Predictions, wishes for the coming year

The mound of wrapping paper is in the garbage can or recycling bin. The presents are put away or in use. The Christmas dinner is past and digested — hopefully with little to none in weight gain. There is no new snow on the ground and wind continues rise up. The holiday football games are ongoing while I write this. Now my thoughts turn to the New Year that is coming around the bend at 90 MPH. Just what will 2016 bring to this troubled world?

This being an election year brings more than just questions about 2016. The future of America really depends on what we decide during the election season. I do wish it were shorter; the whole darned thing seems to stretch out more and more as time goes on. The nearly two years of bombastic bluster and buffoonery is getting to many, including myself. It is safe to say that it will only get uglier, louder more pompous until November arrives to (thankfully) bring the election to a foul, mud-stained end.

I believe the future of space flight will be exciting this New Year. The reason being the company Space X has successfully landed a booster rocket intact after sending it up on a supply run to the International Space Station (ISS). After the supply module bound for the ISS detached from the booster, the Falcon 9 series rocket was flown down to a landing pad not far from where it was launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida. It settled down on a pillar of flame, landing gently on three extendable legs at its base. The engines shut off when it touched down on the landing pad and history was made. This was a huge step in spaceflight. This was once only in the realm of science fiction stories in books, TV and movies. Now it is a reality and one that could save millions to open up space to industry and eventual colonization of the Moon, Earth orbit and Mars. I find the possibilities very promising indeed.

The question of life being discovered off the Earth still remains elusive. I hope the search to prove that life exist elsewhere happens this year with the earth-shattering discovery of extraterrestrial life. So far we have found all the ingredients from the probes we scattered across the solar system. Now we have to find them mixed together in a living, breathing form. I believe that time has come.

Climate change: I believe climate change will make itself known in ways that even the most stubborn of skeptics will have to concede it’s a reality. Hopefully they will join in working toward adapting to those changes and trying to reduce the impact to us all. The wild weather people are experiencing across the globe and here in the U.S. is a result of climate change. It will only get worse this year. 2016 will not a be a fun one weather wise.

Still, I believe that 2016 holds great promise for us all. Celebrate it wisely: don’t drink, drug or text and drive; come home alive. Be aware of your neighbors and animals as you light off those fireworks. Neighbors like myself, a sufferer of PTSD, are not fans of them. Honestly it freaks me out and gives me the shakes something fierce. Animals — as well as veterans like myself — are affected by the noise badly. So please take that into consideration in your zeal to celebrate with a bang.

Most of all I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year. May 2016 be full of promise and hope for all.

Daniel D. Grota is a retired U.S. Army veteran with over 21 years in service. He is also a Tuesday morning co-host on KVRF 89.5 FM, Radio Free Palmer. Write to him at news@frontiersman.com.