I think I'd like a horse so I could ride them like Clint Eatwood does in many of his movies.


Do you think Clint Eastwood ever tickled his horse?  How about his orangutan from every which way but loose?  Sharks, horses and orangutans are ticklish.


Ha, interesting. Wonder if they could be calmed by a dalmatian. Dalmatians are associated with firefighteres because they calmed and protected the horses.


I find a good bottle of wine helps me calm down.  Do horse drink wine?


Andrew Jefford things thatthere is a common philosphy that defines wine lovers. I don't like the taste of wine myself.


The British guy that writes for decanter.com?  I bet most people that write about wine are biased towards wine.  Andrew was  searching for something "pithy" to say.


He calls his outlook Wineism and says it's a progressive view that embraces tolerance and inclusion.


There is little wrong with that.  It would seem that the wine trade is important.  It promotes cross cultural ism. Enjoy different wines, like horses.


Yeah, he says that wine lovers have a generous spirit and have an international outlook, celebrating differences.


Trade will do that to you.  So will drinking wine.  Do both at once and you will meet lots of new people, cultures.


Right, like differences from vintage, place of origin, grape variety.


I personally do not feel compelled to support a cause when I purchase wine.  Some vineyards do support causes, like fighting heart disease, or the national geographic society.


Yeah, if I picked wine it would have to be for the taste.


So, a wine that donates to environmental causes could claim the environment is what creates the taste.  Wine writers go on and on about taste.  Maybe eco friendly wine is OK.


Interesting! I'll have to look into that further. Have a good day!


Did you hear about Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC and its $180 million remodel? That's a lot, but it sounds like a good school.


I did not hear about that. I was more interested in the scandal.


Yes, I heard some non-resident parents send their kids their without paying tuition. How did they get away with that?


It is the old dictomy public school is bad until they do something right.


98% graduation rate sounds great, and they have some successful alums like Dave Chappelle.


I like the longer hours and work ethic. American kids are too lazy these days and need to be pushed to compete with the world.


That's how you get people like Google's founders founding the company when they were still grad students at Stanford.


Yes I wish I was the netfix founders. I must have had several 100 of late fees for tapes and dvds.


Give Netflix credit for recognizing the future was streaming, not DVD rentals. A lot of companies don't change with the times.


I totally agree, Hollywood video did not transition and lost. Sort of like Uber vs Taxi drivers, that however seems different.


Blockbuster also screwed up. They could have bought Netflix for $50 million; it's now worth 40 times that.


Its interesting to note that all of Netflix tech is run on Amazon Web Services. Another company that transitioned to a profitable product while selling books cost more money than they were making.


I wonder if young people even know that Amazon was first a book store? Sort of like how Google is moving beyond searches into cloud computing, software, etc.


And yet Google used Goats to mow the grass around their headquarters. Some things cannot be replaced like goats as lawnmowers or a paperback book in your hands.


Or Pokemon on TV. That shows been on forever.


I did not know that south park made family guy and why did the simpsons send flowers to the producers.


I think South Park aired an episode making fun of Family Guy, and The Simpsons crew sent flowers because they agreed with the sentiment.


Was the 70's show verbatim made in UK done with English actors? I can see how that would not traslate well in the UK.


I am not sure why it's necessary to remake between US and UK. I mean, Ringo Starr narrated Thomas the Tank engine. Americans can handle British personalities, and vice versa.


Yes but that 70's show was so America specific. And to have Brits do it would seem a strange parody.


True. I know they have Netflix in Britain. I'd be curious as to how much content is the same as in the States, and how much is different.


So if a single google search requires more computing power than what was needed to go to the moon, where should we now be going? And are we just killing ourselfs with worthless computing (facebook etc).


I'm not sure people want to go anywhere any more, except on their computers. Youtube and Netflix account for half of internet traffic.


Sad, we could have been to Mars by now, but people are just introvering themselfs. I am just waiting for the aliens to take over. Wont take much.


Unless the Aliens are like us: more focused on entertainment than exploration!


Exactly, but god help us if they are more Klingon like. All we need its aliens who are slightly more advanced and outgoing.


They could use Google Maps to help plan their military attack. Track our devices to figure out where we are.


But then we could beam Netflix to their ships and render them unconcious due to binging.


MAybe that's what China is doing to us, LOL. China doesn't have Netflix.


But if we take Google down then we free up 40% of the web traffic and people will start reading real books again.


I don't trust Google. They tailor their maps to what countries want to hear. Maybe they'd end up working for invading space aliens.


I think they do stuff like use goats in order to appear quirky and fun, but they are a huge conglomerate now. Alphabet Inc. now. But that sounds faceless, so they like to be known as Google.


I agree, and wish that I had bought stock way back when.


If you could have gotten "supervoting" shares you could call the shots there, like Page and Brin do.


Did you hear about the Duke Ellington Scandal by the way?


I did. Regarding the School of the Arts? Apparently there was cheating in order to avoid paying tuition.


Yep that's what I heard. I guess it's been a predominantly black school for about 40 years now too, and over 50% of the students are eligible for a free government subsidized lunch


Yeah, Dave Chappelle graduated from there. The school has a 98% graduation rate, with college acceptance at NYU, Yale, and Julliard. So, they must be doing something right!


Yep I agree! It sounds like a lot of famous people actually graduated from there and one of them was a Grammy award-winning musician


Do you have Netflix? I just learned that from 9pm to midnight, Netflix accounts for 33% of all bandwidth in N. America.


Wow that's crazy! That's a lot of bandwidth, it's also shocking that YouTube and Netflix together make up half of all internet bandwidth


Crazy but not surprising! Netflix has 137 million subscribers worldwide!


That is a lot! In about half of them are from the USA alone, what do you think the future holds for Netflix? Will they get even more popular


Definitely. They have been producing a lot of their own material- like Bird Box. It's available worldwide, but just not in North Korea, China, Syria, or Crimea.


Have you ever seen Netflix's first original show that they created? It was called Lillehammer and it debuted back in 2012, I wonder how it is


I haven't! It's probably good, as is most of their shows/movies. I personally really like their documentaries.


Well I'm just glad that they don't have late fees, it's funny that Netflix was originally created because the guy who invented Netflix was fined $40 for turning in Apollo 13 Late


I wonder if his late fee was with Blockbuster, who declined offers to buy Netflix for $50m. Netflix is now worth $2billion.


That's a good question! Might have to Google it, how often do you use Google by the way?


All the time haha. I've become very relient on it, unfortunately, but I'm one of those people who needs to know a definite answer. One time in 2013 Google went down for 5 minutes and it took 40% of the web traffic with it!


Yeah I can believe that, Google is the biggest search engine of all time, do you know who the current CEO of Google is? Its Sundar pichai


I didn't know that. I remember a time before 1998 when AskJeeves, AOL, and Yahoo were the popular search engines. Two PhD students from Stanford founded Google.


Yep you're right. It's also crazy that a single Google search uses more CPU power than the CPU that took Neil Armstrong to the Moon, I wonder how that's possible


I wonder too. I thought it was interesting that the Google headquarters lawn was once maintained by 100s of goats.


That is interesting! I wish that I had live goats to mow my lawn because I hate doing it haha. Did you hear how Google will adjust their boundaries on a map depending on which country is doing the search? That's just in case two countries disagree on what the exact boundaries are


Yes I do. There is n episode where Bart does not appear


Yes and strangely he was not even mentioned in it


Yes I have seen it and I like it but it really flopped in the UK


Yes it only lasted for 10 episodes and was cut off air


Yes I guess remaking it verbatim lead to that


Yes I have seen some but not the whole 750 episodes


Yes me too, they have been on air for 16 years now


I do actually. Do you know when it was founded?


I do not know the year but do you know why it got started?


It was in 1997 and that was because Hastings for a late fee on a VHS


Yeah. Did you know with youtube they account of half of peak internet usage


Yes and in the morning they account for one third of bandwidth


Yeah. And they still spend more on postage than bandwidth though


Yeah. Blockbuster could have bought Netflix for $50 million and did not


That was not a smart decision. Nice chat


Interesting that the 70's show was remade verbatim in the UK.


Yeah,  but I didnt know England even had the 1970s... I guess that is why it was canceled after only 10 episodes.


I was unaware that it was on over there as well. It was sort of better for the U.S.


I don't recall ever seeing the Queen wearing bell bottoms... My hat's off to them for trying! Like the nod given by the crew of the Simpsons to the South Park crew for airing a Family Guy finale episode! Gotta respect that!


I was unaware that there was only one episode of the Simpsons where Bart neither appears nor is mentioned.


Yeah I was like, all "where is Bart? Was he erased or replaced on the program?" Media is fickle that way. Like for "Thomas the Tank Engine", it was narrated by Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin, each with at least 52 turns.


I'm not sure if you can view the Simpsons on netflix nowadays.


Yeah, but there are over 750 episodes of "Pokemon" to keep us busy!


I'm not sure if Pokemon is on Netflix. Crazy how Reed Hastings decided to start the company.


He is quite the character. He has built it to the point where 33% of all bandwidth in NOrth America is dedicated to Netflix between the hours of 9pm to midnight!  That's crazy!


Crazy that blockbuster declined to buy Netflix too.


Yeah! It was a steal at $50 million back then, and now it's worth over 2 billion!


It looks they made the mistake, I think blockbuster is completely out of business now.


Good. I was worried about late fees on a VHS I still have. LOL


Hilarious, it sounds like a similar thing happened to Reed Hastings.


Now Netflix and YouTube together account for half of peak internet traffic in North America. I wonder if the rest is Amazon Prime video??


I bet it probably is, Google would likely know from their search business.


Google is probably suspicious of Netflix, since Netflix spends 20-times more on postage than on bandwidth. Google is jealous!


I'm sure google is a bit jealous, but they do have youtube!


Nice. Answer me this: if a single Google search requires more computing power than it took to send 12 astronauts to the moon, why does all the Youtube footage of the moon landing look fake?  The footage on NEtflix looks real!


Yeah, that's pretty crazy. When google went down for 5 minutes, it took 40% of the web traffic with it.


Ah, she's a jealous thing she is. She once chose to forego use of human lawnmowers and chose to use goats instead to mow the headquarters property. Google is a vindictive woman.


Interesting concept. It was made by 2 Phd students.


Do you know the founding story behind Netflix? One of the guys ran up a late fee, and was so disgusted that he started netflix!


No, I didn't know that!  Funny that Blockbuster could have bought Netflix and didn't


For the tiny price of $50 million. I guess Blockbuster thought they could recreate Netflix on their own. Now there is no more Blockbuster.


I didn't realize that Netflix and YouTube account for half of the internet traffic in North America


People love their television! I think it's just going to grow with higher resolutions and more shows available.


Yeah, it doesn't seem to have a ceiling.  They could probably stop spending so much on postage lol


I was surprised that they still spend money on postage. Who rents DVDs and Blueray when they can watch online? Maybe people with low bandwidth?


That's what I want to know! I think some things are not available for streaming, too


That would make sense. I wonder what company will come along and replace netflix. Perhaps they'll get acquired.


This makes you think: takes more computing poser to do a google search than it took to send astronauts to the moon


Google search has changed the world. Maybe it'll be important for faking the Mars landing! :)


yeah they could probably just CGI the whole thing and no one would ever know lol


The best graphics would be reserved for government conspiracy. They would stream the whole thing live over Netflix.


or YouTube.  They could get a ton of ad revenue from that


Then they could have an IPO for firms on Mars (that weren't really on Mars).


Google calculates traffic by tracking people's phones...that's a little scary


I think phones could be used to stop speeders. I would like there to be more auto-driving cars on the road. Probably safer than most people.


I agree.  People are not good drivers.  Too many looking looking at their phones


I would like to see more people use public transit, but I think people like the privacy and comfort of an individual vehicle.


That's true, plus people could save a ton of money.  It's just more convenient to have your own car.


A self-driving car with parental controls could deliver the kids to school, and pick them up at the end of the day.


I wonder if it could make them lunch too lol


Pick up lunch at the automated drive thru, deliver it to school.


I think you solved it lol.  then it could take them to soccer practice


Hello, what are your thoughts on the US senate?


Hey. I think they have a very important job being the upper chamber of the US Congress.


I  think the same 50 states, 100 US senators, they are of great value to our democratic system


Yes I agree. A fun fact is they once used the same gavel for 165 years...until Nixon cracked it.


Yeah it sounds like it. On the senate floor women weren't allowed to wear pants until 1993.


I didnt know about that, seems like an unfair rule, good thing that changed now


Agreed. I find the response Michael Jordan gave about not endorsing the black NC democratic candidate a bit confusing.


It was, I guess he likes to stay away from politics I gyess I can respect that


Yeah true. I never knew that the Senate chamber was located in the north wing of the Capitol in Washington DC. They should make a tv show called the "North Wing".


That would be a cool show, Trum would be star and them some other politicians


Haha yeah he would. I would like to see Trump put out some pop albums like the Indonesian president.


I would love to see that as well, that guy released 3 albums while in office right?


Yes! What a riot lol. I wonder what kind of style he had? Way back in 1986 Apple had a clothing line!


Apple had a clothing line! wow, I would like to buy an Apple tshirt, its y favorite brand


Haha yeah I want to see what they sold back in the day. Rip curl makes clothes in North Korea, I had no idea.


I had no idea about that either, there is a cool store in Alabama though, it seels unclaimed baggage from airports


Great business model. Sell stuff that they get for free! The pilgrim clothing was full in color and only wore black on special occasions!


I thought they used black always, I guess my 3rd grade teacher pulled a fast one on me


haha maybe so. One way to tell if something fits well is to look for a collar gap.


Thats a great tip, thanks, a lot of interesting tips about clothes, presidents and the senate


I heard a few things. I don't know who else should have gotten the job. I think other justices will get replaced during Trump's time.


I think you are right. the whole thing seemed very weird to me.


Politics sure is a funny business. I've heard that they have a candy desk in the Senate.


a desk full of candy? I felt bad for both Kavanaugh and ford.


I don't think there's a good way to handle these conflicts, but that hearing was certainly a bad way. I hope the next candidate isn't as controversial.


me too. Could you imagine having to dredge up what you might have done 36 years ago?


I think it just becomes "he said, she said," and the perception depends so much on the current climate.


True. Michael jordan was once asked why he wouldn't endorse black democratic candidate harvey gantt in a north carolina senate race, to which michael jordan responded, "republicans buy shoes too".


As if Michael weren't making enough money already. But I guess he needed more.


Anything for a little more! I had no idea about this..Fred rogers is credited with the continued funding of pbs after he presented a passionate argument in front of the us senate in may, 1969. this allowed healthy child development shows like 'mr. rogers neighborhood' to be fully funded, along with the rest of pbs programming.


I saw that footage! The guy was amazing in front of the Senate. He was so credible. He could never survive in politics, though. Too honest.


I loved watching him as a kid. I'm sure a lot of us did. I might have to look the footage up.


Yeah, there's a film called Won't You Be My Neighbor. Worth watching. He was an interesting guy during tough social changes in the US


I'll watch that, thank you! Senator strom thurmond holds the record for the longest filibuster by a lone senator. he stayed on the senate floor speaking for 24 hours and 18 minutes nonstop


I guess he prepared very carefully for that filibuster.


Oh my lord! I coldn't even imagine. I wonder what he was fighting for?


Filibusters are to stop something, so he probably wanted to prevent a tax increase or more funding to social security.


Very interesting! The only us president to have a phd is woodrow wilson


Probably not very helpful for the job. A law degree would be useful. Well, I enjoyed chatting!


Hello, did you know that Kristjen Nielsen is the US Homeland Security Secretary.


I was aware of that yes. She has held a lot of press briefings.


They were talking about smoking.  The government began there efforts to reduce smoking in 1964.  That is when the US government first acknowledged that smoking was harmful to health.


I know that most people smoked then but it's hard to believe that it was deemed harmful so recently. Apparently the smoking rate was cut in half by 2015.


Well that is good.  Speaking of our Government, did you know that in Nevada, the US government owns 86% of the land.


I was not aware of that. I wonder why. May a lot of protected lands. Nature preserves?


Probably I would guess.  I man in France sold the Eiffel Tower twice by impersonating a Government official.


I actually saw that story on TV once. I can't remember the show. Drunk History maybe. It was fascinating.


Yes it is.  I have a lot of respect for the Norwegian Government.  They donated $1 billion to help save the Amazon Rainforest.


That is amazing. What a great cause. I have a very ironic government fact. The Chinese government has censored the word censorship.


Really, I would expect no more from China.  I am also a huge tv and movie buff.  I love the Simpsons.  There is only one episode where Bart is neither seen nor mentioned.


I know he is very central to show but I'm surprised that has only happened once when it has been on the air for so long. Speaking of The Simpson, Daniel Radcliffe voiced the cartoon parody of Twilight's Edward Cullen on The Simpsons treehouse of horror xxi.


He did, that is cool.  My son use to love Pokemon.  There are more than 750 episodes.  That is about 50 shows a year for 16 straight years.


WOW! I knew the video games were still popular but I did not realize that the cartoon still was.


It just keeps going and going. My son also was a huge Thomas the Tank Engine Fan.  I know that George Carlin, Alec Baldwin, and Ringo Starr all narrated Thomas the Tank Engine for at least 52 episodes each.  That is pretty neat.


That is a very interesting fact. Speaking of longevity, Weekend Update debuted on the first episode of SNL and is their longest running skit.


I love SNL.  I didn't know that though.  Are you a big internet user.  I know I am.  Google has changed the industry.  I learned that it takes more computing power in a single google search than it did to send Neil Armstrong and 11 other Astronauts to the moon.  That is crazy.


I use the internet constantly. We stream all of our entertainment at this point. I am always shocked by how much data we can fit in smaller and smaller devices now. Like they have SD cards that hold more data than I thought possible at this point.


I am as well.  This is hilarious.  Google once used hundreds of live goats instead of hiring people to mow the lawns around their headquarters.


WOW! That seems like it would be more costly not less.


Well, thank you for the chat.  I will leave you with this.  Google had their IPO on August 19th, 2004.  That is my birthday.


Did you hear that the Norwegian government donated money to save the Amazon rainforest? I guess they've got cash to spare in Norway.


Not as a habit, no. More of a party smoker.


I always was too. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen says the Anti smoking campaign has been a huge success.


I think the tobacco companies want people to consume a nicotine product, whether cigs or something else. Maybe the government can get behind an alternative.


That would be a good idea. The effort to reduce smoking in the United States began in 1964! I had no idea!


I think people suspected the health problems with smoking for a long time, but couldn't "prove" it. There is just so much money to be made from tobacco.


True. When the campaign began, doctors were still telling pregnant women that it was safe for them to smoke! Thanks doc!


I've heard that smoking during pregnancy can make your kid go cross-eyed. Doctors are a trusted source, so I understand why mothers would believe them.


me too, but really? I've seen a few crossed people. Maybe thats why!


The modern day equivalent of smoking is sitting. We sit all day in front of computers, and hurt our health.


Maybe if all we did was sit, yes.  the tech industry today operates in an unregulated environment.


That is going to change. too many people are upset by the use of their personal information. People want some privacy.


It looks like Government is getting ready to step in since they wont change on their own.


The scary part for me is the interference by foreign governments in our elections. I think that's tantamount to an act of war.


Thats what it says here. These voluntary efforts are failing to curtail the spread of disinformation, and sooner or later the tech industry will have to face the same FCC restrictions on content and advertising as traditional media - which would undoubtedly help to reduce the spread of erroneous reporting. Second, the messenger matters.


I agree. When you see something on a trusted internet source, you tend to believe it. Nowadays it's getting hard to know who to belielve.


Research shows that even truthful information will be dismissed by audiences if it doesn't come from a trusted source.


Is that true? Can I trust you on that? :)


I didn't know that Google went down for five minutes in 2013.


No, it doesn't. Probably there was a bug in the code. I'm skeptical about the fact that Google uses goats to mow its lawns. Can I trust the information that I'm reading here?


Actually you can! I did a report in college about it!


I wonder whether the goats do a good job.


They do. Google rents them from local farmers as a way to keep ticks and bugs down too. Did you know, . False information reaches people six times faster and is 70 percent more likely to be shared than a truthful story.


I'll remember that when I need to spread some false information! I've heard that a lie is halfway round the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.


Thats a good saying! And a good point to remember when trying not to gossip. Looks like we in the US are getting a National Risk Management Center.


Who is going to manage the Management Center though?


Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)


Well, I hope that they can track the hackers that have done some much harm to our democracy.


Thats what they want to do anyway. They want to  counter disinformation.


There are other entities working against the US gov't though. For example, Wikileaks published the government's plans to destroy wikileaks!


I know! The chinese government has censored the word 'censorship'


The Chinese government also doesn't like a picture that compares the leader to Winnie the Pooh. I am glad I do not live in that country.


Me too. The us government publishes the full names of anybody who chooses to renounce their citizenship!


Whoa! That is an interesting fact. I guess they want to scare people into thinking twice about renouncing.


I guess so! The government has actually shut down 17 times over the past 37 years. it happened 3 times in 1977.


That's a frustrating mess. I expect Congress to do better, though I don't know why. Somebody has to be the adult in the room?


You would think! J.p. morgan bailed out the u.s. government in 1895


Hm. That is a frightening possibility for the near future, with all the government debt. The govt bails out the banks usually.


This surprised me. Most deals made on the television show 'shark tank' are never enacted


That is misleading. I wonder whether there is a disclaimer at the beginning of the show. "The deals are just for entertainment purposes only."


Well, I need to go now. It's been great chatting!


Good afternoon, yes, i do a little.  How about you?


I'm a big fan during the season.  Did you know that the University of Iowa painted the locker room of the visiting football team pink?  Kind of interesting...


Yes, it is, kind of an emasculating thing to do.  Make the other team feel all weak and girly! Lol


lol  In the 1960's top bowlers made twice as much as the top fooball stars back then.  Bet that's different now.


Yes, it's changed drastically.  Bowling is not even in the same ballpark, anymore!  Do you watch college of NFL football or both?


Me too, I don't get into that fantasy football, do you?


I played with a bunch of friends years ago but not recently.  Do you know what the highest score ever was in a football game?  It in 1916...and was a college game...


That wouldn't happen, today.  It would be considered unsportsman like conduct and Georgia would have had to bench their 1st, 2nd, and probably 3rd string players, and most likely let their cheerleaders play Cumberland! Lol


LOL  You're right.  Here's an interesting stat line: Benjarvus Green-Ellis who was a RB for the Patriots never fumbled the ball during his NFL career.


Oh, the pressure he must have felt to remain fumble free.  I couldn't have done it.  Kudos to him!


lol yes.  Impressive.  Are you familiar with Drake?


Yeah, I know he started that KiKi challenge and he's a Canadian singer that's about all I know about him.


He must have dropped out of school and went back because I'm reading about him and it says that he graduated high school in 2012 at the age of 25.


My goodness! I applaud him for sticking with it and getting his HS diploma.  It must be super hard when you're trying to be a singer, too.


Yes.  It looks like he reeased his debut studio album in 2010.  So, yep he hit the big time before finishing school.


Yes indeed.  It's been fun chatting with you!  Have a good day!


Hi.  I guess for those people missing NFL games they can do fantasy.  I know my grandson is really into it.  He's a huge Andrew Luck fan and hopes to ride him to a good season.


i have never tried fantasy sports. how does it work? do you bet or something?


There's different systems but the basics are that you make a team based on individual players and then play games.  Your points are based on how well your players do.  Some leagues you pay to join, i.e. bet, others are just for fun.  It's perfect for a statistics nerd.  Like one who knows Luck's QB rating is 102.4.


could i choose the same players as your son then? no limitations?


Usually you all choose players from the same pool.  So only one person can have Andrew Luck, others have to choose different quarter backs.  To make it more complicated, in some leagues you can sell your players.  Use that money to buy new, hopefully better personnel.  Or just sit that player out for the game and don't pay for him.  Like Michael Thomas the WR will have a stiff defense to contend with so don't waste him on that.


oh, so it is like a draft. you take turns, and plan your choices?


Yes.  If that's not your thing but you need to bet on something there is betting on the National Spelling Bee.  Pick who you think the top spellers will be and sign up to back them, with money that is.


I wonder how they handicap talent for the Bee. that seems funny, but people will bet on anything now.


You can get the results from the preliminary spelling bees.  You have to qualify for the nationals by winning at a state or regional level.  Or, call up the kid's English teacher and sweet talk, or even bribe, him/her into giving you some information.  Like a report card?  That would be a real scandal !


you seem to know an awful lot about betting on spelling bees. you should start a blog. you could handicap the whole thing! LOL


Just fooling around.  How about starting a betting site that covers all the football varieties?  Like soccer, NFL, Australian rules, rugby and Gaelic.  That would be a hoot!  A new internet sensation.


I dont think i could keep track of them all. too many variants. i do like soccer though.


Me too, except watching Real Madrid, what stinkers!  How about just reading a book.  Simple, enjoyable, cheap, low stress.  Try a Terry Pratchett novel and have a good laugh in a completely different world.


I have not read him but i know people that rave about terry. quite droll, very clever.


Or, for the ultimate in just chilling out, listen to some music.  That Drake guy is pretty good.  Quite popular with the teenagers that's for sure.  I get to listen every morning in the car while taking the kid to school.  Some is quite good, even for grown ups.


drake is canadian, right? i guess he is the right sound for the kids. even grown ups? i guess ill have to take a listen.


Born in Canada.  He was a TV actor before taking up music full time.  Finally graduated high school when he was 25.  Look up his song "One Dance", not rappy at all, just a fun pop tune.


25? i wonder what took him so long. doesnt really matter. he is a great singer and talented writer.


Drake also apparently loves children's book too. While touring in the UK he bought first editions of Charlotte's Web and Winnie the Pooh.  Not cheap those either.  Hope he enjoys them.


He should read audio books for kids. He has a great voice. Anyway, great chat!


That's a great idea.  Nice to talk to you.


Nice talking to you too! Have a great day!


Yes. press <tab> <tab> after your comment. it should be highlighted.


Don't see any done button.  I'll just send you this message.


Aretha Franklin's passing was quite a big deal from history, art, society, music on a lot of levels.


She was amazing. I heard her funeral was quite a production. She was carried in the same white cadillac that carried Rosa Parks and her father Rev. CL Franklin


Yes, I was surprised her father was still alive as she's pretty old. She'd been out of the spotlight recently, i'm sure old and ill health but the turnout showed her impact on everything.


I guess Bill CLinton was there and spoke, but Obama did not go.


Yes, Obama had Rev. Sharpton read which I guess is good and I can't imagine Clinton missing a chance to shine in public, though he seems to appreciate music and black culture so I'm sure he was moved too.


Thats true. I know Rev Jesse Jackson, Smoky Robinson and Isiah Thomas were there and spoke too. I guess her family was fairly prominent in Detroit even aside from her fame.


Yes, what also was amazing was the diversity of music figures, pop, blues, jazz, sould; add in politics, music, religious, civil rights you had a very wide and diverse influence who paid tribute.


It was interesting to hear the quotes from the people in the community that had known her since she was a child, like the funeral director there. SO often, I guess, you forget that big stars like Aretha were real people with normal lives and childhoods.


Yes, and the mix of dad as her preacher and her dad in the community and what and who she grew up around sounded like an amazing surreal childhood.


It does. She must have had a really interesting life. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be so famous.


That makes two of us,but who really could imagine her life. Ironic and beautiful too she was carried in the same 1040 Cadillac that carried Rosa Parks, Daid Ruffin and Rev. CL Franklin. History and current all intertwined.


Right. lifestyles of the rich and famous. Did you know that Lou Reed put on a whole concert just for dogs? I like dogs but stars are nuts.


Haha, my wife loves dogs and will probably look  for the album if it exists after I tell  her. I think her influence on race was shown in all the athletes who attend, that surprised me.


I guess its especially fitting then, that she was carried in the same car as Rosa Parks.


Yes, as I mentioned her role in the 60's race movement, feminism and culture can't be understated.


She did good things with her success and fame. So many musicians aren't like that these days, unfortunately.


Yes, seems her generation had more of that than the current generation of stars. She was close to the community and her family so I think it kept her and her generation more grounded.


Right. We could use more like Aretha today


Ariana Grande got caught licking doughnuts at a doughnut shop. I used to see her on Nickelodeon, she has a kid's show on there.


Yes, Nickelodeon and Disney kid stars often go onto fame with mixed results, unlike the gravitas of Aretha.


Yes, I think a lot of the new stars break through that way.


Yes.  I love concerts.  I am always reading reviews about concerts.  Did you know that in 2002, a Creed concert was so bad that people walked out and sued the band.


It must have been really really bad then for someone to sue them


It had to be pretty bad.  I went to an Ariana Grande concert and it was amazing.  I just found out the other day that she is not hispanic but is Italian.  Do you know her real last name?


Grande-Butera. I did think she was hispanic too though. SHe has come a long way


Yes she has.  She is an extraordinary young woman.  At ten years of age, she co-founded a youth singing group which performed for charitable events.


Awesome girl. She was even hit by a puck at the florida panthers current arena


I wonder if that is on video.  I just saw a video the other day of Ariana dressed as Anne.  She began her career in 2008 in the Broadway musical.


She even held a charity concerts after what happened in Manchester with the bombing


That was very kind of her to do that.  She also lends her voice to animated television and films.


Ironically, her famous song dangerous woman was written by three men. go figure


Wasn't that Anthem called "Dangerous Woman."  I am sure she approved the lyrics in the end.


Oh I am sure of that. Have you heard of the Ramones?


Aren't they the band that tours like all the time.  They've been touring for about 20 years, right?


Yeah and they have held something like 2263 concerts in thos eyears


That is hard work over the years.   Another band who worked really hard in 2001 was Linkin Park.  They played 324 concerts in only one year.


That is amazing, a lot of concerts. THere is an ancient theatre in croatis where you can still have a concert.


I wonder if this is the same theatre where Pink Floyd recorded a live concert but they didn't have a live audience.


That is so strange, who did they hold a concert for?


I guess no one.  They just wanted to make the music for the album.


I have grown up in an era when Arethra Franklin has not been active as an entertainer. I did not expect so many famous people to attend her funeral.


She was admired by many who came from different backgrounds


That is fair to say. I wonder how Ariana Grande was chosen to sing at her funeral.


I am not sure myself but maybe Aretha's family were fans.


To me, they seem to come from entirely different generations and probably musical styles as well.


Did you watch the live stream of the funeral?


No, I actually did not. The only footage I saw was the controversial way the pastor hugged Ariana Grande.


Given all the powerful people sitting right there,I was bothered as well by it.


I think it's unfortunate that this controversy overshadowed what should have been a respectful service.


Did you enjoy the other performances of the other entertainers?


I did not watch the entire service. I only watched Clinton's remarks aside from Ariana Grande.


All those who spoke, did well to speak of her impact on the country in her music and personal strength.


Can you elaborate more on her personal strength? I have a vague understanding that she overcame some personal challenges.


She became hugely successful during the height of oppression and discrimination in this country.


I see. It now makes sense to me why a number of civil rights leaders were at the funeral.


Aretha will always be known as the Queen of Soul


I'm not sure I am too familiar with Soul music.


I enjoy listening to her more popular songs on the radio, but I don't seek out her other recordings or go to her concerts.


I went to her Manchester Bombing fundraising concert.


Oh, that's very interesting. I'm curious to know what the mood must have been like.


She kept it an uplifting concert and it was a really good time.


How's it going? Have you heard about the two nooses found at the Mississippi State Capitol? How appalling


Hello! Yes I have heard it, it's terrible. I think it's indicative of a larger problem. Trump was going to speak for Cindy Hyde-Smith that same day I believe, and she made a joke recently about a "public hanging", it's absurd.


It's alarming they haven't found any suspects yet


Maybe they have, I feel like they've just chosen not to release details of it. It seems that even more power is shifting to the Republicans, and it could be against their agenda to release that info.


Yea, Hyde-Smith doesn't look good supporting public hangings and embracing the Confederate flag


Are you interested in the Senate in general? I personally try to stay out of politics but think there are some very interesting aspects/facts that come out of it.


I know it was established by Article One of the US constitution


Some things are flat out humorous about them. They actually used the same gavel for 165 years until Nixon broke it.


Yea, it's pretty funny a sergeant at arms actually carried a senator into the chamber


He must have really not wanted to be there haha. They definitely have their share of fun, I hear there's literally a drawer full of candy, and it's a long standing tradition.


I wish my job had a candy drawer like they do in the Senate


I'm sure your job might still have more freedom. Women in the Senate couldn't even wear pants until they protested it in 1993.


Yea that's strange, I wonder why republican are against pant suits, I know they like beards since every president with a beard was a republican


That's interesting, probably coincidental though. A crazy thing about Republicans is that the last time a Republican was elected president without a Nixon or Bush on the ticket was 1928, that's nearly a century!


Yea and there hasn't been a non republican/democratic president since 1853, that sucks


But it makes sense, those two have dominated the parties, I can't see it changing. I think the colors sort of represent that. The blue and red colors weren't always used, but only consistently since 2000. That makes me feel like it's a product of other parties not being successful.


It be nice if things did change, until 1805 the runner up in the presidential election automatically became vice president


I wonder if that would really be effective now though. It seems that presidents in general are less professional now too. The president of Indonesia actually released 3 pop albums in office.


I wonder if the president of indonesia ever visited the White House, the guest house is larger than the actual white house


Maybe he'd be one of the wealthier guests to ever visit too. Trump is somehow not even one of the top three wealthiest presidents we've had, that seems impossible.


Maybe jfk, Washington, and jefferson have the most wealth adjusted for inflation


Probably, I'd guess regardless they'd have maybe been richer than President Banana, the legitimate first president of Zimbabwe.


Lol, well i have to go, nice talking with you


I used to listen as a kid. Not so much now. I use the Internet. Sometimes listen to podcasts.


That's cool.  I listen to my radio on my commute and from work every day.


That's a great time to listen. Better than using a smart phone to text.


I hear that.  I see way to much of that on the roads! I'm thinking about equipping my car with a flamethrower, like they do in South Africa.


I think that would be totally rad. A flamethrower! Give the keys to your teenager and let 'em have fun!


It's legal there to prevent car jacking.  I'd probably use it for road rage incidents or if I saw you using your phone.  I'd zap you a couple of times! Light you up.


That would be good. Or a giant phone jammer in the trunk to stop local cell phone connections. Would you take your flamethrower through the drive thru?


Of course!  Forget my pickles, then I light you up!  You know Mcdonald's started the drive thru in 1975.


McD's did not plan on the flamethrower cars in SA, I guess. '75 sounds late to me. I figure it would have started like in the 60s.


I thought it was kind of late, too.  But, apparently it was done for the servicemen who couldn't get out and go into the restaurant in their fatigues.


That makes sense. I've seen troops in fatigues walking around. Maybe the rules changed?


I think it has changed, now.  But look what the old drive thru has done for the fast food industry.


It has made people even more immobile and overeating. I figure with a bathroom in the car, we could go everywhere without leaving the vehicle.


Yeah, revolutionized it in a bad way.  Too easy to pull though and get your fix, like a junkie.  Do you watch any movies?


I do like my movies. I usually go to Rottentomatoes to find out what's good.


I do too.  IMDb is a good source for movie info, plot summaries, biographies, etc.  I mainly use it to answer trivia questions.


That's a good reason! I use imdb to find out the ratings for films. Usually try to find things over 7.0.


Cool.  It's been nice chatting with you today.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!


Did you know that every US president with a beard has been a republican?


Must be something in their philosophy.  Hopefully if they have a female candidate one day it not a requirement.


Interesting, they are also the only party to have 2 tv stars end up winning the presidency.


Maybe the democrats need to find a TV personality?  Any suggestions?  A pop star like the Indonesian one?


I'm not sure, they seem to have an awful lot of celebrities who "claim" to be democrats, though I don't know if that is just for TV.


There's been a few Senators, Al Franken comes to mind.  Who was Sonny Bono for?


Yeah, I remember that. Sonny was a republican but he wasn't president.


I wonder if there will ever be a president other than a Democrat or Republican?


Probably not in my lifetime. The multiple party system doesn't work that well I think. Look at some of the Euro countries.


It depends on the country.  When you think of the best places in the world, they have multi party systems, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Germany.


Yeah, I don't know if I would consider any of those places the best in the world to be honest. They are responsible for the last two world wars over there.


That's a long time ago under different systems.  Every country has skeletons in its closet. But the multi party thing can be a hindrance, look at Britain right now


Yes, with Brexit. I think multi-party systems make it much harder to build a final consensus on policy and thus end up in no progress in either direction.


At least the two party system can agree on one thing, the need for a candy desk in the Senate!


Did you know that in 1957 Truman visited Disneyland?


If I were president I's go to all the fun places, maybe arrange summits in the best resorts.


Yeah, I would go all over. But it probably sucks to have all of that attention following you everywhere.


I used to work in retail in DC.  We'd get important politician in, once Dick Chaney.  Before they come in the secret service would scope the place out looking for emergency exits and such.  Then the person would come in surrounded by security, no privacy at all.


Interesting, I worked in DC too. You see the politicians all the time if you go to certain places like the Hawk and Dove. For example, ted Cruz hangs out at Tortilla Coast, it's pretty funny. But I'm not into politics.


I'd always see them at the Palm restaurant on 19th street.  Senators and congressmen.


Yeah, hilarious. Well, nice chatting with you.


Yes I think it's important to stay up-to-date. The Republican Party currently controls the presidency. Or should I say the Grand Old Party!


lol  Did you know that every US president with a beard has been a republican?


That is a very interesting fact. They're currently having some trouble though. The president's former personal lawyer is pleading guilty to fraud and breaking campaign finance laws.


I saw that!  Not looking good.  There hasn't been a US president who wasn't a republican or a democrat since 1853.  I think we might see a different party within the next 20 years.


I would love to see a different party. In the past the runner up in a presidential election automatically became the vice president.


Isn't that interesting.  Wonder how Trump and Hillary would have gotten along?  lol


That would have been hilarious. They would cause havoc in the Senate. The Senate is widely considered both a more deliberative and more prestigious body the House of Representatives.


Yes...the senate used the same gavel for 165 years until Richard Nixon cracked it!


Wow I bet Nixon was so disappointed. Women were not allowed to wear pants on the US Senate floor until 1993.


That seems like the dumbest rule I've ever heard.  Michael Jordan once was asked why he wouldn't endorse black democratic candidate Harvey Gantt in a North Carolina senate race and Jordan responded "republicans buy shoes too"  lol


I love how he speaks his mind. Have you heard about the candy desk tradition?


I haven't but I remember we had one in elementary school.


Oh cool. Well the US Senate candy desk is currently supplied with candy made in Pennsylvania including Milky Way bars, mars bars, and jellybeans.


Nice!  That's pretty neat they still do that!   Consistent use of red and blue colors for republicans and democrats only started in 2000.  I remember them using the colors before that though.


Yeah that seems pretty recent. I think it's interesting how the republican core base shifted after the Civil Rights Act of 1964!


I agree.  The Southern states became more Republican and vice versa for the North.


I didn't realize that the Republican Party was founded by anti-slavery activists.


I didn't know that either!  Did you know the first president of Zimbabwe was called President Banana? lol  It's been fun chatting!


That is hilarious. I wonder if they have any other nicknames for any other presidents? Great talking to you as well partner. Have a good one.


Hello - did you know the top 3 wealthiest presidents in US history were JFK, Washington, and Jefferson?


I've heard that. It's hard to believe that Trump isn't even in the top.


Yea that's crazy. I would think Trump would be on top too.


It's also crazy that there's only been one president that's had a PHD, and that was Woodrow Wilson. I guess you don't have to be that educated?


That is crazy. I would have never guessed. I saw that the president's guest house is actually bigger than the white house....


That's crazy too. The White House is pretty huge.


Yea it's pretty massive. I didn't know that up until 1805, the runner up for president automatically became the VP.


Could you imagine if it was the same way. We'd have Trump and Hillary? That would be a debacle!


Yes it would. I found it cool too that Roosevelt selected Truman has his VP because he found so much corruption and waste that he saved the government $10-15 BILLION!. We need someone like that again!


Yes, that would be really cool. Did you know the president of Indonesia released 3 pop albums while in office? LOL


I did not know that. Could you imagine if one of our Presidents did that? Maybe a Clinton, Bush, Obama mixtape could be in order!


I agree, I would pay for that one for sure. It's also crazy that the last president to speak a foreign language fluently was FDR.


That's pretty crazy for sure. I didn't know that there hasn't been a president who wasn't a republican or democrat since 1853.


Yeah that is crazy. I wish we could get away from the two party system again, but it's doubtful that'll ever happen.


I agree. I think it causes too much polarization.


I do too. It's like they're in two rival gangs and don't want to work together. It's like "come on people, we're Americans first!"


I think they need to start working together a little more to get some items accomplished.


Yes they do, stop with the mudslinging and get to work doing what people voted you in to do!


Hi, tricky question.  I like following political news but talking it can sometimes be difficult.


You right! I really liked John Mccain though. What about you?


The more time passes the more I came around to liking him, he seemed to do what he thought was right.  His brain cancer was a shame.


It really was. I guess he family thinks a building should be named after him. I think it should be. But it's named after someone who is tied to racial segregation. What do you think?


In my opinion it should be renamed anyway, whatever they call it.  It's amazing how politicians can tie themselves in knots over a simple renaming issue.


Thats true. What do you think of how Trump handeled Mccain's brain cancer and death?


Whether you like someone or not you have to be respectful of them.  It would be hard time for the family and to hear the president attacking him publicly can't be nice.


That's very well put. The republicans were shocked at Trumps behavior. I guess he blames Mccain for Obamacare. Did you know that the same gavel was used in the senate for 165 years?


Places like that love tradition, it's like the pants thing, woman not being able to wear them until 1993.


Isn't that crazy! A lot of women still dont wear pants. And they have a candy desk in the senate. I'm like what?


It's like a bunch of school kids, hiding candy in class where the teacher can't see.I wonder if they let the president have his pick.


I bet he does! Did you know the republican party was founded by anti slavery activists?


No.  I's kind of funny that the roles have reversed.  The Democrats would see themselves as the party of social equality now.  In the sixties voters in the south moved to the Republicans because of the Democrats stance.


You are right, Every thing has flipped politically. I wonder about some of the things they support. Republicans are very conservative. Just like the Mormons.


I wonder where the red and blue thing comes from to represent the parties, I hear it's relatively new.


I think so. Did you know that every president that has had a beard is republican? How fun!


It'd be funny to see a beard on Trump.  It used to be the case that the runner up in the presidential election became vice president.  I'd love to see Trump and Clinton working together.


Oh my lord! Could you imagine! I wonder if Trump is one of the wealthiest presidents we had?


It's difficult to know since he won't release his tax records.  I know Washington and Jefferson were land owners, but I wonder where JFK got his money from.


Thats a good question. I might have to look that up.


I doubt he made money by making pop records like the Indonesian president.


Thats true! The Zimbabwe president was called president banana.


hey there, do you know much about us politics?


somewhat, lets talk about the senate. they used the same gavel for 165 years until nixon cracked it


I wonder if they were mad at him for doing that. women were not allowed to wear pants.


Interesting that their is a candy desk which is near a busy entrance.


and they only have candy from pensylvania


absent senators can be arrested and force into the chamber to cast a vote.


yeah one of them was arrested and dragged in feet first. what a strange rule


lets talk about the president next, JFK is one of the three wealthiest presidents in history


along with washington and jefferson . they must have had so much money


In Zimbabwe the first president was called banana


wow, I wonder if that is a common name there though


I wonder also. The guest house for the president is larger then the white house


they must get a lot of guests during the year. did you know the president of indonesia is a pop artist?


no thats interesting. Also until 1805 they used to have the runner up become the vice president


imagine if that happened now and clinton were the vice president


yup. Lets talk more about the republican party. Every president with a beard has been a republican.


Interesting one. did you hear about truman refusing to take a picture with a dumbo?


no I have not. Also red and blue representing the parties started in 2000


yeah apparently he did not want to be associated with republicans and their symbols in any way


republican and democrats have held the presidency since 1853, no other party has


I guess that is why we only hear from those two parties. nice chat


Did you know the Republican Party is also referred to as the GOP (Grand Old Party)?


I've heard that. It's crazy to think that there hasn't been a president who wasn't democrat or republican since 1853. Maybe time for more than two parties?


That might change with the upcoming election in a couple of years, seems like people are tired of both parties.


I'd say I'm wholly tired of one party, tired of a few people in another. : ) Consistent use of red and blue to identify the parties was not used until 2000. I swear I remember this when I was a kid, but guess not.


Lol, I hear you on that! Yeah that seems fairly recent but then again it's been almost twenty years! I wonder when the animals (donkey and elephants) were introduced then because I remember that to be a long time ago as well.


Yeah, agreed. Harry Truman wouldn't ride the Dumbo ride at Disney because he didn't want to be associated with the GOP -- so the elephant donkey has been around much longer.


That's interesting, do you know how the Dumbo ride at Disney and the GOP are related?


Dumbo is an elephant. Elephant = GOP. Don't think they are actually related Just the symbolism of the elephant.


Oh ok! I forgot dumbo was an elephant! Good call Mr. Truman! Do you have a favorite president?


Hmmm. That's a tough one. Probably Obama or Lincoln, neither of which are among the three wealthiest presidents. That would be JFK, Washington and Jefferson.


Me too, I think Obama was a great leader and delivered speeches very well. I also liked Michelle too, she contributed to so many wellness programs! Do you know how those presidents became so wealthy?


I'd guess Washington and Jefferson from politics and farming, as well as family inheritances. JFK just came from a rich family. I love Michelle too. She is definitely my favorite First Lady! Did you know the White House guest house is bigger than the actual White House?


Oh yeah and probably something to do with owning tons of land too probably and sadly back then slaves as assets! I wonder when the president and the first lady bicker, whether or not they get stranded to the guest house, not a bad place considering it's much bigger!


Haha. So true. Speaking of bickering, it used to be that the runner up for president became Vice President. Can you imagine Hillary and Trump in the same White House!


I'm truly wondering how that works because the runner up for presidency is usually the opposing party! If that happened for the past election, I think we'd also be in a state of national emergency and shutdown probably.


Yeah. And maybe nuclear war inside the white house! The president of Indonesia has made 3 pop albums while in office. Glad Trump is not going that route.


I think I'd get the goosebumps from listening to pop albums made from presidents. Perhaps Kanye West would convince Trump to make a pop album so that he could stay in the grandiose guest house?


Haha. Hopefully Kanye has learned to stay away from Trump. The first president of Zimbabwe was named President Banana. Wonder if that was his given name or he chose it when running.


Yeah! What does one do to warrant such a nickname, my creativity is generating from the types of nicknames we could give to President Trump, but I'll keep those to myself for now.


Well, if they had President Banana, we could try to think of a fruit-based nickname for Trump as well.


You read my mind! I think Alec Baldwin does a great impression of Trump on SNL!


Have you heard of the idiots who hung nooses outside the Capitol building in Mississippi?


I did, that was absolutely awful, I don't think they have found them yet.


I will never understand how someones color offends people so much that they would do things like that. At least no one died this time.


Racial intimidation at it's finest. I was surprised Gillum lost his race.


In my opinion, unless Trump is out of office come 2020 the racial divide will only worsen.


It started before trump, I find it interesting that Michael Jordan won't endorse black dem candidates.


Well when it comes to athletes most of them are in it for the money, and wont endorse anything that isn't paying them to do so.


That's not exactly true, many of them have expressed their views on social media.


that's true but its only started happening more recently. It's sad that things had to get so bad for people to start making stands.


American politics are insane. Strom Thurmond holds the record for the longest filibuster, he talked for 24 hours. Amazing.


Oh yeah they sure are. Americans take it very very seriously also, so much so that fights break out over who has the better candidate. I think the whole American political system needs to be fixed. Get rid of the two party system all together, and the electoral college.


I think the electoral college needs to go, and then work on the two party system. If anything, a psychological test for the POTUS would be a great place to start.


Yeah but the Government is so full of corruption and yes men that that will never happen, at least not until we can vote someone in who really wants those changes and really fights for them.


They are all corrupt, in one form or another.


Yep, but did you know the u.s. president's guest house is larger than the white house?


Yes, a friend's husband works there and he was surprised when he reported for duty the first time.


Also the last time a republican was elected president without a nixon or bush on the ticket was 1928


I don't think that matters though, there are many political families.


Well politics are just insane right now and come 2020 its going to get really crazy.


The dems had better do something, other than run Sanders, Warren, Clinton, or another who has a lot of issues.


Yep well its been a nice chat, cheers mate.


Hello, are you particularly interested in politics?


I am very interested in politics, though it's hard to stay keep up with Trump, Pence, and most of the Republican party these days.


Yeah, even though a lot of things regarding the Republican Party has been consistent. The last time there wasn't a Nixon or Bush on the ticket in a Republican winning election since 1928.


Another consistency is that not a lot of democrats want to be associated with Republicans. Apparently, when Harry Truman visited Disneyland, he didn't want to be photographed on the Dumbo ride because he thought it would associate him with the Republican party.


That's interesting! I wonder if something like that could happen regarding the colors red and blue. Although that's a much more recent way to signify democrats and republicans.


So crazy how recent. I feel like I remember that as I was growing up. But I also never recall a republican president with a beard, but evidently, they are the only presidents to ever have one.


Yeah that's interesting, I wonder what the stats on beards are for earlier parties. Although we'd have to go back a while to discover it, the last non Democrat OR Republican president was in 1853.


That's because the party system back then is completely different than it is now. For instance, women weren't even allowed to wear pants on the Senate floor until relatively recently.


Oh yeah the Senate is definitely interesting, they've kept a lot of things the same for a long time. They actually used the same gavel for 165 years until Nixon cracked it.


Or the candy desk? Apparently they have had a desk near the entrance since 1968, where a senator will sit with a full drawer full of candy.


Yeah that definitely makes them seem like children at heart haha. Then again I've heard horror stories too, like once I know a senator tried to leave the chamber and was dragged back inside.


I believe that was some crazy law passed in the 80s, that allowed the Sergeant-at-Arms to force absent Senators to the Chamber for a vote.


Oh wow that's interesting. I think what I find interesting is how other people interact with the Senate. Like Michael Jordan had his famous, controversial reason as to why he wouldn't endorse a Black Democratic candidat.


Just another Republican I don't want to be around, haha!


Ahah fair. So are you interested in individual presidents at all?


I wish I knew more about the first Zimbabwe president, President Banana. He seems like an interesting guy!


Ahah he sounds like he'd be funny. I wonder who'd be more fun, him or the Indonesian president who released 3 pop albums while in office.


Hard to tell. Now if some of the richest presidents, like JFK or GW, could throw a party and invite everyone... That would be a good time!


Oh yeah, they would have to just remember to hold it in the guest house and not the actual White House, which is somehow smaller!


There are a lot of surprising things surrounding the White House. Like, how crazy would it be if the Vice President was actually just the runner-up to the President, like it was up until the early 1800s.


Oh it's definitely a good thing they've changed the system since then. If not, we'd have Hillary Clinton instead of Mike Pence, which regardless of political opinion, would certainly make things confusing.


Actually, we'd have Donald Trump since Hillary actually won the election. Talk about a crazy pair... President Hillary Clinton and Vice President Trump. Who knows? Maybe crazy enough to work.


Oh yeah that's true, I forgot how the popular vote turned out. To be fair, Republicans have lost the popular vote in 6 out of the last 7 elections somehow.


Kind of says something about how the American people are feeling, huh?


Yes I know that they had the same gavel for 165 years until Nixon broke it


Yes and they were also mandated to come and vote under all circumstances


Yes and once they dragged a senator in feet first to vote


Yes they have a permit to do that for those that run away from voting


Yes. Did you know they have a candy desk in there?


Yes and they have the good brands like Mars, jellybeans and milky way


yes they have to be candy that is made in Pennsylvania


Yes. Did you know women were not allowed to wear pants till late?


Yes that was until 1993 and I think that was so sexist and weird


Yes I agree. Good thing those two senators protested and now is a thing of the past


Yes me too. Did you know what jordan said when they asked why he did not support a democrat?


Yes he said that republicans buy shoes too


Yes he is a smart businessman for sure and had to cover both sides


Yeah. Do you know who the wealthiest presidents are?


Yes that was Jefferson, JFK and Washington


Yes. DO you know what was the first president of Zimbabwe called?


Yes. Did you know the white house is smaller than the guest house?


I guess they need the room as they might get a lot of guests


Are you familiar with the US elected positions like the senate or president?


Yes.  I know the U.S. senate just had  a runoff featuring a black democrat.


Wasn't that the one where people hung nooses at?


That's correct!  They haven't released the surveillance video to se who was doing it.  There were signs hung as well on the same day President Trump had a scheduled campaign stop in the area.


It is a shame that people only judge based on skin deep skin color and find that enough justification for hate and their stupid behavior


I agree 100 percent!  The world would be a way better place if people could just get along.


I wonder why people want to encourage and propagate such behavior. I hope people only just elected officials based on quality and future aims rather than gender or race


Switching gears a little...here's an interesting tidbit....the us congress has played a republicans vs democrats baseball game annually since 1909.  I never knew that.  Have you heard it?


I haven't but it does seem plausible. Did you know every president with a beard was republican? Perhaps it is the invasion of the brainwashing beard aliens


LOL  I never knew that either.  I'm learning a lot this morning.  Republicans dominated politics nationally and in the majority of the norther states from 1860 to 1932.


I was surprised that the red and blue people associate with rep and demo was a recent thing. I always thought it was a tradition


Same here.  In 1912 Theodore Roosevelt formed the Progressive Party after being rejected by the GOP.  Would be interesting to see if someone could pull that off in this day and age.  I'm not a fan of either democrats or republicans.  No one if office seems like they do what they say they are going to do.


I wonder if a 3rd party will finally win. I don't like the candidates both parties have been offering for the presidential election. A election for president should have people wondering who is less bad


I agree!  5 presidents have been elected while still losing the popular vote.  I never really understood why it isn't a popular vote.  Just doesn't seem right at the core of it.


In any case, did you know the most wealthiest presidents were washington, jfk, and jefferson? I guess wealth plays a part in making presidents great?


Interesting.  Never knew that.  Especially in this day and age.
 Money talks.  The only president to have a phd was Woodrow Wilson.  We need ordinary people like doctors, etc. to run in politics.


I agree to an extent. It would be nice to have a person who genuinely is qualified and is motivated to do the best for the country rather than all the bureaucracy today


I guess on the bright side of things, at least we don't live in an authoritarian state where we have a dictator.


True. Do you think that having the runner up in a presidential election becoming VP a good tradition?


I used to think so because someone would need to take the place of the president if something happened to them.  However, it seems the vice presidents over the last 20 years haven't done anything other than show their face in public.


Does the VP do nothing? I though they still had a reasonable amount of responsibilities.


They do but it doesn't seem like we ever hear about them.  Seems like they are always doing public appearances, shaking hands, etc.  Almost like they are doing publicity for the United States.  lol


That makes sense. In any case thank you for the informative chat.


Hello there, do you know much about politics in general?


Yes I follow it a lot.  It is awful what Republican leaders are doing.  They will not stand up to Trump at all.


Yeah I don't know what to think anymore with the whole thing. Do you know when the red/blue colors used to differentiate the parties started?


It started really recently - like in 2000.  The only presidents since 1853 have all been republicans and democrats.  We need a 3rd party


Yeah I thought it started way long ago, and that is so true!  I would love to have another party who actually has a chance.


It was so bad that Harry Truman refused to be photographed on the Dumbo ride at Disneyland because he could not bear the thought of being associated with Republicans!


That is just too funny to be true, but it is lol.


But if you want to have a beard in office - better be Republican!  Democrats have all been clean-shaven


Isn't that really funny, I think the next democrat to win should grow one out just to put an end to that!


Well the next Democrat might be a woman so that could be difficult!  It is time that the United States has a woman as head of state.


Yeah I didn't even think about that, I really think we will have one in the next twenty years at the most.


I hope so!  I was surprised to hear that George Washington was one of the wealthiest presidents.  I had no idea he was so rich


Yeah same here, and JFK as well, I don't think our current president is as wealthy as he says he is as well.


Right.  Our president could perhaps have been friends with the Zimbabwe's president - President Banana!


Yeah that is true!  I think they called him that because of his name, but ours has his name because that's how he looks!


Yes.  It must drive him crazy that the president's guest house is bigger than the white house!


I really wonder what all the guests that come to stay there think when they see the size difference.


We haven't had any presidents as cool as the president of Indonesia - he released 3 albums while in office!


Yeah I bet those albums sold really well and made a ton of money too!


Profiting off his presidency just like our current president does!


Exactly good call!  Well it was nice talking with you today, I hope you have a good day.


did you know that Trump wouldn't be in the top 3 wealthiest presidents? Like that must be adjusted for inflation


I did not. That would be an interesting thing to look into. Speaking of presidents, did you know that the first president of Zimbabwe was called President Banana?


haha no, I wonder if that was a compliment or not? Like I don't know that I would want to be called president banana if I were president haha


Yes I have to wonder that also. Another weird foreign present fact is that the president of Indonesia released three pop albums while in office.


that is crazy, can you imagine if Trump released pop albums while in office, that woudl be insane!


I can't imagine any American President releasing music while in office. Before or after would be strange. During is unheard of.


haha I agree, can you imagine if we had the old rules where the runner up would become VP, so Hillary would be VP and Trump would be president, just wild!


That would be a nightmare as partisan as things are now. Were you aware that the guest house is bigger than the white house? That seems strange.


I didn't know that and I don't see how that is possible, did you know that every president with a beard has been a member of the republican party


I did not. That is a very interesting fact. I wonder if there is any data about why that is? I know that until our last election every Republican ticket that won since 1928 had a Bush or a Nixon on it.


ya that is kind of scary, except I don't think that is stilll true since Trump won


Correct, he was the first in a long time to break the trend. We have a very strong two party system. There hasn't been an elected president who wasn't a democrat or republican since 1853.


ya that is wild, and the use of blue and red for democrats and republicans only began in the year 2000 apparently


I am very surprised by that. I would have thought that it went back much farther. Did you know that when Truman visited Disneyland he refused to be photographed with Dumbo for fear he would be associated with republicans.


haha that is funny, did you know that the white house guest house is bigger than the white house itself, like how is that possible?


That does seem very strange. I wonder how they let that happen. Did you know that Nixon cracked the gavel that had been used in the senate for 165 years?


no that is crazy, did you know that women weren't allowed to wear pants in the senate until 1993?


1993?! That's way too late. That's upsetting. They always have a hard time modernizing it seems.


yes that is true, I guess a bunch of female senators did a protest in 1993 by wearing pantsuits which were supposedly off limits haha


I do not blame them. Did you know that the senate has a candy desk?


I didn't know that, what kind of candy is inside? that makes me hungry haha


Do you follow politics much? Every once in a while I'll see an article that catches my eye


Yeah from time to time. Do you know much about the Senate in the US?


Not much, but I've heard there's been some hesitation about renaming an office building after John McCain


I wonder why though. I mean he was a republican so not sure why they are not moving ahead with that.


I think the problem is more that it seems like a rash decision because he recently died. They're more against the process than they are actually doing it


I guess I do not know enough about politics. I know that in the US Senate they have a desk with candy in it for people to grab.


Not just any candy, but the ones made in Pennsylvania. It's a long-running tradition, too!


Yeah good for them. They had a gavel that they used for 165 years until Nixon broke it


Wow. I wonder what was being discussed when that happened. Women have only been wearing pants on the Senate floor since 1993, and the only reason that changed was that two senators protested


I am glad they did, they should wear what they like, what is up with that. Did you know that Jordan was asked why he did not support a Democrat candidate?


His response to that was pretty funny. "Republicans buy shoes too." Politics is definitely about more than just skin color, that's for sure


Oh yeah for sure. And he is a businessman he was to think about that too. Did you know that despite his wealth Trump is not the richest president?


I guess some of the others were just as influential and wealthy. Sometimes we don't realize it due to inflation and the changing value of the dollar. Until 1805, the runner up was VP rather than the winning candidate appointing someone else


Really different times. There was some hierarchy there. Did you know that the guest house is larger than the white house?


I wonder whose idea that was. I wonder how many guests it can hold. Indonesia's President has hobbies on the side while in office and has released three pop albums


What a president. The president of Zimbabwe was called banana.


Maybe that was his favorite fruit. Many of our Presidents have had beards, and all of them were Republican. The Democrats are clean shaven


I wonder if they do that on purpose to keep up with a secret tradition. Did you know why Truman refused to be photographed with a dumbo?


Probably since the Republicans use the elephant as their symbol. The red and blue color associations are as recent as 2000


Yeah that is exactly. How strange of him. Do you know when the republican party was founded?


I know it has a long history and has changed much over the centuries


Yes I've heard of it before. I use it almost every day actually, what about you? I do know that Amazon owns them


See, I didn't know that Amazon owned them. That really surprised me.


It's very interesting that IMDb has about 5 million titles and 9 million Personalities in their database, they also have about 80 million registered users, and I'm one of them haha


I know that Shawshank Redemption is the highest rated film on it. Good movie btw.


Yeah I love the Shawshank Redemption! Also crazy that Harrison ford and Robert De Niro share a lead for most film appearances in the top 250 movies, those are some good movies though have you ever made a goal to watch all of the top 250?


Yeah, they are. Did you know IMDB started out on Usenet?


No I didn't know that! That's really weird, do you know the order for all the Star Wars movies? Apparently IMDb does, which is why I think they're useful haha


Yeah, I mean I know the release order and the actual order, if you ask me, all of them after the original 3 sucked though.


Yep I agree with you. I don't like any of the new ones. Especially the last Jedi, I thought that movie was absolutely terrible. It said no like you said, that the Shawshank redemption is a great movie, and only made back about 3 million dollars more than its budget


yeah, I wasn't a fan either. I remember when Shawshank came out. It didn't do well.


Do you drive a car by the way? I drive mine almost every day to work, I know that they started back in the late eighteen hundreds I think


I do, but rarely. We use public transportation a lot here. Did you know in South Africa it is legal to equip your car with a flame thrower?


No I didn't know that! I could use that where I am though it's, freezing cold haha. I also go to drive-thrus when it's freezing cold, do you know when those started?


So I heard they were started by McDonalds in 1975 to accommodate soldiers who weren't allowed to get out of their cars wearing fatigues.


Yep you're right! They're so useful, I'm shocked that they weren't invented earlier, do you know the origin of the term trunk btw? like the back of your car?


I heard that cars used to have big trunks on the back, is that what it was?


Yep you're right. They would be big wooden Trunks, and you would put stuff in them, definitely a fire hazard if you were in South Africa and someone else had a flamethrower LOL


Hilarious, I can't seriously believe that this is legal in South Africa, but maybe so.


I guess! speaking of cars, have you ever played the car video game Gran Turismo? It's a racing game, and apparently someone was so good that they beat 90,000 people then became a professional race car driver


No, but I heard it is pretty good. I wonder who that person is? Well, nice chatting with you.


I'm doing good thanks for asking. Did you know Jupiter has radio storms that can be detected on Earth?


I didnt know that. Are you a space nut. I dont mean that negatively.


Nope not really. I like to learn about space from time to time, but would not consider myself a space nut. I saw that in Canada it's a law to have a least 40% of the music played on the radio to be Canadian.


Thats understandable I guess. Although I dont know why they would really worry to much about something like that.


It really does. Continuing  with the radio theme of our conversation. Did you know that radios can be made using a razorblade and a pencil for the diode. I might try to make one.


Oh wow I did not know that. Pretty good idea though.


Yeah it is. They used to make them in WW2. They called them foxhole radios. I guess anything to get some peace of mind in a time like that.


That's pretty cool. Hopefully it kept them entertained.


Tue dat. On a lighter note there is a website where you can listen to thousands of classic radio dramas for free. That would be cool to hear what they listened to back in the day.


That's pretty cool they offer that for free. Do you like cars?


I like cars. I hate working on cars. Not saying I dont work on them, I do, I think thats why I hate it so much.


LOL. The trunk of your car is named that because the older cars actually had wooden trunks in them.


I had heard that before. I wonder what people from those days would think about the cars of today.


They would probably be pretty amazed at how much they've advanced.


Yeah just the amount of cars on the road would probably amaze them. With over 1.25 billion vehicles on the road in 2014.


That's a lot of vehicles. I saw in South Africa it's legal to hook up a flame thrower to your vehicle to prevent carjacking.


Yeah that would sure deter me from stealing a car.


Hey there.  Here's hoping you're not in Florida's Gulf Coast.  Seems to be storm central


Yea, people had to be evacuated due to Subtropical Storm Alberto


No, and that's not even all, there is going to be 12 inches of rain


Not sure what's worse a storm or an erupting volcano.  Did you hear about the evacuations in Hawaii?


Yea, all the lava ended up destroying residential property


Never really thought about toxic gas being an associated hazard.  Man FEMA there must have their hands full.


Yea that's not an issue one has to worry about in the US except if you live in Hawaii, an island made from active volcanos


Yea, it's already too expensive despite air travel being 10% slower than it was in the 60s


Yeah, hate flying as well.  You know what's crazy... Iceland has no public rail service so anyone there without cars uses domestic flights between towns. Crazy.


That's crazy, I wonder if Iceland have many rabbits? Sailors would release them as a future food source on newly discovered islands


That's kind morbid but smart too.  Think I might have read something like that on Facebook.


I think facebook is more trouble than it's worth, half of US divorce filing mentioned facebook in 2011


wow.  didn't know that.  wonder if any of those couples can sue facebook.  hey they're valued at $104 billion.  Lots to go after there.


I'm sure some will since 30% of adults use facebook as their primary source of news


Man, remember when we wanted to share something with a relative, we'd just pick up a phone?  Don't know why people need to share everything with the world.


Maybe it has something to do with their being more people on facebook then there were people in the world 200 years ago


I suppose.  Sorry, I'm old.  I actually remember rotary phones.


Did you know that an undertaker invented the dial telephone?


Weird.  Wonder what his motivation for that was.


Not sure. Well I have to go, nice chatting with you


Yes I do.  New York has the fastest number to dial on a rotary phone


Yes, it is.  Why was New York so lucky and special?


Not too sure on that one. The cables carrying phone and data lines across the ocean are only 2.7 inches thick.


They left them on the ocean ground.  Fish might bite them.


I don't know.  We do not have to worry cuz I'm sure in the US we are changing to wireless (satellite).


True true. It's impossible to separate two phone books that have had their pages overlapped.


I heard about it.  What other interesting facts do you have about telephone?


I know Unicef will donate a day of clean water to a child in need for every minute you don't use your cell phone.


I wonder how they keep track of the minutes.


Not too sure on that one. An iPhone has more computing power than the US nuclear ICBM deterrent system.


Yes, I heard about it.  It's totally amazing.


Yes, I do.  It would cost more than $300 in tolls to travel across Japan.


That's a lot of money in tolls. I saw the Dutch are creating a bus that can travel 160 mph.


I will not ride on their bus.  It is scare to travel that fast.


Me either lol. Mackinac Island in Michigan has banned all motorized vehicles.


I heard about it.  So, how do people travel around the island?


It should be fun but it can be annoying since they are slow.


I agree. Well, good chatting with you. Have a good one.


I love to travel when i have the money and time. which is not often these days. LOL You?


Same! It's been a while but I do love to travel! Can you believe the Dutch are creating a bus designed to travel at 160mph? That is way too fast for me!


Yeah, i bet they have a lot of safety measures in place for that though. i would love to travel at that speed.


It would definitely save time! That's for sure! I'd like to see more people walking though. It's so much better for the environment. Mackinac Island, MI has banned motorized vehicles for over 100 years! Most travel by bikes or horse-drawn carriages still.


Yes, walking is good. human powered transport. I would love to visit that island and unplug and relax.


Yeah! I'd love to unplug and unwind! It's long overdue for me. Speaking of vacation, King Kalakaua of Hawaii was the first King to travel around the world.


He was a wise king. see the world and gain the wisdom to rule your people better.


Oh, I agree! Did you know that all of Japan's highways are tolls? And it costs $300 to travel across Japan? That's way too expensive!


Yeah, the trains are a better way to go there. fast, comfortable and stylish.


Speaking of trains, Iceland has no public rail service and most Icelanders without cars use domestic flights to travel between major towns.


I think the terrain in iceland is not suited to rail. if they have airports they have money.


I would love to visit that country some day. the name is totally misleading. where woudl you like to go?


I'd love to visit Canada. The weather seems so nice and way less hot than where I live. Do you have a facebook account?


Canada is a nice place. pick your season carefully though! I do not have a facebook account!


Oh really? I just got my first facebook account and it seems to be pretty pointless, since I don't have many friends. Haha


I worry about privacy and data usage. i figure that fb sells off tons of data to other companies.


Oh, I personally believe that Facebook must be selling our data! Could you imagine if our government was rewriting our constitution via facebook, like Iceland is? That's crazy! Basically forcing their people to use Facebook, or miss out on important current events!


Maybe people would hack the system and make thursday free ice cream day! LOL Anyway, great chat!


Yum, ice cream! Haha. Thanks so much for the great chat! Have a good day! Goodbye.


Somewhat, mostly domestically.  Have you ever heard of U2's song, "With or Without You"?


A figure skating duo used it in their act.  It was perfect since the two were parting ways after being successful together for so long.  A tear jerker...


That is touching!  Speaking of touching, just wanted you to know that UNICEF has a thing going where they will donate a day of clean water to a needy child for every minute a person does NOT use their cell phone. This is a great thing they are doing. It helps the children and encourages less exposure to cell radiation. Win win!


That's great of UNICEF.  I guess that song by U2 affect the skater's life a great deal and helped her through a breakup.  It later somehow got her donations to attend the Olympic Games in PyeongChang.


Nice!  Traveling to the Olympics is a trip of a lifetime! Maybe not as historic as King Kalakaua's trip around the globe, but still, a nice vacation!


Hawaii has a king?  Did you know the iPhone has more computing power that the entire US nuclear ICBM deterrent?  Scary!


King K was the first King to travel around the world, but that was some time ago... I have an iPhone, and it has more computing power than I have...


I think my phone has a PhD because it often outsmarts me... Did ya know NY's area code is 212 because it was easy to dial with a rotary phone.


I resemble that remark!  I may have to unfriend you. If I unfriend 10 people on FaceBook, Burger King will give me a free Whopper. I jst hope I don't see any of those former friends at BK...


Why, do you have a PhD?  I wonder why BK is doing that? It seems antisocial.  Meanwhile the Dutch are being productive with their 160 MPH bus...


Yes, I have a PhD and I am from NY...and I am lazy... Maybe BK is joining the fight against FaceBook addiction.  I wonder if we can ride that Dutch train with our heads sticking out the window?  Weeee!


I'm PhD ABD... Ah!  What is the concentration area?  Yeah maybe on the BK thing.  It seems a little evil.  I would like to go to Mackinac Island.  If I had to never use a car again, I would be fine with that.


Biochemistry.  I wouldn't mind going to Japan!  Would have to fill my pockets with quarters though...all highways there are toll roads.


Mines Systems Engineering... Yeah, $300 worth if you are going across.  You may want to consider a sub-300 MPH rickshaw.


I would mind a Buzz Lightyear jet pack! Your rickshaw must be pulled by quite an athlete!


It is Godzilla-powered.  It's good to hear something positive about FB.  Iceland is using it to rewrite their constitution.  I really would like to go to Iceland...


Sure, but be aware that Iceland does not have a public rail system, to get ready to fly from city to city... Give me a slow canoe ride through the everglades and I am in heaven!


I do love to canoe and raft.  Maybe Iceland will legalize rickshaws of llama for the short hops with their new constitution. Mopeds?


Just don't make the mopeds in Iceland solar-powered!  I travel the globe by internet cables. I can get anywhere in the world online in seconds. The toughest part is squeezing through those 2.7" cables that traverse the ocean's floor.


Yeah, I bet that's problematic.  Fiber optic ones are painful and embarrassing.


Right? No privacy!  Nice chatting with you my friend!


Yes, everyone can see your plight! Thanks to you as well.  You were excellent as well as entertaining!


Do you think that the American culture doesn't prioritize families? Are parent doing their job?


I think there is less and less prioritizing on families and family life as time goes on.


I agree.  There is a lot more depression too.  I think it may be related.


I think that is true, but that is a topic of debate for sure.


Most kids in low-income households come from broken marriages.  In my experience, many young adults don't bother with marriage.


Yeah I think that hurts growing up and contributes to that depression.


Many parents are also in jail.  In short, two-parent families are becoming more rare. It's sad...


It is getting rare and very sad, I hope there is a turnaround in the future.


Me too.  Did you know that an iPhone has more computing powers that the whole U.S. nuclear ICBM deterrent?


WOAH!  That is crazy to think about and really makes you think how far technology has come.


It's scary too.  It's wild that NY has a 212 area code because it was easier to dial on a rotary phone.


I wonder how that was the fastest?  I would have thought it was all 1's.


Yeah, that's true.  Wow, the 1st king to travel around the world was King Kalakaua of Hawaii.  Hawaii has a king?


I did not know that, I wonder what year that was?


Dunno.  I'm guessing a while back.  Did you know Iceland has not public train and most people there don't have cars?


That is pretty wild, sounds like they just use flights to get around to major cities.


Wow, it can cost over $300 in tolls just to travel across Japan.  Are there tolls for rickshaws?


I don't think so, but I do think that the roads there are in really good shape.


They should be.  Did you know Facebook is mostly blue because Zuckerburg has red-green color blindness?


Yeah I think I have heard why that is why everything is blue.


Yes, as I said, mostly blue.  Thanks for the chat.


New york's area code is 212 because it was the fastest number to dial on a rotary phone


Cool! The inventor of the dial telephone was an undertaker.


Yes, it is creepy.  Sounds like Tales from the Crypt


lol.....did you know that a 1930's actress name Hedy Lamar helped invent the cell phone and wifi?


No, I sure didn't.  It's been in the "making" for a while then.  Myspace turned down an offer to buy facebook for $75 million in early 2005


wow! I know the creator of Facebook regrets not taking that offer.


Haha, yeah right.  Facebook's "like" button is illegal in the german state of schleswig-holstein.


illegal?!?!? Wow. Well, air travel is down by 10 percent since the 1960's.


The dutch are creating a commuter bus designed to travel at 160mph.


soooo...did you know that there are more ppl on Facebook now than there were in the world 200 years ago?


sure is....also one third of divorce filed contain the word Facebook....ha


The dutch are creating a commuter bus which goes 160mph!  That is crazy!


Wow! I guess that is definitely one way to travel. Do you prefer to travel on foot, bike, car, or other means?


I love riding my bike.  It is good exercise and a fun way to commute.


That is a good mode of travel. You wouldn't have to pay highway tolls such as in Japan. Since all of japan's highways have tolls, it costs 300+ just to travel the country


Yes.  Motor vehicles are not always the best way to travel.  In Iceland most people without cars take planes between cities.


That is probably because they lack a public rail service. Speaking of travel did you know it was the king of hawaii who was the first king to travel around the world?


I did not know about the king of Hawaii.  It it is not necessary to travel as much anymore because we have telephones which convert sound over cables.


While telecommunication devices allow several users to converse by turning the human voice into electronic signals, it is too bad it can't convert experiences as clearly as actually traveling and experiencing different places.


That is very true but phones are still amazing.  The cables that run the Internet are only 2.7 inches in diameter on the ocean floor!


I mean phones have so much technology packed into them. Did you know an iphone has more computing power than the entire us nuclear icbm deterrent?


That is crazy.  We are addicted to our phones these days.  Maybe that is why Unicef will donate a day of clean water to a child for every minute you don't use your phone


That is great, helping children get water and keeping people from getting addicted to their phone. I wonder how they measure ever min you don't use your phone?


I am not sure.  These days people don't even use phones much for talking - facebook is all the rage


I mean facebook is currently the dominant social media platform, whose ipo alone was valued at 104 billion. I bet Myspace is turning in its grave that it turned down the offer to buy facebook for 75mil


Yes.  Who uses myspace now?  I love the fact that Burger King offered free whoppers if you unfriended 10 people on facebook.


I wonder what Facebook did to make burger kind make such an promotion?


I have no idea.  I love that Iceland is using facebook to help alter their Constitution


It simply demonstrates the sheer power and influence of the social network platform. Personally I like the blue color of facebook, but did you know it is blue since zuckerburg suffers from red green colorblindness?


I do love the color blue.  Facebook has grown so incredibly since it was started as a college website.


They have indeed come a long way, especially since it is dominating its space and is willing to acquire startups with great potential.


Hi there. Telephones are great, but we can talk using our computers too.


Yep, I last used a landline about 13 years ago. Crazy to think the cablese that carry phone traffic are only about 3 inches wide and just lay on the ocean floor.


Right, how does that hold up and not get tossed around by animals or something else?


No idea! I also see that unicef will donate a day of clean water for every minute we dont use ours phone (I assume this is over now)


I wonder how they verify that! It's a great idea though. I can often go a while without using my phone some days. I remember using a rotary phone at my grandmothers, decades ago.


Me too, for a bit at my parents home. Confuses modern teenagers too!


Ha! Speaking of teenagers, can you believe that My Space turned down the chance to buy facebook? Talk about a bad decision!


I'm kind of glad they didn't. MySpace probably couldnt handle what Facebook would become, if that's a good thing.


I can barely remember what my space was like. It's funny to think that facebook was so limited at first and now anyone (well if you are 13) can have an account. And it seems like everyone does!


Just about! Like the text says, ti was used primarily for colleges and I had to wait to get an account


And now Iceland is using it to get input on writing their constitution. I guess that's a sign of our time that


Yup, cant gather everyone. Let them communicate from where they are!


I'm a vegetarian so I wouldn't take Burger King up on their offer of a whopper, but would you be willing to unfriend 10 people to get one?


I would unfriend 10 people for less reason than that, but yes, I would! I think its interesting that the like button is illegal in parts of Germany


Speaking of saving money, I bet the people in Japan wish all their roads weren't toll roads. Hard to believe it cost $300 to travel across Japan.


Not too surprising, they are probably trying to keep vehicles off the road. Have you ever been in a hurriance?


Actually yes, I have. Two, as a matter of fact. Have you?


Nope, upper midwest here. The most we worry about is snow. The idea of even smaller hurriance force winds likd 65 MPG scares me


I live on the southern coast. So I stayed through one hurricane and evacuated for another. It's wild!


I dont envy that. We have received lots of snow lately, but we just move it!


That's something I don't know anything about. I bet that makes the day start off in a difficult way, if you have to shovel snow before work!