Next year, and last year, all in one.

2016 is almost over. It was a year that seemed to last forever. It was a unfortunate year in many ways. Looking back it is difficult, at least before a 3rd cup of coffee (on the 2nd one now) to find any highlights at all. But, it is easy to see patterns forming. Extrapolating from these patterns is not difficult. So, before the Life Explained Year in Review we are going to have the Life Explained Bold New Predictions.

Donald Trump won the presidency riding the fame of a reality television show. His brash, abusive style unchanged from television to the campaign trail. Bullying his way through the primaries, insulting  his opponents, belittling the press, and attacking the solemn institution of American democracy. And the crowd went wild. No matter what you thought of his election it signaled a change. The most powerful office in the country no longer has requires any qualifications, experience not necessary. It opens the door to anybody who is comfortable in front of a camera. Which spells real excitement for

“Fake” news was a hot topic in 2016. People read it, passed it along, held it dear. Fake news, according to people who study these things, is nothing new. What really surprised most people was the willingness of people to embrace news so bizarre. If it supported their beliefs it was good enough for them, and good enough for the people they knew. It was shared, liked, loved, commented on in astonishing numbers. America loves a good bit of gossip, so much so that it has been institutionalized, given a place of honor in the national dialog.  This probably means the incidence of less than true news to skew public opinion will grow, expand. And here is a bold prediction, Americans will eat it up.

To recap, future elections will pit one television star against another, and propagandists will light the way. One thing that will be nice, we will have much higher voter turnouts for a Taylor Swift vs. Kanye West campaign. When we start bringing in professional wrestling stars it will get very exciting. Oh the anticipation.

There you have it, not only was this the prediction episode of Life Explained, it was the year in review, for no additional fees.

Christmas, and the competition is really sizzling.

 It is a sign of the times. There is a show about Christmas light displays. Ostensibly, the most garish, brightest, flashiest celebration of the solemn, profound occasion will win the prize. No, that was just a little joke. It has nothing to do with the birth of a Savior, it is all about Santa Claus, reindeer, and sparkling, glittery snowmen. All synced to a rock and roll beat.

In the first episode the Smiths are doing well, they have 75,000 lights scattered around their house. Santa, 🎅 his sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer perched on the peak of the house, and enough light pollution to call the mother ship here from the Andromeda galaxy. Across town, though, the Ringolds, put Santa, and Frosty on rotating platform, elves twinkling and dancing to Jingle Bell Rock all across the front yard, and fireworks exploding from the chimney🎆 and are looking to grab the lead.

It doesn't look good for the Smiths. Until Mr. Smith's Mother, a kindly, gray octogenarian, with a walker that turns and doubles as a seat, on work release from the Shade of Heaven retirement home, fires a rocket propelled grenade through the living room window. The explosion destroys half of the house, and cuts the power to the carefully placed, meticulously orchestrated lights. And the sound system.

At first the judges are a frozen. But, there was no law against explosive ordnance. There were several provisions for firearms, and light artillery, after the debacle last year with the 75mm mortars, and the raging fire fight in Santa Clara, they had no choice. But, the Smiths had been wise enough to find the loophole. And are now in a solid first place.

Tune in next week when the producers revise the rules. Here is a little spoiler, they forget about tactical nuclear weapons. Say goodbye to Tempe. Including the Phoenix Cardinals, the Suns, and Pizzeria Bianco, which is a real shame.

And the Winner Is? Who knows?

In six days one of the biggest shows of the year is taking place in Cleveland, OH. It is the first of what appears to be eleven Republican debates. Of course the first debate in either party is always the most exciting, because of the size of the field, and the wide open nature of the forum. At this point nobody has really established a loyal following, all of the voters are just walking down the buffet line, trying a little of this, in the past it might have been a little taste of Gingrich on a Balanced Budget roll, or perhaps a little Kerry on an Increased Educational Opportunity wafer. Normally, nobody has really picked a main course yet.

"The Donald" has thrown a monkey wrench into the works. He has taken a commanding lead in the polls, mostly by not really answering questions. Always a good tactic this early, but "the Donald" has taken this to new heights. Sometimes he doesn't answer the question while it is still being asked, talking right over the top of the press person.

It is not too difficult to imagine Donald Trump talking from the beginning of the debate to the end, without stopping. Moderators fidgeting nervously with microphones, pens and note cards. Other candidates watching in helpless terror as the debate is turned into the latest installment of reality television.

How would this play in America. Probably pretty well if the current slate of programming is any
indication. It could turn into Presidential Survivor, or Presidential Professional Wrestling. A weekly display of brutality, subterfuge, and oversized egos and personalities. All vying for the love, or despisement of the American television audience. Or, if it should be a little lighter it could be more like the Harlem Globetrotters barnstorming across the country, winning game after game against a determined but over matched foe.

Of course, the politicians who are not practiced reality television stars are not in favor of the transition. Across Iowa and New Hampshire they are meeting with advisers, and coaches, and strategists about the best way to combat the Trump menace.

Rob Portman, from Ohio, who seems to be a pretty decent guy, considering he is a politician, said the best tactic in this situation would probably be "one liners, and humor." Avoid getting drawn into the rhetoric, and anger. It could draw attention to a candidate and become a clip shown again and again. He stopped short of suggesting a "Last Comic Standing" approach, but it might work.

Anyway, things are warming up. I am stocking up on snacks, something healthy, and drinks, probably carbonated water, and getting ready for the first show down of the year. It could be epic. I hope the good guy wins.