Memory lane; I took a trip down it and reread the first 30 posts on this thread. I miss those days. We had a good mix of posters and viewpoints and there were no limits on the topics that we embraced. Since then I've seen some changes. Like the SD11 thread, (but not nearly as pronounced) there is less tolerance for those whose views make certain of us mad. I'm not sure who among us get mad but I know they're there because Kodiak posts that he gets PMs from them asking him to boot others off. At one time or another we've seen Slider, Isopatch, Steelie, Dale Baker and now Ray get booted. On the other, conservative, side I've read some pretty extremist viewpoints strongly stated with no whisper of "official" concern.
The bottom line for me is that I question the vitality of a "nodding heads" thread where counter views are welcome but only when they are carefully stated and not too "counter." That seems boring to me and, for some reason, a little uncomfortable.
I've enjoyed the 2-3 years I've "known" most of you. I believe Kodiak and Kollmh, while misguided politically (g) are admirable, intelligent men with a lot of wisdom and I've benefitted from the insights they've offered. The same is true for Gottfried, Rory, Warp, Dabum, Steelie, Michael, Sharp, Whitepine, Telemarker, Razor, CpsOmis, Metaltrader, DianaG and a host of others.
Ive never been sure enough of my stock picks to offer the strong guidance some of you have and for that, I'm sorry. I would have liked to have helped us all find that hidden gem that turned into a msft. It's just as well I never tried too hard since this year I will likely suffer my first yearly loss. For everything else I've offered I have no regrets.
It's been fun and informative disagreeing with you and agreeing with you. I've enjoyed being a guest here and I defer to the right of the owners of the thread to slightly alter their focus, even if it leaves some of us a little on the outside. I wish you all luck in wealth and life and I have no hard feelings.
All good runs come to an end sometimes-even the A's lost. Of course this is the year of the Raiders. Adios my friends. Ed, from California. |
