Question: Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a nationally syndicated columnist and a member of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Read his column here

Ruben Navarrette says Sarah Palin's critics challenged her because of prejudices about small-town values.

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- During the presidential election, some Democrats demanded to know how I could defend Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Simply put, Palin is my people. She's small-town folk who wound up in the big leagues.

Because I grew up in a small town with a population of less than 15,000 people, I was disgusted by the insults and condescension coming from those who think of themselves as the enlightened elite. Meanwhile, in small towns, I detected great affection for Palin. People talked about how she was "a real person" who "reflected their values."

The most significant divide in America isn't Red State vs. Blue State, it's rural vs. urban. The country mouse and the city mouse are still slugging it out.

In 1982, New York Mayor Ed Koch ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York. Some say the deciding factor was when Koch described life in upstate New York as "sterile" and said he dreaded living in the "small town" of Albany, if elected. That didn't play well in rural areas.

Now comes Colin Powell. During a recent appearance on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," Powell attempted an autopsy on the Republican Party's failed presidential bid. He went after Palin, accusing her of pushing the party so far to the right that it went over a cliff. 1. Who is Ruben Navarrette Jr?
2. What does Ruben Navarrette say about Sarah?
3. How big is the population of the town?
4. How do they feel about Sarah Palin?
5. What is the most significant divide in America?
6. Who is Ed Koch?
7. Which year did he run for Mayor?
8. What was the deciding factor when Ed Koch ran unsuccessfully for governor of New York? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. A columnist and San Diego Union-Tribune board member.
2. Her critics challenged her because of prejudices about small-town values.
3. Less than 15,000 people,
4. Affectionate.
5. Rural vs. urban.
6. New York Mayor.
7. 1982.
8. When Koch described life in upstate New York as "sterile" and said he dreaded living in the "small town" of Alban

Question: The Republic of Liberia, beginning as a settlement of the American Colonization Society (ACS), declared its independence on July 26, 1847. The United States did not recognize Liberia's independence until during the American Civil War on February 5, 1862. Between January 7, 1822 and the American Civil War, more than 15,000 freed and free-born Black Americans from United States and 3,198 Afro-Caribbeans relocated to the settlement. The Black American settlers carried their culture with them to Liberia. The Liberian constitution and flag were modeled after the United States. In January 3, 1848 Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a wealthy free-born Black American from Virginia who settled in Liberia, was elected as Liberia's first president after the people proclaimed independence.

Longstanding political tensions from the 27 year rule of William Tubman resulted in a military coup in 1980 that overthrew the leadership soon after his death, marking the beginning of political instability. Five years of military rule by the People's Redemption Council and five years of civilian rule by the National Democratic Party of Liberia were followed by the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars. These resulted in the deaths and displacement of more than half a million people and devastated Liberia's economy. A peace agreement in 2003 led to democratic elections in 2005. Recovery proceeds but about 85% of the population live below the international poverty line. 1. Who was in charge during a long period of stress?
2. What kind of stress was it?
3. How long was he in charge?
4. What happened after he died?
5. When was this?
6. Was the rebellion successful?
7. Did it stabilize the region?
8. Where was all this?
9. Did it start out independent?
10. What was it a part of?
11. Did it ever become independent?
12. When?
13. Did the US immediately accept this?
14. Did they ever?
15. When?
16. Who was their first leader?
17. How poor was he?
18. Where was he from?
19. When did they have democracy?
20. How many of them are above the poor standard? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. William Tubman
2. political
3. 27 years
4. a military coup
5. in 1980
6. Yes
7. No
8. The Republic of Liberia
9. No
10. the American Colonization Society
11. Yes
12. on July 26, 1847
13. No
14. Yes
15. February 5, 1862
16. Joseph Jenkins Roberts
17. He was wealthy
18. Virginia
19. 2005
20. about 15%

Question: CHAPTER IX

MERVO CHANGES ITS CONSTITUTION

Humor, if one looks into it, is principally a matter of retrospect. In after years John was wont to look back with amusement on the revolution which ejected him from the throne of his ancestors. But at the time its mirthfulness did not appeal to him. He was in a frenzy of restlessness. He wanted Betty. He wanted to see her and explain. Explanations could not restore him to the place he had held in her mind, but at least they would show her that he was not the thing he had appeared.

Mervo had become a prison. He ached for America. But, before he could go, this matter of the Casino must be settled. It was obvious that it could only be settled in one way. He did not credit his subjects with the high-mindedness that puts ideals first and money after. That military and civilians alike would rally to a man round Mr. Scobell and the Casino he was well aware. But this did not affect his determination to remain till the last. If he went now, he would be like a boy who makes a runaway ring at the doorbell. Until he should receive formal notice of dismissal, he must stay, although every day had forty-eight hours and every hour twice its complement of weary minutes.

So he waited, chafing, while Mervo examined the situation, turned it over in its mind, discussed it, slept upon it, discussed it again, and displayed generally that ponderous leisureliness which is the Mervian's birthright. 1. Who did John want?
2. Why?
3. Where was he?
4. What did he compare it to?
5. Did he abandon his position?
6. Why not?
7. What did he need to resolve?
8. Where did he want to be?
9. Who else was involved?
10. Who rallied around him? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. Betty.
2. He wanted to see her and explain
3. Mervo
4. A prison
5. No
6. If he went now, he would be like a boy who makes a runaway ring at the doorbell
7. The matter of the Casino
8. America
9. Mr. Scobell
10. Both the military and civilians