Welcome to the first “Thursday Numbers” of April! If you are a new visitor, this is my weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary (sometimes with a little sarcasm).

DISCLAIMER: By reading this column you may be able to use the information to impress your family, friends, and co-workers. You are hereby warned.

This week I write about the Michael Jackson family lawsuit, finding Kony, a unique stimulus study, unemployment, Martin Luther King, Jr., Daines listens, Women in Montana, the cell phone at 40, jury duty in Los Angeles, highest paid NFL players, Obama giving back, Cebull moving on, my latest book, and much more!40,000,000,000

Jury selection started Tuesday in Los Angeles for the family of Michael Jackson who filed a $40 billion lawsuit against concert promoter AEG Live regarding Michael Jackson’s death.

Yes, that is billions…

5,000,000

That’s how much the Obama Administration offered in “rewards for information leading to the capture of Lord’s Resistance Army chief Joseph Kony, two of his top aides and a Rwandan rebel leader suspected of crimes against humanity.”

We need to stop Kony.

423,500

According to The Weekly Standard, Indiana University received $423,500 in stimulus funds to conduct a study called, “Barriers to Correct Condom Use.”

Someone at Indiana University deserves an honorary doctorate for coming up with this study…

385,000

That’s how many people filed new claims for unemployment last week, which was an increase of 28,000 from the week before.

These are not good numbers.

1968

On this date in 1968 (April 4), Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn.

We lost a great man that day…

288

That’s how much (288 pounds) former NFL quarterback JaMarcus Russell weighs today. He is attempting to get into shape for a comeback and he has lost 27 pounds.

I may try to make a comeback, too.  For what I don’t know…

200

Congressman Steve Daines held a listening session in Choteau yesterday about Senator Max Baucus’ Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act. The Great Falls Tribune reports 200 people showed up.

I would be surprised if Daines supports the Baucus bill because Baucus would use Daines’ support to help with his re-election. Daines accomplished his number one goal by holding this listening session: free publicity.

90

This is the 90th edition of “Thursday Numbers” here at The Western Word.

There will not be a parade…

74

According to a report called, “Status of Women in Montana” Women earn 74 cents to a man’s dollar. You can read the Missoulian story HERE.

40

The cell phone turned 40 years old yesterday.

My first cell phone was a bag phone (like this one). It had great reception. It would not fit in my pocket.

15

As a juror in Los Angeles, “You will be paid $15.00 a day beginning on the second day of service, plus $0.34 a mile one way, for mileage.”

The Jackson family $40 billion lawsuit against concert promoter AEG Live may take up to three months.

10

Do you miss football? I do. Here’s a list of the ten highest paid NFL players.

Some of them have not won a championship….

5

President Barack Obama will give 5% of his salary back to the Treasury Department in “a show of solidarity with federal workers smarting from government-wide spending cuts.”

That will amount to about $20,000. Several other elected officials have jumped on this PR bandwagon.

4

According to a report called, “Status of Women in Montana” Montana women’s earnings are the fourth lowest in the nation. You can read the Missoulian story HERE.

3

U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, District of Montana, who is on “senior status,” will fully retire May 3. He’s the Federal Judge who used his official e-mail account to send a racist joke about President Obama.

I wonder if Cebull will go on a comedy tour after May 3…

2

I have published my second e-book, “A Day in the Life of a First Grader” which is available through Amazon.com (go to the top of the page and click on “Buy My Books”). Several years ago in a journalism class I wrote the article. Now it’s a story in book format. The book is about my completing first grade 30 years earlier and going back to school to see what school was like for my son, age six, who was in first grade.

I have a few other books that I am working on and they should be out soon!

 

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