ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A HEAD OF LETTUCE?

Depends what kinda lettuce. Iceburg? Probably. But arugula? I dunno, man..

In answer to your first question, I would refer you to this site:

http://www.factcheck.org/

It's a pretty good source for calling the BS that's been thrown out there on our airwaves recently.

Oh, and I sincerely hope that I am smarter than a head of lettuce, but I have my doubts about cabbage. It's pretty potent.

I don't know... lettuce is pretty smart.

Good questions; I like to think I can outthink a vegetable!

I prefer to think I am but, your never know, what with fertilizers, and irradiation and whatnot, vegies are moving up the foodchain of smartness.

I don't know. I never met a head of lettuce that would talk to me civily.

Thanks to everyone who commented. My original article was poorly thought through, consequently I did not get the responses I was hoping for. So I re-wrote the article placing the emphasis on 3 simple questions instead of on the title. You are invited to re-post your comments based on these questions.

Thomas,

Lacking a reasonable understanding of the thought process of plants it is impossible to tell. I'm sure you've read about the ability of plants to fear those who would hurt them which implies some intellect, but the seem to lack mobility and opposing thumbs.

James: Yes, you are right. Would you care to tackle my 3 questions? I have not found a head of lettuce that can answer any of them.

Thomas,

The first is true to the best of my knowledge except that Columbus never landed on this continent but on islands.

The second offers a question. You did not capitalize south so I'll say it is true that they are in the southern part of North America or at least the United States. Many people think of this nation as "America" and could be mislead by this. Were south capitalized the whole things would be false.

As far as Indians goes, if you're talking about Madras, Oregon, there are probably a few as there are in most Oregon towns so the answer is true as there are quite a few in Oklahoma.

Now if you'll show me where I'm wrong on all three I'll acknowledge that head of lettuce is pretty darned bright!

I notice you've been unable to get anyone to stick their neck out and proffer answers. Why do you suppose that is when there are some very smart people reading this?

James: #1 - Sorry, wrong. Columbus did not 'discover' anything. The 'new world' was never lost, or empty. It was well populated in 1492. In addition there we numerous Europeans who came to the New World well before Columbus. The islands that Columbus landed on are all part of America. America stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the southern tip of Argentina. America is not a country, it is a vast region consisting of 2 continents, this despite the popular, and incorrect usage of the word.
#2 - Sorry, wrong. Those states are in south USA. In south America we find Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, etc.
#3 - Sorry, wrong. Indians live in India, of which Madras is one of their larger cities. Indians don't live in Oklahoma. There we have Cherokees and other tribes. These people are NOT Indians. This is incorrect and an insult to these fine people. In Canada they are called First Nations people.
James, you are the only one who answered these questions, and I thank you for that. Attempting an answer is far more important than getting all the answers correct. I understand that the answers are MY answers, so I congratulate you on being far smarter than a head of lettuce.

Thomas,

I told you that lettuce was a pretty smart vegetable! However, on number two, I thought I explained that quite adequately. You did forget to capitalize South.

However, in another seventy years perhaps I can work up to spinach level!

James: Let me explain my position on #2. I deliberately did not capitalize the 's' in south America because if I had then I would undoubtedly be talking about the continent of South America, which I was not. I was referring to the southern part of America. America is a vast area, once also called the "New World", that stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the southern tip of Argentina. Clearly the 3 states named are not in the southern part of the land so named. There is no country called 'America'. See any world map or almanac. The 3 states named are in the south of the United States (or abbreviated as the U.S. or U.S.A.) I realize that the United States is frequently called 'America' by people in all countries EXCEPT those living in the Americas - North, South and Central. People in these areas very much resent the people of the U.S. monopolizing the name 'America' since they too consider themselves 'Americans'. Imagine if Japan called itself 'Asia'. How would other Asians feel? The problem started when the founding fathers did not give this country a name, as all the states have, but rather chose to give it a descriptive designation. 'United States of America' is what the country IS, it is not a name. Virtually all Americans would argue vehemently with me on this, but that's o.k. I'm a Canadian and we are smarter than a head of lettuce. And so are you. Please don't take offense at my rantings. I like to stir people up and get them thinking.

Thomas,

You've got a long ways to go to offend me! I was kind of taught that there was not continent of America. Therefore, unless the South is capitalized to define which of the two American continents you reference, the correct assumption that one is discussing the currently occupied or default North America, of which Canada is a part. So, guess what?

James: In the early days of discovery and exploration the term 'America' and 'New World' were used to describe the same thing.

Ah ha, you forgot to tell me that we were doing this in 1780! I knew it.

Seriously, I've got to get you to reading some other authors before both of us go stark raving mad!Have you tried any Morris West or Steinbeck?

James: I'm glad to see you are not totally fed up with me by now. I just consulted my "Random House Dictionary of the English Language", the unabridged edition, This is a U.S. dictionary. One of the definitions given under "America" is "North and South America considered together". One of the definitions under "American" is "a native or an inhabitant of the western hemisphere". I haven't read the 2 authors you mentioned but I would be interested to know why I should. Thanks again for putting up with me.

Thomas,

They are both classic American authors. Or try "The Clowns of God" by Morris West. I'm sure you would enjoy that. It is not an easy read but a very enjoyable one. And it delves into the return of the Christ.

James: Thanks so much for the referrals. I just may check into one or two of them. Regarding the return of Christ, frankly I will not be interested in a repeat of this phenomenon for another thousand years or more. Christ has 'returned' three times since His first appearance two thousand years ago, and is not scheduled for another appearance for at least another thousand years. I know a great deal more about these 'returns' than most Christians. For more information on this subject you may refer to one or two of my much earlier articles. I hope you don't think me arrogant or haughty; I'm not. It's just that this is a subject I'm very familiar with. So please keep in touch. I enjoy communicating with you.

Thanks Thomas!

1. yes, I think so, because it ends in a 2 and I think there was a rhyme to it that someone taught me and it ended in a 2?

2. No, those states are located in the USA (north america).

3. Yes because Indians settled near that area if I'm right. ;)

I'm probably wrong on my assumptions.. haha, but it was fun! :P

Michelle: Thank you for participating. #1 - sorry, wrong answer. Columbus did not 'discover' anything. The western hemisphere or 'America' was never lost, it was well populated long before Columbus got here, and there were several other Europeans who landed in the New World long before Columbus.
#2 - Note that I spelled 'south' with a lower case s, so I did not mean the continent of South America, nevertheless you are CORRECT. Had you answered 'yes' you would have been marked wrong.
#3 - Sorry, wrong. Indians live in Madras, India. In Oklahoma we have Cherokee and other native tribes. They are not Indians, in spite of the popularily used term.
These questions were designed in such a way that most people would get them all wrong.