Thanks for stopping by The Western Word and checking out “Thursday Numbers!”
If you are a new visitor, this column is where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary (sometimes laced with just a little sarcasm).
NOTICE: By reading this column you may be able to use the information to impress your family, friends, and co-workers. Please consider this your warning.
This week I write about Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, unemployment, weddings, Bonnie & Clyde, bench press, ESPN, blacks serving in the military, McCormick School, calling 911, Anthony Weiner, child abuse, wedding dresses, Shredalicious, Urlacher, IRS, Tea Party, drones, and The Hope Movement. There’s more so read on…1,000,000,000
It was reported this week that Janet Jackson is worth $1 billion.
I can report that I am worth slightly less than Janet…
5,000,000
According to TMZ, if you want to visit Justin Bieber’s home you’ll need to sign a “Liability Waiver and Release” and if you disclose what is going on there, you can be sued for $5 million.
Now that’s a place I want to party…
340,000
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “In the week ending May 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 340,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 363,000.”
Decreases are great!
28,427
That’s the national average cost of a wedding ($28,427) according to The Knot.
Elope?
1934
On this date in 1934, bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were shot to death in a police ambush in Bienville Parish, La.
I remember seeing the 1967 movie “Bonnie and Clyde” starring Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway when it was in the theaters. I was not too happy with the police after watching the movie.
Yes, I am that old…
722
Eric Spoto claims he bench pressed 722 pounds. It is a world record.
That is slightly more than I can do in three or four (OK five lifts) (combined)…
400
ESPN may be laying off around 400 staffers.
Does this mean there will be no ESPN 8 showing middle school football/volleyball or elementary school four square matches?
150
According to National Journal, yesterday marked the 150th Anniversary of blacks serving in the military.
Thank you for your service!
104
Montana Governor Steve Bullock spoke at the graduation ceremony for five students who were graduating from eighth grade at the McCormick School – a 104-year-old one-room schoolhouse in northwest Montana. You can read the rest of the story HERE.
100
CBS 13 in Sacramento reports, “A man who called 911 more than 100 times in one month says he’s not going to stop until his concerns are heard by the federal government.”
I wonder if anyone has told him that’s the wrong number for the federal government…
99.99
Target stores have wedding dresses “ranging from $99.99 to $129.99.”
67
The Great Falls Tribune asked their readers yesterday, “Do you believe the new bills (Montana Gov. Steve) Bullock signed Tuesday will help protect children from abuse?”
There were 203 votes and 67% of those voting said “No.”
64
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his bid to become mayor of New York on Tuesday. He unveiled “Keys to the City: 64 Ideas to Keep New York City the Capital of the Middle Class” and you can read it HERE.
I did not notice if sexting was one of the keys or not…
14
According to this story, “A 14-year-old girl named Tina S. may be the next Eddie Van Halen.”
Shredalicious!
13
Brian Urlacher is retiring from pro football after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Another great player is treated badly by his team. Shame on the Bears. Maybe Urlacher and Brett Favre can hang out and share stories about how their teams treated them like crap.
10
IRS official Lois Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment rights yesterday before the House Oversight Committee, and the National Journal reports it has been done 10 other times in Congress.
Or did she invoke her Fifth Amendment rights?
Congress has too many lawyers acting as though a committee hearing has the same rules as a federal court.
6
According to the Associated Press, “About a half-dozen tea party activists have gathered outside the federal building in Helena to protest IRS scrutiny of conservative groups and to warn that the agency could target other organizations next.”
A half-dozen…
4
According to a story in U.S. News & World Report, “Four people were having a dinner party and playing cards when all of a sudden, a robotic plane showed up outside their window and interrupted their game with a barrage of bullets.”
And that, my friends, is why I don’t play cards…
2
The Hope Movement’s “Homecoming” CD Release show is this Friday night at the Hide Out Lounge in Great Falls, Montana. Check out the details HERE. “Homecoming” is their second album.
It’s a party…
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The Western Word 