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Thanks Ray. eom
Happy New Year! May you and your families all be blessed with health, happiness and wealth in that order.
May the world know peace in 2005!
Happy Holidays to everyone! Glad you are enjoying the new house Yvette. Taking this week off and maybe next also.
Yvette my friend with cancer is apparently in extremely serious condition and I fear the outcome will be the same as your friend. Say a few prayers.
Spending time there so not much trading now.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! eom
Hi Ray, Yvette and Charissa...hope you are all doing well. I am mainly on the SI IPO board...doing IPOs exclusively again. Don't have to watch constantly or set stops to be taken out.
Will continue to stop by and check on all of you.
Planning on traveling here in the US and Canada by car in a few weeks. So many places I have not been and looking forward to it.
Have seen more of Europe than the US and think it is time to remedy that!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving all!
Good luck! Hope you're feeling well quickly...everyone I know that has this surgery had excellent results!
Blue Horseshoe? Where you on that board? I remember that poster...were you there also?
Hello. I have been in and out of the country for the last few weeks. And I have to tell you that it is not nice over there. As a couple of you know, my business was concentrated in Europe...particularly France.
Even though, retired now, there were still loose ends to finish.
Really difficult to post from there unless we were in private facilities.
We were there for a week and then back here and then back there for close to three weeks.
Back last week and finished the last few details. Keeping the connections and the lines of communication open and will see what happens.
For the present, I feel free...except for the real estate I still jointly own...love to dispose of all the commercial and vacant land and just travel. Will see what happens there too.
Started playing IPOs again since I did not have to watch daily. Started slowly about 6 mos ago to see how it would go. Like it and thinking of playing them exclusively again.
Exceptions like a little gold and security now and then, of course.
Going to start a separate longer term port and see what happens...not going to watch it daily or even weekly...will check once a month and see what happens.
Hope you are all well and making money.
Let me know how your family is Yvette. I have said prayers for your friend's family too.
How are things going Ray? And you too, Charissa and JSC.
Take care and will stop in again soon.
Excuse me, but I find this a bit troublesome...Who is watching the store...so to speak...
UN: Iraqi Nuclear-Related Materials Have Vanished
2 hours, 3 minutes ago World - Reuters
By Irwin Arieff
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Equipment and materials that could be used to make nuclear weapons are disappearing from Iraq (news - web sites) but neither Baghdad nor Washington appears to have noticed, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency reported on Monday.
Reuters
Slideshow: Iraq
Satellite imagery shows that entire buildings in Iraq have been dismantled. They once housed high-precision equipment that could help a government or terror group make nuclear bombs, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report to the U.N. Security Council.
Equipment and materials helpful in making bombs also have been removed from open storage areas in Iraq and disappeared without a trace, according to the satellite pictures, IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei said.
While some military goods that disappeared from Iraq after the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion, including missile engines, later turned up in scrap yards in the Middle East and Europe, none of the equipment or material known to the IAEA as potentially useful in making nuclear bombs has turned up yet, ElBaradei said.
The equipment -- including high-precision milling and turning machines and electron-beam welders -- and materials -- such as high-strength aluminum -- were tagged by the IAEA years ago, as part of the watchdog agency's shutdown of Iraq's nuclear program. U.N. inspectors then monitored the sites until their evacuation from Iraq just before the war.
The United States barred the inspectors' return after the war, preventing the IAEA from keeping tabs on the equipment and materials up to the present day.
Under anti-proliferation agreements, the U.S. occupation authorities who administered Iraq until June, and then the Iraqi interim government that took power at the end of June, would have to inform the IAEA if they moved or exported any of that material or equipment.
But no such reports have been received since the invasion, officials of the watchdog agency said.
The United States also has not publicly commented on earlier U.N. inspectors' reports disclosing the dismantling of a range of key weapons-making sites, raising the question of whether it was unable to monitor the sites.
'WE SIMPLY DON'T KNOW'
In the absence of any U.S. or Iraqi accounting, council diplomats said the satellite images could mean the gear had been moved to new sites inside Iraq or stolen. If stolen, it could end up in the hands of a government or terrorist group seeking nuclear weapons.
"We simply don't know, although we are trying to get the information," said one council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
U.S. officials had no immediate comment on the report.
President Bush (news - web sites), locked in a tough reelection battle with Senator John Kerry (news - web sites) of Massachusetts, justified the war, in part, by saying that then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) was on the brink of developing a nuclear bomb that he might use against the United States or give to terrorists.
Both men agreed during a Sept. 30 debate that nuclear proliferation is the most serious threat facing the United States.
A new CIA (news - web sites) report last week by chief U.S. weapons investigator Charles Duelfer made clear, however, that Saddam had all but given up on his nuclear program after the first Gulf War (news - web sites) in 1991.
ElBaradei, whose agency dismantled Iraq's nuclear arms program over a decade ago, drew similar conclusions to the Duelfer report well before the March 2003 invasi
Bush, Cheney Concede Saddam Had No WMDs
1 hour, 37 minutes ago Top Stories - AP
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) and his vice president conceded Thursday in the clearest terms yet that Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) had no weapons of mass destruction, even as they tried to shift the Iraq (news - web sites) war debate to a new issue — whether the invasion was justified because Saddam was abusing a U.N. oil-for-food program.
AP Photo
Ridiculing the Bush administration's evolving rationale for war, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) shot back: "You don't make up or find reasons to go to war after the fact."
Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) brushed aside the central findings of chief U.S. weapons hunter Charles Duelfer — that Saddam not only had no weapons of mass destruction and had not made any since 1991, but that he had no capability of making any either — while Bush unapologetically defended his decision to invade Iraq.
"The Duelfer report showed that Saddam was systematically gaming the system, using the U.N. oil-for-food program to try to influence countries and companies in an effort to undermine sanctions," Bush said as he prepared to fly to campaign events in Wisconsin. "He was doing so with the intent of restarting his weapons program once the world looked away."
Duelfer found no formal plan by Saddam to resume WMD production, but the inspector surmised that Saddam intended to do so if U.N. sanctions were lifted. Bush seized upon that inference, using the word "intent" three times in reference to Saddam's plans to resume making weapons.
This week marks the first time that the Bush administration has listed abuses in the oil-for-fuel program as an Iraq war rationale. But the strategy holds risks because some of the countries that could be implicated include U.S. allies, such as Poland, Jordan and Egypt. In addition, the United States itself played a significant role in both the creation of the program and how it was operated and overseen.
For his part, Cheney dismissed the significance of Duelfer's central findings, telling supporters in Miami, "The headlines all say `no weapons of mass destruction stockpiled in Baghdad.' We already knew that."
The vice president said he found other parts of the report "more intriguing," including the finding that Saddam's main goal was the removal of international sanctions.
"As soon as the sanctions were lifted, he had every intention of going back" to his weapons program, Cheney said.
The report underscored that "delay, defer, wait, wasn't an option," Cheney said. And he told a later forum in Fort Myers, Fla., speaking of the oil-for-food program: "The sanctions regime was coming apart at the seams. Saddam perverted that whole thing and generated billions of dollars."
Yet Bush and Cheney acknowledged more definitively than before that Saddam did not have the banned weapons that both men had asserted he did — and had cited as the major justification before attacking Iraq in March 2003.
Bush has recently left the question open. For example, when asked in June whether he thought such weapons had existed in Iraq, Bush said he would "wait until Charlie (Duelfer) gets back with the final report."
In July, Bush said, "We have not found stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction," a sentence construction that kept alive the possibility the weapons might yet be discovered.
On Thursday, the president used the clearest language to date nailing the question shut:
"Iraq did not have the weapons that our intelligence believed were there," Bush said. His words placed the blame on U.S. intelligence agencies.
In recent weeks, Cheney has glossed over the primary justification for the war, most often by simply not mentioning it. But in late January 2004, Cheney told reporters in Rome: "There's still work to be done to ascertain exactly what's there."
"The jury is still out," he told National Public Radio the same week, when asked whether Iraq had possessed banned weapons.
Duelfer's report was presented Wednesday to senators and the public with less than four weeks left in a fierce presidential campaign dominated by questions about Iraq and the war on terror.
In Bayonne, N.J., Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards (news - web sites) on Thursday called "amazing" Cheney's assertions that the Duelfer report justified rather than undermined Bush's decision to go to war, and he accused the Republican of using "convoluted logic."
Kerry, in a campaign appearance in Colorado, said: "The president of the United States and the vice president of the United States may well be the last two people on the planet who won't face the truth about Iraq."
A short time later, while campaigning in Wisconsin, Bush angrily responded to Kerry's charge he sought to "make up" a reason for war.
"He's claiming I misled America about weapons when he, himself, cited the very same intelligence about Saddam weapons programs as the reason he voted to go to war," Bush said. Citing a lengthy Kerry quote from two years ago on the menace Saddam could pose, Bush said: "Just who's the one trying to mislead the American people?"
Good idea Yvette. Adding more bios here. eom
Meant in .62 premarket and out .93 regular market. May get back in...should be good for a few days.
Buying bios after CHIR blowup. Good time to add quality small ones here. eom
Sold most security.
Edit: GNLB a real moneymaker today...premarket from .62 to .93.
Have a great weekend all...taking off until next Tuesday. eom
Larry Kudlow? He is normally so far off the mark it is not funny. As I recall it was reported he had some serious substance abuse problems and was removed from his job for such. He has since made a career of the old CNN factor...which is not noted for its' serious content.
Larry Kudlow? eom
Guys, there is not a whole lot of difference between the two Yale alumni who both belonged to Skull and Bones as did GWB's daddy.
GWB's roots go back generations in the old intrigue game in politics and business.
Kerry is more of a newcomer to the system than GWB and may still have a smidgen of decency left.
GWB made the same mistake his daddy made...looking disinterested and fumbling...during his debates.
History may repeat itself.
Kerry won the debate last night.
Who knows what magic Karl Rove will pull off at the next one.
I want to see Cheney and Edwards debate...ought to be plain old fun to see those two together.
All the debates are so planned we never see the true man or his beliefs...would be nice to see them lose control and let their guards down and be honest.
Slowly buying security stocks on weakness. eom
Ditto...sad selection this time around.
TRAPPE, Md. - John Eisenhower, son of Republican President Eisenhower, said in a newspaper column this week that he will vote for Democratic Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) for president on Nov. 2.
AP Photo
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In a rare public announcement, Eisenhower said he switched his party affiliation from Republican to independent after 50 years after losing confidence in his former party. He said Kerry has demonstrated courage, competence and a concern for tackling the "widening socio-economic gap in this country."
"There are times when we must break with the past, and I believe this is one of them," Eisenhower wrote in the opinion column published Tuesday in The Union Leader of Manchester, N.H.
The column assails President Bush (news - web sites) and the GOP for federal budget deficits, for "unilaterally" invading Iraq (news - web sites) and for infringing on personal liberties.
The Bush campaign had no immediate comment.
Eisenhower, 82, declined to be interviewed Wednesday. His wife, Joanne Eisenhower, said by telephone from their home on Maryland's Eastern Shore that, "This is something he felt strongly about."
"The fact is that today's 'Republican' Party is one with which I am totally unfamiliar. To me, the word 'Republican' has always been synonymous with the word 'responsibility,' which has meant limiting our governmental obligations to those we can afford in human and financial terms.
"Today's whopping budget deficit of some $440 billion does not meet that criterion," Eisenhower wrote.
Eisenhower, a former U.S. ambassador to Belgium and author, was a registered Republican for 50 years — until the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq "as a maverick," he wrote.
"Recent developments indicate that the current Republican Party leadership has confused confident leadership with hubris and arrogance," he wrote.
Eisenhower scolded the Republican leadership for embracing a tax code that "heads us in the direction of a society of very rich and very poor."
"Senator Kerry, in whom I am willing to place my trust, has demonstrated that he is courageous, sober, competent, and concerned with fighting the dangers associated with the widening socio-economic gap in this country," he concluded.
Please do pray...it is terrible for many...many retirees who did not know to buy in these dangerous areas and had never seen a hurricane...I was born in Florida and remember what it was like before the mass transmigration here...these folks did not know not to buy in the low lying areas...so very, very sad and it borders on the criminal for those who sold them a bill of goods...not to mention an expensive condo or retirement home in an expensive community!
Ray, as you probably do not know, we have spent long periods in France...this was our second careers after we retired (sic).
My Grandfather's family was from Luxembourg (Grandmother was from Ireland) and my family was from France as well and both spoke both German and French...and our family does business in both countries to this day.
I can tell you firsthand, that the French consider themselves superior to all and still do not consider themselves Europeans...France is superior to all the world...the old Gaul is divided into three parts, yada, yada etc, is their theory and the rest of Europe are newcomers so to speak...they feel they are superior.
I love the French culture; but, can see their shortcomings as can most of the French who are "in this century so to speak" and are doing business internationally, and do realize they are going by the wayside unless they must bring themselves into the 21st century.
It is probably a losing cause, as they are a culture who still think the government will protect them from the cradle to the grave. Socialized medicine and housing and vacations (four weeks) and protected jobs with two hour lunch breaks with the employer paying part of the lunch in the form of chits, etc. are the norm there...they do have the best with government paying the price...one day it will be over when there is no more money in the treasury
Liked your post a lot and I agree...it just does not take into consideration the mindset of the global "village" at this time.
I am terribly worried for our children and their children and pray for world peace...and do not expect it.
Nice information guys...btw, we came through unscathed again...the luck of the Irish (from my Grandmother was with us!).
Just a lot of debris...no damage...not even to any of our commercial properties with large plate glass windows...please let it continue...the luck that is!
What a world....really looking forward to the debate tomorrow night.
You know a democracy is not a reliable form of government...history tells us the monarchy (as long as you have a good ruler is much more stable). Unfortunately that has not been the case of late.
Too bad we have no good choice this time...as sad an election as I can remember.
Even my longs I had turned out well today and I am holding only VISG after it dumped on news of IDNX getting a $20M government contract for visas. In profits on that one already and plan on adding if it dumps tomorrow.
No golds...sold all traders and holding only a few long term holds.
Planning on buying only physical on the next dip and foregoing miner traders except for the occasional day trade.
Before Jeanne gets us, I just want to put in my 2 cents worth...
I will NOT vote for GWB! Anyone who cannot remember who was killed for what reason will NOT GET MY VOTE!
Anyone who misleads the American people into war by lying and then has any excuse whatsoever, will NOT GET MY VOTE!
Anyone who is leading us into deflation will not get my vote...inflation maybe...deflation NO!
I hate that over 1000 of our people were killed!
I love flipfloppers! At least they have sense enough to change and admit they were wrong!
I will not vote for anyone who takes away even one of my rights!
And I can see that the emperor is wearing NO CLOTHES even though many are praising his attire!
Now....even if you don't like my politics (which have just recently evolved), please say a big prayer for us in Florida!
And remember I do respect your opinions and hope you extend me the same courtesy.
Thanks guys and hope you all have a better weekend than we're expecting!
Remember I am always a little early.eom
Sold all gold today. Few selective longs now. Short term only. Planning on buying physical gold now. Miners only for swing trading.
Started small gold positions today. PXLW has been a good trader for me again Yvette.
Congrats Ray...out for now...FMDAY. Will rebuy at some point.
All cash-day trade only now. eom
Think we see about another 25-35 pts up and then we dump for a bit. We may see a bit down in the morning but then I think we will see the above pts up. I am long a few here and will be out before the weekend.
Take care and hope all here are safe!
Our area has been spared IVAN's wrath...and JEANNE looks like it may miss us too. FRANCES was enough! Not to mention CHARLEY!
I wish all well in IVAN's path...and hope it is milder than they expect.
Lots of clean up though from the wind and rain.
And just plain busy!
Sorry, not a lot of time to post lately....feel we are close to a top here and becoming very skittish.
All cash now.
Day trading only for now.
Will check in and out the rest of the week.
Guys, I am in agony! A close childhood friend of my children's has committed suicide....I have known him and his family all my life.
They are prominent people in our town and so it will be a public event...there are only a few people who know the reason and I am sworn to secrecy and will not even tell my spouse...who understands and say they do not want to know...the suffering is unendurable for the family.
Mother with history of recurring cancer...Father had a serious stroke leaving him impaired...Grandmother diagnosed with dementia recently...and he was an only child who had the best of everything and left a wife and child...very young.
Money does NOT buy happiness!
A true horror!
Say a prayer please for them!
Sorry Yvette, been through this with one of our best friends over the past two years...surgery, chemo and radiation...okay for now...but was the worst kind...we all live day to day...and hope for the best and are never prepared for the worst.
Makes you grateful for all you have...and reminds us all none of us gets out of this alive.
A wakeup call to be grateful for what we have and do the best we can for our families and friends who love us and are loved by us in return.
So sorry for her suffering and the pain of loss for her family and friends.
Healing thoughts and prayers to you and your friend's family.
LG
Fine here but lots of damage over the state...power outages a real problem and we may get IVAN next.
Thanks Ray, we got back to find another one facing us and spent yesterday preparing as well as we can.
Appreciate the good thoughts and please keep them coming...even if we do not get the brunt, a lot of folks will suffer tremendously...Orlando and Winter Park are still bogged down with fallen trees and debris from Charley...just awful.
Have a good weekend and hope I can tell you next week the damage was minimal with no casualties!
Have a good time! eom
FMDAY thoughts today, Ray? Just got on here and see we are dropping. Thanks.
FMDAY... congrats!!! eom
Sorry Yvette, sending prayers to her and her family and you. Have a good trip.
Thanks Ray, watching to see if I need to add...only 1K left now...in and out today.