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Austin, most of the longs are still waiting. They just seem to think there are other things in life than nvei. It doesn't appear to help by posting all the time.
So, I still have faith. Regardless, of what others may think.
I sold 10% of my holding 2001, and have replaced that and more. So I now have more than I had after the split.
Good logic.........lol
Thank You iOwn, I love reading your story.
IOwn, would you please post the story about you and your wife. I found that one of the most interesting post on all the boards. And it gave us all an opportunity to get to know you.
Brady maybe you could help me with my spelling & grammer.
And I will keep you guys from trying to be so macho'.
I guess we should send the enemy to a lush resort so they can kill our guys and hang them on a bridge AND CUT THEIR HEARS OFF. Maybe you liked their behavior to the young man [Berg] that went there to help them, and they cut his head off for the camera's. What we have done to them is more humane than what they did to several of our people.
Maybe you should talk to the young man from Mississippi about his experience. He had a nation praying for him or they would have killed him.
WAR IS WAR. MAN HAS NEVER LEARNED TO FIGHT ANY OTHER WAY, AS YOU BRADY ENDED YOUR POST TO PROVE THE POINT.
Have you ever met IOwn.....you might want to withdraw that last statement.
I have a very high opinion of both of you gentlemen and see no harm in a debate.
It appears you are correct Jarsch501, I said I received it in an email.
However, I am having a debate with a credit card just as crazy. They charged me ten cents when I had a plus balance for entering the plus balance and they won't send me a check because I refuse to pay them any fees. So I guess the only choice is to use the card to get a minus balance so I can send the correct payment. However, they charge interest per day, even before you get the bill. I feel this is wrong and I can't seem to get anyone to listen to me.
It's a matter of principal to me.
WHERE IS THE PERSONAL PART OF LIFE!
Are we only machines......I received this email from a friend.
Motto: Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die......... This is just so priceless....and so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is....
My Aunt died this past January. Citi Bank billed her for February and March for their monthly service charge on her credit card, and then added late fees and interest on the monthly charge...the balance had been $0.00... now was somewhere around $60.00
I placed the following phone call to CitiBank:
Me: "I am calling to tell you that she died in January."
CitiBank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply."
Me: "Maybe, you should turn it over to collections"
CitiBank: "Since it is 2 months past due, it already has been."
Me: "So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?"
CitiBank: "Either report her account to the frauds division, or report her to the credit bureau maybe both!"
Me: "Do you think God will be mad at her?"
CitiBank:"...excuse me .?"
Me: "Did you just get what I was telling you... the part about her being dead?"
CitiBank: "Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor!"
(Supervisor gets on the phone)
Me: ''I'm calling to tell you, she died in January."
CitiBank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply."
Me: "You mean you want to collect from her estate?"
CitiBank: ".....(stammer)" .... "Are you her lawyer?"
Me: "No, I'm her great nephew." (Lawyer info given... )
CitiBank: "Could you fax us a certificate of death?"
Me: "Sure." ( Fax number is given )
( After they get the fax. )
CitiBank: "Our system just isn't setup for death"
Me: "Oh..."
CitiBank: "I don't know what more I can do to help..."
Me: "Well.. if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her...I suppose...don't really think she will care...."
CitiBank: "Well..the late fees and charges do still apply."
Me: "'Would you like her new billing address?"
CitiBank: "That might help."
Me: " ( Odessa Memorial Cemetery #### Hwy 129 and plot number given.)
CitiBank: "Sir, that's a cemetery!"
Me: "What do you do with dead people on your planet?
They can never take away the creative minds of the students.
And I thank God, the students are more judicious than than our judges.
Sorry I can't get the link to work......
Go to this site and look at the cost of Kerry's gasoline tax.
http://207.68.164.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=bc813d3d542e65fbd4dcd501e9d7a5f0&lat=10806...
I can afford to pay for a new car for what it says I will pay for gas @ $2.00 per gallon.
Safety is not found in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God. I like that.
ACLU Upset At Marines
As the Marines bow their heads to Pray.
The incident took place at a recent ceremony honoring the birthday of the corps, and it has the ACLU up in arms. "These are federal employees," says Lucius Traveler, a spokesman for the ACLU, "on federal property and on federal time. For them to pray is clearly an establishment of religion, and we must nip this in the bud immediately."
When asked about the ACLU's charges, Colonel Jack Fessender, speaking for the Commandant of the Corps said (cleaned up a bit), "Screw the ACLU."
GOD Bless Our Warriors
If you wish, send this to people you know so everyone will know how STUPID the ACLU is getting.
A scene at City Hall in San Francisco
"Next."
"Good morning. We want to apply for a marriage license."
"Names?"
"Tim and Jim Jones."
"Jones? Are you related? I see a resemblance."
"Yes, we're brothers."
"Brothers? You can't get married."
"Why not? Aren't you giving marriage licenses to same gender couples?"
"Yes, thousands. But we haven't had any siblings. That's incest!"
"Incest?" No, we are not gay."
"Not gay? Then why do you want to get married?"
"For the financial benefits, of course. And we do love each other. Besides, we don't have any other prospects."
"But we're issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples who've been denied equal protection
under the law. If you are not gay, you can get married to a woman."
"Wait a minute. A gay man has the same right to marry a woman as I have. But just because I'm straight
doesn't mean I want to marry a woman. I want to marry Jim."
"And I want to marry Tim, Are you going to discriminate against us just because we are not gay?"
"All right, all right. I'll give you your license. Next."
"Hi. We are here to get married."
"Names?"
"John Smith, Jane James, Robert Green, and June Johnson."
"Who wants to marry whom?"
"We all want to marry each other."
"But there are four of you!"
"That's right. You see, we're all bisexual. I love Jane and Robert, Jane loves me and June, June loves Robert and Jane,
and Robert loves June and me. All of us getting married together is the only way that we can express our sexual preferences in a marital relationship."
"But we've only been granting licenses to gay and lesbian couples."
"So you're discriminating against bisexuals!"
"No, it's just that, well, the traditional idea of marriage is that it's just for couples."
"Since when are you standing on tradition?"
"Well, I mean, you have to draw the line somewhere."
"Who says? There's no logical reason to limit marriage to couples. The more the better. Besides, we demand our rights! The mayor says the
constitution guarantees equal protection under the law. Give us a marriage license!"
"All right, all right. Next."
"Hello, I'd like a marriage license."
"In what names?"
"David Deets."
"And the other man?"
"That's all. I want to marry myself."
"Marry yourself? What do you mean?"
"Well, my psychiatrist says I have a dual personality, so I want to marry the two together. Maybe I can file a joint income-tax return."
"That does it! I quit!! You people are making a mockery of marriage!!"
This is Off Topic and a copy of one of IOwnSomeNVEI's post. In my opinion this should have the honor of being posted on every Board.
Posted by: iOwnSomeNVEI
In reply to: None Date:2/29/2004 2:33:43 PM
Post #of 3896
The Rambo Granny of Melbourne Australia
Gun-toting granny Ava Estelle,
81, was so ticked-off when two thugs raped her 18-year-old granddaughter that she tracked the unsuspecting ex-cons down - - and shot off their testicles. The old lady spent a week hunting those men down -- and when she found them, she took revenge on them in her own special way, said Melbourne police investigator Evan Delp. Then she took a taxi to the nearest police station, laid the gun on the sergeant's desk and told him as calm as could be:
'Those bastards will never rape anybody again, by God.' Cops say convicted rapist and robber Davis Furth, 33, lost both his penis and his testicles when outraged Ava opened fire with a 9-mm pistol in the hotel room where he and former prison cellmate Stanley Thomas, 29, were holed up. The wrinkled avenger also blew Thomas' testicles to kingdom come, but doctors managed to save his mangled penis, police said. The one guy, Thomas, didn't lose his manhood, but the doctor I talked to said he won't be using it the way he used to, Detective Delp told reporters. Both men are still in pretty bad shape, but I think they're just happy to be alive after what they've been through. The Rambo Granny swung into action August 21 after her granddaughter Debbie was carjacked and raped in broad daylight by two knife-wielding creeps in a section of town bordering on skid row.
"When I saw the look on my Debbie's face that night in the hospital, I decided I was going to go out and get those bastards myself 'cause I figured the Law would go easy on them," recalled the retired library worker. "And I wasn't scared of them, either-- because I've got me a gun and I've been shootin' all my life. And I wasn't dumb enough to turn it in when the law changed about owning one."
So, using a police artist's sketch of the suspects and Debbie's description of the sickos', tough-as-nails Ava spent seven days prowling the wino-infested neighborhood where the crime took place till she spotted the ill fated rapists entering their flophouse hotel. I knew it was them the minute I saw 'em, but I shot a picture of 'em anyway and took it back to Debbie and she said sure as hell, it was them, the oldster recalled.
So I went back to that hotel and found their room and knocked on the door and the minute the big one, Furth, opened the door, I shot 'em right square between the legs, right where it would really hurt 'em most, you know. Then I went in and shot the other one as he backed up pleading to me to spare him. Then I went down to the police station and turned myself in.
Now, baffled lawmen are trying to figure out exactly how to deal with the vigilante granny. What she did was wrong, and she broke the law, but it is difficult to throw an 81-year-old woman in prison, Det. Delp said, especially when 3 million people in the city want to nominate her for sainthood and a medal.
DEPORT GRAMBO TO AMERICA -- WE NEED HER!!!
Public Reply / Private Reply / Keep / Last Read Replies (
Thanks 72, did the article say the number of days he surfed? Wasn't his goal something like each day for 40 years.
Thank You Spokeshave, I appreciate your reply. I have never read the information you provided before and I also notice he did not get the name right,lol. He spoke more about the video's than about the technology. As far as I know we have only produced the paint ball video's for sale. I believe the relationships with Lilly Beter and Jack Robinson and the B&S guys started sometime around late summer or early fall of 1999.
Disclaimer from Mayu........this is just my opinion, I have less knowledge about nvei than most of the investors of nvei.
I have never read what you have posted. I read a Bloomberg article once, and I believe that was retracted.
Spokeshave were you invested in nvei at that time? I can't remember when you started posting but I am curious if you knew that, why you invested in nvei and have stayed around all this time.
Sorry you are wrong.....That was Dave Broder (sp). His name to fame was the Donminelli and his girl friend who was related to to Home Federal Savings & Loan. This year HFMD did a 10 for 1 reverse split, in order to bring that stock back after 20 years. They are trading at $32.00 today.
Nvei, Dave Broder(sp) got all of his information on nvxe from Jack Robinson who was the guy that started the deal with the BS Boys & their so called disruptive technology. They all have been proven to be a scam. All shares and most of their money has been returned nvei.
abe51, Great Quote. Michael Jordan is a man to be admired, IMHO.
When you give in to obstacles, usually you will be defeated.
OT, and not directed to conversations on this board, we each have the right to think and react to the events as we choose.
"SCENARIO FOR A WINNER"
A WINNER SAYS, "LET'S FIND OUT;"
A LOSER SAYS "NOBODY KNOWS."
A WINNER MAKES COMMITMENTS,
A LOSER MAKES PROMISES.
A WINNER SAYS, "I'M GOOD, BUT NOT AS GOOD AS I OUGHT TO BE,"
A LOOSER SAYS, "I'M NOT AS BAD AS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE."
A WINNER CREDITS HIS "GOOD LUCK" FOR WINNING--EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T HIS GOOD LUCK:
A LOSER BLAMES HIS "BAD LUCK" FOR LOSING--EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T HIS BAD LUCK.
A WINNER LISTENS;
A LOSER JUST WAITS UNTIL IT'S HIS TURN TO TALK.
A WINNER RESPECTS THOSE WHO ARE SUPERIOR TO HIM AND TRIES TO LEARN FROM THEM;
A LOSER RESENTS THE SUPERIORITY OF OTHERS AND TRIES TO FIND CHINKS IN THEIR ARMOR.
A WINNER DOES MORE THAN HIS JOB;
A LOSER SAYS "I ONLY WORK HERE."
A WINNER SAY'S "I FELL.'
A LOSER SAYS, "SOMEBODY PUSHED ME."
zzz, I am not trying to cause trouble, but every time I read one of your post my computer locks up. Is this happening to any of the other people. TIA
My computer is old and tired and if this stock ever takes off a new computer will be the first thing I buy. lol
Year2000, I agree with your thoughts about RET_EE's posts. I appreciate his manners, also.
Thought would be of interest to some.
ISSUE: Remember the high school Conservative Students Club
in California we told you about, whose courageous young
president was under attack by the school's liberal faculty
and administration, as well as student body members? We
recently received information from Adam McManus, host of
"Take A Stand" on KSLR radio in south Texas, about another
similar case: Charity Santa Cruz, an 18-year-old senior at
South San Antonio High School, claims that her economics
and government teacher Tim Duda continually harasses her
for her conservative beliefs and her Christian faith. He
even objects to her reading the Bible -- on her own time!
Plus, despite repeated complaints to Principal Tommy
Garcia, Tim Duda uses obscenity in this PUBLIC classroom
like the f-word, the sh-word and "uses the Lord's name in
vain." In addition, he belittles the Christian faith and
conservative values of students like Charity.
Charity Santa Cruz was recently joined in the KSLR studio
by her church's singles pastor, Roland Gloria. Pastor Gloria
has known Charity since she was 13 and testifies to her
character and credibility.
Hiram Sasser of the Liberty Legal Institute says that if
these charges by Charity are accurate, not only is the
teacher Tim Duda at South San Antonio High School out of
line, but so is the Principal Tommy Garcia for not taking
more effective action.
This principal has only received a couple of hundred e-mails
supporting this brave young lady. Isn't it time he heard
from the REST of America?
ACTION ITEM: Charity has said that while Tim Duda at first
received a verbal warning, the behavior continued unabated.
Thankfully, Duda has now been suspended for 3 days -- WITH
PAY -- during the investigation.
Gee, that'll show him.
The principal Tommy Garcia has, according to Charity,
attempted to pressure her to talk about her concerns with
him (Mr. Garcia), without her attorney on the telephone.
Charity has refused on the advice of her attorney.
Conservatives across America need to stand up against
harassment of students like Charity. Go to our site below
to send a message to Tommy Garcia, the Principal at South San
Antonio High School, and politely request that he instruct
teacher Tim Duda that profanity has no place in the classroom,
nor does religious or political discrimination:
http://www.conservativealerts.com/012704.htm
<a href="http://www.conservativealerts.com/012704.htm"> AOL GO
HERE </a>
NOTE: Charity has received quite a bit of verbal grief at
school from students and stern looks from teachers. She has
said to friends, "If looks could kill..." All of this has
brought her to tears. Other than her church and her legal
counsel, she doesn't have a whole lot of support. Please feel
free to e-mail Charity and encourage her as she feels very
alone in this fight right now: LaCharity316@hotmail.com . And
be sure to forward this e-mail to everyone you know who wants
to take a stand with this brave young schoolgirl. Thank you!
And then there is beautiful San Diego, where the weather is next to perfect and you get in your car, and get on the freeway and you sit and sit before you go a mile or you sit there praying that who ever caused the jam is still alive and will be able to continue their life. I've live in the extreme cold and the extreme hot. But, the loss of life here brothers me more. I guess it all depends what condition of your heart, not your butt.
Excell, How do you read that number?
Abe, Great Quote, wonder when our #1 penguin will see this.lol
I got this email from a friend, and thought I would share it here.
Subject: Your military
I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steakhouses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with longneck beers and sizzling platters.
Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.
Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East. That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home to me.
I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him? As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.
"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."
I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president. I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots. The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.
Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts. "It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom.' Hmph! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."
My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.
"You know, we should just leave Iraq a lone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the President's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-ll. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."
Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?
I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.
"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby killers we call a military."
Professional baby killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.
That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had. Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our tr oops be known.
Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table. Lowering myself to eye level with them, I smilingly said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."
"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."
I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was a ll right. "Yes, thank you," I replied. Then turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."
As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half-eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.
After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it. When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."
With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth. "We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."
As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers. I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day.
Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.
As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference. Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"
**************************************
(Lori Kimble is a 31 year old teacher and proud military wife. A California native, Mrs. Kimble currently lives in Alabama.)
******************
To those who fought for our nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Abe, Great story. Merry Christmas and God's Blessings to All.
Merry Christmas to all, and be thankful as you remember the reason for the season. "CHRIST"
jarsch501, cute post.......that guy was cool.lol
Just a few comments.
Harrison, Ark. is only about 30 miles from Springfield, Mo.
They have build a new freeway through the Ozarks from Branson,Mo. to Springfield. Harrison is just across the state line from Branson, and they were smart to take him to St. Johns Hospital......they saved my life one day in 1996.
Defend Paul Harvey against attacks
According to a report from CNSNews.com,
"Genera Electric, in response to Muslim complaints, has decided to pull its lighting advertisements from Paul Harvey's syndicated radio show, at least for the time being."
On Dec. 4, the 84-year-old Harvey was describing cockfighting
in Iraq when he made the following comment on-air: "Add to
the thirst for blood a religion which encourages killing, and
it is entirely understandable if Americans came to this bloody
party unprepared."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim
"civil rights" group, objected to the phrase "a religion which
encourages killing," and it demanded an apology. About a week
later, Harvey issued an apologetic statement through a fill-in
host.
And who is this CAIR? According to terrorism expert Daniel
Pipes, CAIR "presents itself as just another civil-rights
group... In reality, CAIR is something quite different. For
starters, it's on the wrong side in the war on terrorism."
CAIR has said that depicting Osama bin Laden as "the sworn
enemy" is "offensive to Muslims"; when President Bush closed
the "Holy Land Foundation" for collecting money he said was
"used to support the Hamas terror organization," CAIR decried
his action as "unjust" and "disturbing"; and the FBI's former
chief of counterterrorism, Steven Pomerantz, has even
concluded that "CAIR, its leaders and its activities
effectively give aid to international terrorist groups."
And it's THAT group that is now attacking Paul Harvey for
a single on-air comment... and what's worse, General Electric
is listening to them!
It's time for GE to listen to YOU instead.
ACTION ITEM: Paul Harvey is a true-blue, red-blooded American
patriot, and a long-standing icon on American airwaves.
Shouldn't hard-working, patriotic Americans like you and I
stand up for him when he's attacked by radical groups like
CAIR?
A GE spokesman was quoted as saying that the company hasn't
yet decided whether to resume its advertising on Harvey's
syndicated radio show, which has 24 million weekly listeners
on some 1,600 radio stations in this country and around the
world.
So, we've set up a quick and easy way for you to have your
voice heard LOUD and CLEAR in defense of Paul Harvey. Go to
our site below to send a message to GE, urging that company
to ignore the complaints of radical groups like CAIR and
keep supporting Harvey:
http://www.conservativealerts.com/122303.htm
<a href="http://www.conservativealerts.com/122303.htm"> AOL GO
HERE </a>
NOTE: If you prefer, you can also call GE's Public Affairs
office at 203-373-3476 to voice your opinion. Be sure to
forward this Alert to everyone you know who doesn't want to
see patriotic Americans like Paul Harvey attacked by radical
groups like CAIR. Thank you!
LOY, would you please tell us when we hit $34.00 apparently I missed that.
Bill & Spoke that happens when you have a public reply as well as private.
IOwn, that is really cute. Thanks.
Cosmo...My trusty Webster's Seventh New Colligate Dictionary.
Optimism....[1] the doctrine that this world is the best possible world. [2] an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and happenings or to anticipate the best possible outcome.
Some have a different out look than others......some are optimistic and some are pessimistic. And that is the individual's choice that make according to their values
http://www.smartmoney.com/onthestreet/index.cfm?story=20031131&pgnum=2
I think you need to reread this article Elder,
On the Street
What in the Name of God?
By Scott Patterson
December 10, 2003
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(Page 2 of 2)
Kingdom spokesman Lambert admits that the company seems to have been involved in some shady behavior. He places the blame squarely on Resource Capital Management, which was responsible for arranging a number of Kingdom's business deals earlier this year, including the one with YourNetPlus.com.
"Resource took them down a primrose path that turned out to be horrible for the long-term value of the stock," says Lambert.
RCM concocted the YourNetPlus.com agreement, he says, to "improve [Kingdom's] balance sheet to get them closer to a Nasdaq listing." Lambert characterizes the deal as "a shell game that Kingdom Ventures found out about after the fact."
In fact, Lambert says RCM was probably behind the stock-gaming activity the SEC is investigating. When asked whether he thinks RCM, or people associated with it, had a connection to the bogus Undervalued Quarterly ad, he says, "Not a doubt in my mind. There was clearly gaming going on in the stock, and that's the basis for the SEC investigation."
There were a number of huge leaps in the trading volume of Kingdom's stock earlier this year. On April 29, volume jumped more than 200% to 1.2 million shares from 393,100 the day before. Then, on May 27 — the same day Kingdom announced its deal with YourNetPlus.com — volume went into overdrive, trading at one million shares, 1.1 million, 3.8 million, and one million shares in four consecutive days as the share price fluctuated 38% between 80 cents and 58 cents. In mid-June, volume again leapt to the million-share range for several days in a row. Its average volume is about 114,000 shares, according to Reuters.
RCM held a sizable position in Kingdom Ventures at the time. On Feb. 2, 2003, Kingdom filed a Form S8 with the SEC providing for the issuance of warrants to purchase 7.85 million shares of its stock to RCM as compensation for services. Converting those warrants — five million of which were convertible at one cent per share — later "contributed $942,217 to [Kingdom Ventures'] operating expenses during the three months ended July 31, 2003," according to the company's second-quarter 10Q.
A spokesman for RCM who asked not to be identified flatly denies Lambert's accusations and any connection to the bogus Undervalued Quarterly ad. "It sounds like they have some problems, and they're trying to throw them at us," says the spokesman. He says RCM hasn't heard from the SEC.
But despite RCM's denials, there does appear to be a direct link between the Undervalued Quarterly ad and RCM. The ad appeared in the May 2003 issue of Charisma magazine, published by Strang Communications, a Lake Mary, Fla., Christian multimedia company. An ad-sales representative for Charisma said a company named Beuphoria placed the insert. The CEO of Beuphoria, said the representative, was listed as Peter Luhanto, and its marketing director was listed as Alvie Merrill. Beuphoria doesn't exist anymore; it was dissolved on Sept. 10, according to the office of the Secretary of State of Nevada. Merrill, who lives in Lake Jackson, Texas — the city listed as the mailing address for Undervalued Quarterly — denies having any roll in placing the Undervalued Quarterly ad.
Merrill also denies having any connection RCM. Jackson, however, says RCM referred Merrill's company, Merrill Zurich, to Kingdom Ventures to produce Kingdom's press releases. "Merrill Zurich was referred to us by RCM, and they were chosen as the press agent for Kingdom Ventures," says Jackson.
Merrill says he has no business relationship with Luhanto. But recently the two served as executives of a public company based in Las Vegas. A search of Nevada's corporate records shows that Merrill was chief executive of American Market Support Network, which was sold earlier this year and renamed Arizona Aircraft Spares (AZAAE.OB). On the OTCBB Web site, Merrill is listed as chief executive of AMSN. Luhanto, who couldn't be reached for comment and is thought by at least one source to be in Europe, is listed as its secretary.
Steven Brock, owner of GoPublicToday.com, an investment adviser based in Las Vegas that helped take American Market Support Network public, says he's shocked by the Undervalued Quarterly ad, which he hadn't seen until contacted by SmartMoney.com. "It's just mind-blowing to see [Luhanto] take a position like this," he says. "You're bringing something to my attention that is just shocking to me." Brock says he hasn't seen Luhanto or Merrill in nearly a year.
Amazing Disgrace
Who besides Resource Capital Management engaged in speculative trading of Kingdom Ventures' stock? One candidate is J&J Holdings, the majority shareholder in the company. The president of J&J is John Jackson, the brother of Kingdom's CEO, Gene Jackson, and pastor of the Carson Valley Christian Center in Minden, Nev.
According to SEC filings, on March 25, J&J Holdings donated 500,000 shares of Kingdom stock, then trading at 49 cents a share, to Carson Valley Christian Center, which later sold it. Then, on April 21, after Kingdom's stock had run up more than 80% to 90 cents a share, J&J donated 300,000 KDMV shares worth $270,000 to Pastor Jackson's church.
Gary Loomis, a former member of CVCC and investor in Kingdom Ventures, says John Jackson was well aware of RCM's plans to inflate the price of the company's stock with an aggressive investor-relations campaign.
"Before all this began, I told John that this [deal with RCM] has all the hallmarks of a classic offshore pump and dump," says Loomis, who was formerly the emergency operation center team leader for the City of Los Angeles and is now retired. "He wanted to discuss the definition of a pump and dump. He drew a bell-shaped curve and drew a straight line across the bottom of both sides and said, 'If the stock price starts off here and end up here, that's a pump and dump. But if it ends up slightly higher, then that's different.' I just kind of laughed and said, 'John, [Jackson] what happens to all the investors that buy at much higher prices and lose most of their investment when the stock goes down.' And he had no answer."
John Jackson said in an email message that this conversation never took place, and characterized Loomis's insinuations as "laughable."
A Messy World
Intriguing though these connections may be, it will probably take an SEC probe into the activities of Kingdom Ventures and RCM to uncover the truth. Whatever the outcome, Kingdom's management must bear some responsibility for the suspect deals and announcements the company issued throughout the year. Jackson is quoted frequently in the company's press releases, and his name is on each SEC filing.
And while Jackson avows that the company is finished with misleading press releases, a recent imbroglio suggests it still has a tendency to exaggerate the nature of its financial dealings. On Oct. 14, Kingdom announced it had acquired the remaining assets of Christian Times, which had carried the Undervalued Quarterly ad insert that had so disturbed Pastor Walker. "Kingdom Ventures today announced that it has acquired the remaining assets of Christian Times from Keener Communications Group," the company stated in a press release.
Lamar Keener, president of Keener Communications, says that's a lie. "They purchased the name Christian Times," Keener says. "Not the assets. Any claim otherwise is simply not true, and they know it is not true."
When we first questioned Jackson about the deal, he stood by the company's claim that it had purchased the Christian Times assets from Keener Communications. "The reality is that we've claimed very clearly that we bought the remaining assets of the Christian Times" from Keener, the CEO said in an interview. But on Nov. 17, Kingdom issued a press release admitting that it "did not acquire the publishing assets of Keener Communications."
Perhaps the most outlandish episode in the Kingdom Ventures saga is the extraordinary claim by a former Kingdom Ventures executive vice president that the company stole from his credit card. John Howell, who left Kingdom in February, says Jackson requested the use of his American Express credit card to pay company expenses amounting to about $12,000. When he got his bill, he saw that Jackson had charged more than $60,000 to the card. Jackson admits having used Howell's credit card but says Howell himself had made the offer. Howell, now president of California health-food company NutraCea (NTRZ), says he plans to settle the matter with Kingdom Ventures in court in the near future.
Jackson, meanwhile, says he's shaken by the scams he claims others have perpetrated at the expense of his company. "We've been frustrated with the sewer of the OTC," says the CEO from his Nevada home after a cross-country business trip. "It's a messy world to live in, to say the least. If I had it to do over again, I certainly wouldn't have chosen to go this route."
Where will the company go from here? "We have to clean up the image of what Kingdom Ventures is all about," he says. "We just have to stay focused on the business aspect of who we are."
That may prove difficult, however. As of press time, Kingdom's biggest deal yet, the acquisition of Forest, Va.-based American Association of Christian Counselors, which was supposed to add $10 million in annual revenues, seemed to be unraveling. While Jackson declined to confirm that there were any problems with the pact, a mediation hearing between Kingdom and the president of the AACC, Tim Clinton, is scheduled for Dec. 15 in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia, according to the court's Web site.
Lord, have mercy.
Laus Deo!
On the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument in Washington DC, are two words:
Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact ... most visitors to the monument have no idea they are even there and ... for that matter ... probably could care less! But there they are ... 555 feet, 5.125 inches high ... perched atop the monument to the father of our nation ... overlooking the
69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia ... capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo!
Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words ... out of sight and, one might think, out of mind ... but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the world. And what might those two words ... comprised of just four syllables and only seven letters ... mean? Very simply ... "Praise be to God!"
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848 when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the
public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with the tribute Laus Deo! Praise be to God!
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure ... a visitor can take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. And from that vantage point one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant ... a perfect
cross imposed upon the landscape ... with the White House to the north ... the Jefferson Memorial to the south ... the Capitol to the east ... and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A
cross ... you say? How interesting! And ... no doubt ... intended to carry a meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50
landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a
memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ... "one nation, under God." I am awed by Washington's
prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well now is your opportunity ... read on!
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large." "And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be released to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves
with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in
these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Laus Deo!
As you might have guessed ... I kind of like the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "under God." It is clear when one studies the history of our great nation that
Washington's America was one of the few countries in all the world established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all praise, honor and worship by the great men who formed and fashioned her pivotal foundations. And ... when one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol ... one will easily find the signature of God.
We are a nation under God!!! Laus Deo!!! Praise be to God!!!
"Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
Looks like congress finally did something about spam.
http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1028_3-5116940.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=ns_5116940&tag=msn_home
Very Interesting, Thanks engineer for the article. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow morning. I am not a happy camper.