To: TATRADER who wrote (34272 ) 12/27/2002 11:20:48 AM From: Smiling Bob Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 59879 Hi Mark Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for offering a thread that consistently promotes sincerity, fairness, and true analysis. And also to all the contributors who share their opinions in a civil manner. To the contrary, the only expertise the experts ever offered was in convincing their audience that their views were of value. On occasion, I listen to the morning radio biz commentary from brokerage house "analysts." I rarely ever, if at all, hear them suggest it may NOT be a good idea to go long. Every morning they do nothing but cheerlead and preach the long-term value. They recite historical numbers. But they always neglect to point out that, unlike in the past, 7 trillion dollars vanished as a direct result of corporate and brokerage greed. Everytime they do, they are violating every code of ethics imaginable. The media that offers up these "analysts" are just as guilty. Because they are presenting them as objective investment analysts when they know exactly why they're there. They are salespeople. They and the firms they represent make a living by controlling other people's money, not by performing. If they went on the air and suggested to stay away from the market, their employer would yank them off. They continue to deceive and misrepresent themselves every time they speak. There remains a clear conflict of interest. They continue to practice deceit even today. End of year window dressing is freely practiced. They can show their clients they owned the better performing stocks. But did they really???Message 18372046 I personally never pursued a job at a brokerage because they had nothing to do with investing. They were just looking for salespeople. A car salesmen isn't handing out bus tokens or suggesting a good mechanic. A real estate salesperson isn't telling you to rent for now. An aluminum siding salesperson won't tell you to paint. America has been fleeced and they will demand more than a slap on the wrist. Retirees who helped lay the groundwork for America's prosperity have been stripped of their nest eggs. Brokers remain great shorts. They need a complete overhaul before anyone should be willing to associate with or promote these names.