Welcome to Are We Doomed? the weekly column in which I will take the latest news and try to determine if it’s all downhill from here.

Army Navy Football

Since we last discussed the possibility of our impending doom, the annual Army/Navy Football game took place. If you don’t know what that is, it’s when the Army (West Point) plays the Navy (Naval Academy) in football. You’re welcome for that explanation.

Take a look at the intro video. Honestly, it’s worth a few minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kElF9VbgSmc&t=10s

And, remember what has now become something of a cliche- this is the only football game where everyone playing is willing to die for everyone watching.

It’s also kind of neat to watch this old   newsreel of the game from 1941.

The Army and Navy choirs combine to sing the National Anthem. I’ll admit I’m a little biased towards the Naval Academy choir myself, because my friend Larry O’Connor’s (you might listen to him on the radio) daughter is a member.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhPviSNvnTQ

Verdict: The future seem pretty bright, doesn’t it?

Tell Me About It, Stud.

Olivia Newton-John auctioned off her iconic black leather jacket from the movie Grease for $243,200 to raise money for cancer research. Then, in a lovely act of kindness, he gave the jacket back to her while remaining anonymous.

Verdict: The first reason we aren’t doomed is that Newton-John was willing to auction off this beloved piece to raise money for cancer research. Then, it raised a lot of money. Finally, this donor gave the jacket back to her. Everybody wins, including we on the potentially   earth.

HARD PASS

Unfortunately, it can’t all be good news.

On what planet is GQ living that this is even an accessory in use, let alone one that is essential?

Why the codpiece remains one of menswear’s most essential accessories https://t.co/2TfpBB4rBM pic.twitter.com/0DlIZyRE2S

— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) December 14, 2019

Verdict: Whatever planet this is should be very worried.

A Miracle

I’ve been blessed this last month to witness an honest-to-goodness miracle in my friend’s baby. Little Walter was born November 24 with a rare heart defect, got through incredible odds, and is doing better than could be expected.

You may know his mama Kemberlee Kaye, who writes over at Legal Insurrection. She shared an update shortly after his birth and another yesterday.

Verdict: The internet can be a gross place to spend one’s time. This reminded me, Kemberlee, and (I think) a lot of people, that it can also bring us together. I don’t know how many people were praying for Walter, but I can easily say it was in the hundreds. It was probably in the thousands. People who don’t know them cared about this little guy and wanted to know that he would be ok. They asked what they could do to help Kemberlee and make her life a little easier so she and her husband could focus on him and their 3 year-old daughter, Klara. People aren’t terrible. Even on the internet. Even in the world that is the political internet, we are going to be ok.

He is Born.

Of course, this week, we celebrate the birth of another baby boy. He is the reason that I know with absolute certainty that we are not doomed.

Verdict: I know we’re going to be ok.

AND SO

Whatever you celebrate, may it be merry and bright, and enjoy not being doomed.