Some predictions down the toilet

I guess it's time to concede that the Patriots did not win 25 straight. I was right all the way up to last Sunday. 21 and 0 is not bad.

It seems I should concede a Bush victory, also. But, no. Just like it took a year to prove that Gore won last time, I will wait another year before deciding that Bush is our legitimately elected leader. Even then I do not truly think I will ever come to accept it.

Hedge: I did say this one looks fair and square, but I did not say I was convinced.

I want to renew my prediction that Saddam Hussein will not be out of power for the long-term. This may be some time away, but it could easily happen before Bush finishes serving a second term.

Hedge: I have had a so-so year for predictions of a political nature.

In other news, Scott Peterson is guilty as sin. We will see if the jury agrees. (My history of predicting notable verdicts: I won money on the OJ verdict. Have yet to lose money on one.) My bet this time is that the jury will put Scott in jail for the rest of his life.

Hedge: It may take a retrial.

I don't remember if I stated my prediction of Martha's trial. I was and forever will be on her side, but I was wrong about the verdict. I made no bets, because I was not that sure. I still do not think that the evidence supported the verdict.

I think she still may be vindicated in the courts. Nonetheless, her career will continue, probably even more successful than before. She will have the last laugh.

Hedge: None. Of this you can be sure.

As for the second Bush term, hypothetically speaking, of course, I am holding back specifics until they become more clear. Bad things are what I feel in general.

The economy will continue to grow, I will stipulate that. But four years from now I think more people will be part of the working poor class, under educated, over worked, under employed, underrepresented against the rule of corporations, and growing tired of living on the underbelly of a New Gilded Age.

Hedge: Again, no doubt here, Bush has promised this. And I know he can deliver.

I think progressivism will grow stronger at the grass-roots level, yet remain politically hamstrung by the tyranny of the silent majority and a concentrated effort to write rules favoring their neo-conservative values. The New Gilded Age could last a half century, if allowed to accrete power unchecked.

Hedge: grass-roots conservatism may realize that their interests are not really represented by the GOP. A schism between New Republicans and Old Republicans could bog their party down, spark infighting common to such a bloated organization and allow the other parties to gain traction.

More specifics to come as I make them up.