In 2023, be ready to expect the unexpected

Chris Talgo, Tribune News Servcie

If the last few years have taught us anything, when it comes to politics, culture, the economy and international events, we should always expect the unexpected. After all, did anyone expect Elon Musk to buy Twitter or Will Smith to storm the Oscars stage and deliver the “slap heard ‘round the world” in 2022? I think not.  In that vein, here are a few predictions for what could be in store for 2023. On the political front, I anticipate the new year will bring some fascinating revelations about the “Big Guy,” aka President Joe Biden, and his involvement with his son’s shady foreign business dealings.

I also assume the Republican-led House of Representatives will get to the bottom of the FBI’s sinister operation in strong-arming social media companies to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story and the intelligence community’s role in running roughshod over Americans’ constitutionally protected rights.

In terms of policy, I foresee a whole lot of nothing regarding major legislation emanating from our nation’s capital, seeing as how the Republican-controlled House is not likely to entertain the Biden administration’s calls for more multitrillion-dollar spending bills.

In 2023, gridlock is likely to overtake Washington — both in the streets (the nation’s capital has the worst traffic in the country) and on Capitol Hill.  For the economy, things are not looking all that great as the calendar turns from 2022 to 2023. Unless, of course, you think persistent inflation, a lingering recession, stagnant wages, expensive and unreliable energy, labor shortages, supply chain SNAFUs, and millions of able-bodied adults sitting on their couches watching Netflix while receiving generous welfare benefits is a recipe for a healthy economy come 2023.

It pains me to say it, but I think 2023 will be chock-full of trying times for hardworking Americans. Unfortunately, I think the new year will present a host of challenges on the global stage, the likes of which we have not encountered for several decades. In 2022, we witnessed something we hadn’t seen since World War II: an invasion of Europe’s mainland.  In 2023, we could see that trend continue into the Pacific region, wherein China seems ready and willing to launch an invasion of Taiwan, a la Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. If that nightmare scenario were to occur, we could be on the cusp of World War III.

On a much lighter note, I expect 2023 to be another banner year for Hollywood mega-blockbusters. In 2022, we finally (after 36 long years) were treated to the sequel to “Top Gun.” “Top Gun: Maverick” earned more than $1.5 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2023, Hollywood will likely keep the box office hits coming with a slew of big-budget action movies slated to be released. Who knows, maybe 2023 will mark a movie theater renaissance, seeing as how streaming services cannot compete with the experience of seeing a movie on the big screen.

In all likelihood, 2023 should be another spectacular sports extravaganza. Although most fans will pay close attention to the college football championship, Super Bowl, NBA playoffs and MLB playoffs, 2023 could be a boon for the budding rivalry in professional golf between the PGA Tour and the upstart, cash-infused LIV Tour.  With Tiger Woods back on the prowl, we could also witness some history. If Tiger can stay healthy in 2023, he could make a run for one of the most vaunted records in the game: Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major titles.  Alas, no prediction list would be complete without a little speculation on the celebrity crime beat. In 2023, we will likely see a slew of celebrities and professional athletes squirm as they attempt to distance themselves from the FTX Ponzi scheme perpetuated by Sam Bankman-Fried.  

Perhaps most important, in 2023, I predict that unpredictable events beyond our imaginations and wildest dreams will inevitably occur. As the great philosopher Yogi Berra once said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”