To: Stephen Goldfarb who wrote (4697 ) 9/11/1999 9:27:00 PM From: Stephen Goldfarb Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 7209
Off topic (perhaps). From reading various posts about stocks (some of which I hold) on SI and Raging Bull, I am reminded of an old joke. A young married couple had a set of male twins. They were alike in every respect. But, as their sons grew, their parents noticed a pronounced and vital difference. One of the twins was a constant optimist. The other an inveterate pessimist. No matter what problem or ill fate befell the optimistic twin, he would always see some good in it. And no matter what good thing happened to the pessimistic twin, he would always find reason for suspicion, doubt, or the worst possible interpretation. The parents were concerned at how extreme each twin was in his attitude. They felt they had to do something to restore some balance in the outlook of each. Christmas was approaching. So, the parents decided they would make a dramatic effort to pierce the extreme attitude of each of their boys. For the pessimistic twin, they went all out to purchase the most desirable gifts they thought that any young boy would like. They spared no expense. They purchased games and toys and bicycles and athletic equipment galore. Surely, when the pessimistic twin found these gifts on Christmas Day, he would brighten his attitude and outlook. For the optimistic son, they purchased a truckload of horse manure. Their plan was to fill his room with it. Christmas Day arrived. The pessimistic son found the enormous number of wonderful gifts awaiting him. His sour demeanor did not change a bit. "With all these toys," he said, "I am being set up for some very grave and disappointing happening." The optimistic son bounded into his room to find it filled with horse manure. His face brightened even more as he looked through the pile of manure with increased anticipation. "What are you so happy about," asked the startled parents. The son replied, "With all this horse manure, there has got to be a pony around here somewhere." Steve