It's looking like a rout today in the general markets. In the last year or so, the PM's start days like this well, and then seem to wither late as they get dragged down by what's happening around them. Even more recently, though, there have been some days when the PM's showed good gains on "rout" days.

With gold having hit $1,000 (on the nose), before pulling back a bit, I think we hang tough today. And today, I think ECU will also maintain its early gains.

Tough to get on Kitco's PM page today, lot's of folks are all over that for this historic occasion. Economic things are not pretty in the US, they are not pretty at all. But here in LA, we continue to burn up that $110 oil just like nothing's changed. There sure is less left over after you fill up your tank. Lot's of strong, opposing forces at play in the world.