Answer and Get a Star

[RoyGBiv]

First person to correctly answer this question, gets a gold star, i.e. a donation in their name.

People who already have stars, PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER!

As of November 1, 2004, Air Force One has taken off one more times than it has landed, but it has never crashed. How is this possible? Please be specific.

[foreigncorrespondent]

1. LOL!

Great question!

Good luck to all those without stars answering this.

[mcscajun]

2. Just a guess...

...but I'll wager that has to do with the last flight of outgoing President Nixon from D.C. to California following his resignation. During the flight, the crew got the word of Gerald Ford's swearing in, and they changed their call sign from Air Force One to something else.

[RoyGBiv]

4. Bing Bing Bing Bing Bing!!!!

You are correct! More specifically, Nixon's resignation took effect at Noon, and the plane was in the air at that time. When that happened, the plane took on a normal air craft call sign.

Welcome to DU!!!

Enjoy your star.

[mcscajun]

10. OOOO-EEEE!! Thanks!

For both the welcome And the Star.

[RoyGBiv]

11. Use it well ...

Always use it for good.

[flamingyouth]

24. Very good question!

I was curious, myself. Good work! And thanks for your generosity too!

[Jack Schitt]

3. Um...

it's still in the air?

[Socialist Dem]

5. Because,

"Air Force One" is the call sign used to indicate the air craft that has the President on board, not the actual airplane.

Thus, when Nixon took off, he was on board "Air Force One", but at Noon, while he was flying over the midwest, Ford was sworn in and the call sign changed to the aircraft's tail number.

EDIT: Thanks!!

[RoyGBiv]

8. You get one too ...

You gave a more complete answer, so I'll give out two stars for this question.

Thanks for playing The Drive-By Starring Game.

[pintobean]

6. Potus jumped?

It's only Air Force One if he's aboard.

[DS1]

7. Sounds a wee bit Escape from NY

[pintobean]

9. Or wishful thinking? n/t

[physioex]

12. Roy a suggestion next time you do this....

Ask that the posters have a certain number of posts (keeps out possible freeps), not that I am accusing the winners. Also ask that they would like to give but cannot due to circumstances. Just a suggestion....

[RoyGBiv]

13. Yeah, I thought of that ...

After I posted.

Of course, given some of the events in the wake of Nov. 2, even post-counts is not really a good measure.

FWIW, I don't really like asking if people cannot donate due to circumstances. I have no problem with others doing that, and I myself have donated in others' names based on unsolicted comments to that effect, but I've been in that situation. I didn't want to say, "I would like someone to donate in my name because I can't afford to do it right now," so I didn't.

It's always a risk of sorts giving out stars, no matter what the criteria.

[physioex]

16. I hear ya...

Not a problem.....

[progmom]

14. Hey there - not all newbies are freeps

Many of us are just passionate progressives looking for an online outlet. I kind of resent this "freeper unless proven otherwise" crap.

[physioex]

15. LOL....

Progmom...Welcome to DU, youre gonna like it here...

[progmom]

17. Thanks!

I'm glad you took my post in the spirit it was intended. And I do like it here!

[Spiffarino]

18. Yeah, she'll like it here

...until she finds out she's hooked. But by then, it will be too late and you will be in our clutches. Muwaaaahahahahah!

[progmom]

20. Oh - I'm there already

Husband comes in, says "What are you do...oh, I know. DU again, huh?" So if my marriage breaks up over this, can I move in with one of you 1000 plus-ers?

[OrwellwasRight]

21. I notice you prefer Muwaaaahahahahah!

to the alternative

Bwwaaahahahaha!

Also frequently used on DU. Thoughts?

[Spiffarino]

25. My humble opinion is

Muwahhahahahah! is a truly evil laugh whereas,

Bwahahahahhah! is more maniacal than diabolical.

[OrwellwasRight]

26. LOL! nt.

[realisticphish]

19. no

of course not, but it still pays to be a LITTLE watchful, though i never treat a newbie differently unless they post RW talking points. even obvious flame-baiters i give the benefit of the doubt. but just make sure you have a thick skin, and you should come through fine. welcome to DU

The Incorrigible Democrat

[ogradda]

30. hehehe

spoken like a true democrat!

[mcscajun]

32. Exactly right, progmom...

I understand the protective concerns...and I thought about explaining my circumstances...but because I am new...decided not to do so.

I am most definitely NOT a (yuck) Freeper. But I Will plead guilty to having visited their site before I realized What it was...never registered there though. Whew!

And anyone who likes can check my posts over at smirkingchimp. <scratching>

Have a great day, all!

[pintobean]

22. I understand why I might be a suspect.

My answer was just a stupid joke. It could have been seen as a serious answer - indicating a stupid freeper. My post count suffers due to my complete lack of typing skills.

[RoyGBiv]

23. Nah ...

It was a good joke, actually.

[OrwellwasRight]

27. I think a lot of us can't type

and are too impatient to wait for spell check, so don't be shy, you'll see typos galore around here. Post away!

[pintobean]

28. I don't worry about the typos

The spell check usually takes care of that. The searching and pecking is so darn time consuming. Besides, I'm the type that listens more than I speak. I'm not really shy. Thanks for the encouragement though. I've posted more tonight than I ever have.

[ContraBass Black]

29. It's flying now.

Or not.

[RoyGBiv]

31. Not a bad guess, actually ...

But that's why I put the "as of Nov. 1" date in there. Not likely it could fly for 14 days straight.