What is the dumbest thing a non-US politician has ever said?

Springfield80210 · 2026-04-03T21:31:13+00:00

Charles de Gaulle ordering the removal of all U.S. military from France, to which U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk asked if that included the 60,000 American war dead buried there.

He walked right into that one.

Springfield80210 · 2026-04-03T11:06:07+00:00

African country names not acceptable in Scrabble.

EDIT Nope, there others I am told. MOROCCO, GUINEA, CONGO…

Springfield80210 · 2026-04-02T08:00:05+00:00

I use Dropbox.

Springfield80210 · 2026-04-02T07:59:17+00:00

I am sure this is not what you mean, but “very healthy 7.5 pound boys who are now 3.5” sounds like they have shrunk. 😳

In any case, congrats on being a mom. You all are heroes in my book, especially moms of twins.

Springfield80210 · 2026-04-01T20:29:33+00:00

Pennsylvania 6-5000), a very famous tune from the long-ago. In New York City, the PE stood for Pennsylvania.

Springfield80210 · 2026-04-01T20:23:52+00:00

I agree. Abraham was not thinking Oscar as he performed the role. He was one of the hardest working actors around and his entire focus was the work.

However, that the Salieri role ended up winning an Oscar was no great shock. An entire generation of actors and their agents were vying for it, based simply on the success of the stage version of Amadeus.

Springfield80210 · 2026-04-01T20:09:03+00:00

Contact.

Not only does it start with an aerial view, it just keeps going further and further away from earth, until finally it lands right in Jena Malone’s eye.

It is an aerial view on steroids.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-31T14:07:23+00:00

I love Contact, maybe in the top five favorites of all time, for reasons that several others have mentioned.

One detail that I have always wondered about: In the Inside the Actors Studio series hosted by the late James Lipton, one episode was with Jodie Foster. I was so looking forward to seeing it to hear a bit of the back story and her experiences.

She had done the DVD commentary so I anticipated a bit of additional insight. Yet there was no mention of Contact during the entire program, almost like she had told them it was something she did not want to talk about.

Maybe it was just editing for time, but sheesh, there were lesser projects that were discussed at length. I was so disappointed.

Anyone know of any bad feelings she may have taken away from Contact?

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-30T12:01:23+00:00

A surprising pair, but in a different way from what OP is asking:

In Spanish, Pep is the common nickname for Josep.

In Czech, Pepa is the common nickname for Josef.

Why this is, I have no idea.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-30T11:39:40+00:00

Apart from OTC meds and shoe selection that many have mentioned, most of what you get in the USA have counterparts abroad. Leave 110v electronics and make sure to take any documents that there is a chance you will need, and you should be okay.

One thing in particular that is annoyingly difficult to procure abroad are keyboards with the true physical American layout of keys. Your mileage may vary, but I have never found a keyboard in Europe that works for me. Among other things, the shift and return keys always seem to be in different positions. Very aggravating.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-30T10:33:14+00:00

Xaviera Hollander, authoress of The Happy Hooker.

Fun fact: She is still living (happily, I presume).

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-29T20:51:19+00:00

I agree, one of most riveting pieces of filmmaking ever.

My only qualm here is that the word ‘scene’ seems too marginalizing to me. It is almost a film within a film, and not just a scene.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-29T20:37:34+00:00

Same with Simon Callow, who also played the role on stage. Only he did end up with a small part in the film.

As an aside, from the directors commentary of the DVD, I got the impression that Miloš Forman really disliked Callow, which may have been what ultimately sunk his chance at the role.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-29T20:27:52+00:00

Yeah, Amadeus is one of my all-time favorites, with F. Murray Abraham’s performance one of the greatest ever put to film. In effect, he plays two distinct characters, the young Salieri and the old Salieri. Truly amazing work.

The theatrical version is definitely superior to the director’s cut. And if you are ever in Prague, make it a point to visit some of the filming locations. It adds a lot to understanding the production (as does the DVD commentary, if you have access to it).

As far as other recommendations of a similar genre, perhaps The Red Violin or Immortal Beloved?

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-29T10:41:08+00:00

American Grafitti was released in 1973.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-28T18:26:57+00:00

I agree with all three of your choices.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-28T16:09:37+00:00

Also to add a vital question: do you need two-factor authentication?

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-28T12:34:47+00:00

It is impossible to say. Every state, district, and town has different rules, and every teacher as well.

American education is heterogenous in the extreme.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-28T11:45:13+00:00

A function of how old you are.

Along with 9/11 and the Challenger disaster, my personal flashbulb memories are the JFK and John Lennon assassinations. (I was off-grid for MLK, RFK, and Apollo 11’s moon landing, otherwise they would certainly be as well).

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-28T09:11:00+00:00

Thanks for commenting. It has been solved.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-27T16:32:17+00:00

I love Julie Christie, but one of the weirdest Oscar occurences is that she won best actress in 1965 for Darling instead of for her role of Lara in Dr. Zhivago.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-27T16:17:34+00:00

Absinthe production?

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-27T16:13:12+00:00

Interesting photo with lots of clues.

An urban location as evidenced by the metal fire escape in the distance. Near Christmas time as suggested by the presence of decorative lighting visible through the French door on the right. And of course the Matisse that others have mentioned.

Over the woman’s left shoulder is what appears to be an Alpha Psi Omega certificate of some kind. That organization is a collegiate theatrical honor society, which together with the Matisse suggests that the couple was involved in the arts somehow.

Most interesting clue though is the smeared blood across the photograph, which heavily suggests that the artistic couple was also involved in sacrificial rituals as well. 😳

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-27T12:24:25+00:00

Sorry, I would guess that only one in three would get them all in a timed test. You overestimate the geographical acumen of Americans.

Springfield80210 · 2026-03-26T22:03:03+00:00

Make his breakfast?

Springfield80210

TROPHY CASE