**OT** Ian, regarding your post to me; you point is well taken, and I'll be happy to respond:
1. This thread is intended, (according to the guy that started it), as a vehicle for the general discussion of Ascend Communications.
2. There are certain courtesies "expected" by the participants both in that discussion, an obvious one being: no cursing.
3. There are certain laws that we all must abide by. I cannot, for example, commit libel or slander against Ascend Communications without culpability. I can't use the Internet to commit misdemeanors or felonies with impunity.
4. Beyond these, in general, the rules are rather vague, but getting more specific every day.
5. The Internet is, IMHO, of a similar magnitude to the invention of moveable type. It dwarfs the telephone or the television.
6. Everyone in the United States of America has First Amendment rights.
Now, let's be very specific. Am I attempting to censor Tim's posts? If you want to look at it that way, then yes, indeed I am. Tim knows that. It has nothing to do with the First Amendment . It has nothing to do with Tim, actually, other than he's the one I'm communicating to. It could be Sector Investor or Gary Korn or anyone else.
One of my concerns, as you pointed out, is that others on the thread will lose money because they made a stupid move. You are right, there is no law against that. There is, however, a fine line here that you should be aware of. We are not talking about comic book collecting here. The securities industry is extremely regulated. An investment professional, (we both know some), has to pass tests and obtain licenses. If he or she breaks the main rules, he or she is punished in various degrees of severity, from losing said license to visiting the Walled-In Astoria. If Tim were a stockbroker, the SEC and the NASD would be looking at these calls he makes very closely. "Hinting" about a buyout is a, uh, no-no. (If you think the SEC and the NASD don't monitor SI, you're in a dream.)
Every post ever made on SI is available to anyone with access to the Internet. If one want a transcript, just click the mouse button. And if one is using free non-professional advice off the Internet to make specific, short term investment decisions, I think one is psychotic.
Tim is not a broker. The other guys that post up their opinions of when and where a stock will go at some point in the near future are not brokers. And that is one of the things that annoys me. I don't think Tim should be making those calls. That's my "problem", not Tim's.
But Ian, that was not the point of my post to Tim. Let's take Tim out of the conversation right now.
I'm here to contribute to the fabric of the thread. (!) The social discourse here, IMHO, should be directed at the betterment of all of those involved. Gary has a contribution to make, getgo has a contribution, Maverick, Sector, Tim, all those that are here and all those that have ever posted on the thread, all have a positive contribution. That is how we learn. My personal philosophy could be summated as: "keep it light, avoid the bad and reinforce the good." That's what I am trying to contribute to the thread. I speak from experience. I own Ascend. I am making a humble attempt to control money that is invested in the market. I can use some help. That's what I'm trying to take away from this thread.
Anyone who communicates with the intention of making others feel worse is not welcome in my home. Just as I don't want a criminal or a drug addict baby-sitting my 2 year old son, I don't want that kind of communication on this thread. Is it here? Yes. Will it continue? Probably. Will I continue to object to it? Yes. Will I, in a sociable way, try and steer the train if I think it starts to go off in the wrong direction? Yes. Can I tell when someone has the intention to make someone else feel worse? Count on it. Anyone who tries to make me or any of my friends feel worse will hear from me. First Amendment!
Ian, I appreciate your post, and thank you for it.
Now, who has the next big GX550 contract? Anyone?
Gotta run, dudes, :o) pete
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