THE GOOD NEWS CONTINUES

But let me start with some bad news, although many would consider the latter two to be almost expected:

• The COVID-19 pandemic is raging.
• Donald Trump has initiated his judicial coup strategy.

• 
  Two more coronavirus infections for the Administration:  Mark Meadows, Chief of Staff, and Ben Carson, Secretary of Health, etc.
• Defense Secretary Mark Esper was just fired.  This is an unusual period for this to occur, but more might well be coming.

Ah, but the disasters I experienced on Saturday have turned around.  Today, for example, I weighed in at 155.8 pounds, the lowest in more than a decade.  My right knee appears to be back to normal, which is not necessarily all that good, but no cane today.  Plus, my replacement driver's license arrived in the mail today.  I can now drive again.  And even one more:  I slept for seven straight hours last night, for the first time this year.

Also, all the late returns seem to be indicating that Biden will reach 306 electoral votes, to Trump's 232.  The somewhat scary thought is that Wikipedia officially reports that in 2016, Donald Trump got 304 votes because two representatives just personally cast their votes to Clinton, illegally, but, I guess, possible.

For the coming recount in Georgia, Biden leads by 10,000 votes, and the Republican administration there appears to be responsible, at least at the Lt. Gov. level for elections.  In Pennsylvania, when all is said and done later this week, Biden should be ahead by up to 50,000 votes.  The 5 January 2021 senatorial reruns will rival the Trump fuss for political life.  In any case, those lawsuits by Trump will not find that many votes.   Also:

• 
  Pfizer announced that its vaccine was 90% effective in early trials.  If they had said this just a week ago, Donald Trump would probably have won.
• The Dow Jones reacted by jumping up 5% or so.  Looks like 30,000 could well happen this week.

Add to the above the fabulous performances of Hawaii-developed football quarterbacks this weekend:

• Sophomore quarterback Chevan Cordeiro threw for 410 yards and four touchdowns, boosting Hawaii to a 39-33 victory over New Mexico.
• True freshman QB Jaylen de Laura led Washington State (with new coach Nick Rolovich, who went there from Hawaii) to a 38-28 win over Oregon State, completing 18 of 33 passes for 227 yards, plus 43 yards on the ground, for three touchdowns.

• 
  In the NFL, rookie  QB Tua Tagovailoa completed 20 of 38 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for an additional 35 yards, to lead Miami to a comeback 34-31 victory over Arizona.  Kyler Murray of the Cardinals, however, won the personal battle with 21 of 26 for 283 passing yards and 11 runs for 106, with four total touchdowns.  But the Dolphins beat the Cardinals.

All three Hawaii quarterbacks above graduated from St. Louis High School.  In addition:

• Mililani High School has something going for Central Florida University, for sophomore QB Dillon Gabriel is being assisted by former starting QB (who is recovering from an injury) McKenzie Milton, and doing well.  

• 
  Taulia Tagovailoa this weekend led Maryland to an overtime 45-44 win over Minnesota with 453 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.  They were 19.5 point underdogs.  His high school is complicated, for he was tossing for Kapolei High School in Honolulu when the whole family left Hawaii for Alabama to support Tua.  Tau did well in high school there, joined the University of Alabama, but transferred to Maryland this year.
• One reason for all this success is Vince Passas, and a second is June Jones, former Hawaii head coach.

Three bits of entertainment news:

• Saturday Night Live was particularly up-to-date on the Biden-Trump results.
• Even before the election, Bill Mahar pleaded with Melania to leave Donald. Actually, my thinking is that she was paid off to stay with him until November 3.  Now that he lost, but is contemplating returning in 2024, she can either take the money and run, or ask for ten times more to stick it out for four more years.

• Anyone watching Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?  One of the questions last night had to do with Joe Biden's middle name.  The answer is Robinette.

I'm halfway there with two finalists for my song #50:

• 42nd Street:  42nd Street
• As Time Goes By:  Dooley Wilson

42nd Street is a song and musical,written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren.  The 1933 film (RT: 96/74):

• Starred Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers.
• Baxter was known as the Cisco Kid, and had already won an acting Oscar in 1928.  His performance here was exceptional,
• This was Ruby Keeler's first movie, and she was perfect for the part as a naive novice.  
• Busby Berkeley's genius showed.
• This was during the depth of the Great Depression.  
• Interestingly enough, the Broadway show followed, in 1980.

But who can forget Casablanca?  As Time Goes By, my song #50, epitomized the movie and times.  Rotten Tomatoes bestowed 99/95 ratings.  La Marseillaise, led by Paul Henreid, was particularly memorable.  Oh, Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart also were there.

Eta has been a puzzlement.  First, a Category 4 hurricane that seriously damaged Honduras, then causing problems over Cuba and South Florida, and now with the potential to again reach hurricane strength and make another landfall along the northwest coast of Florida.

-