Maybe there should be competitive countdowns--like when will the Dow set a new all time high, or will it?  It's at just under 11,300, and I know many on the site are expecting a catastrophe.  So we could be positive and have a countdown to 12,000 or higher,,,,,or we could predict American disaster and countdown to,,what?,,,8000?  That might add some excitement in the sense of which one would be achieved first--oil at $100 or Dow at 12000, for example.

Or maybe we should countdown the CAC 40 or Footsie 100.  I guess the advantage of the Dow is that's it's likely the most recognized financial index in the world.

These diaries have more than a value for shaping political opinions, a wise person who is shopping for a residence or business location would be very wise to consider all the passive heating/cooling measures available.  What looks a little expensive now may be very economical if the price of energy skyrockets.  In historical terms we have had amazing access to vast cheap stores of energy over the last century.  When its price reflects its long-range value we will need to tighten our belts.

Please keep up the diaries, it is an interesting tale told well.

"I said, 'Wait a minute, Chester, You know I'm a peaceful man...'" Robbie Robertson