bluesmoke

When Long-Term Investors Panic

Excellent article and some good comments. I would add the following:

1) There are many 401k plans that have limited investment choices. If you don't have access to things like commodities, etf's, high yield funds, etc, then you are unable to really diversify and capitalize in this unusual market.

2) This dilemma is amplified by all the noise out there. There is so much information floating around it's tough to ignore. Consequently, people panic at the worst times.

Dividend Investing vs. Trading

Good things come to those who wait.

Realty Income: Prudent Management, Justified Premium?

Good analysis. What also should be mentioned is the company's commitment to paying the dividend monthly. For those of us who reinvest this dividend, it has the effect of raising the APR roughly 1%, which totals close to 9% right now. Not too shabby.

Credit Cards, Guns and Ammo: Thanks, Washington

... and the gun issue on the bill was completely ignored by our "responsible, fair & balanced reporting" media. What a joke.

The Strange Death of American Capitalism: A Review of 'Bailout Nation' by Barry Ritholtz

Good review. Barry's the man!

U.S. Government Paying Homeowners to 'Walk Away'

"Banksters" I like it!

Oil and Gas Prices Should Fall, For Now

Good evaluation. That's why I've been focusing a bit more on natural gas. Seems obvious - but it's still not getting much respect.

Clear Channel Looks into Pre-Packaged Bankruptcy

I don't follow radio as closely as I used to because it's becoming less & less relevant. People just don't care. Moreover, with the internet to compete with, the business model is completely upside down. But for arguments sake, I'm willing to go out on a limb here. If this new bill that's been introduced regarding terrestrial radio paying royalties similar to internet radio passes, Clear Channel and all the other big debt-ridden radio conglomerates that spoon feed tired music and generic crap down our throats, these companies will get hammered and ultimately implode. And the major labels they are in bed with will take big hit as well.

It may be 5 years, it may be 25 years, but it could happen. Consequently, I predict (much to the chagrin of all the radio "experts" out there) radio will reinvent itself by reverting to broadcasting regional programming, just as it did in its infancy.

Looking at the Market from a Rational Perspective

Other than putting some money in an emerging markets bond fund, I haven't made any trades this year. In 2008, I probably did under 5 trades. I've stuck to my positions - a very diversified mix of stocks, bonds, etf's & mlp's. Obviously some have done better than others. The good news is I'm not down nearly as much as I was, and my method captures a lot of dividends being reinvested every month. So I'm so glad I haven't listened to all the noise. It's almost always wrong. (Note - it's taken me 40 years to learn how to do this). Trying to time this market, or any market for that matter, is next to impossible. I say patience, not cash, is king.

Expect the Treasury Bubble to Continue to Inflate

Good article. It's hard to run against the tide, but I suspect you are right. Thanks.

Stick with Brazil, China, Gold, and Metal Miners

Good article. I agree with everything except China. From market manipulation, to inferior products, a fragile social structure and dwindling demand for manufacturing, even with their gigantic bag of money I'm not convinced they are out of the woods just yet.

New MS Therapies: A Hard Pill to Swallow?

I don't want to take away from all the research being done, but having suffered from ms for 23 years, I need to tell you what finally worked for me. I have tried Betaseron, Avonex, Rebif, Tysabri, bee stings, and modified diets. I've done acupuncture, massage, novantrone, and steroids. Nothing has abated my primary progressive decline until I tried Revimmune.

Developed by the doctors at Johns Hopkins, using a higher than normal dose of the cancer drug cyclophosphamide (HiCy) over 4 days, it essentially wipes out the immune system, except for the bodies own stem cells, and then allows the system to "reboot'.

I spent 2 weeks in the hospital getting this chemotherapy. Then two weeks in rehab getting my strength back. The results have been fantastic. But you won't hear about it because it's not a new drug, and most neurologists think it's too radical. I had to go to an oncologist to get it done.

You can learn more about this very promising cutting edge therapy here

www.accentia.net/scien...

How to Use Bond ETFs

Bonds are boring, but one should never underestimate the value of compounding. Along with the above strategies, they make a valuable contribution to a well-balanced portfolio.

Words from Schlumberger's CEO

John Mauldin's latest newsletter discusses George Friedman at STRATFOR's views on the latest G-20 summit. What is so interesting is how Russia is holding so much of the EU hostage over natural gas supplies. Seems to me this line of reasoning should portend dire consequences if our oil supplies were cut off. Here is the article

www.investorsinsight.c...

Peak Oil: China vs. USA

Fitzman, great article. It just amazes me how stupid the US has become...