Staying positive does not mean that things will turn out okay. Rather it is knowing that YOU will be okay no matter how things turn out. – Unknown

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, humor, and bluntness.

This week’s topics include U.S. House fundraising, unemployment, Matthew Stafford, Jack Eaton & the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, civil war coming, impeachment poll, America’s Scariest Haunted House, House Republicans – storm troopers, Houston Astros & Washington Nationals, undefeated and winless NFL teams, and much more!

800,000

In the race for U.S. House, MTN News reported that Democrat Kathleen Williams has raised at least half her $800,000 total from individual Montanans. MTN News also reported that the leading Republican, state Auditor Matt Rosendale, isn’t far behind Williams in total fundraising. But he’s getting most of his campaign cash from outside the state. (MTN News)

The money spends the same whether it’s raised from Montanans or Californians.

214,000

In the week ending October 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 214,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week’s unrevised level of 210,000. (DOL.gov)

Thursday’s data is released at 6:30 a.m. Mountain time, well after this column is published. Click HERE to see Thursday’s unemployment data.

40,000

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford became the fastest player to eclipse 40,000 passing yards in NFL history on Sunday with a 36-yard completion to Danny Amendola in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings. (ESPN)

Stafford is a great quarterback.

100

Honor flights have flown nearly a quarter of a million veterans to the nation’s capital to visit the monuments built in their honor. Safe to say no veteran has felt prouder, or happier, than 100-year-old Jack Eaton, the oldest living American who stood watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (CBS Evening News)

God bless Jack Eaton and thank you for your service!

67

Partisan political division and the resulting incivility has reached a low in America, with 67% believing that the nation is nearing civil war, according to a new national survey. (Washington Examiner)

Gutter politics are harming our country and Trump is leading the charge.

55

Approval among American voters of the U.S. House impeachment inquiry, an inquiry to determine whether or not to bring impeachment charges against President Trump, has reached its highest level, as 55 percent approve of the inquiry, while 43 percent disapprove, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released Wednesday. Last week, 51 percent of voters approved of the inquiry, while 45 percent disapproved. Independents were divided with a 50 – 45 percent approval. (Quinnipiac)

With Trump calling the inquiry a “lynching” and calling Democrats “human scum” I’m sure the approval of the inquiry will go even higher. The poll also found that 58% disapprove of the job Trump is doing.

40

McKamey Manor, “America’s Scariest Haunted House,” requires a doctor’s note, a 40-page waiver, and a safe word. The good news is you can get $20,000 if you complete the “experience.” (Thrillist.com)

It sounds like fun…or a heart attack waiting to happen!

20

That’s roughly how many House Republicans stormed a closed-door hearing Wednesday to protest the Democrats’ swift-moving impeachment inquiry, captivating Capitol Hill and delaying the deposition of a top Pentagon official who later testified about President Trump’s dealings with Ukraine. (The Hill)

The funny thing is the Republicans held closed Benghazi hearings, as well as for Watergate and the Clinton impeachment. The clincher to me that this is a clown show is that Republicans, who are on the three committees doing the impeachment investigation, are attending the hearings and asking questions. Many of these 20 were not assigned to the committees.

3

The Houston Astros lost the first two World Series games at home to the Washington Nationals. Only three teams have lost the first two games of the Fall Classic at home and come back to win the series: 1985 Royals, ’86 Mets, and ’96 Yankees. (MLB.com)

Game three will be huge, I think.

2

There are two undefeated teams left in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers (6-0) and the New England Patriots (7-0). Two teams have not won a game, the Cincinnati Bengals (0-7) and the Miami Dolphins (0-6). (ESPN)

Go Chiefs!

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