Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Skull and Bones

Yes, gerry baughman, the narrator in Seabiscuit is historian David McCollough, author of 1776, John Adams, Truman and other books on American history. McCollough has won two Pulitzer Prizes for literature (Truman and John Adams). He has also won the National Book Award twice and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Like the last three presidents, McCollough is a Yalie. And like the two Bushes, he was a member of the Skull and Bones, the oldest and most famous university secret society. Conspiracists also believe Bill Clinton was a member.

The past five presidential elections included at least one Yale grad winning his party's nomination, and in two of the elections both candidates were Yalies (Bush I/Clinton in '88 and Bush II/Kerry in '04). Three (John Kerry was the third) were Skull and Bones members. Of the remaining three nominees (Dukakis, Dole and Gore), two held degrees from Harvard (all but Dole).

Trivia question 1: Which presidential candidate held degrees from both Yale and Harvard?

Triva question 2: According to legend, whose skull and bones were disinterred from the original burial site and reburied at the society's headquarters at Yale? (Hint: Oklahoma)

Speaking of great book titles, how about these from Erma Bombeck?
The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank
If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I doing in the Pits?
Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession
When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time To Go Home

2 comments:

Swamproot said...

The answer to question 2 is Geronimo, supposedly stolen by none other than Bush patriarch, Prescott Bush.

Anonymous said...

George W. Bush has degrees from Yale and Harvard Business School. I think that Swamproot is right, it is the bones of Geronimo, But I didn't know about Prescott Bush.