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1500 questions
45
votes
2 answers
Were Vietnam veterans spat on?
The idea that Vietnam veterans in the United States were spat on when they returned seems to have taken hold. It's mentioned in the movie First Blood ("Rambo"):
Then I come back to the world and I see all those maggots at the airport protesting me,…
dont_shog_me_bro
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45
votes
2 answers
Can you test for microwave leaks by putting a cell phone inside and calling it?
I heard as long ago as 2003 that trying to call a cell phone while it's inside a microwave (with the microwave off, of course) could be used to test if the shielding of the microwave was intact. I recall trying it and that it worked (the phone did…
Hendy
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45
votes
3 answers
Can fracking help reduce CO2?
The Guardian reports that the UK fracking tsar, Natascha Engel, has resigned and blamed anti-fracking activism for "fear-mongering", saying:
“There is much to be optimistic about how developing technologies – including fracking – can help us…
krubo
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45
votes
2 answers
Will the United Nations global compact on migration make it a criminal offense to criticize migration?
Liberty Nation and the Sunday Express cite MEP Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch Party for Freedom as saying:
“One basic element of this new agreement is the extension of the
definition of hate speech. The agreement wants to
criminalize migration…
Christian
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45
votes
1 answer
Does normal paper currency contain enough narcotics residue to attract a drug-sniffing dog?
It seems pretty well established that paper currency (e.g. in the US) is commonly contaminated with trace amounts of cocaine or other illegal narcotics. (See Snopes for instance, though I'm happy to have this assumption challenged.) Is this…
Nate Eldredge
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45
votes
2 answers
2 % of 'the rich' pay 50 % of taxes in Germany
A statement made by a user under a news article claims that 50 % of all taxes are paid by 'rich people' being defined as making more than 70.000 €/a.
(...) 2% der "Reichen" zahlen 50% der Steuern in Deutschland. (...)
This freely translates…
OddDev
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45
votes
1 answer
Were George Washington's teeth ripped from the mouths of living slaves?
I've seen lots of things about George Washington's teeth like this going around.
The real deal is George Washington had the teeth of his slaves in his mouth and not wood.. Wake Up my people they are still using us for body parts, Happy Presidents…
Evan Carroll
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45
votes
2 answers
Was the Obama administration responsible for the decision to move the US embassy in London and the sale of the old location?
President Donald Trump claims that moving the US embassy in the United Kingdom to a different location was a bad decision and a "bad deal". He puts the blame on the Obama administration.
Reason I canceled my trip to London is that I am not a big…
SQB
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45
votes
2 answers
Have there been more than 27,000 Islamic terrorist attacks since 9/11?
I was browsing a hashtag on twitter (#StepsToReverseClimateChange to hopefully find how I can help myself), and saw a post by someone with this image attached:
The image reads:
More than 27,000 Islamic terrorist attacks since 9/11
More ice in…
ave
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45
votes
1 answer
Are 10% of food stamps put towards soda?
I just came across a video that was also shared on Facebook, that claims that a recent US Department of Agriculture study found that 10% of food stamp purchases go to soda, or $8.5 billion annually. They also say that
the #1 item purchased through…
NeutronStar
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45
votes
2 answers
Did Malcolm X say that Islam has shown him that a blanket indictment of all white people is wrong?
The true Islam has shown me that a blanket indictment of all white people is as wrong as when whites make blanket indictments against blacks.
It can be found here and here, but this answer on Quora claims he said,
“history will prove the white…
Sakib Arifin
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45
votes
2 answers
Do humans share 50% of their DNA with bananas?
It's widely claimed that we share 50% of our DNA with bananas. Does this have actual basis or is it a myth?
Example claims The Mirror (UK), NHGRI
mintsponge
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45
votes
2 answers
Does the BBC have TV detector vans and how can they tell if you aren't paying a license fee?
I've heard from more than a few Brits that if you own a TV but don't pay your license fee, they'll come after you with unexpected visits and or fines.
Here is an example article debating their existence.
Even if you smuggle your TV into the…
Nick T
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45
votes
1 answer
Does oxygen get you high enough to keep you calm during a plane crash?
Does oxygen get you high? If so, is the effect strong enough to keep the average person placid during a plane crash?
From the movie Fight Club:
Tyler Durden: [pointing at an
emergency instruction manual on a
plane] You know why they put oxygen
…
going
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45
votes
1 answer
Was the original version of the Statue of Liberty of a Black slave?
A few people I know on social media are passing this image around this week.
The claim is the original Statue of Liberty was a black women, given to celebrate the end of the Civil War, and the US end to slavery.
For example, Urban Intellectuals…
Himarm
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