As one who has walked through the aftermath of many disasters – having represented insurance companies for decades as a claims adjuster – my attention was really grabbed by the pictures of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ike, and other recent storms.

The third week of September 2008 may well prove to have been the axis of the shift from an American/Anglo centre of world financial influence to one centred on the sovereign funds of the Middle East and China. New powers are rising around the world. A resurgent Russia and a dynamic India are vying with Europe and China for their "place in the sun."

Every day brought new rumors. Soldiers had become more active, and the night before bricks had mysteriously disappeared from many abandoned buildings. And now, people were saying a wall would soon be built. Fearing the worst, Hasso pleaded with his friend that they should escape the city. His friend, skeptical of the rumors, encouraged Hasso to "Relax. Enjoy yourself." Hasso had recently won a state swim tournament. Why should he not "enjoy himself?"

Now that gasoline prices have retreated from their July highs, many Americans are breathing a sigh of relief thinking that the economic storm clouds are clearing and the worst is over. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth!

When it comes to politics, philosophy and religion, truth is usually a commodity in short supply.