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(7) VoIP will start to take off. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology allows consumers to make phone calls over their broadband internet connections. It is much cheaper and less restrictive that standard phone service. Most people are still not familiar with it but
major phone companies, along with some smaller companies which specialize in that technology, will start to change that in 2005. They are already heavily advertising it on internet. I expect a major TV, radio, and newspaper ad blitz to begin in early 2005.
(8) The Florida Marlins will stay put, but Oakland A's and Minnesota Twins will start looking elsewhere. The Marlins will finalize their deal with city of Miami for a new baseball stadium. They will then change their name to Miami Marlins. However, A's and Twins won't be so fortunate. The A's will start serious negotiations with San Jose. The Twins will start looking at Las Vegas, Portland, Norfolk, or Monterrey, Mexico as a possible new venue. The Expos' relocation to Washington was Major League Baseball's first relocation in 33 years. Now that genie is out of bottle, there could be several more in next five years.
(9) The NHL season will be partially saved. There is no way NHL wants to become first major North American sports league to lose an entire season due to a labor dispute. Commissioner Gary Bettman and owners will temporarily drop their demands for a salary cap and accept a modified version of players' latest offer. This will allow last 35-40% of season, along with playoffs, to proceed as scheduled. However, this will just be a short-term deal that will only take league through end of 2005-06 season. Then they'll be right back to drawing board.
(10) Next season's flu shot supply will be plentiful by October. I expect that everyone has learned their lesson from this year's fiasco. There will be at least one company, possibly two, producing vaccine in United States. Congress will pass legislation to ensure that production and distribution of vaccine will be less risky for American companies. Also, FDA will probably do a better job of monitoring worldwide supplies. Enough will be available for anyone in U.S who wants one.
Terry Mitchell is a software engineer, freelance writer, and trivia buff from Hopewell, VA. He also serves as a political columnist for American Daily and operates his own website - http://www.commenterry.com - on which he posts commentaries on various subjects such as politics, technology, religion, health and well-being, personal finance, and sports. His commentaries offer a unique point of view that is not often found in mainstream media.
