How Much Money Does Jeff Bezos Need? (2 minutes)

Today is May Day, also known as International Workers Day or Labor Day in almost every country in the world except the US and Canada.  May 1st was chosen for its proximity to the anniversary of the Haymarket Affair (aka Riot) that started on May 1, 1886 and culminated in a police riot on May 4, 1886.

One hundred thirty-six years later the lot of the workers remains low in this country. Except for a brief shining moment from FDR to Ronald Reagan, labor in this country have been something for the rich and their hirelings in government to quash. 

As union movements gain a small head of steam in companies like Amazon and Starbuck’s we see multi-billionaires Jeff Bezos and Howard Schultz spending multi-millions to stop workers from unionizing. How much do these people need?

Just heard that C. Vivian Stringer announced her retirement this (Saturday) morning. I think I speak for a lot of Iowans who were very grateful for her years leading the Iowa Women’s basketball team to some of their greatest glory. She is a class act.

Another momentous week.

A) 77 years ago last Friday, Allied forces liberated what notorious concentration camp?

B) The FDA surprised smokers Thursday by proposing on what specific type of flavoring in tobacco products?

C) France had an election last Sunday. Which candidate lost by a nearly 20% landslide?

D) What top Republican spent the week trying to explain comments from the January 6th, 2021 time-frame?

E) Perhaps the fastest union growth in the US is with Starbucks. Approximately how many Starbucks locations are now unionized?

 F) The January 6th Committee announced public hearings would begin when?

G) What billionaire bought himself a really big toy last week?

H) In Iowa, the legislature sent a bill to the governor that would force gas stations to sell what product?

I) President Biden attended the Correspondents’ Dinner last night. What major administration official who deals with the covid pandemic skipped it?

J) Speaking of covid, what top administration official was reported to have tested positive for the disease last week?

K) In Italy, the US Army returned what item to Meri Mion on her 90th birthday that soldiers had stolen on April 28th of 1945?

L) 16 states, including California, are suing the USPS for the USPS’s decision to purchase what?

M) Today marks the end of what major annual month long religious observance?

N) Finally! What vaccine provider announced that they have asked the FDA to authorize a covid vaccine for the 5 and under age group?

O) Due to drought water restrictions are being phased in in what part of the US?

P) The CDC reported over 60% of all Americans and almost 75% of children under 11 now has antibodies for what disease?

Q) It was a bad week for what North Carolina congress member who was caught trying to bring a loaded gun onto an airplane as sleazy photos of him went viral in the twitterverse?

R) In New York, who has been ordered to pay $10,000/day until he turns over documents to end a contempt of court citation?

S) What country announced it will ban the exportation of palm oil next week due to palm oil’s environmental problems?

T) About how many cases of covid is the US reporting daily currently?

Extra) May 4th, 1970 – where were college students shot and killed during a war protest?

Extra2) What TV network began schedule telecasting 83 years ago yesterday on April 30, 1939?

The richest guy on the 2021 Forbes 400 owns the Washington Post. Number 2 now owns Twitter. Number 3 owns Facebook. Numbers 5 and 6 started Google. Numbers 4 and 9 started Microsoft. Number 10 owns Bloomberg. Free speech? You decide. – David Rothkopf

Answers:

A) Dachau

B) Menthol. Menthol is heavily marketed to blacks and is often has ‘beginner’ appeal

C) Right wing extremist Marine LaPen 

D) Kevin McCarthy

E) 25 according to vice.com  

F) June 9th

G) Elon Musk!

H) E-15 gas

I) Doctor Fauci

J) VP Kamala Harris

K) her birthday cake. As the US soldiers liberated her town (Vincenza) some hurry soldiers took her cake that was cooling on the windowsill.

L) gas powered delivery truck fleet.

M) Ramadan

N) Moderna

O) the southwest

P) covid – having some antibodies does not equal immunity

Q) Madison Cawthorne

R) Trump

S) Indonesia – orangutans approve!

T) @ 50,000 – still a lot

Extra) Kent State in Ohio

Extra2) NBC as they telecast the opening of the New York World’s Fair

I propose that GOP now stands for Greedy Oligarchs Party because that is what Republicans are.