Jeopardized

Published 10:49 pm Sunday, March 15, 2009

I’d like “Show-offs” for $800, Alex: Our five-county area is sending three teams to the state Knowledge Bowl quiz championship in Camas on March 28. And all three teams are from Mukilteo’s Kamiak High School.

That’s 18 of the region’s brightest students in one van headed south. If on the Friday before the big meet you feel a little dumber, it’s because about 2,300 collective IQ points just left the county.

“Traffic Infractions” for $200: Today marks the return of Street Smarts, The Herald’s transportation ­question-and-answer column, with reporter Bill Sheets at the wheel. Today’s question: What can be done about drivers who camp out in the passing lane and impede the flow of traffic?

We’ll let the State Patrol handle the factual answer, but here’s ours: Legalize the use of paintball guns to mark the cars of offending drivers so they can be pulled over and ticketed by troopers.

“Don’t Know Much About History” for $600: On this day in history:

In 1926, scientist Robert Goddard tests the first liquid-fuel rocket. He shrugs his shoulders and comments, “Eh, it’s not rocket science. Oh, wait. Yes it is.”

In 1969, the musical “1776” opens on Broadway, adding “singer-dancer” to Benjamin Franklin’s list of accomplishments.

—Jon Bauer, Herald staff