The Impossible Girl

Defying expectations daily

[aftershocked]

STAR TREK (1966-present)

[usnatarchives]

Nixon: “The problem . . . with pandas is that they don’t know how to mate."

Top graphic online here; National Archives gif online here.

Nixon: "This question of mating is very interesting..."

One of the gifted pandas at DC's National Zoo, 4/20/1972, NARA ID 66394284

For #NationalPandaDay - PANDA SEX!

By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

In honor of #NationalPandaDay, we thank President Richard Nixon* and share excerpts from his chat -- with a reporter -- on panda mating habits! (Washington Star’s foreign editor Crosby Noyes). Read the full conversation of 3/13/1972, listen to the audio tape.

*Nixon's historic 1972 trip to China led to the BEST GIFT EVER - the two adorable furry goodwill ambassadors Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing. But their U.S. arrival was delayed so the pandas could learn Sex Ed.

Nixon: Now, as a matter of fact, let me tell you an interesting thing about—that you must know, you can only use on your own if you want, but not on comment. I was just talking to [White House Chief of Staff] Bob Haldeman who talked to his Chinese hosts, and this question of mating is very interesting. These are—This is a male and a female.

Noyes: Uh-huh.

Nixon: The problem with, uh—The problem, however, with pandas is that they don’t know how to mate. The only way they learn how is to watch other pandas mate. You see?

Noyes: [laughs]

Nixon: And, so they’re keeping them there a little while—these are younger ones—

Noyes: I see.

Nixon: —to sort of learn, you know, how it’s done.

Noyes: Sure, learn the ropes—

Nixon: Now, if they don’t learn it they’ll get over here and nothing will happen, so I just thought you should just have your best reporter out there to see whether these pandas—

Noyes: Well, we certainly will—

Nixon: —have learned. So, now that I’ve given you the story of pandas let me let you get back to your more serious questions.

More online:

Washington Post, Here is a clip of Richard Nixon discussing panda sex

Douglas Brinkley and Luke A. Nichter, The Nixon Tapes: 1971-1972.

National Archives YouTube, First Lady Pat Nixon welcomes pandas to the National Zoo

Nixon Library, tape excerpts re: Nixon's trip to China.

National Archives DocsTeach: Nixon Visits China: The Week that Changed the World.

[machetelanding]

[nprbooks]

How did a little state that rests alongside the banks of a mighty river make so many contributions to American letters and literature? That’s the question posed early on in A Place Like Mississippi, Ralph Eubanks’ new book about his home state – a state that produced writers like Eudora Welty, Richard Wright, William Faulkner, Jesmyn Ward, and more. Eubanks talked to our own Mary Louise Kelly about the book – check out that conversation here.

– Petra

[static-warp-bubble]

Star Trek CMOs

[dreamxeyes]

And also… ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[mylittleredgirl]

#idk if they’ve established culber as that officially but it’s really the only thing that makes sense ( @tochaoticallygo​ )

I think Disco’s CMO is Dr. Pollard? But it’s hard to tell. That ship is run by committee. There’s Lower Decks and then there’s Intermediate Decks and that’s the USS Discovery.

and while we’re on the subject

[imposterogers]

one thing i don’t think sam wilson is given enough credit for is his first interaction with steve. sam was employed by the department of veteran affairs, specifically to help people with ptsd and to run support groups. he recognizes someone suffering from the condition when he sees them, even if that someone is captain america. 

he eases his way into conversation with steve, keeping it light, and then says “must have freaked you out coming home from the whole desfrosting thing”

& then steve sighs, looks away, makes the below face, and says “takes some getting used to” & immediately tries to extract himself from the conversation. this isn’t something that steve talks about. he says it was nice to meet sam, and begins to walk away. 

the thing is, no one has pushed on steve. they ask him how he’s doing, he gives them some vague, bullshit response, and they let it go. but not sam. he knows that if he lets steve walk away, if he doesn’t extend a branch right now, he’ll never see him again & there may never be another person who will be capable or willing to provide him the help//support he so desperately needs. 

so sam says, “its your bed, right? your bed. it’s too soft.” its a small, personal, but largely universal detail that stops steve in his tracks. he’s caught off guard and vulnerable. 

& when sam asks steve if he misses the “good old days”, he’s actively studying steve, taking in his body language and what he says 

when steve is about to leave, sam extends one more branch, and he says “anytime you want to stop by the va, and make me look awesome in front of the girl at the front desk, just let me know” , which is an important distinction from “come down to the va for a support group meeting” 

[thesuperheroesnetwork]

In conclusion, Sam Wilson rocks.

[tcm]

Remembering Yul Brynner on what would have been his 100th birthday, seen here in THE JOURNEY (‘59).

[jacqalan]

Silverstone 1963 . John Surtees , Ferrari 156/63.

[jacqalan]

[jacqalan]

Caroll Shelby ,Le Mans 1959 race winner, at the wheel of his Aston Martin DBR1.

[itsbrucemclaren]

///  THE DAGGER – MATTEUCCI GARAGE BMW R80ST ///

[itsbrucemclaren]

/// 1967  Dan Gurney, Eagle T1G Weslake.   ////                     

[itsbrucemclaren]

//// 1967 Lorenzo Bandini, Ferrari 312.  ////                      

[sharonov]

1994 Australian Grand Prix Williams FW16B-Renault Nigel Mansell

[amjayes]

[sharonov]

1997 Japanese Grand Prix Williams FW19 Jacques Villeneuve

[sharonov]

1984 Dutch Grand Prix Ayrton Senna, Toleman-Hart TG184 Jo Gartner, Osella-Alfa Romeo FA1F

[cevanscentral]

The price of freedom is high. It always has been. And it’s a price I’m willing to pay. And if I’m the only one, then so be it. But I’m willing to bet I’m not.

Happy 102 Birthday Steve Rogers (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ (July 4th, 1918)