Ask Chips: it's our turn to ask you

Answers compiled by Vivek Chellappa, Allison Elvove, Ely Portillo and Katherine Zhang

Chocolate Freak asks: "So...how many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a tootsie-pop?"

According to our Silver Chips Online Research Staff, which has temporarily inducted a new member, BNC Associate Producer Gabriel Osborne, it has been officially determined through an hour of intense study that it takes 2,005 licks for an individual to get to the center of a tootsie-pop, if they take nice, long licks.  This number was calculated by the careful tallies of Allison and the true dedication of Gabe through 5B lunch and sixth period.  Upon tallying up the numbers by hundreds and then taking into account the last few licks (until he got to the true tootsie center), we determined surprisingly that 2,005 licks was the appropriate number.  2005 seniors!  Which just happens to be the best year ever in which to graduate.  Funny how that works out.

smellyFrenchman asks: "do snails taste better with caramel or honey dijon mustard??????  i need this answered quick!"

Chips has absolutely no idea.  Considering how escargot seems slimy and semi-crunchy, however, we'd suggest the honey dijon mustard.  Snails are not meant to be sweet.

ONLINE LOLZ asks: "OMG LIEK WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE JUNIOR ONLINE STAFF MEMBER THIS YEAR? c'mon, you made us choose on the manifesto test ....it's only fair!"

You should know, dear junior staffer, that the editors-in-chief don't play favorites.  We love you all.  Equally.  It's only fair.  Besides, since most of you didn't pick your favorite on the test, why should we?

Kristin Duckworth (shortie85kk@aol.com) asks: "When my grandfather died, he left me 10,000 in savings bonds. The bonds are currently in my father's posetion. My question is, when are the bonds legally mine? When i turn 18?"

According to Alert Media LLC, which is an Internet and book publishing company located in New York City which publishes Savings Bond Alert, a book updated every November and May, says the following about your question.

If the decedent is the only one named on the bond, then the bond would pass to the decedent's estate and be distributed according to the decedent's will.  However, if there are two names on the bond, determine if the names are separated by "OR" or by "POD."  "OR" means the second person is a co-owner and has exclusive rights to them. "POD" (payable on death) means the second person is the beneficiary of the bonds.  Even if you inherit Savings Bonds, you still need to pay the income tax on the interest earned by the bond.  Therefore, it would make sense that you, being younger than 18 years old, could not pay the tax until you have a job, which could be another reason why your father has the bonds at this point.

This was a complicated answer.  If this is still unclear, just talk to your father.  When in doubt, ask your parents.  They're never wrong of course.

Spaceman asks: "I'm leaving tomorrow on an intergalactic mission to save the entire universe from large headed aliens with big oogly eyes. What should I pack?"

There are several important survivor and battle tools that you will definitely need.  First, pack plenty of dry ice, if only to scare off those large headed aliens with big oogly eyes with the smoke.  Second, you'll need a dozen small but pointy toothpicks, for obvious reasons. For reading pleasures, take along a copy of the latest Silver Chips edition, and you'll need exactly 3.14 kilograms of honey for energy.  And finally, please take along President Bush.  Also for obvious reasons.

Verizon guy asks: "Can you hear me now?"

Isn't it clear by now that you can be in a coal mine 8,000 feet below, and we can still hear you?  Stop asking!!  We hear you!

ummm asks: "what's up with the name silver chips? why is it called that?"

The answer to this question is two-fold.   You might have noticed that all the publications in Blair bear the prefix Silver: Silver Chips, Silverlogue, Silver Quill, Silver Quest, Silver Scope.  These publications are, of course, named after our wonderful hometown, Silver Spring.  Second, Silver Chips was first published at the old Blair located on Wayne Avenue almost 70 years ago.  It started as a one-page addendum on the back of our yearbook, Silverlogue.  But when it was published independently, the paper became a "chip off the old block," hence the proud name Silver Chips.

Famous Tltles asks: "How can Australia be both a continent AND a country? I think that those Aussies are planning something...."

The Australians, as far as we know, are...oh wait, the CIA forbids us from revealing this information.  Sorry.

Eric (erma@mbhs.edu) asks: "What are the six most common ions?"

According to Mr. Daugherty from Cabot, Arkansas, there are 20! most common ions he thinks should be memorized, not only six!

Ammonium (NH41+)
Silver (Ag1+)
Zinc (Zn2+)
Acetate (CH3COO-)
Chlorate (ClO3-)
Chorite (ClO2-)
Cyanide (CN-)
Hydrogen carbonate (HCO1-)
Hydroxide (OH-)
Nitrate (NO31-)
Nitrite (NO21-)
Thiocyanate (SCN-)
Permanganate (MNO4)
Carbonate (CO32-)
Chromate (CrO42-)
Dichromate (Cr2O7)
Peroxide (O22-)
Sulfate (SO42-)
Sulfite (SO32-)
Phosphate (PO43-)

For a more complete table of positive and negative ions, click here.

Foreign Films Showdown asks: "What's better, Amelie or Spice World?"

You've truly presented a tough question here. While Amelie was regarded as one of the best, most innovative foreign films of all time to be released in America, Spice World did feature Posh Spice. Also, Spice World's soundtrack was simply amazing. However, the editors have been able to come to an agreement – Amelie is clearly the superior film in terms of acting, plot, cinematography and screenwriting. Jeff Dunn is still sticking with Spice World though, as it is his favorite movie of all time.

Jansen asks: "Dear Ask Chips, What must I do to get a date with a SC writer?"

Well Jansen, most of our writers are quite friendly and approachable, and respond well to standard pick-up lines. A knowledge of journalism and scholastic press law is helpful, as is a healthy respect for the award-winning film All the President's Men. Also, most Chips writers are partial to white roses and candlelit dinners. Basically, just be your sweet self and we're sure you'll get at least one of our staff out on a date.

Mr. Sheng asks: "Hi! Can I get your number?"
lonely guy asks: "will you marry me?"
Paul Wong (pawong@mbhs.edu) also asks: "Will you marry me?"

Good lord, apparently a lot of people want relationships with us.  We're just that good.

hmmm asks: "Why are we so eager to ask stupid questions to Ask Chips and then happy we get posted?"

We, here on Silver Chips Online, understand your silly addiction, and we cater to those needs you have.  We're just soooooooo happy and feeeeeeeel all warm and fuzzy inside that we can do our small part in making ya'll be so happy yourselves.

US Foreign Policy asks: "So exactly how many wars has the US been involved in since 1787? And how many undeclared wars, like Korea and Vietnam? How many casualties are under each category?"

Silver Chips Online has compiled the following chronological list of 11 wars the U.S. has been involved in since 1787, the years in which they took place and the issues/people at stake.

-War of 1812 (1812-1814)- between the U.S. and British over the impressments of American sailors, U.S. wanted to repeal Orders in Council (which restricted trade with Americans) and to establish freedom over the seas.

-Mexican War (1846-1848)- between the U.S. and Mexico over the state of Texas.

-Civil War (1861-1865)- within the U.S., over issues of secession and slavery.

-Spanish-American War (1898)- began April 25, 1898, ended August 12, 1898, U.S. and allies destroyed Spanish Navy, freed Philippine Islands, took control of San Juan Hill, granted Cuba independence.

-World War I (1914-1918)- Germany declared war on Russia, in 1917, U.S. declared war on Germany because of submarine attacks on American ships.

-World War II (1939-1945)- U.S. joins on side of British and French, in 1941, Japan declares war on U.S. and Great Britain with bombing of Pearl Harbor.

-Korean War (1950-1953)- civil war between communists and non-communists in Korea, UN forces with U.S. backing entered war.

-Vietnam War (1961-1975)- President Kennedy sent American Green Beret to South Vietnam to train soldiers to fight against Viet Cong guerrillas in 1961, on January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords are signed by the U.S., North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong, tensions continue, on April 30, 1975, the last Americans leave Vietnam, President Minh acknowledges unconditional surrender.

-Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)- the Army of Iraq invaded Kuwait and stated that Kuwait was annexed, the UN Security Council condemned the act and demanded withdrawal, the 44-day war with Iraq ended with a permanent cease-fire agreement and Iraq's agreement to pay restitution to Kuwait and to destroy their chemical weapons.

-War on Terrorism (2001-   )- after September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush's administration declared a war against global terrorism.

-Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2004?)- U.S. invaded Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction that Iraq was supposed to have destroyed.

The following is a list of U.S. military fatalities:

-War of 1812: 2,260 Americans died

-Mexican War: 13,283 Americans died

-Civil War: 498,332 American died

-Spanish-American War: 2,446 Americans died

-World War I: 116,516 Americans died

-World War II: 405,399 Americans died

-Korean War: 36,913 Americans died

-Vietnam War: 58,177 Americans died

-Persian Gulf War: 383 American died

The above information has been compiled from http://hilltop.bradley.edu/~dannehl/pls208/208wft.htm.

-War on Terrorism: Exact statistics not available.

-Operation Iraqi Freedom: 1,128 Americans have died since March 21, 2003 until as recent as Nov. 5, 2004

Information on Iraq compiled from http://icasualties.org/oif/.

I wonder asks: "Who are the top ten coolest teachers in the school, as ranked by Ask Chips?"

We have given the issue much thought, and decided to make this topic the focus of Ask Chips Eight.  To get us started though, please send us nominations for which teachers you think should make the top ten list.  We promise to use a biased, slanted method to select which teachers are the best, based on our own experiences and whether they have funny sounding names.  Don't let us down readers.  The fate of the next Ask Chips depends on you!