Seriously, who gives a f*#k what they say? Why should it have any effect on what goes on? These are the same agencies that slapped AAA ratings on every mortgage to hit the street and look how that turned out. Why don't they just remove them from even being able to continue as businesses instead of giving them the ability to reduce overall confidence in the markets and the public? Might as well just let anyone throw ratings out there in public opinion. Hell, why don't we just let Meredith Whitney throw some ratings out there. After all she has to be right, shes always right, isn't she? Americans have lost thier grip on reality. They forgot what it means to be an American.
Just do your own analysis and make the call for yourself and ignore ratings agencies. Honestly, who among us didn't know Italy and Portugal were in trouble before the downgrades? If the USA gets downgraded, who didn't know the USA was in a boat load of debt trouble?