Government Trivia

1. Republican George Ryan was sentenced in 2006 to six and a half years in prison for federal corruption charges. For which US state was he Governor from 1999 to 2003?

From Quiz Big Star In The Big House Vol. 4

Answer: Illinois

Ryan was convicted for awarding state contracts to friends in return for kickbacks as well as using campaign funds to pay personal expenses and paying family and friends (such as his daughters, his sister, and his mother's housekeeper) for campaign work that they had not done. He was released from prison in 2013.

From Quiz Mayor Who?

Answer: The first directly-elected mayor in England

Until the year 2000, there were no directly-elected mayors in England. The Greater London Authority Act of 1999 created the first municipal government based on an an elected Mayor and a municipal legislature (the Greater London Assembly). The office of Mayor of Greater London is very different from the ceremonial position of Lord Mayor of the City of London.

From Quiz Indonesian Leaders

Answer: Sukarno

Sukarno (Soekarno in the old spelling) was politically active beginning in the 1920s, opposing the Dutch colonial administration. Following the Japanese occupation of Indonesia during World War II, he and Muhammad Hatta declared Indonesia's independence on August 17, 1945, although the Dutch attempted to reestablish control and did not officially recognize Indonesia's independence until 1949. Sukarno was instrumental in bringing Indonesia's ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse population together in the new nation, establishing a strong sense of identity through the national language, Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian). He managed to stay in control through a period of political turmoil in the 1950s and established his own brand of "guided democracy". In the 1960s, he increasingly depended upon support from communist nations while rejecting western aid and values. He lost power as a result of the September 30 (1965) Movement, often described as a failed coup, the details of which are still unclear. Sukarno remained a figurehead leader until March 12, 1967. Sukarno passed away in 1970 at age 69. He is fondly remembered as "Bung Karno", the founder of Indonesia, a brilliant man (he spoke 10 languages) who gave Indonesia its identity.

From Quiz Political Hotchpotch of the 20th Century

Answer: Leopoldo Galtieri

All of those mentioned were Argentinian Presidents during the 1970s and 80s. Videla served from 1976-81, and was succeeded for a few months by Viola during 1981 before the latter was overthrown in a military coup. Leader of the coup was Lt Gen Galtieri, who himself led the military Junta from December 1981 to June 1982. The Falklands War began in April 1982 when Argentinian forces invaded and occupied the islands. They surrendered to British forces in June 1982 and Galtieri was replaced or ousted from office by Bignone, who served until December 1983.

From Quiz Keeping it in the Family

Answer: The pope granting positions of authority to his nephews

The New Catholic Dictionary gives the definition of nepotism as "Preferment shown by rulers to relatives in the bestowal of offices on grounds of relationship rather than those of merit." The root of the word lies in the Latin "nepos" which means "nephew" or "grandson". The use of nepotism was particularly popular amongst popes, who having no legitimate issue of their own to bestow favour upon, chose to benefit their wider family, to the extent that the position of Cardinal Nephew came into being. Many popes were alleged to have illegitimate offspring however and, to this day, one definition of nephew given in dictionaries is "an illegitimate son of a clergyman who has vowed celibacy". Papal nepotism effectively met its end with the Papal Bull, "Romanum decet Pontificem", issued by Innocent XII in 1692. This Bull decreed that the office of Cardinal Nephew be abolished and restricted the promotion of family members to Cardinal for future Popes to just one relative each.

From Quiz U.S.-Japan Relations

Answer: Gerald Ford in 1975

Surprisingly not until Ford. Grant did visit Japan in 1879 during his post-Presidency around the world trip. But never as President. Eisenhower was scheduled to visit Japan in 1960 but the country was in the throes of anti U.S demonstrations over the revision of the bilateral security treaty. His press secretary James Haggerty doing advance work for the visit had his car attacked by students on the way into Tokyo. Subsequently the visit was canceled. Carter did visit Japan but that was obviously after Ford. His Vice President, Walter F. Mondale, served as U.S. Ambassador to Tokyo from 1993 to 1997.

From Quiz The Life and Times of Theodor Herzl

Answer: Budapest

Theodor Herzl was born in 1860 in Budapest, which was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time. In 1878 he moved with his family to Vienna.

From Quiz Israeli Prime Ministers 1948-2006

Answer: Kiev

She was born in Kiev (now in the Ukraine) on May 3rd, 1898 as Golda Mabovitz. She emigrated with her family to the United States in 1906, settling in Milwaukee. In 1921, as Golda Myerson, she emigrated with her husband and settled in kibbutz Merhavia. Like all Israeli foreign service personnel at the time, she hebraized her name to Golda Meir in 1956 when appointed as Foreign Minister.

From Quiz Che Guevara: Birth to leaving Cuba

Answer: 14 May 1928

Before those aware of the date on Che's birth certificate (14 June 1928)reach for the 'correction' button, I would point out that his mother (when interviewed by his main biographer Jon Lee Anderson) admitted that, in order to hide the fact that she was three months pregnant, when marrying Che's father, Che's birth was registered a month later than the actual date.

From Quiz Afghanistan: Post Taliban

Answer: Jombesh-i Milli

Dostam was the first Afghan commander to conduct an operation with US assistance to expel the Taliban from Mazar-i-Sharif in late 2001.

From Quiz Everyone's Favorite North Korean: Kim Jong Il

Answer: Hennessy Cognac

As reported in the January 13, 2003 edition of Newsweek, Hennessey admitted Kim was the largest buyer of their cognac for two years running.

From Quiz Events & Personalities in NZ Politics

Answer: 1999

While the first female Prime Minster came to power in 1998, the first elected female prime minister was Helen Clark who came to power after the 1999 general election. The first female Prime Minister was Jenny Shipley. She became Prime Minister by successfully heading a leadership bid against the Prime Minister at the time, Jim Bolger.

From Quiz Kim Jong IL - a True Perspective

Answer: On the Art of Cinema

Kim is also rumoured to have over 20,000 videos in his library. He supposedly said that if he didn't become the leader of his country, he might have become a film critic or a producer. He has also written 6 operas (as of 2002).

From Quiz New Zealand Politics

Answer: Ruth Richardson

Ruth Richardson continued the reforms from the previous Labour Government. Her reforms included benefit cuts, deregulating the Labour market and Corporatising public hospitals.

From Quiz History of Indonesian Politics

Answer: Dutch

Colonisation of Africa and Asia opened the door for European trade and the Dutch were one of many European nations to exploit resources.

From Quiz European Governments

Answer: Prime Minister

The President is the head of the entire Government.

From Quiz I Wanna Be Elected

Answer: Shirley Temple

Temple was unsuccessful in her bid, but did go on to have a very successful diplomatic career, appointed as U.S. delegate to the United Nations by President Nixon in 1969, as ambassador to Ghana from 1974 to 1976 by President Ford, and ambassador to Czechoslovakia from 1989 to 1992 by President George H.W. Bush. She was also a foreign affairs officer-expert from 1981 to 1989 under President Reagan and the first female Chief of Protocol of the United States between 1976 and 1977.

From Quiz Big Star In The Big House Vol. 4

Answer: John Stonehouse

Labour MP John Stonehouse had a business empire of about 20 companies, most of which were by 1974 in financial trouble, resulting in him facing fraud charges. Rather than face the music, he fled to Australia with his secretary and lover under an assumed name, after faking his death on Miami beach. One month after his "death" he was arrested and extradited to UK and six months later faced charges, which not only included the original fraud charges, but also new charges of causing a false police investigation and wasting police time. He served three years of his sentence, being released in 1979 and married his secretary in 1981. He died for real in 1988.

From Quiz Politicians: Here, There and Somewhere Else!

Answer: William Ewart Gladstone

Gladstone was enabled to enter Parliament as his father had made a fortune in the slave trade. He eventually favoured Irish Home Rule. He lived from (1809-1898) so his life virtually encompassed the nineteenth century. He was an accomplished public speaker who never seemed to moderate the tone!

From Quiz Mayor Who?

Answer: Fiorello La Guardia

The harried pilot flew Mayor La Guardia to a small airfield in Brooklyn, where he held a news conference rallying support for a proper airport. The facility was dubbed "The New York Municipal Airport" when it opened in late 1939. Its present and fitting name, "La Guardia Airport," dates from 1953.

From Quiz Indonesian Leaders

Answer: General Suharto

Suharto was a major general who took control after the failed September 30 (1965) movement, being named as president in 1967. He did not allow opposition or viable political parties under his rule, and elections were not regarded as free. Under the "new order", Suharto developed close ties with the US and western nations and was a strong opponent of communism, although officially he maintained that Indonesia was a neutral "non-blok" (non-aligned) nation. Economic development and education grew at an accelerated rate under his rule, and the standard of living for most Indonesians rose dramatically, despite a lack of political freedom. Over time, Suharto's family and friends came to control much of the economy, and corruption flourished as the economy grew. In May 1998, in the midst of the Asian Economic Crisis, an attempt to raise fuel prices led to widespread anti-government demonstrations. The government attempted to crack down, partly by trying to divert anger towards the ethnic Chinese community. Demonstrations continued, gaining fuel when security forces killed four students on a university campus. On May 21, 1998, President Suharto resigned. Suharto is credited for the great strides in development in Indonesia during his 30+ years in power, but his legacy is tainted by the memories of corruption, cronyism and nepotism, and the lack of political freedom during his reign. Suharto passed away on January 4, 2008.

From Quiz Political Hotchpotch of the 20th Century

Answer: P.W. Botha

Botha helped found the Ossewabrandwag (Ox-Wagon Fire Guard). During this period he was threatened with imprisonment. He was Prime Minister/President of South Africa from 1978-1989. Although not mentioned above, BPJ Voster was PM between 1966 and 1978, and was also a member of this organisation. Jan Smuts was Prime Minister from 1939-1948); Mandela was President from 1994-1999; and Mbeki was President from 1999-2008.

From Quiz U.S.-Japan Relations

Answer: Cellular phone base stations

Cell phone base stations and their standards were the key issue in allowing Motorola to enter the Japanese market. Wireless radios were an off and on issue but not related to the cell phone resolution. Neither land line phones nor compatible military phones have been an issue.

From Quiz The Life and Times of Theodor Herzl

Answer: Journalist.

Herzl studied law at the University of Vienna and in 1864 was awarded a doctorate in law. He never really practiced law, however, due to anti-Semitism that was present in that profession. He took up journalism and wrote for the prestigious newspaper, the "Neue Freie Presse", a position that allowed him to travel widely through Europe. In addition, he wrote plays and essays.

From Quiz Che Guevara: Birth to leaving Cuba

Answer: Ernesto

Ernesto was the name of Che's father whilst Roberto was that of his grandfather.

From Quiz Afghanistan: Post Taliban

Answer: Pashtun

Karzai has led Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban; first as Chairman of the Afghan Interim Administration, then as President of the Afghan Transitional Authority, and lastly as the first popularly elected President of Afghanistan.

From Quiz Before They Were in Politics

Answer: Henry VIII

He may have written the words, but there is little evidence to suggest that King Henry VIII actually wrote the famous melody. One thing is for certain - some four or five centuries later another composer decided to orchestrate the theme, and did not credit the Henry VIII as the composer.

From Quiz Politics in Holland - A Strange Country

Answer: purple

Purple, because of the coalition between socialists (red) and liberals (blue).

From Quiz Events & Personalities in NZ Politics

Answer: Piggy

During his term in office, those who did not like his policies often referred to him by the irreverent name "Piggy".

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:44 AM

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