It's great to be back in Europe.

Well...virtually, anyway. :)

Have Keyboard. Will Travel. :)

Thanks cskendrick,
I read this early today at Booman, but fully second Jérôme's suggestion to cross-post here.  You have stuff with relevance beyond the American sphere, hope to see you here more often.

I too appreciate you cross-posting this here.

Question: My impression is that a lot of small businesses (that part of the US economy that is so praised for dynamism) runs off credit cards as a cashflow mechanism, especially in the early years. Do you see this legislation having long term effects on the number of small businesses set up/surviving the early years?

I second everyone else's welcome. I too read this on BT, and thought it would be good to see it here. I knew about the credit card legislation and the bankruptcy too, but you've done a really thorough job of spelling out all the implications.

I've followed this diary around for the last 24 hours and apart from a sleepless night due to the content it's been fascinating to catch tonal differences in comments from blog to blog, although it's all been very informative.

I still have a somewhat skeptical view on these blogs being called or calling themselves communities, but like many skeptics I'm hoping it proves true.  

I've thought for a long time that one major crisis or another---a Homeland Security-style crackdown on the net, or an economic depression, or worse ones I won't even mention--will test not only the concept of online communities but also the reality of left-leaning political communities. In my view they haven't existed, or been strong on mutual support or development. The rightists have been better at it, and have profitted by it.

But it's something we should cultivate.  Because with the Bushheads running and ruining the country, we're all expatriates now.

And to be more on-topic, thanks for this information and discussion.  It's amazing that it's been a better kept secret than certain grand jury testimony and CIA agent identity, but not surprising.          

"The end of all intelligent analysis is to clear the way for synthesis." H.G. Wells "It's not dark yet, but it's getting there." Bob Dylan