re: LTCM like disaster, I believe it is inevitable unless we as a nation get brutally honest with ourselves and take some very drastic measures which go against the grain of current policy. The timing of when such an incident may occur is difficult to say, but even during a bull run we have witnessed FNM, FDE, DRL, MBIA, AIG, GM, F and who knows who else disclose troubling news. These may only be the tip of the iceberg... Can you imagine what will float to the surface in a bear market?