[outages] Internet latency - or was it just Verizon?

at about 10:20AM EST we noticed our response times/latency from all external web sites we monitor (CNN, Google, MSN, etc.) go through the roof. We noticed also a ridiculous number/percentage of dropped packets (about 50-60% to all these sites). On hold with Verion now,(and I suspect I'll be on hold for a while) but if anyone can enlighten me as to what happened, it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Steve Fischer Sr. Network Engineer -- To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy