I have tried to read some of this discussion today.
You brought something interesting up with you mentioned A@P.
People always blast me when I say I like him. But I do, even though he did once post my business plan. That's besides the point though.
He is a negative poster. He outs frauds. He makes a living doing it. Fine, his style. He's hated on boards by longs who where blindfolds. He's appreciated by longs who pay attention and analyze things (me). And loved by those who short, because he's nearly always right.
He posts negative stuff and I don't remember a time when he was wrong. You do the same. You post negative stuff.
There are three major differences between you and Tony.
1) He has a very visible track record, which gives him credibilty, because of his central thread 2) He has style, charisma, flair, knows how to have fun and changes his attitude as needed. not always a sour puss and often posts long trades 3) *most important* He fires from a cockpit. He doesn't get in everybody's face and chase people around and stalk them, post their phone numbers and IP addresses. What does that have to do with the fundamentals of the company in question? In his old days, sure, he'd go in there, say a few words on the board, but then he was done. He'd let time speak louder than his words.
And over time, because of this, he gained a following. That allowed him to keep firing from his cockpit (his central board) and profit from it. Investors who weren't blindfolded and looked at all angles, would follow him. And they profited or cut their losses. He was always on the money and wasn't harassing. He knew he was right and never had to constantly pound his opinion into anybody (like you do). Matter of fact, he wouldn't pound his opinion into you. He'd let you eat crow because you opened your mouth.
He'd let time prove him right. And people eventually learned that and listened. If he was always abrasive to every poster who replied to him, he would have never gotten any respect. He would have still been in the same piddly fights with the touts/promoters/stupid longs like you get into. Waste of time and crediblity.
My point being, is that you can be a major asset to any site you choose, but you need to focus and get a tone/personality overhaul if you want to be effective. People will bookmark you if you are right. Go into a board, express your opinion, and get out. You won't have to argue your view many more times after that and constantly defend yourself. People will come to you. Right now, you just look like a crazy woman going on to these boards attacking people and stocks. That gives you no crediblity whatsoever. And it's often just your tone, not your content. The useless little fights and personal attacks (engaging them or making them) tremendously takes away from your content.
There is a place on iHub for a good scam buster. People need this service. They need someone who is good at research. But if you keep doing it the way you are, you are always going to be getting in fights, complaining people are attacking you, and subsequently getting suspended.
How many wars are fought without a central base?
Ah hell, I'm rambling, so let me continue. I've got a few Pepsi's left in me.
To respond to your response that you will respond with:
i started out nice, then people attack me, so i fight back
Well, no kidding. If you walk into a party where everybody is there talking passionately about this one stock they own (vested interest, unlike you), and you come in there with your sassy posts, nobody knows your from Adam and say "The company you guys are talking about is suspect. It's a loser company. Toxic financing. SEC lawsuits. It's going Bk." The music stops. Everybody is like "Who the **** is this person?" That's when it gets nasty. It's all in the attitude and presentation. Of course they are going to lash back at you. Lighten up your presentation a bit. Work your way in there. Ask some questions and poke holes in their responses, showing them why the answers are wrong or tainted. But don't insult them or call them stupid. Teach them how to invest and research better. And they'll thank and respect you for doing it that way. You *might* be right with what you said initially. But that's besides the point, if nobody takes your information and processes it.
Then the worse part is, after you throw the first punch, you stay there. Day in, day out, spitting on the people at the party, taunting them, responding to their attacks, watching their stock dive. Dancing on the carcass. Of course that pisses people off and why they find you repulsive. You should have gone into the party and taught them a thing or two. Not totally destroyed the community that existed there. Good things could come from the board if you teach them why they were wrong. You come in there and punch the people and you are dang right they are going to punch you back. Just as you do. But there didn't have to be a brawl in the first place.
And in my final chapter of War and Peace, I will conclude with an analysis of how Mary does it and how Tony does it.
Tony walks into the VLPI party of longs. "VLPI <---- A zero, consider selling now, for the following reasons ... : http://www.insidetruth.com/reports/report_VLPI.htm -- well documented, contains HUMOR, but gets his point across." He might respond to a few posts. But then he is done. He let's what he said was going to happen, happen. And it normally does. So it's a waste of his time to stay in there and argue with a bunch of people who are paid to make people believe he is full of BS. He can move on to another 'zero' and make some more money. Because he has crediblity and does relentless research before opening his trap. Not known for fighting with people. But yet, known for nailing scam stocks. It's hard to poke holes in his research.
Mary walks into the VLPI party of longs. "VLPI is a suspect company. I don't think this. I don't think that. I beleive this. I believe that." Yeah, whatever. If you are going to state something, make sure it's credible and accuate. Don't waste your time posting something you know isn't true or half-researched (your are known for this). If it's true, state it as such. Otherwise, don't post. If it's 100% true, then it's bulletproof. People can't argue it. And you can't get sued and lose over it. You start off with a small post. Then people open up on you. You argue for months with them. They are so caught up in the argument and your 'beliefs' that they think they can show you post half-truths. In the meantime, they are caught up in the arguing and are having to piece together your diatrabe....and subsequently lose money, as the scam is unfolded SLOWLY. Then, they just get ticked, while you dance over the grave of this stocks -- months or years later. Go in there, make your point, and get on with your life. Go back to your cockpit and continue to do research. Turn it in to the SEC FBI and get the POS halted. While you are at it, make some freaking money off of it. If you really do believe what you post, put your money where your mouth is and short the stock. Don't act like Mothera Teresa. This is the stock market. Nobody is looking after you, except you.
I would like to make another point while I am on the topic of SEC, bashers, touts, etc. Bashers do not destroy companies. Longs/touts do not make companies. Companies and their fundamentals make companies. Companies and their fundaments destroy companies. And the stock market is always right. A scam will always be shut down. And a great company will always thrive.
Now you know what I really think.
I am out of Pepsi now so I am going to let my post sink in.