Do you folks think that it is part of the cyclical nature of the sector?

Is it that some of the promising juniors are off their lows because they should be?

Could it be because the end of year selling is over?

I suppose that the above possibilities could be involved in the mix someplace but I believe that at least to some degree, something else is happening here. It quite possibly has to do with what has been happening on a larger scale behind the scenes. I won't belabor the point but I am of the belief that until the regulatory agencies first police themselves and then introduce into legislation new laws and regulations [or follow the protective rules that have been in place but are largely being ignored] that we will continue to see an attack on the free market systems by some very ruthless and powerful entities. No, that does not mean that we 'sell all' and 'run for the hills' OR lay down and die BUT it may mean that we too [along with the CEO's] have to change the way we think regarding the way we do business, including the BUYING-SELLING and HOLDING part of our investment strategies. My dad used to say to me that when you are boxed in son, there is always another way to 'skin a cat'. Ladies and gents, I am trying to find that way while penning this post but alas, so far, I am coming up with blanks.

All the best for 2009,

Jerry Francis