To: Bald Eagle who wrote (26619 ) 4/24/1999 12:02:00 PM From: Suzanne Newsome Respond to of 44908
Baldy, hot down there in New Orleans? You must be in pretty good shape to run in the heat and humidity of N. O. But on to nastier subjects! Ditch is certainly entitled to his opinion if you consider yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater where there is no evidence of smoke or flames to be a statement of opinion. I stand by my statement that Ditch's comment was unsubstantiated and inflammatory. You said, "There have been many statements here over the months where several people have said that they think the stock price will be well into the dollars by now. If DD's statement is irresponsible, then these unsubstantiated predictions about stock price are just as irresponsible." Some of these predictions have been frank attempts by daytraders to manipulate the stock. You are too kind to call these people "irresponsible." Some of the people making these predictions have supported their claims with elaborate calculations. At various times, I thought their assumptions were too optimistic or too conservative. Some of the calculations have been rather compelling, however. Some of the predictions have come from sincere investors with no ulterior motive whose worst crime may be "overexuberance." To the credit of the TSIG thread, some of the overexuberant have been asked to tone it down. Some of the predictions have come from management. Yikes! Has this been a cold-blooded attempt to delude the public? Or was it a politician putting the best possible spin on things in order to keep the doors open? Your call. Undoubtedly, we have noticed a pattern in which management does tend to put optimistic timelines on future events. Perhaps the thread should get in the habit of extending these timelines in an acceptance of reality. With reference to your frustration that "the stories keep changing," the simple problem is that "the story keeps changing!" TSIG's story, that is. Look at the dramatic shift occurring when John Hwang came on board and the ensuing division devoted to e-solutions for e-business. Who foresaw that 6-8 months ago? TSIG is going through a very dynamic phase right now that makes the predictions business one to avoid. One may as well try to predict the weather! One greatly under-discussed subject is the e-business division of the company. What does this mean? What is this going to look like? What do you charge for this stuff? What is the market for these services? How many people does it require to provide such services? There are undoubtedly many computer people on the board who could help us technology-impaired to understand this newest part of the company. Bald Eagle, you want to start? Regards, Suzanne