Why do you think that Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and all their other commu-dictators are flaunting their "power" so much right now? They know the US is currently fucked solid, with an endless commitment in Iraq, an economy getting the burst bubble treatment, and a President in the White House that makes a lame duck look like an olympic athlete. Dubya is in full "deer in the headlights" mode right now, almost comical to see if the situation wasn't so fucking important.
Economy? Well, short term sucks, middle term gentle vacuum, and longer term okay. If (and when) the bailout happens, things should turn a little more liquid, and things should be okay. However, there are still huge numbers of shitty loans out there that are entirely upside down, and have little chance of recovery under the current situation. If something is worked out so that these properties don't go into foreclosure or that some sort of revaluing and write off can occur, then I think that things will turn better.
Overall, I predict a huge increase in the number of American girls willing to do porn, work as strippers, and become escorts, which should lower the payouts and make porn more profitable once again.
