Happy 2021 to everyone. May this new year become the kind of year we all want it to be.
New Year’s Day Bowl Games: I was not sure if I was going to write today but, here I am doing so. It is 9 am on this cloudy and rainy New Year’s Day. In other years, I would no doubt be garbed in maize and blue, looking forward to the kick-off of whatever bowl game Michigan would be playing in. That is not the case this year. Michigan had a losing season. They did not win a home game. And most certainly, they are not playing in a bowl game this year. For sure, I will watch the playoff games: Alabama vs Notre Dame and Clemson vs Ohio State.
In the Rose Bowl, the earlier of the two games, most expected Alabama to beat Notre Dame. Alabama had a strong start and led through the entire game. Notre Dame scored late in the game to make the game look closer than it actually was. Alabama beat Notre Dame 31 – 14.
In the Sugar Bowl, Clemson was the favorite. Clemson was the team that came out strong against Ohio State. But it was short lived. Ohio State adapted and took it too Clemson. Ohio State put on a show and racked up over 600 yards on Clemson. At the beginning of the game, the announcers were talking about how relaxed Clemson was. It was meant to be a positive but now it seems like Clemson was looking past Ohio State. They were taken to school by the Buckeyes. The final score was Ohio State 49 – Clemson 28.
I am sure Alabama will be favored in the Championship Game on January 11. I am guessing the point spread will be narrowed because of Ohio State’s impressive performance today.
Contagion: In watching CNN, it was reported that we are set to surpass 20 million cases in the US today: the first day of this year we are all so hopeful about. 10 thousand Americans died in the final three days of 2020. More and more evidence that the more virulent UK Covid-19 variant is around the US. The announcer said, “Despite the hope and exuberance we have for this new year, the worst is still ahead of us.”
December Writing Report Card: I did enjoy my December writing challenge. I posted on this blog 31 days in a row. I wrote about 23,800 words for an average of 770 words a day and filling just over 40 MS Word pages. It was a good experience. There were a few tough days in the middle of the month scrounging for topics but it worked out. There was plenty to write about with socially distant holidays and the dawning new year.
I thought I might be taking New Year’s Day off, but here I am writing again. I am not clear what my writing goals will be moving forward but I will spend a little time contemplating that today and tomorrow.
Certifying the Electoral College Vote: There will be a joint seeion of Congress on Wednesday, January 6th to tally and certify the votes of the Electoral College. It is usually a ceremonial event that is a celebration of our democratic process. This year looks to be contentious. Several republican representatives have already stated they will contest the results. One senator, Jay Hawley (R-MO), already has stated he will raise concerns. Other Republican Senators including Ben Sasse (R-NE), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and even Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have spoken against this.
McConnell privately warned Republicans weeks ago that going down the path of objecting would put colleagues in the position of having to vote against President Donald Trump, or against the clear winner of the election with no basis for doing so. Given Trump's pull with the party, it would create an untenable position, particularly for those GOP senators soon to face reelection. ~CNN
McConnell, finally, may be looking beyond Trump and perhaps thinking more about the party. I am still amazed with the devotion Trump supporters have for him and how this has Republican Senators and Representatives afraid to take a position that would be viewed anti-Trump.
Though, Congress did override his veto of military spending this week.
It will be interesting to see what happens on Wednesday.
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