I have as much to be distraught about as anybody who posts here...believe me. I often don't even focus on ECU since what happens to ECU depends on so many other factors. I thank those who post incredibly superb information here on the company. My optimism is not meant to detract from the reality of what is. I have tried to be positive and encouraging. In retrospect, my good intentions have been misleading if one has captitulated or is thinking of doing so. I want you all to know that if that is the case, I regret that very much. I believe many here expect that we will have to be exceedingly patient for ECU to reach anywhere near its real share value. I can't agree. Greed works in mysterious ways.

As GWR said, this can be a brutal business and Pic justifiably laments the fact that the fabric of market fundamentals has been ripped apart...most markedly with respect to the PMs and JPMs. But it wn't stay that way.

For ECU shareholders, these are the darkest of all days and the will to persevere is being mightily tested. Maybe, unfortunately, the choice has been taken out of your hands.

We have all seen the recent surge in positive gold sentiment from its former detractors. I believe Pic mantioned that the retail investor may have been all but driven out of the PM markets. Never underestimate the potential of the little guy. Just an hour ago I recieved an email from Vancouver notifying me of a new investment club focusing on small cap investments. They are sponsored by Contact Financial and already have over two hundred members. I know its not much but it sure was a surprise to me. I think this is the start of something new. There are small caps out there that people have already made a lot of $ on such as Canplats; Detour Lake; Osisko and many others. So, there is a start to the momentum owever small it may be. The word is spreading and I believe it will grow much more rapidly than most suspect here in the dark days of ECU and so many others.

Even in winnipeg, a company called Jory Capital has presented free presentations at great cost t them. Their featured guest speaker Satyajit Das, who has been well ahead of the curve in warning about Voodoo Banking and the outlook for banks. Jory Capital is a major supporter of San Gold. These guys have supported gold for years and persevered like no one else.

What I'm trying to say is that there are grass roots initiatives lke those above all over the place. We just haven't heard much about them yet....BUT THEY ARE COMING.

Hang in there folks.