If you expect nothing from anybody, you’re never disappointed. – Sylvia Plath
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 unemployment, Scouting for Food, Indianapolis 500, same-sex marriage, leaving home, Memorial Day, the NFL and the National Anthem, Sunday Night Football, Brett Favre, and much more!
234,000
That’s how many people filed new claims for unemployment last week. (USDOL)
That’s an increase from last week.
21,848
That’s how many pounds of food were donated during the 24th Annual Scouting for Food Drive to benefit the Great Falls Community Food Bank. (GF Tribune Letter to the Editor)
Great job!
102
The 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 27, 2018. (indianapolismotorspeedway.com)
Go Danica…
67
Sixty-seven percent of Americans support same-sex marriage — the highest level in Gallup’s trend. (Gallup)
30
CNN reported that a 30-year-old man didn’t get the message that it was time to move out of his parents’ home, even after they left him five notices and an offer of cash to help find new digs. The New York family drama eventually rolled into the court system, where a judge on Tuesday ruled in the parents’ favor and ordered Michael Rotondo to leave after having a room for eight years.
The free ride is over…
28
Memorial Day is this Monday, May 28. It’s a day to honor and remember those who died while serving our country.
15
The NFL was reportedly considering whether to assess a 15-yard penalty against any player who takes a knee or conducts any other protest during the anthem. Instead, this is what they came up with according to NFL.com:
This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem. Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room until after the Anthem has been performed.
A club will be fined by the League if its personnel are on the field and do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.
Will this work? I kind of doubt it. BTW, I salute our flag and I stand for the National Anthem.
7
NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” is television’s highest-rated series for the seventh straight year, setting a new record. That tops Fox’s “American Idol” which ruled the ratings from 2005-06 through the 2010-11 television season. (SI.com)
I watch it every week. In the offseason, it’s 60 Minutes…
3
Retired quarterback Brett Favre says he made three trips to rehabilitation centers during his Hall of Fame career to fight his dependence on painkillers and alcohol. (USA Today)
That explains a lot…