USA No More?

In an article in the Wall Street, Russian professor, Igor Panarin, has said that American is going to be split by the year 2010 and sections will be distributed to various countries.............WHAT? Is it just me or is this absolutely ridiculous?  Panarin claims that "an economic and moral collapse will trigger a civil war and the eventual breakup of the U.S."  He is described as not simply a "fringe figure," but considered an "expert on U.S.-Russia relations."  To show what "bad shape" the U.S. is in during one of Panarin's appearances on TV, crowds of homeless people and long lines at soup kitchens were shown.  The part of the article I found most entertaining was this: "The article prompted a question about the White House's reaction to Prof. Panarin's forecast at a December news conference. 'I'll have to decline to comment,' spokeswoman Dana Perino said amid much laughter. For Prof. Panarin, Ms. Perino's response was significant. 'The way the answer was phrased was an indication that my views are being listened to very carefully,' he says."  Maybe he's very optimistic about his ideas. However, I have a feeling he's just completely oblivious.  Does this man really believe that people are going to take him seriously!? I don't know about you guys, but I sure don't think America's about to break into six different sections.