More Blognostication

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There is a new AP poll out on what Americans are predicting for the new year. Let me post some of them along with my predictions for those same things.

American People (A-Peeps): Six in 10 people think the U.S. will be the victim of a terrorist attack.

Me: Maybe but doubtful. If there is one I predict it will be domestic in origin.

A-Peeps: An identical percentage [60%] thinks it likely that a biological or nuclear weapon will be unleashed somewhere else in the world.

Me: No

A-Peeps: Seventy percent of people in the U.S. predict a major natural disaster in the country/

Me: Well, that’s a little vague. Define “major”. Katrina-esque? Probably not but there’s always a chance. Springfield 2006 type tornados, sure.

A-Peeps: An equal percentage [70%] expects worsening global warming.

Me: Yes that would be technically true since global warming is an ongoing and growing problem. However, it’s hard to say the effects of global warming will be any more or less noticeable in 2007.

A-Peeps: 35 percent predict the military draft will be reinstated.

Me: No way.

A-Peeps: 35 percent predict a cure for cancer will be found.

Me: Nope. I don’t think there is A CURE for cancer, rather there will be many cures someday after we stop wasting trillions on war and concentrate on life.

A-Peeps: 25 percent anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Me: Based on what? A quarter of the population is so ego-centric as to believe they live in the “end times”? That’s actually kind of frightening.

A-Peeps: 19 percent think scientists are likely to find evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Me. No but it’s far more likely this year than the second coming of Christ.

A-Peeps: Eight in 10 people predict lawmakers will raise the $5.15-an-hour federal minimum wage. It would be the first increase since 1997.

Me: That's a near certainty and I’m glad.

A-Peeps: Fewer than half the public think it likely the U.S. will go to war with Iran or North Korea. Should it come down to that, 40 percent think the battle will be with Iran while 26 percent said North Korea.

Me: No, our military (the Army and Marines in particular) is far too depleted to be taking on adversaries that are 10 times more problematic than Iraq.

A-Peeps: Higher gas prices, legalized gay marriage and the possible arrival of bird flu also are seen as being in the cards.

Me: Yes, yes, and no. I’m really hoping for a no on that last one. And the gay marriage thing will continue to become more accepted but not totally legalized throughout the land.

Happy New Year!