Some Things That Would Not Surprise Me In 2023

The only thing that I know for certain about the future is that it has not happened yet. I will not call these predictions for 2023. Rather, these are things that pattern recognition tells me are highly likely to happen, absent a major exogenous event.

1. Putin will die. I write this as some who has battled Stage 3 colon cancer. It appears that Putin is likewise dealing with colon cancer. The limiting factor for use of oxyplatinin chemotherapy is the development of peripheral neuropathy. The recently reported serious falls of Putin tell me that it is likely that he has entered the phase where he has substantial peripheral neuropathy. I was told that if colon cancer reaches Stage 4 (metastasis), chemotherapy can only prolong life -- it cannot cure the cancer.

2. Donald Trump will be indicted by one (or more) prosecutors. It appears to me that Special Counsel Jack Smith has a very strong case on the documents seized from Mar-A-Lago. I know less about Fulton County DA Fani Willis' investigation.

3. If FPOTUS is indicted, all announced GOP Presidential candidates will promise to pardon Donald Trump on their first day in office. This will help to get FPOTUS on board, if he does not turn out to be the nominee.

4. I have no idea whether President Joe Biden will run for re-election.

5. Inflation will dip below the Federal Reserve interest rate, which will allow the Fed to slow (or stop) raising interest rates.

6. The New York Knicks will once again NOT win the NBA Championship, much to my chagrin.

7. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will become a well-known political figure and a "face" of the Democratic Party.

8. I have no idea whether Kevin McCarthy will become the Speaker of the House.

9. Rep.-elect George Santos will be indicted for a felony. I have no idea whether he will resign his seat.

10. As long as I am physically able to do so, I will revisit these statements at the end of 2023.