TinyPortal

General => Chit chat => Topic started by: TwinsX2Dad on March 25, 2006, 09:19:46 AM

Poll
Question: Who was the first president of the United States of America?
Title: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 25, 2006, 09:19:46 AM
Simple question - you know the answer, don't you?
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: G6Cad on March 25, 2006, 09:47:43 AM
Simple enough Twins :D
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: Crip on March 25, 2006, 12:01:40 PM
the question is?  ???
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: alan s on March 25, 2006, 12:24:58 PM
Larry The Cable Guy Obviously.................................. :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 25, 2006, 03:48:35 PM
If I may, what's the point of this?

Just curious.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 25, 2006, 04:56:42 PM
Quote from: crip on March 25, 2006, 12:01:40 PM
the question is?  ???

It is in the poll.

Question: Who was the first president of the United States of America?


Quote from: anunlike on March 25, 2006, 03:48:35 PM
If I may, what's the point of this?

Just curious.

Well, listening to Hannity the other day on the radio - he did his man on the street type segment and again, it is incredibile how little people actually know about the world around them. So I thought I'd ask a simpler question and see how many people were uneducated enough to answer correctly. And, it is okay to do it here, as the board description tells me this:



Chit chat
Feel free to talk about anything and everything in this board. Please use the specific boards for any support on themes and TP.



I would have to say that this falls under the the concept of talking about anything and everything, like many have done here. Except in this case, some people might learn something.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: G6Cad on March 25, 2006, 05:08:50 PM
I think itÂÃ,´s quite fun with this kind of quizz :)
Especially when i knew the answer :D
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 25, 2006, 05:41:45 PM
Wasn't attacking it, was just curious. No biggie.

As a side note, there are a lot of people here who are not from the USA and shouldn't necessarily be expected to be familiar with USA history or to know this. So, expect to find some who vote according to what they know, but will naturally vote wrongly.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: bloc on March 25, 2006, 08:13:36 PM
Quote from: TwÃÆ'Ã,­nsX2DÃÆ'Ã,Â¥Ã,,‘ÂÃ,³ on March 25, 2006, 04:56:42 PM
So I thought I'd ask a simpler question and see how many people were uneducated enough to answer correctly.

lol..I hope you meant "educated enough" and not "uneducated enough"...
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: Crip on March 25, 2006, 08:20:16 PM
lol :)
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 25, 2006, 08:47:23 PM
Quote from: anunlike on March 25, 2006, 05:41:45 PMAs a side note, there are a lot of people here who are not from the USA and shouldn't necessarily be expected to be familiar with USA history or to know this. So, expect to find some who vote according to what they know, but will naturally vote wrongly.

Actually, in my experience, Europeans & Asians seem to be better educated on matters like this than are Americans. My reference to Sean Hannity bears this out. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Sean Hannity, he is a conservative radio & television talk show host. Anyway, his street segments place a woman with a cell phone out on the streets of New York, Washington & Boston - sometimes elsewhere, but these are the tree they pick on the most. This woman grabs people at random, doesn't tell them who they will be talking to and gets them to talk to Sean on the phone. He asks simple questions - who is the President, who is the Vice-President, who is Secretary of State, who is the British Prime Minister. It is really sad how many people can't give the correct answer for the VP and others. What is worse is that there are occasionally those who cannot tell you who the President is.

Residents of the state of New Mexico are often told they cannot place an order, because the company doesn't ship to international destinations. In fact, depending on who you choose to listen to, between 20 and 30 percent of Americans think New Mexico is south of the border and not a part of the United States. There are many who don't know that Georgia is a country, not just an American state.

So, Americans are often not the sharpest tools in the shed. Please don't sell yourselves short, just because you're not American.



Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: alan s on March 25, 2006, 09:00:51 PM
amazingly enough the person who voted for Larry The Cable Guy wasnt me....................
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 25, 2006, 09:01:22 PM
Taking that as a given for a moment (I think that's overgeneralizing and oversimplifying things), you still can't expect every person to know the answer, and if you don't know the details of the person voting and what their vote was, the stat is pretty useless, in an overall context.

I mean, getting results from a group of people, when you nothing to very little about those people, individually and as a whole, isn't suggestive of anything, as per a poll like this.

It might be interesting to see what the results are, but the results don't mean anything and aren't suggestive of anything.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 25, 2006, 09:14:27 PM
Quote from: anunlike on March 25, 2006, 09:01:22 PMIt might be interesting to see what the results are, but the results don't mean anything and aren't suggestive of anything.

You're correct, which means this poll is about as accurate and worthwhile as any online message board poll. The alternative is that it is all for fun!

I like fun.

I am forced to grow old - I am not forced to grow up.   ;D
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 25, 2006, 09:25:38 PM
Ok. Was just curious. ;)
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 26, 2006, 07:10:35 AM
Quote from: TwÃÆ'Ã,­nsX2DÃÆ'Ã,Â¥Ã,,‘ÂÃ,³ on March 25, 2006, 09:19:46 AM
Simple question - you know the answer, don't you?

so far 11 people have it wrong...ROFL
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: IchBin on March 26, 2006, 07:20:39 AM
I prefer to think that the first President was George Washington since he was the first president under the constitution. But I won't name the real one. :) I think there were 6 or 7 others before George too if I remember right.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 26, 2006, 07:32:58 AM
Quote from: IchBinÃ,â,,¢ on March 26, 2006, 07:20:39 AM
I prefer to think that the first President was George Washington since he was the first president under the constitution. But I won't name the real one. :) I think there were 6 or 7 others before George too if I remember right.

/me claps for IchBin
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 26, 2006, 09:32:17 AM
Quote from: IchBinâââ,¬Å¾Ã,¢ on March 26, 2006, 07:20:39 AM
I prefer to think that the first President was George Washington since he was the first president under the constitution.

Hey wait a cotton picking minute - did George Washington ever get his image on a dollar bill?

Oh wait - I guess he did.   :o   ;D
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 26, 2006, 05:29:55 PM
Quote from: IchBinâââ,¬Å¾Ã,¢ on March 26, 2006, 07:20:39 AMI prefer to think that the first President was George Washington since he was the first president under the constitution.

Good answer.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 26, 2006, 05:59:30 PM
But the first question was not "under the constitution", but simply who was the first president!
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: IchBin on March 26, 2006, 06:09:45 PM
My point was, that I didn't really consider us a nation until the constitution. Hence, the George Washington comment.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 26, 2006, 06:28:24 PM
Ahh, I realized that...but we were a nation before the constitution (albeit a very disorganized one).
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 26, 2006, 07:06:05 PM
Quote from: technodragon73 on March 26, 2006, 06:28:24 PM
Ahh, I realized that...but we were a nation before the constitution (albeit a very disorganized one).

Ah, see, there's the problem. They weren't the "'United' States of America", yet. They were just the "States of America". ;) :D
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 26, 2006, 08:43:25 PM
true, but even they had a president
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 26, 2006, 08:47:27 PM
At any rate, I'm being lighthearted about it.

Hmm... It seems the question wasn't so simple, after all.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 26, 2006, 08:50:36 PM
Quote from: anunlike on March 26, 2006, 08:47:27 PM
At any rate, I'm being lighthearted about it.

Hmm... It seems the question wasn't so simple, after all.

ROFL, it was, but even the simplest question can lead to the most heated of debates!
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 26, 2006, 09:00:34 PM
Ha ha.

So true.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 27, 2006, 01:48:44 AM
Hold the phone!

It was NOT the 'States of America.'

The 1st Presidency of the United States was held on March 2, 1781 during an official ceremony in Philadelphia. This 1st U.S. Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was unanimously ratified by all 13 States on March 1, 1781 creating "The Perpetual Union of the United States of America." At that moment the Continental Congress ceased to exist and the United States of America in Congress Assembled assumed all federal power under the new U.S. Constitution.

So many people acknowledge that the United States began in 1776 - on July 4th, to be precise. The bicentennial celebrations were held in 1976 and it is widely accepted that the United States will be 230 years old this year - far longer than any other government ideal in existence.

George Washington didn't become President until 1789 - so what happened in the intervening 13 years?

Does it matter now? Probably not - Lincoln's Presidency is the one which sent this country into a Federalist state and arguably ruined the pure freedoms this country was founded on. But it is fun to talk about, especially among those who hold to the teachings given in the public schools.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 02:27:43 AM
Quote from: TwÃÆ'Ã,­nsX2DÃÆ'Ã,Â¥Ã,,‘ÂÃ,³ on March 27, 2006, 01:48:44 AM
Hold the phone!

It was NOT the 'States of America.'

The 1st Presidency of the United States was held on March 2, 1781 during an official ceremony in Philadelphia. This 1st U.S. Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was unanimously ratified by all 13 States on March 1, 1781 creating "The Perpetual Union of the United States of America." At that moment the Continental Congress ceased to exist and the United States of America in Congress Assembled assumed all federal power under the new U.S. Constitution.

So many people acknowledge that the United States began in 1776 - on July 4th, to be precise. The bicentennial celebrations were held in 1976 and it is widely accepted that the United States will be 230 years old this year - far longer than any other government ideal in existence.

George Washington didn't become President until 1789 - so what happened in the intervening 13 years?

Does it matter now? Probably not - Lincoln's Presidency is the one which sent this country into a Federalist state and arguably ruined the pure freedoms this country was founded on. But it is fun to talk about, especially among those who hold to the teachings given in the public schools.

Ya, but the public (goverment) schools, always refer to George Washington as the "First" president...so obviously it is not those teachings that you are referring to?
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 02:49:05 AM
Quote from: TwÃÆ'Ã,­nsX2DÃÆ'Ã,Â¥Ã,,‘ÂÃ,³ on March 27, 2006, 01:48:44 AM
Hold the phone!

It was NOT the 'States of America.'

I was joking. ;)
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: iowamf on March 27, 2006, 03:11:58 AM
did ya' know:

the original draft of the constitution was "We the States" instead of "We the People" ...

interesting how the founders looked at State rights (wish that was still held).

but don't trust me - I voted for Larry the Cable Guy.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 03:39:30 AM
Quote from: iowamf on March 27, 2006, 03:11:58 AM
did ya' know:

the original draft of the constitution was "We the States" instead of "We the People" ...

interesting how the founders looked at State rights (wish that was still held).

but don't trust me - I voted for Larry the Cable Guy.

Actually, the way the constitution was written it very much kept the rights to govern to the states almost entirely...just a few powerful peopl (mostly within the last century) that warped that.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 05:06:09 AM
Yep, so much of the Constitution is gone ...
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 27, 2006, 05:22:31 AM
Quote from: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 02:27:43 AMYa, but the public (goverment) schools, always refer to George Washington as the "First" president...so obviously it is not those teachings that you are referring to?

But, of course it is!

Quote from: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 02:49:05 AMI was joking. ;)

I know you were. Usually, when I begin with something as silly as HOLD THE PHONE, this means I too am joking. Or at least being a little humorous.   :D

Quote from: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 03:39:30 AMActually, the way the constitution was written it very much kept the rights to govern to the states almost entirely...just a few powerful peopl (mostly within the last century) that warped that.

Yes - but actually those powerful people in power since 1861. Except, of course, for Teddy & Ronnie.   ;D

Quote from: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 05:06:09 AM
Yep, so much of the Constitution is gone ...

It is an incredibly sad thing.

I love my country - the government, on the other hand, can rot in (insert your most feared place here).

Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 05:26:35 AM
Quote from: TwÃÆ'Ã,­nsX2DÃÆ'Ã,Â¥Ã,,‘ÂÃ,³ on March 27, 2006, 05:22:31 AM
Quote from: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 02:27:43 AMYa, but the public (goverment) schools, always refer to George Washington as the "First" president...so obviously it is not those teachings that you are referring to?

But, of course it is!

Quote from: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 02:49:05 AMI was joking. ;)

I know you were. Usually, when I begin with something as silly as HOLD THE PHONE, this means I too am joking. Or at least being a little humorous.   :D

Quote from: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 03:39:30 AMActually, the way the constitution was written it very much kept the rights to govern to the states almost entirely...just a few powerful peopl (mostly within the last century) that warped that.

Yes - but actually those powerful people in power since 1861. Except, of course, for Teddy & Ronnie.   ;D

Quote from: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 05:06:09 AM
Yep, so much of the Constitution is gone ...

It is an incredibly sad thing.

I love my country - the government, on the other hand, can rot in (insert your most feared place here).



My favorite warping of the constitution is the phrase "seperation of church and state"  I defy anyone to find those actual words in the constitution!
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 27, 2006, 05:28:19 AM
Quote from: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 05:26:35 AMMy favorite warping of the constitution is the phrase "seperation of church and state"  I defy anyone to find those actual words in the constitution!

Where? Where are they?

You're right........ THEY AREN'T THERE! 

But the left-wing, liberal judiciary seems to fit that concept in whenever they can.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 05:35:47 AM
My point exactly...

Exact wording:
QuoteCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

note: it says nothing of religion in school, court, or any other public place....has everyone been so dumbed down by government education that they forget that this country was founded on christian beliefs?  Granted there is no "official" religion, but most of the laws were considered as a result of those beliefs!
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 05:36:46 AM
My biggest overall complaint is that the federal government is just too damn big. It was never designed to be anywhere near what it's mutated into. Much of what the authority that the federal government has should still be in the hands of the respective states.

One way I like to look at it, our country was founded on three important things.
1. A very limited federal government.
2. Individual liberty
3. Personal responsibility

None of these really exist, anymore, at least they're no where near the importance that they should be.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 27, 2006, 06:00:47 AM
Quote from: anunlike on March 27, 2006, 05:36:46 AM
My biggest overall complaint is that the federal government is just too damn big. It was never designed to be anywhere near what it's mutated into. Much of what the authority that the federal government has should still be in the hands of the respective states.

One way I like to look at it, our country was founded on three important things.
1. A very limited federal government.
2. Individual liberty
3. Personal responsibility

None of these really exist, anymore, at least they're no where near the importance that they should be.
You forget to list quite possibly the single most important liberty that has been taken awya and the single most-important foundation of this country...private property rights!
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: elpvn on March 27, 2006, 06:32:47 AM
Too easily, but easier said that done,Ã, lol !

T-T
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: Moocat on March 28, 2006, 08:06:42 AM
what is this "private property"?
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 28, 2006, 02:21:09 PM
Quote from: Moocat on March 28, 2006, 08:06:42 AM
what is this "private property"?

ROFL...you're kidding I hope....
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 29, 2006, 12:47:53 AM
One cannot sovereignly own property in the United States.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: Moocat on March 29, 2006, 04:34:15 AM
it was sarcasm, techno, a poke at the fact that there is no such thing.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 29, 2006, 04:57:07 AM
Quote from: Moocat on March 29, 2006, 04:34:15 AM
it was sarcasm, techno, a poke at the fact that there is no such thing.

not anymore there is not...the founders intended for ewveryone to own their property...d*** supreme court changed all of that...public use changed to public purpose...GADS!
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 29, 2006, 05:39:47 AM
There have even been some cases of taking away private property to give to others who want it for private purposes.
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: technodragon73 on March 29, 2006, 05:42:12 AM
exactly my point!

I can understand for public use (ie roads, schools, libraries...etc) but not hotels, bigger houses, etc
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 29, 2006, 05:45:14 AM
Quote from: technodragon73 on March 29, 2006, 05:42:12 AMexactly my point!

I can understand for public use (ie roads, schools, libraries...etc) but not hotels, bigger houses, etc

Privately owned condominiums ...
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: TwinsX2Dad on March 29, 2006, 07:03:47 AM
Quote from: anunlike on March 29, 2006, 05:45:14 AMPrivately owned condominiums ...

That too. It seems that anymore, properties are condemned solely to enhance revenue.

Come to think about it, revenue enhancement is what is behind many traffic citations.

Money is power. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Don't you dare try to take my guns.......   ;D

(If he tries hard enough, he'll get in every political point possible in a single thread! - Ed.)
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: anunlike on March 29, 2006, 07:19:45 AM
Quote from: TwínsX2DÃ¥Ã,,‘Ã,³ on March 29, 2006, 07:03:47 AM
Quote from: anunlike on March 29, 2006, 05:45:14 AMPrivately owned condominiums ...

That too. It seems that anymore, properties are condemned solely to enhance revenue.

Come to think about it, revenue enhancement is what is behind many traffic citations.

Behind all the video cameras installed on a lot of the traffic lights in a lot of cities, as well.

QuoteMoney is power. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Indeed. You want to know the truth behind something... Follow the money trail.

QuoteDon't you dare try to take my guns.......   ;D

Same here!
Title: Re: A Simple Question
Post by: mnichols7 on March 31, 2006, 02:45:21 PM
I wanted so much to vote for Elvis, but at last he is not old enough.   :(