Oh, Yeah: It's Real And It's Continuing!

The ratings continue to drop!

And these are significant NEW drops when you consider that they're drops over last year which also saw a drop in the ratings.

Yes, the NFL is taking it on the chin again.  Last Sunday’s audience hit a season low. Compared to last year, this is a massive drop of 10% for the same time period the Sunday before last, reports Breitbart News This past weekend saw a further 5% drop. That totals 15% in no time at all!

Deadline News says that “With an 11.0/19 in metered-market results, last night’s SNF was down 5% from last week when the Washington Redskins beat the Oakland Raiders 27-10. As the league took another week-by-week rating hit just a month into the 2017-2018 season, year-to-year, Sunday’s game was also down from last year.”

See For Yourself; Make Up Your Own Mind!

The pool of media cameras and reporters frequently got in the way but the President and First Lady still managed to have an up close and personal in Puerto Rico today as they surveyed damage and chatted with those affected.

'We Pray That God May Provide Comfort . . . '

Yesterday, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation to honor the victims of the horrible tragedy in Las Vegas, Nevada. This Proclamation orders the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff from October 1, 2017 through October 6, 2017. "Our Nation is heartbroken. We mourn with all whose loved ones were murdered and injured in last night's horrible tragedy in Las Vegas, Nevada. As we grieve, we pray that God may provide comfort and relief to all those suffering."

HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Our Nation is heartbroken.  We mourn with all whose loved ones were murdered and injured in last night's horrible tragedy in Las Vegas, Nevada.  As we grieve, we pray that God may provide comfort and relief to all those suffering.

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on October 1, 2017, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, October 6, 2017.  I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.

DONALD J. TRUMP

The Time To Act On This Is Long Past Due!

New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) today urged the U.S. House of Representatives to pass The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would criminalize abortion after 20 weeks, with exceptions for, rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk.

The House was scheduled to vote on the legislation today, and President Trump reiterated his support for the bill yesterday.

Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Steven Oroho urged Congress to pass The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The House will vote on the Act on October 3. The senators have fought to enact the legislation at the state level. (SenateNJ.com)

“Senator Oroho and I have fought tirelessly at the state level to pass our Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, but Legislative leadership has refused to act,” Senator Pennacchio said. “Our leaders in Washington must seize this opportunity to protect innocent unborn children nationwide from the excruciating pain of abortion. Someone must stand up for their right to live full, healthy lives.”

In December of 2016, Senators Pennacchio and Oroho held a press conference with fellow pro-life advocates and a number of widely-respected medical officials to call on New Jersey’s Legislative leadership to pass their Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S-2026.) They have made repeated calls for action since then, and yet Senate Democrats, who control the Legislative agenda, have failed to post the bill for a single committee hearing.

“Every elected official has a responsibility to safeguard our most vulnerable citizens from harm, and there is no one more innocent or vulnerable than a child in the womb,” Senator Oroho said. “I am glad to see Congress take action to honor that responsibility, by scheduling this lifesaving legislation for a vote. I hope that every member will do the right thing and vote today to protect the sanctity of human life.”

Just 'An Incredible Level Of Premeditation . . . '

I think that, on many levels, he speaks for all of us. What say you?

Ya Think This Is Enough Yet? Is It?

'The Very Real Presence Of Evil In Our World'

Statement from Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput:

Like many Americans, I awoke this morning to learn of the horrific acts of violence that took place last night in Las Vegas. So many precious and innocent lives were senselessly lost in an evil manner and it fills all of us with an unspeakable sadness. As the number of dead and injured continues to rise, let us pray that God will receive the souls of those who have been lost, that He will heal the injured, and that He will pour His comforting grace upon all those bearing the heavy burdens of suffering and grief.
The terror that filled yesterday evening and its aftermath serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the very real presence of evil in our world. Let us resolve each day to treat our brothers and sisters with dignity, charity, and respect. May we all embrace that which is good so that the light of Christ will prevail.

We Call Upon Our Faith, Family, Shared Values

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

My fellow Americans, we are joined together today in sadness, shock, and grief. Last night, a gunman opened fire on a large crowd at a country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. He brutally murdered more than 50 people, and wounded hundreds more. It was an act of pure evil.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are working closely with local authorities to assist with the investigation, and they will provide updates as to the investigation and how it develops.

I want to thank the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and all of the first responders for their courageous efforts, and for helping to save the lives of so many. The speed with which they acted is miraculous, and prevented further loss of life. To have found the shooter so quickly after the first shots were fired is something for which we will always be thankful and grateful. It shows what true professionalism is all about.

Hundreds of our fellow citizens are now mourning the sudden loss of a loved one -- a parent, a child, a brother or sister. We cannot fathom their pain. We cannot imagine their loss. To the families of the victims: We are praying for you and we are here for you, and we ask God to help see you through this very dark period.

Scripture teaches us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” We seek comfort in those words, for we know that God lives in the hearts of those who grieve. To the wounded who are now recovering in hospitals, we are praying for your full and speedy recovery, and pledge to you our support from this day forward.

In memory of the fallen, I have directed that our great flag be flown at half-staff.

I will be visiting Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet with law enforcement, first responders, and the families of the victims.

In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one -- and it always has. We call upon the bonds that unite us -- our faith, our family, and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, and the comfort of our common humanity.

Our unity cannot be shattered by evil. Our bonds cannot be broken by violence. And though we feel such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens, it is our love that defines us today -- and always will, forever.

In times such as these, I know we are searching for some kind of meaning in the chaos, some kind of light in the darkness. The answers do not come easy. But we can take solace knowing that even the darkest space can be brightened by a single light, and even the most terrible despair can be illuminated by a single ray of hope.

Melania and I are praying for every American who has been hurt, wounded, or lost the ones they love so dearly in this terrible, terrible attack. We pray for the entire nation to find unity and peace. And we pray for the day when evil is banished, and the innocent are safe from hatred and from fear.

May God bless the souls of the lives that are lost. May God give us the grace of healing. And may God provide the grieving families with strength to carry on.

Thank you. God bless America. Thank you.

A Jaw-Dropping, Mind-Blowing Spectacle . . .

This fall, Cirque du Soleil is returning to Philadelphia to present for the last time its signature production - Varekai. Seven performances will take place from November 22nd to 26th, 2017 at the Liacouras Center. Varekai has already thrilled more than 10 million people and will perform its final bow this December in Texas. The jaw-dropping, mind-blowing spectacle showcases an acrobatic extravaganza which will take audiences on an extraordinary journey. under the "theme of Icarus", fans will see an amazing display of high-level acrobatics featuring performers who accomplish perfectly-skilled and gravity-defying feats.

What: Cirque Du Soleil: Varekai

When: Wednesday, November 22nd - 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 24th - 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 25th - 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, November 26th - 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Where: Liacouras Center 1776 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19121

Tickets: Advance tickets for Varekai are available now online exclusively to Cirque Club members through October 6th. Tickets for the general public will be available starting Friday, October 2017. Tickets starting at $35 and child tickets at $25 on select performances. Purchase tickets at www.liacourascenter.com

ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque Du Soleil is a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 artists from more than 50 countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 180 million spectators in more than 400 cities in over sixty countries on five continents.

ABOUT COMCAST SPECTACORComcast Spectacor is part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company that operates Comcast Cable and NBC Universal. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Spectacor's three core businesses are the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers, the Wells Fargo Center Complex, and Spectra, a leading hospitality firm that provides Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality and Partnerships to more than 300 client properties in the United States, Canada and Singapore. Visit us at ComcastSpectacor.com for more information.

On A Very Solemn Day In A Grieving Nation . . .

President Trump, the First Lady and the Vice President and Mrs. Pence lead a moment of silence today at the White House.