2022: What Did We Do?
2022: Contentious Brew
2022: You kidding me?
2022: December & Blue
CLOUDS on the horizon
2022: Showtime!
100
Powerful enough to detect the heat of a bumblebee as far away at the Moon, this is the name of the telescope that entered orbit in January of 2022. Depicted above are the Pillars of Creation, revealing far more detail and stars than the Hubble telescope did in 1995.
What is the James Web Space Telescope?
100
In June of 2022 The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 1973 landmark decision that conferred the right to an abortion. The 1973 decision which passed on a 7-2 basis held that the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides a fundamental "right to privacy" protecting a woman's right to abortion. The decision also held that the right to abortion was not absolute and must balance protecting women's health, as well as prenatal life. To balance these competing interests a pregnancy trimester timetable was set to govern all abortion regulations in the U.S. This is the name of that 1973 case that was overturned in 2022.
What is Roe v. Wade?
100
This former Attorney General during the Trump Administration, once an staunch protector of his disgraced boss, said that it is "unprecedented" for a former President to store highly sensitive classified documents in a "country club." This former AG said, "I can't think of a legitimate reason why they should have been taken out of government, away from the government, if they're classified. I frankly am skeptical of this claim that, 'I declassified everything.' Cause frankly, I think it's highly improbable. And second, if in fact he sort of stood over scores of boxes not really knowing what was in them, and said, 'I hereby declassify everything in here,' that would be such an abuse that shows such recklessness that it's almost worse than taking the documents." This is the name of that former Attorney General.
Who is former Attorney General William Pelham Barr, or, Bill Barr?
100
Throughout 2022 there have been crimes that have been shocking to our human senses, so much so, it is hard not to become numb, yet, with every news cycle we find ourselves shocked anew. There was an arrest on December 30, 2022 in the November 13th stabbing murders in Moscow, Idaho of four University of Idaho undergraduate students. Evidently, the accused perpetrator was a graduate student studying for the Ph.D. at a nearby institution, Washington State University, in Pullman, Washington. For credit: This is 1) the field of study that the perpetrator was pursuing at the graduate school level, or, 2) this is the name of the accused perpetrator, or 3) this is the approximate distance between Pullman, Washington and Moscow, Idaho,
1) What is Criminology?
or, 2) Who is Bryan Kohlberger?
or, 3) What is 9 miles (any answer 5 to 15 miles gets credit).
100
This is the name of these high clouds (5-13 km, 16,000 to 43,000 feet), high above clouds associated with weather.
What are Cirrus Clouds
"Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals and look like long, thin, wispy white streamers high in the sky. They are commonly known as "mare's tails" because they are shaped like the tail of a horse. Cirrus clouds are often seen during fair weather. But if they build up larger over time and are followed by cirrostratus clouds, there may be a warm front on the way."
100
Of films released in the United States, this was the highest grossing film of 2022, earning $718,732,821. It was a sequel to a previous movie and involved an aging man, talented but scorned, that must confront some ghosts of his past.
What is 'Top Gun Maverick'?
200
This is the name of the country which was invaded on February 24, 2022 when Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" and intended "denazification" of that country.
What is Ukraine?
200
This is the name of the June, 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
What is Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
200
On September 8, 2022 Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom died at the age of 96. She was the longest reigning British monarch and had a significant relationship with the United States, specifically having met 13 of 14 U.S. Presidents that served during her reign. This is the name of the President that she did not meet.
Who was Lyndon Johnson?
The White House Historical Association explained there was a plausible explanation for being unable to meet President Johnson, and for being unable to attend the funeral of John F. Kennedy. Specifically, she had been pregnant with Prince Edward, ... then was caring for her newborn. I (Cliff) will add that President Johnson, dealing with the Vietnam war and internal social unrest may have thought making such a state visit to the United Kingdom on his part would be criticized.
200
The accused, Byran Kohlberger, is suspected of using an alias: "Pappa Rodger" in a Facebook chat group: Online Sleuths that discussed the Moscow, Idaho murders. He offered potentially incriminating comments about this specific aspect of the investigation that actually tied into the discovery of the killer's DNA.
What is the knife sheath?
Evidently, the accused's DNA was retrieved from the clasp on the knife sheath.
"Jennifer Coffindaffer, a former FBI agent, said she found one of the comments particularly interesting, tweeting a November screenshot of one of the Pappa Rodger’s posts which read, “Of the evidence released, the murder weapon has been consistent as a large fixed blade knife. This leads me to believe they found the sheath.”
Authorities did find a knife sheath at the murder scene, but its existence was not made public until after Kohberger’s arrest last week."
200
Another variant of high clouds are these rounded, puffy ones.
What are Cirrocumulus clouds?
Cirrocumulus clouds are small rounded puffs that usually appear in long rows high in the sky. Cirrocumulus are usually white, but sometimes appear gray. They are the same size or smaller than the width of your littlest finger when you hold up your hand at arm's length. When these clouds cover a lot of the sky, they can look like the scales of a fish, which is it is called a "mackerel sky.” Cirrocumulus are common in winter and indicate fair, but cold, weather.
200
This is the second highest grossing film in the U.S. in 2022, again a sequel earning $436,499,646. Tragically, the principle protagonist that starred in the original film passed away - the actor actually died - but this film plays homage to his original role. In this sequel, the people mourn the death of their King, soon learning they must again protect their home from world powers,
What is 'Black Panther, Wakanda Forever'?
300
In a failed trans-Antarctic expedition launched in 1914 by Ernest Shackleton, this is the (fitting) name of the ship whose shipwreck was discovered in March of 2022. Much of the world remained unknown in 1914, & this expedition can be considered the equivalent of our space program today. Intending to cross the Antarctic continent by dogsled, their ship became stuck in ice 1 day from their destination. Initially convinced everything would be fine, they ran scientific experiments, played soccer on ice, & trained dog teams. 10 months later however, ice crushed their boat and it sank. 1000 miles from civilization they drifted 5 months on a block of ice. Eventually they shot & ate their animals. Ultimately they took to life boats. Incredibly they made it to a bleak outpost: Elephant Island. Shackleton then picked 5 volunteers to join him on a seemingly suicidal mission: making it 800 more miles to South Georgia Island in their sturdiest lifeboat. Traversing a hurricane, 17 days later the 6 men made it, but were barely able to stand upon arrival. Help returned to Elephant Island and, astonishingly, all 22 remaining men had survived. This is the name of their original ship.
What is THE ENDURANCE.
300
Latin has greatly influenced the English language, contributing to many words in English lexicon following the Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons and the Norman conquest. This is a legal term or principle by which judges are bound to previous legal precedents. It is a Latin phrase that literally means "to stand in the-things-that-have been-decided." Three notable recent confirmations to the court, i.e., Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett all said that they respected this principle, however, in retrospect following Dobbs they frankly seem to have LIED.
What is "stare decisis ?"
300
In her younger years, during World War II, Elizabeth as heir apparent to the throne joined the women's branch of the British Army - the Auxiliary Territorial Service. She was first member of the royal family to serve as a full-time, active member of the military. These were her specific duties during her service.
Elizabeth learned to drive and maintain vehicles. She is shown above checking the motor of an Army vehicle on April 18, 1945.
300
Convicted in Russia and sentenced to 9 years in prison for drug possession and smuggling, this WNBA star was released and returned to the US in December, 2022. Evidently, Russians claimed THC was found in the vape cartridges in her possession; however - out of compliance with Russian law - the concentration was not even specified in the complaint. This is the name of the WNBA player/ released prisoner.
Who is Britney Griner?
The above photo depicts the early stage of her release.
300
These middle clouds (2-7 km; 7,000 to 23,000 feet) are greyish-white, with one part darker than the other.
What are Altocumulus clouds?
Altocumulus clouds are mid-level, grayish-white with one part darker than the other. Altocumulus clouds usually form in groups and are about one kilometer thick. Altocumulus clouds are about as wide as your thumb when you hold up your hand at arm's length. If you see altocumulus clouds on a warm, humid morning, there might be a thunderstorm by late afternoon.
300
This is the third highest grossing film during 2022 in the U.S. and it earned $411,331,607. Someone once told the protagonist that the reality he thought he knew was only one of many. One must be careful which paths to travel down, because truly strong people have lost their way.
What is 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness'?
400
In April of 2022 Confirmation hearings began for Joe Biden's pick for the United States Supreme court: a woman raised in Miami, the daughter of 2 educators, a Harvard educated Black female with excellent writing & analytical skills earning her a spot on the prestigious Harvard Law Review. This is the name of that ultimately successful justice.
Who is Ketanji Brown Jackson?
400
On July 8, 2022, in a country where gun violence is uncommon, this 67 year old former Prime Minister was delivering a campaign speech, shockingly, when he was shot and killed by a man using a homemade weapon. This is the name of the country, or, the name of the former Prime Minister.
"What is Japan?" or, "Who is Shinzo Abe?"
400
There are many business deals that happen every day in modern society. In October, 2022, however, one particular business deal received world-wide attention when this magnate purchased a company for 44 billion dollars! This is the name of the magnate and the company he purchased.
Who is Elon Musk and what is Twitter?
400
Brittney Griner was released in December 2022 as part of a prisoner swap. This is 1) the name of the Russian that the U.S. released in the swap, or, 2) what crimes that Russian had been charged with leading the U.S. to hold him.
1) Who is Viktor Anatolyevich Bout?
or,
2) What is an arms dealer, smuggler, or terrorist?
Bout is reported to have smuggled arms from Eastern Europe to Africa and the Middle East in the 1990's and early 2000's. He was arrested in Tailand in 2008 on terrorism charges by the Royal Tai Police. The U.S. requested his extradition and in 2010 this extradition to the U.S. was mandated by the Thai High Court.
400
These clouds can grow to considerable height, with high winds at the top flattening them.
What are Cumulonimbus clouds?
Cumulonimbus clouds also have vertical growth and can grow up to 10 km high. At this height, high winds will flatten the top of the cloud out into an anvil-like shape. Cumulonimbus clouds are thunderstorm clouds and are associated with heavy rain, snow, hail, lightning, and sometimes tornadoes.
400
This is the fourth highest grossing film in the U.S. during 2022. It earned $401,007,908. The protagonist in this sequel, an outcast, comes to live with his newfound family. A familiar threat returns however, and he must work with others to protect his home.
What is 'Avatar: The Way Of Water'?
500
On May 24, 2022 an 18 year old former student entered this elementary school and ultimately fatally shot nineteen students and two teachers, and wounded seventeen others. This is the name of the elementary school, or the location of that school (city and state).
What is Robb Elementary School?
What is Uvalde, Texas?
500
On July 8, 2022 The Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at the residence of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The residence is known as "Mar-a-Lago." This is the name of the exact city and state where the residence is.
What is Palm, Beach, Florida
500
On November 30, 2022 the leader of this organization and his associates were convicted of Seditious Conspiracy related to organized activities causing violence in the outrageous January 6th (2021) attack on the U.S. Capitol. This is the name of the organization, or, this is the name of the organization's leader.
What is the Oath Keepers? or, Who is Stewart Rhodes?
500
This is the nefarious nickname given to Viktor Bout because of his activities.
What is the Merchant of Death?
Evidently the Merchant of Death liked the U.S. prison food so much that he put on a few pounds.
500
These clouds, and their name, might remind you of your mama.
What are Mammatus clouds?
Mammatus clouds are pouches of clouds that hang underneath the base of a cloud. They are most often associated with cumulonimbus clouds that produce very strong storms. These clouds usually form during warm months, and are formed by descending air in the cloud. Mammatus clouds are sometimes described as looking like a field of tennis balls or melons, or like female human breasts. In fact, the name "mammatus" comes from the Latin word mamma, or breast.
500
This is the fifth highest grossing film of 2022 earning $376,851,080. Genetic engineering mistakes may cost all of mankind dearly in this blockbuster ... the latest saga in a series of sequels.
What is 'Jurassic World Domination'?
