McCain committed political malpractice.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

No, it depends entirely on usage. In the US, North America typically means only the US, Mexico and Canada. In other usages, it would include Greenland (which you didn't mention) and Central America, and in some usages would exclude Greenland. Given the context of the discussion in which the question arose with Palin (nations belonging to NAFTA), the common usage in the US of US, Canada and Mexico was what I would expect her to know at a minimum.

At the risk of becoming a target for one of Calicoug's rhetorical death grips, in what usage does north america commonly include Greenland?

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by creekster

At the risk of becoming a target for one of Calicoug's rhetorical death grips, in what usage does north america commonly include Greenland?

Geologically, Greenland is part of North America. Politically, it is thought to be a part of Europe.

[ERCougar]

Originally Posted by CardiacCoug

I agree with you. I was just saying that I find it very believable that Palin doesn't know this stuff because of all the college-educated people I have met that are completely ignorant about the location of states and countries. See my avatar. 70% of Americans don't get the joke (my guesstimate).

OK...I'll bite. I don't get it. Isn't Darfur in Africa?

[CardiacCoug]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

OK...I'll bite. I don't get it. Isn't Darfur in Africa?

Of course you're in the smart 30%.

It's all the lawyers and similarly inferiorly educated people that don't know one continent or country from another.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

Geologically, Greenland is part of North America. Politically, it is thought to be a part of Europe.

So if you are at a USGS convention you might think NA but everywhere else you think not NA?

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by creekster

So if you are at a USGS convention you might think NA but everywhere else you think not NA?

No, because continents aren't determined by political affiliations. Most people would say Greenland is part of North America.

Here is some help for you from the World Atlas.

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/na.htm

"Description: North America, the planet's 3rd largest continent, includes (23) countries and dozens of small island possesions and territories - mostly in the Caribbean. It contains all Caribbean and Central America countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States of America - three of the largest countries on the planet, as well as Greenland - the world's largest island."

[creekster]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

No, because continents aren't determined by political affiliations.

You don't say? I learn something here all the time.

Most people would say Greenland is part of North America.

Perhaps, although I tend to think the opposite. Most people would agree that Greenland is part of NA in a strict geological sense, but they would not identify it as part of NA if you asked them, and I'm guessing this even includes democrats.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by ERCougar

OK...I'll bite. I don't get it. Isn't Darfur in Africa?

Whoops. Are you serious? Yikes.

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by creekster

You don't say? I learn something here all the time.




Perhaps, although I tend to think the opposite. Most people would agree that Greenland is part of NA in a strict geological sense, but they would not identify it as part of NA if you asked them, and I'm guessing this even includes democrats.

Not sure what to tell ya, Creek, other than most people you apparently know would be wrong.

Note: I actually suspect most Americans would get this wrong, as I think most Americans view North America as Mexico, the US and Canada.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

Not sure what to tell ya, Creek, other than most people you apparently know would be wrong.

You were talking about usage, correct? Not a strict definition? Isn't that what you said? I am talking about usage too. I am not suggesting your definition, in a geological sense, is incorrect, but I would bet if you asked 100 people at random to draw a circle around the parts of the map that include NA, 10 or fewer would circumscribe Greenland. That is a usage issue.

It is rather amusing to me that just as you chide Tex for being dogged you are as well because you can't stand to ever be, even in the slightest, anything but absolutely one hundred percent correct. I pity you because I am sure it is a burden to live with. Now go ahead and explain, possibly with multiple quotations, why I am incorrect and misconstruing and/or missing the entire point. The field is yours.