Internet conspiracy theorist predicts economic collapse in U.S. today

On Sept. 15, 2008, the stock market’s death rattle was amplified by Wall Street giant Lehman Brothers’ decision to file for bankruptcy.

One mysterious man named “Reinhardt” predicted the date and details of the collapse on a Google finance message board months before the fact. He also explained — in great detail — that the crash was caused by an organization with Catholic ties. And that one of the group’s founders was Tom Monaghan, the brains behind Domino’s Pizza. So there’s that.

Yesterday, Gawker reported that “Reinhardt” has revealed his identity on his blog. He says another financial asteroid is approaching and will strike on Feb. 9. Thank God people are buying pitchforks and learning Tae-Bo!

What’s the local angle, you ask? Well, according to his blog, “Reinhardt” lives in Atlanta. The “Real Housewives” don’t have anything on this dude.

If you have creepy music on your iPod, like Creed, now would be a good time to turn it on.

Reinhardt’s blog is a series of quick observations intermixed with stark photos and graphs depicting how disjointed and rattled the global finance climate has become. He hints at this, winks about that. And throughout the posts you’ll see a countdown — “12 days to go” — to a foreboding event. Beware the IMF, “the king will never do away with cheap labor. ” If it wasn’t so damn frightening, it’d make for intriguing reading.

Oh, and he also produces a business journal. Subscriptions are $720. Don’t say he — or we — didn’t warn you. (Scroll down on “Reinhardt’s” blog for information.) He hasn’t called or written me back yet, but I’m kind of in the mood for a downer for a day. I hope he does.