Learn the truth about commonwealths and crocodiles
Today’s question:
Why are some states called commonwealths? What does that mean? Is there a difference between a commonwealth and a state?
A commonwealth, in the sense we’re talking about here, is a democratic political unit bound together for the common good (wealth).
As far as the difference between a commonwealth and a state of the United States, there is none. Same thing, different name.
Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia designate themselves as commonwealths and took that name back when it was in more common use.
Kentucky originally was part of Virginia and chose to keep the commonwealth designation when it went its own way. When West Virginia broke off from Virginia during the Civil War, it opted for the state designation.
Can the president of the United States be recalled? Nope. The Constitution allows for impeachment, but not recall.
How are alligators and crocodiles different? They only have different snouts and colors. That doesn’t create a new species. Are scientists blind?
Geez, slow down, pal. You sound like this is something that really upsets you. Just relax a bit, OK?
Different snouts and colors are more than enough to make a crocodile and an alligator two different things.
Alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts and crocodile snouts are more pointed and V-shaped.
When their snouts are shut, crocodiles look like they’re giving you a creepy grin because the fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip. When alligators close their snouts all their teeth are hidden.
And in general crocodiles tend to live in saltwater habitats, while alligators live in freshwater marshes and lakes.
If a sign says the next town is, say, 37 miles away, is that distance to the city border or the center of the town? The center.