2014 Predictions Review

This is the last of my “trends to watch in 2015” pieces, I promise. But more to the point, it’s time for the compliance report required by the Pundit-Blogger Accountability Act:

World Series Champion: Cincinnati Reds
Number of countries playing host to Edward Snowden: 1 (Russia)
Academy Award, Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave
Senkaku/Diaoyou related incidents resulting in shots fired: 1
Afghanistan Coalition fatalities (+/-10): 80 (75)
North Korean nuclear tests: 1
Sunsets on the Syria under President of Bashar al-Assad: 365
College Basketball National Champion: University of Kentucky Wildcats
Heisman Trophy: Marcus Mariota
Israeli strikes on Iran: 0
Number of successful Scottish independence referendums: 0
Supreme Court vacancies: 1
2014 3rd Quarter GDP growth (as per revisions by 12/31/14, +/-.2): 3.0% (5%)
F-22 crashes: 1 (0)
Barack Obama approval rate, 12/31/14 (+/- .3%): 44.5% (43.6%)
Number of Republican seats won, US Senate (as of 12/31/14): 48
Number of Republican seats won, US House: (as of 12/31/14, +/-2): 235 (247)

Some glaring misses, but nevertheless a record I’ll stand by. Here’s looking at your 2015:

World Series Champion: Washington Nationals
NCAA Football FBS Champion: Oregon Ducks
Number of living Castro brothers, 12/31/15: 1
Academy Award, Best Picture: Boyhood
Number of Mistral class amphibious assault ships delivered to Russia: 1
Number of fatal incidents involving collision between Russian and NATO aircraft: 1
Afghanistan Coalition fatalities: 35
North Korean nuclear tests: 1
Sunsets on Syria under President of Bashar al-Assad: 365
Number of defeats suffered by Kentucky Wildcats Men’s Basketball, 2014-5 season: 0
Heisman Trophy: Dalvin Cook, FSU
Israeli strikes on Iran: 0
Number of formal agreements between Iran and the United States on the future of Iran’s nuclear program: 1
Number of Coalition aircraft shot down by ISIS: 1
Supreme Court vacancies: 1
2014 3rd Quarter GDP growth (as per revisions by 12/31/15, +/-.2): 2.8%
F-35 crashes: 1
Barack Obama approval rate, 12/31/15 (+/- .3%): 45.1%
European benchmark Brent oil, 12/31/15 (+/- $2.00): $61