Post-election pandemic update — 10 million total U.S. cases, record daily cases, COVID-19 vaccine, and transition team task force

Yesterday, I telegraphed my choices for today.*

I'm looking forward to a break from the election here. Whether my next post will be about entertainment or the COVID-19 pandemic, I don't know yet. Stay tuned.

It's the pandemic. I begin with the bad news from ABC, At least a dozen states report record hospitalizations due to COVID-19.

Utah's governor is placing the state under a mask mandate, and now there are concerns about celebrations in the streets and on sports fields. ABC's Alex Presha reports.

While one of the chyrons displayed that the U.S. has passed 10 million cases, the narration didn't seem to include that statistic, so I'm adding the following from Reuters: U.S. crosses 10 million COVID-19 cases as third wave of infections surges.

The United States became the first nation worldwide since the pandemic began to surpass 10 million coronavirus infections, according to a Reuters tally on Sunday, as the third wave of the COVID-19 virus surges across the nation.

The grim milestone came on the same day as global coronavirus cases exceeded 50 million.

The United states has reported about a million cases in the past 10 days, the highest rate of infections since the nation reported its first novel coronavirus case in Washington state 293 days ago.

The country reported a record 131,420 COVID-19 cases on Saturday and has reported over 100,000 infections five times in the past seven days, according to a Reuters tally.

The U.S. latest reported seven-day average of 105,600 daily cases, ramped up by at least 29%, is more than the combined average for India and France, two of the worst affected countries in Asia and Europe.

More than 237,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 since the illness caused by the coronavirus first emerged in China late last year.

That's the bad news. Now the good news, Vaccine 90% effective in trial as cases surge.

Dr. Richard Besser weighs in on Pfizer's newly announced two-shot vaccine, possible efficacy and production as COVID cases surge in the U.S.

Next summer or fall? That means that my response to my favorite supermarket checker's question "when do [you] think things will return to normal?" as "spring of next year, when a vaccine becomes available" was too optimistic. I wasn't being pessimistic enough!

George Stephanopoulus teased the next interview in the video above, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo talks about the rise in COVID-19 cases.

As multiple states see a rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, Cuomo weighs in on what President-elect Biden can do with his coronavirus plan.

Governor Cuomo thinks it's good news-bad news as well, but the bad news is different. He's not confident that the Trump Administration's plan to distribute the vaccine will be sufficient. Based on Trump's handling of the pandemic, I agree. However, if the vaccine is ready for distribution in the summer, then it will be the Biden Administration overseeing it, which I have more confidence in. With Joe Biden creating a COVID-19 task force already, that looks good. Watch COVID-19 task force announced as Biden plans transition to White House from Euronews about that news.

President-elect Joe Biden says dealing with the pandemic will be his top priority - a move backed by the head of the World Health Organization.

I wish Biden luck with this. Not only does he need it, we the American people do, too!

*I forgot I had a third choice, Hurricane Eta, which is breaking most of the records set by Hurricane Delta, including the most named systems in the Atlantic during a single season, previously held by the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season. I might get to that later, certainly if there is another named system. In the meantime, my prediction that there could be a system designated as Theta looks very good, while Lambda or Mu is still within the realm of possibility. Stay tuned.

'SNL' gives its satirical take on the election results

If it's Sunday during election season, it's time for Saturday Night Live. I begin with the #2 trending video on YouTube today, Biden Victory Cold Open - SNL.

Joe Biden (Jim Carrey) and Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin) give speeches after the conclusion of the 2020 presidential election.

First, that's the saddest rendition of "Macho Man" I've ever heard. Second, I think this is the best performance Jim Carrey has given as Joe Biden. Third, when he broke character and pulled out Ace Ventura, I really appreciated it. Finally, I'm looking forward to Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris for the next four plus years.

Now for the news with punchlines — Weekend Update: Biden Wins 2020 Election.

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Trump claiming he will have to be dragged out of the White House kicking and screaming.

Just like Colin Jost, I'm looking forward to not having to pay attention to Donald Trump again. I'll just have to wait until January 20, 2021 for that to be completely true.

Speaking of losers, the next segment was Rudy Giuliani on Trump's Election Lawsuits, the #13 trending video on YouTube right now.

Rudy Giuliani (Kate McKinnon) stops by Weekend Update to discuss his strategies for Trump's election lawsuits.

I'm also looking forward to not having to hear from Mr. Noun, Verb, 911 again. On the other hand, I read that Kate McKinnon might be leaving "SNL" after this season. If so, I will miss her.

I could stop here, but then I'd have the same three videos in the same order as Tengrain at Mock, Paper, Scissors, so I'm adding Dave Chappelle Stand-Up Monologue as a bonus.

Dave Chappelle talks about the 2020 election, COVID-19 and Donald Trump.

It took a while for Dave Chappelle to get to the election, but it was worth it. On the other hand, I wish he wasn't smoking on stage. Sigh.

Since I have a video of Chappelle in which he mentions his Netflix specials, I'm going to congratulate him on the Emmy wins for for "Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones": Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. As I wrote in For National Presidential Joke Day, I present the variety talk show nominees at the Emmy Awards, "Wow! No matter who wins, Netflix does as well. As for who I'd bet on, it would be between Dave Chappelle and Patton Oswalt." It was Chappelle. Congratulations!

I'm looking forward to a break from the election here. Whether my next post will be about entertainment or the COVID-19 pandemic, I don't know yet. Stay tuned.

Joe Biden is the apparent President-elect as Pennsylvania and Nevada called for him

I concluded Colbert, Kimmel, and Corden react to Trump's speech last night with derision and outrage plus a bonus Closer Look by writing "The wait is getting to people, including me. I hope I have more definitive news tomorrow. Stay tuned." Well, the wait is over. Watch NBC News Projects Joe Biden Will Be The President-Elect from NBC News.

NBC News projects Joe Biden will win the state of Pennsylvania in the 2020 presidential election, and will have enough electoral votes to become the president-elect.

Whew! Yay! 273 electoral votes for Joe Biden thanks to the Keystone State!

I have more news. Just after I started composing this entry, NPR reported AP Calls Nevada For Joe Biden: "The Associated Press has called Nevada for President-elect Joe Biden, bringing his electoral vote total to 290." That total includes Arizona, which NBC News and ABC News have not yet called for Biden, but the AP and Fox News did two days ago. Add in Georgia, where Biden is also leading, and Biden's electoral vote total increases to 306. Even without those two states, Biden's total is 279, so he's won.*

I conclude today's brief post with analysis from FiveThirtyEight: How Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Won A Historic Election.

As multiple news outlets report that Joe Biden has won the presidency, managing editor Micah Cohen and politics editor Sarah Frostenson talk with Galen Druke about this historic election.

In addition to the thoughtful analysis by Druke and Frostenson, I'm glad Cohen brought up how ground-breaking the victory is for Kamala Harris, who will be the first woman, first African-American, and first Asian-American to be elected Vice President.** Congratulations to her and Biden!

*At least this stage. The real election is the Electoral College, which votes on December 14, 2020. That's followed by a joint session of the new Congress on January 6, 2021. Biden's and Harris's legal team will have to keep an eye on that to make sure there are no attempts to send a slate of electors who do not reflect their state's popular vote or defections by faithless electors. The good news is that competing slates of electors have not made a difference since the 1876 election and faithless electors haven't made a difference since 1836 and that was for Vice President, not President. Still, people are trying. When John Oliver told his viewers to expect an election month not just an election night, he was not kidding.

**She's not the first person of color to be Vice President. Herbert Hoover's Vice President Charles Curtis was Native American, an enrolled member of the Kaw Nation.

Colbert, Kimmel, and Corden react to Trump's speech last night with derision and outrage plus a bonus Closer Look

I was hoping to share the news of the presidential contest being decided, but that hasn't happened yest, so it's time for Plan B, today's version of Colbert, Noah, Kimmel, and Meyers mock Trump's premature declaration of victory. I begin with The Late Show's Stephen Rips Up The Monologue And Starts Over After Trump's Heartbreaking Thursday Night Lie Fest.

We all knew Donald Trump would do this, that he would refuse to show dignity in defeat. But what we didn't expect is how much it would hurt. Watch Stephen Colbert process his feelings in real time as he delivers a new monologue written in the wake of the President's sad, frightening remarks in the White House briefing room.

Wow, Stephen, tell us how you really feel. Seriously, I've never seen him so pissed!

Jimmy Kimmel was much more mocking in Trump is Losing, Lying & Tearing Democracy Down with Him.

Another stressful day in America started with Trump tweeting “STOP THE COUNT” in regard to votes, an angry mob of his supporters descended on a ballot counting center in Phoenix last night, Trump’s spiritual advisor threw a Hail Mary on his behalf, Trump got up to the podium in the White House to give a speech filled with lies, threats and attacks on democracy, and to top it all off, his former Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney indicated that he expects Trump to run again in 2024, and because of the mid-season change on “The Bachelorette,” Jimmy’s wife Molly takes to the Magic Wall to pick the guy who she thinks will win Tayshia’s heart.

Looks like Kimmel kept his prepared monologue, right down to the news clips, including the one from Detroit, and of Trump's spiritual advisor, who sounds like she's speaking in tongues (maybe she is).

James Corden reacted with befuddlement in Count Here, Stop There -- When Will We Know?

James Corden recaps the Thursday after the presidential election while the country waits for Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia to count every vote while President Donald Trump files lawsuits and undermines the election claiming every kind of fraud imaginable.

I feel you, James.

Seth Meyers taped Trump Is Losing the Election, So He's Trying to Destroy Democracy: A Closer Look before Trump's remarks last night, but he did have a good idea of what was coming.

Seth takes a closer look at Trump's path to reelection narrowing as the remaining swing states continue counting ballots.

The wait is getting to people, including me. I hope I have more definitive news tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Colbert, Noah, Kimmel, and Meyers mock Trump's premature declaration of victory

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!* Other than the footnote, that's the last I'll say about the U.K. holiday because the 2020 election results, such as they are, take precedence. So does the ability to laugh at them.

I begin with Stephen Colbert's monologue Biden Urges Patience And Trump Claims Victory As Battleground States Count Their Ballots.

Stephen still hasn't left his Election Night set because, as of Wednesday night's Late Show, Americans don't know who will be their next president.

Thank you, Stephen, for announcing that Michigan has been called for Joe Biden. It saved me the trouble.

Next, Trevor Noah's Trump Wants to Stop Counting Votes & Republicans Hold the Senate.

Joe Biden is currently on track to win the presidency, Donald Trump uses his election night speech to make baseless claims about fraud and threaten a Supreme Court case, and the GOP maintains control of the Senate.

No, Trevor, we still don't know who has won the Electoral College. John Oliver told his viewers to expect an election month not just an election night and that's exactly what we're getting. I caught Trevor's throwaway line about recycling plastic as something that feels good but means nothing, reminding me that America Recycles Day is ten days from now. Also, Trevor is right about the limits of money in politics. All the campaign contributions for Amy McGrath and Sara Gideon couldn't get them ahead of Mitch McConnell and Susan Collins. There are some things money can't buy.

I continue with Trump Falsely Claims Victory After Crazy Election Night from Jimmy Kimmel.

Jimmy talks about Election Night carrying into today, the polls being wrong again, Trump’s 2AM declaration that he won the election and claiming four states that hadn’t been called yet, astonishment that after four years of everything Trump has done people still wanted to vote for him, newscasters being angry about Trump’s remarks, Trump not handling the news that he's losing very well, and an all-new Political Edition of Mean Tweets.

Kimmel nearly always has the most complete descriptions of all the late night talk show hosts on his YouTube videos and this one is no exception.

I close with As Biden Nears Victory, Trump Tries to Steal the Election: A Closer Look from Seth Meyers.

Seth takes a closer look at President Trump and his allies falsely declaring victory, lying to discredit the results and trying to stop the count altogether as Joe Biden tentatively gains enough states to win the presidency.

Normally, I'd place Seth's Closer Looks first or second, but this one went too long for my taste, so I'm saving it for my more patient readers.

Speaking of patience, my readers and I will require lots of it, as I don't expect the key states to be called until tonight or tomorrow and North Carolina will not announce the results from late mail-in ballots until a week from today. Stay tuned.

*I wrote that I added Guy Fawkes Day to this blog's calendar six years ago, but I've never written a post dedicated to the holiday since then, although John Oliver on voting machines for Election Day came close. U.S. elections have been more pressing than a British holiday. This year is no exception.

Vox explains how the U.S. counts votes and how the Electoral College works

While my readers are waiting for the results of the election and wondering why Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania are so important, I'm sharing two videos Vox released during the past few days that explain the process and why these particular states matter so much. I begin with yesterday's How the US counts votes.

The US doesn't have one election. It has 3,141.

In a normal presidential election year, many Americans go from casting our vote before work in the morning to turning off the TV before bed, secure in our knowledge of who will lead the country for the next four years. But in 2020, there’s a better-than-average chance that won’t happen.

Even before the coronavirus struck, more Americans each election were either voting early or voting my mail. But in 2020, these numbers are expected to skyrocket, and that means states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which don’t start counting mail-in ballots until election day, probably won’t have results for several days. This year, voters are facing a pandemic, a deliberately underfunded postal service, and the closure of polling locations in battleground states like Georgia, Ohio, Arizona, and Texas.

In this video, we take a comprehensive deep dive into how states count votes. Each of the 3,141 counties in the US has its own rules, but there are some basic steps that are mostly the same across the country. Whether you’re voting in person early, on election day, by mail, or dropping off your ballot, we break down some of the differences and similarities in how and when states collect, verify, process, and count ballots.

Once you understand how votes are counted, it’s clear just how important each vote really is.

The bad news is that America's decentralized system is unwieldy and doesn't report national results quickly, as my readers and I are finding out right now. The good news is that it's too difficult to rig a national election. Along with the reforms to voting machines, it's part of the reason this U.S. election could be the most secure yet. Silver linings, folks.

Next, I'm sharing Vox's follow-up of sorts to CNBC explains why the Electoral College exists, The Electoral College, explained.

Why some Americans’ votes count more than others.
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In the 2000 US presidential election, the Democratic candidate got half a million more votes than the Republican. The Democrat lost. Sixteen years later the same thing happened again. In the US, if you run for president, it does not actually matter how many people in the country vote for you. What matters instead is an arcane system for selecting America’s head of state called the Electoral College.

The Electoral College is the reason the US has something called “swing states,” and it’s the reason those places get to decide the future of the country. It’s the reason presidential candidates almost never campaign in the country’s biggest cities. And more recently, it’s also the reason that Republican candidates have been able to eke out victories in the presidential election without actually getting the most votes.

The Electoral College makes some Americans’ votes more powerful than others. In fact, that’s part of the reason we have it to begin with; in the country’s early years, the Electoral College helped give the votes of Southern Whites more weight than the votes of Northerners. The idea at its core, that certain votes simply matter more than others, is baked into the American tradition. In the 2020 election, it may decide the winner.

As I wrote in 'Good Morning America' reports on the results of state ballot initiatives while the presidential contest is still being decided, "While all the states still have not been called, the trends look good for Biden." It's not because of the popular vote; Biden is winning that handily. Instead, it's because he needs either Arizona and Nevada or one of Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina to get 270 more more Electoral College votes. While the system benefits Michigan right now, I think "America's peculiar institution" is unfair and undemocratic and would like it eliminated.* I know better than to expect will happen any time soon.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is a work-around that will make the Electoral College more democratic, both upper- and lower-case d, without a constitutional amendment. I'd like that, too, but I consider it extremely difficult, while not impossible. That's a long-term effort that I may not live to see accomplished.

Until then, we have to live with it. Sigh.

*I know the connotations of "peculiar institution" and, given the states that traditionally benefit from the Electoral College according to Vox's history, I think it's apt. Besides, no other democracy in the world uses it, so it is both unique and peculiar.

'Good Morning America' reports on the results of state ballot initiatives while the presidential contest is still being decided

The presidential contest is still being decided as I write this, so I'm going to concentrate on the issues that have been. ABC's Good Morning America has a video about some of them in Ballot initiatives make history to state and local laws.

"GMA" takes a look at the legislation that will change things in states across the U.S., from Mississippi approving a new state flag to Oregon decriminalizing possession of hard drugs.

I'm glad to see Mississippi replace variants of the Confederate Battle Flag and the Stars and Bars with the state flower and motto from the state seal. Consider it another Confederate monument removed.

Marijuana legalization passing in five states (recreational in Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota and medicinal in Mississippi), it fits a trend I first identified ten years ago and reported here two years later in 2012's Meanwhile, at the bottom of the ballot: "Two years ago, I told one of my students that there would be two changes in his lifetime propelled by his generation--marijuana legalization and marriage equality." When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality five years ago (three years later), I commented "One down, one to go." It's getting there. I didn't have to wait another year from this year's 4/20 post to report more encouraging news about marijuana legalization.

I am not as sanguine about Oregon decriminalizing hard drugs, although Portugal did something similar and drug addiction dropped afterwards. I hope that's what happens in Oregon.

California showed the limits of the progressive agenda by not overturning the ban on affirmative action and reclassifying drivers for Uber and Lyft as independent contractors instead of employees. My wife was surprised by that second result. I wasn't. Not only was the polling not in its favor, but as an expatriate Californian, I remember what Golden Staters are like. They love convenience, efficiency, and technology and are starting to hate driving, so they might think classifying ride-share drivers as employees might threaten that. Besides, California is an expensive state for political advertising; Uber and Lyft, who supported this ballot initiative, have the money for it, while the other side does not. Color me disappointed, but not surprised.

I am also disappointed but not surprised by the next result from CBS Boston (WBZ-TV) in Boston: Mass. Voters Approve Right To Repair Question, Reject Ranked Choice Voting.


I think this is a good idea that needs more time. I suspect the voters in Massachusetts may be waiting to see how ranked-choice voting works out in Maine. I'll report on that if it makes a difference in the U.S. Senate contest and Maine's Second Congressional District.

For the final video, I can't resist a report on the current state of the presidential contest. Watch Inside Edition explaining Why a Presidential Winner Has Not Yet Been Determined.*

A winner has not yet been determined in the presidential election. The numbers currently stand too close to call in several battleground states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Pennsylvania. Incumbent President Donald Trump or his challenger, democratic Vice President Joe Biden need 270 electoral college votes to be declared a winner. Inside Edition Digital’s Leigh Scheps explains.

While all the states still have not been called, the trends look good for Biden. Stay tuned.

*I opened with a news division's idea of an entertainment program and I closed with an entertainment company's idea of a news program. Consider it a closing of a circle. As an environmentalist, I like that.

John Oliver on Trump, coronavirus, and William Barr for Election Day

For Election Day, I am going to return to "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" for a pre-election double feature, beginning with Trump & the Coronavirus.

John Oliver takes a look at how the Trump administration has handled the coronavirus outbreak in the US, from lack of preparation, to mangled coordination, to harmful communication.

Gee, John, tell us how you really feel about how Donald Trump is handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Seriously, this is a great summary of how Trump has dealt with the novel coronavirus including both Trump downplaying the pandemic to Bob Woodward and spreading misinformation.

Next, Oliver's take on William Barr, the second half of Sunday's double episode.

John Oliver discusses William Barr’s attitude toward authority and executive power, how that attitude has influenced Donald Trump’s presidency, and what it could mean if Trump wins a second term.

This is the most attention I've ever paid Bill Barr, as he's only had cameos in two posts until now. He deserves the spotlight for once. I hope he and his bagpipes enjoy it.

Finally, everyone remember that the election won't be over tonight. As John Oliver told his viewers, expect an election month not just an election night. Be patient and stay tuned.

The New York Times 'Stressed Election' examines election misinformation and voting rights

I concluded 'This U.S. Election Could Be the Most Secure Yet' says The New York Times 'Stressed Election' with a program note: "I have only two installments of 'Stressed Election' left to post, one on voting rights, which came out at the end of last month, and the final one on disinformation, which I expect will be uploaded next week. I plan on getting to both." With Election Day tomorrow, it's time to get to those videos before they turn into pumpkins. First, the report that I was waiting for last month, How Homegrown Disinformation Could Disrupt This U.S. Election | 2020 Elections.

In 2016, Russia developed a simple, effective playbook to undermine U.S. elections with disinformation on social media. Four years later, Americans are using the same playbook on each other.

One of the producers left the following pinned comment on the YouTube video.

Hello - I’m Isabelle Niu. My colleagues Alex Eaton, Kassie Bracken and I produced this video looking at how domestic disinformation is threatening the U.S. election, four years after Russia developed a playbook to undermine Americans’ faith in the elections using social media. We look at an interesting case study in Kentucky in 2019, where a single tweet that lied about shredding mail-in ballots went viral, and ended up causing real disruptions. Misinformation is likely going to be a recurring problem in U.S. elections going forward. It is important that we understand how it works and what we can do about it.

"Overlordkraken1" was just trolling, but the people who amplified him had an agenda and they didn't care if they were using misinformation created for entertainment to advance it. That makes them agents, not trolls.* To avoid playing their game, I'm sharing the advice I gave in CBS News and CNN Business explain Russian disinformation and how to deal with it.

Think critically about the source of the story; Ask if others are reporting it; Do a reverse image search, as a lot of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation (thanks, Nina Jankowicz, for introducing me to that word) uses misattributed or manipulated images or video, such as the SWAT team clip in "Plandemic" John Oliver showed in Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories; and, finally, walk away and calm down so the emotion doesn't overwhelm you.

Another author I recommend is Molly McKew at Stand Up Republic, in particular What lessons haven’t we learned since 2016? Lesson 5: Are YOU Disinfo?

First, it matters what narratives you are contributing to online — intentionally or not — and you should be aware not only of where your content comes from, but where it is going.
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Second, block bots and disruptive or sketchy accounts that follow and promote you, even if they are agreeing with you. Disincentive the lazy-machinery of propaganda and disinformation whenever you can.
...
Third, don’t “follow back” or “friend” automatically. Don’t pass on content on more localized platforms if it is from a source you don’t know. Remember the way you engage with accounts and information builds networks that can be monitored and exploited by others.

Fourth, if you find yourself sharing sympathies or narrative with an identified hostile foreign actor or other malign actor, question why, and what that means. Is there a better way to make your point? Avoid tropes and blanket statements, embrace nuance.

Fifth, just as a refresher to the previous columns in this series — always ask what the purpose of the information in front of you is, and what it aims to achieve. Don’t rage-post. Don’t feel like you too must repost viral content that is divisive and inflammatory. Don’t be a cog in the disinformation machine.

All good advice. Not only will I follow it, I hope my readers do, too.

That was the last video in the series. Now for the first in the series, Why Voting in This U.S. Election Will Not Be Equal | 2020 Elections.

The first episode of our four-part series, Stressed Election, focuses on voter suppression in Georgia, where a growing Black and Latino population is on the precipice of exercising its political voice, if they get the chance to vote.

Like all the rest of the videos in the series, one of the producers wrote a pinned comment about it.

Hi, I'm Alexandra Eaton, one of the producers on this video. My partner, Kassie Bracken, and I have spent the past year exploring what works and what doesn't in the decentralized U.S. election system for a four-part series called Stressed Election. In each episode, we visit a state to explore a problem in detail, and then look at how it affects the nation as a whole.

This video emphasizes what I wrote in Vox explains what long voting lines in the US really mean.

Like climate change, The Supreme Court's ruling on Shelby vs. Holder and its effect on voting rights was an issue before the pandemic and will remain one after the pandemic is over. Unlike climate change, it can be fixed just by passing a law, in this case the one named after the late John Lewis. That won't happen this year, as the bill is being held up in the Senate by Mitch McConnell like so many others. Even if it passed there, President Trump is threatening to veto it. On the other hand, if the House of Representatives, Senate, and White House are all in the hands of Democrats next year, the bill can be reintroduced, passed by both houses, and signed into law. That sounds like a good maybe to me.

Here's to hoping that's the result of this year's election, along with greater acceptance of voting by mail.

*Speaking of agents, follow over the jump for a song and cartoon about them that I'm recycling for this post. After all, I am an environmentalist!

'SNL' told funny but scary stories about the election on Halloween

While today is the end of Daylight Saving Time and when I usually celebrate Day of the Dead, I'm going to skip my traditions this year to concentrate on the election through the lens of comedy. Since it's Sunday, I'm letting Saturday Night Live entertain and inform my readers.

I begin, as did last night's show, with the Biden Halloween Cold Open.

Joe Biden (Jim Carrey) delivers a special message on Halloween.

In between all the jokes, the skit had a serious message: Don't be complacent. We all saw how that worked out last time.

Follow over the jump for the rest of the clips about the election and politics.