Since the legislature is in session we have heard almost daily about raising the gas tax to fix Iowa’s roads and bridges. At that same time we have heard the fear mongering engineers and realists try to scare us with stories of bridges that might fall in. “Iowa has the 3rd worst bridges in the country” they say. “Call me when we are #1” I say! The legislature after cutting taxes all over the place for the rich cries poverty and claims we have no money and folks won’t pay another dime in taxes. Branstad says he wants new ideas. This is where Sunday Funday shines!

I propose the state sell life insurance policies at every bridge in the state at say $2 a pop for a million bucks insurance for your trip over the bridge. It is a win/win. If the bridge doesn’t cave in and you don’t die you continue your journey to a successful conclusion. If the bridge falls, your family is well taken care of. Sort of like this life insurance policies they used to (maybe still do) sell at airports.

Glad to help. Were you paying attention?

1) Four presidents were born in February. Washington, Lincoln and Reagan most know. This last one was barely a blip on the radar. Who is the fourth February birthday president?

2) A bill in the Iowa senate would ban the sale in Iowa of what supposed anti-bacterial agent that has been linked liver damage?

3) Once the cutting edge technology chain, what retailer is in negotiations to sell some stores to Sprint and close all the others in a bankruptcy deal?

4) What two giant office supply chains are looking for approval to merge?

5) A measles outbreak was reported at a day care center in a suburb of what major US city?

6) Break out the violins. What major oil concern reported a loss of $4.4 billion in the 4th quarter of 2014?

7) Once considered the “World’s Greatest Athlete” what celebrity announced he/she would transition to being female?

8) Once thought to be a symbol of truth and courage what once world renowned athlete admitted that he had his girlfriend claim she was driving after he hit 2 parked cars?

9) After a short layoff of 55 years what reclusive author will have a second book published this summer?

10) Which unlikely industry is looking at drones to do a variety of jobs?

11) Born on the very same day as Abraham Lincoln, what naturalist had a great impact on the world with his Theory of Natural Selection?

12) Ranking at 113th in the world, the United States is behind even Zimbabwe in vaccination for what disease?

13) Sun Prairie Jimmy apparently had had enough and so did what?

14) For the first time in a thousand years what religious structure is being built in Iceland?

15) Ronald Reagan and John Wayne believed they fought in WWII. Which network anchor recanted a story of being in a helicopter hit by an RPG in Iraq he told for 12 years?

16) What online tax service was hit by a major hack attack announced this week?

17) Also hit with a hack attack this week was what major health insurance company?

18) Good news for wage earners this week as wages rose and the economy added how many new jobs in January?

19) Maybe he is coming to do the daily invocation? What religious leader has booked an appearance before a joint session of congress for Sept. 24, 2015?

20) What midwest governor who is trying to prove right wing economics really works announced he would cut another $45 million from an already starved public education system?

Why doesn’t Iowa just buy the Brooklyn Bridge? Some guy too;d me it was for sale. About as sensible as some of their other policies.

Answers:

1) William Henry Harrison

2) triclosan

3) Radio Shack

4) Staples and Office Depot (does Bain Capital still own Staples?)

5) Chicago. Pallatine is the suburb. Most children too young to have been immunized.

6) BP (and they still haven’t cleaned up the Gulf)

7) Bruce Jenner – 1976 Olympic Decathlon champ

8) Lance Armstrong

9) Harper Lee

10) agriculture

11) Charles Darwin. Happy 206th Chuck and Abe

12) measles

13) Bit the ear of the mayor of Sun Prairie, Wisc. Jimmy is the weather forecasting groundhog of Sun Prairie.

14) a Norse temple. Seems paganism is gaining adherents very fast there.

15) Brian Williams – he and Armstrong should do a radio show.

16) Turbo tax

17) Anthem Blue Cross in California

18) 257,000. The Republicans are sure having a hard time selling their “stagnant economy” story.

19) Pope Francis

20) Sam Brownback of Kansas. Many school districts in Kansas are already suing the state for lack of funds. This won’t help.

February Birthday boy: