Four 'great' Presidents are remembered by having their heads featured
on Mount Rushmore.

Four was evidently all the sculptor considered worthy of inclusion at
the time and quite right, too.

But now, assuming that the King really is dead, would it not be
appropriate to have Elvis included as the Fifth All-Time Great?

---

Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 25 May 2006 00:01 PDT

Having just seen 'Walk The Line', a new option has emerged: Reese Witherspoon.

I loved her in 'Legally Blonde' and she was great strumming the
autoharp as June Carter Cash.

What's more, she'll look great up there on the Mount.

Anyway, I've decided that #5 doesn't necessarily have to be either dead or ugly.

So, step up Reese and do your stuff.

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Request for Question Clarification by boquinha-ga on 25 May 2006 15:42 PDT

Bryan, 

I've seen your question and I must say, "I'm all shook up!" I'm *SO*
flattered to have my very own probonopublico question!! I want to do
it proud, so I've been brainstorming . . . Elvis, Reese (who I also
like very much), other ideas, hmmm . . . . still brainstorming. I can
get something to you soon. I'm having fun brainstorming this one!
Thank you!!

Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga

---

Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 25 May 2006 21:46 PDT

Many thanks, Queen Ha

It's great to know that you are on the case.

I am now trying to find out how to bait my breath (cheese perhaps?) so
that I can do the necessary at my end.

All the Best

Bryan

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Request for Question Clarification by boquinha-ga on 26 May 2006 07:29 PDT

Thanks, Bryan! :)

As for baiting your breath, I suppose it depends on what you're trying
to attract. If it's me/my answer, while I do really like cheese, I can
hardly resist good sushi. Mmmmmmmmm.

Best regards,
Queen Ha

---

Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 26 May 2006 10:01 PDT

Good Sushi?

There ain't no sush thing.

Years ago, I went to the Land of the Rising Sun and nearly starved to death.

Nowadays, whenever I see a Japanese Restaurant, I think of Sumo Wrestlers.

Anyway, I prefer my own elegant shape and to place reliance on a good
right hook to the solar plexus (if the sun's out) or otherwise to the
lunar plexus.

I will stay with the cheese.

Happy brainstorming!

All the Best

Bryan

Dear Bryan,

Ok, I?ve mulled it over (and over and over) and though I?ve considered
both Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, I have to go with my gut and propose
that Lucille Ball be the fifth all-time great. Since it seems that
we?re mostly considering celebrities for the position I think it?s
appropriate to pick someone well known and talented who doesn?t
already enjoy such grand shrine-like worship (Elvis has Graceland and
Marilyn, well, Marilyn has her looks). I am a huge fan of ?I Love
Lucy? and have even visited her hometown of Jamestown, NY. (While it?s
no Graceland, it is quaint and fun for any Lucy fan.) I highly
recommend it for any Lucy fan.

Jamestown has a population of about 30,000.
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/3638264.html

I think Lucy needs more exposure. And here are 10 reasons why she
deserves to be the fifth great to represent the United States.

1. It?s about time we get a woman up there (that adds diversity to the mount).

2. She makes us laugh (it can be argued that this also adds diversity
to the mount).

3. This is one of my personal favorite trivia facts about ?I Love Lucy.?

?Never off the air in 54 years, I Love Lucy has been shown in 77
countries, in 22 languages. According to TV Guide, it is on television
24 hours a day, seven days a week, somewhere in the world.?
http://www.lucyfan.com/stillweek194.html

She should be on the mountain for that alone!

4. She?s ingenious--she made a career out of being tall and awkward and hilarious.

5. She?s had practice being a statue once already.
http://www.lucyfan.com/westport1.jpg

6. While every woman can dream of looking like Marilyn, more women can
relate to looking like Lucy. We have enough model-beautiful women all
over TV, movie screens, and magazines. Let?s have an every woman?s
woman represent us all in a national park!

7. She?s had lots of practice in dealing with grumpy old men (Ahem, Fred Mertz).

8. Lucy Ricardo has spent her entire television life trying to break
into show business. How apropos to give her a spot on the mount!

9. She has practice hobnobbing with celebrities; so, being up there
with former presidents shouldn?t make her too uncomfortable.

10. Since a national park should be family friendly, we must ensure
that a strong gust of wind not reveal too much. Lucy?s smart skirts
are more likely to handle such weather than Marilyn?s.
http://nylatinojournal.com/home/images/stories/i-love-lucy.jpg
versus
http://www.museumca.org/exhibit/images/iconic_marilynsolo.jpg


Of course lots of things can be done to enhance the whole national
park experience with Lucy on the mount. ?I Love Lucy? theme music can
play when tourists put in a quarter and press their heads against the
binoculars to get a better look at Lucy. And of course the gift shop
can be infused with pink and red trinkets celebrating our new fifth
great. Every visitor could get a gift box of chocolates. Oh, and extra
measures would have to be taken to ensure that vandals don?t spray
paint her hair red!

Hmmm. As I sit here and consider the possibilities, it occurs to me
that 50 years from now someone might propose similar ideas, only with
your own Simon Cowell as the fifth (or sixth?) great. I can see it
now--American Idol tchotchkes and the like all around the premises!
Having a Brit on the mount could be interesting?a symbol of
international diversity? If a Brit were to be considered, what about
Princess Diana? Or Margaret Thatcher? Oh, I?d better stop. This is a
whole other topic! But it?s fun to consider!

Thank you again for asking for me specifically! I am sooooo very
flattered to add answering a probonopublico question to my GAR résumé.
What a treat! If you have need of further clarification, please let me
know how I can help. Thank you again!

Sincerely,
Queen Ha
(Boquinha-ga)

Ha ha, Queen Ha

So you've chosen a woman!

Why am I not surprised?

And a red-headed woman at that!

But why not your (formerly?) good friend Pinkfreud?

Pinky will be very hurt. I just hope that she doesn't see this.

(You know what women are like!)

Anyway, many thanks for your pondering and for choosing someone that
no one else in this Great Big World would have even considered.

However I bet Elvis and Marilyn have been very put out by your ruling.

All the Best

Bryan

We're watching, Boquinha, with bated breath.  Note:  the answer may go either way.

ah, but the King is NOT dead!

I spotted him just the other day at the AM/PM Mini on I-5 near Everett, Washington

he didn't look so good . . .

***

You know, in a parallel universe not so far from our own, Al Gore
actually did win the 2000 election

He's got chiselled features, unlike the baby-faced Presley, so of
course Gore's got my vote for Rushmore

(this universe is just lagging painfully behind the times)


proof positive:
Quicktime:  http://movies.crooksandliars.com/SNL-Al-Gore-5-14.mov


or go to:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/05/14.html

scroll down to:  SNL: If Al Gore were President 


***

Wow, Timely One, I think that you are on to something!

And what would THAT say to the Bushwhacker?

I think Timespacette saw a ghost  - or Elvis as flown from Washington
state.  I saw him yesterday over here.  Right, he doesn't look so
good, lost a lot of weight, also from his face, and thinning white
hair and a ducktail look a little incongruous.  Johnny Cash aged
better.

"And what would THAT say to the Bushwhacker?"

the idle is set too high; he doesn't hear a thing . . .

Bryan, 

Thank you so very much for the 5 stars and the generous tip! I'm
really so excited to have answered one of your questions. Whoopee!
:)As for the choice, Elvis and Marilyn may be put out, but Pink knows
we love her. :) Besides, she is already the reigning beloved
red-headed GAR of GA! :)

Thank you again! 

Sincerely
Boquinha-ga (a.k.a Queen Ha!)