Don,

Upcoming probable events that are accepted by many as anywhere from "possible" to "probable"..

Event and possible result
1) Petroleum Fuel addicted society runs low; resulting in massive social upheavals as powers fight for what reserves are left...

2) Overpopulation (9 billion by 2050); Currently we can feed and house this number, but the balance is heavily dependent upon petroleum based fertilizers and food delivery networks. Should this network balance teeter and fail, a population crash of epic proportions is likely.

3) Usable fresh water is likely to cause shortfall headaches in food long before #2 anyway, resulting in #1 & #2 combined...

While not occurring by 2012,these events are possible/probably by 2200; WHICH IS THE SAME MARGIN OF EXACTITUDE you are using with your date spread.

And that's where this argument falls apart. There is no causal link whatever between the Mayan Calender, the alignment of the galaxy, and significant event or changes here on planet Earth. Should you somehow be miraculously able to halt the alignment of the galactic center, the events hypothesized above withh either occur, or not occur, without giving a damn.

Jammer