Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2009 January 20

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January 20

ACCA

Hello!I am an ACCA student and want to go to Ireland for further study.I have heard that some from a non.european country complete ACCA in Ireland .they gave him nationality automatically .Is that true?I have read this in the ACCA Official Magazine Student Accountant. Thanks for any info —Preceding unsigned comment added by 119.154.45.69 (talk) 07:22, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

If I understand the question, you're asking about ways to get Irish nationality. The best place to get that information would be the Irish immigration authorities, go here. You could ask the ACCA as well, go here. --Richardrj ^{talk email} 12:43, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

I very much doubt it, see Irish nationality law. The best I would have thought you could get is to be allowed to count the time studying as going towards naturalization as normally it wouldn't. You'd have to check upon that. Dmcq (talk) 18:37, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Opening guests at tech conferences

I was looking at the Lotusphere article due to it being in the news tonight and I am a bit confused by something. What does the Special Opening Guest do? I see people like Avery Brooks, John Cleese, Patrick Stewart and Dan Aykroyd listed but I don't see what they have to do with Lotus or IBM. So, what do they do at these things? Do they just do a autograph signing and collect a paycheck for it? Or is it more involved than that? Dismas|^(talk) 08:23, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Besides bring cachet and raise brand awareness? (got to watch those marketing people) -- Julia Rossi (talk) 09:21, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

They typically give an opening speech. This could be anything from some sort of inspirational 'future direction' thing - to nothing much more than a stand-up comedy routine that's been slightly tailored to the nature of the event. Sometimes, some luminary from the field of the conference might give a retrospective of his or her memories about the former leaders in the field. Typically takes up the first hour of any major business conference. SteveBaker (talk) 14:31, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Thank you, Steve. Dismas|^(talk) 04:28, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Middle names in US Presidential inaugurations

I noticed they used "Hussein" today, which has been pronounced by conservatives to try to imply that Obama is a Muslim terrorist. Is this always done at inaugurations, or was this done to try to rattle him ? StuRat (talk) 17:08, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

I don't have a reference or link to provide at the minute but I strongly think that it is customary to use the President-elect's full legal name. I remember years ago hearing "William Jefferson Clinton" when Bill was sworn into office. cheers, 10draftsdeep (talk) 17:51, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

On the "inaugural invitations" that the Obama people sent out the used the middle name. I don't think it was a conspiracy of any sort. It's his middle name. He's not ashamed of it. That conservatives could be ignorant about it hardly matters at this point. --98.217.8.46 (talk) 17:54, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

They used George Walker Bush's middle name too. Rockpocket 18:16, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

This unreferenced CBS blog entry by Katie Couric says that Reagan left out his middle name for the oath and James Earl Carter was "Jimmy". Ford used his middle initial, Nixon used Milhous the first time, but left it out at the second inauguration. Cleveland, Wilson, and Coolidge omitted their first names.

I'm particularly curious about Truman's middle initial at the inauguration. ---Sluzzelin talk 18:37, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Moreover, middle name is insignificant if you want to fly.Vikram79 (talk) 18:56, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Our article on the inauguration says that Obama himself chose the actual phrasing, so obviously it wasn't done to rattle him. Certainly some idiots will make a fuss if he uses it and a different fuss if he doesn't, so if those idiots weighed on his thinking, I guess he chose charges of rubbing our noses in his terrorist allegiances over charges of being a cryptomuslim. --Sean 19:15, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

The decision to use Hussein in the inauguration was Obama's own. He stated that he was so doing as to be "historically consistent" with past inaugurations. Even this, of course, was not without controversy as Rep. Steve King from Iowa complained about this usage, dismissing Obama's explanation as obviously false and proclaiming the inclusion of Hussein as a heinous double-standard [1]. The accusation of its usage being a double-standard was prompted by the Obama camp's complaints in response to commentators such as Ann Coulter referring to Obama as "B. HUSSEIN Obama," and other emphasizing of the middle name during the campaign in a transparent and childish attempt to somehow thereby smear Obama. Apparently that tricky concept we refer to as context eludes Representative King. As for the usage of middle names during recent inaugurations: Neither Jimmy Carter nor Ronald Reagan used it, both Bushes did, and Ford got just the middle initial (all of these are on youtube, links upon request). Anyway, my understanding is that all but a small handful of presidents have used their full names. I believe there was even some controversy regarding Carter's usage of "Jimmy" rather than his full legal name.

As an aside, the former King Hussein of Jordan, an ally of the United States who made peace with Israel after decades of war, was described by George HW Bush as an "old friend", and whose funeral was attended by 4 US presidents and their wives and numerous other dignitaries from all over the world would appreciate it if Americans would please stop with the "Hussein" paranoia. Thanks. - Azi Like a Fox (talk) 19:25, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Heck, I've even known an "Osama", who, thankfully, was rather short, or he might be at Guantanamo Bay as we speak. It's stupid to judge people based on their name being similar to other people we hate. I do question parents who name their kids "Hitler", etc., though, as intentionally trying to cause trouble. Obviously this would only apply if the kid is named after the name in question has become infamous. StuRat (talk) 20:41, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Even naming kids "Adolf" would be asking for trouble. As would "Saddam", "Dracula", and various others. Those are special cases. But this is not about Obama being given some contentious name like that. "Hussein" is an extremely common name in the culture of Obama's father, and will continue to be so, despite Saddam. Even if that were not the case, there's absolutely nothing irregular about anyone swearing an oath and using their full legal name, whatever it is. In some contexts, a person swearing an oath would be required to give their full legal name, whatever it is. That presidents-elect are not required to give their full legal name, but can get by with their commonly known name if they choose, does not make the choice of the full name in any way inappropriate. -- JackofOz (talk) 22:31, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Hussein is so common a name in the world, stopping using it because of one two-bit dictator would be akin to stopping using names like "Smith" and "Jones" should a crazy two-bit dictator with THAT name come along. I don't think having a name as common as Hussein represents any sort of political liablity, except in the minds of those that wear tin-foil hats and run in fear from the black helicopters. --Jayron32.talk.contribs 00:06, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Children taken from their parents because of their names - in the United States. AnyPerson (talk) 00:52, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

In New Zealand, a count intervened to assist a child named Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii. Rockpocket 01:05, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Which count ? Count Dracula ?  :-) I don't see a prob with that name, assuming everyone will just call her "Talula". StuRat (talk) 07:02, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Yup. ;) Oddly enough she simply went by "K" (though the reason for that isn't obvious). I agree that it doesn't seem as bad as Sex Fruit, though. The best thing about that article is the comments at the bottom. Poor Craig Gogay... Rockpocket 08:03, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

What about Miss Hooker? What a name! [2] 122.107.203.230 (talk) 09:41, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Maybe courts do have to explain to parents that a netuser name is not the same as a living child title. Evidently there are some contemporary Ghengis Khan's around, too. (OR here). One weird-name survivor has to be Ima Hogg. Julia Rossi (talk) 11:39, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

I see no inherent problem with naming a child after a famous person, like Martin Luther King, unless you consider confusing generations of school children to be a problem. :-) StuRat (talk) 17:47, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

President Obama's post inauguration income.

I understand that Mr and Mrs Obama will have less income as President and First Lady than they did previously as lawyers, senator, author, and company director, given, in part, that she receives no income for her role as first lady. I know they will live rent-free in the White House and that they will have extensive security, travel, hospitality and catering provision but still, with no other legitimate income during his term(s) as President, they could ostensibly leave office in a relatively impoverished condition. That said, and given I live in the UK and have no political or other affiliation with the Obamas other than one of admiration, could I legitimately make (and could they legitimately accept) a genuine goodwill cash donation for their personal use, now or in the future? 92.10.160.235 (talk) 21:34, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Almost all presidents take a big pay cut on taking office. Unlike most (almost all recent presidents have been multi-millionaires) Obama's assets are (relatively) thin; but he'll receive decent income from the two books he's published before taking office, at least for a while. As you say, while he has a rather modest income, he will have very few day-to-day expenses (I think the kids' school fees will be the biggest item), so he won't become poorer. Bill Clinton really did leave office impoverished, as he owed millions in legal expenses associated with the Jones and Lewinsky matters - but he's since made millions speaking and consulting. Obama will likewise, so there's no need to take any pity on him. 87.113.74.22 (talk) 21:42, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Presidents do make a stipend, at last check it was $140,000 per year of office which would still put the family in the upper 10% tax bracket. Cash donations are very carefully monitored and earmarked for specific purposes. Like the above user said, former presidents can make a significant jump in income after their term is over with book deals, speaking tours and general visits. Jimmy Carter has turned his fame in to charity donations, while Bill Clinton has turned his fame in to millions of dollars on the speaking circuit. You really have nothing to worry about with the Obama's financial situation. Livewireo (talk) 22:30, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

• The correct number is $400,000. The last two raises were both to double the previous level, so it's never been $140,000. --Anonymous, 23:37 UTC, January 20/09.

Maybe I had it confused with senate pay (which is now $170,000 give or take)? Either way, $400,000 is a lot of walking around money. Livewireo (talk) 15:41, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Both Barack and Michelle could write more books. And if I'm not mistaken, one of the previous White House pets had a book deal. So, there's nothing stopping Sasha and/or Malia from having a book ghost-written for them, which would earn them royalties... Dismas|^(talk) 22:16, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

They have to pay some of their living expenses in addition to the private school tuition. Malia has been shown on TV taking photos nonstop with a little digital camera at events over the last few days. Were she so moved, is there any reason she couldn't publish a book of photos, (or sell them to the highest bidder, providing they are vetted for security)? Is there any reason Mr. and Mrs. Obama couldn't write books while in office and benefit from the sales? Edison (talk) 23:42, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Found it. Millie, the first Pres. Bush's dog had a book ghostwritten for her. Dismas|^(talk) 11:51, 21 January 2009 (UTC)

Level of Ballistic Protection on the Glass

The podium that Obama was standing on had a layer of glass on top. What is the level of ballistic protection offered by those panels of glass? Can it stop a .50 BMG from 1000 yards out? Acceptable (talk) 22:06, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Its unlikely that the Secret Service would give specs on the glass. Various media are reporting that it is "laminated with four layers of virtually unbreakable plastic to resist chemicals, flames and multiple gunshots." According to Tony DiPonio, the vice-president of operations at Pacific Bulletproof Co, commenting on the glass used at his acceptance speech in Chicago: "For Obama, they used a level five, which could withstand a 7.62 mm round armor piercing, which you’d see out of a rifle." Glass with a level five protection rating also sufficiently shields debris from an explosion about 10-15 feet away. [3] Rockpocket 23:01, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Belgian Browning Shotgun with interchangeable barrels

I inherited a Belgian Browning Shotgun with two sets of interchangeable barrels. One barrel is a 20 gauge over/under shotgun. The other barrel is a 30.06 over/under rifle. Does anyone know what model this is or how much it is worth. I was told it was a special order gun.Dogpapa (talk) 23:24, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

The approximate age, (which you could probably look up from the serial number), a model number or photo might help gun fanciers to locate info for you. A website Allexperts.com gives a phone number for the Browning company and says their website is at www.browning.com. Edison (talk) 23:35, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

The Mysterious Biped

Where can I find the article "The Mysterious Biped", by Stephen Jay Gould, online? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.14.116.16 (talk) 23:52, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

here? --Jayron32.talk.contribs 00:03, 21 January 2009 (UTC)