I read a novel, published about five to ten years ago. It gives the history of a factory from before the civil war to recent times. It begins with a contemporary woman dying of cancer as a result of the factory's chemicals.

I never understood the phrase "you can't have your cake and eat it too" I was wondering what is its origin? When and why did it start being used. To me it makes no sense, if I have a cake I expect to eat it.

I enjoyed the Boston Eyes on the Prize showing in February ("Eyes on the Screen"), but have recently heard that open public viewings of copyrighted films may be actionable, even when admission isn't charged. Many colleges have a policy of not allowing community-wide advertising for showings of video on campus outside a classroom setting. Would someone please point me to the straight dope on when and how a video may be legally viewed and advertised among sympathizers and colleagues? (In the wider community, as was done with the Eyes on the Prize exhibition, not on a college campus.)

Hey me and some friends were trying to find a space to rent to have a radical lending library in NYc but then someone came up with idea of just donating all our radical books to one particular branch of the nYPL and then mak publiccizing it as the radical library..

I'm trying to find out some background and history of an anti-fascist symbol, ie, who created it, when, and in what context, and if it is still used by any person, group, or movement. The symbol is t

I'm trying to find out where I can find the government notes for the laying out of townships (establishing townships) as per the federal ordinace of 1830 for Delaware County, Indiana. This is for a Land Surveying company in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana and we've tried the Delaware County Building which holds the Auditors Office, Recorders Office, and the County Surveyors Office, but to no avail. Please help if you can, if not, I understand. Thanks!

Question? : There was a Polish composer who wrote a piece that served as an elegy to a mentor of his - another composer - who was killed by an avalanche while skiing. I'm looking for the name of the composer (not the one who was killed) and the name of the piece.(submitted May 19, 2005)

I'm looking for alternative travel guides to New Orleans. Alternative as in not Fodor's, not Lonely Planet, etc. Online only is fine.

I am currently doing a project on the influence of the punk band Crass on the music, politics and sub-culutures of the last 20-25 years. I would greatly appreciate it if some one there could write me a few lines saying what , if any, influence anarcho-punk, Crass, Conflict, Flux of Pink Indians, Dead Kennardys etc.

Question? : Where can i find more information about the Great Railway Strike of 1877? Specifically information that deals with Baltimore and the racial dynamics of the strikers and rioters. Thank you