the energizer bunny rally keeps going
todays range..st 1265 to 1270
longer terms both still at 1180 to 1275
we are much closer to top of ranges than bottoms and vix is aproaching levels associeated with past sell offs
Monday, November 28, 2005
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
morning
no change in loner ranges..today short term is 1257 to 1237
Each year at this time as we all begin to think…at least those of us here inthe United States of the many joys of thanksgiving, those joyous reunions offamilies that damn near always end with cousin Roy and Uncle Bob bashingeach other about the head and face with turkey legs over some long forgottenslight and Aunt Edna tippling off the better part of your expensive whiskeystash, whilst those apples of our eyes, the wee ones fling mashed potatoesand peas at each other with great abandon, those delightful moments offalling asleep watching the pitiful Detroit Lions play on the onlynationally televised game they ever appear in, too stuffed with obsceneamounts of food to even reach for the remote, instead lying there, pantsunsnapped, a great turkey bloated island of a creature..this gloriousholiday of overeating, alka seltzer and grand hangover creation. To saynothing of the joy of getting to our destination…7 hour drives in snow andrain, bumper to bumper traffic and construction zones, airports seethingwith frustrated humanity and helpful personnel so delighted at working thisholiday they are only too pleased to assist by telling you EXACTLY whereto go; yes then, the Joy of the Season is upon us .In spite of these many happy journeys and gatherings it is a day or a timewhen it is good to reflect upon those many blessings and wonders that havebeen bestowed upon us, through friends, family, Democracy, markets and to begrateful for the spark of unbridled humanity that runs in all our veins Ispeak here more of the humanity that Ayn rand wrote of than the give tillhurts and the bleed some more that the word humanity seem to be defined astoday. Each of us has been a gift called life and a chance to learn,experience, achieve, fail, to taste both the dust and the glory that islife. That in and of itself is reason to be thankful.In addition to that, each of us have more to be grateful for..a and along
books, a particular moment or place that has touched out lives. I know I do.I am thankful that I grew up in a time and place where a 16 year old boy/mankicked out of his parents(with great justification I might add..look uphoodlum/idiot/heathen and you have the start of the story of my teen years.My mother threw me out. How she found the restrain not to beat me to a pulpand feed me to the neighbors dogs I ll never know) could work mornings as adishwasher, afternoons as a cook and go to night school and break the traphe had set for himself, take a job as a traveling salesman and leave theghetto behind, spend 5 years knocking on doors, learning about himself,about people, how to sell, to communicate, traveling one end of the countryto the other in an experience I would not trade today for anything as itformed the core of who I would become. I am grateful every day that I amblessed and graced by whatever powers the universe be it pure mathematics orthe Irish-catholic God ( I was much scolded for not typing the Deity’s namein caps in a previous post. I ask said Deity for her forgiveness and correctmy error here)of my youth with two children, a daughter of 21 years, abeautiful child whose laugh is so quick and smile so bright one would neverguess how bravely and fiercely she fought the illness that has plagued herthe last few years, a bright, determined young woman who for reasons thatescape me most day loves her father and brings much laughter and happinessto his life, and has impressed him with her determination to overcomeobstacles and steer a course through life that she has chosen and will notwaver from: the lanky shaggy haired 17 year old boy(how can they see withtheir hair like that) who is the proverbial class clown, too quick wittedfor his own good at times, who has proven to be a hard working young man of",1]
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the way, the earned gift of intellect family, friends, great music, greatbooks, a particular moment or place that has touched out lives. I know I do.I am thankful that I grew up in a time and place where a 16 year old boy/mankicked out of his parents(with great justification I might add..look uphoodlum/idiot/heathen and you have the start of the story of my teen years.My mother threw me out. How she found the restrain not to beat me to a pulpand feed me to the neighbors dogs I ll never know) could work mornings as adishwasher, afternoons as a cook and go to night school and break the traphe had set for himself, take a job as a traveling salesman and leave theghetto behind, spend 5 years knocking on doors, learning about himself,about people, how to sell, to communicate, traveling one end of the countryto the other in an experience I would not trade today for anything as itformed the core of who I would become. I am grateful every day that I amblessed and graced by whatever powers the universe be it pure mathematics orthe Irish-catholic God ( I was much scolded for not typing the Deity’s namein caps in a previous post. I ask said Deity for her forgiveness and correctmy error here)of my youth with two children, a daughter of 21 years, abeautiful child whose laugh is so quick and smile so bright one would neverguess how bravely and fiercely she fought the illness that has plagued herthe last few years, a bright, determined young woman who for reasons thatescape me most day loves her father and brings much laughter and happinessto his life, and has impressed him with her determination to overcomeobstacles and steer a course through life that she has chosen and will notwaver from: the lanky shaggy haired 17 year old boy(how can they see withtheir hair like that) who is the proverbial class clown, too quick wittedfor his own good at times, who has proven to be a hard working young man of
caused so many family dinners to turn into affairs of hysterical laughter ofthe table pounding, lung wheezing variety( this is occasionally problematicif said dinner is a public establishment),who in spite of his tough guydemeanor will still give his old father a hug in front of his buddies andtell his old man he loves him. He has inherited a tad too much of hisfathers love of the good times and long legged beauties but there isgreatness in him.I am thankful that in a world of second chances my father,, he of the StJohns degree and seven languages who walked out in a drunken stupor when Iwas six found the raw courage and sobriety to walk back in when I was 16.That a man whose fall from grace extended all the way to the streets couldfind a redemption that made him a legend among the drunks of Baltimore forhow many he eventually helped on the road to recovery before he died so damnmany years ago. He lost everything, even his very self but found his wayback, recovering his dignity, his family and his self. He has been gone forover 22 years now and I still regard him as the bravest man I ever met alongthe path of life.I am thankful that my mother lived in a time and a place where when findingherself alone with 4 children in a tenement, one dollar to her name, tooproud to take welfare or assistance, armed with nothing but her intelligence, determination and love for her children she could carve a life for us all.Where all the presents came from at Christmas time and birthdays on thesalary of a data entry clerk with all those mouths to feed came from I allnever know. She worked on through it all, a chronically ill daughter withasthma and assorted complications so bad Johns Hopkins Doctors made a careerof studying her case, a son with a wild streak who fought and stole, in and",1]
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a thrifty nature for all his tom foolery, whose impressions and antics havecaused so many family dinners to turn into affairs of hysterical laughter ofthe table pounding, lung wheezing variety( this is occasionally problematicif said dinner is a public establishment),who in spite of his tough guydemeanor will still give his old father a hug in front of his buddies andtell his old man he loves him. He has inherited a tad too much of hisfathers love of the good times and long legged beauties but there isgreatness in him.I am thankful that in a world of second chances my father,, he of the StJohns degree and seven languages who walked out in a drunken stupor when Iwas six found the raw courage and sobriety to walk back in when I was 16.That a man whose fall from grace extended all the way to the streets couldfind a redemption that made him a legend among the drunks of Baltimore forhow many he eventually helped on the road to recovery before he died so damnmany years ago. He lost everything, even his very self but found his wayback, recovering his dignity, his family and his self. He has been gone forover 22 years now and I still regard him as the bravest man I ever met alongthe path of life.I am thankful that my mother lived in a time and a place where when findingherself alone with 4 children in a tenement, one dollar to her name, tooproud to take welfare or assistance, armed with nothing but her intelligence, determination and love for her children she could carve a life for us all.Where all the presents came from at Christmas time and birthdays on thesalary of a data entry clerk with all those mouths to feed came from I allnever know. She worked on through it all, a chronically ill daughter withasthma and assorted complications so bad Johns Hopkins Doctors made a careerof studying her case, a son with a wild streak who fought and stole, in and
associate the all around great guy I am today with this misguided waywardyouth).She worked until eventual retirement as highly placed computer expertfor the State of Maryland Judicial system, just in time for my stepfather toslip into Parkinson’s related dementia. She cared for him as well until hedied. She is a woman of fierce determination and strength. I don’t know howin the hell she did it but all four of us are still here, and even when wedon’t thrive, we survive. She passed much onto her children, the chiefquality being that I cannot imagine one of us going quietly anywhere, muchless the good night.I am thankful for books, my loyal companion and friend for many a lazyafternoon and many a dark night. Without my deep love for reading andlearning I am still a dishwasher and fry cook living on the back edges ofBaltimore. Books taught me to want, to dream, and then provided me theknowledge and skill to chase down those dreams and desires. My small condois crammed with books. The garage would make a librarian swoon with desire.Much of who I am and what I have comes from books. One of my earliestmemories was Mom taking us all to the bookmobile when it came to the localgrocery store and loading up on books. The staff of the bookmobile hated us.They way my mom, sisters and I read meant the inventory had to be replacedmore often than any other bookmobile in service. Mom never edited ourchoices. Hemingway, dick Gregory, hunter Thompson, the Illiad,malcom x,Faulkner…I read them all before junior high(Harold robbins too but I alwayschecked those out when she wasn’t looking). Mom didn’t care what we read aslong as we read.I am thankful for music, that backdrop of our lives.For Mozart andBeethoven, for Johnny cash and merle haggard, for jimmy buffet and jerryJeff walker, for guns and roses and motley crue, muddy waters, pinetop",1]
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out of juvie facilities(yes that was me in case you find it as so many do toassociate the all around great guy I am today with this misguided waywardyouth).She worked until eventual retirement as highly placed computer expertfor the State of Maryland Judicial system, just in time for my stepfather toslip into Parkinson’s related dementia. She cared for him as well until hedied. She is a woman of fierce determination and strength. I don’t know howin the hell she did it but all four of us are still here, and even when wedon’t thrive, we survive. She passed much onto her children, the chiefquality being that I cannot imagine one of us going quietly anywhere, muchless the good night.I am thankful for books, my loyal companion and friend for many a lazyafternoon and many a dark night. Without my deep love for reading andlearning I am still a dishwasher and fry cook living on the back edges ofBaltimore. Books taught me to want, to dream, and then provided me theknowledge and skill to chase down those dreams and desires. My small condois crammed with books. The garage would make a librarian swoon with desire.Much of who I am and what I have comes from books. One of my earliestmemories was Mom taking us all to the bookmobile when it came to the localgrocery store and loading up on books. The staff of the bookmobile hated us.They way my mom, sisters and I read meant the inventory had to be replacedmore often than any other bookmobile in service. Mom never edited ourchoices. Hemingway, dick Gregory, hunter Thompson, the Illiad,malcom x,Faulkner…I read them all before junior high(Harold robbins too but I alwayschecked those out when she wasn’t looking). Mom didn’t care what we read aslong as we read.I am thankful for music, that backdrop of our lives.For Mozart andBeethoven, for Johnny cash and merle haggard, for jimmy buffet and jerryJeff walker, for guns and roses and motley crue, muddy waters, pinetop
and frank sinatra,waylon Jennings and david allan coe, handel and vivaldi Ihave cried bitter tears to a backdrop of sad music, celebrated victories toraucous rock and roll, romanced to the strains of water music, danced thenight away to hot blues, and reflected life’s mysteries to sweet rollingwaves of jazz. It has been a constant of my life and I cannot imagine lifewithout the ongoing soundtrack.I am as always grateful for the spec list and the chance to grow and learnthat my 5 years here have offered. I have learned much, grown much andprofited in more ways than can be explained form my participation in thisunique experience. Each of you have added to my base of knowledge andunderstanding and I am truly grateful.I am grateful for:James lackey, the wild free spirited kerouac of the list. The day trading,drag racing, tank driver, he would be dead in a fiery explosion while tryingto simultaneously race at 200 ph and day trade the spooz without thegentling touch of his wonderful wife Jennifer. A post from lackey is like aChristmas present. To sit and talk with him and his beautiful bride givesone a glimpse at life’s possibilities.Fred Crossman, the irascible opinionated Chicagoan who has become a fastfriend and partner, for all the shared nights we ll never remember withfriends we will never forgetFor Rush Street, 5th Avenue and the Vegas stripFor ed gross, the trader nee poker player who has taken all the chances Iwished I had when I was younger and made them work for him. Were I as smartand good looking as him I would own the damn world. We talk several times aweek and its like a glimpse at an alternative lifeDock bars and fast boatsFor Jason Thompson, he of lumbering grace and amazing intellect. I lookforward to spending time with Jason as I always walk away smarter and",1]
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perkins and john lee hooker, for miles davis and john coltrane, cole porterand frank sinatra,waylon Jennings and david allan coe, handel and vivaldi Ihave cried bitter tears to a backdrop of sad music, celebrated victories toraucous rock and roll, romanced to the strains of water music, danced thenight away to hot blues, and reflected life’s mysteries to sweet rollingwaves of jazz. It has been a constant of my life and I cannot imagine lifewithout the ongoing soundtrack.I am as always grateful for the spec list and the chance to grow and learnthat my 5 years here have offered. I have learned much, grown much andprofited in more ways than can be explained form my participation in thisunique experience. Each of you have added to my base of knowledge andunderstanding and I am truly grateful.I am grateful for:James lackey, the wild free spirited kerouac of the list. The day trading,drag racing, tank driver, he would be dead in a fiery explosion while tryingto simultaneously race at 200 ph and day trade the spooz without thegentling touch of his wonderful wife Jennifer. A post from lackey is like aChristmas present. To sit and talk with him and his beautiful bride givesone a glimpse at life’s possibilities.Fred Crossman, the irascible opinionated Chicagoan who has become a fastfriend and partner, for all the shared nights we ll never remember withfriends we will never forgetFor Rush Street, 5th Avenue and the Vegas stripFor ed gross, the trader nee poker player who has taken all the chances Iwished I had when I was younger and made them work for him. Were I as smartand good looking as him I would own the damn world. We talk several times aweek and its like a glimpse at an alternative lifeDock bars and fast boatsFor Jason Thompson, he of lumbering grace and amazing intellect. I lookforward to spending time with Jason as I always walk away smarter and
above himself gives me hope.Rainy nights and good brandyFor the Cheesehead by way of Cincinnati for reminding me at times themeaning of friendship and thatall life’s obstacles merely hide yet anotherchance for love and redemption.For Kris rock. One rarely thinks of kris and subtle in the same breath untilyou realize that his tirades and attacks have made you rethink, defend andremake your own thoughts and conclusions for the better.Steamed crabs and afternoon baseballFor Kevin Depew with his gamblers mind and graceful southern attitude. Onecannot spend a more delightful and entertaining time than in kevins companyat a Kentucky racetrack..unless his delightful wife Lila comes along.thenone approaches perfection in the dayFor all of you who lose to me so gracefully in spec list fantasy baseballeach year…For Kim zussman and his relentless though provoking research and elegantwayscolleg football and the resurgence of Notre dameKen Smith and his occasional reality checkthe armed forces of the US who gained and preserve my freedomsRoss Miller and his intellectual exuberancegood wine and better scotchThe voodoo prof for his intellect and sense of markets,economic and barbequeTom Ryan for his gracious friendship and excellent taste in whiskey. Tom andI usually only talk when one of us in crisi..then we re the first number weeach dial. A gentleman,scholar and true friendChesapeake bay sunsetsFor the current incantation of the one true love of my life who doesn’t giveup no matter what dumb ass stunt I pullFor the wizz with his sharp mind and razor wit. The scholar, mathematicianand trader whose staggering brain power hides a shared loved of pulp novelswith short barreled 38’s and long legged dames, back alleys and hip flasks",1]
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smiling. One cannot ask more from a friend. The fact that he married so farabove himself gives me hope.Rainy nights and good brandyFor the Cheesehead by way of Cincinnati for reminding me at times themeaning of friendship and thatall life’s obstacles merely hide yet anotherchance for love and redemption.For Kris rock. One rarely thinks of kris and subtle in the same breath untilyou realize that his tirades and attacks have made you rethink, defend andremake your own thoughts and conclusions for the better.Steamed crabs and afternoon baseballFor Kevin Depew with his gamblers mind and graceful southern attitude. Onecannot spend a more delightful and entertaining time than in kevins companyat a Kentucky racetrack..unless his delightful wife Lila comes along.thenone approaches perfection in the dayFor all of you who lose to me so gracefully in spec list fantasy baseballeach year…For Kim zussman and his relentless though provoking research and elegantwayscolleg football and the resurgence of Notre dameKen Smith and his occasional reality checkthe armed forces of the US who gained and preserve my freedomsRoss Miller and his intellectual exuberancegood wine and better scotchThe voodoo prof for his intellect and sense of markets,economic and barbequeTom Ryan for his gracious friendship and excellent taste in whiskey. Tom andI usually only talk when one of us in crisi..then we re the first number weeach dial. A gentleman,scholar and true friendChesapeake bay sunsetsFor the current incantation of the one true love of my life who doesn’t giveup no matter what dumb ass stunt I pullFor the wizz with his sharp mind and razor wit. The scholar, mathematicianand trader whose staggering brain power hides a shared loved of pulp novelswith short barreled 38’s and long legged dames, back alleys and hip flasks
Victor, first for creating this list, and for allowing me to be a part ofthis great community of minds. He has offered me access to ideas andphilosophies that have made my life better, my mind stronger and eventhickened my wallet. He has done more for me than time or space allow and inspite of our many differences has proven himself a friend of the highestorder on more than one occasion. His generosity of spirit and intellect isunlike any I have ever seen before. His story alone, of success, defeat andcomeback is inspiration enough. The fact that he has allowed me to walk inthe company of giants such as those found on the list leaves me speechlessin gratitude.For all those who I have not mentioned. All of you who shared ideas, shareddrinks, baseball games, football games, long talks, research reports,sportsthoughts,poker lessons arguments discussions,scholarly papers, jokes,smiles,hearts and minds. Each of you who takes the time to post your ideas,no matter how much I disagree with them. To all my spec list friends andacquaintances I say happy Thanksgiving.I raise my glass to all of you and to all the possibilities life offers.",0]
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Victor, first for creating this list, and for allowing me to be a part ofthis great community of minds. He has offered me access to ideas andphilosophies that have made my life better, my mind stronger and eventhickened my wallet. He has done more for me than time or space allow and inspite of our many differences has proven himself a friend of the highestorder on more than one occasion. His generosity of spirit and intellect isunlike any I have ever seen before. His story alone, of success, defeat andcomeback is inspiration enough. The fact that he has allowed me to walk inthe company of giants such as those found on the list leaves me speechlessin gratitude.For all those who I have not mentioned. All of you who shared ideas, shareddrinks, baseball games, football games, long talks, research reports,sportsthoughts,poker lessons arguments discussions,scholarly papers, jokes,smiles,hearts and minds. Each of you who takes the time to post your ideas,no matter how much I disagree with them. To all my spec list friends andacquaintances I say happy Thanksgiving.I raise my glass to all of you and to all the possibilities life offers
Each year at this time as we all begin to think…at least those of us here inthe United States of the many joys of thanksgiving, those joyous reunions offamilies that damn near always end with cousin Roy and Uncle Bob bashingeach other about the head and face with turkey legs over some long forgottenslight and Aunt Edna tippling off the better part of your expensive whiskeystash, whilst those apples of our eyes, the wee ones fling mashed potatoesand peas at each other with great abandon, those delightful moments offalling asleep watching the pitiful Detroit Lions play on the onlynationally televised game they ever appear in, too stuffed with obsceneamounts of food to even reach for the remote, instead lying there, pantsunsnapped, a great turkey bloated island of a creature..this gloriousholiday of overeating, alka seltzer and grand hangover creation. To saynothing of the joy of getting to our destination…7 hour drives in snow andrain, bumper to bumper traffic and construction zones, airports seethingwith frustrated humanity and helpful personnel so delighted at working thisholiday they are only too pleased to assist by telling you EXACTLY whereto go; yes then, the Joy of the Season is upon us .In spite of these many happy journeys and gatherings it is a day or a timewhen it is good to reflect upon those many blessings and wonders that havebeen bestowed upon us, through friends, family, Democracy, markets and to begrateful for the spark of unbridled humanity that runs in all our veins Ispeak here more of the humanity that Ayn rand wrote of than the give tillhurts and the bleed some more that the word humanity seem to be defined astoday. Each of us has been a gift called life and a chance to learn,experience, achieve, fail, to taste both the dust and the glory that islife. That in and of itself is reason to be thankful.In addition to that, each of us have more to be grateful for..a and along
books, a particular moment or place that has touched out lives. I know I do.I am thankful that I grew up in a time and place where a 16 year old boy/mankicked out of his parents(with great justification I might add..look uphoodlum/idiot/heathen and you have the start of the story of my teen years.My mother threw me out. How she found the restrain not to beat me to a pulpand feed me to the neighbors dogs I ll never know) could work mornings as adishwasher, afternoons as a cook and go to night school and break the traphe had set for himself, take a job as a traveling salesman and leave theghetto behind, spend 5 years knocking on doors, learning about himself,about people, how to sell, to communicate, traveling one end of the countryto the other in an experience I would not trade today for anything as itformed the core of who I would become. I am grateful every day that I amblessed and graced by whatever powers the universe be it pure mathematics orthe Irish-catholic God ( I was much scolded for not typing the Deity’s namein caps in a previous post. I ask said Deity for her forgiveness and correctmy error here)of my youth with two children, a daughter of 21 years, abeautiful child whose laugh is so quick and smile so bright one would neverguess how bravely and fiercely she fought the illness that has plagued herthe last few years, a bright, determined young woman who for reasons thatescape me most day loves her father and brings much laughter and happinessto his life, and has impressed him with her determination to overcomeobstacles and steer a course through life that she has chosen and will notwaver from: the lanky shaggy haired 17 year old boy(how can they see withtheir hair like that) who is the proverbial class clown, too quick wittedfor his own good at times, who has proven to be a hard working young man of",1]
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the way, the earned gift of intellect family, friends, great music, greatbooks, a particular moment or place that has touched out lives. I know I do.I am thankful that I grew up in a time and place where a 16 year old boy/mankicked out of his parents(with great justification I might add..look uphoodlum/idiot/heathen and you have the start of the story of my teen years.My mother threw me out. How she found the restrain not to beat me to a pulpand feed me to the neighbors dogs I ll never know) could work mornings as adishwasher, afternoons as a cook and go to night school and break the traphe had set for himself, take a job as a traveling salesman and leave theghetto behind, spend 5 years knocking on doors, learning about himself,about people, how to sell, to communicate, traveling one end of the countryto the other in an experience I would not trade today for anything as itformed the core of who I would become. I am grateful every day that I amblessed and graced by whatever powers the universe be it pure mathematics orthe Irish-catholic God ( I was much scolded for not typing the Deity’s namein caps in a previous post. I ask said Deity for her forgiveness and correctmy error here)of my youth with two children, a daughter of 21 years, abeautiful child whose laugh is so quick and smile so bright one would neverguess how bravely and fiercely she fought the illness that has plagued herthe last few years, a bright, determined young woman who for reasons thatescape me most day loves her father and brings much laughter and happinessto his life, and has impressed him with her determination to overcomeobstacles and steer a course through life that she has chosen and will notwaver from: the lanky shaggy haired 17 year old boy(how can they see withtheir hair like that) who is the proverbial class clown, too quick wittedfor his own good at times, who has proven to be a hard working young man of
caused so many family dinners to turn into affairs of hysterical laughter ofthe table pounding, lung wheezing variety( this is occasionally problematicif said dinner is a public establishment),who in spite of his tough guydemeanor will still give his old father a hug in front of his buddies andtell his old man he loves him. He has inherited a tad too much of hisfathers love of the good times and long legged beauties but there isgreatness in him.I am thankful that in a world of second chances my father,, he of the StJohns degree and seven languages who walked out in a drunken stupor when Iwas six found the raw courage and sobriety to walk back in when I was 16.That a man whose fall from grace extended all the way to the streets couldfind a redemption that made him a legend among the drunks of Baltimore forhow many he eventually helped on the road to recovery before he died so damnmany years ago. He lost everything, even his very self but found his wayback, recovering his dignity, his family and his self. He has been gone forover 22 years now and I still regard him as the bravest man I ever met alongthe path of life.I am thankful that my mother lived in a time and a place where when findingherself alone with 4 children in a tenement, one dollar to her name, tooproud to take welfare or assistance, armed with nothing but her intelligence, determination and love for her children she could carve a life for us all.Where all the presents came from at Christmas time and birthdays on thesalary of a data entry clerk with all those mouths to feed came from I allnever know. She worked on through it all, a chronically ill daughter withasthma and assorted complications so bad Johns Hopkins Doctors made a careerof studying her case, a son with a wild streak who fought and stole, in and",1]
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a thrifty nature for all his tom foolery, whose impressions and antics havecaused so many family dinners to turn into affairs of hysterical laughter ofthe table pounding, lung wheezing variety( this is occasionally problematicif said dinner is a public establishment),who in spite of his tough guydemeanor will still give his old father a hug in front of his buddies andtell his old man he loves him. He has inherited a tad too much of hisfathers love of the good times and long legged beauties but there isgreatness in him.I am thankful that in a world of second chances my father,, he of the StJohns degree and seven languages who walked out in a drunken stupor when Iwas six found the raw courage and sobriety to walk back in when I was 16.That a man whose fall from grace extended all the way to the streets couldfind a redemption that made him a legend among the drunks of Baltimore forhow many he eventually helped on the road to recovery before he died so damnmany years ago. He lost everything, even his very self but found his wayback, recovering his dignity, his family and his self. He has been gone forover 22 years now and I still regard him as the bravest man I ever met alongthe path of life.I am thankful that my mother lived in a time and a place where when findingherself alone with 4 children in a tenement, one dollar to her name, tooproud to take welfare or assistance, armed with nothing but her intelligence, determination and love for her children she could carve a life for us all.Where all the presents came from at Christmas time and birthdays on thesalary of a data entry clerk with all those mouths to feed came from I allnever know. She worked on through it all, a chronically ill daughter withasthma and assorted complications so bad Johns Hopkins Doctors made a careerof studying her case, a son with a wild streak who fought and stole, in and
associate the all around great guy I am today with this misguided waywardyouth).She worked until eventual retirement as highly placed computer expertfor the State of Maryland Judicial system, just in time for my stepfather toslip into Parkinson’s related dementia. She cared for him as well until hedied. She is a woman of fierce determination and strength. I don’t know howin the hell she did it but all four of us are still here, and even when wedon’t thrive, we survive. She passed much onto her children, the chiefquality being that I cannot imagine one of us going quietly anywhere, muchless the good night.I am thankful for books, my loyal companion and friend for many a lazyafternoon and many a dark night. Without my deep love for reading andlearning I am still a dishwasher and fry cook living on the back edges ofBaltimore. Books taught me to want, to dream, and then provided me theknowledge and skill to chase down those dreams and desires. My small condois crammed with books. The garage would make a librarian swoon with desire.Much of who I am and what I have comes from books. One of my earliestmemories was Mom taking us all to the bookmobile when it came to the localgrocery store and loading up on books. The staff of the bookmobile hated us.They way my mom, sisters and I read meant the inventory had to be replacedmore often than any other bookmobile in service. Mom never edited ourchoices. Hemingway, dick Gregory, hunter Thompson, the Illiad,malcom x,Faulkner…I read them all before junior high(Harold robbins too but I alwayschecked those out when she wasn’t looking). Mom didn’t care what we read aslong as we read.I am thankful for music, that backdrop of our lives.For Mozart andBeethoven, for Johnny cash and merle haggard, for jimmy buffet and jerryJeff walker, for guns and roses and motley crue, muddy waters, pinetop",1]
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out of juvie facilities(yes that was me in case you find it as so many do toassociate the all around great guy I am today with this misguided waywardyouth).She worked until eventual retirement as highly placed computer expertfor the State of Maryland Judicial system, just in time for my stepfather toslip into Parkinson’s related dementia. She cared for him as well until hedied. She is a woman of fierce determination and strength. I don’t know howin the hell she did it but all four of us are still here, and even when wedon’t thrive, we survive. She passed much onto her children, the chiefquality being that I cannot imagine one of us going quietly anywhere, muchless the good night.I am thankful for books, my loyal companion and friend for many a lazyafternoon and many a dark night. Without my deep love for reading andlearning I am still a dishwasher and fry cook living on the back edges ofBaltimore. Books taught me to want, to dream, and then provided me theknowledge and skill to chase down those dreams and desires. My small condois crammed with books. The garage would make a librarian swoon with desire.Much of who I am and what I have comes from books. One of my earliestmemories was Mom taking us all to the bookmobile when it came to the localgrocery store and loading up on books. The staff of the bookmobile hated us.They way my mom, sisters and I read meant the inventory had to be replacedmore often than any other bookmobile in service. Mom never edited ourchoices. Hemingway, dick Gregory, hunter Thompson, the Illiad,malcom x,Faulkner…I read them all before junior high(Harold robbins too but I alwayschecked those out when she wasn’t looking). Mom didn’t care what we read aslong as we read.I am thankful for music, that backdrop of our lives.For Mozart andBeethoven, for Johnny cash and merle haggard, for jimmy buffet and jerryJeff walker, for guns and roses and motley crue, muddy waters, pinetop
and frank sinatra,waylon Jennings and david allan coe, handel and vivaldi Ihave cried bitter tears to a backdrop of sad music, celebrated victories toraucous rock and roll, romanced to the strains of water music, danced thenight away to hot blues, and reflected life’s mysteries to sweet rollingwaves of jazz. It has been a constant of my life and I cannot imagine lifewithout the ongoing soundtrack.I am as always grateful for the spec list and the chance to grow and learnthat my 5 years here have offered. I have learned much, grown much andprofited in more ways than can be explained form my participation in thisunique experience. Each of you have added to my base of knowledge andunderstanding and I am truly grateful.I am grateful for:James lackey, the wild free spirited kerouac of the list. The day trading,drag racing, tank driver, he would be dead in a fiery explosion while tryingto simultaneously race at 200 ph and day trade the spooz without thegentling touch of his wonderful wife Jennifer. A post from lackey is like aChristmas present. To sit and talk with him and his beautiful bride givesone a glimpse at life’s possibilities.Fred Crossman, the irascible opinionated Chicagoan who has become a fastfriend and partner, for all the shared nights we ll never remember withfriends we will never forgetFor Rush Street, 5th Avenue and the Vegas stripFor ed gross, the trader nee poker player who has taken all the chances Iwished I had when I was younger and made them work for him. Were I as smartand good looking as him I would own the damn world. We talk several times aweek and its like a glimpse at an alternative lifeDock bars and fast boatsFor Jason Thompson, he of lumbering grace and amazing intellect. I lookforward to spending time with Jason as I always walk away smarter and",1]
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perkins and john lee hooker, for miles davis and john coltrane, cole porterand frank sinatra,waylon Jennings and david allan coe, handel and vivaldi Ihave cried bitter tears to a backdrop of sad music, celebrated victories toraucous rock and roll, romanced to the strains of water music, danced thenight away to hot blues, and reflected life’s mysteries to sweet rollingwaves of jazz. It has been a constant of my life and I cannot imagine lifewithout the ongoing soundtrack.I am as always grateful for the spec list and the chance to grow and learnthat my 5 years here have offered. I have learned much, grown much andprofited in more ways than can be explained form my participation in thisunique experience. Each of you have added to my base of knowledge andunderstanding and I am truly grateful.I am grateful for:James lackey, the wild free spirited kerouac of the list. The day trading,drag racing, tank driver, he would be dead in a fiery explosion while tryingto simultaneously race at 200 ph and day trade the spooz without thegentling touch of his wonderful wife Jennifer. A post from lackey is like aChristmas present. To sit and talk with him and his beautiful bride givesone a glimpse at life’s possibilities.Fred Crossman, the irascible opinionated Chicagoan who has become a fastfriend and partner, for all the shared nights we ll never remember withfriends we will never forgetFor Rush Street, 5th Avenue and the Vegas stripFor ed gross, the trader nee poker player who has taken all the chances Iwished I had when I was younger and made them work for him. Were I as smartand good looking as him I would own the damn world. We talk several times aweek and its like a glimpse at an alternative lifeDock bars and fast boatsFor Jason Thompson, he of lumbering grace and amazing intellect. I lookforward to spending time with Jason as I always walk away smarter and
above himself gives me hope.Rainy nights and good brandyFor the Cheesehead by way of Cincinnati for reminding me at times themeaning of friendship and thatall life’s obstacles merely hide yet anotherchance for love and redemption.For Kris rock. One rarely thinks of kris and subtle in the same breath untilyou realize that his tirades and attacks have made you rethink, defend andremake your own thoughts and conclusions for the better.Steamed crabs and afternoon baseballFor Kevin Depew with his gamblers mind and graceful southern attitude. Onecannot spend a more delightful and entertaining time than in kevins companyat a Kentucky racetrack..unless his delightful wife Lila comes along.thenone approaches perfection in the dayFor all of you who lose to me so gracefully in spec list fantasy baseballeach year…For Kim zussman and his relentless though provoking research and elegantwayscolleg football and the resurgence of Notre dameKen Smith and his occasional reality checkthe armed forces of the US who gained and preserve my freedomsRoss Miller and his intellectual exuberancegood wine and better scotchThe voodoo prof for his intellect and sense of markets,economic and barbequeTom Ryan for his gracious friendship and excellent taste in whiskey. Tom andI usually only talk when one of us in crisi..then we re the first number weeach dial. A gentleman,scholar and true friendChesapeake bay sunsetsFor the current incantation of the one true love of my life who doesn’t giveup no matter what dumb ass stunt I pullFor the wizz with his sharp mind and razor wit. The scholar, mathematicianand trader whose staggering brain power hides a shared loved of pulp novelswith short barreled 38’s and long legged dames, back alleys and hip flasks",1]
);
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smiling. One cannot ask more from a friend. The fact that he married so farabove himself gives me hope.Rainy nights and good brandyFor the Cheesehead by way of Cincinnati for reminding me at times themeaning of friendship and thatall life’s obstacles merely hide yet anotherchance for love and redemption.For Kris rock. One rarely thinks of kris and subtle in the same breath untilyou realize that his tirades and attacks have made you rethink, defend andremake your own thoughts and conclusions for the better.Steamed crabs and afternoon baseballFor Kevin Depew with his gamblers mind and graceful southern attitude. Onecannot spend a more delightful and entertaining time than in kevins companyat a Kentucky racetrack..unless his delightful wife Lila comes along.thenone approaches perfection in the dayFor all of you who lose to me so gracefully in spec list fantasy baseballeach year…For Kim zussman and his relentless though provoking research and elegantwayscolleg football and the resurgence of Notre dameKen Smith and his occasional reality checkthe armed forces of the US who gained and preserve my freedomsRoss Miller and his intellectual exuberancegood wine and better scotchThe voodoo prof for his intellect and sense of markets,economic and barbequeTom Ryan for his gracious friendship and excellent taste in whiskey. Tom andI usually only talk when one of us in crisi..then we re the first number weeach dial. A gentleman,scholar and true friendChesapeake bay sunsetsFor the current incantation of the one true love of my life who doesn’t giveup no matter what dumb ass stunt I pullFor the wizz with his sharp mind and razor wit. The scholar, mathematicianand trader whose staggering brain power hides a shared loved of pulp novelswith short barreled 38’s and long legged dames, back alleys and hip flasks
Victor, first for creating this list, and for allowing me to be a part ofthis great community of minds. He has offered me access to ideas andphilosophies that have made my life better, my mind stronger and eventhickened my wallet. He has done more for me than time or space allow and inspite of our many differences has proven himself a friend of the highestorder on more than one occasion. His generosity of spirit and intellect isunlike any I have ever seen before. His story alone, of success, defeat andcomeback is inspiration enough. The fact that he has allowed me to walk inthe company of giants such as those found on the list leaves me speechlessin gratitude.For all those who I have not mentioned. All of you who shared ideas, shareddrinks, baseball games, football games, long talks, research reports,sportsthoughts,poker lessons arguments discussions,scholarly papers, jokes,smiles,hearts and minds. Each of you who takes the time to post your ideas,no matter how much I disagree with them. To all my spec list friends andacquaintances I say happy Thanksgiving.I raise my glass to all of you and to all the possibilities life offers.",0]
);
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Victor, first for creating this list, and for allowing me to be a part ofthis great community of minds. He has offered me access to ideas andphilosophies that have made my life better, my mind stronger and eventhickened my wallet. He has done more for me than time or space allow and inspite of our many differences has proven himself a friend of the highestorder on more than one occasion. His generosity of spirit and intellect isunlike any I have ever seen before. His story alone, of success, defeat andcomeback is inspiration enough. The fact that he has allowed me to walk inthe company of giants such as those found on the list leaves me speechlessin gratitude.For all those who I have not mentioned. All of you who shared ideas, shareddrinks, baseball games, football games, long talks, research reports,sportsthoughts,poker lessons arguments discussions,scholarly papers, jokes,smiles,hearts and minds. Each of you who takes the time to post your ideas,no matter how much I disagree with them. To all my spec list friends andacquaintances I say happy Thanksgiving.I raise my glass to all of you and to all the possibilities life offers
Monday, November 21, 2005
monday
still well defined range on intermediate and long term of 1180 low,1260 high
short term range very,very tight at 1248-52. looking for a pullback in near term despite todays up move. we re due for a sell off of at least a small order
short term range very,very tight at 1248-52. looking for a pullback in near term despite todays up move. we re due for a sell off of at least a small order
Friday, November 18, 2005
morning look
short term1225 to 1250
mif term 1175-1250
long term same
lot of stength this am on news of csco takeover of sfa and hpq earnings..tech very strong going into weekend
mif term 1175-1250
long term same
lot of stength this am on news of csco takeover of sfa and hpq earnings..tech very strong going into weekend
Thursday, November 17, 2005
a look at the option spread trades I was tracking to see how well the method worked
jakk and bks expired worthelss..kept .75 credit on jakk, .55 on bks
would be long intc at 26.50,gps at 19.50 ,cce at 21.50 likely put hele at 19 this week..undewater on everything put but all rallying currently...
need to write puts for much longer than front month for approach to to be valid I think
mkt crashed through short term range top today.. will be interesting to se am work to see how this sets up tomorrow.would have exited trades at 36-37 area.. a nice 9 point gain from yesterday but a good 4 points shy of the close level
jakk and bks expired worthelss..kept .75 credit on jakk, .55 on bks
would be long intc at 26.50,gps at 19.50 ,cce at 21.50 likely put hele at 19 this week..undewater on everything put but all rallying currently...
need to write puts for much longer than front month for approach to to be valid I think
mkt crashed through short term range top today.. will be interesting to se am work to see how this sets up tomorrow.would have exited trades at 36-37 area.. a nice 9 point gain from yesterday but a good 4 points shy of the close level
nov 17
yesterday a nice little rally off open,settled back into mid range but buying at the open would have been a good trade...nothing changed as far as 9intermediate/long term...caution called for and would be looking to sell calls or ust take profits
today
short term 1227-1236
intermediated 1175-1250
long term 1175-1250
note that ranges are lowering and volatility is not helping here..need a spike over 16 in the vix to show any type of buying opportunity
today
short term 1227-1236
intermediated 1175-1250
long term 1175-1250
note that ranges are lowering and volatility is not helping here..need a spike over 16 in the vix to show any type of buying opportunity
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
morning look
short term//
low end 1230 high end1238...be long the open
mid term 1170 low, 1250 high...much closer to high end, caution needed..look to sell calss, take profits in individual stock posiitons
long term..low end1080, high 1270..ditto above
oil lower, bonds higher,low inflation numbers, record high in foreign purchasing of us secuties,volatility at low end of range.
fairly positive backdrop for the day so far
low end 1230 high end1238...be long the open
mid term 1170 low, 1250 high...much closer to high end, caution needed..look to sell calss, take profits in individual stock posiitons
long term..low end1080, high 1270..ditto above
oil lower, bonds higher,low inflation numbers, record high in foreign purchasing of us secuties,volatility at low end of range.
fairly positive backdrop for the day so far
Friday, November 11, 2005
the stock market
Should be closed today. It’s Veterans Day. In November of 1954.the Congress of the United States and then President Dwight Eisenhower passed legislation changing Armistice Day to veterans Day, day set aside to remember and recall the millions of American men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States of America. Banks are closed, schools are closed and in yet another example of the bond market being smarter than the stock market, the bond market is closed to honor the sacrifice of our veterans. The stock market however is open.
We close on new years day, to celebrate the flipping of a calendar page, nurse our hangovers and watch football. Is this flip of a page and college bowl game extravaganza more important or central to our way of life than the men who stood on the green at Concord and Lexington, filled musket barrel with trembling fingers as the crouched behind the barrier on bunker hill as the British came ever closer? Is the need to reflect on the passage of time and set resolutions we will break by weeks end more important then those who crossed the Delaware with Washington or those who survived the long endless winter of Valley Forge? I don’t think so but we re closed on new years day.
We are closed on Martin Luther Kings birthday. There is no denying the Rev. Kings important contributions to the civil rights movement in the United States. But is honoring his achievements and sacrifice more important than honoring those who charged the low stone wall at Fredericksburg and were cut down in row after bloody row? Is it more important to honor one man than the thousands who endured the hellish cross fire and tangled underbrush of the wilderness? More important the honoring those who out of ammunition wheeled downhill and charged to break up the confederate attempt to flank the union army at Gettysburg and turned the tide of the war? More important than the Irish Brigade perhaps, who endured Bloody lane at Antietnam, the wheat field at Gettysburg and charged into the murderous guns of Maryes Heights at Fredericksburg? Than the thousands who served the Union Army from first Bull Run to Appomattox? I don’t think so but we re closed on Rev Kings Birthday.
We re closed on Presidents day. There is no mistaking the contributions of the men who have led our great nation. But are they as individuals, more deserving of a holiday than the millions of men and women who they have ordered into battle in such strange places as Chapultepec and Bayamo? More important to honor the leaders who set safe in Washington while young men and women sailed to Cuba the phillipines, china and Tripoli on their orders?I don’t think so but we re closed on Presidents day.
We re closed on good Friday, a religious holiday not celebrated by the entire populace of the United States. Is it more important to honor one faith when how many thousands of Jews,hindu, Buddhists, followers of the old native american gods, and yes even Muslims have gone to such places as Belleau Wood,the Argonne forest and Montfaucon? I don’t think so but we re closed on Good Friday.
Memorial Day we re closed.As we should be to honor those veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice and lay down their very lives in defense of their nation. But isn't it equally important to honor those who survived the agonizing defeat at pearl harbor, the blazing sea and sky battles of midway, climbed the beach barriers at Tarawa, slogged the valleys of the canal against a deeply entrenched and desperate foe, the marines who partook in the daring raid of the Makin Atoll, the sailors who survived and carry scars from Leyte gulf, the Philippines and the china sea. I think so but we re not closed on Veterans Day to honor the brave survivors who defended our nation.
Ditto on Independence Day. But is it more important to recall the reading of the document that gave birth to our nation in the sweltering July Heat of 1776 than to recognize all those who have kept her free since then? Is it more important to celebrate the start of the nation than those who stormed the beaches of Normandy under the guns of the Nazis, who marched up Sicily , or those who were massacred at Malemdy, or were encircled at Bastogne? It is important to honor the birth of our nation and the bravery and wisdom of our founding father but isn't it as important to recall those who fought to keep us a free nation in places such as Casablanca, Algiers and the Kassarine Pass? I think so but the market is open on Veterans Day.
We re closed on Labor Day to honor those who toil and use the skills and sweat to build the American Economy. But is that more important to honor their labor than those who have preserved their right to work by storming ashore at Inchon, who fought and captured Pyongyang, or endured the merciless cold and Chinese swarms at the Chosin reservoir, or those who endured the long icy retreat.I don’t think so but we re closed on labor day.
We re closed on Thanksgiving, and it is good for to pause and reflect all the good things we have because we live in a free democratic nation.I love thanksgiving. Mountains of food, oceans of wine, football, and no need to buy anyone a gift. It is one of my favorite holidays. But it it more important than honoring those who served that nation in such exotic places as Da Nang or Quang Ngai Province orKhe Sang? More important than remembering those who were sent out on patrol through the dense dank jungle knowing that ambush and sneak attack by a determined foe was likely before the daylight returned, or those who served at forward fire bases under constant attack and in permanent danger of being overrun by the VC or NVA? More important than recalling the bravery of the pilots who were shot down and spent years in hellish prison cells or even bamboo cages,suffering deprivation and even the cruelest forms of torture? I don’t think so but we re closed on thanksgiving.
We re closed on Christmas as well. We close to celebrate the birth of a god not every American believes in but I do recognize that the Judeo-Christian ethic runs deeply through the United Sates but is this day more important than those who have fought through the decades to preserve our religious freedom, both on our soil to repel the British and secure our freedom, to preserve the union in a nightmarish brother versus brother, the hideous Civil War, expanded the young nation across the great plains and into the west, protected us in two terrible foreign wars against dictators and fascists, who served where sent on two controversial campaigns against the specter of communism or protected our allies and energy supplies in two gulf wars? Is Santa Claus more important than men like James Lackey, exhausted, dirty with mouth and ears full of sand driving his tank across the sands of Iraq or the thousands there today in Fallujah and Iraq who leave the compound each day on patrol, putting on their armor and choking back mouth drying, bladder spasming fear to face the terrorists in the streets of Baghdad. I don’t think so but we re closed on Christmas.
In our nations history, millions of men and women have entered out nations armed forces. They have many reasons to do so, some out of real patriotism, some because of lack of opportunity, and more than a few to escape jail time for some misdemeanor given the choice by small town judges across America. Some hope to do four years and move on, or accumulate enough for college and move on, some do the full 20-25 years and make the Military a life and a career.Some are sent to war,others serve in such exotic, interesting places as Fort Huachuca, Az, The DMZ in Korea,Yuma Arizona or perhaps fun filled White Sands new Mexico. They are young men and women who leave hearth and home for a wide variety of reason but for one unified purpose..To defend the United States of American and all of our rights and freedoms. We close the stock Exchange for political and religious reason and there is nothing wrong with that but is it more important than the young people staring across the fence at Guantanamo Bay, or those young men and women who give up ivy league educations and top flight careers to enter the brigade, the long grey line or another of our nations service Academies? Is it more important to honor these occasions than to honor those on the wind swept plains of Kansas guarding our prisons and enemies at fort Leavenworth? Are any of these more important than honoring our military, from the join chiefs of staff down to the newest recruit? I don’t think so but the stock market is open on Veterans Day.
All good posts must, of course always have stats and numbers. Can’t leave those out.
Civil War, Union Army 360,222 dead,275 174 wounded
WW One 58,480 dead, 189955 wounded
WW two 300,000 dead, 300,000 wounded
Korean Conflict 33686 dead 103284 wounded
Vietnam 58156 dead,303704 wounded 2338 MIA
First Gulf War 293 dead, 1000 wounded
Current conflict, 200 dead and counting
Number of us military Veterans 24.5 million
Current active duty US Military 1.5 million
But the stock market is open on Veterans Day.
We close on new years day, to celebrate the flipping of a calendar page, nurse our hangovers and watch football. Is this flip of a page and college bowl game extravaganza more important or central to our way of life than the men who stood on the green at Concord and Lexington, filled musket barrel with trembling fingers as the crouched behind the barrier on bunker hill as the British came ever closer? Is the need to reflect on the passage of time and set resolutions we will break by weeks end more important then those who crossed the Delaware with Washington or those who survived the long endless winter of Valley Forge? I don’t think so but we re closed on new years day.
We are closed on Martin Luther Kings birthday. There is no denying the Rev. Kings important contributions to the civil rights movement in the United States. But is honoring his achievements and sacrifice more important than honoring those who charged the low stone wall at Fredericksburg and were cut down in row after bloody row? Is it more important to honor one man than the thousands who endured the hellish cross fire and tangled underbrush of the wilderness? More important the honoring those who out of ammunition wheeled downhill and charged to break up the confederate attempt to flank the union army at Gettysburg and turned the tide of the war? More important than the Irish Brigade perhaps, who endured Bloody lane at Antietnam, the wheat field at Gettysburg and charged into the murderous guns of Maryes Heights at Fredericksburg? Than the thousands who served the Union Army from first Bull Run to Appomattox? I don’t think so but we re closed on Rev Kings Birthday.
We re closed on Presidents day. There is no mistaking the contributions of the men who have led our great nation. But are they as individuals, more deserving of a holiday than the millions of men and women who they have ordered into battle in such strange places as Chapultepec and Bayamo? More important to honor the leaders who set safe in Washington while young men and women sailed to Cuba the phillipines, china and Tripoli on their orders?I don’t think so but we re closed on Presidents day.
We re closed on good Friday, a religious holiday not celebrated by the entire populace of the United States. Is it more important to honor one faith when how many thousands of Jews,hindu, Buddhists, followers of the old native american gods, and yes even Muslims have gone to such places as Belleau Wood,the Argonne forest and Montfaucon? I don’t think so but we re closed on Good Friday.
Memorial Day we re closed.As we should be to honor those veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice and lay down their very lives in defense of their nation. But isn't it equally important to honor those who survived the agonizing defeat at pearl harbor, the blazing sea and sky battles of midway, climbed the beach barriers at Tarawa, slogged the valleys of the canal against a deeply entrenched and desperate foe, the marines who partook in the daring raid of the Makin Atoll, the sailors who survived and carry scars from Leyte gulf, the Philippines and the china sea. I think so but we re not closed on Veterans Day to honor the brave survivors who defended our nation.
Ditto on Independence Day. But is it more important to recall the reading of the document that gave birth to our nation in the sweltering July Heat of 1776 than to recognize all those who have kept her free since then? Is it more important to celebrate the start of the nation than those who stormed the beaches of Normandy under the guns of the Nazis, who marched up Sicily , or those who were massacred at Malemdy, or were encircled at Bastogne? It is important to honor the birth of our nation and the bravery and wisdom of our founding father but isn't it as important to recall those who fought to keep us a free nation in places such as Casablanca, Algiers and the Kassarine Pass? I think so but the market is open on Veterans Day.
We re closed on Labor Day to honor those who toil and use the skills and sweat to build the American Economy. But is that more important to honor their labor than those who have preserved their right to work by storming ashore at Inchon, who fought and captured Pyongyang, or endured the merciless cold and Chinese swarms at the Chosin reservoir, or those who endured the long icy retreat.I don’t think so but we re closed on labor day.
We re closed on Thanksgiving, and it is good for to pause and reflect all the good things we have because we live in a free democratic nation.I love thanksgiving. Mountains of food, oceans of wine, football, and no need to buy anyone a gift. It is one of my favorite holidays. But it it more important than honoring those who served that nation in such exotic places as Da Nang or Quang Ngai Province orKhe Sang? More important than remembering those who were sent out on patrol through the dense dank jungle knowing that ambush and sneak attack by a determined foe was likely before the daylight returned, or those who served at forward fire bases under constant attack and in permanent danger of being overrun by the VC or NVA? More important than recalling the bravery of the pilots who were shot down and spent years in hellish prison cells or even bamboo cages,suffering deprivation and even the cruelest forms of torture? I don’t think so but we re closed on thanksgiving.
We re closed on Christmas as well. We close to celebrate the birth of a god not every American believes in but I do recognize that the Judeo-Christian ethic runs deeply through the United Sates but is this day more important than those who have fought through the decades to preserve our religious freedom, both on our soil to repel the British and secure our freedom, to preserve the union in a nightmarish brother versus brother, the hideous Civil War, expanded the young nation across the great plains and into the west, protected us in two terrible foreign wars against dictators and fascists, who served where sent on two controversial campaigns against the specter of communism or protected our allies and energy supplies in two gulf wars? Is Santa Claus more important than men like James Lackey, exhausted, dirty with mouth and ears full of sand driving his tank across the sands of Iraq or the thousands there today in Fallujah and Iraq who leave the compound each day on patrol, putting on their armor and choking back mouth drying, bladder spasming fear to face the terrorists in the streets of Baghdad. I don’t think so but we re closed on Christmas.
In our nations history, millions of men and women have entered out nations armed forces. They have many reasons to do so, some out of real patriotism, some because of lack of opportunity, and more than a few to escape jail time for some misdemeanor given the choice by small town judges across America. Some hope to do four years and move on, or accumulate enough for college and move on, some do the full 20-25 years and make the Military a life and a career.Some are sent to war,others serve in such exotic, interesting places as Fort Huachuca, Az, The DMZ in Korea,Yuma Arizona or perhaps fun filled White Sands new Mexico. They are young men and women who leave hearth and home for a wide variety of reason but for one unified purpose..To defend the United States of American and all of our rights and freedoms. We close the stock Exchange for political and religious reason and there is nothing wrong with that but is it more important than the young people staring across the fence at Guantanamo Bay, or those young men and women who give up ivy league educations and top flight careers to enter the brigade, the long grey line or another of our nations service Academies? Is it more important to honor these occasions than to honor those on the wind swept plains of Kansas guarding our prisons and enemies at fort Leavenworth? Are any of these more important than honoring our military, from the join chiefs of staff down to the newest recruit? I don’t think so but the stock market is open on Veterans Day.
All good posts must, of course always have stats and numbers. Can’t leave those out.
Civil War, Union Army 360,222 dead,275 174 wounded
WW One 58,480 dead, 189955 wounded
WW two 300,000 dead, 300,000 wounded
Korean Conflict 33686 dead 103284 wounded
Vietnam 58156 dead,303704 wounded 2338 MIA
First Gulf War 293 dead, 1000 wounded
Current conflict, 200 dead and counting
Number of us military Veterans 24.5 million
Current active duty US Military 1.5 million
But the stock market is open on Veterans Day.
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