Craig and ALL -- A few more thoughts on our approach:
First, please tred VERY LIGHTLY. We're walking in uncharted territory and there's real danger of "those we won't mention" turning this to their advantage. Remember, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned or a short about to be burned. WE'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE -- i.e., the media getting a hold of this story and "misunderstanding" it. Won't be the first time a "misunderstanding" has cost of thousands.
We've got to stick to a few basics:
- We have ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IN CYMER, its straight-shooting management, its hard-working employees and its communications team that's trying hard to get the real story out to analysts and institutions.
- We're NOT DOING THIS TO SHAKE DOWN MGMT for answers to why our stock's slid too much for all of us to think about. We all know the story at this point.
- WE'RE STARTING A TREND. We're about to embark on a revolutionary use of the Internet to give collective voice to individual shareholders. Before the Internet, this would have been so impractical that it would have been considered impossible. The media loves to write TREND stories. EXPECT MEDIA COVERAGE.
- WE'RE NOT CYMER'S PR DEPT. What we're about to do is star in a play about a company called Cymer. Our audience can be millions if the media decide to broadcast it nationwide.
- THERE ARE OTHER ACTORS IN THIS PLAY -- both good and not so good.
- WE'VE GOT TO PLAY A SINGLE PART. I vote for supportive investors vs. pissed-off investors -- because the media does not understand complex characters. If we're vague in any of our 'gestures,' then the media will pick up on only those that present the most conflict -- because that's what sells papers. We're not "giving away the store" by playing our part well as supportive investors. (Now, if you don't trust mgmt, and I don't see any reason at this point to distrust them, that's a whole different matter. Remember, the bad guys in this play are "those we won't mention." not Cymer mgmt.) If we do trust mgmt, and the thread's sentiment seems to support it, then we've got to stick to our part and not waffle.
- THIS IS A BIG GAME. We've got to keep our emotions in check. What you've discovered, Craig, is how all of us can play an active part in this game, instead of sitting back and watching. Let's do this thing right.
Good luck to all of us. |
