Jordan .

Intersting post Jordan, thanks.

By and large I agree with a lot of your prognostication (shudder, but I am man enough to admit it).  I think the Abramoff situation will be a big hurt to some key Reps but I also see some Dems getting it too.  It will be an intersting year for political watchers, I do hope you are wrong about something big and bad happening to the US or Europe though.

"We cannot allow a mine shaft gap"

Jordan .

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Being from the north of Ireland I'll make a few predictions about my little region. Some of you may care, some may not but here goes!

- The institutions set up by the Good Friday Agreement will resume. It has been six months since the IRA announced an end to its armed campaign and three months since the supposedly final act of weapons decommissioning. People are getting sick of paying assembly members' salaries for an assembly and an executive that hasnt sat in over two years. Both Nationalists and Unionists want to be governed from Belfast, not London.

            Of course this means the foot-dragging DUP will have to share power with Sinn Fein. This is not as improbable as it once seemed because now that the DUP is the province's largest political party, Ian Paisley is only a few  progressive tri-lateral meetings away from realising his long held ambition of becoming N.I. First Minister. Personally I don't think he is worthy of any such distinguished title but if it helps us along the road to lasting peace then so be it.

- Loyalist paramilitaries will see the political inroads Sinn Fein have made since IRA decommissioning, and hopefully will give up their vast cache of weapons. Then the real struggle can begin to tackle growing problems that have exploited the vacuum left behind by diminishing paramilitary control over local communities, such as organized crime and racism.

- Policing will continue to be a tricky issue, but Sinn Fein will edge closer to participation on the policing board especially if the institutions are resumed, and real progress is being made to rid the police of the type of elements in the upper echelons of the security services that aided the collapse of the institutions two years ago.

Here's hoping 2006 will be a turnaround year for Ireland as well as for Iraq!

Mitt Romney surprises many by becoming a frontrunner for the Republican nomination for President.  Democrats fail to unite early for Hillary Clinton, with several major voices questioning her ability to win.

Republicans keep control of the Senate by winning many races in small states, and of the House by taking advantage of redistricting.  Democrats, echoing 2000, point out that a majority of Americans voted for Democratic candidates nationwide.  A little-known Democrat suggests merging Utah and Wyoming, and giving statehood to Puerto Rico.

The country does move to the left.  Democrats capture most of the gubernatorial elections.  Ideas like socialized medicine, price controls, and luxury taxes are resurrected.  Republicans improve their standing with African-Americans by stressing morality issues.

Oil prices remain high.  Exxon-Mobil and ChevronTexaco replace Enron and Worldcom as perceived evil corporations.

Significant number of troops return from Iraq as the war no longer dominates the news.  Bush hints at victory, but his approval ratings go from dismal to only mediocre.

Unions regain some public support as pension issues dominate labor talks nationwide.  Unions make some inroads at a handful of Wal*Marts.

"INLAND EMPIRE" grosses $8 million in North America, but generates little buzz.  Director Lynch, concerned about financing for future projects, considers attending the Twin Peaks Festival in Washington, but eventually decides against it.

"Brokeback Mountain" takes best picture at the Academy Awards, even though "Crash" should have won.

Viewership losses at the TV networks accelerate as viewers begin to adopt Internet-TV and video IPods.  Program Directors talk about a return to quality television in the fall.

USC wins the Rose Bowl and the National Championship.

Despite strong seasons in Calgary and Ottawa, a US team wins the Stanley Cup.  The Kings have their best season in history.

At least some of the above predictions prove to be wrong.

Happy New Year!

Awesome the way you worked some hockey in there B!!  I of course disagree with your assesment.

For all those predicting good markets, the TSX just had it's all time record high yesterday.

"We cannot allow a mine shaft gap"

Jordan .

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

h, I don't think so!  God knows, the union thugs have made Wal-Mart the centerpiece of their latest movement to shove America backward, while WalMart's success continues to rankle the Local #___ !  WalMart will continue to be union FREE!  Ah the sweet whiff of Liberty!  Did I ever tell you about my husband's Uncle Ben and his union-FREE company, Sweet & Low?  He never caved and his workers never wanted union infiltration.  Paid them well, gave them good benefits, allowed the thugs to come in annually but his workers always rejected the union affiliation.  The Wave of the Future = Union-Free USA.  (my new bumpersticker)

2.  $8,000,000, huh?  That could be a first for digital video since Blair Witch Project!  (not counting mega-digi-vid ala George Lucas) Hilarious prospect w/the notion of a return to quality TV in the fall, B!  But do you really think Lynch wil change his mind about the fest?! 

3.  Nice disclaimer! 

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

"We cannot allow a mine shaft gap"

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

"watch out for my cousin.."

Kelly

How Do You Live Your Dash?

Check out the Kids' blogs:
The CaleBlog and the Zoe Blog

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

The only market I know anything about is the one with the butchers, tobacconists and fishmongers.  Economic growth is over-rated!

Up the Luddites! (Aside from computers and mobile phones).

Not really a prediction I know.  Hmm....

1. I predict that this year the global proletariat will take control of the means of production. I know it seems like a longshot, but imagine how clever I'd seem if it came off.

2. I predict that The Rolling Stones will announce their retirment due to poor health of one of the members.  Surely that's worth a punt?

3. I predict that Engurland will win the World Cup.  Give me one good reason why not?

Because they just can't, herofix! Or maybe that's the global catastrophe everyone seems to be predicting!

My waters do think that they'll get to the semis or (gulp!) final, only to be beaten by Brazil.

Other predictions:

Menzies Campbell will become LibDem leader but won't see a General Election (Ok, that's a bit longer-term that one). Which reminds me of a quote in the Herald today where they reflected that LibDem MPs had got together and decided Charlie Kennedy had to go due to his drink problem, but these same people can't now wait to get 'Ming in'. (All very confusing - especially if you're not Scottish).

UK troops will be out of Iraq by end 2006.

Brokeback Mountain will win the Oscar for Best Picture (Hollywood trying to "get with it" again - after all, they've done the disableds and the ethnics in recent years).

And for a shorter-term prediction: Preston will win Celebrity Big Brother (Sorry, I know no one else has mentioned it but..... Barrymore favourite? pah!!!!)

DMG

I hope they cannot see / The limitless potential / Building inside of me / To murder everything / I hope they cannot see / I am the great destroyer

Kennedy had to go due to his drink problem, but these same people can't now wait to get 'Ming in'.

Perhaps they should see if Sepp Blatter would take over.

Another prediction: Liberal Democrats to get crucified in local elections.  If Menzies Campbell does win the leadership contest (I don't think it is a cert) he won't be leader at next general election. 

I'm predicting a Tory win at next general election. Marginal Lib Dem seats are contested by Tories, not Labour for the most part, so they should see 'free' gains there if people still upset with Liberals over Kennedy issue.  Along with the normal atrophy in support for a party in power, Gordon Brown won't appeal to middle England types.  Cameron has the media wrapped around his finger much as Blair had at the beginning. The longer he can go without getting specific about policies the better his chances.

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

I'm as common as you like by any definition!  And I've met enough of the co-proletariat postmen and factory workers to know that they won't be taking over the means of production any time soon - too bogged down with drink and bad television to participate in glorious revolutions.  Still, I like to put my money on longshots!  It's more romantic that way.

I may be wrong on the reason why and the date as to when Dean resigns, but this is on Drudge now and is being reported in Roll Call (a Washington DC politics paper). Above I said: "I also see some troubled times for Howard Dean. I expect that he will resign from his post after teh November elections. He's going to stick his foot in his mouth pretty badly this year which will force him to resign." This may not force him to resign (esp if the problem isn't that Dean spent the money, but rather a bad fund raising problem), but this clearly is not good for Dean.

DEAN UNDER FIRE FROM PARTY DEMS; NEARLY ALL CASH SPENT
Mon Jan 30 2006 10:52:31 ET

Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill are privately bristling over Howard Dean’s management of the Democratic National Committee and have made those sentiments clear after new fundraising numbers showed he has spent nearly all the committee’s cash and has little left to support their efforts to gain seats this cycle, ROLL CALL reports.

Congressional leaders were furious last week when they learned the DNC has just $5.5 million in the bank, compared to the Republican National Committee’s $34 million.

Senate and House Minority Leaders Harry Reid (Nev.) and Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), along with the Senate and House campaign committee chairmen Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), have made their concerns -- directly or indirectly -- known to Dean, claims the paper.

Emanuel was particularly upset last week upon seeing the latest DNC numbers.

“A lot of people are scratching their heads as to what’s going on,” said one senior Democratic aide.

Another Democratic source familiar with the party fundraising apparatus said there is “obvious displeasure” among the leaders.

Developing...

Jordan .