I've taken the time to compile a timeline of global economic stats for 2009. It will be an interesting year. I'm not ready to drink the kool-aid that the worst is over. The worst is yet to come. After a quiet summer, the next leg of the collapse will start at some point in August. I really hope what I say does not come true, because if it does, it will be a living nightmare.

• Unemployment figures (officially) in the US will hit 10% by July. However - the government may massage the figures, keeping them under 10% until late September.
• I'm expecting very little volatility in the markets over the summer, until early August when unemployment figures in the double-digits will be first released. I'm expecting the Dow to continue somewhere between 9000 and 10,000, and gold between $900 and $1000, until at least early August.
  
• Watch out on August 8, 2009. This is exactly a year after the Georgia incident. Russia may again try to attack Europe, in retaliation to growing NATO influence over former Warsaw-pact territory. The men behind the curtain may give Russia the green light, in light of the horrendous economic stats coming out. In other words, to make a quick buck and prevent social unrest, the corrupt banksters may choose to start a third world war.
  
• By fall it will become clear that the world is in total economic collapse. In September, 2009, the Dow will begin to crash violently, along with the US dollar. News will be coming out that US unemployment has just hit 12% and the US economy is expected to contract 15% in 2009.
• From a high of 9000, the Dow will end up at 4000 by November. US treasuries will go into hyperinflation in October, 2009. The entire world will enter a World War II-like state economically starting in October.
  
• In October, 2009 a dangerous new influenza virus begins to spread. It begins by claiming 200-300 lives every day. It is clear that it is a bioweapon, because it is spread by way of covert agents, appearing simultaneously on different continents. By December, this mystery flu is killing 1000-2000 people every single day. It has a kill rate of 40%. This means 40% of people who become infected die. The government encourages vaccination, not knowing that the vaccine also has a kill rate of 40%. It will turn out to be the worst pandemic the world has ever seen.
  
• Somewhere in early October, gold will definitively cross the $1000 barrier while the Dow crosses 4000 on its way down. Shortly after that, the COMEX will be shut down and all markets in the US will be closed. All commodities will be declared illegal. The US will be under full martial law. No person will be allowed to own property, and all land will be seized by the US Federal Government. Movement will be strictly controlled with military checkpoints. UN peacekeeping forces will be deployed worldwide to contain civil unrest.
  
• Although no longer reported, unemployment will continue to climb, reaching 16% by the end of 2009 (by official measures) or 30% according to shadowstats.
• It will not be visible, but the US dollar will reach hyperinflationary collapse by November, 2009. The US dollar will only be exchangeable on the black market. Exchange controls will be in place worldwide. Gold will sell for over $4000 USD on the black market.
• At some point in October, 2009, there will be a concerted effort to take down the Internet. ISPs will be forcefully shut down for allowing "subversive" material to be downloaded. If the attempt is successful, there will be mass riots. 70% of every city's population will be violently protesting. All economic activity will go underground. The Internet may be forced to go underground.
• Be prepared for widespread long-lasting power outages starting in August, 2009. Remember what happened in 2003. It will be similar to that, but it will last longer. Blackouts may end up lasting for weeks. It's quite possible that by the end of 2009, reliable electricity service will be a thing of the past.
• One also needs to prepare for food shortages and shortages of other essential goods. The government and corporations will hoard all food for themselves and possibly give some out in small rations (e.g. you are allowed 3 eggs per month). The blackouts will make it hard for supermarkets to continue operating. The fixed exchange rate and worthless fiat currency will mean that imports & exports will be impossible.
  
• By November, 2009 nearly every country on the planet will have instated a total military draft. Every single citizen will be openly apprehended and forced into either military service or civilian service (forced labour).
• The speed with which all this happens will make "shock & awe" seem like slow motion.

I suggest to everyone (including myself) to prepare for all of these possibilities. What do you do if your city's power goes out for 2 weeks? Or if the Internet is shut down? What if all the local grocery stores close down for 3 weeks? What if all your paper currency becomes worthless, or you're no longer allowed to withdraw money from your bank account? And lastly, what are you gonna do... when they come for you?

Peace. Love. Understanding.
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.