February – what can I say that hasn’t been said? To paraphrase Lewis Black February has the fewest days but is still by far the longest month. The Super Bowl pre game started last Monday and post Super Bowl analysis will continue to just prior to March Madness. While our attention is averted with shiny, dangly sports objects, reality will still throw us a share of odds and ends. Were you able to catch some of them last week?

1) No head or face covering in an Arab country. Who is this woman who so insulted her hosts that American media had to pound the story to death?

2) 55 years ago today four young men sat at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, NC and ordered coffee, but were refused service. Why?

3) Twelve years ago a fireball streaked across Texas during late morning. Do you remember what this fireball was?

4) He flips, he flops and then flips again. Who shocked everyone Friday when he announced his decision to not run for president in 2016?

5) Senator Grassley is the new head of the Senate Judiciary Committee. As such, he is heading the hearings on what Obama cabinet nominee?

6) A leftist coalition won an election in what country causing shock waves throughout the Eurozone?

7) Researchers in Australia announced a breakthrough that could treat what condition that affects some children?

8) Citibank lowered what country’s bond rating to junk status?

9) Rev. Libby Lane became the first what in the Anglican Church?

10)Last Friday was the anniversary of the birth of what leader who lead us out of the Republican Depression of 1929?

11) What Republican governor announced on Thursday that his administration was starting a state run, taxpayer funded news service?

12) The CBO said Monday that the cost of what will be at least 20% less than originally forecast over a decade?

13) Health officials in what state declared e-cigarettes a health hazard?

14) It appears that a there is strong consensus on raising gas tax by how much in Iowa?

15) Canadian researchers announced Wednesday that what may be a definitive marker for clinical depression?

16) Bryan Fischer was fired by what right wing evangelical group Wednesday?

17) The Koch brothers plan to spend how much on the next election, putting them on a par with the two major political parties?

18) Tuesday the Obama Administration announced Tuesday that it would not end what popular college savings program?

19) John McCain called protestors of what former Secretary of State “low life scum” Wednesday?

20) Did wages and benefits for workers (in general) go up or down in 2014?

Answers:

1) Michelle Obama. When this was done by previous First Ladies no one said a thing.

2) They were black. This was the beginning of sit-in protests.

3) the breakup of the space shuttle Columbia on re-entry to the atmosphere.

4) Mitt Romney. But he may yet flop again and change his mind.

5) Attorney General nominee Loretta Lynch

6) Greece

7) peanut allergy

8) Russia

9) female bishop

10) FDR

11) Mike Pence in Indiana

12) the ACA – or Obamacare if you insist

13) California

14) 10 cents per gallon

15) brain inflammation

16) American Family Association (named a hate group by the SPLC)

17) $889 million

18) 529 savings program

19) Henry Kissinger

20) up by 2.2% the fastest since 2008 and faster than inflation.

Now sit back and enjoy the snow and the game.