The days when the US could kill, drill and consume its way out of crisis may have ended. That new reality is made clear by the current conflict between Russia and Georgia, which is looking more and more like one between Russia and the US. The exact moment in history marking the last gasp of the American Empire will likely be debated by historians for years. But there is little doubt that August 7, 2008 will be viewed as a turning point in that history. Georgia’s invasion of South Ossetia, followed by Russia’s predictable response, may have faded from the US media spotlight, but it is on the front pages of much of the international press - and for good reason.

After a series of "preemptive raids" were carried out by police against activists on the eve of the RNC, Amy Goodman and two other Democracy Now! Producers were arrested along with hundreds of other activists and journalists in a massive police crackdown.  See ongoing updates, video reports here.