synchronized <K, V, E> EventThread<K, V, E> getEventThread() {
		if (closed) {
			throw new IllegalStateException();
		}
		if (thread == null) {
			/* if there is no thread, then create a new one */
			thread = AccessController.doPrivileged(new PrivilegedAction<EventThread<K, V, E>>() {
				public EventThread<K, V, E> run() {
					EventThread<K, V, E> t = new EventThread<K, V, E>(threadGroup, threadName);
					return t;
				}
			});
			/* start the new thread */
			thread.start();
		}

		@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
		EventThread<K, V, E> result = (EventThread<K, V, E>) thread;
		return result;
	}