Presidents in your pocket

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Coins of the realm. The second in the presidential series of dollar coins, this one with the visage of John Adams, hits the tip jars of America’s espresso stands today (http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/05/17/100bus_coin001.cfm?refresh=yes).

The U.S. Mint hopes that releasing four new coins each year will succeed where Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea failed in making the dollar coin a hit.

The Buzz predicts a great clamor for the coins in 2010 when Millard Fillmore, who is best known for installing the White House’s first bathtub, gets his turn. Those eager for a Richard Nixon buck will have to wait for 2016.

Vivé la Royale avec fromage. France’s new president, Nicolas Sarkozy, took office Wednesday (http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/05/17/100wir_a3world001.cfm?refresh=yes).

Sarkozy, known for his pro-American stance, began his term by ruling that french fries will now be known as “pommes liberté.”

Will it play in Peoria? The Associated Press, looking for a good example of average America as the presidential primaries approach, has determined that Illinois is the U.S.’s mirror image (http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/05/17/100wir_a4illinois001.cfm?refresh=yes).

We’d joke about Illinois’ blandness, except that Washington was No. 4 on the list, ahead of Delaware. Delaware? Man, this state needs to go out and get some piercings and tattoos.

— Jon Bauer, Herald staff