When it comes to blockbusters dropping from nowhere, few things can top the announcement that Speaker of the House John Boehner would resign from the House in a month.

We had just finished a breakfast where my wife said of a Boehner story “I wish he’d just quit!” This was hardly the first time she said that. We then went to watch about a half hour of the Stephanie Miller show on Free Speech TV. About 15 minutes into our watching some woman called in to say the NY Times said Boehner was quitting. We were stunned and disbelieving. Just to show where I do put my trust these days, I went to the internet (we must keep the internet open, folks) to verify. Dailykos, democraticunderground, talkinpointsmemo – yep they all had the story and it looked to be true. A medium earthquake in the political landscape.

There will now be as much speculation on the why as there will be on what comes next. No idea why he quit, but I truly hope the Republicans will look for a moderate voice to replace Boehner. Those are few and far between in the Republican House these days, unfortunately.

Well, lots of other stuff did happen last week. Were you paying attention?

1) Pope Francis began his 10 day trip with a stop at what other Western hemisphere nation before coming to the US?

2) Martin Winterkorn resigned his job under fire this week. What job did he hold?

3) News of Boehner’s resignation brought a standing ovation at what meeting of religious conservatives in DC Friday?

4) Here is a memory from a September some 63 years back. VP candidate Richard Nixon took to the airwaves to defend himself. During the speech he invoked the name of what cocker spaniel puppy?

5) Martin Shrkeli saw his name become a curse word to the American public for doing what?

6) Approximately how many VW cars worldwide will be affected by the emissions scandal?

7) 55 years ago yesterday, Americans young and old were glued to their TVs and radios to watch or listen to what?

8) Earlier this week another Republican quitting was big news until Boehner resigned. Who quit and what did he quit Monday?

9) A major decision by the Interior Department this week said that what species does not need federal endangered species protection in the western US?

10) In some other major environmental news, what country announced it will use a cap and trade system to slow down their pollution?

11) What Iowa state senator announced he will make a run for Senator Grassley’s seat next fall?

12) Hillary Clinton announced at a forum in Des Moines that she opposes the construction of what controversial project?

13) Warring sides in what South American country announced they would have a pact within 6 months ending a 50 year conflict?

14) The nominee for Secretary of the Army is stirring controversy because he is what?

15) Finally a CEO is going to jail. Stewart Parnell was sentenced to 28 years in prison after his company knowingly sold what salmonella tainted product?

16) Sing it out! A judge in Los Angeles ruled that the 80 year old copyright on what ubiquitous song was illegal?

17) What Republican presidential hopeful rode reaction to the “debate” last week to a current #2 rank among the hopefuls?

18) Ignoring that clause in the constitution about religious tests for public office, which republican hopeful declared Muslims were not fit for the presidency?

19) The Pope eschewed a limo to travel in, instead opting for a what?

20) Following the Pope into DC was a leader with about the same number of people in his sphere at @ 1.25 billion people?

You may notice that there was no question on the passing of one of America’s favorite baseball players and a champion of the unexpected quote. May you rest in peace, Yogi. Son of an immigrant and all American through and through, Berra seemed like a guy down the street who just happened to play America’s favorite game very well. In Yogi’s own words, folks – It ain’t over til it’s over.

Answers:

1) Cuba

2) CEO of Volkswagen – he resigned amid the emissions scandal

3) Values Voters Summit 2015

4) Checkers – a puppy given to his daughters by a Texas backer.

5) raising the price of an AIDS drug by 5000% overnight.

6) 11 million

7) the first Kennedy – Nixon debate in 1960

8) Scott Walker quit his presidential bid.

9) the greater sage grouse

10) China

11) Rob Hogg

13) Colombia

14) Eric Fanning is openly gay

15) peanut butter

16) Happy Birthday

17) Carly Fiorina. Her lies about Planned Parenthood seems to play some followers in the GOP

18) Ben Carson

19) a Fiat

20) Xi Jinping, head of the Communist Party in China.

Here is hoping for a little less drama next week.