2008-Belated Year in Review

Approximately 380+ days ago I made my predictions for 2008 [link]. While I do claim some success in my political predictions (see here), my annual predictions were as I will describe below, to put it mildly, so wrong as to be ludicrous and ridiculous. However, not being one to flee in the face of adversity, I'll make another set of predictions for 2009 tomorrow for those still wishing to read after witnessing my parade of abysmal failures.

2008

OK I just finished watching Rockin' New Year's Eve of the Living Dead on ABC. It may be uncharitable but Mr. Clark needs to be retired to his cryogenic chamber- his teeth looked like they they were falling out as he made Romero- inspired groans and lurches. The kids with me (ages 11-16) were alternately cringing and laughing (which of course was my response to their favorite bands). Not really a prediction but I got this one right- it happened again this year and the 12 and 17 year old in attendance think our generation digs making fun of old people

Major Issues-

1. Iraq- Unresolved- Enough political progress and ongoing violence and upheaval for both pro and anti war factions to claim they are right. OK but that would be the case no matter what happened Significant troop withdrawals in 08 will result in increased instability but not so much instability as was feared or threatened. Not really

2. Election Too hard to call- Will not be Hillary vs. Rudy (although one of the two might still be nominee, this is not a favorable time for favorites). OK Election will likely turn on localized events and issues. No Rightwingers and religionists will be underwhelmed by their candidates Yes unless you count SP-and the center will continue to be underwhelmed by the tilt of the last 8 years and will shift thus resulting in a Democratic President and Congress, though not one in lockstep with each other- non-partisan deadlock. OK on Dem victory (that was easy) and non-partisan deadlock is a possibility

3. Global Warming/ Green Construction. Rightly or wrongly, there will be continued acceptance and marginalization of critics to the Tobacco Institute. We could argue endlessly....The conversation will move from whether the weather is changing to what an effective response is. Ex- Bushies will become lobbyists for China. No evidence of this....yet Green building continues to be a major industry force (I predicted this last year perhaps overstating its visibility in the public) More and more major retailers and construction operations will move to LEED certification for economic as opposed to public relations reasons. Certainly in the world or real estate development and related lawyering this is a huge issue based on the number of conferences I see advertised but don't know if its really something that gets big popular press- maybe a quiet revolution

4. Football Patriots win in 2008 and 2009. No and NO. Ho hum. Yes. Even I don't like them anymore. The Super Bowl loser will be one of those teams that play on FOX and just as memorable as the team that lost to the 72 Dolphins (was it Washington? Minnesota? Dallas?- who knows or cares?). No

5. Baseball. Steroids wil be the big story but cronyism and short-sightedness will prevail as Selig and Fehr stay in office.Yes Since so many will be named(including players more popular with old sportswriters), the sport will turn to framing it as a "societal problem" rather than individual demonization of unpopular Bonds/ Canseco characters. Not really. Boston will come close to overtaking the Yankees for obnoxiousness but fall short.No- Yankess still far more obnoxious Red Sox, Yankees will contend but not win it all. Yes (Dem presidential candidate will be thankful- obnoxious victorious northeasterners would otherwie cause blow back in the red states). Pirates will improve by 10% and win 75 games. No- they actually win one less game than they did in 2007. Cleveland- A's in ALCS, Arizona-NYM in NLCS Cleveland beats Dbacks in WS. Big No

6. Movies- Some movie I haven't seen will win (I only see movies that my 11 year old wants to see and I don't think "Fred Claus" will have much support). Yes- Fred Claus did not win best picture but had a mildly comedic reference in 30 Rock. I have not seen (or remembered the name of) the winner.

7. Dow - Stays over 14000 after June 30 but does not break 15000. Apparently this did not happen

8. Press - WSJ under Murdoch will remain superficially the same Yes except for the editorial page. No Loyola 2L (read the law blog) will be outed and become the whiny voice of his generation Who?