Hasn't it been said though, by people ( analysts) smarter than myself that by the time we know we're in a depression, it's already halfway over? Don't the majority of depressions ( and I'm not taling the dirty thirties here) only last 6 months to a year?

That's not to say that there won't be lingering effects long after, but more recession-like and less severe.

Even in depressions, there were stocks that were success stories.

I dunno, I've heard it said that to be successful in the market, you can't be normal. Normal in the sense that you don't do what the crowds do, don't let your emotions rule over you. That's not to say that the madness of crowds don't have an effect on the markets, but the trick is either to get out before they do, or buy when they are selling.

Just some quickly put-together thoughts.

GLTAL