Laugh it up.
Patterns are made up of small observations. I've noticed a lot being made of George Allen and Confederate flags in some quarters.
Sometimes it's only smoke. Sometimes you find a bit of fire
The second article is interesting in another way, as it shows Google learning what Microsoft learned the hard way. "We're the government. We can kill you. Give us money."
You want patterns? I'll throw in a freebie here: If Gore is president in 2009, Google will have been a big part of it.