First, thanks for the info and thoughts. I'll throw out another thought that may be in the mix.

What just happened a month ago?  That's right, the Dems got some power, and are proclaiming their desire/intent to support the middle class. You know, the class that doesn't have the means to invest in the markets like those rich bastards with all those tax benefits (which just irks me - it's the middle class and the retired most invested in such markets IMO, as the truly rich have the means to invest to totally sheltered off-shore investments - but I digress).

One of the Dems near term targets may be to make changes re: long term capital gains handling, popping it from the current typical 15% back up to 20% or more. And if they don't pull it off in the next year, you can almost count on it IMO after they impeach Bush or after the '08 Pres. election (who, at this moment in time, really thinks the Repubs will recapture the White House in '08?). 

So the clock is ticking to maximize on current LTCG handling. This, coupled with the fact that there is still risk in this investment, could be catalyst for conversions. This would also explain the recent PPS action - which I believe prompted all these thoughts.

This leaves the question: what happens if really good news hits us? Recent good news has been met with little positive advance in PPS, followed by more bleeding. And this has me perplexed. If it were me in their shoes, when good news hit, I stand back and let 'er run up, then I'd bring out the leaches for another cycle of bleeding (one/two cents/day) from a much higher base.

But you KNOW that I KNOW nuttin'!

SGE