The first flash of lightning was 9/11. It revealed what had been hidden, and the nature of the conflict.

The second flash of lightning is Katrina. It revealed what is at stake, and the way in which the problems will work themselves out. (You could say, in Britain, that the fuel protests were the first writings on the wall).

I’m hugely influenced by this idea.

A storm is coming. Be prepared.

In particular, be prepared to do without petrol, and the consequences of petrol being scarce or highly expensive – like shortages in supermarkets.

Sometimes I think I’m a complete loon for thinking these things. And I would dearly love to be wrong. But I’ve been thinking them for a good four years now; nothing yet has been evidence against it; and there has been a steady accumulation of evidence in its favour.

“The actual outlook is very dark, and any serious thought should start from that fact.” (George Orwell)