Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Heinz Blasnik- Views You Can Use -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: orkrious who wrote (1129)	5/12/2003 5:08:35 PM
From: Earlie	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 4908

Ork: I am witnessing the same kind of thing..... darned near everywhere I go. There is a palpable fear out there which the multiple lay-off waves have created. Too many guys and gals now know too many friends and acquaintances who have been chopped and they are getting (deservedly) spooked. Of course, reduced levels of spending by the consumer won't have any impact on "second half" IT spending (and if you don't believe me, just ask any analyst). (VBG) Best, Earlie

To: orkrious who wrote (1129)	5/12/2003 5:11:36 PM
From: Wyätt Gwyön	Respond to of 4908

there was an article today in the WSJ about a 57-yr-old in dire straits. he "retired" from LTV a couple years ago w/full pension and benefits. but then they went bankrupt and there went his pension and benefits. now he and his wife have to rely on their "nest egg" of $35,000. he is in poor health, so his health insurance costs more than $2800 a month. so he basically has to choose between going without insurance (which is not good for his chances of living) and running through all his money in one year. depressing tale, which i suspect will be repeated across much of the old economy where inverted age pyramids and pension/OPEB obligations perversely encourage bankruptcy. in this particular man's case, his former company was brought out of bankruptcy and is now profitable, but they don't pay him anything thanks to the wonders of American bankruptcy code.

To: orkrious who wrote (1129)	5/12/2003 5:36:07 PM
From: Win-Lose-Draw	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 4908

i'm not very old, and even i can already recall several distinct "the US is dying!" periods. there was the xenophobia that peaked with Japan, Inc buying the Rockefeller Center. there was the Gary North hysteria around the impending collapse of the entire US banking system when the S&L nonsense hit, there was the asian flu/russian default/LTCM three-pointer that any numer of pundits were tsk-tsking about. and just last year 80% of the people posting on this thread were absolutely convinced that JPM was going to implode the global economy due to derivatives. the end of civilization is a low-probability event and betting money on it is a suckers bet. most here trade options. that makes you/us part of the derivative game. which makes Zero sense if you honestly believe the party on the other end is in legit danger of defaulting.