FROM THE GHOST OF HARTCOURT CHRISTMAS PAST. HO HO HO HE HE HE HA HA HA December 10th, 1999 HO HO HO HE HE HE HA HA HA
CHEERS CHUMP!!
==================================
Dear Shareholders:
I would like to thank you for the strongest support
Hartcourt has ever received. The shortsellers and their paid bashers have sharply increased their attacks on HRCT and our share price kept going up. I salute your determination in holding strong against the quick-profit temptation.
Since they could not find any fault with the company, they have chosen to lash out on me personally. It does not bother me a bit, but as shareholders, you are my comrade-in-arms, and you deserve to know better. First of all, the summary of my resume is all I will disclose about my background to the public. I am a very private person, not a rock star, not a politician, not a priest; and I don't think I have to share with everybody where I keep my cigars. If you don't like my qualification, just sell your share and walk away.
For your valuation, the most important issue should be
whether I have any skeleton in the closet or any character or moral defect that will affect the operation of Hartcourt. Here is the real test. I have never been convicted of any wrongdoing in any court of laws and I have never declared bankruptcy. Yes, during the last 30 years, I had 4 parking tickets, yes, I had 3 late payments on my bills, yes, one guy called me an arrogant son of a bitch, yes, I flunk my piano test, yes, the IRS audited my tax returns 3 times (and gave me a clean bill of health all 3 times) and so on.
Since we are talking about my personal character, I would like to share a few stories. Four months ago, I was negotiating with this Executive VP of a major Internet corporation. He proposed that I and his company should form another private company, he would fund us $50 Million and I should arrange to take all these Chinese contracts to the new company which should be easy.What about the Hartcourt shareholders?, I asked. Why should it be your concern? With us, you can do an IPO later, and you will be rich beyond your dream, he replied. I walked out of the meeting, reminding him, There is one problem: in my world, there are something called honesty, integrity and loyalty.? You see, there are thousand ways to make money, there is only one way to keep your soul. I am not and will never be a deserter.
I live a simple life. I have everything I ever need in this world: a small 2-bedroom condo, a library next door, free classes at the university, 2 hours of tennis every morning, 1 hour at the gym in the evening with a vegetarian dinner afterwards. When Hartcourt was my own private company, I traveled in Business Class. Now, it's your money , so, I traveled in Economy. Unless I marry Julia Roberts, I really
wouldn't know what to do with a million dollars. Money
is never my motivation; but building an Internet
empire is a game that I will play with everything I've got to win. And the empire is taking shape rapidly.
Besides the Sinobull.com IPO and the Innostar joint venture, I will have a few pleasant surprises for you, before and after the New Year. These are my gifts to you. Please accept , share with your loved ones and count our blessings.
One more things about these letters. My lawyer keeps
reminding me that I should not disclose any new news and should not hype the HRCT stock. I did exactly that. However, he also advised that I should not sound optimistic because if the share price decreases, I might have a few lawsuits to answer to. It reminds me of the time when I was in the Army fighting the communists in Vietnam. When I charged up the hill to overtake the enemy's position, I did not stop to wonder if these Vietcong would sue my ass if I failed. It was the do-or-die, black-and white world. It is the same with Hartcourt now. There is no other option except the ultimate victory.
I am sorry if this personal stuff makes you uneasy. I just want to set the records straight and prepare you for the coming bashings. The higher the share price, the dirtier the attacks from these insects. May I also take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Spiritual Christmas and a Great New Year, filled with health, happiness and Hartcourt shares. Sinobull too. I have given it my best and I am not through yet. Sincerely,
Dr. Alan Phan
Chairman & CEO
December 10th, 1999 |
