Who could have predicted that after one day of college tournament basketball most of America’s would be billionaires would be seeking their fortunes elsewhere? Well, Warren Buffet for one. Guess that is why he is a billionaire and the rest of us are not. After two days almost every bracket was busted and thousands are ready for next year. The odds were only 9.2 quintillion to 1. Those are the kinds of odds I used to give on the playground in first grade.

In case you had forgotten, it is the High Holy Days of basketball. Services are being held at various temples around the country and beamed to shut ins via television and online. Hope you are able to attend or observe a service. I shall be observing many in a room built for the purpose.

So what happened last week?

1) The NCAA men’s games got off to a bracket beating start. After the first game of the day, what school ruined over 80% of brackets by beating Ohio State?

2) Allegations have been made that the Branstad administration fired some department managers simply because of what?

3) A law went into effect over in Michigan that a woman would need to get special insurance if she thought she might ever need what procedure?

4) Which all news cable network has gone bonkers with crazy stories concerning the disappearance of the missing Malaysian airplane?

5) Once more, who reigns as the Iowa state boys 4A basketball champion?

6) Down in Louisiana, what policy group is being sued by the state for putting up billboards criticizing Gov. Bobby Jindal?

7) In talk reminiscent of the cold war, a Russian TV anchor said Russia was capable of turning the US into what?

8) Which most Irish of Iowa cities once again had a huge St. Partrick’s Day parade with some 125 entries?

9) Senator Bill Dotzler asked the US labor department to investigate Iowa Workforce Development head Theresa Wahlert claiming she has asked lawyers who judge labor cases were asked to create what?

10) What well known anti-gay crusader and church leader whose family would make highly controversial unwanted protests at funerals and other venues died Thursday?

11) Many large northeastern cities had their St. Patrick’s Day Parade boycotted by their mayors because of exclusion of what group from the parade?

12) Observers at the South Pole observed a pattern of waves that they said was evidence of what?

13) In Orange county California researchers have discovered that recent grass fires at golf clubs have been caused by what common golf practice?

14) I am a week late on this, but what major corporation has been sued in many states, including Iowa, for wage theft from its own employees?

15) Looks like Russian leader is making moves on another former Soviet state. What Baltic state are Russian troops being sent near?

16) One extra. The Attorney General in what state said he would not defend his states anti-gay marriage law?

One of the great things about the NCAA tournament – it keeps me indoors until the snow melts.

Answers:

1) the Dayton Flyers

2) they were democrats

3) an abortion – even if for rape.

4) CNN – they are broadcasting crazy possibilities.

5) Iowa City West

6) moveon.org – free speech, not so much

7) a pile of radioactive ash

8) Emmetsburg

9) tip sheets that favor businesses

10) Fred Phelps

11) gays

12) the big bang

13) hitting ball in long, dry out of bounds grass with titanium clubs

14) McDonald’s

15) Estonia

16) Kentucky – said it was a waste of money and he wanted to be on the right side of history (Jack Conway)

And now, back to the games!