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May 4

What industries dominate each U.S. state?

Wideul (talk) 11:19, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

This article from Forbes Magazine answers your question with data from 2022. Xuxl (talk) 17:14, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

American Constitution and Art support

Can the US government actually support certain artists or artistic genres over others, or does that violate the Constitution?
E.g. support a theater group over another group? 2A02:8071:60A0:92E0:88E7:5787:DF5B:D23F (talk) 11:56, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

See National Endowment for the Arts. U.S. federal cultural funding is quite limited compared to some other countries, where there can be a Culture Minister or similar in the national cabinet... AnonMoos (talk) 12:06, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

The US Constitution does not speak to the issue. Blueboar (talk) 12:11, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

While the US Constitution does not speak to the general case, it's likely some aspects of the constitution can come into play in specific cases. For example, if Congress passed a law giving special preference to Christian music or something else that is specifically Christian for the reason that it is Christian, this is likely to come into conflict with most recentish interpretations of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution especially under the pre-Kennedy v. Bremerton School District Lemon Test. Nil Einne (talk) 14:13, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

The Constitution authorizes the Congress to protect copyrights and patents, but without any indication of preference for one kind over another. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 22:51, 5 May 2024 (UTC)

Trump and Rubio

Let's suppose that Donald Trump selects fellow Floridian Marco Rubio as his running mate. Let's further suppose that Trump wins Florida. Wouldn't the Florida electors be constitutionally bound to vote for someone besides Rubio for Vice President? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 01:21, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

Yes, or not vote for Trump for president. Alternatively, Trump or Rubio may change residency to a different state which is what Cheney did when running with Bush. RudolfRed (talk) 02:17, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

That would work. But if Rubio were the one to move, he would probably lose his Senate seat. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:03, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

This non-American would love an explanation of the issue being discussed here. HiLo48 (talk) 04:17, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

Ah, the peculiarities of the electoral college. The issue is that the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution says: "The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. Hence, to avoid any problems, either Trump or Rubio would have to establish residence in a state other than Florida. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 04:44, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

Thanks. I see the issue now. HiLo48 (talk) 05:02, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

If, to obviate this problem, Trump were to change his official State of residence from Florida to somewhere else, would the change of jurisdiction have consequences for some of the actual and potential civil and criminal court cases against him? {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 188.220.175.176 (talk) 08:09, 7 May 2024 (UTC)

Not likely. Keep in mind that he's on trial in New York though he's no longer a resident. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 10:47, 7 May 2024 (UTC)

I don't know if it's quite so simple. I mean it might not affect the trials themselves, but if it comes to it, Florida is known for their particularly strong exemptions for bankruptcy including the entirety of someone's homestead and pension even against civil judgments. O. J. Simpson was known for taking advantage of Florida's protections after the civil judgment against him. I have no idea if the entirety of Mar-a-Lago could be protected this way since Trump has been known to do weird stuff to reduce any tax which might not be so easily reversed. I'm not certain but suspect these pensions would be protected [1] and [2] although the federal government one could probably be modified by congress. I think Trumps previous bankruptcies have shown he knows how to use/abuse the system in other ways so I somewhat doubt even if it comes to it, this would be the way he'd handle things, but it is one possibility. Also while it may not affect any of the cases already filed, I think place of the defendant's residence can be a factor in where a federal trial might be held [3] [4] especially if the wrongdoing wasn't really committed in any particular place in the US. (State trials will always be in the state.) And of course, the place of the defendant's residence is often where they might do actions which will be cause for action e.g. the classified documents case is in Florida because Trump was allegedly improperly storing classified documents in his home in Florida. If Trump were to move somewhere else then future actions which might lead to cases against him would seem more likely to occur in this new state than in Florida. Nil Einne (talk) 11:09, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

It was pointed out in 2000 that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were both mainly residents of Texas when the Republican ticket was formed (though Cheney claimed to live in Wyoming), but courts basically refused to hear the issue... AnonMoos (talk) 05:33, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

May 6

Scottish Episcopal Church

Our article says "at the Anglican Communion primates' meeting in October 2017 the Scottish Episcopal Church was suspended for three years from communion decision making on any issues of doctrine or polity". What if anything occurred at the expiry of this three-year period" ---- rossb (talk) 10:32, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

Presumably the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church was free to attend the 2024 Anglican Communion Primates' Meeting which was held in Rome (of all places) a couple of days ago. No news yet as far as I can see. Alansplodge (talk) 11:05, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

Hi rossb! This recent Youtube video might have some tangential relevance to your query:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr_0io98-uA

{The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 188.220.175.176 (talk) 15:56, 8 May 2024 (UTC)

Providing historical context for photographs of Berlin, Dresden, and Prague as Communism fell in 1989

In 1989, I traveled as a tourist to East and West Berlin, Dresden, and Prague and photographed events in the two weeks spanning the Fall of Communism. I have now had those negatives digitized and would like to upload them to Wikimedia under Creative Commons CC‑BY‑SA‑4.0 licenses. The images are probably equivalent in terms of content and scope to any currently on Wikipedia — and usually of far better technical and aesthetic quality. And a few images are quite likely unique.

Before making the circa 40 JPG scans public, I would like to better articulate their historical contexts. I am therefore looking for input from folk who can help explain these photographs. I think you would need a detailed knowledge of these events and/or know where to find such information. I can easily arrange Zoom video meetings if useful (my timezone is CEST). RobbieIanMorrison (talk) 10:59, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

The editors over at the Commons have pitched in on this sort of project before, probably many more times than I happened to notice. Best to ask there. Abductive (reasoning) 08:36, 7 May 2024 (UTC)

Thanks. Please see: Commons Village Pump posting And respond there if necessary. RobbieIanMorrison (talk) 11:18, 7 May 2024 (UTC)

• You may also consider posting this query on the German reference desk, called Auskunft, accessible on the en:RD under languages. By definition, many of the regulars there have experienced this era of recent history from either side of the iron curtain, be that in Berlin, Dresden or via printed / electronic media. --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 15:07, 7 May 2024 (UTC)

  Thanks. Have just done so here: German reference desk RobbieIanMorrison (talk) 19:28, 7 May 2024 (UTC)

May 9

Immanuel Kant, Benjamin Franklin

Did Benjamin Franklin and Kant know of each other, read each other's work, or meet each other or correspond?Rich (talk) 04:25, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

• Kant never left his hometown of Königsberg, and Franklin spent exactly 2 months of 1766 in Germany, which I believe was almost entirely spent in Hanover. So the answer would seem to be no for "meet".
• Kant famously described Franklin as "The Prometheus of Modern Times" (but not "The American Prometheus" afaik).
• As for correspondence, I haven't found anything, or anything about Franklin being aware of Kant, though I would have to guess so if my life depended on it.

Remsense诉 04:38, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

Slavery in Vietnam

Hello. Does anyone know when Chattel Slavery was abolished in Vietnam? I know slavery was abolished by France during the colonial period in Cambodia and Laos, so I assume it was the same in Vietnam, but I have not managed to find out any date. Does anyone know the year when slaver was abolished in Vietnam? Thanks--Aciram (talk) 12:02, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

"Following a 'Government of Admirals' generally in favour of respecting traditional institutions, Le Myre de Vilers, who in 1879 became the first civil Governor of Indochina, introduced the French Penal code and consequently officially abolished slavery."[5] --jpgordon^{𝄢𝄆𝄐𝄇} 14:10, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

Ah! Excellent. Thank you very much!--Aciram (talk) 16:41, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

May 10

German South West Africa

Does anyone know why specifically the Germans were "granted" South-West Africa? I know that they established Lüderitz in 1884, but I can't figure out why they settled there specifically, other than for strategic purposes and proximity to The Cape. Could anyone tell me if there was anything else to it? Thanks! Roosterchz (talk) 18:06, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

I think it was just about the only coastal part of Africa that was unclaimed by other European powers. Having colonies was thought to be an essential accessory for any country wishing to be a major player on the world stage. The carve-up was confirmed by Berlin Conference in 1884/85. Alansplodge (talk) 19:34, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

With protectionism and the promulgation of Bismarck's anti-socialist law in 1878-1879, the colonial issue became a matter of interest to important sections of the German ruling classes... A colonial movement led by National Liberal and Free Conservative politicians began, which resulted in the foundation of the German Colonial Association on December 6, 1882... Colonialism became fashionable once the European powers partitioned Africa in earnest. Enthusiastic pressure-groups sprang up throughout Europe, agitating for colonies on economic grounds and as a sign of national greatness... The basic idea underlying this movement was that colonial expansion was ultimately only the logical complement to tariffs on industrial goods. While the duties created more avorable conditions for increasing German exports, entirely new markets were to be secured by the acquisition of colonies abroad...

German Imperialism in Africa: The Distorted Images of Cameroon, Namibia, Tanzania, and Togo

Alansplodge (talk) 19:51, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

Avorable? {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 188.220.175.176 (talk) 08:46, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

[f]avorable. DuncanHill (talk) 11:38, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

Thanks, a copying error. :-) Alansplodge (talk) 13:01, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

See also the Herero Wars for a bit more info, and the German Colonial Society, as mentioned in the extract by Alansplodge above. MinorProphet (talk) 20:10, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

Vlaamse Koning

Also, does anyone know if Leopold II could speak Dutch/Flemish at a native level? I would assume so however, I couldn't find a definitive answer. Thanks again! Roosterchz (talk) 18:48, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

Did he understand Dutch? [He almost certainly did.] Did he speak it? [Almost never.] It was clear that French was still his preferred tongue, as was also the case with his brother, Prince Philip. In stark contrast, Queen Marie-Henriette did make an effort to speak Dutch. This was particularly awkward at state functions at which the royal couple were both present, since the queen babbled away in one national language, while the king continued to talk exclusively in the other! This inability (or unwillingness) of the king and his brother to speak Dutch was occasionally a source of criticism in the Flemish press.

From Belgium and the Monarchy: From National Independence to National Disintegration (p. 49)

Alansplodge (talk) 19:20, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

May 11

East-west interstates go 10,20,30,40,64,70,80,90 with no 50

The main east-west interstates in the United States, in order from south to north, are 10, 20, 30, 40, 64, 70, 80, and 90; with no 50. The reason there is no I-50 is because they thought that I-50 and US 50 would likely go through the same areas, and that it would be confusing. But, according to the US 50 article, US 50 is north of I-64, and the missing I-50 would be between I-40 and I-64. What's wrong with what I said?? Georgia guy (talk) 19:07, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

Two thoughts… first I-64 may have been an afterthought (ie added after they had decided to skip both I-50 and I-60 in the numbering)… second, it seems that I-64 was originally planed to run quite a bit further to the north than it does now. Blueboar (talk) 19:37, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

Where was it initially planned to go?? It goes from Saint Louis through Louisville, Lexington, Huntington, Charleston, Beckley, Charlottesville, Richmond, and Norfolk. What cities was it initially planned to go through?? Georgia guy (talk) 19:53, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

The Feds say that even going through some of the same states as US-50 would have been confusing. Remember, they reversed the numbering system to avoid the US Route numbering system. And I-50 may have never reached the planning stage. Abductive (reasoning) 20:26, 11 May 2024 (UTC)

May 14

Grade level splitting/staggering in American schools

I am interested in genealogy, and in the course of research I found that many American high school yearbooks over 50 years ago contained both a January graduating class and a June graduating class. Grade levels were split or staggered into "A" and "B" grades, e.g., you weren't in 10th grade, you were either in "10A" or "10B". Presumably one half moved up in January and the other half moved up in June. An example yearbook is here: [6]. Are there any available resources that discuss this historical practice? Helpful Raccoon (talk) 00:34, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

My high school in Canada did this too! Félix An (talk) 09:18, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

It would likely be up to the rules in a given state (or province) or possibly even the local school board. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 09:55, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

In California, the practice was in reaction to the baby boomers filling the schools faster than the voters approved new spending on facilities and faculty. By the 1970s, there were even split sessions within a single day: morning (7:30am-lunch) and afternoon (lunch-5pm). DOR (ex-HK) (talk) 18:58, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

I'm not sure we're talking about the same thing -- this practice started well before the baby boomers and was being phased out by the 1960s. Helpful Raccoon (talk) 19:32, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

2004–2009 UAE population boom

According to the World Bank, the total population of the UAE double from 2004 (4m) to 2009 (8m). Was this really the case? Or is it just that the large population of foreign workers was undercounted before and that was fixed during that period? a455bcd9 (Antoine) (talk) 06:04, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

Their crude birth rate has dropped from around 16‰ in 2000 to around 10‰.[7] That seems to tell most of the story. Remsense诉 08:14, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

Meanwhile, the inwards migration rate to the UAE reached a peak of 109% in 2007/8 [8] Alansplodge (talk) 14:40, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

Is xe.com a reliable source for checking exchange rates?

Just for making deals/transactions among close friends with foreign currencies (not to send money), is xe.com a WP:RS to check the rates? Félix An (talk) 09:16, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

Yes, as long as a 1-2% variation isn't a deal-breaker DOR (ex-HK) (talk) 19:00, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

Can the name of Virginia be changed to East Virginia?

East Virginia ~ West Virginia, just like North Carolina ~ South Carolina and North Dakota ~ South Dakota, they are “opposite direction” names, and if so, then we can have a state name starting with the letter E. 2402:7500:92D:FD81:EC83:9EB4:F66F:5867 (talk) 09:42, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

In theory. But why would they want to? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 09:53, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

North Dakota and South Dakota were decreed into existence by Congress in the 19th century, while the Province of Carolina was split into North Carolina and South Carolina in 1712. In neither case was one considered to be part of the other. However, Virginia existed as a British colony, then a U.S. state, for over 200 years, from the early 17th century until the U.S. Civil War, when it became exceedingly awkward that the northwest part of the state was solidly pro-Union, while the rest was Confederate. The remaining part of the state when West Virginia split off contained the state capital, most of the population, the majority of the land, all of the seacoast, and the political elites who traditionally ran the state, so it was the clear and obvious successor state to the previous undivided commonwealth (state) of Virginia. The Virginia elites did not have positive feelings about West Virginia splitting off, and felt that their part was the "real" historic Virginia, and so were not motivated to rename to "East Virginia". AnonMoos (talk) 10:42, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

The question was can the name be changed. Yes, why not? The US has one state that changed its name, with no problems. --142.112.220.50 (talk) 15:28, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

Rhode Island changed its official name to what everyone calls it anyway. Is there anyone in Virginia who calls their state "East Virginia"? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 16:32, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

Virginia has clung to a name that is only used in official documents and even hardly known among the Virginians themselves.  --Lambiam 19:37, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

The usage might be most prominent in the name of Virginia Commonwealth University. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:27, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

Every so often a governor of North Dakota will argue for changing it to just "Dakota". Then someone will counter-argue that that cold, desolate state should instead be just "North". And that usually puts an end to it, again. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 16:34, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

It's like Palo Alto and East Palo Alto. There ain't no West Palo Alto – even though we have a redirect. Actually, most of East Palo Alto is more to the West than most of Palo Alto.

May 15

payment aggregators and payment gateways

Is it accurate to categorize payment aggregators and payment gateways as payment infrastructure providers or payment system providers? What distinction would be more precise in describing their role in the payment ecosystem? Grotesquetruth (talk) 11:00, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

Walmart

Matt Stoller tweets:

The spread of Walmart in the 1980s shattered Southern politics, that’s *purely* a trade and antitrust story. The civil rights movement is not why the South went to the right.[9]

What does he mean by that? Walmart shifted Southern politics rightward but not the rest of the country? They are everywhere I thought. Was it just about consolidating retail or was there more, like offshoring manufacturing? Does Amazon have a similar effect now? Thanks. 2601:644:8501:AAF0:DBFA:4401:E57A:AAC4 (talk) 11:44, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

Reading the entire Twitter chain, he is merely using Walmart as an example of a larger trend. His argument is that the South turned to the GOP because of economic issues, not Civil Rights issues. Whether he is correct (or not) is not something we should debate on this page. Blueboar (talk) 12:37, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

Aha. I didn't see the rest of the thread. No I didn't want a debate, I just wanted to understand what he is saying. I guess it's not entirely about Walmart. Thanks. 2601:644:8501:AAF0:DBFA:4401:E57A:AAC4 (talk) 12:45, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

The author making that argument probably also denies that the Civil War was about slavery. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:50, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

For the conventional narrative which he's disputing, see Southern strategy... -- AnonMoos (talk) 16:32, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

House of Stairs II by M. C. Escher

Resolved

Does that [above] exist? Curl-up article claims it does (uncited}, but I am unable to find evidence. The following is the most comprehensive listing that I found: [10] -- 136.54.106.120 (talk) 18:57, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

:Is this the expanded version? Mikenorton (talk) 19:42, 15 May 2024 (UTC)

M.C. Escher, House of Stairs II, November 1951. Lithograph on 3 sheets of cream wove paper, 139.5 x 36 cm. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa.

From STEPPING STONES: EXPANDING THE OTHERWORLDLY UNIVERSE OF M.C. ESCHER by the National Gallery of Canada. Alansplodge (talk) 11:09, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

 Thanks

May 16

Roman Inscriptions

Ancient Roman inscriptions often have a cartouche with triangular wings at the sides. What is the reason/meaning/history of them? You can see an example here: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_Inscription_in_T%C3%A9bessa,_Algeria_%28EDH_-_F002215%29.jpeg Thank you! 82.56.17.61 (talk) 07:01, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

It's the shape of a tabula ansata. An academic reference on this type of inscription frame can be found here. --Wrongfilter (talk) 07:10, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

Numbers and colors on a Japanese calendar

I have seen days on a Japanese calendar labeled with a sequence of numbers 1 to 9 together with colors. Apparently the sequence is called 九星 and goes like this: 一白, 二黒, 三碧, 四緑, 五黄, 六白, 七赤, 八白, 九紫. What does it mean and how is it used? Today, May 16, 2024, is a 二黒 day. What does that mean? 2601:18A:C500:E830:526A:B17D:E5EF:4ACD (talk) 08:40, 16 May 2024 (UTC)

The colour names are those of the colours associated with each star of Nine Star Ki; see Nine Star Ki § Star characteristics and compatibilities.  --Lambiam 13:35, 16 May 2024 (UTC)