[PatrickHenry]

You've read Guth's book, PH; what's the deal -- is dark energy, which enables an ever expanding Universe, compatible with the Inflationary model, which requires the matter density of the Universe to be the critical value; i.e., the value that would lead to a flat Geometry and a "parabolic" rate of expansion (if there were no dark energy)?

Yes, I've read his book. But it predates this dark energy discovery (or surmise). Inflation is compatible with flatness, with homogeniety, smoothness, etc. All issues related to the early universe, I believe. Off hand, assuming this extra kicker to the Hubble constant is a development which occurs late in the history of the universe, I see no conflict. But I need to ponder this. If we can observe this accelerating expansion now, it's early days when it happens, isn't it? But it's after the inflationary stage, so I think Guth's work is safe. That's my preliminary take on it. (Clearly, I'm babbling, and I'm not the one to ask for an authoritative opinion.)

[Doctor Stochastic]

All things have an end, except a sausage, which has two.