Stone Baby! Your quote follows:

"What I mean is a lot (if not most) of what is going on does not have to do with fundamentals or common sense, it has to do with apparent craziness."

This applies not only to the markets but life in general of which the markets are simply a reflection. I can tell you this: Everything that happens in the markets is purposeful. The seemingly strange movements in the markets are not occurring because they are being orchestrated by some cadre of super intelligent people somewhere. They just represent a battle between different groups of people trying to figure out what it is that they really believe and trying to convince themselves of it by using the markets as a tool. It's the same psychological mechanism a man uses when he goes to a prostitute to try and convince himself of his manliness OR when he buys a new car to try and convince himself that he is not getting older. We are in the minority here with Kimber and with gold, along with Jim and Eric. Being in the minority is lonely. That's why people form clubs and groups and use other societal mechanisms to join with others. The punishment for this inability to walk alone is a merging of thought until true independent thought is lost. Once we become so joined to the greater group, the punishment for independent thought becomes fear.

Stone, know what you know! Do not doubt unless someone you respect can give you reason to doubt. What you are seeing is not craziness any more than people scattering in a train station to the sound of gun fire would be considered craziness. There is a direct relationship between understanding and intelligence of reaction. Where there is little understanding, there is seemingly crazy reaction. You have the knowledge you need. Do not be arrogant about it, but accept it as a gift. Sit on it and let it grow. Do not be shaken out! Bull