A lot of questions being asked and answered here today. Some of them are accurate and some of them are not. Add to that the fact that accuracy can be a moving target, and the concept of it can differ with the one who is hearing it.

I did attend the conference in vancoouver over the last couple of days, and although I can't claim credit for asking a bunch of questions, I was present and lurking when most of them were answered. My understanding of the answers also tend to differ from others.

Judging from Misfit1's recent post, I would swear he was standing beside me when Wes responded to a question about the rumor (Sunday afternoon it was just a rumor). Wes's response was that he was aware of it, and fully supported the move, and his body language indicated to me that Misfit reading of the situation is bang on. It really wouldn't surprise me that we find out later that these picketers are all on Noront's payroll (tfic). They are fully equipped for the winter season, with the exception of the 2 big drills. The machine they require actually do not exist. They had to be specially designed and built, because of their capabilities and the need for portability once they are on site. Delivery is scheduled for late February, and their only concern is having them on site before end of winter season. Thus one can suppose that if this is a game, we could see this blockade continue until, and suddenly end, about the 3rd week of February.

Everyone, including the bigger players have backed off and await the result of this vote for FWR. Everyone is in it for the almighty dollar, and it's potential in the ROF in the short term will be determined by that vote. Our leader seemed to be quite comfortable with the indications of what that vote is going to be, and where it is going to take us all, but also seemed quite comfortable in letting others think what they will, and assume what they want. He did say though, that he thought the vote result would be obvious by Thursday, this week.

The above statements are only my impressions of things that seemed to be said. I did not, and would not expect to, receive any direct responses to questions. This tends to create a very uncomfortable feeling with the people involved in this company. I had 14 companies on my list of "have to see's". In each case I was received quite cordially, made comfortable, and provided reasonable answers to any of my questions. In each case I left their booth with a satisfied feeling. In the case of NOT, there was a definate aura about the place that involved a great deal of care towards the need to talk without saying anything important.

Best regards

K