Ed,

Yes, you are correct, the market does not always go up. I personally would not endorse such an idea without having skilled market trader(s), along with a market savvy research team. Due to market fluctuations you can't always rely on long positions, that’s where hedging comes into play. If you're a buy & hold investor, your portfolio is subject to correction. If you listen to the Suze Orman’s of the world, you might get rich but it’s going to take a very-very long time. Playing the market “successfully” is like watching a highly skilled dice player in action. Most players bet the pass line, only. The skilled players are fast, they’re in – they’re out, they know all the bets, and when it’s over, you don’t know what hit you. Wall Street is no different and anyone dreaming of making it big, better arm themselves with knowledge. I have people ask me all the time about managing their own portfolio, my standard reply is this. If you can’t trade like a hedgefund trader, then hire one or save your money and invest it elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, hedgefunds, like highly skilled dice players, do lose. More often than one would think. This is where following the money comes into play, riding the coat tails of those who rarely lose. When you pin-point investors who make more in one year than a thousand men make in a thousand lifetimes, that's the action you want to follow.

Hey, did you get a lot of rain in Houston? We were drenched in Dallas, the hardest I've seen it come down in quite a while.

Take Care,

Sam
R-6324