive"thru a state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-count-if-you-just-drive-thru-a-state/411773)
**Author:** [@LtnJck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LtnJck)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-count-if-you-just-drive-thru-a-state/411773 "2007-07-19T20:12:37Z")
OK now this is the dumbest argument I’ve ever been in but here goes I was trying to show someone how to make a gif image and I said “I’ll do a map of the United States and I’ll put in green all the states I’ve been in.” … --- ## [Found two very small kittens!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-two-very-small-kittens/580504)
**Author:** [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-two-very-small-kittens/580504 "2011-07-09T03:19:47Z")
So our house was destroyed by the tornado 2 weeks ago, and while moving into an apartment while the house stuff is being handled, Patches, our two year old cat, busts out of her carrier and runs off. We’ve been looking f… --- ## [Why has John McCain turned into such a cranky old man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-john-mccain-turned-into-such-a-cranky-old-man/649211)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-john-mccain-turned-into-such-a-cranky-old-man/649211 "2013-02-15T05:19:07Z")
What has happened to McCain since he lost the election? He seems to have become a very bitter old man. I wonder if he still feels screwed over by the Republican party from the 2000 election. He got to run in 2008 but he… --- ## [What is the largest amount of money you have ever found?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-amount-of-money-you-have-ever-found/635466)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-amount-of-money-you-have-ever-found/635466 "2012-09-25T15:31:07Z")
Just watched an episode of The Andy Griffith Show in which Opie found $50. Andy mentioned that he had never found that much, and Barney related how he had once found one dollar (and spent it all on a girl). This made me… --- ## [My Favorite Martian - Guest MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-favorite-martian-guest-mmp/327645)
**Author:** [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Replies:** 254\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2005, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-favorite-martian-guest-mmp/327645 "2005-10-31T04:59:03Z")
Since the 1940s, we have dreamed of a vast intergalactic society, full of wise beings, great technological advances, and a rich cultural mix. It was only a matter of time before they discovered us, and asked us to join. … --- ## [What's happened to John McLaughlin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-happened-to-john-mclaughlin/762660)
**Author:** [@Nefario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefario)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2016, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-happened-to-john-mclaughlin/762660 "2016-08-29T01:54:43Z")
On last night’s show Pat Buchanan led off with something like…“For the first time in …this chair is not occupied by John McLaughlin”. Later, some topics were introduced by recordings of John’s voice, sounding like he’d … --- ## [My Cousin Vinny: a British class comedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cousin-vinny-a-british-class-comedy/509348)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cousin-vinny-a-british-class-comedy/509348 "2009-09-11T17:31:46Z")
This is perhaps more MPSIMS but since it’s movie related I’ll put it here. MY COUSIN VINNY is one of those movies like COMING TO AMERICA and STEEL MAGNOLIAS that I’ve seen so often I can pretty much recite it from heart… --- ## [Inappropriate things to write in a birthday card.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-things-to-write-in-a-birthday-card/265898)
**Author:** [@Siddhartha\_Vicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siddhartha_Vicious)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2004, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inappropriate-things-to-write-in-a-birthday-card/265898 "2004-09-30T03:30:00Z")
Recently, my boss had a birthday, and our office gave him a card that we had all signed. Clever me, I wrote “You still have the heart of a young boy. I saw it in a jar in your desk.”\* Now, it’s my secretary’s birthday… --- ## [Still common to ask permission to marry his daughter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-common-to-ask-permission-to-marry-his-daughter/374691)
**Author:** [@Mrs\_Johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Johnson)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-common-to-ask-permission-to-marry-his-daughter/374691 "2006-10-03T03:15:21Z")
A question/poll… Is it still common to ask the father for permission to marry his daughter? Is it unacceptable not to ask? Guys - Did you ask?/Ladies - Did he ask your dad? How long ago? Your reasons why or why not t… --- ## [Have you ever stopped patronizing a store for non-price/service reasons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-stopped-patronizing-a-store-for-non-price-service-reasons/667746)
**Author:** [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-stopped-patronizing-a-store-for-non-price-service-reasons/667746 "2013-09-03T19:25:12Z")
There’s a thread in Cafe Society on people who’ve quit or never shopped at a store due to the bad music they play. Let’s extend it to any reasons besides being too expensive/poor selection/poor service. The only time I… --- ## [Need Suggestions For A Chemo Care Package, Please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-a-chemo-care-package-please/418212)
**Author:** [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-a-chemo-care-package-please/418212 "2007-09-10T02:39:25Z")
My mom is getting set to embark on chemotherapy for breast cancer in a couple of weeks. Under the regimen she’ll be on, she will have to be parked in a chair for about four hours at a time while the poison cure drips in… --- ## [Gabrielle Anwar -Opinons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gabrielle-anwar-opinons/526888)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gabrielle-anwar-opinons/526888 "2010-02-02T23:28:48Z")
Gabrielle Anwar appears on Burn Notice. Most of the time she appears in sunglasses and a short dress. Her dialogue is limited to clever repartee with love interest Michael and burned out spy Sam. I love Burn Notice. It’… --- ## [Pro-Athletes who came from rich/well off backgrounds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-athletes-who-came-from-rich-well-off-backgrounds/726469)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-athletes-who-came-from-rich-well-off-backgrounds/726469 "2015-08-22T14:19:52Z")
In the 19th century, organized sports was heavily the province of the well off. These days we often here about athletes who came from rather poor backgrounds. How many top level athletes came from/or come from rich or… --- ## [Would you let a stranger take your picture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-let-a-stranger-take-your-picture/519760)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-let-a-stranger-take-your-picture/519760 "2013-06-04T05:55:50Z")
I don’t normally consider myself a photographer but this last week I turned into one. I was on my way back home from Lake Charles LA. to Dallas. I decided to take a new route that I had never taken before. It was a nond… --- ## [Are nightshade berries poisonous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419)
**Author:** [@zut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zut)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nightshade-berries-poisonous/29419 "2016-07-06T08:45:51Z")
Since I was a kid, I’ve known that nightshade (bittersweet nightshade, solanum dulcamara, is what I’m referring to) is poisonous. However, I have a book at home that claims that the “recent consensus” is that ripe nights… --- ## [Contagion (Open Spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contagion-open-spoilers/595792)
**Author:** [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contagion-open-spoilers/595792 "2020-06-04T20:39:05Z")
Anybody else see it yet? I thought it wasn’t bad. It’s a solid thriller, with a couple unnecessarily side plots that don’t go anywhere. I couldn’t believe they actually put Laurence Fishburne’s cheesiest line right in t… --- ## [Skipmagic, That was a cheap parting shot.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skipmagic-that-was-a-cheap-parting-shot/424973)
**Author:** [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2007, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/skipmagic-that-was-a-cheap-parting-shot/424973 "2007-11-05T05:13:45Z")
Only a mod can post to a closed thread. When two mods simul-closed this thread specifically mentioning: I think its pretty fucked up that Skip uses his mod powers to get in a cheap low blow in his own pitting. Very … --- ## [What does it feel like to get shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-feel-like-to-get-shot/650861)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2013, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-feel-like-to-get-shot/650861 "2013-02-22T09:09:56Z")
I’m wondering what it feels like to get shot and I’m not curious enough to try it. I understand that the effect will vary depending on circumstances, weapons and people. However, any data concerning what it feels like w… --- ## [Tom DeLay: "God Wrote the Constitution"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-god-wrote-the-constitution/689027)
**Author:** [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2014, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-god-wrote-the-constitution/689027 "2014-05-26T01:50:38Z")
God, this fucking idiot gets on my everlovin’ nerves. Tom DeLay, that paradigm of logic, has now stated that “God wrote the Constitution.” From the article, my favorite bit: “James Madison, the lead author of the Unite… --- ## [What age did you first see porn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-age-did-you-first-see-porn/548014)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-age-did-you-first-see-porn/548014 "2025-08-19T18:06:16Z")
A friend of mine who is a single mother talked to me briefly about her embarassing situation. Her son who is 8 found one of her porn DVD’s and potentially watched up to 5 minutes of it. I may go into more detail later bu… --- ## [Distance bullet travels - 45 deg at ground vs. parallel at a height](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distance-bullet-travels-45-deg-at-ground-vs-parallel-at-a-height/698166)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2014, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distance-bullet-travels-45-deg-at-ground-vs-parallel-at-a-height/698166 "2014-09-18T04:24:51Z")
Not homework. (I’m way to old for that.) General interest. And no, I don’t need answer fast. So I’m standing at the corner of 33rd and 5th Avenue, at the base of the Empire State Building. I take out my Glock 9 mm (… --- ## [Biblically sophisticated Christians: how many are there in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblically-sophisticated-christians-how-many-are-there-in-the-us/537564)
**Author:** [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblically-sophisticated-christians-how-many-are-there-in-the-us/537564 "2010-05-01T12:35:57Z")
Mods: If this needs to be moved into GD, move away! We’re accustomed to hearing statistics that state that x% of Americans (where x is a pretty high number, usually 70+) are Christians. My question is: How many people… --- ## [Where do you live and how do you like your steaks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-live-and-how-do-you-like-your-steaks/781467)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2017, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-live-and-how-do-you-like-your-steaks/781467 "2017-03-09T22:29:16Z")
Traveling around the country I noticed in some places if I ordered a rare steak the waiter would do a double take and confirm that I actually meant what I said. Other places would brag about how little they cooked a rare… --- ## [Colleges at Cambridge and Oxford](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colleges-at-cambridge-and-oxford/615664)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colleges-at-cambridge-and-oxford/615664 "2012-03-17T18:11:40Z")
I’ve been reading The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry. He talks exhaustively about his experiences at Cambridge and more specifically about his years at Queens’ College, down to a lengthy section on where the apostrophe sh… --- ## [Is philosophy only about universal truths? Are human perspectives irrelevant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-philosophy-only-about-universal-truths-are-human-perspectives-irrelevant/571706)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-philosophy-only-about-universal-truths-are-human-perspectives-irrelevant/571706 "2011-02-22T21:00:45Z")
Inthis thread, but really starting from around here, Naxos attempts to shoot down any merit to Existentialism (and also, by extension, any philosophical school I can think of) by claiming that any philosophical discussio… --- ## [Need Slow Cooker Inspiration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-slow-cooker-inspiration/707161)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2015, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-slow-cooker-inspiration/707161 "2015-01-26T17:49:19Z")
I have a slow cooker thanks to some generous friends a few years back, and it’s wonderful in many ways, but I feel my repertoire is limited. At present, I slow cook: cream of potato soup corned beef and cabbage brown … --- ## [My Former Step-Son Called Me After 7 Years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-former-step-son-called-me-after-7-years/582351)
**Author:** [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-former-step-son-called-me-after-7-years/582351 "2011-09-14T00:25:19Z")
So, I was divorced in 2004. I tried to keep in touch with her boys, my step-sons, who were young men by the time it was over, 18 and 15. So last night the older one calls me. He is 24 now. Going to a truck-driving sc… --- ## [Everybody gets an A at Yale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-gets-an-a-at-yale/994300)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2024, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-gets-an-a-at-yale/994300 "2024-01-04T02:55:09Z")
Don’t know if this article from the NY Times is paywalled, Nearly Everyone Gets A’s at Yale. Does That Cheapen the Grade? Grade inflation starts earlier than college, but I wonder about this headline and what it convey… --- ## [Polyamorous people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polyamorous-people/834328)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2019, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polyamorous-people/834328 "2019-05-28T04:50:30Z")
Are polyamorous people just sluts who can’t keep it in their pants? --- ## [Venting to my unemployed friend - now she won't talk to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venting-to-my-unemployed-friend-now-she-wont-talk-to-me/698386)
**Author:** [@WeAimToPlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeAimToPlease)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2014, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venting-to-my-unemployed-friend-now-she-wont-talk-to-me/698386 "2014-09-18T01:08:03Z")
I had a work disagreement with a colleague and I ‘lost’ the argument which I wasn’t happy about. I decided to vent to my unemployed friend over text. At which point they got really mad about my salary and how I should ba… --- ## [Is Sauron's absence from the pages of LotR a good thing or a bad one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saurons-absence-from-the-pages-of-lotr-a-good-thing-or-a-bad-one/582938)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saurons-absence-from-the-pages-of-lotr-a-good-thing-or-a-bad-one/582938 "2011-05-30T21:16:07Z")
Persons who’ve read The Lord of the Rings while not high on crack have surely noticed that the title character never appear. As a reader, does this seem a virtue or a failing to you? So we’re clear, I’m mostly intereste… --- ## [The Big 3 automakers' plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-3-automakers-plan/475427)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-3-automakers-plan/475427 "2008-12-13T16:42:36Z")
Well the Big 3 automakers are back and they have a plan. They want to be financially bailed out, and they are willing to make concessions. What do you think? Is it enough to warrant the huge loans they are asking for? … --- ## [Mercy sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercy-sex/275859)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2004, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercy-sex/275859 "2004-11-23T09:48:53Z")
I’ve heard of the concept of a “mercy fuck” but I’ve never actually heard of anyone engaging in the practice. Has anyone ever had sex with someone because they felt sorry for them, not because you were attracted to them… --- ## [Who is definitely NOT subscribing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-definitely-not-subscribing/235215)
**Author:** [@moejuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejuck)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-definitely-not-subscribing/235215 "2004-03-25T16:25:49Z")
I’m undecided at this point, but interested in everyone’s opinions. --- ## [What happens to banned users?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-banned-users/735819)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2015, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-banned-users/735819 "2015-11-01T03:03:47Z")
So I noticed a few people were banned recently and I think I read somewhere, sometime ago that the board prefers not to have some kind of banned list or banned reason list to prevent glorifying these people so I won’t na… --- ## [The ending of Panic Room - spoiler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ending-of-panic-room-spoiler/172304)
**Author:** [@Acco40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acco40)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2003, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ending-of-panic-room-spoiler/172304 "2003-05-02T21:30:56Z")
I watched this with a friend who had never seen it before recently. Anyway, there was a lengthy discussion afterward as to what Jodie Foster’s character did in regards to Forrest Whittaker’s character at the end. Since… --- ## [Legality of Nevada malaria treatment ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-nevada-malaria-treatment-ban/850247)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2020, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-nevada-malaria-treatment-ban/850247 "2020-04-26T03:49:52Z")
From: “Sisolak \[the Governor if Nevada\] signed an emergency order earlier Tuesday barring the use of anti-malaria drugs for someone who has the coronavirus. The order restricting chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine came… --- ## ["May we contact present employer for a reference?" Damned either way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-we-contact-present-employer-for-a-reference-damned-either-way/340971)
**Author:** [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-we-contact-present-employer-for-a-reference-damned-either-way/340971 "2006-01-23T04:10:58Z")
I need some quick advice on this small point. I’m in the wonderfully fun and exciting position of looking for a new job and one of the places I’m looking is a major university with this extensive online application proce… --- ## [Geraldo Rivera brutally raped](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geraldo-rivera-brutally-raped/621708)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geraldo-rivera-brutally-raped/621708 "2012-05-19T05:20:29Z")
I can hardly bear to repeat the horrific details. My heart goes out to him, I do hope that he’s in counseling. Here’s the report but I must warn you it makes grim reading. I was raped by the TSA says Geraldo Rivera. Ho… --- ## [TPUSA Halftime show featuring Kid Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tpusa-halftime-show-featuring-kid-rock/1027422)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 377\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tpusa-halftime-show-featuring-kid-rock/1027422 "2026-02-17T18:56:58Z")
Wasn’t quite sure whether to put this in Politics or even the Pit. If the Mods feel the need to move it, go right ahead. Anyway, TPUSA, apparently taking offense that Bad Bunny is playing the Super Bowl, is putting on t… --- ## [Men: would you carry a purse- like bag if you had stuff you needed to carry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629 "2011-08-20T01:49:04Z")
For the sake of argument let’s say you do not use a PDA or other electric organizer. In your day-to-day work you have, at minimum a daily planner you need to carry with you. Maybe a Filofax. Your job involves you traveli… --- ## [Married Women: Are you still getting head?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/married-women-are-you-still-getting-head/495896)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/married-women-are-you-still-getting-head/495896 "2009-06-03T22:10:07Z")
Inspired (or at least reluctantly intrigued) by this thread: Married Men: Are you still getting BJs?, I thought we needed to hear some data from the other side of the equation. And yes, I mean by your spouse. I’ll avo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=994&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/top.md?page=996&per_page=50&period=all&state=muted)