On second thought, for his sake I hope he is not a real person.

Good night all -- what a crazy day!

I guess you could consider that old Naval base in LA a beachhead -- I gather anything can go there withour customs checks. -- Until very recently, I think ( I hope ) . Anyone know?

Good thing I didn't panic!

If the EURO flops, the US dollar and gold go up ( in dollars ) -- just like 1993 when the UK bailed out of the ECU.

If the EURO succeeds, the US dollar must go down ( eventually ) . Hence gold will go up. Given Y2K and other factors such as differential inflation rates, this is the less likely event.

I also agree with you that Germany, France ( and possibly the US ) could be secretly buying back some of the gold that other CB's and speculators have been selling over say, the last 12 months. That flap about traders buying up gold may have been because certain CB's were upset that they were being deprived of cheap gold purchases for themselves ( BIS included ) , and some of it left the Western supply total. We know the BIS did this 'for the CB's' during similar periods in the past. And -- we think the BIS is now involved in 'supporting the $ price of gold'.

I wonder how much they could buy before someone finds out. But then --we do not know how much each CB actually holds -- except what they say they have -- hence we may never really know the truth. The actual dollar value of national Gold holdings ( with liens on them ) seems to be as tightly held a secret as nuclear or UFO secrets.

Too bad we don't have a Rothschild posting on Kitco. Oh well, I'm now used to being a mushroom and investing/trading in the dark.

Any idea how long it will take for everyone to conclude the EURO has succeeded or not? Two years from now? By that time Russia will really be in turmoil, or already threatening Europe.

So -- we can safely conclude that all the European gold reserves are not transferred to the EURO until there is one financial system -- as anything else would probably be financial suicide.

In the meanwhile, it is really hard to make sense of all this mumbo-jumbo abount internal and external reserves. I would guess that total net gold reserves for all countries plus the EURO would be the only thing we could follow. If total internal and external reserves go up -- then we should sit up and take notice.

Isn't it interesting that the EURO is going 'live' disturbingly close to y2K, and the Europeans are far behind other countries such as the US in preparing for the y2k event.

Y2K is very bad timing for any aspect of the EURO launch, in my humble opinion. Y2K alone is trouble enough.

The eventual failure of even this 'semi-fixed' parity lead to all full-floating currencies around March of 1973.

This all makes sense to me now -- the European 'snake' essentially marked the transition from fixed to full-floating currencies, due to the failure of the US dollar to maintain parity.

It would be interesting to see if the EEC 'snake' failed entirely due to the instability of the US dollar, or due in part to instability of the EEC countries.

A number of possibilities could still apply to the EURO from the lesson of the EEC 'snake' failure:

1 ) The EURO could run into difficulties from maintaining stable fixed parity among themselves.

2 ) The EURO could run into difficulties because of difficulties in maintaining a stable exchange rate with the US dollar.

Trouble with item 1 ) is much more likely, as some sort of medium of exchange will have to be used with the members of the EURO to maintain fixed parity. Ie -- reserves of some kind -- GOLD?

Trouble with the dollar exchange rate is less likely with the EURO because it is now full-floating anyway relative to the dollar, and will remain so. Hence any discussion of the EEC 'snake' is relevant now only in relation to the likelihood of success of the fixed EURO exchange rates between member countries. Given George Soros' comments about little thought regarding differential inflation rates between countries, the EURO may lead a short life. My guess is that the winners of future EURO turmoil will be the countries with lots of gold reserves -- Germany, France, and ?

A business man ( we'll call Bill ) is sitting at the end of the bar after a long day at work. After a while a woman takes the stool next to him, and some small talk passes back and forth.

After a drink or two, when he has gathered up his courage, he clears his throat and ventures, Madam, would you take offence if I offered you $850,000 to consider giving me a bit of relief?

She's understandibly taken aback by this, but after reflection decides that the guy is not so bad looking and- after all, that *is* a lot of money- so after a seemly pause she assents.

They stare at their drinks for a while in silence, when he turns to her and says, Well, in that case, would you do it for 5 dollars?

She hauls off and decks him off his bar stool and begins to scream at the top of her voice, What do you think I am- some common whore!?- and gathers up her things in a huff.

Well.., he replys, I thought we'd already established *that* fact. Now we're simply negotiating the price.

Things could be heating up again, and it seems that most of the action will be with Kenneth Starr -- indictments, etc. Then -- the Hyde committe will get to play their role.

http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WAPO/19981113/V000435-111398-idx.html

Well - Perhaps the American Democratic system has not yet crossed the Rubicon after all.

I never thought Webster Hubbel was all that dumb and lazy as his former supporters said. After all, he was attorney general in Arakansas for years, and assistant attorney general under Janet Reno. Unfortunately, however, he will not be a willing witness. I think he is genuinely frightened of testifying against WJC. He is one of WJC's former inner circle who knows too much. They have a tendency to disappear if they show any sign of speaking out.

Interesting that John Huang is not afraid. Perhaps the Riadys are less dangerous than those shady supporters of WJC.

If I were a Communist party leader, I might encourage John Huang to testify. Then -- I would sit back and watch all the commotion. Really can't blame the Chinese leaders. We would do the same if some foreign leader offered to give all sorts of secret information without any risk at all -- for campaign contributions. Why bother with espionage, when you can just pay for it directly? No special training necessary.

What really irritates me is how hard our scientists worked on all of these secret satellite technologies. Now they have to work overtime to replace the technology secrets lost. Hard to do when the security leak is as big as a barn door. Hope it was all pre-y2k. Nice little self ingniting fuse there -- say -- perhaps we could arrange to mysteriously lose a few compromised satellites during the Leonid shower.

Now, it seems that only the Supreme Court is working. Perhaps I am expecting things to work more rapidly then they are -- but I doubt it.

Sadly, I think you are right. That lawsuit in Chicago against the small weapons firms apparently is not going to be contested, although even I ( non-lawyer ) can see it flies in the face of our consitutional right to bear arms -- and when ( rarely ) necessary overthrow the government. That amendment was put there for a reason -- by some very wise people who knew better than our current leaders. There is something to be said for first hand experience, as they had all left tyannical Europe for the freedom of the 'New World'.

And I am a pacifist ( of sorts ) since I am reluctant to carry weapons. I firmly believe in the preservation/protection of lives, not taking them. But I will defend myself and my family if I must -- with weapons, if necessary. Intelligent life is the most precious thing in the Universe -- no one has the right to take it away. No one. I will certainly not let anyone take my life without a fight to the finish, if that is what it takes. I guess I make a funny Quaker pacifist -- I will not take that last step of turning the other cheek.

It is ludicrous to conclude that punishing the small weapons manufacturers will stop criminals from buying guns. Know any criminals that register their guns with the FBI?

Our law enforcement officials -- the local ones I know I respect -- will always be one step behind the criminals -- so why not find some other way of going after them than punishing everyone else?

Makes me think the 'crazy years' that Heinlein wrote about are upon us.

What next -- our freedom of speech?

I wonder, something like this happened worldwide in the 30's. Are we repeating the cycle? How long must we wait before the concept of individual right is reborn? Let's not wait too long or the system will be broken.

away......to go long sparkletts

Éßteethfloating

go gold.

I like the idea of drooy pullin back......I'll be ready this time. Missed it last time.......but it won't happen again.....uh uh. It doubles I sell half and w/w.......ohmy ( ! ) it's easy right ( grin ) ...

You can mail me anytime to tell me what you REALLY think of the Clinton's and this current admin. ( and don't sugar coat it this time ) ;- ) AGULP to ya.......btw, when in St Thomas a few weeks back I stumbled onto this signed, dated, waxed, etc. bottle of Jose's PRIVATE reserve specially packed in it's own intricately carved box. It was GOLDen and they wanted a small fortune ( in gold? ) for it. oh hell, It now sits in my liquor cabinet justa waitin'........in it's box.........waxed up...............and smilin at me every time I open the cabinet....................yummy, hmmmmmmmm when to drink this GOLDen nectar.............decisions...

go golf!

away....to gaze at José

Éß

Crystal Ball - how are them AOL puts doin o-u-c-h...eh? ( jest teasin' ) ...you top searchin fella you.... ( were you jest kiddin with us and you really didn't buy 'em? ) .........hope so.

Don't all of you get the feeling that even Kenneth Starr's investigation is being very carefully orchestrated in relation to news releases? We are not just talking about the WJC crowd, but another group of individuals as well.

Am I the only one that believes the truth must come out even if it is damaging for many people? The truth always comes out anyway, and I don't mean when we go visit St. Peter. Before that.

http://www.drudgereport.com/matt.htm

This worries me. I can only surmise that Kenneth Starr has been ordered not to discuss matters 'still in investigation' by that Judicial panel that tells him what to do. Are KS's 'advisors' hoping they can go through the impeachment process without bringing up any new dirt 'because it might be damaging to the morale of the country'?

The real truth might be more subtle than this:

1 ) The 'powers that be' might be afraid WJC will smear everyone with dirt from his FBI files data. Alen Specter fears something.

2 ) Criminal proceedings against the president might embarrass many individuals, since both Dems and Republicans would get egg on their face -- even without WJC actively slinging dirt.

3 ) The Kenneth Star investigation is 'still moving forward' but is not allowed to release new and damaging information because it might trigger a crash in the stock markets and subsequently the economy.

I find it ludicrous that our Attorney General is moving forward at a snail's pace on the campaigngate issues -- and congress has not put her feet in the fire. I know at the very least Congress can censure her -- I think they can fire her if they have a majority, IMHO. Perhaps she needs to be 'impeached' or whatever it is called for obstructing justice.

Tolerant1: I found that NYTimes article you quoted intriguing. Apparently

Congress is supposed to roll over if the Attorney General refuses to investigate her boss. This would not have happened in the Nixon years. Have our honest leaders lost all of their ability to fight the dishonest ones? Is this the end of the American Democratic system? Are we finally crossing the Rubicon, like so many democracies before us? I feel like Diogenes looking for an honest man -- or in this case, a leader that will stand up for what is right, even if it is unpleasant.

Do we have noone left in Congress/Justice/? with any backbone? At least the Supreme Court is showing some spirit.

White Noise-Pink Noise--Gold Noise

What's the dif?

They only had three tons but.....

10.00 I tell ya ...10.00...............

Has sold all of its gold today...........

They had two tons........

10.00 I tell ya...10.00

The Central Bank of Samalia has decided to sell

ALL of its gold.................

It only had one ton..........

But Barrick Gold Figured it was worth the pay-out for the announcment...

Cabal Cabal...where is my camal........

All Central banks are to announce Gold sales Tamarro....

Yes........Every central bank in the world will announce it has sold

or will sell all of its gold tamorro........

Look out below.......

You Goldbugs Really Make Me Sick.....

10.00 I tell ya ....10.00...

Now sell everything......

Sell Sell Sell....

One zero zero zero zero.............

Gold is worthless..........

Gold is evil............

Gold is not patriotic...........

Gold hates you.............

Kill Gold.........

Kill Kill Kill.....Gold

DEPRESSION: Economic condition characterized by falling prices, reduced purcashing power, an excess of supply over demand, rising unemployment, accumulating inventories, deflation, plant contraction, public fear and caution, and a general decrease in business activity. The Great Depression of the 1930s, centered in the United States and Europe, had worldwide repercussions.

Source: Barron's Finance & Investment Handbook 4th Edition

Welcome to the club, thanks for posting *smile*.

Today is: 11/13/98

Days Left in 1998 48

Days Left in 1999 365

Total Days Left 413

Less Weekend Days ( 2 days out of every seven ) 118

Leaves : Days available for working 295

Then Subtract

Vacation Days Per Year 10

Holidays per year 12

Sick Days Per Year 6

Net Work Days left 263

No of work hours in a day 8

Average efficiency of a work hour 0.5

Number of productive hours left 1,068

Feel free to amend any parameter to your liking. -cg