To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. ― Theodore Roosevelt

Welcome to “Thursday Numbers!” In case you’re a first-time visitor, this is the weekly column where I take a look at the numbers that are in the news (in descending order) and provide commentary sometimes sprinkled with sarcasm.

This week’s topics include Mega Millions jackpot, unemployment, median U.S. household, the Orioles & the Red Sox, Montana lawmakers & a pay raise, Trump or Media poll, Tester & Trump produce, Bob Woodward’s bestseller, Billings & Trump & #PlaidShirtGuy, Verizon, Apple iPhone, and much more!

227,000,000

That’s the Mega Millions lottery jackpot for the drawing Friday night. (MegaMillions)

Pro Tip: You have to play to win...

204,000

That’s how many people filed new claims for unemployment last week. (USDOL)

61,372

The median U.S. household income increased in 2017 to $61,372 — a third straight year of growth — while the poverty rate dipped to 12.3 percent, relatively unchanged from 2016, according to Census Bureau data released Wednesday. (NBC News)

A third straight year of growth…

104

That’s how many games the Baltimore Orioles have lost so far this season in Major League Baseball. (ESPN)

There are only 162 games…

100

That’s how many games the Boston Red Sox have won so far this season in Major League Baseball (ESPN)

Is this the year for the Red Sox?

69

Did you hear the joke about the Montana lawmakers considering giving themselves a 69 percent pay raise when they meet in January?

It’s not a joke. The Associated Press is reporting it.

The sad part is about 90% of the Montana Legislature is made up of people who couldn’t pour water out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel.

Just tell your elected legislators “Hell No” to a pay raise.

54/30

A new Quinnipiac University National Poll asked, “Who do you trust more to tell you the truth about important issues: President Trump or the news media?”

54% say they trust the news media and 30% say they trust Trump.

I’m a skeptic about most things. I guess that’s why stupid fake stuff on Facebook and Twitter pisses me off so much.

19

President Donald Trump has signed U.S. Senator Jon Tester’s 19th bipartisan bill into law. The bill is titled “Veterans Providing Healthcare Transition Improvement Act.” (Tester Press)

What the heck will they get done in Washington if Tester is defeated in November?

18

You can purchase Bob Woodward’s new book, “Fear: Trump in the White House” in hardcover at Amazon for $18. The Kindle version is $14.99.

On Wednesday, Barnes & Noble said “Fear” has had the “fastest sales for an adult title since Harper Lee’s ‘Go Set a Watchman’ was released in July 2015.” (CNN)

12

The Missoula Independent newspaper was closed by Lee Enterprises Tuesday. The Independent had been in existence for almost 30 years and was just purchased by Lee Enterprises about a year ago. They employed 12 people. They were locked out of the office. (Missoula Current)

This is a sad deal. Many newspapers are having problems staying in business these days.

10

According to MetraPark marketing and sales manager Ray Massie, visitors to Billings spent 10 times what President Donald Trump’s rally cost. (Billings Gazette)

It also made #PlaidShirtGuy famous!

5

Verizon announced on Tuesday evening that it would begin selling the first 5G home internet service starting Thursday at 8 a.m. ET, with the service rolling out to four cities beginning October 1. The four cities are Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, California. (Business Insider)

Gotta love technology…

3

Apple unveiled three new iPhones on Wednesday, including its biggest and most expensive model yet, as the company seeks to widen the product’s appeal amid slowing sales. Apple also showed off a cheaper iPhone, called the iPhone XR. It is made of aluminum, and smaller than the iPhone 8 Plus in physical size, but has a bigger screen. (AP)

I’m a Blackberry guy – that’s why I am so cool…

 

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