10 US Presidents who died before their predecessor (s)

George W. Bush Presidential Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

1. 3rd President Thomas Jefferson (died 12:45 PM on July 4, 1826)

Five hours and fifteen minutes before 2nd President John Adams (died 6:00 PM on July 4, 1826)

2. 5th President James Monroe (died July 4, 1831)

4 years, 360 days before 4th President James Madison (died June 28, 1836)

3. 7th President Andrew Jackson (died June 8, 1845)

2 years, 260 days before 6th President John Quincy Adams (died February 23, 1848)

4. 9th President William Henry Harrison (died April 4, 1841)

4 years, 65 days before 7th President Andrew Jackson (died June 8, 1845)

6 years, 325 days before 6th President John Quincy Adams (died February 23, 1848)

21 years, 111 days before 8th President Martin Van Buren (died July 24, 1862)

5. 10th President John Tyler (died January 18, 1862)

187 days before 8th President Martin Van Buren (died July 24, 1862)

6. 11th President James K. Polk (died June 15, 1849)

12 years, 217 days before 10th President John Tyler (died January 18, 1862)

13 years, 39 days before 8th President Martin Van Buren (died July 24, 1862)

7. 12th President Zachary Taylor (died July 9, 1850)

11 years, 193 days before 10th President John Tyler (died January 18, 1862)

12 years, 15 days before 8th President Martin Van Buren (died July 24, 1862)

8. 14th President Franklin Pierce (died October 8, 1869)

4 years, 151 days before 13th President Millard Fillmore (died March 8, 1874)

9. 15th President James Buchanan (died June 1, 1868)

1 year, 129 days before 14th President Franklin Pierce (died October 8, 1869)

5 years, 280 days before 13th President Millard Fillmore (died March 8, 1874)

10. 16th President Abraham Lincoln (died April 15, 1865)

3 years, 17 days before 15th President James Buchanan (died June 1, 1868)

4 years, 146 days before 14th President Franklin Pierce (died October 8, 1869)

8 years, 297 days before 13th President Millard Fillmore (died March 8, 1874)

(Also 40th President Ronald Reagan (died June 5, 2004)

2 years, 204 days before 38th President Gerald Ford (died December 26, 2006)

12 years, 229 days before 39th President Jimmy Carter (still living))

Obama bump

I'm feeling a little anarchic these days.

Kenya and the outside world

President Obama is, of course, famously linked with Kenya. The name Obama has become very popular there though I met none with the name. i saw an advert for Kenyan TV's broadcast of the royal wedding next week with the tag line "it started in Kenya". William evidently proposed in Kenya.

Mohler on Obama

Al Mohler has been commenting on a recent speech of President Obama on "gay rights" here.

Life's ironies

Three things in mind here.

You may have seen the clip of Barack Obama revealing that he was unsure of how many states he is now President of. The irony, of course, is that Bush would have known that one (I guess).

Then there is Obama's mess up with the Presidential oath (whoever's fault it was). Apparently in an effort to undercut conspiracy theorists it was decided to do it again (as two previous presidents have). For some reason, however, there was no Bible available and some newspapers are already saying that there is conspiracy keen internet traffic asking why Obama did not swear on the Bible the second time round!

The other thing is this debate over whether the BBC is going to show an appeal for Palestine. The whole facade of the BBC reporting on the BBC gets me. (It's like me doing a report on my own blog - now there's an idea). The real irony here, though, of course, is that far more publicity has been generated for the appeal than would ever have been given had the BBC simply broadcast it. (Perhaps another irony is that IMHO the BBC has been rather biased towards the Palestinians).

(There is some argument about what qualifies as ironic, but all senses of irony revolve around the perceived notion of an incongruity between what is said and what is meant; or between an understanding of reality, or an expectation of a reality, and what actually happens.)

Anything Bush can do

It's not easy being president. He phoned to apologise to Nancy Reagan, 87. Somehow I don't think the media will treat him like Bush though.