Yes, we can.

[JWBear]

"Hip replacement" is more like it....

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Well, I read in the paper today there's a 1 in 5 chance of any sitting U.S. President dying in office. I have no idea what that stat is based on. It was printed in the L.A. Weekly.

But John McCain, if elected, would be the oldest serving president in U.S. History.


That combined with the absolute loathing I hold for his V.P. choice leaves me concerned about the Vice Presidency more than I ever have been for any other election.

That stat would be based on the fact that out of 43 Presidents, 8 have died in office (making it actually slightly less than 1 in 5).

And whether the odds are slightly increased or not remains irrelevant to me. I'm voting for the Presidential candidate and I have to assume that the one that makes it in there is going to be the one that is doing the job. Unless the VP is someone so entirely anathema to the reasons I'm voting for the primary candidate that it would be impossible for one to even understand why they'd choose to run together, it just doesn't matter in the least to me.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Well, I read in the paper today there's a 1 in 5 chance of any sitting U.S. President dying in office. I have no idea what that stat is based on. It was printed in the L.A. Weekly.

But John McCain, if elected, would be the oldest serving president in U.S. History.


That combined with the absolute loathing I hold for his V.P. choice leaves me concerned about the Vice Presidency more than I ever have been for any other election.

(William Henry Harrison + Zachary Taylor + Abraham Lincoln + James Garfield + William McKinley + Warren Harding + Franklin Roosevelt +John Kennedy) divided by 43 presidents = ~ 18% or 1 in ~5.5

However, those are just the ones that died. I think you would have to add Nixon to that list since he did not finish his term. That brings us to 20% or exactly 1 in 5.

Of course I think it might be more accurate to count the number of terms rather than the number of presidents. We are currently in the 55th term. So that gives us ~ 16% or 1 in 6.25 chance of a VP becoming president on any given term.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I who cares about VP?

You haven't....however Palin's experience has become a major issue in the media, meaning that obviously many people do care. A whole bunch of people on this board seem to care. My comment wasn't intended to suggest you did.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Maybe McCain will adopt David Bowie's Changes as his theme song, then he can be both for change and hip.

Well, so far he isn't having much luck with using music from various artists. Members of Heart, Jackson Browne, Frankie Valli and the composers of the Rocky theme have all told him to stop using their music in his campaign, especially since he didn't ask for any of their permission first.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Damn you demon Scaeagles, must you always post what I am going to post before I post it.

Great minds and all....mine just works a bit faster, it seems.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

Well, so far he isn't having much luck with using music from various artists. Members of Heart, Jackson Browne, Frankie Valli and the composers of the Rocky theme have all told him to stop using their music in his campaign, especially since he didn't ask for any of their permission first.

What's the deal with that? Do they really need permission? Can an artist say, yes you can play my song here but not there? As long as you pay the proper fee can't anyone use a song? Or is this considered advertising and covered by different rules?

[Betty]

Since he didn't pay any fee either, it doesn't really matter.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

What's the deal with that? Do they really need permission? Can an artist say, yes you can play my song here but not there? As long as you pay the proper fee can't anyone use a song? Or is this considered advertising and covered by different rules?

It probably varies artist to artist, but in most cases it's probably just a matter of courtesy. Their contract probably doesn't give them veto rights, but it seems a matter of principal that if an artist requests you don't use it you're kind of a dick if you continue to. That said, if it ain't in the contract and you immediately come out acting all indignant, that's pretty lame. But if you ask nicely and they still say no, by all means, complain away.

Originally Posted by scaeagles

You haven't....

OMG, I, like, totally did!

The exact quote is:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

]I have never really understood the focus on the VP. They have no official authority over anything. As mentioned already, anything they have involvement in is only because the President has decided to put them in that role. Which the President could do for anyone, VP or not. The VP is just another glorified adviser at best, the President's got tons of those no matter what. I'm not swayed by the "heartbeat from the Oval Office" angle. Over 58 Presidential terms, only 8 have not been completed by the person elected. No matter who MIGHT, in the rare, ~15%, instance of the elected President not finishing the term, take over, it's not going to make me want to vote for or against someone who would definitely be in the office if I wasn't going to vote for or against them before.

[scaeagles]

Of course - posting while tired. Sorry. I meant you haven't expressed that you care. The media does and many people here do. You have expressed exactly the opposite.

Wow....I need to stop posting tonight. Duh. Said exactly the opposite of what I meant.