My Trusty Predictions for 2005

Written by Terry Mitchell


Since this is my last column ofrepparttar year, I will use this space to give you my trusty predictions for 2005. While none of these are guaranteed and any predictions are always fraught with risks, I'm reasonably surerepparttar 125329 majority of them will prove to be quite accurate. They are based on my analysis ofrepparttar 125330 personalities involved andrepparttar 125331 outcomes of similar situations fromrepparttar 125332 past.

(1) The Iraqi elections will go on as scheduled. This isrepparttar 125333 one I'mrepparttar 125334 most sure of. Barring some kind of cataclysmic event,Iraqis will go torepparttar 125335 polls on January 30. Because of terrorist activity, which will only intensify as that date draws closer, it is anyone's guess as to how many Iraqis will actually go torepparttar 125336 polls. However, President Bush is bound and determined that these elections will take place on schedule, come hell or high water. I doubt if anyone, other than God Himself, would be capable of changingrepparttar 125337 President's mind on this issue.

(2) Michael Jackson will be acquitted. Despite how bad Jackson might look, there's just not enough evidence linking him torepparttar 125338 crime he's be accused of. Most ofrepparttar 125339 stuff that makes him look so bad has nothing to do with this case. If he is acquitted, he should then dorepparttar 125340 "moonwalk" onrepparttar 125341 courtroom steps to rub Jane Velez-Mitchell's nose in it.

(3) Gas prices will continue to drop. This is simply a matter of supply and demand. Oil and gas prices were way too high for way too long. This caused oil producing nations to cheat on their quotas and export more crude. Refiners increased their output as well to take advantage ofrepparttar 125342 higher prices. As a result, there's now an oil glut, despite OPEC's announced cut in production. This will continue to put heavy downward pressure on oil prices. I expectrepparttar 125343 average price of a gallon of regular gasoline inrepparttar 125344 U.S. to dip to $1.30 sometime in 2005 before recovering a little.

(4) Al Gore will re-emerge ontorepparttar 125345 political scene. He will start making more high visibility speeches as well as more appearances onrepparttar 125346 TV talk show circuit, in preparation for his run forrepparttar 125347 presidency in 2008. Gore will once again become a formidable candidate forrepparttar 125348 highest office inrepparttar 125349 land.

(5) Progress will be made inrepparttar 125350 Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel's withdrawal from Gaza will go on as planned. The new Palestinian Authority leader not be anywhere nearrepparttar 125351 hard-liner that Arafat was. In response, Ariel Sharon will take less of a hard line towardrepparttar 125352 Palestinians. I'm not saying that 2005 will bring peace between Israel andrepparttar 125353 PLO, but a step inrepparttar 125354 right direction will be taken. However, given their history, any progress could be just temporary.

(6) Bush will tackle tax reform, but chicken out on Social Security reform. Social Security reform, at least for 2005, will prove to be too much of a hot potato forrepparttar 125355 President and for Congress. Tax reform, although difficult itself, isrepparttar 125356 path of least resistance. I don't foresee a major overhaul, though. Look for some kind of simplification ofrepparttar 125357 current tax code, along with some version ofrepparttar 125358 Lifetime Savings Account. The Roth 401(k) might finally become a reality as well.

Romantic Valentine's Day Nights At Home

Written by La tunya sifford


Romantic Valentine's Day Nights At Home

Pamper your sweetheart without spending a lot of money. If you are looking to do something romantic and special for Valentine's Day, here are a few ideas you can do at home with your sweetheart that will make him or her feel truly special.

A fireplace Picnic- Get a warm fleece blanket and lay it down beside a fireplace. Grab some champagne on ice, serve strawberries withrepparttar champagne to add flavor, and then put on some romantic music onrepparttar 125328 stero.

Sweetheart's Spa Night- when your sweetie gets home from work, have a hot bath filled with rose pedals. Have a glass of champagne or wine, chocolates to nibble on byrepparttar 125329 side ofrepparttar 125330 bathtub. While your sweetie is inrepparttar 125331 bath, getrepparttar 125332 bed ready, add fresh warm towels onrepparttar 125333 bed, get some spa products, and washcloths. Spa products can include massage oild, moistorizers, footrubs, etc..... Give your sweetie a massage! Afterwards light some scented candles, and enjoy your favorite take out in bed, while you watch a romantic movie.

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