PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHPLACES 3/2/21 J! Round

[Woof]

I’ve probably driven by Yorba Linda a few times, but never felt compelled to stop there. I knew Brookline was in MA but wasn’t willing to lock in on JFK.

[trainman]

I have reverse East Coast bias - I live about 15-20 miles from Brookline and can't believe that so many of you have been there, much less know that it's in Massachusetts. Did you get forget to get off the T and go an extra stop?

I have been watching Conan O'Brien's late-night shows since 1993, and have been reading John Hodgman's books since 2005 (and, later, listening to his podcasts). Two proud Brookliners, one of whom regularly pulls out a JFK impression.

[rockyboy34]

4/5 except Yorba Linda. Didn't even have a guess. Had no idea it was that well known.

I live here!

[Lefty]

I have reverse East Coast bias - I live about 15-20 miles from Brookline and can't believe that so many of you have been there, much less know that it's in Massachusetts. Did you get forget to get off the T and go an extra stop?

I have been watching Conan O'Brien's late-night shows since 1993, and have been reading John Hodgman's books since 2005 (and, later, listening to his podcasts). Two proud Brookliners, one of whom regularly pulls out a JFK impression.

David Susskind once did a show on Brookline. His guests were Mike Wallace and a younger guy I didn't know. The former pair had attended the local high school together, though Wallace was a couple of years ahead and additionally was a tennis star, so he was known to Susskind but not vice-versa. Wallace, though, said he'd had a very strict upbringing and so did not derive the benefits from his status he might have. Later in life of course he received many honors, but whether he'd have given them up for a better time in high school is a tantalizing question.

Brookline is the only one of the five I have set foot in. I was attending an event at BU, just a couple of blocks away on Commonwealth Avenue. I didn't see the birthplace but I did buy a coffee at Dunkin' Donuts, so I had a real interaction with the town.