The attack on one of the hotels in the chain of the US Marriott group was one of the worst in Pakistan's history and involved the sophisticated use of over 600 kilograms of TNT explosive blended with RDX and phosphorous, detonated when a truck rammed into a security barricade in front of the hotel.

Among the dead were the Czech ambassador to Pakistan, two US Marines, members of the US embassy staff, Saudi nationals and other European diplomats. More than 250 people were injured and dozens of parked cars were destroyed.

There was immediate speculation the attack was prompted by the fact of many marines living in the top floor of the hotel. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani claimed the real target was his residence, where President Asif Ali Zardari, army chiefs of staff and the entire cabinet were gathered for an Iftar (Muslim breaking of the Ramadan fast) dinner. Security was so tight, the theory goes, that the driver instead went to the nearby Marriott.

But on Monday afternoon, Rehman Malik, the Pakistani prime minister's advisor for the interior, told a group of reporters at the Islamabad airport: "An Iftar Dinner was scheduled at Marriot on September which was hosted by National Assembly Speaker Dr Fahmida Mirza and where all dignitaries including the prime minister, president, cabinet and all services chiefs were invited. However, at the eleventh hour the dinner was shifted to rime minster's house which saved Pakistan's entired military and political leadership."

"Perhaps, the earlier information of the dinner was leaked to the militants and therefore they hit Marriot hotel,"Rehman added.

However, Asia Times Online's investigations, including talks with highly placed security experts, indicate that the Marriott attack signals the opening of a major battle which is about to start in Pakistan in a new phase of the "war on terror".

The forever war. The return of th Empire under McCain, bigger and badder than ever, with more wars in more places. The return of a military draft to provide the cannon fodder necessary to fight those wars. The likely attack against American targets both overseas and here at home (which in turn will justify the wars). The complete erosion of remaining civil liberties and civil rights. Martial law in all likelihood. And, it goes without saying, the collapse of the financial markets and the loss of trillions of dollars that ordinary Americans have invested in their pension funds and 401k plans. Millions more homeless. Maybe even food riots.

This is what I believe we have to look forward to if McCain wins the election. And if he dies in office? Better learn how to kowtow to your new Christian Dominionist Empress, Saint Sarah of Wasilla, ladies and gentlemen, and her legions of Spiritual Warrior Overlords. And either start going to the fundie Mega-Church down the street every Sunday (and keeping your head down), or finding a way to flee the country to whatever country will take you in with whatever assets you can smuggle across the border. I don't have a great deal of faith in Obama, but I certainly know what I'll get with Palin/McCain in office. And that is all Henry Paulson right now is trying to accomplish. Remember that when you read about the need for a massive government financed bailout plan. The disaster capitalists are desperate, and they will do anything -- anything -- to retain their control of the government.

As Han Solo once said, "I have a bad feeling about this."