The Biden administration launched the first U.S. Navy ship named after a known child rapist, the late San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, in San Diego on November 6. At least one of Milk’s minor victims committed suicide after the rapes.

With the unprecedented developments of 2020 — COVID-inspired tyranny and economic destruction in particular — next year has almost everybody filled with a mixture of anxiety, dread, and even hope that it may be possible to turn the corner. Things are likely to get worse before they get better, potentially a lot worse. In addition to being one of the most dangerous and unstable times in American history, this moment is also one of the most uncertain when it comes to the future. The next few weeks are key. There are so many different scenarios for what could happen — some “better,” but almost none of them “good” — that it almost boggles the mind. However, there are some very encouraging trends amid the darkness.