Our hubris invokes Nemesis.

Collapse? Due to greed? Corruption? Overweening pride?

Has Nemesis finally drawn her sword?

USA! USA! USA! The assembled masses chant at the McCain rally. The naked, angry nationalism makes me uncomfortable, echoing long ago rallies in my childhood home of Nürnberg.

Could it happen here?

A collapsing economy, thwarted militaristic ambitions, environmental chaos, white nationalism insulted by the half-Kansan, half-Kenyan with the scary name assuming the throne?

Be wary, my friends. That we do not go down the path that Germany went.

A people confused, frightened, humiliated, and armed to the teeth, can do so many horrific things.

I am American, and I am also German, and I know, deep in my heart:

It CAN happen here.

I am no better than the average German was in 1938. Neither are you.

Where in your heart does the hubris lie?

The ancient Athenians, in the cradle of Democracy, recognized hubris as the worst sin, and declared it a crime.

For those that engage in hubris invariably hurt themselves, and others.

Nemesis is at our doorstep.

The choice is ours.