SB and Others:

Big Picture Thoughts here - Any thoughts about Alternative Energy being the basis for the next bull market when all of the pain is wrung out of the financial system? Not talking timeframe, but simply, what is the basis for the next bull market, if not? How many years do you expect this bear market to last? We're not counting bear market relief rallies, like the ones we have had in the 30s and 70s. In the macro picture, those bear markets effectively lasted more than a decade. I'm talking a sustainable advance past DOW 14,000 after the DOW and gold have reached parity or near parity. Or, would you expect alt. energy to lead a bear market relief rally?

Secondly, is it possible for gold to be a key participant in a bull market that benefits useful equities, (infrastructure, alt energy, water, food), or is gold simply the flight to quality, gotta-own-it-in-a-bear-market investment?

Third, does anyone expect the HUI to separate from the broader market, and stay separated even after the spring/summer selloff that usually occurs?