Charles Shiflett Column 12 26 2004

A Hazy Forecast For 2005

I should have read the directions! After having a fairly successful 2003 and 2004 making political
predictions on these pages, I was all psyched up about sharing with you folks what 2005 has in store.

To make sure I was on top of my game, I decided to give my crystal ball a good cleaning. Unknown to
me, on the bottom are stamped the following three words: "Not dishwasher safe". Whoops! My
beautiful, shiny orb is now a bit hazy.

I checked in at the manufacturer's web site and it seems this is a permanent condition. Too bad I
didn't ask Santa for a new crystal ball instead of the Infiniti QX56… which I didn't get. And no, my wife
didn't get a "Q" either. However I am looking at a $9,318 credit card bill for the other stuff Santa
brought.

Oh well, back to pontificating. My brother and I are weather junkies. We especially get all worked up
over snow probabilities. We study all the various computer forecast models and then burn up the
phone lines with our best guesses for a little white stuff for north Georgia.

The last few years have not been good for local snow lovers, but I forecast that will change this winter.
Keep some vanilla flavoring and sugar on hand because snow cream is in your future. You also might
want to keep your power generator ready, as there is a high probability of an ice storm before Old Man
Winter heads back to his condo in Antarctica.

Now to sports… I'm going to hedge my bets and predict the Atlanta Falcons will either lose their
opening playoff game or they'll win the Super Bowl. There's no in-between for this team. As for the
Braves… a losing season might bring fans back to earth, but it now looks like Bobby Cox and
company are headed for another division title, though no World Series victory once again.

Those were easy, but now it gets tricky as I tackle the economy. If oil prices remain at $40 a barrel or
below, we should have smooth sailing with only a couple of minor stock market hiccups.
Unemployment will remain just above 5% and the Fed will raise interest rates three more times. If oil
moves above $40 for a long period of time, look for a stagnant economy - though technically no
recession.

George W. plans to write a huge check from his political bank account in hopes of reforming Social
Security. Democrats hope the check bounces. Nothing will pass this year, but look for a watered down
attempt in 2006.

If tax reform is on your wish list, you may get something. Look for many of the Bush tax cuts to be
made permanent. As for a flat tax or national retail sale tax? Not this year, but some incremental
steps at simplification may be in the offing for 2006.

After the Iraqi elections in January, look for Democrats and Republicans to put increasing pressure on
the Bush administration to bring U.S. troops home before our own 2006 elections. A short civil war
may ensue before Iraqi's bring order to the situation. A divided country is possible.

Keep an eye on Israel. The U.S. has used strong-arm tactics to keep Sharon's government from
launching a preemptive strike at Iran's nuclear facilities. Israel won't wait much longer for U.S. and
European diplomacy to work.

Under the Gold Dome, look for new Republican House Speaker Glenn Richardson to keep it simple as
he pushes the Georgia General Assembly to wrap up its business by day 39 of the 40 day legislative
calendar. Bills passing will include "a woman's right to know" legislation and also one notifying parents
when minors seek an abortion. The budget will still be a mess. Teachers, your health insurance
premiums will jump. A bill to require school systems to start school no earlier than mid-August will get
a lot of attention, but won't pass.

Locally, the Bartow BOE will make news as it attempts to hire a new superintendent. It won't be an
easy task as one member acts as an obstructionist. The Cartersville BOE will keep their differences
under wraps and make a non-controversial pick to replace the retiring Dr. Bryans.

In November 2006, look for Bartow voters to have the opportunity to vote on whether to replace our
current sole commissioner method of county government with a board of commissioners. We now
have a proactive group of local legislators who have pledged to give citizens more input into how their
government operates.

Well this was fun and I know you're already waxing up those snowboards. Now for the legal disclaimer:
The predictions made in this column may not represent views held by the Cartersville Daily Tribune, its
employees, its advertisers or other sane individuals whose crystal balls were not ruined in a
dishwasher.

Have a hazy New Year!