The Pat Robertson Predicting Machine

Pat Robertson is out with his predictions for 2009 including that the economy will recover and that our nation will embrace socialism. Not sure where he studied economics, but those two really don’t go together. This seemed a little more on-target:

Robertson said Friday that the trillions of government dollars spent on economic stimulus could lead to hyperinflation that ruins the dollar’s value.

“Everybody here will have to pay more, imported goods will cost a lot more, and there can be a lot of pain and suffering,” he said.

According to the Creator, “if I’m hearing him right, gold will go to about $1,900 an ounce, and oil $300 a barrel,” Robertson said.

However, you don’t have to be a prophet to see that coming and Robertson is no prophet. The Bible gives prophets a simple test: 100% accuracy and the missed predictions Robertson’s made would preclude that.

Still, is Robertson a good predictor of what the news will be.

2008:

Right: Robertson predicted a recession, violence and chaos in the world. Gold hits $1000 an ounce.

Wrong: Oil hits $150 a barrel (Oil actually only hit $147)

2007:

Wrong: Very serious attack on the United States. Chaos ruling.

2006:

Wrong: Tsunami striking the Northwest U.S.

2005:

Right: Good economic year, Bush will get conservative judges, Good year for terrorism (low)

Wrong: Bush will get tax reform and social security reform and claim “victory after victory.”

2004:

Wrong: Bush in a Blowout (3 points does not a blowout make.)

The way I count it, Robertson’s about half right and half wrong on everything he predicts. The same level of accuracy could be obtained by flipping a coin.

I’m not a great prognosticator either, but I don’t claim my predictions come from God. Really, this act is getting old.