It is always a challenge anymore to see if we can withstand the onslaught of horrible Christmas shows with so many has been or never were stars singing Christmas songs in tortured ways that cause the writers of said songs to roll in their graves. This is in addition to the knuckleheads that insist that saying “happy holidays” or anything that isn’t “merry christmas” is an insult. Sorry there Bubba, but it is just a greeting that happens every year around the winter solstice. There are many religions and non-religions that celebrate the return of the sun somewhere in December that most any greeting is okay.

It was a quiet week wasn’t it? Or Maybe it wasn’t:

1) Meeting in Washington, DC last week what extreme business oriented group handed out their desired laws for next year to state legislators?

2) Can you identify the Tamir Rice mentioned in today’s introduction?

3) “December 7, 1941 – A day that will live in infamy.” Who spoke these words before a joint session of Congress?

4) December 5th, 1933 was indeed a day to celebrate. An era ended on that day when the 21st amendment to the constitution repealed what?

5) Information meetings began across Iowa preparing for the construction of what?

6) Maybe you didn’t notice, but last week America officially became the world’s #2 economy behind what other country?

7) Were “Black Friday” sales – a retail indicator every year – up or down this year?

8) A congressional committee is investigating Japanese auto parts maker Takata for what defective part they have supplied to numerous auto makers?

9) Yesterday was one of the first holidays of December, a month with many holidays. This holiday is big in Europe. What holiday was celebrated yesterday?

10) Akai Gurley was shot by police in a stairway by police in Brooklyn. What unusual step did police then take as Mr. Gurley lay dying?

11) As one wit said “He pointed at himself and said “Out!” Dale Scott became the first member of what profession to come out as gay?

12) Iowa’s Board of Regents voted last week to do what to tuition at Iowa’s regent universities last week?

13) As badly needed as the rain and snow were, it brought a mixed bag of good effects and bad to what drought stricken state last week?

14) SCOTUS justices heard arguments Wednesday in the case of a woman who was refused to be given light duty and then was fired by UPS because of what physical condition she had acquired?

15) While police and National Guard confront protestors on the streets of Ferguson, Mo. what armed volunteer militia is watching the proceedings from rooftops?

Bonus: The US did something it hasn’t done for 42 years Friday. Do you know what it was?

Double bonus: The Supreme Court announced Friday that it will hear oral arguments in a case involving Texas’ ability to choose the messages it allows on government-issued license plates. What symbol is Texas trying to keep off its license plates?

Stay warm – soon we celebrate the return of the sun.

Answers:

1) ALEC

2) The 12 year old boy shot in Cleveland by police. He had a pellet gun in his hands at the time in a nearly deserted park.

3) FDR

4) the 18th amendment aka prohibition

5) the Bakken oil pipeline that will cut across Iowa diagonally

6) China

7) down about 11% and that includes Thanksgiving day sales

8) air bags – they have exploded in some vehicles for no reason killing some.

9) St. Nicholas Day

10) texted their union representative.

11) baseball umpires

12) freeze tuitions for in state students for the 3rd year in a row

13) California

14) pregnancy

15) Oath Keepers (how do they get away with that you wonder? So do I)

Bonus: Launched a crew capable space craft above low earth orbit

Double Bonus: The confederate flag. (maybe I am nuts but isn’t that a flag of treason?)