23.1.09
An off-by-one error heard round the world
At the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, during the invocation Dr. Rick Warren stated 'Now, today, we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time.' But of course, it was the 43rd.
Comments:
<< Home
Similarly, Obama said after taking his oath that "44 Americans have now taken the Presidential oath" - but Grover Cleveland was President 22 and President 24, so only 43 Americans have taken the oath:
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=1038
http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=1038
# posted by 
: 23/1/09 3:38 PM
: 23/1/09 3:38 PM
Off by more than one; George Washington did not take power by force of arms.
# posted by : 23/1/09 4:18 PM
: 23/1/09 4:18 PM
Yeah, I'm not sure how to get 43 or 44 peaceful transitions of power - George Washington acquired power peacefully after the articles of confederation were replaced. But, we have 4 assassinated presidents, and surely these aren't peaceful transitions?
# posted by : 23/1/09 4:27 PM
: 23/1/09 4:27 PM
And then there were synchronization bugs during the oath. What more prove do they need that computer science is important! :)
# posted by : 23/1/09 11:18 PM
: 23/1/09 11:18 PM 
And I wouldn't count the reelection of a President as a "transfer of power."
Post a Comment
# posted by : 15/3/09 7:59 AM
: 15/3/09 7:59 AM << Home
