A few weeks ago I jokingly made a bet with an American that President Bush would find a way to declare Martial Law in the USA to avoid having to give up power when his term ends (which is soon).

We bet $5 and he asked me if it should be in USD or AUD. I joked that it should be in AUD since if the USA goes under Martial, the Australian dollar would be worth more.

The only problem was that somehow Bush would have to get Martial Law happening for me to win the bet. I don't mind losing silly bets like this. I visit the USA often and I can take over a colourful Australian $5 note :) ... but then I see this in the news:

President Bush signed on Oct 17 a bill making it easier for him to declare martial law: http://politics.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/28/1934208&from=rss

Now he has the ability to do it - he just needs an excuse. This is where the conspiracy theory begins. How will Bush get another terrorist attack on US soil before his term ends - and if he succeeds, will there be outright civil war to remove him from "Office" before he establishes himself as a dictator?

Only the future will tell - I'm watching with keen interest and $5AUD on the line...