You Can't Make This Stuff Up 083108

Maybe it really is Obiden?

Hey folks,

Simply put, I just found this funny. Short, sweet, and humours. It appears that Obama and Biden have more in common than anyone though. Perhaps even themselves.

According to the AFP - Obama, Biden descended from Irish cobblers: researcher

Both US presidential hopeful Barack Obama and running mate Joseph Biden are descended from shoemakers who emigrated from Ireland within five weeks of each other, a researcher said Friday.

US genealogist Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak said the two politicians' ancestors set off for the United States in April and May 1849, joining up to 1.5 million other Irish who fled their island's devastating 1845-49 potato famine.

Last year, Smolenyak Smolenyak, who lives in New Jersey, traced Obama's maternal Kearney family roots to Moneygall in County Offaly.

Now she believes that Biden's great-great-grandfather, Owen Finnegan, most likely emigrated from Carlingford in County Louth, which borders on Northern Ireland.

"In the case of both Biden and Obama's family, what's interesting is that the gentlemen in the family left in 1849 and then their families followed in 1850," Smolenyak Smolenyak told RTE public radio.

"What is even more peculiar is that both of the progenitors were shoemakers."

About 34 million Americans claim an Irish connection.

Smolenyak Smolenyak? Is that even a real name? Not picking, just wondering. At first I thought it was a typo, but twice? No. Make that four times? {Smile} Anyway, I guess we can now find it safe to assume that they are perfect for each other, and we can also forget the millions both have and the houses that both have. They can relate to the common man because they both come from Shoe Makers. {Sigh}

No. I'm not going to ask the obvious question. I will leave that to you.

Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
AFP - Obama, Biden descended from Irish cobblers: researcher