The current power structure that drives the empire is composed of fabulously wealthy, isolated and privileged men, with political views that Mussolini would feel comfortable with. In Cheney's case, the work of his lifetimes is crumbling before this eyes, he is dying and he will not get another chance. The motivation to engage in draconian action as well as reality modification is powerful-and so are they. You and Jerome (and many others) think that the bill has finally come due, and the ship of state is broke. I think you're both wrong- I think they are not out of options yet, and the level of barbarity that could emerge as the great beast scrapes the bottom of the barrel, and flails it's last could be really nasty. The death throes could take a long time, and drag the world down with it.
Apocalyptic? Yes. Admitted. I think Bush is a weak man and a "believer", and that Cheney and the Neocons would rather die than admit. Bad combo.
If any (or all) of us had written a piece that, based on careful analysis and historic precedent, had predicted the actions of the empire over the last 7 years, we'd have been committed for treatment. Useful talking follows experience, the more experience the better. Talking that precedes experience is known as bullshit.
To me, the "Epiphany" was the realisation that a 19 year old - by inventing music file sharing - had single-handedly destroyed the business model of the global music industry.
The same - through instant money/value messaging and decentralised linked "clearing" of obligations - will apply to global payments within five years at the outside.
This process is outside anyone's control. Those currently at the top of the heap are just going to have to make do with a smaller piece of a bigger pie.
As John Gilmore almost said - he spoke of censorship:
"The Internet interprets Banks as damage and routes around them."
There is a "Telluric" change taking place beneath our feet, and IMHO the "Napsterisation" of Society will change the world for the better - and just in time.
