Oh yes…this week is rolling by.  Welcome to Thursday!  Here’s a prediction – the weekend will get here so hang on!

My highly-read and cherished “Thursday Numbers” column is where I take a look at the numbers in the news and provide some commentary with them.  The information can be used to amaze and astonish your friends, family, and co-workers.

Today I take a look at the numbers behind the State of the Union address, a big award, campaign money raised, a fine for stealing, winds, a couple birthdays, the Super Bowl, an accountability canvass, military planes in Great Falls, BRAC, and much more!

37,700,000

About 37.7 million viewers watched the State of the Union speech Tuesday night.

22,000,000

According to this story, “A man who spent two years in solitary confinement after getting arrested for DWI was awarded $22 million for suffering inhumane treatment in New Mexico’s Dona Ana County Jail.”

1,200,000

According to his friends at Politico, U.S. Senator Jon Tester will report that he raised $1.2 million for his campaign during the final quarter of 2011.  This will bring his grand total to $3.8 million (cash on hand).

Some will say Senator Tester has adapted quite well to his job in Washington…

377,000

That’s how many new claims for unemployment were filed last week – an increase of 21,000 from the previous week.

Does anyone really care these days?

7059

That’s how many words President Obama’s State of the Union speech contained Tuesday night.

210.79

For stealing a donut, a Wyoming college student “has agreed to pay a $200 fine, $10 in court costs – and 79 cents to cover the cost of the doughnut.”

He’s studying criminal justice…

74

That’s the peak wind gust (in MPH) recorded in Great Falls (Montana) on Wednesday.

65

President Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night lasted about 65 minutes.

The American Presidency Project says it lasted 1:04:44 (to be exact).  President Clinton’s State of the Union Address in January 2000 was 1:28:49 (almost 89 minutes)…

57

Happy 57th birthday to rocker Eddie Van Halen today!

I’ve seen Van Halen in concert – good show!

49

Remember Wham!?  Andrew Ridgeley turns 49 today!

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go…I have one of their albums…

46

This is the number for the next Super Bowl (Feb 5, 2012).

Take that, Romans…

37

That’s how many standing ovations the President received during his speech Tuesday night.

25

The Cascade County (MT) Democrats forwarded a message from the Montana State Democrats to let people know they are holding a “Accountability Canvass” in Great Falls on Saturday in House District 25.  They write, “It is time we remind folks how out of touch Cleve Loney was during the 2011 legislature and send a clear message to Cleve that he is too extreme for Montana!”

Instead of sending “a clear message to Cleve” maybe they should contact the voters?  Grassroots democracy – gotta love it…

8

According to this story, “Montana has the eighth best business tax climate in the U.S., a national study has concluded.”

Maybe Montana’s elected officials fight like dog and cats, but this shows the state is doing pretty well…

5

Former Denver Broncos QB John Elway has been to the Super Bowl 5 times.  He won two.  Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana are both 4-0 in the Super Bowl.

4

That’s how many C-27J aircraft are supposed to be deployed to Montana Air National Guard in Great Falls (Montana).  According to recent news reports:  “The Air Force plans to cancel a number of aircraft programs as it shifts focus back to core missions, including long-range strike missions.  The service is expected to cancel the C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft program…”

This is not good for Montana…

3

New England Patriots QB Tom Brady has three Super Bowl rings.  He has been there four times.  His only loss in the Super Bowl was to the New York Giants in 2008.

2

That’s how many new BRAC (Base Closure and Realignment Commission) rounds are expected to be requested by the Pentagon today.

More base closures are needed.  Montanans should really be worried about Malmstrom AFB and get their tails in gear (and make plans) to fight for it…

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Follow Jack on Twitter @TheWesternWord.