Since the official record will reflect the endemic optimism that prevails in marketing unless doom appears certain, let me cry from the cynic’s lair that the first quarter of next year (possibly touching on the second, but not past May) will include doom and gloom for the general US economy. Various European catastrophes could make this any degree of worse; but by my read, some of the doom has already happened and is merely making its way down hill.

One,
Two,
Three
negative reports on shipping.

I think everyone is holding their breath hoping for a “black” Christmas, and when Santa Claus does not show up there will be mid-winter depression.