George Bush will be sworn in as president of the United States for a second term today in a lavish Washington ceremony, amid mounting international concern that his new administration will make the world a more dangerous place.
A poll of 21 countries published yesterday - reflecting opinion in Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia and Europe - showed that a clear majority have grave fears about the next four years. Fifty-eight per cent of the 22,000 who took part in the poll, commissioned by the BBC World Service, said they expected Mr Bush to have a negative impact on peace and security, compared with only 26% who considered him a positive force.
The survey also indicated for the first time that dislike of Mr Bush is translating into a dislike of Americans in general.
These are the ramparts of the "new world order" that Bush the Senior dreamed about during his tenure: a so-called "democratic" superpower that answers to no one, especially not its citizens, steered by a 1,000 points of light: a tiny, racist, misogynist, imperialist network of craven, power-mad idealogues.
The most problematic thing in all of this is that whether we like it or not, all of this stuff is just going to have to play out.
We thought the vote could stop it.
No.
We thought protests could stop it.
No.
We thought sentient leadership from other respected countries would have an effect on this regime.
Nope.
So what are we left with?
Not much.
Except this thought: we are living in an "evil empire."
Our so-called administration has risen to power on fraud and deception of the most sublime.
But all of this must come to pass, because events have been set in motion that can't be undone.
Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for turbulence.
It's going to be one rough flight.