It won’t be just another year

It’s 2016, a presidential election year. Since they only come along every four years, it won’t be just another year. Maybe I’m wrong since candidates seem to be running all the time anymore. It would follow that resolutions and predictions would consider the politics of the coming year. At least it’s a good place to start.

Here’s a resolution and a prediction all rolled up together. I predict the Republicans will nominate a candidate who is someone totally unqualified, non-presidential, and therefore completely unacceptable. I also resolve not to vote for whomever they nominate. That’s resolution No. 1, and it is a continuing resolution.

Other than that one I usually don’t make resolutions because I seldom keep them. I made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking 15 years before I actually quit. It’s been 20 years since I had my last puff. Quitting is the best thing I ever did. I’ll bet that losing weight and quitting smoking are the top two resolution of most folks. I intend to lose weight like most people; 50 pounds would be fantastic, but I’ll settle for 25.

My No. 3 resolution is to never bet against the Alabama football team. The only possible exception being if they play a Stanford team with the likes of Christian McCaffrey on their team. McCaffrey should have won the Heisman Trophy.

Before I leave the world of sports, it hurts me to predict that my Dodgers, having lost Grenke to the Diamondbacks will finish well behind those hated Giants in 2016. It’s hard to imagine starting the next NBA season without Kobe Bryant. He was so great and such fun to watch. I was watching the night he scored 81 points against Toronto. Amazing. During my lifetime I have had the pleasure to watch Laker stars Kobe, Shaq, Kareem Abdul-Jabber, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and many other great Lakers and NBA stars.

I predict Donald Trump will continue his slanderous and prejudicial comments, thereby endearing himself to the Tea Party faithful and racist far right in his party. Ted Cruz is just as prejudiced but not as noisy about it. His shoot first and ask questions later policy and his light up the desert comments will enable him to give Trump a run for the nomination. If Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio wins, it might be a good prediction that Trump will run as an independent, regardless of his statement to the contrary.

It’s a no-brainer to predict that Hillary Clinton will win the Democratic nomination, thereby becoming the first women candidate for president of the United States. The race for president will be a toss up, since I predict the Republicans fear mongering, hate for Muslims and immigrants, and a slanderous and untruthful anti-Hillary campaign may outweigh peoples’ logical analysis. Hillary is easily the most qualified candidate.

Locally, I hope business improves for merchants. I don’t know about you, but I spent every cent of my Christmas spending right here in Fallon. That would be a good resolution for all Fallon folks; Shop at home, and remember there are other stores other than Wally-World. Let me digress. Speaking of Fallon, wasn’t Maine Street beautiful this Christmas? Banner Hospital was also pretty, but Farmers Insurance gets my nod for the best Christmas decorations. I love that vintage truck with the lights all over it. Cool.

I’ll put this in the resolution category. Why do some people think getting falling down drunk is an appropriate way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ? My son was taken aback when a guest he invited to our house for Christmas dinner, proceeded to down half a bottle of whiskey he brought with him in 10 minutes. He was falling down drunk in no time, breaking a table, chair and the screen on our fire pit. He insulted everyone with his racial innuendos, gay bashing, (we had a gay couple there) and slamming me for being a Democrat, whom he said gave away all our tax dollars for social programs.

He is on lifetime disability, a social program started by Democrats. Another resolution is never to allow this man in my house again. Boozing it up on Christmas is an insult to Christ.

I’ll finish with a few resolutions. Read more, watch less TV, eat less fast foods, exercise more and go to California to a Dodgers’ game and to see my youngest grandchild graduate high school. She has overcome many learning disabilities to graduate with good grades. I am so proud of her.

Glen McAdoo, a Fallon resident, can be contacted at glynn@phonewave.net.