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April 16
Political climate when Bill Clinton entered office
What was the political climate when Bill Clinton was running for president? What events were happening at the time that would affect voters' opinions on his ideals and proposed policies? -- Unregistered Wikipedia User - 23:54, 15 April 2006 (UTC)
- Aassuming you are talking about his running for President and not some earlier position, see United States presidential election, 1992. The early paragraphs there may be just what you're after. For world events of the time, see 1992. You've probably already looked at Bill Clinton.-gadfium 00:02, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
What is the name of this melody?
This is accually a very familiar tune. It seems to be a flute concert accompanied by a piano, but it is not KV. 570 as it is stated.
I would appreciate it very highly if anyone could find out the opus or possibly the name of the tune.
Sincerely -- Funper 00:37, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
File sharing network arrests
Does anyone know where I can find the number of file sharing arrests sorted by the file sharing network? The majority of my friends use Limewire for file sharing, and I constantly inform them that "networks" like BitTorrent are much safer (albeit that I don't even use file sharing). Does anyone know where I can find statistics for file sharing arrests for each network? -- Unregistered Wikipedia User - April 15, 2006
- Actual arrests for file sharing are very uncommon: copyright infringement is generally a part of civil law, not criminal law. What you're probably looking for is a breakdown of copyright infringment lawsuits by network.
- I don't have any hard information on this, but my expectations are as follows: Most lawsuits are from Kazaa, because that was the most popular network when the RIAA began filing lawsuits. Other peer-to-peer networks will have smaller numbers of lawsuits, both because fewer people use them, and because the RIAA doesn't look as hard at them. Lawsuits from BitTorrent activity are uncommon now, since it's usually used for large files such as movies, rather than small files such as music. However, I expect the number of lawsuits to start going up, as the MPAA begins cracking down on movie piracy. --Serie 22:48, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Labour/Conservatives and N.I.
Why dont any of the main parties run in Northern Ireland nationwide elections? 83.5.253.204 03:19, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- Because Northern Ireland is such a complicated situation that they want to keep it at arm's length? (Less cynically, having no MPs from the province in the ruling party makes it easier to act impartially -- having said which, one of the best things John Major ever did IMO was push on with the peace process despite being dependent on the votes of Ulster Unionist MPs in the Commons.) Labour and the Lib Dems both have "sister" parties (the SDLP and Alliance, respectively); the Conservatives used to be partnered with the UUP, but they now put up candidates in NI themselves (they just never get anywhere). --Bth 09:08, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- And then theres Andrew Hunter, until recently the MP for Basingstoke in southern England who bizarrely defected from the Conservatives to the DUP (Northern Irish party). Jameswilson 23:44, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Enoch Powell did the same in 1974, though he went to the Ulster Unionist Party. AllanHainey 12:02, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Until 1974, when they stopped taking the Conservative whip, the UUP essentially were the NI branch of the Tory party. HenryFlower 20:22, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
A pharaoh Question
I am wondering if the Pharaoh Rameses II had more sons who could ascend to the throne other than merneptah. He had to have more than one.
Pharohs where known to be very prolfic with many children, from many wives. Therefore he almost certainly had more than one son.
- Does, perhaps, Ramesses II contain any answers to your question? --jpgordon∇∆∇∆
Yes it appears he had one son and two daughters.
According to Nicholas Grimal, Rameses Setepenre had by tradition about a hundred children, Crown Prince in his 19th year(I assume they mean Ramese's)Sethirkhephesef,namesake son Rameses in the 25th year, Khaemwaset Chief Priest of Ptah dying in year 55 leaving Mernptah who I thought was child or son 13 but I am unable to reference this. Itwas the custom to raise the sons of subject Kings in the Royal House both to Egyptianise them and as hostages.
The philosopher shaped by his father
A while ago, I read an article about a famous philosopher, whose father believed that by educating and directing a person in a particular direction from a very early age, exposing him/her to advanced topics in the field very early, that person would excel extraordinarily in the field. He thus chose not to send his son to school and rigorously educated him personally in philosophy as soon as the child was able to speak. The son then showed his father's hypothesis to be valid by growing up to become a renown philosopher. My question is, who was he (there's a possibility the father and son were psychologists, not philospohers, I don't quite recall)? I've looked through all the names that sounded familiar in the lists of philosophers we have at Wikipedia and still can't find him. --Aramգուտանգ 06:28, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- Perhaps you are thinking of John Stuart Mill, whom your summary fits relatively accurately? Another supreme intellect schooled in a similarly experimental fashion by his parents was William James Sidis. Joe 06:36, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- After reading about Mill, his upbringing seems to correspond pretty much exactly to what I remember from the article, so in all likelyhood, it was him, although it seems strange that his name doesn't sound familiar to me at all. In any case, thank you Joe, finding the name of a person who was raised the way the article described was more important to me than finding the exact person the article was talking about. --Aramգուտանգ 08:15, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
opinions on the Iran
I would like to collect different opinions on the policy of the Iran and its President Mahmūd Ahmadī-Nežād. Please write only one comment for each country, which should represent the general sight of the people and its government. I am not intersted in your own opinion. It does not matter whether it is a a positve or negative statement, but I expect a true answer.
- The Wikipedia has a policy called WP:NPOV. I don't think this is the right place. Computerjoe's talk 15:34, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- Virtually every country has at least one english language newspaper available online, and they generally aren't shy with national opinions. -LambaJan 17:31, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
You must be a truly brainwashed citizen of an extremely totalitarian regime to not understand that in free countries, opinions on such things as world politics are way too varied to be summed up with a single "position". You ask for a response from each country? Well I'm a Canadian and we have a population of about 30 million. Shall I list all 30 million opinions? You say you're only interested in my country's opinion and not my own, well things don't work that way here. I have an opinion and I have the right to express it: The president of Iran is a genocidal madman and must be stopped at whatever cost. Loomis51 01:43, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Further to this, sometimes governments in their infinite wisdom (joke) take positions that are contrary to the collective views of the populace they represent. To take a very well-known example , in both the UK and Australia a substantial majority of people were against committing troops to the invasion of Iraq; both governments sent troops anyway, for various reasons. In any case, throughout most of the west Iran's current president comes across as being a dangerous demagogue who whips up a particularly offensive brand of religious bigotry to play to a certain segment of his population. What is debated in the West (and where I would strongly disagree with Loomis51) is to a) whether he really is a madman or just plays one on TV, b) whether this really matters anyway because the key decisions on the military and foriegn policy seem to be taken by unelected clerics and the Supreme Leader, c) what stage Iran are at in their nuclear program and what they would do with a bomb if and when they got one, and d) given all that, what is the best way to deal with him and Iran more generally. --Robert Merkel 02:57, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
You say you strongly disagree with me. All I said is that a genocidal madman must be stopped. Do you disagree with that proposition? It seems that you are inferring by my statement that I was advocating full scale war against Iran. You seem to assume that I am somehow pro-war. Is that true? Because if you are, I'm afraid that you have gravely misunderstood my point. I am in fact anti-war. Once again, all I said is that a genocidal madman must be stopped. The sooner the better.
Had the British government, some 70 years ago, stopped another genocidal madman (who, by the way, was merely Chancellor, not president of Germany at the time, and therefore was legally subordinate to Hindenberg who was legally the ultimate authority...sound familiar?) the operation would have been virtually bloodless (with one obvious exception!). In doing so, there would have been no WWII, and some 50 million lives would have been saved. Of course the operation would be against international law, so I suppose that means it would have been wrong.
I am strongly anti-war, not in the wishy-washy sense where I disaprove any and all military operations, but in the solid sense that I believe that potentially devastating wars, involving the deaths of millions, must be avoided at all costs, even if it involves the breaking of so called "international law".
Fortunately the US and/or Israel, in their infinite wisdom (not a joke), will prevent the unimaginable human tragedy that would likely result should a misfit state such as Iran attain nuclear capabilities.
So let me ask you a question. Devoted as you are to "international law", in hindsight, had you been PM of Britain in the early 30's, would you or would you not order the British Secret Service, illegal as it may be, to assassinate Adolf Hitler? Loomis51 02:36, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- In Iran, all Iranians know that the true head of state is the Supreme Leader Khamenei. Without his permission and that of the Council of Guardians no one becomes a president. Patchouli 22:36, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Agreed. This means the current President is more a reflection of the desires of the ruling clerics who allowed him to run and be "elected". In any case, it shows Iran is a dangerous, terrorism supporting (Hezbollah), genocidal (against Israel), and hell bent on getting nuclear weapons. They will only negotiate as a way to postpone military action against them (until they can get the bomb). StuRat 09:58, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks, StuRat, for a supportive voice of sanity in this growingly insane situation. I can predict the response though, the old hindsight is 20/20 argument, that no one really knew how potentially dangerous Hitler was until it was to late. Well apparently Churchill knew quite early on. He was aware of Hitler's authorship of Mein Kampf and the ideas contained within it, he witnessed the passing of the Nuremberg Laws, he saw how the SA used violence and thuggery to promote the openly racist and fanatical views of their leader. Churchill knew this years and years before the beginning of WWII and had he not been heckled, harrassed, booed and labelled a warmonger for over and over pleading with his fellow members of parliament to take a more confrontational stance against Hitler, the unprecedented tragedy of the second world war could have easily been avoided. So heckle me, harrass me, boo me and label me whatever you want, I will not change my view nor cease urging others to change theirs on this matter. The president of Iran is a genocidal madman and must be stopped. Loomis51 10:56, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Also, I should point out, that I don't necessarily advocate the assassination of the president of Iran, as that may not be the wisest method of defusing what may become a potentially catastrophic situation. I leave it to the strategists and tacticians and diplomats to figure out exactly what must be done. In fact, I think they're doing a rather good job so far, beginning with diplomacy and only gradually escalating their confrontational stance. But whatever must be done must be done. Loomis51 10:56, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Theory of falsified Middle Ages timeline
There is a theory that a part of the Middle Ages never actually happened, and that several centuries were actually "added in" later. Does Wikipedia have an article on this theory, does anyone know? --Ashenai 12:43, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- Yes, we do; is New Chronology (Fomenko) what you're looking for? Shimgray | talk | 12:49, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- Yes! Thank you :) --Ashenai 12:51, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
converso families that founded in Guaranda, Ecuador
Ladies/Gentlemen:
Could you please provide the sources for the converso families that founded in Guaranda, Ecuador?
Thank you.
M.T. Cevallos
How rich is the Sultan of Brunei anyway?
Bill Gates is often named as the richest person in the world, worth upwards of $50 Billion, but then there's always someone that points out that the "Sultan of Brunei" is in fact the richest. The debate goes on as to whether heads of state should be included.
In any case, I checked out the article, and nowhere does it mention how much this "Sultan of Brunei" is worth. Anybody out there have any idea? Loomis51 17:51, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
- The article on the current Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah states that he "was at one time the richest man in the world" and Forbes gives him a net worth of $38b as of 1997, $12b less than Bill Gates.
- I don't think it's an answerable question because there isn't a clear distinction between the Sultan's property and state property. --BluePlatypus 08:32, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
That's an interesting point, Platypus. But now, if you consider property in its most technical, legalistic sense, then the Queen of England would clearly be the richest person on the planet. Loomis51 03:19, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- The people who point out the Sultan of Brunei is richer then Bill Gates are the people who use or have read an out of date Guiness Book of Records. They used to list the Sultan as the richest & for a time I thought he still was but Bill Gates has been the richest for some time. Loomis51, the Queen of the United Kingdom (She's not Queen of England) wouldn't be the richest person because she doesn't own England, only the Crown Estate (income of which she gives to the State in exchange for the Civil List payments). AllanHainey 12:11, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Sixteen Candles Music Question
I'm having difficulty finding a song on the Sixteen Candles DVD edition of the film (that came out in 1998). In the scene where Sam approcahes Jake at the coat check a song plays in the background and I believe the lyrics go as follows...
"How could you walk out the door on me?
I thought your love was mine and mine for keeps
But I see that I was very wrong"
I've been to numorous websites already, including http://briansworld.nova.org/16C/scsoundtrack.html to no avail. The website claims it may be by Robert Plant but I've searched basically all of his songs and found nothing that matched up. So if you could help me find the Artist and/or the title of the track in question it would be highly appreciated.
Thanks, - Heather
Maya Angelou/Civil Rights Movment
How does Maya Angelous's book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" correlate with the Civil Rights Movement?
- Please do your own homework, here (Maya Angelou) and here (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings). --Eivindt@c 22:40, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
City/Village inquiry
Was there such a village called Commerce Illinois back in the 1800's. From what I hear it was only a couple of houses.
- If you were to get all wild and crazy, you could type "Commerce, Illinois" in the search box at the top of this page and click the "go" button. Then, you'd see that it did indeed exist and is now called Nauvoo, Illinois. --Kainaw (talk) 22:44, 16 April 2006 (UTC)
It appears you are correct i do know cities change their names but in that search box when looking for old cities i never enter the state.
April 17
Question on subjectivism
"If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?" Just want to hear your opinions.
It depends on how you define sound. Is it the creation of waves in the atmosphere, or is their reception? If the answer is the former then yes, if it's the latter then no. Just curious, why do you call this a question of subjectivism? Loomis51 01:48, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- (edit conflict) It depends on how you define sound. According to the first couple definitions Merriam-Webster provides for the noun sense of "sound", no it does not make a sound. In particular, following the second definition, "the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing", the answer is no. Air vibration patterns exist, but no sound; according to this definition, sound is something that exists in our minds only. This is also consistent with Wiktionary's definition, "A sensation perceived by the ear caused by the vibration of air or some other medium" (although I don't think the ear can perceive air vibration. MW's third definition, "mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the objective cause of hearing", is closer to Wikipedia's definition; using that definition, sounds are the vibration patterns themselves and exist regardless of who or what might perceive them. My personal inclination is to use the first definition of sound, that it exists only in our heads, like color; and therefore the falling tree makes no sound. The question cannot be properly answered without clearly defining your terms. — Knowledge Seeker দ 01:52, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Does Merriam-Webster have the Buddha nature? —Keenan Pepper 03:42, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Not only does it not make a sound, but there is no tree there in the first place, at least according to my friend George Berkeley. I'm inclined to agree with him somewhat. Both "sound" and "tree" require a thinking being evaluating and assessing them. Where there is no creature capable of recognition, there is nothing. If no one can speak or think the thing, the objective existence is ... impossible, for even saying "it is" or "is not" requires that subjective assessment. (I know this isn't what Berkeley meant, quite, but Berkeley meets Wittgenstein.) Geogre 02:22, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Ah, cultural insensitivity rears it head again to flaw your logic. :) You assumed that the absence of a hearing individual meant the absence of an observer. But a very nice summary of Schrödinger's cat. —WAvegetarian•CONTRIBUTIONSTALK• EMAIL• 02:54, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
I meant metaphysical subjectivism.
- The tree only makes a sound if it is there. The only way of checking that it is there is to visit the forest at the time it fell. To put it another way - if you believe the tree to be there then you must also believe the sound occurred, since they are both physical items. If, however, the tree is a subjective phenomenon, then so is the sound likely to be. Given that you posit that the tree exists in the forest in your original question ("if a tree falls in a forest" assumes the premise "there is a tree in a forest"), then so must the sound. But if you mean your question as a true koan, my answer would be "Only if the sun exists when it is night time". Grutness...wha? 10:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- By the way, this is a good example of the reason I didn't major in philosophy. Loomis51 03:15, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
What is love but a second hand emotion?
What does Tina Turna mean when she says love is a 'second hand emotion'? -Username132 (talk) 02:09, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Tina Turner was trying to downplay the role of love in her song. The idea might be that because love involves two people, it is somehow less primary than an emotion such as fear. Perhaps she was saying that lust is primary and love secondary to that, although lust is not normally considered an emotion. At any rate, I wouldn't take it too seriously.-gadfium 02:29, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- And we have an article on the song at What's Love Got to Do with It? (song), which suggests "The song was written to express how love is usually not a motive for someone to find a relationship."-gadfium 02:32, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Okay, thanks :) --Username132 (talk) 04:21, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
I've often thought it would have made more sense had it said "2nd rate emotion". Perhaps it did say that originally, but they thought "2nd hand" sounded better. StuRat 04:25, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- "Secondhand" generally does not mean "second-rate" (i.e., not all that good, lower in quality to whatever is first rate), but passed on, received from another person. So I'm going to say from the context that "received from another person" is what it means here... though maybe Tina Turner really does have such a cynical view of love as others above suggest...
- I realize they don't mean the same thing, hence the problem. Songwriters and singers often substitute words which don't quite have the right meaning, if they flow better in the song. Don't you agree that "2nd rate" would make more sense in this song ? Saying love is "received from another person" is so obvious it's silly to say. The song is clearly down on love, so "2nd rate" would go along with that. I expect that her cynical attitude towards love is due to her abuse by Ike Turner. StuRat 09:33, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Epic of Gilgamesh suggestion?
I am interested in reading the Epic of Gilgamesh. There are many versions; does anyone have any recommendations which I should read? I am strictly an amateur who has some interest in ancient civilizations and mythologies, but little formal education in these areas. At least for now, I don't require rigor and detailed explanation, I would like something more accessible that can serve as an introduction. I realize that there are versions available online, but in this case I would prefer a hard copy. I was considering Stephen Mitchell's version: ISBN 0743261690. Any thoughts? — Knowledge Seeker দ 02:17, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- As an amateur, I would think you would more desire an annotated edition with a strong critical apparatus than less. In that case, a library copy of a strong academic press edition might be the way to go, but I don't have a recommendation. Geogre 02:24, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- I like my Penguin Classics edition. ISBN 0-140-44919-1 —Keenan Pepper 03:40, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- I'd recommend the Stephen Mitchell edition. It's quite readable. --12.217.186.109 15:01, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Getting Laid
What is the best way, in the opinion of the answerer, to get laid (legally)? Here7ic 06:45, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- The answer to that question would depend on your definition of "best way", is it the way requiring least effort, the way requiring least money, the safest way, the most physically pleasing, the most emotionally pleasing, the most beneficial in the long term, the way that best conforms to the principles of a particular religion, the best sexual position, the way that will generate the most approval/respect from peers/relatives, etc... Each definition will warrant a different answer. --Aramգուտանգ 08:25, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
It also depends on what country/jurisdiction you are in. I could argue that the simplest, quickest and possibly even the cheapest way in the long term is to go and obtain the services of a prostitute, but that's not legal in all countries.-gadfium 08:56, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Let's just void the question. Was drunk. Now sober. Here7ic 10:44, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- "It is with love as with procreation: the pleasure momentary, the expense damnable, and the posture ridiculous." -- Evelyn Waugh Geogre 13:31, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Not by posting on here,dude.Go out ,get a life,it's really useful.hotclaws**==(82.138.214.1 17:13, 17 April 2006 (UTC))
- Except Las Vegas and somewhere in Rhode Island, prostitution is illegal in the United States. If you want to sleep with someone just once and not pay that person - at least not for the sex - go to http://www.xmatch.com. Patchouli 20:29, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Actually, not in Las Vegas, but in most other parts of Nevada -- see our article Prostitution in Nevada. No idea about the Rhode Island thing. I wish I'd known that when I was growing up in Connecticut! --LarryMac 20:38, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- I don't know anything specifically about xmatch.com, but sites like that apparently have and almost entirely male membership, so getting laid on sites like that isn't easy (unless you're gay). I think the answer to this question is that if you have to ask, you probably won't be very successful at it (or getting it) in the first place. ;) zafiroblue05 | Talk 21:32, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
What, no your mom jokes? I'm disappointed. Melchoir 22:08, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- You must have made a mistake when choosing the options from "I am" and "Seeking" boxes. Try again, I easily get only male or only female by choosing the right options.Patchouli 22:40, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- I checked http://www.xmatch.com just now. If you're a man seeking a woman, the choose Women Seeking Men. I admit that it is a little confusing because of order reversal.Patchouli 22:48, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- The fastest way is to look good and be interesting in a single's bar.
If you want to get laid in the worst way ... Try it standing up in a hammock. Justfranc 02:30, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- That joke actually shrunk my brain :-/ Gardar Rurak 06:00, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
UNJUST CHARGE IN XVIe CENTURY
Hello!! Excuse me for my English!! Could somebody inform me? I seek information on a dramatic event (XV-XVII centuries) having led to the exile of innocent. When this one returned to the castle, the light could be made on this drama. Thank you in advance, [Néfertari] (French Wikipedia)
- Are you referring to the novel (roman) The Count of Monte Cristo? Geogre 10:33, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- I readed it, but I'm not referring to it !! Néfertari (French Wikipedia)
- I left a reply on the French Wikipedia as well, where this user had also asked the same question. Anyway, could the answer possibly be Martin Guerre (article en anglais) or if you prefer l'article en français? --Tachikoma 19:10, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Writer
Please tell me the name of this writer.
http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3a2ye.jpg
Appreciated.
- This question deserves a rather Thoreau answer. StuRat
- Horrible. Just horrible. ;) zafiroblue05 | Talk 02:28, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Strange Symbol
Any Ideas on what this is Wiki People?
http://img81.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10yl2.jpg
Im know it`s associated with a Historical Figure if that Helps. Anyone? Even a lead I can work on? -- unsigned by IP 88.110.208.148
- It's a Charlemagne monogram ("Karolus"). Look in Rudolf Koch's Book of signs to see plenty more examples like it. AnonMoos 17:29, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Nice Painting
Got a really nice painting here. Was just wondering if anyone knew of the artist. I have a hunch it is Poussin but I am unsure.
http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=42jn.jpg
Museum Piece
I need information of two museum pieces. One from the Classical Greek or Hellenistic civilization and the second piece from the Etruscan civilization, Republican Rome, or the Roman Empire. The information I need is a total description of the pieces. What type of art form it is, what aspects of the civilization and its cultural development does the piece represent. I need references
- Why do you ask? Notinasnaid 17:14, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
You need to include photos of the pieces, or at least thorough descriptions, if we are to identify them. But just for fun, I will that the first piece is an amphora and the second is a brooch, LOL. StuRat 01:22, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Oh, now I think I know what you want. You don't have any specific pieces in mind, but want us to do your homework for you and find two such pieces. Try going to a museum or at least try some web searches, like a www.google.com "Image" search on "Greek art" and another on "Etruscan art". StuRat 01:27, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Lincoln assassination
In July 1865 four conspirators in the Lincoln assassination were hanged. Where exactly in present-day Washington D.C. is the site of those gallows? Is there a present-day photograph of that exact ___location?
- They were executed at Fort McNair. Which was located... where Fort McNair is today. :) According to this the gallows were where these tennis courts are now. Not terribly exciting.. --BluePlatypus 17:31, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Where's Detective Steve Crosetti when we need him? He'd have full chapter and verse... Grutness...wha? 01:38, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Kennedy assassination
Jay Skaggs took several color photographs of President Kennedy at the corner of Main and Houston, and several after the shooting. Where on the Web is a complete collection of his photographs?
- Lincoln memorial ? --DLL 20:05, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Searching For A Customized Music Box Maker ...
I want to make a Christmas project and it requires that I find a music box manufacturer who can create a music box with a specific Christmas tune. I have no idea where to go. If someone could help me to locate a customized music box maker, I would very much appreciate it. Judith Gonzales
- Do you mean a traditional music box with chimes and bells and moving parts ? That would be quite expensive to be custom designed, I'm thinking thousands of dollars. On the other hand, one of those disposable chips that makes music when you open a greeting card can probably be programmed more cheaply, but I don't know of any company that offers this service. StuRat 01:01, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Another option might be to buy a user programmable music box. I found a mention of the CALKIT MC-1 programmable music box, but couldn't find where to buy it. Some might use some fairly old technology, like punched paper tape, to specify the notes to be played. StuRat 01:15, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
RE: President Carter Article
"In 1979, Carter out of humanitarian concerns allowed the deposed Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi into the United States for political asylum and medical treatment."
Please provide sources or exact events to support this such as the date and the ___location of his landing in the United States. I have heard from Iranians that President Carter did not allow Shah's plane to land in the United States. So Shah went to Mexico and then Egypt. Patchouli 16:47, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Mohammad Reza Pahlavi gives the sequence pretty well. There's no "did not allow the plane to land". You're right, though -- it doesn't give enough dates. A real good chronology is here. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆
- The [American Diplomacy.org] article says "On Monday, 22 October, the shah arrived in New York on Rockefeller’s private Gulfstream jet" on page 2. It also, says that Carter feared repercussion against embassy personnel after the Hostage Crisis, but this was on 4 November 1979. The article is not chronological.
I want to know the date of entry and departure of Shah himself into the US and where he was in the US. I still think that he never actually came to US after 11 February 1979.Patchouli 20:07, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- It says quite explicitly he arrived in NYC (from Mexico) on 22 October; that was 1979. Here's a New York Times article that verifies that date. He departed the US for Panama on December 15th of that year. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 00:09, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Thank you. I have updated the James Carter article.Patchouli 15:04, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
afircan tribes
My child is doing a report on African mask. She has chosen the "Duma" mask. What I need to know now is what tribe this comes from? I know this comes from Gabon, Africa. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance. Amy
- That would be the Adouma people. I've added it to the Duma page. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 18:06, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Religious Artefact
I believe I posted this Question in the wrong place last time.
This artefact resides in a Monastery at the foot of a mountain please tell me which monastery or if you know of the artefact?
http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=54fg.jpg
- Why do you ask? Are you doing a quiz? Notinasnaid 19:12, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
I was until one of your guys gave me the answer the help is much appreciated.
River
Hi there fellow Wiki users! Hopefully somebody can help me. I have a picture of a river, on the river there is a rock which is apparently related somehow to folklore. Would anybody be able to kindly recognise either the rock or the river? http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8904/28tb.jpg Thanks
- The Lorelei, even the same picture in the article. -83.129.26.13 20:28, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Closing credits
Why did movies from the 1970s and forward start to have long closing credits / end credits that go on for 4-5 minutes? Although there may be a point in listing the names of every actor, why is it necessary to list make-up artists, gaffers or technical crew who had an infinitesimal influence on the final movie? Thuresson 19:30, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- According to this article; "Almost all end credits, and the order in which they appear, have been settled for years by union contract and general industry convention. [...] people in the business need to claim proper credit for whatever they did on a film, and end credits are the only thing they have to point to as an acknowledgment of their work. " An artist or a model can carry around a portfolio, showing representations of his or her work, a Gaffer or Dolly Grip doesn't have anything so tangible, but they've at least been mentioned in the closing credits. --LarryMac 20:06, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
They seem to have changed the purpose of the credits from giving the audience info they want to being for the egos of those who worked on the movie. Note that most employees don't have their names on what they produce. Does the steering wheel on your car have the names of everyone who worked to build it written on it ? It is a problem. In the theaters, people regularly leave in the middle of the credits. On TV, they frequently cut them short or squeeze them down into a corner so small you can't read them. I suggest they give a web site with the names of the gaffer's manicurists, if they feel the need to inflict this useless info on the public. StuRat 00:44, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Steering wheels don't actually have any credits at all written on them, so that's not a very useful comparison.
- There might be a lot number, model number, serial number, etc., on it somewhere. But my point is that they don't feel the need to have any credits at all for most products. If you want another example, a photo is typically only credited to the photographer, not the camera manufacturer, film maker, developer, etc. StuRat 09:13, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- True, but we're discussing collaborative efforts here. The camera manufacturer etc have nothing to do with the photo except in the most indirect sense. They can't really claim to have been "involved" in the making of the photo, whereas even the caterers on a movie set can so claim - just. ("They also serve who only stand and cater"). JackofOz 10:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- The person who developed the film has far more to do with the quality of the finished photo than the caterer does with the finished movie. If you insist on an even more direct comparison, say the photographer has his photo sessions catered. Would you ever expect to see the name of the caterer there listed in the photo credits ? StuRat 19:56, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Movie credits have never been just for "giving the audience info they want". They have always gone way beyond that. Not as far as they go these days, admittedly, but still a lot more than just the actors, director, music and the few others that audiences are typically interested in.
- I disagree. While the info was probably not of interest to all viewers, it was at least of some interest to a portion of the audience. Now, however, they are including info of no use to anyone but the people listed, their friends, and relatives. StuRat 09:13, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- What's of no use to one person is interesting information to another. It's at worst benign, and you're not forced to watch it. JackofOz 10:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- No, it's not benign, due to the way TV stations are forced to minimize excessive credits in order to remain profitable, and how this makes ALL the credits unreadable, not just the excessive portion. StuRat 19:56, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- A film is a collaborative project involving often thousands of people. Some have more impact on the final outcome than others, but all have played some part. If you're going to be having any credits at all, which is about acknowledging everyone's contribution to the outcome, why would you stop at only the highest profile people? It is a normal human need to be acknowledged for one's work (however marginal it may be to any particular finished product). To them, and to the many other people who take an interest in this kind of detail, this is most definitely not "useless information".
- I would only credit those with creative input. A caterer does not have creative input, for example. Would the movie have been noticeably different with another caterer ? "This is a great movie, you can always tell a movie that's been catered by ARA Mark." LOL StuRat 09:13, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- See my comment above. But I agree there is a limit, and this is pretty much it. JackofOz 10:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- What the TV stations do is abominable. Since it's impossible to read the credits, what purpose is served by showing them at all? I think the answer is a legal requirement, to which they pay the barest lip service.
- I agree with you here. Specifically, I often wonder about the year the movie was made. But, being at the end, jammed down in the corner, accelerated to warp speed, and in Roman numerals (for some inexplicable reason), I have almost no chance of being able to make it out. The TV stations feel the need to do so because the endless credits would bore most of their audience into changing the channel, otherwise. If film makers would just include the info the audience actually has an interest in, then the credits would be short enough that the TV stations could show them in their entirety, without losing the audience. StuRat 09:13, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Yes, it is a difficult problem of balance. I think film makers make their movies for their cinema audience and for their DVD audience, not really for any TV audience. What the TV stations do with movies is their concern (within limits). Of course, one could argue that having 20 commercial breaks during a movie does not exactly enhance one's sense of continuous action, but that's a given before you sit down so one can hardly complain.
- I don't have any inherent objection to ads, but do object to ads where some obnoxious salesman is yelling at me, or when they splice them into the movie in the middle of a sentence, instead of at natural breaks (like the end of a day in the movie). I also think that TV stations would evaluate ads on entertainment value. Some ads get me to stop and watch the ad when changing channels, while others make me change the channel. It would definitely be in the TV stations' interest to have only the entertaining ads on their station. StuRat 19:56, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- The other thing that really bugs me (not that I watch very much TV - I'm far too busy writing Wikipedia) is when they plug some forthcoming new show for weeks, and when it finally gets aired, they then start showing plugs for the next upcoming show at the bottom of the screen while we're desparately trying to focus on the show that's on right now that they've just spent weeks plugging. What sort of mixed message is that? JackofOz 10:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Those plugs at the bottom of the screen have gotten a great deal more annoying now that they have movement. It doesn't even seem to be for any purpose other than to grab your attention, like the one with Malcolm/Frankie Muniz (of Malcolm in the Middle) jumping up and down. StuRat 19:56, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Exactly. Just what is it that they want you to watch? JackofOz 23:40, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- At the cinema, if people are not interested in sitting through all the credits, they are free to leave early. And they do, so I can't see a problem. What annoys me is that they start having loud conversations as soon as they stand up, totally ignoring the people who are still seated and still reading the credits and listening to the closing music. What arrogance! Just because the movie is over for them, does not mean it is over for everybody else. JackofOz 02:12, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- And a few movies actually have a little bonus scene after the credits, too. They could also make the credits more interesting by showing out-takes and bloopers while they run. StuRat 09:13, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Again, some people are already more interested in credits than others, and don't need anything else to make them interesting. Besides, in many cases out-takes would totally ruin the feel that the movie has just spent 2-odd hours creating in the audience. I like to leave the theatre quietly and reflectively, preferably with tears streaming down my face, not laughing insanely loudly as people tend to do in public these days.
- Of course, they should adjust the scenes shown during the closing credits to fit the movie. For example, after Hotel Rwanda they could have someone from Amnesty International talk about what the audience can do to help prevent genocide. StuRat 20:03, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- While we're on screen credits, on TV we often used to be told that, eg. "Chuck Gleamworthy chooses to stay at Excelsior Hotels and chooses to fly Air Uganda", when clearly he did no such thing. This was just a shameless plug for a hotel chain and an airline, and Chuck was told by the station where to stay and what airline to use (if he did at all). JackofOz 10:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Jay Leno once commented how Jerry Springer had murderers and rapists on one week and then gave a plug "All guests of the Jerry Springer Show stayed at the Airport Marriot." Then he added "Now why exactly would I want to stay at the hotel they have filled with murderers and rapists ?" LOL StuRat 19:56, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
PS. Here are some beauties I’ve come across:
- The Silence of the Lambs has a "Moth Wrangler" credited
- A Brief History of Time credits a "Chicken Wrangler"
- Schindler's List had a "Second Second Assistant Assistant Director"
- Priscilla, Queen of the Desert credited an "Executive Drag Consultant"
- "Cons and Frauds Consultant" and "Italian Fiscal Representative" are not unknown in Mafia-related movies
Acknowledgments to Crazy Quilt by John Train. JackofOz 02:07, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Besontenn
Is Besontenn a real thing? Google, Google Scholar, Google Books, and A9.com turn up nothing, nothing on Wikipedia links to it, the article was started by someone who had no other Wikipedia contribution... zafiroblue05 | Talk 21:17, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- No. I've deleted it as a hoax, as was Teirlinenn. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 23:59, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Orwell's 1984 a theocracy
I am writing a paper on how the party in 1984 is in fact a strong representation of a theocracy. for example, big brother would represent a god. he is never seen in person but his presence is always felt. i need some help finding a theocracy though that closely mimics this. any other help or ideas would greatly be appreciated.
- Here at Minitrue, we have an article about Nineteen Eighty-Four. Additionally, are you familiar with the Eastasian territory of North Korea? However, citizen -- not doing your own homework is double-plus ungood. --ByeByeBaby 22:49, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
For theocracies, try Iran, Saudi Arabia, Vatican City, and Texas. For great justice. 00:02, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Also, you might take a look at the concept of a cult of personality, which might be a more useful way to think about this than as strictly "theocracies". As for a good analog "theocratic head of state", the best I can think of is Ruhollah Khomeini, though he was not very much like Big Brother. Personally I think you'd be better to argue not that 1984 is a theocracy, but rather more specifically that Big Brother was supposed to be a manifestation of an all-watching God, and leave it at that. Theocracies as forms of government do not, I don't think, look much like 1984 (they have usually be relatively low-tech and decentralized, rather than high-tech and centralized). Another little concept you might find useful is the Panopticon. --Fastfission 02:27, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- I'm going out on a limb here, but I think it might be possible to do a comparison of 1984 and the culture of ancient Egypt - you'd have the theocracy angle covered, and you'd get a highly authoritarian, centralized society with lots of rules that are literally set in stone and with a fantastic propaganda machinery -- Ferkelparade π 09:26, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
I think that's an interesting idea, but I disagree that 1984's dystopia was theocratic at all. If you look at the Soviet Union, a government which labeled itself Marxist and communist/socialist, was not at all really communist or socialist. The Soviet Union is considered by many to be a degenerated workers' state at best, and state-capitalist at worst.
It's actually very typical in authoritarian, centralized governments to replace theoism with an infallible leader. The reason for this is most likely that a higher being would draw loyalty away from the state.
Hope that helps. Pckeffer 19:25, 22 April 2006 (UTC)Paul
Heliograph
The use of mirrors for communicating during the Civil War?
- Please phrase your question in the form of a question. (apologies to Alex Trebek!) Loomis51 03:08, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Also, heliographs were pretty efective for communication in Ringworld :-) --WhiteDragon 20:04, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Hitchhiker's Guide and Elvis
I remember reading a part in one of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books that alluded to the fact that Elvis was alive and well, living on another planet and singing in a restaurant when Arthur saw him. Any help?
- Minor_characters_from_The_Hitchhiker's_Guide_to_the_Galaxy#Elvis_Presley For great justice. 22:48, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
tutoring english in romania
is it possible (in other words, legal) for a non-degreed person to tutor english in romania? if it is possible, what would be a standard fee? thanks! michael
- You'll need a work visa to do it legally (if you charge for your services, that is). For great justice. 22:47, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- It will be very difficult to get a job tutoring English without a TEFL. The TEFL article has information about getting the degree and what jobs you can expect with it. Without the TEFL, you will likely be given less money and less job security. --Kainaw (talk) 22:51, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
This person might be able find a job as private tutor, or if this person is a woman, as governess.
- Correct. My wife worked for 3 months in Italy as a private tutor to a 4-year old and babysitter for a 1-year old. Her job was to be an American-English influence on the children. There is a rather high demand for American-English tutors as opposed to British-English. --Kainaw (talk) 01:21, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Note that Romania is a poor country, so very few people there could actually afford to pay for a tutor. StuRat 02:54, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- The gig for people with a Master's but no doctorate is in South Korea or Japan. With a BA or less, there isn't much demand (as the supply of ABD and MA candidates is pretty high). The economies in those nations are strong, and the need is great for English and American tutors. The People's Republic of China is emerging as well. Geogre 23:30, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Jewish Holidays
I did a search on the main page for Jewish Holidays and was redirected to Jewish Holiday. It doesn't have any discussion page, edit , history etc.. It has a table of contents but the subjects in it don't exist on the page. You can click on the links in the table of contents but they don't go anywhere. What is up? Johnor 22:37, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- It's working now. -- Mwalcoff 00:29, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Gay bars
Are most gaybar owners Gay?
- Sexual orientation is not a question on a business license and nobody knows most gay bar owners well enough to know the answer. You can only assume that a bar owner likes to hang out with the people who come to his or her bar. --Kainaw (talk) 22:54, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
Gay bar cost
How much would it cost to buy, or set up a gay bar in a medium size city?
- Define "medium". Also, what country? What state/province/county? What is the land value? How strict are codes? Is there a board of architectural review? Does the owner have his own money or is this on credit? Is the loan 3, 5, 10 years? Does the building exist already or will it need to be built? When a question is too general, it is impossible to answer. You may as well ask, "How much will stuff cost at the store?" --Kainaw (talk) 22:57, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- One major cost for any bar is a liquor license. In many US states, they can be quite expensive. StuRat 00:27, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- I fully agree with Kainaw, but would just like add that I have no idea why the fact that the bar is a gay bar would have any effect on its cost. The cost of a gay bar would seem to me to be no different than the cost of an ordinary bar. I'm curious as to why you would assume that a gay bar's cost is any different than any other bar. Is there something I'm missing? Loomis51 03:00, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Insurance (against, say, malicious vandalism)? --zenohockey 02:09, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- In some areas the ammount of customers might be very low. Especially so in religious communties. --Magicmasta 08:08, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- In religious communities they can always count on the priests for business. Then again, they don't generally go for adult gay sex, do they ? StuRat 21:51, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Gay bar restrooms
Are their any good gay bars in Springfield massachussetts? Mind you I am not gay, as a bussiness man I am just curious!
- Are you willing to head to Providence? I hear that the gay night-scene there is among the best in New England. Sorry I don't know about Springfield, but I imagine they have a few. If you ask me, the entire city is a bit sketchy, though. — orioneight (talk) 23:16, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- This is the sort of thing that searches are helpful for. For example, a Google search for gay bar springfield MA yields many results, showing there at least four of them. In general, it's good to search first, ask questions later. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 23:56, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Why is the title to the question about gay bar restrooms? Loomis51 03:01, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Good Gay bars
Are their any good gay bars in Springfield massachussetts? Mind you I am not gay, as a bussiness man I am just curious!
- Bicurious ? StuRat 00:22, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Best name for a gay bar ? The "Bottom's Up Club". StuRat 01:45, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- What, only one bottom ???? JackofOz 06:35, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Ah, perhaps the "Bottoms Up Club" would be better ? StuRat 08:47, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Now you're talking, StuRat. Your prize is free entry (oops). :--) JackofOz 09:25, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- And I suppose the entrance is in the rear ? StuRat 06:23, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
When did "colonizing" become "invading"?
Having a discussion with my parents after dinner, and talk turned to "colonial" Britain. I wondered when it stopped being "colonizing" and started just being "invading" to take a small army and a batch of people down to a less-developed nation and set up shop. Obviously, there's a bit of grey area here, but none of us could think of any new "colonies" after World War One. These days, you couldn't just shlep a platoon of soldiers and set up a village in Rwanda and say "we're colonizing" -- that'd be crazy talk. So when did "colonizing" stop being acceptable in the public mind? As a bonus question, what was the last "colony" established by the colonial powers? --MattShepherd 23:33, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- Some "colonies" were created as a result of WW2, like the US "colony" of Northern Mariana Islands. Although that word isn't actually used for it now, due to it's negative historical implications. StuRat 23:52, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
- (reads) Thanks for that, but they didn't "colonize" Guam after WWII exactly... just won it back from the Japanese and hung onto it. Guam was "colonized" quite some time before. I'd still like some help on when "colonizing" per se stopped. --MattShepherd 00:05, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Right, you will see I corrected my example. I confused Guam, which is in the Mariana Islands, with the Northern Mariana Islands. As for the time frame, there were quite a few new colonies right after WW1, due to the breakup of the Ottoman Empire mainly into British and French colonies. I would say after WW2 is when the period of colonization ended. StuRat 00:19, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Also, it's wrong to think of colonization as strictly being done by Western nations. Japan's genocidal colonization of most of Asia in WW2 and China's rather brutal colonization of Tibet in the 1950's are good counter-examples. StuRat 00:09, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Keep in mind that China's position is not that it took over Tibet. China never renounced ownership of Tibet. The British claimed Tibet to be a separate government around 1900, but China opposed such a distinction. Then, when China stepped in and removed the British-loyal politicians, it was seen by Europe and the U.S. as an invasion of a separate country. Going back to the negative view of colonies, nobody wanted to discuss that China owned Tibet until British armies invaded Lhasa and turned it into a "a colony that we don't want to call a colony but was in every way set up and run as a colony". --Kainaw (talk) 00:38, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, it's no surprise that China refuses to admit they are occupying a foreign country. I would pose the question to Tibetans (excluding Chinese immigrants after the invasion), and ask whether they want independence from China or not. StuRat 01:42, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- I have trouble feeling China is inherently evil when it comes to Tibet because I've spent a lot of time in Hawaii. There are many Hawaiians that want independence from the United States. Is that different than Tibetans wanting independence from China? --Kainaw (talk) 02:44, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- That spurious example is not the same at all. According to our article on the Hawaiian Independence Movement:
Hawaii was granted statehood on August 21, 1959, the fiftieth state to enter the union. This was approved by a referendum by an overwhelming 96% majority. Some of the voters were U.S. military personnel, many of whom still maintained residence in the continental United States, and were otherwise ineligible to vote in Hawaiian elections. Had their votes been excluded Hawaii would still have become a state, but the vote would not have been as overwhelming. The United Nations certified this vote by removing Hawaii from the list of non-self-governing territories.
- On the other hand, Puerto Rico may eventually vote for independence from the US, which will then be granted. StuRat 08:34, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- There are elections in Tibet too. They vote for the Chinese. You happened to leave out the military invasion of Hawaii and overthrow of the Queen. This was reinforced by a high concentration of military bases. So, you put a lot of guys with guns on the island and then ask the natives if they want to vote against you. That isn't much different to me than China putting a lot of guys with guns in Tibet and telling them that they either choose to be Chinese or go to India. The real difference is that Hawaii was never part of the United States until it was forced to become a province and coerced into becoming a state. Tibet was part of China until the British took it away to make it easier to channel Indian opium to China. China took it back when the British left. I am not claiming that the Chinese treat Tibetans better or equal to the way Americans treat the Hawaiians. I am only claiming that the military takeover of Tibet is similar in time and method to the military takeover of Hawaii. --Kainaw (talk) 12:57, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- One party elections aren't elections at all, so they don't count. Has there been a referendum on Tibet being annexed by China in the same way as there was on Hawaii being granted statehood in the US ? I seriously doubt it. And your statements that the old kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown by the US military is just plain wrong. According to our article there was a coup by Americans and Europeans living in Hawaii at the time, not by the US army. This coup is in no way comparable to the massive invasion by the Chinese military and subsequent genocide against Tibetans. The UN agrees on this point, do you think they are biased, too ? Your assertion that military bases in Hawaii are there to control the native population is absurd, they are there because it's the only US state in the Pacific, so provides a good staging ___location for any military operations in the Pacific or Asia. I don't know of any military operations against native Hawaiians anytime recently, do you ? StuRat 20:53, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- If you believe the USS Boston and the U.S. military were just standing around with rifles singing songs during the overthrow of the Hawaiian government, then there is an impass. I feel that the Presidential investigation that found the U.S. military acted illegally by supporting and participating in the overthrow to be more correct than the Congressional investigation, paid for by the companies that benefitted from the overthrow, that claimed the U.S. military was just "protecting American interests". Also, if you feel that China never owned Tibet before the British sent an envoy with extensive military backing, then we are at an impass. I am not claiming China still holds ownership. I am claiming that China never ceded ownership. It was taken by the British and the U.N. did not give it back. But, China never ever said Tibet was a separate nation. --Kainaw (talk) 01:55, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- It's not up to China to decide if Tibet is a separate country, that's up to the Tibetans. Similarly, it's up to the Hawaiians to decide if they want to be an independent country, and they seem to have voted against that when they voted for US statehood. StuRat 06:43, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- The reason that colonization isn't really thought of as occurring in the early 20th century is that everywhere had already been colonized. By around 1900, everywhere on the map was colored in by someone that was recognised as a government by the West. When the UK made Uganda a protectorate in 1888, they were taking over from the assorted indigenous peoples, who (in the perspective of the British) didn't really matter. When they occupied Egypt in 1882, they were taking over from the Ottoman Empire, so it wasn't really colonization. The Berlin Conference drew the lines and mostly finished coloring in Africa in 1895. There's a gigantic list of colonies, protectorates, dependencies, mandates and what-have-you.
- Excluding claims made in Antarctica, the most recent clear colonial case I can come up with is the Treaty of Berlin, 1899 which split the islands of Samoa between the US and Germany.
- By the post WW2 period, the imperial powers were starting to decolonize, so that point is when "colonization" as such stopped being generally acceptable. Of course, the forces behind decolonization were part altruistic and part the recognition that it was probably more trouble than it was worth. But for my money, "colonization" wasn't really over until the world consensus was that it wasn't acceptable. We just ran out of places to colonize 60 years before that; if someone had found a previously unknown island with vast mineral resources and a weak indigenous population in 1935, someone would have damn sure colonized it.
- If you want a specific date, how about December 14, 1960, when UN Resolution 1514 - Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples was passed? --ByeByeBaby 01:20, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for all the thoughtful and informative answers. Lots there to read up on and think about! I thank you and my folks thank you! --MattShepherd 02:11, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- If we think of colonies as places intended for settlement by people from the colonizing country, perhaps we could say that colonization ended with the Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century, with a brief reprise during the brutal expansionism of the Axis Powers of WWII. Up to the Berlin Conference, there had always been blank spots -- terra nullis -- on the world map in the eyes of Europeans. With the colonization of Africa, the entire habitable world had either been organized into "civilized" nation-states or their colonies. The only thing left to do was to take colonies away from other powers.
- In the eras of colonization in the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Africa, the intention was to exploit the natural resources of the colony site, with a secondary object of spreading Christianity to the natives. Today, free trade takes care of the resources issue. Instead of colonizing Nigeria to get its oil, we expect the Nigerians to sell it to us. Certainly some Europeans and Americans are over there to work in the resource industries, but they are expected to live under the laws of the host country.
- There may be one last frontier for colonization. Argentina built Base Esperanza in Antarctica in 1975. Unlike other Antarctic bases, Esperanza has a "permanent" population that includes six families. It has its own school for the kids.
- Perhaps in the future, the lack of completely free trade in oil will lead to a new age of colonization, if a desperate U.S. or Western World invades oil-rich countries to ensure a steady supply. I don't think we'll be seeing any large-scale colonization like that of the Americas or Australia; the climate of Saudi Arabia, like that of Central Africa, tends not to agree with those of European ancestry. -- Mwalcoff 04:53, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- However, China may well begin to colonize it's neighbors as it's economic and military power increase. Specifically, I expect them to conquer Taiwan, Nepal, and possibly North Korea (which might not be a bad thing). StuRat 08:43, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
To actually answer the question, I'd date it to Mussolini invading Abyssinia in the 30s. And while "we" were not quite perfect colonialists, the Fascists were a whole lot nastier. HenryFlower 21:32, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
April 18
Rush Tour?
When will the Canadian band Rush tour again?
65.10.49.190 00:47, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Never, I hope. That lady that sings for Rush needs some nasal decongestant. Erik the Rude 01:20, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- I think contacting the band's official website is your best bet here. If they don't say, it's unlikely Wikipedians know the answer. - 131.211.210.12 10:49, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Kendo - Bogu Components - Is there a shoulder covering?
I have what I believed to be a vintage (circa 1928) Kendo bogu. In trying to describe it to sell on eBay, I ran into an impasse. I read all the wiki articles and looked at as many pictures as I could on the net in general, concerning the components of the bogu. Missing from all this information is a description, or the name of, an article I have which looks like a shoulder protector.
My questions: Is there a shoulder covering of any kind in Kendo? If so, what does it look like?
I have pictures of this item but this is my first time using Wikipedia so I don't know how to upload an image with this question. If someone knows, i'd appreciate their informing me of the procedure. Although I read the help on this I was confused. I've never even logged onto commons once so it seemed difficult.
I hope this is in keeping with the scope and mission of Wikipedia. I think it's a wonderful return to humanity after the web went commercial. Thank you for your help and participation.
Justfranc 02:15, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Washington post
Have anyone have Wasington post? In their website, I saw that the print area is 12 inches. But they have not given the width of the page. Can anyone measure the width and tell me? I want the width of the paper and not the print area in inches. help.
Hesy-ra's mastaba
I've been having trouble finding out about the current condition of Hesy-ra's mastaba. I read that there were murals found when it was first excavated and I'm curious if they are still there. I know this is a weird question but does any body have any more information? KeeganB where is it located is it 3rd Dynasty (Hatch)
The first ever statistician
Dear Wikipedia,
I am compiling a report on worldwide statistics and would like to start with a preamble on the history of statistics. I am having problems finding answers to a couple of questions on the net and would like to ask you if you know:
1. Who was the first ever statistician? 2. Who was the first ever statistician to compile statistics on a worldwide basis?
I would be really grateful if you could help me here. Best mona
- It sounds to me like you are not asking about the history of statistics but the history of demographics or vital statistics or something like that (the "history of statistics" is a history of a scientific discipline; the "history of vital statistics" is a history of data collection). If I recall, the use of vital statistics goes back at least to the 18th century, and were seen as key indicators about a nation's health and population. Ted Porter's The Rise of Statistical Thinking might be a good book to find, it has a lot about the early days of the use of statistics (the original "science of the state"). If you look at our article on Statistics it has a very short historical section though I don't think it is very good, in my opinion. But it might be enough for your purposes. --Fastfission 13:09, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Matthew says there was a census in Palestine just when Jesus was to come. So Herod the Great is a good start. --DLL 19:59, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- The Domesday Book was also a rather thorough early census of England. StuRat 20:35, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Eh, both of those examples strike me as "going to early, finding something unrelated but aesthetically similar to the later function and labeling it as that". Statistics in the "science of the state" sense doesn't really take its meaning until the 18th century, from what I understand. --Fastfission 02:02, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- The first use of statistics I'm aware of was an investigation into the correlation between incidences of disease (I believe TB though I may be wrong) and types of water source in a town in England. I think it was in the 18th c. Sorry I don't have any more info. AllanHainey 15:00, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Donald Rumsfeld - Education
Can you answer the following questions regarding U.S.A Secretary of Defense?
Your entry on Mr. Rumsfeld mentions the following: "attended Princeton University on academic and NROTC scholarships (BA, 1954) where he was an accomplished amateur wrestler. While at Princeton, he was roommates with Frank Carlucci. In 1957, after a stint in the Navy, he attended and subsequently dropped out of Georgetown University Law Center (1957)."
However, there is no mention of him recieving any degrees from the aforementioned institutions.
Do you have further information pertaining to degrees he holds? 207.132.224.131 12:32, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- "(BA, 1954)" means he received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton in 1954. He apparently did not receive a degree from Georgetown (hence the "dropped out"). --Fastfission 12:58, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Origin of "If a tree falls..."?
What is the origin behind the expression, "If a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound?" Thank you.
- You mean "If a tree falls in the woods, and there is noone there to hear it, does it make a sound?". That's George Berkeley, in one way or another. I've seen it attributed to him, although I'm not so sure about the truth of that. It does, however, echo his thoughts. I'd be a little surprized if it predated him. I've also seen it credited as a Zen koan, although I'm equally doubtful about that too. --BluePlatypus 13:09, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- I thought it was: "If a tree falls in the woods, and if there is no one to hear it, do the other trees laugh?" Jonathan talk File:Canada flag 300.png 06:05, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Martha Bernays' letters to S. Freud
Hi, I would be most grateful if you could tell if and where Martha Bernays' letters to Freud are published. I realise that Freud's are widely available, but it is the responses that I am interested in.
Thanks Very much
- I don't think they have been published; those which exist are in the Freud papers in the Library of Congress (see http://www.loc.gov/rr/mss/text/freud.html#corsf). --Fastfission 01:56, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Kennedy assassination
Robert Croft, standing on the south curb of Elm Street, took a photo of President Kennedy at Zapruder frame 160. The book Pictures of the Pain says he then took a photo of the President at the moment of the fatal shot. Where is that latter photo?
- Same question, same Lincoln memorial ? --DLL 20:06, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Art and architecture
Sir/Madam I have to make a term paper on the topic Art and Architecture.I have been on the look out for articles regarding the questions raised in this topic.I wanted some questions which deeply concern the topic like what comes first in architecture,form or function?and many more.. Please if could help me out on this topic as i have been searching and reading for many days and still couldn't find a satisfying question,something which really compels us to think on the topic. Thank you Sumanyu Talwar
- That seems like a perfectly decent question to me. Of course, any answer will be opinion, not factual, but that's true of pretty much any question on this subject. StuRat 20:28, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- To what degree do the anti-decorative movements in art have analogs in anti-decorative movements in architecture?
- Art has "mimesis" as one of its goals, according to Aristotle. What is architecture's equivalent of mimesis?
- Pick any historical movement in architecture and discuss how contemporaneous art movements reflect the same or different goals?
- Modernism is a reaction, in Europe and America, to the miseries of World War I. How did movements reflect the terrors of World War II?
- There are others. Just think historically. Geogre 23:37, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
Burial Location
Is there any idea where Zimbabwe's Canaan banana is buried. It appears he was in south africa at the time of his death.–––206.251.5.179
- According to this site he was in London at the time of his death, but the body was flown to Zimbabwe. this site says "full military honors would be according Banana at a ceremony at his birthplace, Esigodini, outside the western provincial capital of Bulawayo" DJ Clayworth 17:54, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- Here's another reference to his burial at his family home. Googling "Canaan banana" burial brings up lots of references. --Halcatalyst 18:11, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Poison
I asked this question on the science reference desk but no one answered. Maybe no one knows anything about the humanities atall there. It seemed like a Science question to me, but whatever. What I was wondering if there is actually a poison like that used by Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (i.e. made like dead for several hours: cold to the touch, pale, etc., then you wake up). Thanks. schyler 20:54, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- The reason no one answered was because you stuck it on the end of another question. Most people probably didn't even see it. —Keenan Pepper 02:56, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
It could be opium. It wouldn't be belladonna, because belladonna is an anticholinergic, and anticholinergics cause body temperature to rise. Most likely, it was a poison created with the right characteristics to advance the plot properly. Erik the Rude 23:31, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well if it says poison question in the heading then people would probably wonder why it was titled that when I only asked about a sotware program. It clearly stated in the title that there were two questions. schyler 03:19, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
I believe the poison used in voodoo, which is extracted from the puffer fish, has such an effect. In the proper quantity, it can also cause the victim brain damage, but leave them alive and highly susceptible to suggestion, hence called zombies. StuRat 05:35, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Correction: the puffer fish extract isn't what causes the brain damage, that's another component of the potion. The puffer fish extract does cause the state that appears to be death, however. StuRat 21:57, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Ooooh, tetrodotoxin. Good answer. —Keenan Pepper 00:39, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Confirmation of Reverend Paisely's death.
Is the Wikipedia death notice Ian Paisley, Union Democratice leader, correct or a mistake or prank?
- It appears to have been a prank; it was corrected within half an hour. Melchoir 22:06, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
April 19
Cambodia - UN Peacekeeping in the 1990s
I'm trying to find information about Cambodia under the rule of Pol Pot, however it's hard to find anything dealing with a peacekeeping mission that I know the UN sent, but are not sure of any keywords, or where to start.
Basic questions that I'm trying to answer are as follows:
Why did soldiers go on a mission to this region? What country or countries participated?
- Try starting here: List of UN peacekeeping missions? --Rhakith
Tonight's "American Idol"
At the end of her song (or after Ryan's comments; I can't remember now) Katherine McPhee leaned over, into the shot, and mouthed something. What was it? --zenohockey 02:14, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- It looked to me like she was asking Randy what he had said, because the response from the audience was so loud. User:Zoe|(talk) 01:22, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Yes, I think that's correct, especially in view of her having said thereafter that she was having a difficult time hearing. The one time when one wants to hear the judges' comments is when he/she has done well, and, of course, that's the time the applause is often deafening and rather long. Joe 20:05, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Common-law Marriage in Guatemala
I have tried may other websites but have no luck. Anyone who lives in Guatemala would answer this question without any difficulty, and I really appreciate.
Does Guatemala recognize common-law marriage? Is it a common practice?
Thank you.
- Actually, I don't think you should assume that just because people live in a country, that they will know this. For instance in England there is no such thing in law, but a great many people talk as if there is. In Scotland it still sort of exists (uniquely in Europe), and I doubt one US citizen in a thousand could correctly tell you that common law marriage is recognised only in the states of Alabama, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire (posthumously), Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. See common law marriage, which does not answer your question directly, but complicates it a good deal. Notinasnaid 08:08, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for the answer. However, it just like you said; it complicates the matter or the question, and it does not help.
- I know it won´t help you, but it is recognized in Brazil. In fact, here, common-law marriage grants the same rights than regular marriage.
source of quotation
Can anyone tell me the source of the quotation "If you love something set it free...if it comes back it is truly yours"? Richardrj 09:21, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- It's from a television show called Daria. See the excerpt at Wikiquote. --Halcatalyst 15:24, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks, but are you sure that was the first time it was used? That sounds like a use of the phrase as a quotation to me. --Richardrj 15:35, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- Considering it was the basis for a song by Sting 15 years before that show first aired, I seriously doubt it. Grutness...wha? 01:56, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks, but are you sure that was the first time it was used? That sounds like a use of the phrase as a quotation to me. --Richardrj 15:35, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- I heard it long before that show was produced, but I can't remember where. DJ Clayworth 17:50, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Origin seems very unclear:
- This says it’s by Alison Willcocks; but here Alison Willcocks herself says it’s an ancient Chinese proverb, and gives a complete version.
- This says it’s by Richard Bach, from ‘’Jonathon Livingston Seagull’’.
- This provides 6 versions, depending on what/whom it is you’re setting free. JackofOz 01:13, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- I think Americans and Brits and Irish got it from Jonathan Livingston Seagull. That's old enough, popular enough, and part of the whole "let's read Zen and the IChing and Khalil Gibran" thing that went on around 1971-1974. Geogre 11:50, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Ah yes, I remember it well. Not to mention sea-grass matting on every apartment floor, and Desiderata on every wall. JackofOz 14:49, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- I think Americans and Brits and Irish got it from Jonathan Livingston Seagull. That's old enough, popular enough, and part of the whole "let's read Zen and the IChing and Khalil Gibran" thing that went on around 1971-1974. Geogre 11:50, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Ethinicity of Indians
hi there. Does anybody know what is the Ethinicity of Indians and Pakistanis like Hispanics, Caucasians etc
- This is a complicated issue. The simple answer to your question is "Asian". But some people would argue that your question is really about race, not ethnicity. The two terms are not necessarily interchangeable. The concept of ethnicity is rooted in the idea of social groups, marked especially by shared nationality, tribal affiliation, religious faith, shared language, or cultural and traditional origins and backgrounds, whereas race is rooted in the idea of a biological classification of human beings according to certain traits. In this sense Hispanic is an ethnic grouping rather than a racial one. And the term Caucasian is falling into disuse, replaced by White or White European. Richardrj 09:43, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- Racially, most Indians and Pakistanis are Caucasian/White (which only means that they look more like Europeans and North Africans than like East Asians), unless you count Indian as a race of its own. Their skin color varies from very dark to very light, so skin color doesn't really help to clarify the issue. Ethnically, Pakistanis and Indians are all kinds of things -- many different peoples live in these two countries. Some of the largest ethnicities are Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Tamil. Chl 00:49, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
memoir about life in Cold War Eastern Europe?
hello, I would love to read a non-fiction memoir about life in Eastern Europe or the Soviet Union during the Cold War, perhaps describing how ordinary people lived under state repression and observation (1984-type stuff). Is there such a book? --Richardrj 15:41, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- Cool, but which languages can you read? Biographies about non-notable people tend not to be translated to English. I can only recommend this autobiography by a Polish electrician, amazon.com. Thuresson 21:14, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- While not strictly non-fiction memoirs, some of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's works are brilliant, widely available, and at least semi-autobiographical. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is probably a good intro; it's shorter than some of his others, and is based on his time imprisoned in a work camp. The Cancer Ward is based on his subsequent battle with cancer. I'm sure you've guessed, but I should note that they aren't exactly pick-me-up books or "beach reading". --ByeByeBaby 23:17, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Who are these men?
Can somebody please help me, can anybody identify the 2 men in these pictures?
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8901/tb13wy.jpg
http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tb32py.jpg
I know the images are somewhere here on wikipedia I just can't locate them.
- The first one is Ken Lay. [1] David Sneek 17:54, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for that Mr Sneek, need the other now.
Isn`t the second one to do with music?
Biblical Character
Which biblical character is depicted here. I know the guy made a prophecy or something but not sure.
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/479/tb52bt.jpg
- That would almost certainly be Ezekiel, prophecying in the 'valley of the dry bones'. DJ Clayworth 17:44, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Does Iran Have Oil Refineries?
A few minutes ago, Rush Limbaugh said,"Iran has no oil refineries. Did you know that Iran has to export its oil to get refined even though they're nuking up?"
Is he right? Does this mean that even after 1951 when Iran nationalized oil with the help of Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, it still has no refineries and it that technologically backwards?Patchouli 16:58, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- No, far from it. [2]. [3] [4]. That's at least nine, and I think Qeshm Island is open too. Iran also has a large petrochemicals and plastics industry.
- The lesson here is "Don't believe Rush." (Rush is Reich) For more on his distortions and fabrications, there are numerous websites, with FAIR being the best of them. Geogre 17:38, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- They're not technologically backwards either. They've got universities and scientists just like most other countries. While not perhaps at the absolute global top level, they're certainly doing a lot better than most of their neighbors. (And it's a well-known fact there are a huge number of Iranian blogs) --BluePlatypus 17:58, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Buliding
My friend has challenged me to find the name of this building which he apparently has been to can you guys help .
http://img46.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tb25xj.jpg
- What are you going to win by identifying all these pictures? --LarryMac 20:35, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
General Knowledge plus bragging rights. I thought you could ask any question you like here?
- I didn't say you couldn't ask, I was just curious, and in turn I asked a question. --LarryMac 20:54, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- You don't have much bragging rights if you didn't find the answer yourself. --BluePlatypus 04:40, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
No problem Mate I think it`s a church if thats any help.
Dont regognise it but from its Style I,d say its probably in Spain Or some other meditranion Nation and dates fraom the 1700-1800
Thanks anyway mate I have 3 of 5 Questions I need to answer would still like even a thought on the pic of the guy I posted earlier the second one.
- You might tag it "old church". Such search in googleimage shows Brussel's in the first row, and it looks quite the same. So : Spain, Flanders or South America ? --193.56.241.75 12:38, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
A Middle Ages mystery
I recently remembered something I once read in a book of unexplained events and strange happenings that I got out from the library many years ago when I was a child. It concerned a child or young teenager in the Middle Ages, possibly in Germany if I recall correctly, who was discovered well-dressed wandering the streets of a city one day, unable to speak or communicate in any way aside from being able to write his name. He was evidently taken in by the authorities and eventually taught and read and speak, and explained that for his entire life that he could remember he had been kept in confinement in a tiny box / cellar of some sort, until the day when he was taken out and left in the city. Does this ring any bells with anybody? I wanted to look it up again but cannot remember what the child's name was supposed to have been. I think he was eventually supposed to have been murdered, or something odd certainly became of him. Angmering 20:51, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- Blimey, that was quick! Cheers! Angmering 21:03, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- It's a pretty famous case, but there were other wild children as well. I think the Kaspar Hauser article discusses it, but, if not, there are books on the wild children (most of whom were not wild, in truth, but abused). Geogre 22:15, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
Need origin of Phrase
Does any one know where the phrase "Peace though superier firepower" comes from?
My friend thought that it might be a qote from General Patton, but I was unable to locate any information one way or the other.
--Kd7jit 22:18, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- Peace Through Superior Firepower... quoted from nowhere? --Halcatalyst 00:50, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Thank You. idk. Where it apeared first would even be helpful. It seems to be a popular phrase, my grandparents have even used it to describe the Cold War. idk if it orginated there or was a later phase used to describe history.
--Kd7jit 02:06, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- I'd suspect it derives from "if you want peace, prepare for war" (I'm paraphrasing) by Tacitus. AllanHainey 15:03, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
I Think thats a Patton quote but I dont have any sources.
- Patton said: "Superior firepower is an invaluable tool when entering negotiations", but apparently not the exact phrase you're after. It does seem amazingly elusive. Some websites credit Star Trek: The Next Generation. JackofOz 01:42, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- "Let him who desires peace, prepare for war" (Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum) was by Flavius Vegetius Renatus in Epitoma rei Militaris. This is sometimes rendered as "If you want peace, prepare for war", back-translated as "Si vis pacem, para bellum" and misattributed to Tacitus. JackofOz 01:42, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Where is Holbrach, Russia?
I have been attempting some genealogical research and found my grandparent's immigration info(date sailed, ship name. etc.) on the Ellis Island site which states that my grandmother left Europe in 1915 from Holbrach, Russia. I have tried to find Holbrach on old maps and through researching many sites but without luck. My grandmother spoke Polish and I was told that her family came from Eastern, Poland near Bialystok. Please let me know where Holbrach, Russia is located. Is there another name? Thanks, George Predko
- "Holbrach" sounds like a German or Yiddish variant of a city name. I had no luck using the JewishGen ShtetlSeeker. I would try looking for answers on the BIALYGen mailing list, which specializes in Bialystok-area genealogy. Even if your family isn't Jewish, they may be able to help you out. -- Mwalcoff 23:51, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- I'm pretty sure "Holbrach" is Holowach/Holowacz/Golowach/Golovach (note the Polish "cz" is like the English and German "ch" sounds). It seems to be a small place just a little bit east (or east-south-east) of Grodno/Hrodna which is in current-day Belarus. It's given as "Holowaczyn" (another variant) on this map. Grodno is near the Polish border, about 50 miles from Białystok. In 1915 it would've been part of the Russian Empire, the part that was invaded by Germany in WWI. Unfortunately, I can't give you the present-day name because at the moment, I can't seem to find a good enough map of the Hrodna area. --BluePlatypus 00:37, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
northern ireland
What is the official flower of Northern Ireland?
- You could take a look at our article on Northern Ireland, which includes this information in the infobox.-gadfium 23:45, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
What is the name of this fake tribe?
For a school project for my law class, I chose a subject that I thought would find easily, but I am drawing several blanks. For the life of me, I cannot remember anything that would be helpful for search terms on Wikipedia. Basically, I am looking for the name of a 'Stone Age' era tribe that was located in the southeastern part of Asia (I can't even remember the country) in the 70's. One politician invited journalists and scientists to their remote jungle home to study them. Even National Geographic had them on the cover of one of their issues. It turns out that all of the "cave men" were actually poor local natives payed to act as primitive people. The politician had used it as a way to make money. If anyone could give me just the name of the tribe, the politician, or even the country, I would be very grateful. Then I can research it myself. Thank you in advance.
- Tasaday, and you can argue forever if they are fake or not, because there is no evidence either way. Chl 00:22, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
April 20
Wow, thanks for the quick response! That was exactly what I needed, although I'm not sure if this can qualify for a project since it seems to be disputed on whether it was a hoax or not. Oh dear, time to think of another topic. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Juna Starrider (talk • contribs) .
National Fiscal Accounting and Increase in the Money Supply
Every year the government comes out with a budget. If the amount of revenue (taxes) is more than the amount of expenditures, there is a surplus. If the amount of revenue is less than expenditures, there is a deficit. If the two are equal, the budget is balanced. Seems simple enough.
But it also has to be remembered that the government "prints" and puts into circulation (i.e. spends) a certain amount of money each year to keep up with the expansion of the economy. How is this money accounted for on the country's books?
For example, if the government raises $99 billion in taxes, and prints an extra billion dollars, and then spends $100 billion, is it running a balanced budget or is it considered to have a $1 billion deficit? I'd especially appreciate an answer from an expert economist, but anyone else can weigh in as they see fit. Loomis51 01:23, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- You want to take a look at seigniorage (our article could be better). Seigniorage is the profit a country makes by printing money. Most countries make some seigniorage. I think the US profits about a billion dollars or so a year. Printing too much causes currency values to decline, inflation, and the mess of problems that come from bad monetary policy. Italy used to use seigniorage extensively. Some have attributed the fall of the Roman Empire to seigniorage. For the most part, a country paying small amounts of debt with extra currency won't have a major impact, so it's an oppurtunity for a little bit of free money.--Bkwillwm 01:45, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks, BK. I wasn't aware of the term. However I understand that printing money must be done in a very diciplined way. I'm aware that many countries, for some reason, didn't understand this and simply printed money whenever they needed more to spend. Of course this leads, as you said, to a mess of problems, like hyperinflation. But thanks for the link, I wasn't aware there was an actual term for it! Loomis51 03:41, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Germans = Scandinavians?
Did the (what we know now as) German tribes come from from Scandinavia originally? (Norway and Sweden, mainly.) Thanks. -Bjornson
- Mostly Denmark and Sweden, rather. (See: Proto-Germanic) Although northern Germany is also a candidate. The Goths in particular most likely originated in southern present-day Sweden (and Gotland), though. --BluePlatypus 02:18, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
So.. according to the map it was in modern day Norway/Sweden/Denmark that "Germans" came from- Sorry, but can I have a more direct answer to my question? A Yes or No- i'd heard Germans and Scandinavians were/are the same people, and "Germans" came from Scandinavia, but I was just making sure... again, a yes or no, please. - Bjornson.
- There's no simple "Yes and no" answer to be had here. Ethnicity is not a strongly defined concept. But for most definitions of the word: No, Germans and Scandinavians are not the same people. Nor are Scandinavians all one people. Danes consider themselves to be Danes, Germans consider themselves to be Germans, and so on. They don't have the same language or culture either. You could say that they once were the same people, but that's just how we look at it. We have no clue as to whether they considered themselves to be one people or not. "Germanic" does not mean the same thing as "German". The Viking-Age people of Scandinavia never considered themselves to be one people, even when they did have largely the same language and culture. The "Swedes" were not one people back then either, they considered themselves to be either Geats (Götar) or Suiones (Svear). --BluePlatypus 05:57, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
What happened to the "list of top selling female artists" page?
There used to be a page discussing the top selling female music artists - it's gone now. Does anyone know what happened to it? Thank you... PatrickJ83 04:33, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- I think I saw it on AFD. Try the deletion log and see if it's listed there. Special:Log Do you have the exact title? - 131.211.210.15 08:01, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- It was a disgrace to the project, but Best-selling female singer had almost 700 edits before it was killed. :) HenryFlower 12:37, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks. PatrickJ83 23:19, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Canadian Question Period viewing
Is there a place online to watch the Prime Minister's Question Period in Canada? Specifically the entirety of this and previous week's periods as is available for the UK Parliament at both C-SPAN and Number 10 Downing Street? All I can find is an audio only podcast on the CPAC site and some clips on CTV's site, but not the full period on video from the current or previous week. Thanks EdwinHJ | Talk 06:12, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Origin of Buddhism and Jainism
What led to the rise of the religions Buddhism and Jainism?
- Have you read our articles on Buddhism and Jainism? If, after reading them, you still have specific questions, feel free to ask again! — QuantumEleven | (talk) 07:42, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism, the oldest religion.Patchouli 10:40, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Changing parenting w.r.t. working parents . Effect on Advertising
Hi
This is in regards to some help that I need As i am studying the changing needs of childern and the changing aspects of parenting due to the change in parenting (as in when both the parents are working) .. What effect does this have on advertising. This is related to 0-12 years kids .. not for the teenagers.
I would really appreciate if you can send me some whitepapers on the same or maybe send me some links where i can read about the subject (related to India IF possible, Other studies are also welcome). I am doing my Management post graduation and this is one of my areas where i need to do a project on , But i need to know more anout the same and would really Appreciate any help possible .
Thanks and Regards Rahul Sharma
- It's all good news for advertisers. Kids left alone means more objectionable TV ads can be shown without the parents turning off the TV. And more guilt and disposable income from two working parents means they are more likely to buy all the crap that's pushed on their kids. StuRat 20:13, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Why Is Exxon Seen as a Bad Guy by Americans?
Why is it that so many Americans have such adverse reactions regarding the success of their largest corporation, Exxon. Isn't is the main goal of a corporation to generate profits? Sure, if there is evidence of foolplay, procecute, otherwise, shouldn't people of a free nation be proud of their successful corporations? After all, BP, Shell, PetroCanada, to name a few, are regarded with admiration within their respective country. Why not the same with Exxon?--JLdesAlpins 10:56, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- First that comes to my mind is the oil spill in Alaska. Maybe a more recent reason is the gas prices soaring in the wake of Katrina. We were tolled the prices would go down after everything settled down, but personally I haven't seen a difference since after the hurricane season. schyler 12:29, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Yeah, naming your ships after your company if there's a chance they could cause the deaths of cute animals is a Bad Idea. There's also an awareness that Exxon is a major donor to the present administration, so there may be politics involved.
- More generally, I think a lot of people's acceptance of capitalism is less whole-hearted than the rhetoric spouted by free-marketeers, particularly in the USA, would suggest. The system may be perceived as OK, even the "right" one, but a lot of people dislike any one individual or group doing too well (especially if there's a perception that this is at the expense of some obvious fluffy Good Thing, like the environment) -- it's one thing to think the rules are fair, it's another not to feel a bit resentful when the same team keeps winning every year. Or the converse: complaining about the "worst" examples of companies benefitting under capitalism provides a safety valve for people's more general feelings about the iniquities of a system that they're unwilling to actually see changed even if deep down they think it should be. (I certainly think that I fall into the latter category with my rather pointless participation in the boycott against Nestle, which boils down for me to refusing to eat Kit Kats and fruit pastilles.)
- And finally, are you sure that BP, Shell, etc. are admired within their respective countries? The petrochemical industry in general is widely viewed as a big problem. (I live in Britain; BP are spending vast amounts on advertising to rebrand themselves as "beyond petroleum" in a "we're looking to the future" way and it's not doing them a vast amount of good.) --Bth 12:45, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- It is a bit of a stretch to assume the Bush administration has any responsibility for the public attitude toward any oil company. Oil companies donated to Clinton (and every administration before him) because they are huge and pay off everyone in government. Also, Arkansas has a strong oil industry. So, a governor from Arkansas could also be seen as an "oil-President". Of course, Americans could be dumb enough to think that the oil companies have been suffering for decades, waiting for some idiot from Texas to become President so they could pay him off. Personally, I think that most Americans are smart enough to realize that all of the Presidents have been corrupted by the oil companies (and the auto industry, and the medical industry, and the insurance industry...) --Kainaw (talk) 01:34, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- There are a variety of critiques. You might want to read up on them before deciding that it is all irrational or jealousy or whatever. There was recently a pretty detailed criticism of Exxon in the New York Times by Paul Krugman (a mirror of it is at http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2006/04/paul_krugman_en.html). His argument is that Exxon's profits in particular are based on the fact that it is one of the worst polluters on the planet, worse than other petrochemical companies. --Fastfission 13:13, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- As a dutchman i can tell you that Royal Dutch/Shell (In majority a dutch corp.) is not universally loved here, mostly on enviromental issues (like the current nigeria problems) and complaining about gas prices / profit (For reference, 1 liter of gas currently costs around E 1.40 here, with an exchange rate of E/$ of 1.2 and about 4l/gallon that makes about $5.7/gallon, yay for government taxes) SanderJK 14:00, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- As a Canadian, I wouldn't exactly say that PetroCanada is regarded with admiration, so much as acceptance. Okay, they were the 24th most respected company last year, but that's a survey of CEOs who are weighting their votes heavily towards financial and management matters, which the average citizen ignores. As far as Exxon goes, perhaps part of the issue is simply excess? Gas is considered a necessary expense by most Americans, rather than some sort of luxury product, so Exxon making more profit than any other company ever is viewed less like back when "what was good for General Motors was good for America" and more like discovering that your water utility company was making billions of dollars off of you. Another excess issue is the recent $400 million retirement package given to it's chairman; the largest ever, every penny coming from gas prices that are currently higher than ever. Despite the fact that socialism doesn't really sell as a political movement in America, I wonder if perhaps some of the discontent comes from the realization (on an internal level) that if Exxon's 36 billion in profits is equivalent to roughly 27 cents on every gallon sold (regardless of where it's bought) [5]. --ByeByeBaby 15:40, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- As a dutchman i can tell you that Royal Dutch/Shell (In majority a dutch corp.) is not universally loved here, mostly on enviromental issues (like the current nigeria problems) and complaining about gas prices / profit (For reference, 1 liter of gas currently costs around E 1.40 here, with an exchange rate of E/$ of 1.2 and about 4l/gallon that makes about $5.7/gallon, yay for government taxes) SanderJK 14:00, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Many people in the US feel that we should move away from a petroleum based economy, as it will lead to endless wars and supply disruptions and shortages. However, since Dick Cheney, in conjunction with companies like Exxon, seems to have adopted an energy policy in secret meetings which is pro-oil and anti-everything else, this leads to a great deal of resentment against Exxon (and Cheney and Bush). And, of course, Exxon making record profits off consumers who are hurting (due to the high prices) doesn't make them very popular, either. StuRat 08:35, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, nobody really know what economy should replace the oil-economy yet. Hydrogen is neither economic nor practical - ethanol would just make us reliant on other countries... If it is to change it will be the idealists who do it - the fat cats won't move on it untill it can turn a profit. But rest assured, then they most certainly will move on it. Gardar Rurak 05:24, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- The concept that we should rely primarily on any single source of energy is fundamentally flawed, leaving us vulnerable to supply disruptions. Using an as wide as possible spread among all the different sources of energy would be the safest way to go. If you combine all the other sources of energy (nuclear fission, hydroelectric, solar, tidal, wave, geothermal, natural gas, ethanol, methanol, coal, wood, wind, etc.), we have more than sufficient energy sources to make up for petroleum. Of course, some, such as coal and wood, are heavy polluters, so should probably be limited for that reason. Some of these energy sources aren't appropriate for cars (although some nuts actually built a nuclear powered car once), but they could be used in place of other petroleum uses, like replacing fuel oil for heating homes. StuRat 19:58, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Gimp for sale?
I know it is illegal, but does anyone know where I can buy a gimp? Are most gimps well trained enough so that they do not have to be shackled all the time?
- I don't understand, you want to buy a GNU Image Manipulation Program?--152.163.100.72 00:25, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Is this question about human slavery?? —Keenan Pepper 16:41, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Wal-Mart. They do a pair for $39.95. 172.213.101.202 19:55, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, maybe that's a clever reference to a DiscWorld series by Terry Pratchet? If so, according to the book, you can get gimps on the Counterweight continent. As you can see, every question has its answer, however stupid. --Jinxs 19:14, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Where did all the Animorph books go?
I thought they stopped printing them a while ago so they're all disappearing. Does this mean that eventually there will be no more left? Jonathan talk File:Canada flag 300.png 17:33, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- In general, yes: when a publisher decides not to print any more copies of a book, it goes "out of print" and can no longer be purchased new. The publisher (or sometimes the author) retains the rights, and can choose to do this: nobody else can publish copies (until at least 70 years have passed). Books can become very rare and expensive. However, for those who can afford it, books can be purchased second hand from many places. Mass-market books rarely become expensive or rare. http://www.abebooks.com/ lists over 5000 of them. Notinasnaid 22:10, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
Where are all the Moonbeam movies?
And is the same thing happening to all these Moonbeam Entertainment movies? I saw previews of some of them and they looked pretty cool but I can't find them anywhere. Jonathan talk File:Canada flag 300.png 17:39, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- The same thing applies, though you have to look elsewhere to find used DVD/VHS copies. If a film is released to the cinema and never makes it to DVD, you may have nothing but memories, however. Notinasnaid 22:11, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Ah, that explains why I can't find any of these movies. They probably never got onto DVD. Jonathan talk File:Canada flag 300.png 06:01, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Tax Deductions I didn't ask for
I live in the US. So a couple of days ago, I go to Jackson Hewitt to get my taxes done. My past experience with H&R Block and other Jackson Hewitt franchises is that they ask you a bunch of questions and they go through the whole process of filling in all those spaces in the computer and a half hour later, taxes done. This time, though, was completely different. I go in, and in less than five minutes the guy had my taxes done. He asked me the basic stuff essentially three questions (job, dependants, age) before blasting through everything very non-chalantly. When he was done, he informed me what my refund would be, and it ended up being more than twice what I usually get. He asked if it was more than usual, I said yes, and he chuckled and said, "I know" as the taxes were e-filed. Not thinking tooo much about it, I get home, grab some lunch, and start flipping through all the paperwork this guy gave me. I get to the itemized deduction page, and am wogboggled. Keep in mind, he never asked, and I never said, a single deduction. Listed on the paperwork are deductions including thousands of dollars in charity donations (I give to charity, but nowhere near as much listed), and thousands and thousands of dollars in business expenses, and although I did accrue some business expenses, I never really kept track of them, and they weren't near what this guy put down.
SO... if I am audited, am I responsible for all of this, or the tax preparer. The ethical obligations with which I am still wrestling aside, do I have a legal obligation to inform the government of this possible inpropriety?
-Signed, Irving Robert "Eiben Scrood" Schulmann
- This is not the place for reliable legal advice, however ... you signed the return, you are responsible (e-filed or not, there is a signature somewhere). Jackson-Hewitt will probably say the return was prepared based on the information you provided (regardless of the truth of the matter). If I were you, I'd contact the manager of that office and get things straightened out immediately. Calling the IRS would not be incorrect. --LarryMac 20:00, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- It sounds like you've gotten lucky, keep the name of the guy & get him to do your taxes evey year. I'm not a lawyer but statistically the chances of being audited are low & if you have a good defence, such as that the Jackson Hewitt guy did your taxes (& presumably his methods will be verifiable as he'll be doing the same for everyone) & you just sent it in without checking it you're unlikely to be liable for anything more than the taxes you would've paid anyway. Of course this assumes that you have no moral problems with depriving your government of the money they decide that you owe them. AllanHainey 12:33, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Remember to send AllanHainey a postcard from jail. The obvious first thing to remember is that the man who made your return is clearly not averse to lying. If questioned he will say that you gave him the information that he entered on the form, which means that you will be under suspicion of defrauding the government. The best case scenario there is that your tax return will be flagged for a very detailed audit every year for a long time to come. If you really claimed things that are completely untrue (as opposed to just being vague about some numbers) then prosecution for fraud is certainly a possibility. DJ Clayworth 17:08, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Planet Orbits
On diagrams and pictures, all the planets seem to orbit on one level plane (with the exception of Pluto). Is this correct? Why do all the planets roughly orbit the sun on the same plane? I thought the effects of gravity worked on all planes.
- Sorry, posted in the wrong section*
- People are trying to understand why there is an orbital plane, why, generally, systems resolve into disks. At least that's what I read at Astronomy Picture of the Day. One of the things planetary scientists are investigating with Saturn is this tendency to move toward an equatorial plane. Geogre 21:03, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- The unusual inclination of Pluto's orbit is noted in Pluto#Orbit. Gravity does indeed work on all planets, but the Sun is (virtually) a sphere, and extends its gravitational effects equally in all directions, not just along the ecliptic. If two different planets' orbits are inclined by 17 degrees relative to each other, I don't think gravity would tend to tilt the orbits to bring them into conformity. JamesMLane t c 01:29, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
You're right that there is no inherent reason why the planets couldn't all orbit in different planes; the reason probably has to do with the way the solar system was formed. Our solar system initially existed as the solar nebula, a large rotating cloud of gas (and dust). Then, around 4.6 billion years ago, it began to contract (there is some evidence this may be due to a nearby supernova). As it continued contracting, it flattened toward a disk due to inertia ("centrifugal force"), the same forces that cause the Earth to bulge at its equator. The disc broke into rings which condensed into the planets; that's why they're all in the same plane and orbit in the same direction. For the same reason, the moons of a planet tend to be in the same plane as well. For instance, most of Saturn's moons orbit roughly in the same plane (which is the same plane as that of the rings—a shame, really; you couldn't really appreciate the beauty of the rings even though Saturn would be right in your sky). Of course, moons acquired from other sources don't follow the same patterns. I discussed the briefly at History of Earth#Origin; you may also enjoy "Solar System Modeling", part of the excellent Cosmic Evolution from Tufts University. — Knowledge Seeker দ 02:00, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Sadat
Was Sadat black?
- Well, to be precise, as the article says, he was half Egyptian and half Sudanese. Sudan is a big mix of black African and Arab people. I can't come to any conclusions from that; I'd guess, though, that he'd identify himself as an Egyptian above all else. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 22:51, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
- Sadat was indeed very dark, and some would call him "black". That doesn't necessarily make him negroid, but that wasn't the question. JackofOz 23:01, 20 April 2006 (UTC)
April 21
Starving Yorkshire terrier
Can we have an article on the animal tragedy, 204 Yorkshire terrier puppies and 37 cats found after the death of their owner. The name of the owner is in the news too, is the article name the name of the owner, or the name of the tragedy? (Here is a search for news articles [6]) Bib 00:57, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Although this is perhaps not the best place at which to discuss the issue, I am inclined to think that neither the event nor the owner is sufficiently notable; at the very least, on the disposition of the question of notability here would turn the disposition of sundry other prospective articles—in my home state (Wisconsin) alone, there have been two similar cases, each involving more than 200 "pets", in the past four months. If you think the event to be notable in view of the enumerated guidelines and not to be inconsistent with What Wikipedia is not, you might be best advised to create a stub about the event, after which it is likely a deletion debate (toward the eduction of a consensus view) would ensue. Joe 03:38, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
If this happened recently, perhaps a Wikinews article would be more appropriate. StuRat 08:19, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
U. S. House of Representatives--New Term Starting Dates
Do all of the states have the same starting date (for a two year term of office) for newly elected candidates for the United States House of Representatives? What is the next exact term starting date or dates for the next elected Representatives from the state of California? Thank you in advance. ~~Bob W. 20 April 2006
- Representatives elected in the regular elections (November of each even-numbered year) take office at the beginning of the following January, regardless of which state they're from. (I think the exact date is the first business day in January. If so, Representatives elected this fall will be sworn in on January 2, 2007.) Aside from the November election, a few Representatives are chosen in special elections to fill vacancies; they don't need to wait until the next January. JamesMLane t c 01:49, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for the quick response, and your good answer, James. ~~Bob W. 21 April 2006
What is the Missa Luba? (If... (film) says that the single piece of music that repeats in the film comes from the Missa Luba.) zafiroblue05 | Talk 03:31, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- I can't give you chapter and verse, but it's a piece of religious choral music combining European classical and African traditional styles, written by Father Guido Haazen, who was an African missionary somewhere like Congo DR (or Belgian Congo as it was then). I've heard of two versions, one by a Congolese choir called something like the Roi Baudouin Choir, and another version performed by a choir from Kenya (Muunganu Choir, I think). It's only one part of the piece that's heard in the film (the Sanctus, I think), as the full Missa Luba is a long work wih several movements. Grutness...wha? 09:08, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
John Meacham said on 16 April 2006 that "they forget that the Bible also is calling every 50 years for a redistribution of wealth." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12283802/page/4/
I am not knowledgeable about the Bible. So I would like to know whether he made this up or not? If he is correct, where in the Bible can this be found?Patchouli 04:06, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- I think the answer to that is: Sort of, but not really. See Jubilee (Biblical) for what really happened every fifty years. zafiroblue05 | Talk 04:10, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Vacation for US Legislators
Do US Representatives and Senators go on a formal vacation every year? Or can they go to vacations separately whenever they choose to? I don't think that they write laws 365 days/year. Also, is their office closed on weekends?Patchouli 04:15, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- They have set recess periods, during which they can go on vacation anywhere they want (except Cuba and a few other places) or just stay home. They could also take a vacation when not in recess, but voters tend to take a dim view of such behaviour, unless they pretend it's a "fact finding mission". Then again, I bet many wish they were on vacation when they voted to authorize the Iraq War. They can keep their offices open on the weekends if they want, it's up to each one. StuRat 08:14, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- They tend to use their "recesses" for fundraising. They tend to use their vacations for fundraising, too, and they generally use their fact finding missions for fundraising, too. This is when they're not in Washington and fundraising. According to numerous Congressmen, raising campaign funds takes more time than congressional business. Were there public financing of elections and a prohibition against using any private or donated wealth, that might end all of this, keep the congresscritters in town, and have them less likely to build in loopholes and ear marks, but, of course, such a thing would need the incumbents to vote for it, and incumbents are re-elected at a staggering rate and don't like giving up power, even if they hate the fundraising. Geogre 10:42, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
historical or mythical name translation from french/italian to english
HI
Trying various search engines to locate a translation of historical and mythical names from French/Italian to English I have found no luck. So I came here, having heard of it before, but wow, I am overwhelmed by the info provided and unfortunately have no clue as to how I can solve such a problem here. One of the names is, Charès (French) or Carete (Italian) which I believe to be a Greek or Phoenician name. How (or where) can I find a name such as this in its English form?
Thank you
- Are we talking about the architect of the Colossus of Rhodes? He's known as Chares of Lindos in English, fr:Charès de Lindos in French, and it:Carete di Lindos in Italian (though the Italian Colossus article seems to use Chares.) --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 14:39, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Prohibition of non-muslims in Mecca
Althought it is a well-known fact that non-muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca ,the penalty for this isn't.Is there any provision for this in the Saudi law-code or in local tradition?Is it considered a serious crime that deserves severe punishment(execution or lengthy impisonement) or a minor offence punished with let's say a fine?
Thank you Padem 08:46, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Someone asked this on Google Answers and got some excellent responses. It seems to be that the death penalty is a possibility, however there is no set punishment. The intruder is arrested and detained, and the case is reviewed by a Shari'a judge who decides the penalty. --Canley 09:31, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Richard Francis Burton managed to travel to Mecca in disguise and get out again, but he was lucky. User:Zoe|(talk) 02:53, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Bill Koch/Frederick Koch
Despite researching the Net I have been unable to find an answer to the following question:
Is the American businesman and America's Cup winner Bill Koch related in any way to the late Pennsylvania art collector Frederick Koch?
Thank you
- Unless you've got some reason other than the name, I wouldn't assume so. They come from different places and "Koch" is a very common German surname. (Meaning "Cook", also a common English surname) --BluePlatypus 12:52, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- I suggest you ask former New York City mayor Ed Koch. StuRat 18:40, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Financial Centres, UK
i am having a (not very intesting) argument iwth a friend about which is the largest financial centre in the Uk outside london. He thinks its leeds, i think its edinburgh, Wikipedia seems to think its both - does any have a definitive answer or know where i might get one? thanks andrew
- I suppose it comes down to how you measure the size of a financial centre, number of headquarters of financial organisations, number of offices of financial organisations, amount of business done through that city, etc. I can't give any definite answers to those but I'd be inclined to say Edinburgh as it would rank quite highly on the last 2 measures (& very highly on the first if you measured Scottish HQs & English HQs). Edinburgh has also been a financial centre for a long time with the professional sector & finance/insurance as its main industry while I believe Leeds until relatively recently was more a manufacturing centre. AllanHainey 12:41, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
Edamame etiquette
What is the correct way to eat edamame (boiled soybeans)? They had some at the sushi bar today and I decided to try them, but I didn't know how to eat them. At first I just popped a whole pod in my mouth, but that was unpleasant. Are you supposed to squeeze the beans out with your fingers, or is there some way to do it with chopsticks? —Keenan Pepper 16:58, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- You just started an international incident with your question. I hope you're happy! I asked Dr. Ho (Chinese) and he said that he just eats the whole bean. He keeps them chilled in the fridge and eats them as a snack at night. Dr. Ito (Japanese) said that you are supposed to peel and eat the peas at room temperature with beer. I left while they were still arguing about it. --Kainaw (talk) 17:05, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- While they're arguing, I'll go have some raw fish for lunch. While I'm there, I'll eat my edamame with my fingers, sliding the beans out of the pod with my teeth, and then skinning the rest of the yummy part off the stringy part (also with my teeth) until I get bored with that, after which I ust eat the beans. They're sure better than boiled peanuts. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 17:16, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Okay, so basically I can eat them however I want. I was afraid there was some standard way to eat them and I was making a fool of myself. =P —Keenan Pepper 17:31, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Hey, I'm a Japanese food freak, I've always eaten edamame by holding the pod horizontally against my mouth and squeezing the opposite side, so that the 'seam' towards me splits and they pop into the mouth. PatrickJ83 18:00, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- That seems like a good way. —Keenan Pepper 20:04, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- Just on the "raw fish" thing - it's not really raw of course. It has been treated with whatever sauces and spices, and is no longer in its raw state. It is definitely "cooked", just not with heat as one might expect in the west. JackofOz 00:38, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- It sounds like you think all sashimi/sushi is like ceviche, wherein the fish protein is denatured by being marinated in an acid substance like lime juice. Lots of sashimi is raw, though: really, quite sincerely, raw. - Nunh-huh 05:53, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, there u go then. I must berate my ex-wife, who was once a cook, for misinforming me. JackofOz 07:56, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Oh, well, truth be told it's tastier cooked anyway <g>. - Nunh-huh 15:25, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, there u go then. I must berate my ex-wife, who was once a cook, for misinforming me. JackofOz 07:56, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- It sounds like you think all sashimi/sushi is like ceviche, wherein the fish protein is denatured by being marinated in an acid substance like lime juice. Lots of sashimi is raw, though: really, quite sincerely, raw. - Nunh-huh 05:53, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Just on the "raw fish" thing - it's not really raw of course. It has been treated with whatever sauces and spices, and is no longer in its raw state. It is definitely "cooked", just not with heat as one might expect in the west. JackofOz 00:38, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Bills becoming Laws
Can a Bill become a Law without passing through either the House of Reprisentatives or the Senate?
- If you really mean without passing through either, then no. If you meant without passing through both, then the answer is "sometimes". A regular bill must be approved by both, in the US. However, the Constitution reserves the right to declare war to the Senate. Unfortunately, after WW2, this has been frequently ignored. Nonbinding resolutions can be passed by either the Senate or House alone, since they really don't do anything. Votes on one chamber's procedural rules, like the cloture vote on a filibuster, don't require the other chamber's approval, either. StuRat 00:01, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
"I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill, and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill..." - Schoolhouse Rock StuRat 00:06, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Yes. A bill can become a law without passing through a Senate or a House of Representatives in the UK. There it must pass through the House of Commons and the House of Lords. In Canada it must pass through the House of Commons and the Senate, but there is no necessity of it passing through a House of Representatives. Oh wait ... were you specifically referring to a US Bill? We're not all Americans here so maybe you should keep that in mind. Loomis51 02:11, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- In the United States, there is a lot of confusion about laws. The Schoolhouse Rock show has been long forgotten. Now, we have CNN, CNBC, FoxNews, USA Today, NY TImes... all saying the same thing: "Bush is making a law about..." "Bush is passing a law to..." "Bush's law for..." It wasn't that long ago that it was all about Clinton's laws. Then, come election year, the press goes into a feeding frenzy about the laws the President may make over the next 4 years. So, the American public believes that the President makes laws. The end result is that Americans spend all their time arguing about who should be President and the same criminals get re-elected into Congress over and over. --Kainaw (talk) 15:07, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- It depends on what you mean by a "law." Under the Constitution, the president has authority over the Executive Branch; thus, he can issue executive orders on certain subjects. Rather than micromanage every detail of the government, Congress allows the Executive Branch to pass regulations to cover things not laid out specifically in statutes passed by Congress. Executive orders and regulations are as much a part of the law as anything else.
- What the president cannot do without Congress is pass a statute. A statute, which is the type of law passed by Congress, "outranks" a regulation. -- Mwalcoff 02:01, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Endless knot in Celtic art?
The Endless knot is a symbol in Tibetan buddhism, according to that page. I don't deny that's true at all. I'm just wondering...it's a really obvious knot, and one that I can easily see other cultures having, especially if they have ornamental knotwork at all. So, my question is: is there an example of that specific knot in Celtic knotwork somewhere? Thanks, Kickstart70-T-C 22:38, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- I wouldn't be at all surprised, but the Endless knot does have a feature not often found in Celtic designs - the lines double back on themselves almost like Boustrophedon (follow the longer lines in the endless knot and they zigzag full length - in Celtic knotwork this is quite rare, though it is found in Celtic key patterns). No pattern of exactly that form is described in George Bain's texts on how to create Celtic knotwork. One of Bain's texts does however show a comparison of knotwork patterns from different cutures, and interestingly has what looks very much like the endless knot listed as Chinese Ming dynasty work, and with the added comment that "all of the designs on this plate are to be found in Pictish art". If that's anything to go by,. then it does exist in Celtic art, though exactly where, I'm unable to say. I've uploaded an image of the page, which you can see to the right (the knot I'm referring to is in the right centre). Grutness...wha? 05:29, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Interesting, thank you. I note that the 'pictish' drawing just to the right of that has the right partial of the Endless knot, though that doesn't make any clearer the ultimate outcome as it's done in a way that it could be part of a border, etc. Still, thatsounds like a good enough answer for my purposes, although I was hoping someone would pop up with a photo of some artifact using exactly it :) --Kickstart70-T-C 16:53, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
This is going to sound like a dumb question, but what is the meter of the song "Happy Birthday to You"? I know the most obvious answer is 3/4, but assuming the first two eighth notes are the anacrusis, the chords don't make any sense, because then if the first full measure were a I chord, the measure would start on a non-chord tone, which is unusual, or if it were a IV chord, it's not normal to start a song on anything but a I chord. (We discussed this in my Music Theory II class this afternoon; we had 6 votes for 6/8, 12 votes for 3/4, and 2 votes for 4/4, so I was just wondering who was right.) Hermione1980 22:47, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
- It's in simple triple meter, so 3/4. The first downbeat has a I chord with the sixth in the melody, which is unusual, but not that unusual. —Keenan Pepper 00:21, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Actually, you could notate it in 6/8 and it would still make sense, but the song would only be 4 full measures long instead of 8. It's definitely not in 4/4 though; feel free to laugh at those 2 people. =P —Keenan Pepper 00:27, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- That's kind of what I figured. However, my theory teacher does like to throw us some curveballs every now and then, so I thought I would ask. Thanks! Hermione1980 00:36, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
demographics united states
This is about the united states demographics in 2006. According to your information there are some 10-12 percent white hispanics in the u.s. . But I know for a fact that there only about1-3 percent WHITE hispanics !!!! You don't mention anything about eastern europeaners and a population estimate should be formulated for them!!!
- Perhaps there is a diff in your defs. Does "white hispanic" mean 100% Caucasian, or 51%, or 1%, for example ? StuRat 23:52, 21 April 2006 (UTC) StuRat 23:52, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
April 22
Albania
Is there a "title" for Albania? (Like Japan: Land of the Rising Sun or Peru: Land of the Incas.) Haven't had any luck searching.
thx ~gail
- In Albanian at least, Land Of The Eagle. See The Tale of the Eagle. --ByeByeBaby 05:04, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks a bunch!---- (~gail) 08:43, 22 Apr 2006
Democracy in India
India is often described as the world's most populous democracy.
I realize this question will ultimately end up in a series of opposing statements but I'll ask it anyway. Seeing as how the "democratic" nature of a state is not a black or white issue, but an issue of shades grey, ranging from, on the one side, a democratic farce, that being, a country with "democratic" elections like, for example, Iran, or the Palestinian "election" of a terrorist organization, or a corrupt democracy such as Mexico etc... to a situation of a true dedication to democratic ideals such as in Canada, the US, the UK etc...where does India fit in?
First of all, cynics please don't respond. If you don't accept Canada, the US, the UK etc.. as countries truly dedicated to the democratice ideal, I'm not interested in your response.
I'd just like to know what the general concensus is on the level of democracy in India. Is there significant corruption? Is there any significant intimidation by certain forces to vote a certain way, or to not vote at all? In sum, should India be described as a "qualified" or a "full fledged" democracy? Loomis51 01:10, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- See Corruption Perceptions Index. This is not measuring quite the same thing, but may still be of interest to you. India doesn't do very well there, coming in 88th=. None of the countries you list are in the top ten. Mexico does slightly better than India.-gadfium 02:33, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I'm having a hard time with all of your qualifications. It seems you're looking for a value judgement as much as a factual one, yet you don't want "cynics" responding. Personally, I'd suggest that it's a little cynical to describe the recent Palestinian election as a farce and an "election" in scare quotes, just because a party that has supported terrorism won -- and then turn around and describe Canadian elections as truly democratic, even though sovereigntist parties are routinely elected, and elected out of proportion to their support. In the most recent Canadian federal election, the BQ got 1.6 million votes and 51 seats, where the NDP got a million more votes - 2.6 million total, and only 29 seats. You cite the UK as a good case, and I'd say they're about as good as Canada (which is pretty good, but not great), even though terrorists Sinn Féin have had seats since 1983.
- Yeah, the Iranian election system has problems, in that candidates are approved by the Guardian Council, a group of unelected religious leaders. That's clearly a problem. Mexican elections are cleaning up, and aren't the one-party affairs of 20 years ago. They're still not perfect, but they're not that bad, either. On the other hand, American elections have serious democracy issues -- for instance, gerrymandering is a real problem, such as the bipartisan gerrymander of California where essentially every district is now a solid Republican or a solid Democratic district, and it would take massive shifts in public opinion to swing even one district. Elections Canada is much more neutral, and is one way Canadian elections are fairer than American ones.
- The countries that are truly devoted to the democratic ideal, in my opinion, have moved to a proportional representation system, which does a much better job of matching voter preferences with the election outcome. The Netherlands use this system, and so does Ireland, New Zealand and Israel. The Swiss have a weird system where all major parties form a coalition government, but they're also rabid about direct democracy.
- Now that you have some idea of how I view elections, in my opinion, Indian elections are pretty good. They're not as smooth as Canadian ones in terms of operations, but India has nowhere near the level of infrastructure that Canada enjoys. For instance, voting is done in stages over a month. Their computer voting system is much better and more tamper-resistant than those used in the United States, and they're a fraction of the price. Measured with the Gallagher Index, the elections are pretty good at matching the voter's preference to the outcome -- the most recent Indian elections got a score of 0.054 when I calculated it (lower is better), where recent Canadian and UK elections had scores of 0.10 and 0.18 respectively. Proportional representation elections, like the Dutch, score lower than the Indians, at 0.01. Money plays a big role in Indian politics; in a poor country, you have to be relatively rich to run for government -- but the American Presidential campaign has the same flaw.
- The most recent election had a few isolated violent incidents; these mostly happened in the Kashmir area and in the states bordering Nepal, where, sad to say, there are isolated violent incidents from time to time. It's certainly a problem, but India's a big place with a lot of active rebel and terrorist groups -- it wasn't a broad hijacking of the election or organized voter suppression or state use of security forces for the intimidation of minority parties.
- In short, Indian elections have their flaws, as do most other countries commonly thought of as democracies. If you can call Canada, the US and UK democratic (and, despite my grumbling, I do), you can call India democratic without qualification. In fact, as single-member constituency electoral systems, those four are actually very similar in terms of sharing the same strengths and weaknesses.
- And an edit conflict note - the corruption perception index is a measure of the overall abuse of office. That certainly is a problem in India, from what I know. Crooked cops, baksheesh and so on. My impression is that the elections themselves are generally much fairer. --ByeByeBaby 02:55, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- The Iran elections are dubious. (1) The voter turnout is inflated by letting 15-year-old kids vote. (2) The Supreme Leader is selected by the previous one or other mullahs. (3) The President gives speeches, goes to the UN, and so forth, but he is subordinate to the Supreme Leader. (4) There are many position is the government for which only mullahs are allowed to run. (5) Mullahs can nullify any legislation that contradicts Islam. ... (20) Torture of dissidents is frequent.Patchouli 05:08, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I believe the recent Palestinian elections were free and fair. Thus, one must conclude that the majority of Palestinians prefer to have terrorists lead them than the alternative party. I take this as a sign that not everyone is ready for democracy. StuRat 08:25, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- "terrorist" is difficult to differentiate from "freedom fighter." EamonnPKeane 14:25, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Since they intentionally murder as many civilians as possible, they aren't fighting for any "freedom" I want to be a part of. I also believe their goal (after killing all Jews) is to establish a non-democratic Islamic state. So, they are apparently fighting for the "freedom to do as we say, or die". StuRat 20:52, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks for the above opinions. I'd just like to say that what I meant when I said I didn't want cynical opinions, I meant that I wasn't interested in someone telling me something along the lines of "Well, the US/Canadian/UK systems aren't perfect (look at the whole 2000 Florida recount fiasco) and there does exist some corruption, therefore, the US/Canadian/UK systems aren't really all that better than the Iranian/Mexican/Russian, etc.. systems. Bullshit. The US/Canadian/UK systems indeed are not perfect, but they're light years away from these other backward regimes. StuRat is actually right, the Palestinian elections were free and fair (which doesn't say much for the Palestinian people to elect a terrorist organization as their representatives,) but I was refering more to the broader definition of democracy as embodying freedom of religion, speech, thought, assembly, devotion to pluralism etc...by which the Palestinian regime is by no means democratic. As for the argument that it's difficult to differentiate a terrorist from a freedom fighter, well, we can argue this point night and day, but all I feel like saying now is "Bullshit". The difference between a terrorist organization and the IDF is clear as day. I'm tired of arguing the obvious. If you can't tell the difference, well then, all i can say is God bless you in your ignorance.
To get back to my original question, where would you put India's democracy in the spectrum of democracies, with due regard to the foundational democratic principles outlined above? Is it a democracy only in the simplest sense or in the broader sense I outlined? Thanks. Loomis51 20:38, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I would say India is a fairly decent democracy, in the broader sense of the word. StuRat 20:52, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Thanks StuRat, it seems like I always have you to rely on for a sane opinion. Loomis51 23:15, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Sorry, the way your question was phrased originally (talking about elections and voting) confused me into thinking you wanted to know if India was a Democracy, as in a country governed by the people. Which it is. A better way to phrase this question in the future, would be to ask if India was a Liberal democracy, as in a country with a democratic government, plus basic rights and freedoms. Which it is, as well. The area controlled by the Palestinian National Authority is an Illiberal democracy, and Iran is not a democracy in any sense of the word. --ByeByeBaby 07:19, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
US Civil War
Is it true that some textbooks in the south say that the Confederacy won the war?
- Not that I'm aware of. A quick Google search brought me back here to American Civil War, but with nothing really conclusive. Further checking of links took me to Wikibooks (adding the phrase textbook), and a blog post (2) about a guy rejecting textbooks and such. Someone in your same predicament (you perhaps) asked a question at Monkeyfilter.com, which basically says that southern textbooks are more sympathetic, but still no definitive info that says that southern kids are being lied to. Sorry I couldn't be of more service. -Mysekurity [m!] 05:32, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
In the 1850's, there were a few wacky textbooks in the south, such as Daniel Harvey Hill's 1857 algebra book, which sought to use mathematics to inculcate hatred of northerners. A few sample problems:
- A Yankee mixes a certain number of wooden nutmegs, which cost him 1/4 cent apiece, with a quantity of real nutmegs, worth 4 cents apiece, and sells the whole assortment for $44; and gains $3.75 by the fraud. How many wooden nutmegs were there?
- In the year 1692, the people of Massachusetts executed, imprisoned, or privately persecuted 469 persons, of both sexes, and all ages, for alleged crime of witchcraft. Of these, twice as many were privately persecuted as were imprisoned, and 7 17/19 times as many more were imprisoned than were executed. Required the number of sufferers of each kind?
- In the year 1637, all the Pequod Indians that survived the slaughter on the Mystic River were either banished from Connecticut, or sold into slavery. The square root of twice the number of survivors is equal to 1/10 that number. What was the number?
You get the idea... AnonMoos 07:01, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I'm in Texas and I can tell you that our textbooks definately do not say that. Closest to being sympathetic is saying that slavery was the biggest part of the South's economy. I'm sitting here with my Social Studies book and it says it was printed in Illinois though. schyler 14:21, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I went to school in the midwest (Missouri), moved to L.A., then Honolulu, then Boston, and now I am in Charleston, SC. I've seen the view of the Civil War change as I've moved. In the Midwest, it was just a thing that happened. No big deal. In L.A., it was overshadowed by the Mexican-American war - the President sent American troops to attack Mexico because he felt that Mexico was stockpiling arms in a threat of a future attack. (That would never happen in modern times, right?) In Hawaii, it was overshadowed by the conspiracy around the overthrow of the Queen of Hawaii by Americans. In Boston, it was all about slavery. The north had to beat up the stupid southerners to make them stop keeping slaves. In Charleston, it became the War of Secession. The southerners were paying a lot in Federal taxes, but all the taxes were spent building big cities in the north. So, the South seceded. The Northerners, who previously considered the South scum, suddenly decided they couldn't live without them and went to war to force them to remain part of the "Union of Willing States". None of those views are entirely accurate. I blame the difference in views on a very poor education system. --Kainaw (talk) 15:17, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I grew up in Michigan and was taught that slavery was one issue, but was part of a larger economic struggle. That is, the North and South were originally equal in wealth and power, but the North was taking the lead due to industrialization, and the South was unwilling to lose it's equal status. Is this accurate enough ? (I see how your Hawaii conspiracy theory made it back in again, too, LOL.) StuRat 21:13, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, you can't spend a year sitting on the beach with a bunch of Hawaiian Independence activists and not get a little influenced. What really got them upset was all the dumb tourists that thought the Phillipinos were the native Hawaiians. One would always ask, "How can those haoles (sp? - Hawaiian for 'stupid white person') confuse a 60 pound Flip stick of a man with a healthy 400 pound Samoan?" --Kainaw (talk) 23:54, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I had a very proactive teacher who talked about the 'Texas Standard' I looked around and appearently this term isn't in common circulation, but the practice it refers to is very real. It has to do with the volume of textbooks purchaced by the very large Texas school districts, the pressure on these school boards from lobbyists and how this causes textbooks that are distributed nationwide to bend toward certain ideologies that are common amongst certain vocal minorities in Texas. Here are some references: [7], [8], [9] and [10]. These are just a choice few. -LambaJan 16:10, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks. One of my teachers told us that a few schools in Texas teach this. I think what he meant to say was that they are more sympathetic to the south.
I suppose one could argue that the South won, in that they were able to reestablish virtual economic slavery of blacks after Reconstruction by using the KKK to terrorize blacks and keep them from voting. This victory eroded with the Civil Rights movement, however. StuRat 21:06, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Hmmm...
- The last three presidents have been from the old Confederacy, and the last president from north of the Mason-Dixon line to be elected was JFK in 1960. (Ford wasn't elected.)
- In 1992, 1996 and 2000, all six major presidential candidates (Bush I, Clinton, Perot, Dole, Gore and Bush II) were from former slave-holding states.
- The current president pro tem of the Senate, chosen in 2003, is the first from outside the old Confederacy since 1981. The last time we had a president pro tem from a Civil War Union state was in 1955; since then, seven have come from the Confederate states.
- The speaker of the House is from outside Chicago, but he only got that position after Newt Gingrich of Georgia resigned and the man who was to replace him, Bob Livingston of Louisiana, also resigned.
- The recently appointed House majority leader, from Ohio, follows four consecutive southerners: Gephardt (Mo.), Armey (Texas), DeLay (Texas) and Blunt (Mo.).
- So who really did win the Civil War, anyway? -- Mwalcoff 01:55, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- And if you really want to irritate Republicans, remind them that well over half of their electoral support comes from former slave-holding states. Actually rather ironic, considering the history of the GOP. Bhumiya (said/done) 03:56, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- Dole? Since when was Kansas a slave state? User:Zoe|(talk) 04:26, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
No doubt there are some textbooks that paint a revisionist picture of the Confederacy, downplaying slavery, overemphasizing the influence of the Copperheads, etc.
I live in a heavily Yankeefied suburb of Richmond, Virginia that nevertheless contains many direct descendants of CSA veterans. A disadvantaged bunch, mostly. Few would have any familial history of slave ownership. I had a history teacher two years ago who explicitly taught that Lincoln had no desire to free the slaves (which is ridiculous in light of Lincoln's well-documented messianic abolitionism, but eases the conscience of guys whose ancestors fought for the CSA). This teacher insisted that Emancipation was a purely military action, with the implication that the Union lacked the moral high ground, etc. Views like this can still be found throughout the South, and increasingly in the North. Although nobody argues against abolitionism, the argument is that abolitionism was a marginal force, employed by cynical Yankees bent on economic subjugation of the South. One of my teacher's favorite arguments was that the majority of Southerners were poor and didn't own slaves. Therefore, he reasoned, they would never have fought had the war been based on slavery. Since they did fight, they must have been motivated by something else. The implication is that they fought for their "freedom" or some such nonsense. He would actually bristle at the suggestion that his ancestors could have fought for slavery.
I've encountered countless people (many of them young and otherwise apparently intelligent) who maintain, among other things, that slavery was opposed by the majority of CSA citizens, that blacks regularly fought for the South, that the majority of northerners vehemently opposed the war, that the war was precipitated entirely by "economics" (few are able to elucidate any further), and that the issue of slavery was exploited by northern pro-war politicians as a means of discrediting the South and justifying "genocide" against Southerners, etc etc. Many of these same people wear Rebel flag shirts with ludicrous statements like
- If this flag offends you,
- study American history
Which is a bit like wearing a swastika to honor German history.
I think it's safe to say that Southern culture largely escaped any sort of Vergangenheitsbewältigung after the war. Obviously, white supremacists returned with a vengeance in the form of Jim Crow. The situation is vaguely reminiscent of the Japanese attitude to war attrocities. Although the issue is spoken of as though settled, many Southerners have yet to come to terms with the harsh reality of the Civil War.
So inasmuch as the CSA and its Lost Cause continues to find new defenders and apologists, yes, the South can be said to have "triumphed" in some small way. But I don't think anyone, at any point since the Civil War, has ever tried to argue that the South won in a military or cultural sense. Looking at the map, I see no CSA. The South was virtually obliterated by the war, and has only recently recovered economically. Even the drunkest KKK historiographer would be hard-pressed to argue that the Union had been vanquished.
In short, no, I doubt strongly that any textbook was ever published containing such a statement. It would have been laughed at. Bhumiya (said/done) 03:42, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- In reality, there is no such thing as the "winner" of a war, regardless of which side capitulates. Still talking of the "winning and losing" sides in a civil war 150-odd years down the track would tend to perpetuate the very divisions that were exemplified in the war in the first place. Wouldn't it be truer to say that, depending on your point of view, either the U.S. as a whole was ultimately "better off" as a result of this conflict (and therefore a "winner"), or the U.S. as a whole would have been better served if the Civil War had never happened. JackofOz 04:04, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- Yes, I know, the bell tolls for thee, but for all historical purposes, I think one can safely label the CSA the losing side. The war was fought mostly in the South, the casualties were much worse in the South, and (most importantly) the CSA was reincorporated! Obviously, the victor would not be assimilated by the loser.
- One point I was feebly trying to make, which I seem not to have conveyed properly, is that although the war was originally a very polarizing affair, many people have attempted during the intervening years to find a "common ground", and many revisionist ideas have thereby migrated from the South into the mainstream American consciousness -- among these ideas, the most distressing is the notion (now widely accepted in many circles) that slavery and abolitionism were not the primary causes of the war, when in fact they were. It may be that in the pursuit of a "balanced" appraisal, Americans have given the secessionist movement far more credit than it deserves. In the effort to give the Rebs the benefit of the doubt, we fail to realize that the doubt is manufactured. Bhumiya (said/done) 04:46, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Prince Charles
I understand that Edward VIII had to abdicate the throne in order to marry Wallis Simpson. Wiki explains that he had to abdicate because Simpson was a divorcée and her husband was still alive, contrary to the rules of the Church of England.
However, Prince Charles' wife, Cammilla, is a divorcée and her ex-husband is still alive, yet Charles remains the heir to the throne of England.
Have the rules changed? Why is Charles allowed to marry Camilla and still become King while his great-uncle Edward was forced to abdicate for basically the same reason? Loomis51 02:45, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Charles married Camilla in a civil service, so the rules of the Church of England did not apply.-gadfium 03:43, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Also, we'll never know now, but it has been said that if Edward had really wanted to marry Wallis Simpson in the Church of England while remaining king, the Church would have put up a good fight but ultimately would not have stood in his way. The real reason he abdicated was not because this was the only way he could have Wallis, but because Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin persuaded him that the people of the Commonwealth would never have accepted Wallis as Queen, not just because she was a divorcee, but because she was a non-British divorcee. But the real, real reason is that Baldwin wanted Edward out of the way because he knew of his sympathies with the Nazi regime and he didn't want an acquiescent monarch on the throne in the event of a German attempt at occupying Britain. Wallis just happened to come along at exactly the right time to let Baldwin make it virtually impossible for Edward to remain, by spinning him the (not entirely untrue) story about the Commonwealth, and Baldwin in this way helped save Britain from becoming part of the Third Reich. He proved to be a most prescient and patriotic Prime Minister in the face of a traitor king, and he is much underrated in my opinion. JackofOz 04:21, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Hmm. I'm of exactly the opposite opinion. It was a lucky chance for Baldwin that Edward VIII was both a Nazi sympathiser and had put himself in this position. baldwin had long disliked the Prince of Wales, who had made himself very popular with the general public for his strong support of striking workers in Wales during the 1926 general strike - many of whom just happened to work for firms which were owned by Baldwin's family. It was also this strike that helped to bring down the conservative government led by Baldwin. The Prime Minister simply found a perfect opportunity to rid himself of a troublesome king. Whether it was because of trouble to the country or trouble to Baldwin personally, though, is another matter. Grutness...wha? 05:43, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Two questions about Amor en custodia
1. Do you know of any Web sites that explain the meanings of such Spanish slang terms as equis and cañón, used by the character Barbie on the Mexican soap opera Amor en custodia, who's a caricature of a student at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico?
- I believe equis means the letter X. StuRat 08:06, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- And I think cañón means cannon.schyler 14:16, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- UPDATE cañón can also mean barrel of a gun. schyler 14:17, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I believe equis means the letter X. StuRat 08:06, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
2. (much more important!) Is there any way I can watch the show—whether on television, online, or even by purchasing videos/DVD's of back seasons—in the United States? I know it airs in both Mexico and Argentina.
Thanks in advance, anon.
Wigs & Breeches to Suits
What caused important men to transition from wigs and breeches to gentlemanly suits at about the outset of 1800? Also, was President John Adams the last president to wear a wig?Patchouli 07:30, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- It's difficult to explain why a new fashion catches on, but perhaps one reason was the need to differentiate themselves from the British, who continued to wear powdered wigs. I also suspect that wigs, which had a definite snob appeal to them, tended to lose votes against a more populist candidate. StuRat 08:13, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Very correct. The new country didn't want to appear British and it would be difficult to get Americans to vote for someone who looked like a British politician. As for the last to wear a wig, I am certain that I've seen paintings of Jefferson and Madison in wigs. Perhaps this was before they became President. Also, after wigs, it was popular to turn hair white through bleach, powder, or some other means. So, you'll see that Adams, Jefferson, and Madison didn't turn grey. They turned white. Quincy Adams didn't wear a wig. He was bald. I've often wondered, but haven't investigated, is there a relation between the wigs worn by British government and the Whig party? --Kainaw (talk) 16:20, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- OK - quick research. The American Whig party is named after the British Whig party, which it named after a Scottish (offensive) nickname for the Kirk party. Whig was a slang term for a cattle thief. --Kainaw (talk) 16:23, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- I suspect you are wigging out, LOL. I can't see why the Brits would name their party after a slang Scottish term for a cattle thief. StuRat 16:45, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- It could be vandalism, but I went to Whig Party (United States), which says the Whigs were named after the British Whig Party. The next article claims they were named after the Kirk Party, which says the term Whig was an offensive nickname for the Kirk Party that normally meant "cattle thief". If it isn't true, there's some cleaning up to be done. --Kainaw (talk) 23:43, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Faith in the Non-Human Animal Kingdom
Humans are notorious for 'evidenceless' beliefs. Is there any indication of faith by non-human animals?--JLdesAlpins 12:10, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Since there is still considerable debate about whether animals have a consciousness (made doubly difficult by the fact that we still have no idea why humans have a consciousness), asking if they have faith is a bit premature. Ask again in a hundred years, when we have perfected human-animal communication (if we ever do :)). — QuantumEleven 13:39, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, elephants go and visit the bones of their dead relatives. They seem to have an emotional reaction. It's difficult to say just what's going on in their minds, but it's pretty obvious something is going on. Similarly, many animal mothers will continue to carry a dead baby around for quite some time. Whether they are expecting it to rise from the dead or just can't admit that it's dead is open for debate. StuRat 16:51, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Richard Dawkins, in his essay Viruses of the Mind, compares human faith to the instinct within gnats that leads them to commit suicide by flying into bug-zappers. Essentially, he argues that faith comes about when instincts are removed from the evolutionary context in which they were acquired. Bug-zappers were not a part of gnats' evolutionary environment, so their instincts cannot account for them. Bhumiya (said/done) 04:09, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Good Friday in Eastern Orthodox Church and Western Churches
Why does the Orthodox Church celebrate Good Friday and Easter at different times most years? Good Friday has to have a full moon on that night. (this is because there was a full moon on the first Good Friday, the night of the Crucifiction, or so I was always taught). This is why Easter is a "moveable feast".
This year 2006, there can be no full moon on the Eastern celebration of Good Friday, as there was last week, (April 14th, 2006) when the Catholic and Protestant churches celebrated Good Friday, and subsequently Easter. Is this perhaps jsut some kind of "dare to be different game" between the clergy of these two churches? Thankyou. J.A.Mathers.
- It's a very old game. The difference in dates is largely attributable to the fact that the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian to calculate the date of Easter. There's not much significance regarding an actual full moon (presumably over Jerusalem?): the full moon used in the calculation of Easter's date is a theoretical, "ecclesiastical full moon" rather than an actual physical, visible full moon. There can be one or two days difference between the ecclesiastical and the real full moons. It's just as well there's no link to a full moon on the first Good Friday, since there's no way of knowing that date with certainty, and therefore no way of knowing the moon's phase. - Nunh-huh 13:28, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Um. Yes there is. Good Friday was a Passover. Passover is defined as the first full moon after the vernal equinox. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 15:14, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Since we don't know what year it was, we don't know the date. And again, the full moon is a calculated one rather than an actual one, so there's no way of determining the actual phase of the moon (as observed). - Nunh-huh 15:22, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Hm. I'm a little unclear now, I guess. According to Hebrew calendar, during Second Temple times, the beginning of the lunar month was determined by observation. So if indeed Good Friday was a passover seder (I know some traditions disagree), it would have started on the 14th day following that observation (the 15th of the month, in other words), which would be an observed full moon. No? --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 17:08, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Well, perhaps. The switch from observed to calculated had occurred by the time of Hillel II's calendar reforms in 359 AD, but I don't know precisely when. But my main point, I think, stands: we have to make a lot of assumptions before we can presume to know the phase of the moon on the first Good Friday, so we ought not be too sure about it, and I don't think that the date of Easter is predicated on what that phase was.- Nunh-huh 01:42, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- Hm. I'm a little unclear now, I guess. According to Hebrew calendar, during Second Temple times, the beginning of the lunar month was determined by observation. So if indeed Good Friday was a passover seder (I know some traditions disagree), it would have started on the 14th day following that observation (the 15th of the month, in other words), which would be an observed full moon. No? --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 17:08, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Since we don't know what year it was, we don't know the date. And again, the full moon is a calculated one rather than an actual one, so there's no way of determining the actual phase of the moon (as observed). - Nunh-huh 15:22, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Um. Yes there is. Good Friday was a Passover. Passover is defined as the first full moon after the vernal equinox. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 15:14, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Some Orthodox churches (e.g. the Syriac Orthodox) do use the Gregorian calendar for the date-dependent holidays (e.g. Christmas), but still use the Julian calendar for determining Easter. --BluePlatypus 19:26, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
See Easter#Date of Easter, Reform of the date of Easter. AnonMoos 21:20, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
There is no direct connection between the Jewish Passover and the various Christian Easters. Easter is not meant to be celebrating Passover, so why should there be any connection? Христос воскресе! JackofOz 01:54, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Confess to racist and homophobic jokes?
I would like to know whether or not I should tell of jokes of racist, anti-Semitic or homophobic nature at confession. I'm neither racist nor homophobic — quite the contrary in fact — but have made racist and homophobic jokes which are in no way a reflection of my own opinion, just part of role-playing humour with a friend. Surely God cares about what I believe and not about what I may say in outrageous jokes cracked while imitating a neo-Nazi dimwit?
Thank you,
--anon 12:39, 22 April 2006 (UTC).
- That would be a matter you would discuss with whomever-it-is that you confess to, rather than here. - Nunh-huh 13:17, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- And you have to be very careful about attempting humor while imitating dimwits; observers might well not be able to tell the difference. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 15:08, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Each person crosses the moral/conscience line at different places, so nobody else can tell you whether this should be confessed or not. But if you're not entirely comfortable about these jokes, you've got nothing to lose by confessing, and possibly a lot to gain. Certainly a talk with your confessor would not go astray. JackofOz 01:29, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- I once heard a priest suggesting to his congregation that the faithful should even confess such piddling legal infractions as overstaying the parking meter by a few minutes. I also heard a priest saying that many of the deeds of commission or omission we were all brought up to believe were sins, were not sins at all. As with most areas of life, spiritual experts often disagree. Thank God the WP ref desk is here to make Solomonic utterances. JackofOz 01:29, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
If you already regard your past actions as wrong, then simply endeavor not to repeat them. What can a priest tell you that you haven't already told yourself? Bhumiya (said/done) 04:17, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Shaduf/shadoof chant
I remember reading this was the world's oldest song in Guinness book of records. But nowhere can I find the words. The closest I got was "a three-note intonation". EamonnPKeane 14:19, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Gun chair artwork
I remember hearing about some artwork which was a chair, and a gun pointing at it, which was rigged to go off some time in the next 200 years (I think), and the idea was that people could sit in the chair for a few seconds. What was the piece and who was the artist? --Bonalaw 15:01, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
US Civil War
Name of US Quartermaster New York at April 1861 ?
Falon Gong article ?
I can't believe Wikipedia lacks an article on this. Am I just searching under the wrong terms ? If so, we likely need a redirect or two, so others can find our article. StuRat 16:56, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- It's Falun Gong, and the redirect is now in place. --ByeByeBaby 17:29, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks. I tried a Goggle search first, and it did not correct my spelling, and found 9,860 matches, so I took that to mean my spelling was correct. StuRat 17:42, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Maybe you should try Google instead :) --BluePlatypus 19:57, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- LOL, that one got by my spell checker. Maybe I should create a web search site under that name. Mine, however, would have a reverse filter. That is, it would ONLY find the objectionable material. :-) StuRat 20:33, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Captain Scott Presentation Fork
I have a fork inscribed 'national antarctic expedition s.y.morning' It is in a blue leather case inscribed A.M.H.C. on the exterior & CAPt. SCOTTS BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1902 on the interior does anyone know why these were issued and if they have any value
- It presumably would have been issued in association with the Robert Falcon Scott-led Discovery Expedition, which explored Antarctica from 1901-1904. I have no clue on who the AMHC are, nor why they're handing out forks. I don't know how common such tchochkes are, nor how highly sought by collectors, but it seems to me that it may have some value, and you should probably ask a professional appraiser, particularly if it's a nice piece and in good shape. --ByeByeBaby 17:43, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
Why is Tintin relatively unknown in USA?
I am a big fan of Herge, Goscinny, Uderzo and Tabary comics (Tintin, Asterix, Lucky Luke, Iznogoud, etc.) for over 25 years, having discovered them as a teenager in India. I am still entertained by them, and I hope I never outgrow them. These works have deep humor, satire, research-backed themes, great values, and so on, in sharp contrast to the mindlessness of Archie comics.
Therefore, I'm very puzzled and curious why these absolutely superb comics never took off in America. They are not even mentioned in American-published compilations of important world comics.
If someone can shed some insight into this imponderable (besides the obvious stereotype of the culturally-challenged American), I'd appreciate it!
Thanks,
Gary
(removed E-mail, see top of the page)
- First, are you sure they were released in the US ? If so, perhaps they contain cultural themes more appropriate to India than the US, like say, an arranged marriage, StuRat 20:28, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- You're not doing a good job of breaking the stereotype, Stu. - Tintin and Lucky Luke are from Belgium, Asterix is French. And yes, they were released in the USA (as in most of the world). As for why.. I don't know, but there was probably some form of prejudice at the root, perhaps in the form of a publisher who felt that their brand of humor wouldn't sell in the US. (despite selling in the rest of the world), and who therefore didn't market them enough. --BluePlatypus 21:12, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Why do you so boldly accuse me of perpetuating a stereotype ? I know of many young couples from India who had arranged marriages. StuRat 21:18, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Actually, I was referring to the "stereotype of the culturally-challenged American", given that you obviously didn't know about these cartoons. (And knowing some Indians who have arranged marriages doesn't justify perpetuating that stereotype, either. I know a Jew who's a communist. That doesn't make it OK to leap to the conclusion "You must be a communist" every time I meet a Jew.) --BluePlatypus 02:12, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- Some clues can be found in those links you provided. One said "only a handful of his adventures have been published in the English-speaking world", and another mentions how competition from strong comics in the US and Japan reduced their success in those countries. Archie comics are far from the best comics published in the US. I particularly liked the Watchmen series, for example. StuRat 21:28, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- (edit conflict) Part of it is a stylistic issue. Franco-Belgian comics developed at the same time as American comic books and Japanese Manga; each is very popular in their region, and each has their own conventions as far as what a comic character should look like, what sorts of stories and settings to use, how to lay out a page and even how big and long a comic book should be. For an example, compare the drawing styles for these characters, all of which are notable because they posess super strength: Obelix from France, Hulk (comics) from the USA and the Super Saiyan from Japan. The line thickness, level and type of stylization and so on are all very different. I think it's similar to the way Hong Kong cinema and Bollywood can be successful in their own regions, but not in each other's. A Bollywood audience would find a Hong Kong movie too short, with not enough music and dancing, and so on. A Hong Kong audience would probably find most Bollywood movies boring and melodramatic. It's not that one movie industry is better or one audience more cultured, it's just that the two are distinct. --ByeByeBaby 21:32, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- Comparing those 3 comics, I see the French one is hand drawn in a rather basic manner, with very little shading, for example, while the US one appears to use extensive computer animation. The French one also appears to be humorous while the US one is menacing. The Japanese comic character is somewhere in between the other two in most respects. StuRat 21:45, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
- My public library in upstate New York had several Tintin books and my brother and I read them all in the 1980s. We had some Asterix comics but I don't recall where we got them. I believe some high school French classes used Asterix comics. Шизомби 02:40, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- (edit conflict)I grew up with Tintin and Asterix. I think it is a generational thing though. My parents had me relatively late so their friends had kids in the late 70s/early 80s. I was introduced to them through that connection. Neither of these comics has the level of violence or monster appeal that currently popular American comics do. It's unfortunate they aren't more popular. I certainly think they are on a higher level than the current Marvel fare.—WAvegetarian•CONTRIBUTIONSTALK• EMAIL• 02:44, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
How to add a name on the list of disputed convictions category?
When I try to edit the article, the list is not editable, or I don't know how to have access to the list.
I am trying to add the name of Hank Skinner with the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Skinner
Thank you for your help. Sincerely yours
user Adumoul
- You need to add the proper template at the bottom of that article to add the article to that category. Go to a page of someone else in that list, edit the page, and look for the template you need to copy. StuRat 22:00, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
April 23
Broken arrow
I've been listening to a lot of old Neil Young songs lately, and have been puzzled by the symbolism of his song "Broken Arrow". What, if anything, is the significance of an American Indian warrior standing with a broken arrow? Is it Young's own allegory, or is there some piece of native American tradition or symbology involved? Grutness...wha? 00:13, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
- The Blackfoot used a broken arrow to symbolize that they would not fight anymore. Perhaps that is the same meaning in Neil Young's song. I wouldn't claim a symbolism for one nation of Native Americans applies to all of them. --Kainaw (talk) 00:18, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
In the US military, a "broken arrow" alert means the (possibly) accidental release of a nuclear weapon. I don't know what Neil Young's symbolism is, so I can't tell you if his songs have anything to do with that. User:Zoe|(talk) 04:33, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
"al habna minoret"
Can anyone find pictures or description or ___location of the "al habna minoret"? This minoret is somewhere in Iraq.
- Firstly, it'a Minaret, which might help with your search. Secondly, Google doesn't report any links for Al Habna minaret, and very few for Al Habna. Why do you want pictures of this minaret in particular? Is it notable for some reason? Some context might give us a hand, since you may have the name wrong. --ByeByeBaby 06:41, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Ambassadors from Guatemala in 1974-75
How would I find the name of any Guatemalans who were appointed as ambassador to another Latin American country in 1974 or 1975? I'd appreciate any ideas or leads. Thanks! --LibraChick
History of Jews of Beltsy Moldova in the 19th century
Can anyone please tell me where I can find information on the history of the Jewish community of Beltsy (Bessarabia) Moldova in the 19th century and in particular concerning the group who came from there to Eretz Israel towards the end of the 19th century? Thank you.
- Try asking at the Romanian Special Interest Group at the JewishGen website. -- Mwalcoff 07:56, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Translation English \ hebrew
please translate this santences to hebrew "Dig your tombs"
Translation English \ hebrew
please translate this santences to hebrew "Leave Our land"