Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2010 January 31

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January 31

apparel and shoes in Super Bowl opening

When well-known singers perform The Star Spangled Banner during each Super Bowl opening, do they wear Nike apparel and shoes?24.90.204.234 (talk) 00:20, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

It would depend on sponsorship. You could try Nike's official web page, whatever it might be, as I imagine this is something they might brag about. It's safe to say Janet Jackson was not wearing a Nike top in that infamous incident a few years ago. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 01:34, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm not refering to half-time shows.24.90.204.234 (talk) 05:59, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Maybe you could explain a bit why you think they would, and why you think there might be such a rule for the anthem singers specifically. Then, the chances might improve that we'd be able to find a more elaborate answer than, 'No, not as a rule, but some might'. That there would be a rule/pattern of them wearing Nike shoes seems quite unlikely since Reebok is the apparel supplier to the NFL. /Coffeeshivers (talk) 11:17, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Agreed. I have no idea why such a stipulation would be required by anyone. Singing the national anthem doesn't have anything to do with running/jumping/etc. and one could even do it bare-footed! I'm willing to bet that when someone is asked to sing the anthem, they're just asked to wear whatever they want and they pick out something nice for themselves without any help from sponsors or the television network it's broadcast on.. Dismas|^(talk) 16:32, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Well, when Whitney Houston performed "The Star Spangled Banner" before the 1991 Super Bowl kicked off, she wore a warm-up suit (I forget which brand), and Nike athletic shoes.24.90.204.234 (talk) 01:44, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

I did some searching on Google images, and as far as I can tell, Reebok had the apparel contract back in 1990-91 too. /Coffeeshivers (talk) 20:26, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Elected Officials in Jail

Hi, I was very interested in finding a comprehensive list of former elected officials who are, or have, served prison terms because of corruption or misdeeds while in office (perhaps include those who had to resign for misdeeds too). Naturally, I went to Wikipedia, but could not find it. This would be a great resource. If you have any questions please email me at [email address deleted]. Thanks for your great work. -Ron Millar —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.160.93.33 (talk) 02:02, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I removed your email address, Ron, because of spam problems. As a general policy, you probably shouldn't post your personal information on one of the top most visited sites in the world. Falconus^{p t c} 02:44, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

There is a a Category:Impeached officials removed from office. That doesn't cover all the bases, but it's a start. Another angle would be to look at known former officials who were either sent to the Big House or have potential to be, and see if anyone has included them in a list or category. Not surprisingly, there are several from Illinois that come to mind: Rod Blagejovich, George Ryan, Otto Kerner, Orville Hodge for starters. Hodge is an especially interesting case, as he was the comptroller. Almost literally, putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. Anyway, look for other prominent figures that have sent up the river, and you might find some cross-linking. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:26, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Kwame Kilpatrick, recently mayor of Detroit was jailed while still in office - the deputy mayor who took over is currently awaiting sentencing himself. 75.41.110.200 (talk) 05:59, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

For the international reader, there is also Category:Politicians convicted of crimes. That includes lists of convicted politicians from Australia, India, Ireland, Italy and South Africa, but surprisingly not the UK. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:31, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

What's an international reader and how does he differ from a domestic reader? — Kpalion^(talk) 14:18, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Females can with proper training read too. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 17:14, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

All the previous comments related solely to the US - the assumption that they are are the only people here can irritate some of us! Ghmyrtle (talk) 17:38, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I live outside the United States and I find it irritating to be referred to us an "international" person. — Kpalion^(talk) 12:18, 3 February 2010 (UTC)

There's also Marion Barry who was the mayor of Washington, D.C. He was sentenced to prison for drug charges, served time, got out, and then was re-elected as mayor. Dismas|^(talk) 16:26, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

By 1921 Adolph Hitler had been elected by 543 to 1 votes to Führer of the National Socialist German Workers' Party and he was sentenced in 1924 to prison. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 17:14, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

And don't forget Budd Dwyer, who was Treasurer of Pennsylvania and would have gone to jail. Marnanel (talk) 17:51, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Oh, yeh, him. Well, as a humorist (possibly Robert Benchley) once said about a similar situation, "He shot the right guy." ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 02:13, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

redheads

what State or city in the US has the most Redheaded people —Preceding unsigned comment added by Seaglf (talk • contribs) 02:09, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Anecdotally, Boston with its Irish. Granted I've only lived in like 3 cities... 82.113.121.202 (talk) 02:24, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Red hair is the result of a recessive gene which is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland - so, it is likely that the highest numbers (or proportions) in the US are found in those centres with the most people (or highest proportions) descended from those countries. The article on Scotch-Irish American includes this map, which would seem to provide a good starting point. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:20, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Don't forget Wales. Some good discussion from non-Celtic redheads here[1]. Alansplodge (talk) 09:40, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I'm unlikely to forget Wales as I live there (..here..) (and I have had red hair) (;-}) - but the proportions are higher overall in Ireland and Scotland... Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:43, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Edifara iawn, Ghmyrtle. Alansplodge (talk) 14:44, 31 January 2010 (UTC))

...but, like most people in Wales, I don't speak the language. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:11, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

The fictional Harkonnens have red hair, as in this (non-free) picture of one [[2]] --Neptunerover (talk) 11:39, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

What does that have anything to do with anything? --Mr.98 (talk) 13:22, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

OP asked about US. I was just giving another needless answer. --Neptunerover (talk) 19:28, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

None of the answers above, except those in small type (side comments), are useless. They all talk about where redheads have come from. Dismas|^(talk) 22:49, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I agree with you, were that the question. Did you read the question? It is a very specific question asking nothing about where the people in question 'come from'. --Neptunerover (talk) 04:26, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

But the answers were specifically referring to the US, in particularly speculating that trends in the US could be estimated by considering the percentage of people from places with a higher proportion of red hairs. You can dispute whether this is likely to be an accurate measure, but it's clear they were trying to answer the actual question asked to the best of their abilities and information at hand and so far several people have agreed that their answers are likely close to accurate. Short of the availability of a survey, it also seems one of the most resonable ways to answer the question. And this would seem obvious to me to anyone who actually reads the comments and has a basic level of English comprehension. However it's not entirely clear how your comment in any way answered the question, or attempted to answer the question, other then as an attempted funny comment (something Baseball Bugs is famous for) which might have been marginally okay had you not then denigrated those who actually attempted to answer the question by suggesting your nonsense comment was in some way comparable to the resonable answers we had already received. Nil Einne (talk) 08:51, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Gordon Sumner a.k.a. Sting seems to have dyed his hair red to play the part of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 23:39, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Redheadedness is common not only in Scotland and Ireland, but also in all countries bordering the North and Baltic Seas. So Minnesota could well have more redheads than Massachusetts. However, if it's absolute numbers you're after, the answer to your question will probably be one of the top two or three cities or states by population. For example, the city with the most redheads is likely to be New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. The state with the most redheads is likely to be California, Texas, or New York. Marco polo (talk) 02:55, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

numerically it's likely to be Los Amgeles - New York city has significant Jewish and middle eastern population (in which redheads are rare); LA's ethnic diversity will serve it well. California may have a numerical lead as well, just on sheer population base - california has 36 million citizens, or roughly 12% of the nation's population. per capita, I'd guess Massachusetts, New York, or one of the Appalachian states (Marylandm Virginia, Tennessee), because that was the location of primary irish settlement in the US.--Ludwigs2 09:18, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

George Kennedy Britz Hospital in Mumbai

A book I was reading referred to a private hospital in Mumbai whose name is the George Kennedy Britz Hospital. It stated that this hospital is situated on a small street near to the ocean. Despite extensive searches, I have not found reference to this hospital in any other source. Can any user please supply me with information on this hospital. Thank you. Simonschaim (talk) 10:11, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I googled ["George Kennedy Britz"] and it found nothing. What's the book? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:19, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Was it a fiction or non-fiction book? --Defender of torch (talk) 10:22, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

That's what I'm getting at. For example, in the Law & Order TV series, there is frequent reference to the non-existent "Hudson University". ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:27, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

It is a non-fiction book. Simonschaim (talk) 11:14, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

instead of "extensive" searches why don't you just call someone in Mumbai? 82.113.106.95 (talk) 11:21, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Could it derive from a mis-hearing, at some point, of Breach Candy Hospital? Ghmyrtle (talk) 11:50, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Thank you Ghmyrtle. Your suggestion that it is a "mis-hearing" of Breach Candy Hospital is almost certainly the correct answer. Also thanks to all the other users who gave their comments. Simonschaim (talk) 15:19, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

USA's consumer price index data

Hello chums! Can you please tell me the authoritative source on US's monthly consumer price index from 1991 onwards, preferabley with 1981 as the base year? Thanks :) ReluctantPhilosopher (talk) 15:33, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

The authoritative source is surely the Bureau of Labor Statistics page on CPI. Does this table do it for you? --98.217.71.237 (talk) 16:43, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

If you know enough about what you're doing to specify the base year, then rebasing shouldn't be a problem (except for the mix of goods and services in the basket). The Fed keeps a user-friendly excel file here (http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CPIAUCSL?cid=9) of monthly data back to 1947. Click "download data." DOR (HK) (talk) 05:30, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Grammar schools converted from chantries

According to the article on chantries:

The most significant effect of the chantries, and the most significant loss that resulted from their suppression, was educational. Chantries had provided education to their communities. Since chantry priests were not ordinaries and did not offer public mass, they could serve their communities in other ways. When Edward VI closed the chantries, the amount of education available to the poor and the rural residents was greatly diminished. Some of the chantries, however, were converted into the grammar schools that are now called "Edwardian."

Might anyone know of any such grammar schools?

Thank you in advance,

88.189.248.66 (talk) 17:22, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

This link [3] has an article on Edwardian Grammar Schools which may be of help. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 17:31, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

The article on Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI; also look at King Edward VI School which has links to many others. Alansplodge (talk) 17:36, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Henry VIII also closed a few chantries to create grammar schools, including my very own Colchester Royal Grammar School. - Jarry1250 ^{[Humorous? Discuss.]} 17:38, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Brandenburg-Kulmbach to Brandenburg-Bayreuth

What was the exact date that Christian, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth moved his capital from Kulmbach to Bayreuth in the year 1604? Was it before or after his marriage to Marie of Prussia, also in that year?Queen Elizabeth II's Little Spy (talk) 17:49, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

According to the German Wikipedia article on Christian, he moved his residence (the capital) from Kulmbach to Bayreuth beginning in 1604. This implies that the move was a process that was not complete until after 1604 and that there may not be a single date for the move. Both the German article and our article state that Christian married Marie in Plassenburg, his castle in Kulmbach, which strongly suggests that his residence was still in Kulmbach at the time of the marriage. Marco polo (talk) 03:17, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Papal fiefs of England and Ireland; France, Isle of Man

Did the Anglo-Irish Reformation of the Tudors reverse the papal suzerainty over those estates of the Plantagenets, or was it effected sooner? Please explain. Did the Papacy ever acknowledge the Crown over France? What manner of Reformation was passed in the Channel Islands and Calais with respect to the Crown? Although the Islands I am sure to have read became Calvinist, what was their relationship to the English Reformation? I have no clue whatsoever about Calais. Thank you. 70.171.236.188 (talk) 17:58, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

P.S. What manner of Reformation was conducted in the Isle of Man? Was it imposed or native? What alignment did it have with sectarian beliefs? 70.171.236.188 (talk) 18:03, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

This book covers the reformation throughout areas controlled by England. In the Channel Isles, French Huguenots were brought to lead new Calvinist congregations. Christopher Goodman led a preaching tour of the Isle of Man, and the Reformation seems to have then been accepted by local priests. Calais already had some enthusiasts for reform, and English control was tight - but there's lots more detail in the book. Warofdreams talk 22:58, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, but I'm still curious about the nature of papal suzerainty over the Crown and when it was ended and how. If that was the cause or nature of Reformation, then let me know, please. 70.171.236.188 (talk) 21:07, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

It was renounced in the 14th century. From memory, I think payment of tribute actually stopped in 1333, but was only formally repudiated in 1366, but that should be checked. Peter jackson (talk) 10:48, 4 February 2010 (UTC)

Longshanks in Scotland

Did the Pope ever recognise Edward I's claim of sovereignty over Scotland? 70.171.236.188 (talk) 18:05, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

He did, and the Scottish nobles tried to get him to change his mind with the Declaration of Arbroath...which sort of worked. There are some references in the Declaration article. Adam Bishop (talk) 19:37, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Did the Pope ever recognise Edward III's or Henry V/VI's claims over France? 70.171.236.188 (talk) 21:09, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

As there were 2 or 3 rival Popes from 1378 for some decades, I'd guess that each side had 1 Pope supporting them. Peter jackson (talk) 10:50, 4 February 2010 (UTC)

Vince Cable twins, Liberal Democrats, UK

Is there some other geezer gentleman who looks like Vince Cable, similar age, with a prominant role in the Liberal Democrats, or have I just been imagining things? 92.24.73.102 (talk) 21:13, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I think you've been imagining things, but there are names and photos of all the Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet here if you want to go through them and check for yourself. (There is also a page of other ministers if they aren't as prominent as you first thought.) --Tango (talk) 21:27, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

The other gent was in the House Of Lords I think. 92.24.73.102 (talk) 21:30, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Bill Bradshaw? Warofdreams talk 23:03, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

I tried various (well 5 + some cropped) photos of Vince Cable with TinEye [4] and didn't have much success but did come across [5] Phil Willis who doesn't look much like Vince Cable particularly with our image but it's a bit closer if you compare [6] to [7] (from [8]) minus the hair. Nil Einne (talk) 10:37, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Is there a former head of the Lib Dems, now in the House Of Lords, who is of similar age and hair status to Vince Cable? Or did Vince Cable use to be the head of the Lib Dems? I saw Lord someone on TV who was introduced as being the former leader of the Lib Dems or perhaps some similar party, and he looked somewhat familiar and very similar in appearance to Vince Cable. I, like lots of other people, watch TV while half asleep so did not get all the details. 84.13.23.254 (talk) 11:31, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Vince Cable is deputy leader of the Lib Dems and served as acting leader during the election process that lead to Nick Clegg becoming leader. He is not a lord, though. There is a list of Lib Dem lords here (you can sort the table by party affiliation). --Tango (talk) 11:43, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

You may also find List of United Kingdom Liberal Democrat leaders useful - it has pictures. Only the first three listed have been given peerages and none of them look like Vince Cable. --Tango (talk) 11:47, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

It was probably Sir Menzies Campbell that I saw. 84.13.23.254 (talk) 12:55, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Did you actually look at the Bill Bradshaw article? He really does resemble Vince Cable, and has a title, and would have been introduced as you described - a former front bencher of the Lib Dems. --TammyMoet (talk) 13:04, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

I did. If someone could provide a link to a photo without him pursing his lips I will look again. 78.144.201.75 (talk) 01:27, 2 February 2010 (UTC)

There's one here of him squinting, and a quick Google Image search turns up plenty without him contorting his face at all. Warofdreams talk 10:28, 2 February 2010 (UTC)

The problem is that men of that age with that hair all look alike. 89.242.39.49 (talk) 12:59, 2 February 2010 (UTC)

Double entry bookkeeping

I am interested in writing my own double-entry book keeping software, firstly as a way to thoroughly understand it, and secondly because it might actually be useful to me. But wait, my question is not about computing. 1) For a typical small business, and using for example a manual paper-based system, would a sale, purchase, overdue customer account, or depreciation, be the only things to trigger updating the data in the DEB system? Or do other things trigger it as well, apart from things like preparing the balance or reports or bank account recconcilation etc? b) Where can I find a list of the relationships or simple formulas that join the relevant accounts listed in the Chart of accounts article together? Thanks 92.24.73.102 (talk) 22:26, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

You need to update the data with payments and receipts as well - that's the second entry for each transaction (hence, double-entry). --Tango (talk) 09:51, 1 February 2010 (UTC)

Did you know ? Chart of accounts links to Double-entry_bookkeeping_system with the examples you're looking for. --82.227.17.30 (talk) 20:54, 1 February 2010 (UTC)