To: tcmay who wrote (168748 ) 7/26/2002 8:34:21 AM From: Road Walker Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 186894 TC, re: I doubt the May-June warnings were noticed by many. Look at the big picture. Tech wasn't recovering in Q1. Intel and most other tech companies thought it was recovering in the first quarter. The warnings have had a direct effect and an indirect effect on the economy. Consumers obviously feel less confident and secure if their lives are threatened. Companies feel less confident and secure if consumers feel less confident and secure. Remember after 9/11, when you and others were predicting "the second wave" of terrorist attacks? You suggested that everyone should stay home, not spend money, not visit the mall, not fly on airplanes. That the U.S. had become a very dangerous place. The administrations policy of issuing warnings of vague or specific terrorist targets, bridges or the Statue of Liberty, is extending that unrealistic fear. It's also a great way to get the political support to increase the power of government agencies, to establish a Department of Homeland Security, and to get authorization to topple a certain foreign government that has been a thorn in the families legacy. Now that the market is really tanking, a terrorist warning carries the risk of a further decline in the market and in approval ratings. And the terrorist warnings have stopped. Do you believe the terrorists have suddenly stopped their activity? re: "or whatever Ridge, Reichsfuhrer fur den HomeSec" Funny. The Department of Homeland Security does have a more ominous sound when spoken with a German accent. The fact is that consumer demand is the result of consumer confidence, and consumer confidence is impaired by fears of terrorist attacks. It's not the only thing that's hurting the "recovery", but it's one of the things. John