[txrangerette]

I would say this...the 8000 number is quite small. Yes, it went in a negative direction, but on the other hand the numbers are miniscule considering the size of our economy. In addition, it could be revised later on...have to wait and see.

We have had nothing else to indicate a recession. Which, remember, is back to back quarters with negative GDP.

What we have had is sluggishness. Prolonged sluggishness. However, the most recent growth numbers were trending upwards.

Finally, as another mentioned, these are lagging indications. Unemployment is always the last thing to show the ill effects of sluggish or negative growth GDP. It’s like looking in a rear view mirror.

And it will always be the last thing to show a positive turnaround.

Doesn’t mean the sky is falling.

I get so tired of the media saying that something was “unexpected” or “surprising” or “larger or smaller than predicted”.

How stupid is that?

There’s no way to hit these predictions on the head. Fact is, some of the recent data has been much better than anyone “expected”, so if this one is worse than expected, the whole thing evens out.

[ThePythonicCow]

We have had nothing else to indicate a recession. Which, remember, is back to back quarters with negative GDP.

If you take that as the definition of a recession, then yes it is not yet a recession.

I don't trust key government stats.

[ThePythonicCow]

I get so tired of the media saying that something was “unexpected” or “surprising” or “larger or smaller than predicted”.

How stupid is that?

That part of your rant I agree with.