Thank you, Powered by Poet, for your kind words. I think we can all discuss differing views with respect. But if I may reply to your analogy regarding sheep, I have a differing viewpoint.

Where you see sheep being led down the garden path, among them I see far-sighted individuals. Where you see those ignorant of questions that need to be asked, I see a few discerning, perceptive individuals that are confident in the success of POET through much diligent study and research.

You're right about some things, we shouldn't stop thinking and just accept what we are told. At some point we have to rely on our own judgement of what we have learned. If we don't, then we would end up being just like those sheep you are telling us to avoid emulating. I have a personal list of members of this forum that I have come to accept as smart, thoughtful individuals that don't, like they say "follow the herd". I don't think we can make a blanket statement that just because questions are not asked openly on this board regarding things that may be a cause for concern does not mean that they have not been asked and pondered. Can we call someone a sheep without knowing the questions he has asked or the reasoning and thought process that has gone on in his head?

This response is more of a general comment versus a direct reply to you, Powered by Poet, so please don't take offense.

You can count me among those that have, through much research, developed a great confidence in the success of POET. But I still do research to stay current and apprised of any changes in the outlook. I don't know if it is obvious by my writing but I am a skeptic by nature. It took me longer than most, I assume, to decide whether certain regular posters here were reliable and worth listening to. I must confess the list of those that have earned 5 stars for me is small. (But they are definitely worth reading :))

The point I'm making is that there are many moving pieces in the game. We cannot know them all for sure. If we have done enough DD to assure ourselves that we have made a good investment, well, then some questions answer themselves. If you trust that we have the right managesment team to make the right decisions at the right time, including what to tell us or not, then you should feel secure in your investment. If at some point you don't feel that way anymore, then that might be a signal to start lightening your exposure or getting out altogether.

Anyone play chess? How far ahead do you think? 1 move? 2 moves? 3? 4?

Can you really know with any accuracy what the other player will do beyond more than a few moves?

To take this analogy further, I think POET has made all the right moves to put the big players in check again and again. Their options are becoming limited as we approach the physical limits of silicon and the need for optical integration has become apparent for awhile now. Dr. Geoff Taylor has forseen the finale of this game for many decades. He knew where the peices had to be for the endgame. I'm sure the Goliath's of the industry had a vision of the finale as well, one that has morphed many times over the years. But Geoff is the one that has all the right pieces available for a checkmate. The big players are trying, but effort might not be enough. It's as if they are playing chess with the new master and have only their King and a Knight.

Sorry, you probably have to know chess to understand the inferrence fully. :)

Green