IMHO there are too many investors that don't invest nowadays. They are blowing in and out of stocks monthly, daily, hourly...you get what I mean. The LONG investor has now become almost a thing of the past....the problem being the newer type of "impatient" investing leads many down the wrong path. That path is virtually taking them through the doors of the nearest casino. Gamble right you win and yes you can win big overnight. Gamble wrong and you can have all the bad things happen we all have nightmares about.

The bottom line. LONG means just that ... it will take years to make the money you invest grow exponentially. Is there a time LONG takes money out of the investment. Sure...when they hit their first, second, third etc. price target (ie: Crazydik's wake me at $20.00 would be his first price target if he in fact sells at all then). The LONG investor rides the waves and uses the dips to buy in when possible. The LONG investor builds the portfolio up while the price is low and waits patiently for the big day to come (many longs have already had that with NOT buying in at pennies and selling in the 2 - 5 dollar range). This is why due diligence is important, and also why a good solid forum of investors who want to grow with the company is important for sounding of concerns, hopes and cheers as the big news releases come out.

To put it briefly.... imagine a football season. The LONG looks at the entire season and decides who will win the Grey Cup or Superbowl. The trader will look to see who is going to win the next game. The day trader will be looking to see who is going to get the next touchdown. Once you get into a frame of mind of investing it is very hard to change it. Every time a stock jumps or dips your on the edge of your seat wishing you made a move. That is not LONG. LONG's look to a rosy future, maybe two or three years down the road and even further depending when they get into the game. Of course they gamble at that point as well, but they are usually gambling pennies at that point in time (that's pennies times thousands). If the stock blows open they get rich "overnight" except overnight it isn't.

My last words of advice for newbies here. Put your money down and walk away. If you invest directly through the bank you may do well to take the service away for a while. Its too easy to sell out of panic or buy on one good news report where the price drops immediately after. You need to sit back, enjoy life, enjoy family, enjoy anything other than watching the ticker....you will be rewarded and you won't feel you had to work so hard for it. I've said it before and once again it rings true.... Warren Buffett has said that one of the biggest problems with investors today is that they can't keep their hands off the trade button. They just can't leave a good thing alone. All the big investment companies are the same...long term investment = success. How can LONG be any better defined.

Have a great day. HOLD those shares. We'll be moving up, don't worry. God Bless!!

MM