"What we are seeing is the all-out effort to preserve human institutions, such as banks and corporations, whose reason for existence is out of whack with human sustainability on the planet. The financial system exists to enhance wealth and profit and economic growth and usually at the expense of natural "institutions", such as ecosystems, species, and even whole planetary realms, such as the global climate. We think nothing of putting the polar bear at risk, but go all out to save Wachovia."

America has been subjected to the some severe shock therapy over the years. JFK, MLK, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were all murdered! Then, there was the Vietnam War (1963-75); the “Watergate” scandal; and the horrors of the 9/11 tragedy; followed by the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The latest hit is the Wall Street bailout, to wit: the economic and fiscal meltdowns. They all spell out the sharp decline of America. Is it by accident or by plan?

"The current crisis in the financial sector is affecting millions (and potentially billions) around the world, mostly the middle-class and the poor. For the most part, government intervention has come as too little too late, but it may lessen the full impact of the global economic meltdown. Adding insult to deep financial injury, however, is the fact that the West is reluctant to use the "N" word -- nationalization."

"And what about the ostensible main reason for the humongous bailout in the first place -- unfreezing the credit markets? Well, in spite of the enormous media outcry for the bailout to get credit flowing, it didn’t. And the key economic factor in the recession -- housing -- remained just as stuck as before."

"...this is a complicated process, to be sure, with no shortage of critics. But there is also a genius to this system. If the U.S. had a simple majority vote presidential election the campaigns would expend all their energy and resources on national advertising. And they would spend most of their time in the states with the largest populations.

"Positive integration occurs when public institutions facilitate the right (or best available) conditions for smooth interaction among all parties. Members of different cultures and religions could then coexist, accept and respect each other, and interact through those integrated institutions."

"...in today’s post-9/11 era, Muslim minorities in the West can be added to the top of Profs Quinley and Lock’s list of those who suffer the most from "political derision and attack."

"Corporate media and members of congress responsible for letting things get out of hand are fond of singling out overpaid CEOs and other market culprits..."