The arrogance of Bush, his wealthy cronies and those of a similar mindset who preceded them has blinded them all to the history lessons we all supposedly learned in school. Are we in the midst of witnessing the Rise and Fall of the United States Empire? It has been said that "pride cometh before a fall" and I think in the case of the United States power brokers present and past pride must be equated to greed, because it has been pure, unadulterated greed that has brought the US to this point in history. 'Nuff said...NOT has the goods in the ground that will, when the day comes, make life a little easier for those of us who have chosen (and had the ability) to ride out the storm.