Thursday, January 01, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Future shocked

Seeing the future is tricky business. Some of the things we predicted would happen in 2003 did, but others didn't. Looking back, our big crystal balls could have used a good defragging.

A few we got wrong:

¥ "Nevada Power will be a publicly owned utility by the end of this year." Whoops. Looks like the Southern Nevada Water Authority was too busy with, oh, a little drought.

¥ "Sen. Harry Reid will assume the top Democratic Party leadership position in the U.S. Senate." Whoops. This one depended on current Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle announcing a run for prez.

¥ "Potential opponents would have strong issues to raise against [Michael] McDonald, but it would be very tough for anyone to beat the incumbent." Never underestimate a nurse walking the ward in hospital scrubs.

¥ "The Legislature will consider bills to reduce [the university Board of Regents'] size and make it appointive." Hey, we can dream. Here's hoping it happens in 2005.

A few we got right:

¥ "The Nevada Legislature will raise taxes in 2003."

¥ "Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will easily win re-election in the spring municipal election."

¥ "The big box [Guggenheim Las Vegas] will never reopen as an art venue, and the Venetian--to whom the Guggenheim owes a great deal of money--will likely turn it into a giant nightclub or some other hopefully profitable venture."