The combination of continuing uncertainty about when the permit will come, the general market dropping AND moving away from risk, and the overhead supply from the financing will pressure us for a while longer.

While nobody in the company knows much more than we do about the timing, it would be nice if we could get a VZ goverment official to reaffirm the very slow process is still proceeding with no impediments. Unfortunately, they are all busy getting drunk or laid, or chewing coca leaves this week.

My biggest disappointment is with the Canadian ambassador to VZ, a person that could actually put some (mild) pressure on the process, which our execs cannot do without pissing someone off. Were I a Canadian, I would email the ambassador and push him to make a statement and get his ass in gear as Todd suggests.