Armageddon averted -- for now.

Now we really need to worry, Bush declared: “Hezbollah attacked Israel. Hezbollah started the crisis, and Hezbollah suffered a defeat in this crisis."

Does anyone recall the words, “Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a job”? They preceded FEMA director Michael Brown getting sacked.
At least Bush is consistent – he has yet to get anything right.

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah stated that, "if I had known on July 11 ... that the operation would lead to such a war, would I do it? I say no, absolutely not." Obviously it is only the magnitude of the response which gives pause, not the criminality of their actions.

September 2, 2004, the UN Security Council resolved that Lebanon should disband Hezbollah and all other militia – Hezbollah vetoed that resolution, growing in power and influence. The current cease-fire resolution effectively recognizes Hezbollah as a military power.

Ah the beauty of John’s Revelation and the history of Armageddon, It gives us so much to ignore, so much to worry about. Where would “good people” be, if they could not pray for the four horsemen ride within their lifetime? Where would humanity be, if it weren’t for those who wanted a human condition which warranted a “savior”?

Since we will never know the answers to what could have been, we must content to ask if events in the territory called Armageddon – the rockets red glare in the dawns early light – affect our daily lives.

Hezbollah, not the Lebanese government, has promised to rebuild the destroyed Lebanese homes and businesses, has promised medical care and education to the people. Hezbollah, has unlimited funding for health, education, welfare and warfare. America does not.

In America, Medicaid funding is being cut, as is Education. America is running a deficit, going into debt, while Hezbollah receives grants.

When Bush was still at the saber rattling stage, I did an op-ed piece saying his intention was not to fight terrorists, but rather it was to drive the price of oil up – making his people rich. I’m a cynic.

Five years have passed, Hezbollah and Al Qaeda or its derivatives are functioning and growing. Bin Laden refers to a Jihadist “nation” – while ... Will a passport be required to visit the Roosevelt home on Campobello? Or, for a Canadian to shop in Calais?

Several months ago I began correlating military readiness with our diminishing oil supply. Now, The Maine Sunday Telegram (13 Aug) has run a piece entitled “Running Toward Empty”, which declares America running dry in 12 years, Canada in 15, Russia in 21. The Middle Eastern nations, those supporting Hezbollah, will still have a multi-generational oil supply when our machines cease to function.

Islam need only be persistent, and time will make them the victor at Armageddon. Time supports all prophecies – the Islamic one says we will serve Middle Eastern Caliph who will be our king.

We, in Washington County, are making our decision in the form of the economic development options we choose to promote.

Do we want slot-Casino? If so, with limited oil, how will the tourists come? Will Canadians seek passports to play slots? Do we really wish to play Nero – and fiddle around instead of face problems.

Do we want an airport in Jonesboro? Oil is running out, priorities will shift, who will use it and what benefit does it provide the county?

Finally we have a proposed LNG facility. Environmentalists hate it; but they hate economic growth and long-term economic benefit. The LNG facility lends itself to automotive fuel conversion. The same technology converts coal to liquid fuel.

The choice is between dependence on forces beyond our control, or controlling the derivation of profit from those forces. Your choice.