chic,
I realize you were addressing SI Admin Bob in your post, but I'm going to stick my two cents worth in anyway. <g>
I am a long term, buy-and-hold type of investor. As such, I realize that the market goes up and the market goes down. I have cyber-friends on SI that are day traders, swing traders, longs, shorts and all kinds of other investment strategies. I get along well with all of them, even though our strategies are vastly different. Sometimes I will see a trader has posted that s/he is short a stock where I have a long position. Do I get upset about this? No. In the skimpy times frames where traders make/lose money, my stocks are going to be volatile to some extent. I realize this and have freely elected to ride out any volatility over time. So I don't "attack" those who are short my stock. And I don't look at it as though they have their fingers in my wallet. My strategy is to have time work for me, and history shows this to be a winning strategy, as most stocks appreciate at approximately 10% or 11% per annum on average. I am an investor, not a trader. There is a difference.
However, people who do fight with the shorts (or the longs) do so because (usually) their position on any given day is diametrically opposed to the the short (or long) position. Take a look at the threads with lots of squabbles without posting your opinions or comments. Generally speaking, you will find swing traders (or sometimes day traders), but mostly people who call themselves long term investors with a long position. On the other side, you will find the shorts, who by definition are short term traders with short positions. I can understand the long traders arguing the merits of their position with the short traders, but the true thread longs shouldn't even be involved in the dispute. If they are truly long term investors, then they should be willing and able to ride out volatility. And there's the rub. They label themselves as long term investors, but in reality they are not. They are traders masquerading as investors; fair weather friends if you prefer that label.
Simply avoid posting on threads where herd mentality rules the roost, and you'll avoid most of the squabbles. And develop a thick skin. Learn to disregard the rude commentary emanating from the ignorant masses, and focus instead on your total returns, whether from a long position or a short position. You'll be much happier and live longer for the effort. He who laughs last laughs best. No one else has to know how hard you're laughing at any given moment, if you catch my drift. <g>
A good day to you.
KJC |
