Double dip...not talking ice cream cones here.

A double-dip is bad.  It refers to the manner of economic decline occurring almost immediately after a short recovery from a preceding decline of real GDP.  As occurred in the 1930s (which is where the spin term 'recession' comes from, not wanting to 'panic' the people as the Great Depression seemed to ameliorate, only to fall into almost as deep a pit) a decline so soon after the original fall is exemplary of not fundamental economic weakness (in that supply and demand markets of consumers and producers) as much as a third party foisting policies and perverse incentives that divert sincere efforts at economic activity.  Rent seeking, moral hazards, all these and more are increasingly ours, causing effort to be wasted in avoiding gov't regulations and penalties, instead of creative effort to enhance and innovate products and services.                
Read on: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/27/economic-growth-rate-downgraded-anemic-percent-second-quarter/

Clash of Civilizations, it's a war of ideas here, people!

Great essay, thought provoking for sure.  Unless and until we as a people realize the exceptional nature of our culture/civilization (Western), to remain or return to becoming that 'shining city on the hill' (love Reagan), we're doomed.  Moral equivalence is a cultural cancer.  Tolerance (NOT advocating aggression) is a one way street, and the tolerant one is probably directed against traffic and shall soon be run over.    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703426004575338471355710184.html