just not sure

Seems like just yesterday it was June and you had ten weeks of bliss ahead of you. Big plans all over the place. Places to go things to do. Now summer is almost over and as you look back, summer was mostly filled with sleeping til noon, followed by hours of TV watching and then off to bed.So good to hear little has changed over the decades since my (ahem) productive youth.

Did you happen to hear any news last week? Let’s see…….

1) Well, what is becoming a weekly question, where is Edward Snowden?

2) The July employment numbers came out Friday. Was the news good – jobs gains – or bad – jobs losses?

3) Automobile sales were strong in July. Which company led the resurgent auto sales with an amazing 21% growth in July, GM, Honda, Ford or Toyota?

4) President Obama in an attempt negotiate with Republicans offered to cut what taxes in return for closing loopholes?

5) A lack of productivity did not stop Congress from what annual exercise?

6) The Bradley Manning trial is coming to a conclusion. Wednesday, Manning was found not guilty of what charge?

7) In Cleveland, the man who kept three women in chains for a decade was sentenced. Do you remember his name?

8) Being crazy has been defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. What did the Republican led House do for the 40th time in this session Friday?

9) In Illinois, what group gets no pay until they do their work?

10) A very famous person turns 52 today. Who?

11) Groups of these workers went on short strikes in seven cities during the week. What group of workers were these?

12) Why is August named August?

13) The Minority Leader ofthe Iowa House is moving to a job in the Attorney General’s Office. Who is (or was) the Minority Leader?

14) Iowa was near the center of an outbreak of cyclospora. What was the cause of the outbreak of this disease, according to Iowa officials?

15) The list of candidates for the Democratic nomination stayed the same when this prominent Iowa legislator decided to remain in his seat. Who is this prominent lawmaker?

August is the month for many state fairs, including Iowa’s. It is also the time when schools start across the country and dreams of baseball playoffs die for many major league teams. It is also normally miserably hot. Here are some answers.

1) he has been let out of the airport and been allowed asylum in Russia for the time being.

2) Good news, 162,000 jobs added.

3) Honda

4) corporate

5) going on its annual 5 weeks vacation.

6) aiding the enemy

7) Ariel Castro

8) vote to end “Obamacare”

9) the legislature will not get paid until they solve the pension crisis

10) President Obama

11) fast food workers striking for better pay and conditions

12) August is named for Augustus Caesar. He chose the month to be named for him as he had many military victories in August.

13) Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines

14) Pre-packaged salad greens

15) Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs.