USAGOLD Discussion - May 2006

All times are U.S. Mountain Time

The Invisible Hand
(05/01/2006; 02:04:06 MDT - Msg ID: 143727)
The two lies � 9/11 and gold
Science is, in effect, a habit of the intellect which is acquired through acts commanded by the will, and which can be freely used or not. (Alejandro Llano)

The best-kept secret in the investment world is this: "almost nothing turns out as expected" (Harry Browne)

More from Alejandro Llano, "Gnoselogy", Manila, Sinag-Tala Publishers, 2001:

p. 15
St Thomas
Quod sit veritas? (What is the Truth) in: De Veritate (On the Truth)

Veritas est adequatio rei et intellectus.
(Truth is adequation (equality) between the thing an the intellect)

two positive characteristics of this definition
1. it expresses the nature of truth formally
2. it extends to all the various meanings of the word truth

Withal, the implications of this definition can only be grasped if it is properly understood.

ens et verum convertuntur (being and truth can be converted)

The notion of truth adds something to being, but not something which is alien to it
- nothing can be added to being which is of a different nature from being
because every nature is essentially being

Truth adds something to being in that it expresses a formality - an aspect which is not expressed by the very name BEING: its internal intelligibility
- p.17 it adds the conformity of the thing and the intellect

What truth makes explicit about being is specifically the conformity (of the thing and the intellect) in which truth formally consists.

p.17
The adequatio must not be understood in a material or physical sense.
The conformity of truth is a cognitive conformity.

==

The eurocrats are eunuchs. They want to destroy Microsoft.

There seems however to be a political will to create a gold euro. Am I contradicting myself?

Why is everybody silent? Did we lose all orientation? Have we no more standards or value-scales according to which we could judge the value of gold? Nobody can answer the question what is the value of gold.

For a share in a company the answer is simple: what is the real (qualitative) profit of the company? This is then its value.

For gold, it is a "political" value which a whole world (thus not only the Brussels eunuchs � ough, I am not contradicting myself � more on non-contradiction later) would give to this universally exchangeable wealth. Is this gold at a fixed price or freely priced gold, freegold.

The debate which is being conducted about gold is similar to the 9/11 debate. A terror attack or self-inflicted atrocity? A big lie, whereas everybody could see how the three towers were �perpendicularly � imploding into each other. How many huge gold lies are circulating since decades?

Maybe the eurocrats are interested in truth after all?

Who told you the truth could be silenced forever?
By silencing the truth, the silencers force the people who are lied to to contradict themselves.
It's about time that this stops.

Screw the eurocrats!
Give TRUTH a chance!
A chance also, for heroes, like Bill Gates!
Gandalf the White
(05/01/2006; 02:54:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143728)
Lady Whitewaterwoman's Question --- <;-)
Whitewaterwoman (4/30/06; 16:09:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 143713)
===
THIS breakdown in the US$ has now setup the right shoulder for the neckline of the sixth downwards head and shoulders formation.
WHEN it breaks this sixth H&S line at about 80, the FUTURE "price objective" is about 70.5 and I see no reason for this to NOT happen.
Hold on to your YELLOW dearly.
GW
968
(05/01/2006; 03:01:32 MDT - Msg ID: 143729)
EU extends trade sanctions on US imports
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/01/content_4498153.htmBRUSSELS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Monday decided to impose 9.1 million U.S. dollars-worth in additional retaliatory sanctions on the imports from the United States, which had taken anti-dumping measures to protect its domestic companies.

The new sanctions will bring to 36.9 million dollars the total amount of the punitive tariffs payments incurred on U.S. imports in the 12 months from May 1, up from 27.8 million dollars in the previous 12-month period, according to a statement issued by the European Commission.

The punitive 15 percent additional import duty would cover eight new products, including different types of blankets, paper products, photocopying apparatus and drills, according to the EU executive body.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson's office justified the new move on grounds that it was made to counter an increase in the disbursement to U.S. companies of duties collected from EU products under the so-called Byrd Amendment in 2005.

The Byrd amendment, approved in 2000, was ruled illegal by the Geneva-based World Trade Organization in 2002.

Although the U.S. House of Representatives approved a budget bill in February to repeal the disputed trade law in October 2007, the U.S. government payments to American companies are scheduled to continue for two more years, which arouses protests from the EU. Enditem
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIH : another move by the Eurocrat eunuchs ?
The Invisible Hand
(05/01/2006; 05:16:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143730)
Barron's: A Metal Like No Other
http://online.barrons.com/google_login.html?url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.barrons.com%2Farticle%2FSB114626139541739275.html%3Fmod%3Dgooglenews_barronsWITH GOLD AT HIGHS NOT SEEN since the early 1980s -- trading at more than $650 an ounce last week -- where can it go from here?
Well: If you view gold as just another commodity with ornamental and industrial uses, then the fundamentals are telegraphing a grossly overvalued market, with a collapse to $200 not unlikely. But gold's also a monetary metal, safe-haven investment and hedge against inflation -- which the recent price rally itself suggests -- which means it could go to $2,000. That may sound insane. But gold at $2,000 is merely the January 1980 high of ...

full article only for subscribers

==
$2,000 - that's the price for eunuchs who (which?) will sell when price is $30,000.
The Invisible Hand
(05/01/2006; 05:23:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143731)
China to the rescue of Microsoft against European Union
http://english.people.com.cn/200604/30/eng20060430_262285.htmlChina launches IPR protection website

SNIP
China has launched an intellectual property rights (IPR) protection website, a source with the Ministry of Commerce said here on Saturday.
The website is www.ipr.gov.cn
The Invisible Hand
(05/01/2006; 05:33:51 MDT - Msg ID: 143732)
C"est la luuuutte finale - the final battle has started
http://www.billcara.com/archives/2006/05/going_for_the_g.htmlGoing for the gold on May Day
SNIP
May Day is anti-capitalist day around the world. Organized workers will be organized today to protest socioeconomic issues. But not my Little People. We're all overjoyed that Gold and Silver is rallying this day.
==
All eurocrats will be liquidated.
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 05:47:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143733)
MONEYIZATION, PART 23: or We Have Meltdown
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/schmidt/2006/0430.htmlsnip:

Chairman Bernanke confirmed again this past week in testimony before a Congressional committee the lack of any plan at the Federal Reserve. In short, he said that at some meetings of the FOMC rates might rise and at some meetings rates might not rise. The duck outside the window could have provided the same insight. Such a response in many ways is what to be expected from a lackluster leader. The monetary policy of the U.S. economy, the survival of the dollar, and integrity of the global economy now rest with a mediocre, politically motivated academic. Think back to all the college professors you might have had. Would you turn over to any of them responsibility for the global financial system?

The U.S. dollar quickly plunged on Bernanke's testimony. Gold moved ahead, seeking out a new cyclical high. With the crumbling U.S. Housing/Mortgage Pyramid scheme as background, we now have a less than inspiring academic running the Federal Reserve. Global holders of dollars knew what to do: Sell! Foreign exchange markets are sending a signal that should not be ignored, and needs to be correctly interpreted. The signal this week was that the U.S. dollar's value is tenuous, and the dollar went down. Do not fall into the trap of interpreting the market signal as that your national money, Canadian dollar for example, will get stronger. Gold's price trumped all.

Gold investors clearly are on the right train. The disastrous economic fundamentals created by the former leader of the Federal Reserve are clearly evident in the housing problem. The selling of dollars in response to Bernanke's testimony is simply confirmation that the path of least resistance for the dollars is down. Investors in the U.S. and Canada that remain complacent in such a situation will clearly be available for yard work in future years.

That Gold's Super Cycle is unfolding is no longer at doubt. The only remaining questions are how much Gold an investor should own and when should it be bought. You must answer the first question. Methods exist to help with the latter, as presented in the last two graphs. Graph for Euro Gold is available.

The closing note is on an amazing financial, or business, characteristic of the past year or so. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates fifteen times, from 1% to 4.75%. Thus far no serious nor notable failure event has occurred because of this change. That lack of event would seem to be a historical oddity. Somewhere out there is a ticking financial time bomb. Somewhere someone had misjudged their true risk exposure. In June we know the hurricanes will come, just not where and when. A "monetary hurricane" is brewing in this financial environment, only when and where is not known. The time for insurance, Gold, is before the storm hits.

-Goldilox

Great article covering monetization, RE "values", gold, etc.
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 05:54:41 MDT - Msg ID: 143734)
UPDATE OF THE US DOLLAR INDEX
snip:

Note: This article was originally posted on April 22, 2006. The USD currently sets the gold price, but as the Euro and Yuan gain a greater percentage of investor confidence the set price of gold is likely going to be more reflective of individual currencies than the USD. This is already happening in India. I can not remember the exact number, in the Indian currency, gold is already at or more than the 1980 record in Rupees. There are many wealthy people in the world with trillions upon trillions of dollars and many middle class folk that want to preserve what we have. There is not enough gold to satisfy the current amount of money floating around the globe, so this means that gold will get revalued to a price reflective of a balance. Assume all the gold ever mined till 2001 was 145,000 tonnes, with approximately 90% remaining in circulation (10% lost over time from sinking ships, industrial applications etc. etc) bringing the number down to 130,500 tonnes. There are 32,150.72 ounces in a tonne, bringing the total ever mined (including 2500 tonnes per year from 2002 till the end of 2006) to 4,597,552,960 ounces.

Taking the Friday (April 21st, since this article was originally posted at the beginning of last week) gold price close of $632.50/ounce, the total worth of gold in the world is $2.91 trillion dollars. I could not find any statistics on the amount of total money supply, but assume there will be around 90 trillion dollars at 2010 (assuming 15-20% global monetary inflation between now and then) in cash from each country thrown in a pot. In order to balance things out, the price of gold would have to rise 30 fold from current levels to $18,960/ounce. Note that I have not included the 54 billion dollars of unfunded liabilities in the US or other countries, which if included could be in the hundreds of trillions. The bottom line is that gold is still very undervalued and may go higher than all of us believe. One thing for certain, gold at $5000/ounce would see governments seizing mines for political stability. Even if a new currency were to be installed, the value of gold in the new system would still create many millionaires. Back to the USD analysis.

Update of the US Dollar Index

Now that I have cleared my thoughts, a focused analysis should be seen (if not, be prepared for a diversion J). The lower Bollinger bands are beneath the index, which could be signaling an interim bottom. The downside pressure in the USD should exist for the next 6-9 months, pending how quick the price objectives are reached. Compare October 2004 to the present setup: the upper Bollinger bands all curled up, similar to the current situation. The short-term stochastics are forming a tight wedge structure with 4 upper touch points and 3 lower touch points. A break of the lower trend line would see a similar decline in the USD as from October to December 2004, while a break to the upside would suggest a gentler decline to the 81-82 level. An interim bottom in the USD is possible, but it could be a mere blip on the decline.
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 05:56:07 MDT - Msg ID: 143735)
Dollar Index link
http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/petch/2006/0430.htmlSorry - itchy trigger finger. Here's the link.
Gandalf the White
(05/01/2006; 08:24:32 MDT - Msg ID: 143736)
<;-)
the SIGN of the Devil is not far away
Jump SPOT, and bite him !
GW
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/01/2006; 09:35:36 MDT - Msg ID: 143737)
Proven Reliability, Longevity, Quality and Professionalism ---- Invest with Confidence!!
http://www.usagold.com/cpm/aboutcpm.html

Better Business Bureau Certificate
Maverick1
(05/01/2006; 09:57:25 MDT - Msg ID: 143738)
silver shorts
When this inferno really gets going, their attempt to put it out will be like trying to spit on it INTO the wind!
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 10:40:48 MDT - Msg ID: 143739)
Puerto Rico heads toward government shutdown
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/3823206.htmlsnip:

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO - Nearly 1,600 schools shuttered. Some 205,000 public workers unpaid. Most government offices closed.

The U.S. Caribbean territory is staggering under a nearly $740 million budget shortfall and heading toward a grim scenario Monday, when it will run out of cash to pay salaries and provide public services if local lawmakers don't approve a bailout plan.


Talk of the possible shutdown dominated the island Wednesday.

Puerto Ricans jammed gas stations and supermarkets amid rumors that truck drivers would go on strike to force the government to resolve the crisis. Callers flooded talk shows, expressing anxiety.

Union leaders and government workers lashed out at politicians.

A doctors' group said the government may not be able to provide adequate medical care for the 1.6 million people with public health insurance. The doctors said 1 million prescriptions filled each month were also at risk. Police will stay on duty and hospitals will remain open.

Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila promised to maintain limited, essential health coverage, but urged Puerto Rico's 3.9 million residents to pressure their lawmakers to approve his plan to take out a $638 million loan backed by a 7 percent sales tax.

The money would carry Puerto Rico through June 30, the end of this fiscal year.

Puerto Rico's House of Representatives wants to impose a 4 percent sales tax instead. The island now has no sales tax.

Protests were planned today.

-Goldilox

While the "Day Without Immigrants" rallies build in the US, Puerto Rico struggles with budget balancing and backlash from taxpayers.
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 11:03:00 MDT - Msg ID: 143740)
Dead Cat Bounce?
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10US DX in minor recovery this morning.
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 11:08:42 MDT - Msg ID: 143741)
Naked Short Selling
Senate Banking Committee is discussing Naked Short Selling this morning on CSPN2.
968
(05/01/2006; 12:14:51 MDT - Msg ID: 143742)
10,000 kg of gold sold on Sunday
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1511053.cmsBANGALORE: Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but their sparkle was outdone by the glitter of gold this Akshaya Tritiya, with 70,000 kg of gold being sold across the four states of South India on Sunday.

Almost all of the city's 2,000 gold shops were choc-ablock with customers making a beeline for the yellow metal � some as early as 6.30 am, much before the stores' opening time.

In fact, jewellers in the city on Sunday sold almost as much as they do in a month. Not surprisingly, Bangalore saw the highest growth rate in the market share, with the number of customers increasing by 50 per cent this year.

However, of the four southern states, Tamil Nadu led the gold rush with around 25,000 kg of gold changing hands. "Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the leading states of gold consumption in the country, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Bangalore sold around 10,000 kg of gold on Sunday," said sources. While the jewellery booked by customers in advance were collected early in the morning, lakhs of new customers joined the gold rush to making purchases.

Coins and light weight jewellery were mostly in demand and even soaring gold prices didn't seem to deter buyers on the occasion. Around 100 kg of gold coins, offered by one of the banks, was sold by 11 am itself.

"The sale, which was only 10,000 kg in the four states till morning, shot up with the soaring temperatures of the day. Customers were also happy with the arrangements made in shops.

"Last year, we could not manage the crowd and had to pull down our shutters in the afternoon of Akshaya Tritiya, but this year we had made sufficient arrangements both in terms of counters, staff and security to look after the customers," said one of the leading jewellery shop owners.

Some shops also made arrangements for home-delivering the jewellery for their VIP customers. Akshaya Tritiya is considered as auspicious as Vijaya Dashami and Udagi and is believed that gold purchases made on this day will bring good fortune for the family, for the rest of the year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Got gold ?
melda laure
(05/01/2006; 13:50:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143743)
Reconquista today, anti-reconquista inflation tommorrow
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5056.htmGandy, if we have DX at 70 we'll have AU at 780 and oil at 87. (The above article is no longer on the safehaven site)

I wanted to point out the implicit inflation in TC's comments about the house anti-reconquista bill and Sir Lox's comments about C Austin Fitts work.

Regardless of where we stand on the issue it is obvious that congress has ignored the problem. They are happy with the status quo, in immigration, in monetary things and in SSA and medicare.

However, as Senholtz points out, felonies implies incarceration and that means about 1.2 million (10% of 12 million) people locked up. That means numerous new private prisons and whopping profits for some and gigantic deficit spending for uncle sam. Once locked up these people will need something to do, so the government (or contractors) will hire them out and compete with private sector labor.

In exchange for receiving a small stipend, they may "volunteer" to serve their sentence in the "green zone" washing latrines or digging ditches or whatever KBR & co happen to need that day. This all sounds disgusting and crazy, but I just wonder. Of course the REST of US will have to have national ID cards (which will be forgeable anyways) so the feds can tell who is legitimate or not.

Back in the 1980's the ratio of legal citizens to illegal was about 1 to 100, it is now about 1 to 25 (assuming 12 million illegals, which is just an estimate, it could be 25 million or 1 in 12). By the year 2025 the ratio could well be 1 in 6 or 1 out of 5 by which time the issue will be unresolveable- reconquista will be fait accompli.

Given the lack of morals in Washingdoom, I can imagine congress deciding to do both: incarcerate and "amnestize". Admittedly, there are no easy solutions, but there are many really BAD solutions. Eventually we will have brought the US economy down to the level of Mexico's economy, the wage scales will have been "normalized" and an ounce will be worth many months wages.

The irony of it all... two lousy governments, but one pays better... for now anyways.
TownCrier
(05/01/2006; 14:20:57 MDT - Msg ID: 143745)
MAY DAY --- NY gold pushes gains to 25-year high, London out
http://yahoo.reuters.com/stocks/QuoteCompanyNewsArticle.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060501:MTFH09531_2006-05-01_15-22-04_N01401412&symbol=SLV.A&rpc=44NEW YORK, May 1 (Reuters) - ...London markets were closed on Monday for the May Day holiday, which thinned trade and added volatility.

Though buyers have continued to take their cue from higher prices in Asia, dollar weakness and higher U.S. inflation readings, traders noted that price action may be guided primarily by the technical aspects of less liquid market conditions.

"Geneva and Zurich are open, but none of the big shots came in. So I think it's safe to say everything's on hold. Any moves would be due to illiquidity in the market rather than strong fundamentals," a gold trader said.

^---(from url)---^

Speaking of London, I would note my interest in one item of some mail I received last week that the LBMA is no longer requiring its market making members to provide all three facilities of spot, forwards, and options in the gold and silver market.

In an obvious effort to remain relevant and liquid in a changing world environment, the Membership and Management committees have taken steps to allow for full Members to be based outside of the UK, and this comes not surprisingly in tandem with the latest provision to allow for members to be official market makers who might, for example, focus on physical spot markets while ignoring the derivative facilities of forwards and options.

On net this development likely represents a step in the right direction (whereas ETFs by contrast represent a step in the wrong direction on net).

R.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/01/2006; 14:37:42 MDT - Msg ID: 143746)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

MONDAY Market Excerpts

Gold hits $660 in holiday-thin trade as dollar falls

May 1 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold prices closed above $660 an ounce Monday to mark the highest front-month futures level in more than 25 years, as steep declines in the U.S. dollar and concern about Iran's nuclear-research program fueled safe-haven buying and fed a broad-based metals rally.

"Sheer momentum, combined with a sliding U.S. dollar and heightened geopolitical concerns greatly underpins the long-term direction for gold," said Peter Grandich, editor of the Grandich Letter, adding that while he believes a correction is "out there," he's not willing to predict it.

The COMEX June gold contract climbed to a high of $663.80 before closing up $5.70 at $660.20, levels a front-month futures contract hasn't seen since late 1980.

The gains came on the heels of further weakness in the dollar. The greenback hit a one-year low against the euro and seven-month low against the yen Monday, as investors remained confident the Federal Reserve is nearing the end of its interest-rate-tightening cycle.

A number of Asian markets were closed overnight. Exchanges in China will be closed all week and reopen May 8.

In Tokyo, the Golden Week holiday officially gets underway later this week.

European markets were also closed for the May 1 holiday.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 14:54:58 MDT - Msg ID: 143747)
Status Quo is an illusion.
@ Melda laure,

I heartily concur with your analysis. Attempting to stop immigation flow at teh border without addressing the corporate side of the issue is ludicrous beyond one-sidedness, and CONgress's hands are tied by their funding sources. It is no different than the "war on drugs", whose hands were bound by the participation of official intelligence services at the source points.

Mexico is one of the richest countries in Latin America. Their tiered structure is completely supported by globalism, and their class differentiation is one of the widest in the world. That is why the common folk in third-world countries think of US workers as "rich". They know we're not living like them, and the only other alternative they have seen is the walled-off villas of their own mega-rich "leaders".

When illegals come here to find work, they are essentially refugees of globalism, as the global corporations pay them less than liveable wages in the sweat shops off-shore.

The main reason feet are dragging in finding solutions is that the only REAL solution is wage parity and NONE of the globalists want that unless it is accompanied by complete destruction of adequate working conditions and wage superiority attained in the 20th Century US and Europe. World Wars interrupted this process, but globalism is the only thing that has succeeded in reversing it.

The Chinese "miracle economy" can only last as long as the new "middle class" attains no visible political power, or they will succumb to similar labor unrest to what the West is now experiencing.

I absolutely loved the Galbraith quote posted earlier.

"With capitalism, man exploits man. With communism, it's the reverse"

Our planetary society is experiencing a period of rather rapid social evolution (or de-evolution, from an opposing perspective), and the pain that accompanies that is what sends people into gold for wealth protection. History has demonstrated what happens to those who ride the FIAT train all the way to the end of the tracks.
TownCrier
(05/01/2006; 14:55:31 MDT - Msg ID: 143748)
Teeth to hedge by...
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/images/coates_corner/20060502/cartoon.jpgR.
TownCrier
(05/01/2006; 15:06:33 MDT - Msg ID: 143749)
Gold majors hemmed in by hedges
http://afr.com/articles/2006/05/01/1146335671747.htmlMay�02, Reuters |�New York -- The surge in the gold price to a 25-year high couldn't have come at a worse time for gold miners, including Newmont Mining and Barrick Gold, as a competing rally in oil could spoil their party.

Shares of the big producers have barely budged despite record metal prices, defying conventional wisdom that says where the gold price goes, so go the stock prices.

But as the price of gold burst through the $US600-per-ounce barrier for the first time in 25 years, oil prices have also skyrocketed and threatened to squeeze any windfall that most miners stand to get from the higher bullion price.

For some big miners, their prospects could be made even more complicated by their hedging.

Some miners, like Barrick, hedge some of their production, to protect against falling prices. But that means they are locked in to sell at certain prices - even if the gold price goes up...

So far this year, the shares of Newmont, which has a non-hedging policy, have risen 9 per cent... Barrick shares are also up 9 per cent for the year...

In Asia yesterday, gold was as high as $US661.63 an ounce, the highest since October 17, 1980. This year, the gold price is up as much as 25 per cent as investors diversify into precious metals...

Bigger miners carry the weight of contracts that tie some of their production to prices far lower than the spot prices. More instances of stock underperformance could be on the cards for the big gold miners, while takeover talk fuelled gains in some smaller miners, analysts said.

^---(from url)---^

Not all so-called gold investments are always truly as good as gold. Stick to your strategy without distraction and choose real metal as the solid base to your diversified portfolio.

R.
TownCrier
(05/01/2006; 15:21:25 MDT - Msg ID: 143750)
Stephen Roach on Oil and Bonds
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b6eb7516-d930-11da-8b06-0000779e2340.html(excerpts)
...I am coming around to the view that nonlinear "threshold effects" -- the macro equivalent of the tipping point -- will probably play an important role in unmasking the endgame in today's liquidity-driven unbalanced world.

The breaking point in this case will probably be determined by a combination of economic and psychological factors.

That's because the sustainability of America's current account deficit -- by far, the most serious imbalance in today's unbalanced world -- is critically dependent on the confidence that foreign investors place in dollar-denominated assets.

If that confidence were to falter for any reason, the subsequent venting of the pressures stemming from the massive US external deficit may be swift and severe -- with important spillover effects on other markets and wealth-dependent economies around the world.

I honestly don't know if the bond market and oil prices are now at thresholds that could spark such pyrotechnics. I suspect it could take something more in the 5.5% to 6% range for yields on long Treasuries to qualify as a full-blown tipping point. Even so, a 5% bond yield and $70 oil are much closer to that possibility than has been the case in a long time. Moreover, it's important to note that this confluence of forces is not occurring in isolation -- it is playing out in the increasingly ominous context of a post-US-housing bubble shakeout and an increase in protectionist pressures.

Courtesy of a more-than-ample cushion of excess liquidity, an unbalanced global economy has endured an extraordinary array of destabilizing developments in recent years. This had led to excesses in many segments of world financial markets -- especially in some of the riskiest markets, such as emerging-market debt and equities.

Investors are now taking liquidity-induced resilience in the global economy for granted. Maybe Iceland was the canary in the coal mine after all.

^---(from url)---^

Are you taking the resiliance of your purchasing power for granted? Newer and ever shakier paper constructs are spawned every day. Find a firm foundation beyond the clutter and choose the enduring reliability of tangible gold.

R.
TownCrier
(05/01/2006; 15:32:00 MDT - Msg ID: 143751)
Gold exchange set to junk 96-year system
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=2&art_id=17816&sid=7757191&con_type=3May 02, 2006 -- The Hong Kong bullion exchange plans to take advantage of rising gold prices by launching a long-awaited 24-hour electronic trading system by the middle of next year which it hopes will turn around its declining fortunes.

The 96-year-old Chinese Gold & Silver Exchange Society, which operates from 9am to 5pm, still uses the open-outcry system, where traders shout out offers and bids.

With the new system, the exchange hopes to boost trading volume to more than 200,000 taels per day - or about 10 times the current daily volume of 20,000 to 30,000 taels. (A tael is a traditional Chinese measurement equal to 1.2 ounces.)

As recently as 1980, the exchange was trading an average of one million taels per day. But, according to exchange president Alvin Ching Man- kit, the market has been hit both by a two-decade slump in the demand for gold and rising competition from the London market.

"The trading houses and banks use the electronic trading system to allow customers to trade loco London gold 24 hours a day. With the new electronic system, we believe the bullion exchange can take back 60 percent of the loco London gold trading volume," Ching said.

...Prodded by worries over the rising US deficit, gold started shooting up, along with other metals, in the second half of last year, hitting US$661.1 per ounce in Monday Tokyo trading - a new 25-year high. But while the market was flying, the exchange - often criticized for being slow to react - was not taking advantage of the bounty because of its antiquated system.

In 2004, then-exchange president Fung Chi-kin said he was lobbying for round-the-clock trading. But since the exchange is registered as a society, its members need to approve every change.

"The exchange is 96 years old, so it takes some time to persuade our members to change to the new system," Ching said.

To help make the switch easier, the exchange plans, at some unspecified point, to change its status to limited company, allowing its leaders to institute reform without much input from members.

"Hopefully, by the end of 2006 the hardware and software of the trading system will be finalized, enabling us to use the new system by mid-2007."

^---(from url)---^

Is headline news clue-ing you in on the global changes in the gold market based on its ascendancy as the supremely reliable and notably non-dollaresque neutral international reserve asset?

R.
Thoreauly
(05/01/2006; 15:37:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143752)
@ Goldilox & Melda laure
"With capitalism, man exploits man. With communism, it's the reverse."

I would say, rather, that with the crony capitalism of the corporate state, man exploits man, but that capitalism, properly understood -- i.e., as voluntary exchange that is the essence of the social enterprise -- is cooperative, not exploitive.

I would hope that you agree, notwithstanding the fact that capitalism, properly understood, is impossible, given the corruption of money -- i.e., of that which historian Will Durant called "the root of all civilization."
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 16:15:32 MDT - Msg ID: 143753)
Response
@ Thoreauly,

I would hope that non-crony capitalism would function much better, but as the whole point is to end up with all the marbles, it is difficult to imagine it in any sort of altruistic state.

Communism, in a democratic (non-dictatorial) form offers similar potential, and interestingly the exact same set of caviats and corruptions. This planet has yet to see that one in any governmental capacity.

It would seem then, that the issue is not whether a system is better, but which system offers the least opportunity for spoilage by corruption.

Then we get to the Aristotilians, who think that pure democracy cannot work because it will fall to the greed of the electorate as they vote their way into the treasury.

The question ultimately reverts not to system, but perhaps to the morality of those administering the system, and the effectiveness of defined checks and balances.

How ironic that as the US loses freedoms to PA I,II,III, the Chinese are experiencing a rennaisance of market freedom - meeting somewhere in the middle, maybe?

Wow, I am really waxing philosophical on this one.

We're probably getting way too far off-topic.
Thoreauly
(05/01/2006; 16:41:38 MDT - Msg ID: 143754)
@ Goldilox
Having so "Thoreauly" enjoyed -- and learned from -- your postings for over a year now, I confess that I'm shocked and disappointed by your reply:

1) If "the whole point is to end up with all the marbles," then a zero-sum, winner-take-all ethic is what you espouse, in which case it matters not what form this Hobbseian war-of-all-against-all takes.

2) As an inherently cooperative enterprise, a free society recognizes self-interest, not altruism, as its motivating force, said interest being the basis of the voluntary exchange whereby each party gains; otherwise, the parties would not engage in it.

3) Democracy can be, and generally is, as dictatorial as any other form of (statist) government, since it is nothing other than mob rule disguised as the "rule of the people."

4) True democracy is market democracy -- i.e., the kind we practice at the grocery store -- where we vote (or would if we could) with the sound money that is, to quote Will Durant again, "the root of all civilization."

5) This is only off-topic if sound money is off-topic.
Topaz
(05/01/2006; 16:54:01 MDT - Msg ID: 143755)
Bonds, Oil etc.
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/micro.jsp?s=GC1%21&s=DX1%21&s=TYXY&s=CL1%21&s=&s=&s=&s=&p=D&v=15&b=LINE&d=LOWAs Mr Roach joins the cacophany of experts Jawboning 'ol Buck lower it's interesting to take a look at Bond Yield and try to get past all the noise.
If we extend the accompanying TYXY Chart to max, would we not be mistaken to assume or expect a reversal and power-drive back to 4% ?
What might Buck do under such circumstances ?

This, if sound TA and in spite of Feds powers to purchase currencies, points to an impending SM rout. Given our Au/Ag currency disconnect, the metals complex get out in "US$ sideways" fashion. ...IMHO.
hirise
(05/01/2006; 17:25:49 MDT - Msg ID: 143756)
SLV - What's up?
I notice that while SLV has reported buying only 1.5moz. of silver, their volume is reported as an average 2,343,200 shares. If those figures are correct, then obviously they couldn't have the 10 oz. per share that they say is backing their fund. What's the story?
R Powell
(05/01/2006; 17:46:36 MDT - Msg ID: 143757)
Hirise
http://www.ishares.com/fund_info/detail.jhtml?symbol=SLV Try this link. The SLV holds just under 22 million ounces of silver.
Flatliner
(05/01/2006; 17:49:37 MDT - Msg ID: 143758)
@hirise
Can't remember having seen you in the forum before - it's good to see new �faces�.

One can only guess that the 1.5 Moz, which equals 150k shares, of SLV traded hands many times during the day. My calculations would suggest that each share traded an average of about 15 times. That's a lot of churn, but that is much like stock trading � which is the market they are in.

The part of the mix that I'm unsure about is how often they offer new shares to the public. In other words, are they going to increase their issued shares over time? If so, one would guess that for each new share they will back it with 10 ounces of consumed precious.

On the topic of backings, does anyone have a link to information about the backings in the different ETFs? I once read an article that compared Gold ETFs to central banks where ETFs are steadily climbing the list of gold ownership. It would be interesting to see the information after the last pullback.
TownCrier
(05/01/2006; 17:50:02 MDT - Msg ID: 143759)
hirise, on volumes
The following applies to the gold ETF, too.

'Daytraders' are flipping shares of the ETF.

What's more, shares can be essentially borrowed into existance, thus making for a market effect of inflated supply.

As a foreseen consequence, in fostering the creation of ETFs, the banking brotherhood has effectively taken the rigors of allocated accounts and rendered them entirely superficial by means of this unallocated trading of shares instead.

It's not exactly the gentlemanly "buy-and-hold" vehicle that proponents would like to make it out to be and have you think it to be.

Unfortunately, few people out there comprehend it, and among those that do, few will be willing to tell you.

So on behalf of anyone who reads this, thanks for checking in and giving some airtime to the matter.

R.
R Powell
(05/01/2006; 17:53:35 MDT - Msg ID: 143760)
Hirise
Sorry, make that 20,999,769 ounces and please note that that number was as of close of trading on last Friday which was the IPO. I have no idea how often it will be updated nor do I have any idea if Barclay's has all that silver NOW in physical form. Nor do I have any idea how many shares were sold today....maybe someone else can help?

There are now many gold ETFs. Whether or not they are backed with actual physical or not....who knows...but they seem (just my opinion) to have increased demand.
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 17:54:46 MDT - Msg ID: 143761)
Statism
@ Thoreauly,

This is why I suggest that the most important feature of government is the defined "checks and balances". As we know power corrupts, etc., Our most important job as citizens is to be vigilant agianst corruption's ravages.

Theoretically, the best government is the smallest possible government, perhaps all volunteers, but it ain't gonna happen, as it so often gets overwhelmed by the men "behind the curtain."

Anyway, I don't think the issue is a slam dunk, which is why I punted after the previous post.
melda laure
(05/01/2006; 18:07:31 MDT - Msg ID: 143762)
storm clouds and the age of gold.
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/042706_paradigm_speech.shtmlSnip: "As M. King Hubbert wrote, and as Catherine Austin Fitts teaches, and as I have said for so long, "Until you change the way money works, you change nothing.""

Men, by their nature, are competetive and greedy creatures (we can discuss the faults of elves and hobbits some other time); I suppose the issue is the difference between a poker game played between gentlemen and one where the final hand has to be settled with sixguns (utterly juvenile!) in other words a balance of power- something this world has lacked for some time now. Fiat money would never have been approved if the balance hadn't been completely lost somewhere first, my guess somewhere back in 1634, but I digress.

The missing piece you seek is in the nature of Law, sir Goldilox, and how it does or does not protect the property OF THE WEAK. A large coercive state like Rome, Babylon, etc is impossible without it. Deep capital is essential to a massive state and advanced society. This is why there were so few truly coercive states in the New World. But of course, to see that, you would have to be familiar with the barbarian european history in the ages BEFORE ROME, indeed if you start with the laws of Hammurabi you will fail utterly, because his reforms were incited by just the sort of man-abusing-man "capitalism" you bemoan. By the time of Hammurabi, all was lost. To regain the proper perspective you may have to climb mount olympus, or observe an allthane in progress: the rapacity of gods and the civility of barbarians. It is a long sad tale.

Money has its secrets. But the secret to a civil social order is a greater secret still. And while sound money is essential, by itself it is not sufficient. An did you know the history of elves you would berate me for even presuming to lecture on the topic. If gold does go to the moon, the day may come soon after when alchemy is revealed, and energy is abundant. But I think that those secrets may have to wait until men master their greed and baser natures. For now such things remain suppressed, even in the face of great need, and we are on the withering verge of great peril. Some things it is better to begin than refuse, as they say, though there is still hope.
Armageddon
(05/01/2006; 18:16:05 MDT - Msg ID: 143763)
Suggestion/Request for the "Gold Coin Shop" at USA Gold/CPM
I now have all the Pre-1933 European Gold coins listed on CPM's main gold coin shop website. Most of the coins I bought here at CPM/USAGOLD.

I was wondering if USA gold/CPM could put more of their gold coin inventory in the Gold Shop that can be bought online via credit card? I tend to purchase my gold in groups always online using a credit card. I like the freedom of browsing the online store and ordering the coins at any hour I wish and have the freedom to compare prices and quality of the coins. I am looking to buy more pre-1933 European gold coins listed in MK's book about European coins.

Basically, I am suggesting that USA GOLD/CPM put more of their gold coin inventory online instead of only acessible via phone orders. I believe that this would benefit USA Gold tremendously by increasing sales to current and future customers like me. USA Gold's Prices are very competitive so I don't see any reason not to do this. Thanks.

R Powell
(05/01/2006; 18:44:31 MDT - Msg ID: 143764)
TownCrier's question
I may be able to offer some info.

Commodities can be bought or sold short...without regard to actual physical supply. This is a hard concept for many to grasp + is somewhat irrelevant here...

Because, shares of stock traded on the stock exchanges can ONLY be shorted from the existing supply of outstanding shares that do exist (sometimes called open interest).

Also, volume is somewhat misleading because, as TownCrier indicated, shares are bought and sold all the live long day.

However, the site I posted gives the number of outstanding shares + the total amount of metal that the fund holds. This number is slightly lower than the 10 ounces of metal per share because the fund has carrying charges. It does not exist for free.

Hirise reported the number of 1.5 million ounces which many financial reports had mentioned as the original holding, just before the IPO. After the first day, more than 20 million ounces were needed to back the outstanding shares. Did Barclay's buy that much on Friday alone? I doubt if they could take physical possession that quickly, most of that was probably bought on paper for delivery when? Or did they already hold that much or more? Just because some news service reports 1.5 million ounces does not mean there was only 1.5 million. After all, that number was never officially denied.

If more was bought as needed last Friday (and today?), was it bought on commodity exchanges where short selling is common practice and almost always offset by simply buying back the contract for cash? If Barclay's wants delivery of the physical, can those who sold them the metal deliver? It is perfectly normal + legal to buy a commodity from someone who not only does not possess the item but has no intention of ever delivering it. They simply offset the trade for cash. Barclay's, from what I understand, has to hold PHYSICAL metal to back their shares. What happens to the price of an item when someone stands for delivery and the shorts can not deliver + must buy back for cash? Rigggght!

Each answer often creates more questions. Also, there is always speculation that Buffett's stash or part of it may be used to back Barclay's. Who knows? Do we then need open interst in excess of 130 million ounces before the delivery becomes difficult?

My opinion only here....I do not place too much emphasis on these numbers as the ETFs (gold, silver, oil, etc.), have provided another means of hedging + possible arbitrage opportunities for producers, users, investors and traders. It's similar to what options on contracts did as opposed to when commodities traded contracts only...namely it creates unlimited strategies...much too complicated for anyone to discipher with any certainty. However, I am intriqued by the fact that ETFs must hold physical to back their shares....but, I have no idea how flexible the regulations are as to how long they have to acquire this or how long they can hold this reguirement on paper only.

Can anyone add anything or correct any factual errors I may have made?
MK
(05/01/2006; 19:01:20 MDT - Msg ID: 143765)
Armageddon. . .
Thank you for your kind comments.

To address your question concern:

We have added a few new coins to our offer list in the last few weeks, but Randy (our illustrious sitemaster) is in the process of some new features to add small lot specials to the site on a regular basis.

We do have a number of new and unusual coins which we can offer at the store but the background programming is time consuming. With unusual pre-1933 gold coins, the problem is availability. Previously, we attempted to get enough coins of one type to offer a major special. We will continue to do that, but we are now in the process of adding the capability to offer small lots of some of the neat stuff we run into (that often doesn't see the light of day because some investor scoops it up when offered on the telephone.)

For example, today Jonathan bought a small lot of Austrian 25 schillings (in BU condition) -- a really neat little deal. They will probably go out as an investment lot to a couple of investors, but if you give him a call you can get in on the offer. Once we get the new system up, these will go out to all our clients on a first-come, first-served basis.

I can't tell you how much I believe in the potential of this sort of offer for the long run (with future & bargain oriented investors/collectors).

Thanks again for the advice. I think you are right on and we are trying to upgrade our system. By the way, thank you for your business.

It is your purchase from USAGOLD-Centennial Precious Metals that nourishes these important pages.

melda laure
(05/01/2006; 19:01:48 MDT - Msg ID: 143766)
Stability, and bread machines
http://www.enterpriseintegrators.com/flint/4thR/TomSmithsIncredibleBreadMachinePoem.txtA cart full of fireworks is quite stable until an idiot with a match enters it, eh Gandy?! Gadzooks and ninnyhammers! I wish they'd stop subsidizing the gold price. Fortunately they're not subsidizing gold production yet, I couldn't afford it!
TownCrier
(05/01/2006; 19:17:08 MDT - Msg ID: 143767)
Armageddon, some additional items
http://www.usagold.com/gold-coins.htmlThanks for the comments.

Here's a more comprehensive list for you to consider, including some of the additional items (below the bullion) that shall soon become available for online ordering depending on inventory status for the rarer items on any given day. Others will surely join the list.

Until then, a phone call will always give you the latest info AND the best prices.

R.
Topaz
(05/01/2006; 20:10:19 MDT - Msg ID: 143768)
Comex action today ?
http://www.nymex.com/media/delivery.pdfSomeone's training wheels have fallen off or they think it's Apr 1 not May, the Silver Deliveries should be Gold ...and the Silver "so far for May" should be for Gold...I think!
Ten Bears
(05/01/2006; 20:36:15 MDT - Msg ID: 143769)
Another view of what happened to the Soviet Union from Anne Williamson
http://www.russians.org/williamson_testimony.htmIf a country is to be looted there must be a cover story. Is peak oil it for the USA?
Golden Lionheart
(05/01/2006; 20:43:24 MDT - Msg ID: 143770)
Destruction of the USSR
Wow! And all this time I thort it was the CIA wot done it!
Gandalf the White
(05/01/2006; 21:38:14 MDT - Msg ID: 143771)
BEAUTIFUL "leg" UP from a "FLAG" on the GOLD P&F Chart
http://stockcharts.com/def/servlet/SC.pnf?chart=$GOLD,PWTADANRBO[PA][D][F1!3!!!2!20]⪯f=GNote the little "5" atop the stack and the latest Price Objective !
<;-)
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 22:29:09 MDT - Msg ID: 143772)
Bemoaning capitalism
"if you start with the laws of Hammurabi you will fail utterly, because his reforms were incited by just the sort of man-abusing-man "capitalism" you bemoan."

Don't misunderstand my bemoaning cronyism as bemoaning capitalism.

I am just as critical of the Sino-Soviet aberations of communism, for all the same reasons.

Gold ownership is probably the best insurance for those who are not members of either nepotistic hierarchy.
Goldilox
(05/01/2006; 22:34:02 MDT - Msg ID: 143773)
USSR destruction
@ Golden Lionheart,

That's exactly her point!
Golden Lionheart
(05/02/2006; 01:55:14 MDT - Msg ID: 143774)
So whats the score now???
Sorry Goldilox but I didn't read it all.

So we have the USSR, Chile and Panama accounted for. I just hope they don't try their dirty tricks on China because that country will break up into warring tribes just like the old Yugoslavia did.

Good for gold maybe like bombing the stuffing outta Iran but I would not like to see it.

In Australia many people think the CIA were responsible for the disappearence of out Prime Minister Harold Holt
many years ago around the Vietnam War time.

I enjoy all your posts. Keep up the good work.
Thoreauly
(05/02/2006; 05:51:43 MDT - Msg ID: 143775)
@ melda laure
Yes, "Men, by their nature, are competetive and greedy creatures," but if they weren't also cooperative by nature and willing to give as they get, civil society would not be possible.

Recognizing this, I can do no better than quote Jefferson:

"Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? ... Let history answer this question."

Having answered that question unequivocally, it is clear that the balance of power is to be found in the decentralization thereof, such that the people rule through their day-to-day interactions, not through decisions made on high by those who think they know better. And nowhere is this more true, of course, than in the case of money.
hirise
(05/02/2006; 08:32:27 MDT - Msg ID: 143776)
Thanks, SLV vs. CEF
Thank you for your thoughtful responses to my question as to how there can be so much more volume in SLV than there seem to be assets.It sounds like possibly another paper game, without, perhaps, much actual silver to back it. (A possibility GATA, among others, has mentioned.) I notice there was a huge exodus from CEF to SLV, and I'm wondering whether anyone knows if CEF has less paper silver and more of the actual stuff. Anyone?
Gandalf the White
(05/02/2006; 08:56:53 MDT - Msg ID: 143777)
WAY to go, SPOT !
BITE the Devil !
Just went through $666.
Keep Jumping !!
<;-)
TownCrier
(05/02/2006; 08:57:55 MDT - Msg ID: 143778)
hirise, on paper and metal
http://www.usagold.com/cpm/aboutcpm.htmlIf, truly, you're interested in assuring that some portion of your investments are indeed more tangible metal than mere representative paper, I would suggest you contact a reliable precious metals dealer/broker.

For silver, gold, and platinum, the link will give you info on one of America's very finest, in business since 1973.

R.
TownCrier
(05/02/2006; 09:02:36 MDT - Msg ID: 143779)
Whether you're in the market for gold, silver or platinum...
http://www.usagold.com/webads/gold-coins.jpgUSAGOLD-Centennial Precious Metals can meet your needs with the Real Deal.

Phone TOLL FREE 1-800-869-5115

R.
hirise
(05/02/2006; 09:13:31 MDT - Msg ID: 143780)
towncrier - combo?
Aren't most of the folks on this forum of the persuasion that a mix of physical and paper "assets" is at least feasible, if not desirable?
TownCrier
(05/02/2006; 09:36:07 MDT - Msg ID: 143781)
hirise -- combo
I certainly can't speak for others' opinions here, but if you double-check my post you'll see the words "some portion".

R.
The Hoople
(05/02/2006; 10:44:53 MDT - Msg ID: 143782)
TC, hirise
Excuse me for the interruption but I thought today's absolute drubbing of the major gold & silver stocks- PAAS, CDE, SIL, NEM, for example- is a real time example of why the physical is the REAL deal. Bolivia's possible nationalization of mines will NOT harm the value of gold or silver. It is apparently harming the paper stocks enormously.
hirise
(05/02/2006; 11:05:18 MDT - Msg ID: 143783)
Yes, indeedie, Hoople
Some have advised against a big exposure to volatile countries - but the fact is, they ALL are, yes?
mikal
(05/02/2006; 11:20:08 MDT - Msg ID: 143784)
Paper helps the world go round.
Paper should be acquired with he same diligence as
any other necessary commodity. Imagine life using papyrus
or oak leaves to perform daily tasks instead, such as on writing paper, the Sunday paper, legal paper, scrap paper, wiping paper, promissory paper or contractual paper.
Papering over disagreeable things is ok if it's done with old newspaper or devalued notes.
hirise
(05/02/2006; 11:24:40 MDT - Msg ID: 143785)
Devalued notes -
Like FRN's?
Goldilox
(05/02/2006; 11:32:26 MDT - Msg ID: 143786)
HUI
@ The Hoople,

Thanks for the info about Boilivian nationalization. I was wondering why the HUI stocks were getting so seriously hammerd on an up day for PMs.
mikal
(05/02/2006; 11:45:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143787)
Buddies in bullion
http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=bankingFinancial&storyID=nL0269046ℑid=∩=Barclays takes chair of London gold fixing
Tuesday 2 May 2006, 7:53am EST
LONDON, May 2 (Reuters) - Snippit: "Barclays Capital, the investment banking arm of British bank Barclays Plc (BARC.L: Quote, Profile, Research), has assumed the chair of the London gold fixing from HSBC (HSBA.L: Quote, Profile, Research) for 12 months, HSBC said in a statement on Tuesday.
It was decided in May 2004 that the chair of the fixing would rotate annually among the five member firms. Since then, the fix has taken place by telephone and members no longer meet face-to-face, as was the case earlier.
Other members are Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), Scotia Mocatta of Canada's Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) and Societe Generale (SOGN.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), the statement said.
The twice-daily fixing aims to provide an opportunity to market players to buy and sell gold at a single quoted price. It also provides a benchmark price for producers, consumers, investors and central banks."

Here we see some prominent names that in recent years have had various roles identified in the gold market. Societe' Generale is known for their recent bullish expose. Other players like Barclays stand out for their metals purchases.
It's a small world after all!
solosza
(05/02/2006; 11:50:22 MDT - Msg ID: 143788)
The US Government's Secret Colorado Oil Discovery
http://www.rense.com/general70/doro.htmHidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the largest untapped oil reserve in the world - more than 2 TRILLION barrels. On August 8, 2005 President Bush mandated its extraction. Three companies have been chosen to lead the way. Test drilling has already begun

---Snip---

Could this be true?
arbyh
(05/02/2006; 12:14:22 MDT - Msg ID: 143789)
It appears to be true...Shell
http://www.mines.edu/outreach/cont_ed/emfi2005/OilShale.pdf#search='shale%20oil%20green%20river'I found and read this file...the shale oil story appears to ve true.
contrarian
(05/02/2006; 12:17:46 MDT - Msg ID: 143790)
Colorado "Oil"
It's like those too good to believe offers you receive in the mail. It's crappy oil shale, probably takes more energy to convert to oil than it releases, plus you'd have to build an enormous infrastructure to handle it. It's like the tired old "oil sands" outfit they trot out on the runway every so often. If it looks like a leisure suit, it walks like a leisure suit, and it talks like a leisure suit, it's a leisure suit!!!
Henri
(05/02/2006; 12:19:21 MDT - Msg ID: 143791)
@ Mikal - Barclays bank chief of "fixing"
It seems to me that an independent group if anyone should establish the "settlement price" twice daily. If any of the members of this group is in the business of trading gold in whatever form, it is an obvious conflict of interest. "Fixing" the price is the correct name for it when traders collude to set a market price. Price fixing is generally thought of as a shoddy way to do business and flat out illegal in many places. Not the stuff freegold is made of.
Henri
(05/02/2006; 12:33:21 MDT - Msg ID: 143792)
@contrarian Oil shale
Not a salesman here but have heard rumors of even more advanced technology being brought to bear for in-situ heating...among these are microwave generators for low level heating and/or fuel cells that use the embedded methane of the deposit as fuel for the heating. At such depth the amount of heating only needs to be minimal as there is nowhere for it to escape. The heat builds slowly until the extraction temperature is attainned. previous ISP required large amounts of power to run the electric resistance banks making the process less economical. Shell is definitely a player and has bought into a deep oilsand configuration in the athabasca for piloting their technology as well. Not sure which players have what technology at this point.

This is good for future oil pricing domestically but is still a ways off from production
Henri
(05/02/2006; 12:40:45 MDT - Msg ID: 143793)
@hirise msg 143776
I believe the only paper held by CEF are Mocatta Deposit certificates for gold. To my knowlege the certificates represent allocated physical bars numbered and audited. I am not aware of any silver paper being held.
arbyh
(05/02/2006; 12:49:34 MDT - Msg ID: 143794)
more on the oil story
US Gov't now leasing lands to oil companies for exploration - of 18, 14 companies were rejected including XOM. CVX is still in the running. Does anyone know the status?

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/energy/article/0,2777,DRMN_23914_4611832,0 0.html

"The Green River shale deposits in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming are estimated to contain 1.5 trillion to 1.8 trillion barrels of oil, and while not all of it can be recovered, half that amount is nearly triple the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia.

The agency has rejected 14 out of the total 18 applicants on various grounds. Among those rejected was Exxon Mobil, the world's biggest company with revenues of $339.94 billion in 2005.

The companies want to develop technologies to extract oil from shale in 160-acre tracts in Rio Blanco County.

The fate of the three companies still in the running in Colorado, including energy giant Shell, is up in the air. Shell has been testing oil shale technology in a private plot near Meeker since the late 1990s and hopes to have a commercially viable operation by 2010.

The two others are Chevron and EGL Resources. The BLM says it will decide by early summer."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/energy/article/0,2777,DRMN_23914_4611832,0 0.html

TownCrier
(05/02/2006; 13:02:25 MDT - Msg ID: 143795)
On nationalizing mines...
May 2, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- On Monday, Bolivian President Evo Morales said the move to nationalize the country's hydrocarbons sector was just the beginning. "Tomorrow it will be the mines, the forest resources and the land," he said, according to the Associated Press.

In research note Tuesday, analysts at Bear Stearns said that the headlines emerging from Bolivia are "unlikely to contribute to anything other than transitory short-term pressure on the stocks most exposed to the hydrocarbons sector."

"We would be more concerned, however, with mining stocks with assets in Bolivia,..." they said, adding that "the pattern we have seen in Venezuela is that energy companies are subject to seeing their concessions changed first and that mining concessions come next."

-----------

We continue to warn against this particular investment risk to mining company shareholders as gold gains in price and strategic importance.

R.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/02/2006; 13:49:49 MDT - Msg ID: 143796)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

TUESDAY Market Excerpts

May 2 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures climbed more than 1% to close at a quarter-century high above $667 an ounce Tuesday, as a weak U.S. dollar, strong energy prices and concerns about Iran's nuclear program fed into investment demand for the precious metal.

"Traders were watching a sinking dollar and the apparent diversion of petro-dollar profits into bullion (a repeat of the pattern that was last visible in the gold run of 1980)," said Kitco's products analyst Jon Nadler.

So, "while a correction is surely out there, the numerous bullish fundamentals have created the 'perfect storm' for gold and silver," said Peter Grandich, editor of the Grandich Letter.

"We are not likely to see this again in our lifetime."

COMEX June gold contracts closed up $7.20 at $667.40 after topping at $669.30. Futures prices haven't traded at these levels since November 1980.

The benchmark gold contract climbed $5.70 on Monday, leading a broad-based advance in the metals sector as the dollar hit a one-year low against the euro and a seven-month low against the yen. The dollar remained under pressure Tuesday as investors awaited Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech on Wednesday for more clues on the U.S. interest-rate outlook.

In the latest developments surrounding Iran, leading diplomats from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- France, the U.K. the U.S., Russia and China -- and a representative from the German government were meeting in Paris, ahead of a formal May 9 meeting in New York at which foreign ministers from the council member countries and Germany are due to meet to discuss some sort of resolution.

As the financial markets watch the Iran situation closely, a per-ounce price of $700 for gold "now looks likely from current price levels over the coming weeks unless there is some significant negative event to set the market back," said John Meyer, a mining analyst at Numis Securities.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/02/2006; 14:02:37 MDT - Msg ID: 143797)
Gold sales defy price rise
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&autono=89630May 03, 2006 -- The recent hike in gold prices had affected the sale of the yellow metal only marginally and city jewellery store managers maintained that they have not faced losses.

The price hike is because countries like Japan, China and Russia are involved into bulk buying of gold, said jewellery industry sources here.

So the demand has gone up while supply is limited.

Gold prices on February 15 were Rs 7920 for standard gold...

Gold prices spiralled to Rs 9770 for standard gold on May 2.

At Satramdas Dhalamal, the high profile jewellery shop at Park Street, manager Rajesh Jhunjhunwala is of the opinion that price hike affecting sales is a misnomer.

"People buying gold jewellery always feel it is value for money," Jhunjhunwala said.

^----(from url)---^

For newbies, in India, gold jewelry is synonymous with gold investment -- that is, with tangible, reliable WEALTH. It almost goes without saying that indestructible WEALTH in a liquid market is a good trade, good value in exchange for inflatable paper money.

R.
hirise
(05/02/2006; 14:53:07 MDT - Msg ID: 143798)
Silver ETF & Bolivia Confiscation



Silver Stock Report
5-2-2006
by Jason Hommel


Silver ETF


As of the close of business on Friday 4-28-06, the Barclays iShares Silver Trust ETF (Trading symbol: SLV) had nearly 21 million ounces of silver, up from 1.5 million ounces of silver when it started trading Friday morning. The Silver ETF (SLV) continues to be priced slightly higher than silver bullion spot prices; at present the ETF is at about $14.27/oz., (minus half of 1% annual fees and other expenses), while silver is at $14.18/oz. This spread, driven by market created demand for the ETF, creates the arbitrage incentive for the Silver ETF market makers to buy physical silver, in lots of about 500,000 oz. for 50,000 ETF shares, for the trust. Twenty million ounces is a shocking increase in the amount of silver purchased in a single day, and at this rate, the Trust could obtain about 100 million ounces of silver by Friday this week, and by next week, we might see a default on delivery of silver via NYMEX futures contracts! Silver moved up over $1/oz. on Friday, up again about $.50/oz. on Monday and up another $.20/oz. Tuesday.
MK
(05/02/2006; 19:15:50 MDT - Msg ID: 143799)
The Coming Devaluation of the Dollar -- Stephen Roach sees the same flex point
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/391b7774-d978-11da-8b06-0000779e2340.htmlIn my post of a couple weeks on the coming devaluation of the dollar, I made the following point:

"In the end, a devaluation cannot occur without the blessing of the other major players -- the yen, the euro and the yuan. In today's world of currencies without a de jure attachment to gold -- that devaluation is as much a "political" consideration as it is "economic." The IMF, we now know, will play a key role in bringing the devaluation to fruition, and should be equated by current and potential gold owners as a call to arms -- a flex point the equivalent of Nixon's 1971 closing of the gold window."

In this morning's Financial Times, Morgan Stanley's Stephen Roach made a similar point.

------

Financial Times - The world economy may be able to unwind its current imbalances without serious disruption, Stephen Roach, Morgan Stanley's famously bearish chief economist, predicted yesterday, in a remarkable revision to several years of gloomy prognosis.

Mr Roach had long warned that the US current account deficit and Asian central banks' ballooning currency reserves risked destabilising the global financial system.

But yesterday, in a note to clients, he said: "I must confess that I am now feeling better about the prognosis for the world economy for the first time in ages."

His comments came as the dollar hit a one-year low against the euro and seven-month low against the yen, as investors remained confident the Federal Reserve was nearing the end of its interest-rate-tightening cycle. Mr Roach said the tipping point had been last month's decision to mandate the International Monetary Fund to begin multilateral discussions with the aim of resolving the largest trade imbalances. At the same series of meetings, the Group of Seven highlighted the need to address the imbalances, underlining policymakers' apparent resolve.

"I've been wringing my hands over the mounting global imbalances for longer than I care to remember," said Mr Roach. "The world is finally taking its medicine - or at least considering the possibility of doing so. The risk is that this is so far only on paper, but it's a critically important first step."

----------

MK: Of course, for the world to take its medicine, it must let the dollar drop -- an event of considerable import to gold owners. I would caution Mr. Roach that should he get what he wishes for, the inflationary fires will be mercilessly fanned. I do understand, however, that this might still be the best of an exceedingly bad list of outcomes -- at least for the interim.

Gold ownership is the answer. The current dollar price is prelude.
MK
(05/02/2006; 19:24:57 MDT - Msg ID: 143800)
I might add to the post below. . .
that when Roach talks about the change being thus far on paper only, he concedes the same point I do. That the dollar devaluation depends upon the implicit agreement of Japan, Europe and China. If the Big Three were to meet the U.S. attempt at devaluation with devaluations of their own, the policy will have been neutralized. The end result of that? International inflation with the potential for international hyperinflation. With all due respect to Mr. Roach, I do not see the same evolution of a positive outcome. I see a 'damned if you do; damned if you don't' scenario in which there are no clear winners except the individuals wise enough to avail themselves of the requisite protections.
Armageddon
(05/02/2006; 20:09:20 MDT - Msg ID: 143801)
U.S./World hyperinflation and credit card rates
MK just touched on a related question I had about the dollar devaluation. I read in the Washington Post recently that South Korea may not be on board this dollar devaluation scheme and the article stated that traders believed that South Korea was printing more of its own currency to buy dollars to keep the Korean won low against the dollar. Futhermore, I haven't read anywhere that China has agreed to work with America to devalue the dollar. I am thinking the Fed plans on devaluing the dollar on its own without the consent of other major countries like China. I think the Fed plans on printing enormous amounts of dollars and daring countries like China to print yuan knowing that this would cause huge inflation in their own economy. The Fed basically will try to force a dollar devaluation against the China yuan.

Also, I am wondering what people especially MK think about where credit card interest rates are going in the next few months? Thanks.
Ten Bears
(05/02/2006; 20:12:18 MDT - Msg ID: 143802)
If the right one doesn't get you the left one will.
"The road(s) to Serfdom" have many routes. Hayek's socialist dependence is only one.

Milton Friedman's "inflation is everywhere and always a monetary phenomenon." And financial capitalism's continually expanding supply of money and the accompanying depreciation of purchasing power is another route. The current necessity to devalue the US dollar against other currencies is a direct result of a massive money supply increase during the Greenspan era to bail out bad loans(many foreign) made by American banks coupled with efforts to prevent assets (primarily paper) from falling. The serial rotating asset bubble is coming home to ride on the shoulders of the middle class and will, no doubt, substantially reduce living standards.

David Ricardo's "iron law of wages" (wages fall to a subsistence level when an unlimited supply of workers compete in an unregulated market) is another. One cannot forget the exportation of the manufacturing base to slave labor states coupled with non-enforcement of immigration laws when considering that route.
(And the cultural destruction associated with a too rapid attempt to assimilate huge numbers of very poor people with no tradition of democratic government speeds the way.)

But the most rapid expressway has to be a government of purchased front-men who cannot be elected or retain their offices without taking money from the corporate forces who advance their own version of a feudal system.


I find it hard to believe that the majority of those who sell products or services to the public seek a society with the level of income and wealth disparity as the one at the end of the road the USA is now traveling, and I feel sure that those who are wage earners (white collar or blue) still in their working careers do not want that outcome.

For the elderly and retired, the constant purchasing power loss associated with the federal-reserve note does not paint a pretty picture of the future (an incentive to move into gold or other sound money).

contrarian
(05/02/2006; 22:52:06 MDT - Msg ID: 143804)
Hyperinflation
http://www.larouchepub.com/eiw/public/2006/2006_10-19/2006-17/pdf/06-8_617.pdfAs of last month, I would say we've already boarded the hyperinflation train that's careening towards a disastrous crash. Larouche has a good article on this.

"The fakery of the outgoing Alan Greenspan administration, in burying the "M3" report, was clearly intended to conceal the fact that the rate of rate of increase of world prices of primary materials has the world as a whole currently on the same kind of "least-action pathway" curve of hyperinflation which gripped Weimar Germany during the second half of the year 1923.

Comparing the present rates of rates of increase of primary materials prices with the pattern for Germany 1923, indicates the likelihood that, under present U.S. and European policies, the world system could reach a point of collapse of the monetary system by not much later than September 2006, if not earlier.

Under the present trends in policy-making in the U.S. government, both in the careening economic-financial lunacy of the current Bush Administration, but also the "Alfred E. Newman"-like diffidence of a negligent U.S. Congressional fraction of the Democratic Party, the likelihood is that the world system as a whole will be in a U.S.-dollar-triggered collapse-phase before Autumn."
Goldilox
(05/03/2006; 00:49:18 MDT - Msg ID: 143805)
Overnight Action
http://www.netdania.com/ChartApplet.asp?symbol=XAUUSDOZ%7Ccomstock_lite$670 breached at 11:30 PDT
Caradoc
(05/03/2006; 03:46:08 MDT - Msg ID: 143806)
(No Subject)
And $675 a bit later, just as Hong Kong closed for the day.
24karat
(05/03/2006; 06:26:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143807)
Au over 30% YTD!
At the beginning of the year we had an informal gold-price guessing contest on this forum. I figured a top of 30% over last year, or $672. Of course we are already above that level. Am I upset? Hardly.

I remember my guess was one of the lower ones among our participating forum members. Who's the next one to be taken out?
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/03/2006; 08:17:48 MDT - Msg ID: 143808)
The Fruit of your Labor: Exchange your seasonal harvest for timeless value!
http://www.usagold.com/gold-coins.html

Swiss gold francs

The Harvest
Whatever it is that you may have sown,
we'll give you the power to reap GOLD.

1-800-869-5115
USAGOLD-Centennial has three decades of experience in the field

Henri
(05/03/2006; 09:00:21 MDT - Msg ID: 143809)
Yowsers!
Gold & Silver hammered since 10AM but fighting back mightily...Go PM's...Rah Rah Rah!!
Just thought they could use a cheer for moral support
Flatliner
(05/03/2006; 09:21:59 MDT - Msg ID: 143810)
Key sign of hyperinflation
https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2006may03extra.htmUSPS seeks price adjustments
Governors propose "forever stamp"

The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service today proposed a "forever stamp" as part of a broader rate adjustment plan that would go into effect next year. Customers would be able to purchase a special First-Class stamp that would be good for any future single-piece First Class letter mailing, no matter how prices might change beyond 2007.

"A forever stamp would help ease the transition to any future price adjustments," said Board of Governors Chairman James C. Miller III.

...

Flatliner � When (if) this comes out, this will be a better investment then government bonds (but not anywhere near as good as gold)! It will also make for a great way to preserve purchasing power for small amounts of cash. During hyperinflation, as people race to convert cash into tangibles, "forever stamps" will offer an alternative to cash. That is, as long as the post office can stay in business.
Flatliner
(05/03/2006; 09:32:16 MDT - Msg ID: 143811)
Bouncing buffalo heads batman!
http://www.ishares.com/fund_info/detail.jhtml?symbol=SLVFrom the link:

Profile as of 05/02/2006

Total Net Assets $445,408,550, Ounces of Silver in Trust 31,998,959
Shares Outstanding 3,200,000, Tonnes of Silver in Trust 995.3
Goldilox
(05/03/2006; 10:19:00 MDT - Msg ID: 143812)
Gold Soars
http://urbansurvival.com/week.htmsnip:

Gold is off on a tear again this morning, exceeding recent highs and over 25-year ago levels. The conventional wisdom is that gold is reacting the "growing tensions over Iran and high oil prices."

Have you ever heard such clap-trap? Look: Inflation is running at 9% internally, so if you want to forecast the year end price of oil, all you need to do is figure out how much 8-9% inflation will add to prices by the end of the year.

Today is 5/3. So by 1/3/07, at the present (most recent) 8/10th's of one percent per month rate, things will be 6.58% higher than they are now (at the 8% inflation rate) or 7.43% higher at the 9% annual rate.

Year End Current Rate Oil Silver Gold
Today's High $ 74.61 $ 14.6 $ 677.3
8% Inflation $ 80.58 $ 15.77 $ 731.48
9% inflation $ 81.32 $ 15.91 $ 738.26
10% Inflation $ 82.07 $ 16.06 $ 745.03

Personally, I don't see the powder keg (Middle East Messes/Petrostan) remaining anywhere near stable, so you can throw in whatever multiplier you want. When or if that blows up, again, we'll have the first nuclear winter all snuggled and warm. (The second one is bothersome, but let denial rule, will yah?)

Will gold and silver replay copper? My friend the Gold and Silver trader figures that at the beginning of 2003 copper's high was $.7915. Today, copper is $3.3950. Hmmm, a 4.28 times move. Now, if I apply that to $677.3 gold, that'd be $2,898 gold and $62.48 silver. Personally, I expect silver to best $100 shortly thereafter, as that would be the inflation-corrected echo of the $50 all time high in the 1980's...


Goldilox

George Ure's take on simple inflationary muplipliers and PoG.
TownCrier
(05/03/2006; 11:29:59 MDT - Msg ID: 143813)
Flatliner -- forever stamps and (hyper)inflation
Your comments on the matter reveal you to be of keener-than-typical insight. Thanks for sharing!

R.
Ten Bears
(05/03/2006; 13:51:16 MDT - Msg ID: 143814)
Fiat's Reprieve: Saving the System, by Bob Landis
http://www.goldensextant.com/SavingtheSystem.htmlHow the system was saved and why it may not work this time.
Goldilox
(05/03/2006; 14:51:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143815)
USPS
@ Flatliner,

How ironic, as The Costner movie "The Postman" was on the cable this week.

Maybe that, in their small way, is a plan to save the country.
melda laure
(05/03/2006; 15:25:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143816)
What's that? I didn't hear anything.... silence on AU
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5089.htm"Rather than try to deal with the fact, it's as if the rise in gold simply hasn't happened or has no meaning as far as Wall Street and the global monetary authorities are concerned. Evidently the price of gold is one market signal that the so-called "free market" types would rather ignore."

Another quiet day... Nothing to see here... move along!

"to much of the world, the U.S. appears to be unilaterally, "pre-emptively" embarked on policies which seem to have the effect, well-intended, unintended or otherwise, of helping to destabilize key regions, such as the Mideast, Iran, central Asia, North Korea, the former Soviet republics, etc. East Asia and Saudi Arabia are in effect financing the ability of the U.S. to pursue these unilateral policies by holding huge amounts of very low-yielding U.S. debt securities which will most likely significantly depreciate."

So who says the Saudis are not doing their part in the war on freedom? Blah blah blah....

Yerch!
TownCrier
(05/03/2006; 15:40:29 MDT - Msg ID: 143817)
Gold price above $700 'very soon'
http://business.iafrica.com/news/289614.htmWed, 03 May 2006 -- Spot gold on Wednesday climbed to $677.60 a troy ounce, the metal's highest level since October 1980...

"Gold is higher due to the increase in Brent crude oil and the weaker US dollar as well as geopolitical tension. Gold could reach $700/oz tomorrow or very soon. There is nothing to stop gold going higher at this stage," Absa trader Byron Woods in Johannesburg said.

Dollar sentiment falling

"There seems little to stand in the way of further near term gains term as sentiment towards the dollar has deteriorated markedly and there is - so far - no sign that the measures taken by China to slow credit growth have hit investor sentiment towards precious metals," London-based UBS analyst John Reade wrote.

"We do remain cautious about announcements that could be made following the Chinese May week holiday which ends on Friday...

As the crude oil price edges towards $75 a barrel and tensions between Iran and the West continue to heat up, the likelihood of a test to $700/oz looks increasingly likely as investors turn towards more traditional safe-haven assets, UK-based TheBullionDesk.com analyst James Moore wrote on Wednesday.

^---(from url)---^

Never forget that gold is global. This is what's currently running on the pages out of Africa...

R.
TownCrier
(05/03/2006; 16:14:37 MDT - Msg ID: 143818)
Is gold still heading for $1,000 an ounce?
http://www.moneyweek.com/file/11958/is-gold-still-heading-for-1000-an-ounce.html(excerpts) -- Less than four years ago, in one of the first issues of this newsletter, when gold was trading at about $313 an ounce and only favoured as an investment by a few enthusiasts, I explained "why gold is heading for $1,000."

Now we're already halfway to that target, and the yellow metal is starting to attract the attention of the wider investment community....

Over the past year gold prices have strengthened in all currencies, without getting any lift from a weakening dollar. When the greenback resumes its slide, that could give new impetus to gold.

The fundamental imbalances in America's foreign trade remain, and indeed grow worse. For the moment, private investors and foreign central banks remain willing to continue financing the deficit by pouring money into the US, but for how much longer?

Any weakening in the greenback would be good for gold. But if a gentle slide picked up momentum on the downside, that would trigger a fireworks display in the gold market.

...Downside risk in gold is quite limited because there seems to be a substantial amount of demand from long-term investors waiting to buy in at lower prices. Citibank says in a new Industry Note that gold "will prove resistant to any catastrophic sell-off, due to pent-up physical demand in price-sensitive Asian markets."...

Gold should be a core holding in everyone's portfolio.

^---(from url)---^

It still amazes me that a commentator can write so much about gold and yet still leave out the most important bits. Are these folks being paid NOT to sound the alarm? Or better said, are they being paid to ring the bell only ever so gently?

Fine. Here it is again, laying out what YOU need to know...

Some clever central bankers and private investors have realized that they don't need to endure the domestic depreciation and forex risks that come with chasing paper interest on paper debt when rising gold market value under a 'freegold' physically-based market regime can provide all the sought-after capital gains while maintaining the security of a wholly-owned asset which is itself unburdened by the risk of debt-ridden counterparty default.

Think long and hard on that one if you are new to these pages and to the best that gold has to offer.

R.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/03/2006; 17:22:50 MDT - Msg ID: 143821)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

WEDNESDAY Market Excerpts

May 3 (from DowJones) -- The New York precious-metals complex finished mixed Wednesday after a roller-coaster ride, with gold and platinum managing to regain their legs and finish higher after a sudden midday drop-off, but silver and palladium wobbling to lower closes.

The metals alternately ran into profit-taking and bargain hunting in reaction to movements in the energy market, traders and analysts said. Otherwise, early in the day, COMEX gold hit a quarter-of-a-century high and Nymex platinum hit an all-time high.
June gold settled with a gain of $1.10 to $668.50 while May silver fell 41.5 cents to $13.795.

June gold hit a contract high of $679.80 Wednesday morning, the gains were linked largely to fund and speculative buying, with more safe-haven flows due to worries about Iran's nuclear program, as well as still-high crude oil prices and the recently softer tone in the dollar.

Some contacts also pointed to worries that Bolivia would nationalize its mining sector after doing so this week with the energy sector.

Around mid-morning, however, crude oil turned sharply south and the metals followed, floor traders and analysts said. The main catalyst appeared to be a report from the Department of Energy showing that U.S. crude-oil and gasoline stocks climbed in the latest week. This caused June crude to fall below $73 a barrel after it had missed $75 by a single penny overnight.

The metals often follow moves in crude, thus profit-taking set into gold and silver, with sell stops hit, traders said.

"It was definitely a reactionary day," said Larry Young, senior trader with Infinity Brokerage Services. But after bottoming at $660 at 10:35 a.m. EDT, June gold was back around $672 just one hour later and eventually got even higher than this.

"We had a massive buyback that was pretty impressive," said Young. Funds and other speculators used the decline as a buying opportunity, and there was support around the $660 low...

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/03/2006; 17:23:20 MDT - Msg ID: 143822)
Troubled Solomons Look to Gold
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2006/05/04/256.htmlHONIARA, Solomon Islands -- An abandoned gold mine in a jungle in the Solomon Islands, one of the richest veins in the South Pacific but shut due to ethnic violence, could be a lifeline for the troubled nation.

The government hopes the Gold Ridge mine, expected to resume gold production by the end of 2007, could spark vital investment and create jobs in an impoverished nation where just 9 percent of people are formally employed.

Finance Minister Peter Boyers said the youth of the Solomon Islands, half the island's 500,000-strong population, need a future if the chain of 992 islands is to end the cycle of instability.

"These youth want a vision and some sort of hope that they are going to have a future, whether it's formal or informal -- it's our responsibility to create it," Boyers told Reuters in an interview at parliament house in the capital, Honiara.

... There has been little economic recovery since ethnic fighting brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy in 2003, leaving many in the 500,000 population angry at what they see as continuing political corruption.

Dense lantana weeds cover rusted earth-moving equipment at the Gold Ridge mine, an hour and a half's drive from Honiara.

Worker camps and tool sheds are barely visible through the dense tropical foliage. Only a handful of squatters now pan the land in search of gold dust.

Before the warring factions in the province overran the mine and chased workers off with machetes in 2000, Gold Ridge was yielding 150,000 ounces of gold annually...

Gold bullion sells for as much as $636 per ounce on exchanges half a world away in New York and London, more than double the bullion price when the mine closed six years ago.

Boyers said the Solomon Islands, which relies on aid for 70 percent of its budget, has worked hard to restart the mine...

^---(from url)---^

One can hope that higher gold values, more fundamentally driven on physical demand rather than 1st-World derivative pricing dynamics, can help mitigate some of the prevailing problematic economic asymmetries of the world.

R.
Sundeck
(05/03/2006; 19:06:16 MDT - Msg ID: 143823)
Issing's Views Return to Fashion as He Prepares to Leave ECB
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=a_lm0bF.JU8g&refer=europeSnip:

"...
Otmar Issing is coming into fashion -- just as he prepares to retire as chief economist of the European Central Bank.

Issing, 70, who attends his last interest-rate meeting tomorrow, argues that analyzing the flow of money through the economy helps central bankers identify asset-price bubbles. His view is attracting greater attention as property, stock and commodity prices surge globally.
..."

Sundeck: Well, that seems sensible to me...understanding how monetary infusion is partitioned throughout the economy would seem to be a necessary (but not sufficient) ingredient for determining "asset bubbles".

It is not "sufficient" because, having determined the flows, one must then judge whether those flows are appropriate, according to the "public want" in the short and longer terms. If the money is flowing into tulips, for example, who is to say that tulips are not going to become the next big thing, and stay that way in perpetuity...rather like religion, or houses, or fashionable modes of transport, or...even gold?

Issing and Bernanke's (Greenspan's as well) views appear to be a little bit at odds...but perhaps not so much. Having determined where the money is going, it boils down to what you (a central banker) do about it...if anything...and is it your (a CBer's) job anyway? Or do you just let the global public workit all out in their own way...sounds like an ge-old fundamental debate between the role of the free market and the role of the state (representing the "public good").

:-)
Sundeck
(05/03/2006; 19:09:25 MDT - Msg ID: 143824)
Last message erratum
ge-old = age-old
Mr Gresham
(05/03/2006; 19:21:51 MDT - Msg ID: 143825)
Dancin' dancin' with Mr. D
666.4

Hmmmm...

I think King Gold just took a look at his adversary, got his number, and sang, "Pleased to meet you; hope you guess my name... So if you meet me, have some courtesy. Have some sympathy, and some taste. ... or I'll lay your soul to waste."

Or, is it, as Stevie Wonder sang, "When you believe in things that you don't understand, then you'll suffer. Superstition ain't the way."

Ever since 1913, and probably way before then, we've really been in that quandary. WHO is the Master we serve? Which is the Superstition we believe in?

The winnowing begins...
Sundeck
(05/03/2006; 21:18:42 MDT - Msg ID: 143826)
Bun fight aross the high sierra...
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=98620Uhh...oh, it looks like Bolivia's nationalistic hubris has set alarm-bells ringing over the hills in Brazil...so...it seems that Latin America is not all one big happy family with dove-tailing idiologies...

One can sympathise with poor nations wanting more for their resources, but, like in chess, it pays to look ahead for more than one move...

;-)
24karat
(05/03/2006; 23:28:50 MDT - Msg ID: 143827)
Thanks Ten Bears, message 143814
Good read on the Bob Landis article. Recommend it to all.
The Invisible Hand
(05/04/2006; 00:26:59 MDT - Msg ID: 143828)
The Ghost Oil Bourse
http://news.goldseek.com/RickAckerman/1146754800.php
SNIP
The recent rally in the euro is due to the anticipation of the introduction of the new Iran Oil Bourse.

http://www.spectator-online.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/05/03/445947fe04163
Tax needed to fund public transportation improvements
SNIP
Currently, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) and nearly all of the global oil trade is conducted in American dollars. Fears of a switch to the Euro has alarmed many economists in the United States. A switch would have a disastrous effect on our economy.
Toolie
(05/04/2006; 03:04:27 MDT - Msg ID: 143829)
Edgy stuff for broadcast TV
http://www.pbs.org/nbr/site/onair/transcripts/060503a/Snip: LARKIN: The dollar is the world reserve currency and to the extent that individuals, central banks and businesses find themselves with more dollars than they`re comfortable with, they diversify away from the dollar. And one of the instruments they may diversify into is gold. (end snip)

This is your wake-up call Mr. Sixpack. And how much more J6P can you get; NPR's main sponsor's commercial starts off with a close up of a smiling fish? I always get a chuckle out of that fish.
mikal
(05/04/2006; 07:34:04 MDT - Msg ID: 143830)
Liquid assets or liquidation?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ft/20060504/bs_ft/fto050420060203106717;_ylt=Ao9Rr9Z5298I9n.UZiPPt2P2ULEF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--China Still Vulnerable Despite War on Bad Debt - FT - Richard McGregor - May 3, 2006
Despite official rhetoric, bad loans are increasing. Until the NPL(non-performing loan) problems are solved, "the banking system will remain vulnerable to potential liquidity shocks." Welcome to modern finance.
mikal
(05/04/2006; 07:38:44 MDT - Msg ID: 143831)
@Toolie
Good one. All those experts and STILL no mention of mark to market etc. We mustn't take on TOO much risk, diversifying into gold must we? ;)
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 08:48:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143832)
Gold hedging sees big fall in the first quarter
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/economy.aspx?ID=BD4A195098snip:

LONDON - Major gold miners significantly reduced their hedging commitments in the first quarter of the year, a report sponsored by Mitsui Precious Metals said today.

The report said the global hedgebook fell by 5,0 million ounces to an estimated 48 million ounces, mainly due to a massive reduction by the world's biggest miner Barrick Gold, which cut forward sales by 4,7 million ounces.

"This is the largest quarterly decline since Q1 2003, when the global hedge book was a much larger 78 million ounces and marks a turnaround in the much lower levels of dehedging seen recently," the report said.

Dehedging in the previous two quarters was below 500,000 ounces.

"Barrick's enormous hedgebook reduction provides a compelling explanation for the robust gold price in Q1 and Q2," said John Levin, head of marketing for Mitsui.

Spot gold was last at $666,60/667,60 a troy ounce, little changed from New York's late quote of $666,80/667,80 but well off an earlier low of $660,40.

Prices hit a fresh 25-year peak of $676,30 yesterday.

Barrick also announced it had made another cut to its hedge book of 1,0 million ounces since May 3 and said it intended to eliminate another 2 million ounces by the end of the year.

Barrick became the world's largest gold miner earlier this year when it took control of Placer Dome.

The Mitsui report, written by Virtual Metals and Haliburton Mineral Service, said full results would be available shortly.

"With many companies still to report, including AngloGold Ashanti, dehedging could be even greater than our estimate," it said.

-Goldilox

The lobsters are trying to climb out of the boiling pot. Are they in time to same themselves fom becoming "dinner"?
The Hoople
(05/04/2006; 11:01:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143833)
Goldilox
I'm sure there will be analysis of the Barrick report and their 4.7M oz. hedgebook reduction (in only 30 days!). Can't wait to here Bill Murphy's take. In the mean time:

How could they report a 220 million profit when the hedge book took a 1.2 billion loss? Don't they have to report any hedge losses or gains when closing out a position? Isn't this a 880 million loss?

Rather than slanting this hedge reduction as "gold supportive" isn't it wildly bullish that in a single month gold gains nearly $100 with only a 5M oz. hedge reduction? With 48M oz. left at this rate it would take a further $960 gain to clear the books. (48 divided by 5 = 9.6 or $960)

Since when did Virtual Metals and Haliburton become authorities on hedge management? Some Jessica Cross meets Dick Cheney Frankenstein?

The listed remainder of Barrick's hedge would be almost impossible to cover without stunning losses judging by this round of covering. What is their estimated hedge loss at $1,000 oz.? $1,500 oz.? Gold could be there next month if any cabal player hits the panic button.

Whew! They don't produce P&L statements like I do. It's like the hedge book is just something silly from the past and since they don't do it anymore they don't count it. That wouldn't "play in Peoria", or in my CPA's office.

They're throwing the kitchen sink at it yesterday and today- amazing action. Trapped shorts make for great entertainment! It reminds me of a horse reduced to swatting flies with its tail, while the lions are circling.




Flatliner
(05/04/2006; 11:04:01 MDT - Msg ID: 143834)
Another buying opportunity?
http://www.resourceinvestor.com/pebble.asp?relid=19433The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. today announced margin changes for its gold and silver futures contracts, effective as of the close of business tomorrow.

Margins for the May, June, August, October, and December 2006 gold futures contracts will increase to $2,750 from $2,250 for clearing and non-clearing members and to $3,713 from $3,038 for customers. All other months will remain unchanged.

Margins for the May, June, July, and September 2006 silver futures contracts will increase to $6,000 from $4,500 for clearing and non-clearing members and to $8,100 from $6,075 for customers. All other months will remain unchanged.
Flatliner � We've seen what this has done to the price before.
Paper Avalanche
(05/04/2006; 11:52:26 MDT - Msg ID: 143835)
Hi Flatliner
What happened to POG / POS the last time the margin requirements were raised? When did that last occur?

Thanks!
PA
Flatliner
(05/04/2006; 12:10:49 MDT - Msg ID: 143836)
@ Paper Avalanche
Take a look at April 19th. Gold held up well, but silver went for a joy ride. In the archives for the 20th, you'll find the most likely reason � margins where increased for Silver. Now, margins are changing again.

The real question is, did the speculators get flushed out last time? Those would be the most likely to feel the squeeze of higher rates on their speculative source. If they did not, we might find them scrambling to cover - selling.

Note that these rates are said to go in affect Friday at close, thus Monday, those that have not paid attention � will.
Paper Avalanche
(05/04/2006; 12:17:26 MDT - Msg ID: 143837)
Silver Margin Call History for 2006
http://www.nymex.com/press_releas.aspx?archive=2006Per the NYMEX news archives (see link) the margins have been increased seven times since the start of the year from $2,000 to $6,000.

With leverage effectively cut by two thirds, it is amazing that POS continues to march onward with little regard to these changes to the rules of the game except for the occassional hiccup.

Thoughts?

PA
Druid
(05/04/2006; 12:28:01 MDT - Msg ID: 143838)
@Flatliner, PA

Druid: In the not to distant future, there will come a day and time when these types of shenanigans will not work and at that point, the "GIANTS" will have taken over.
Flatliner
(05/04/2006; 12:46:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143839)
@Druid
I completely agree. As the margin ratio approaches 1:1 (no leverage) all speculative value will be lost. Those gambling on the future price will find the return on investment unsuitable for the risk. At that point, the "ANTS" will hang on for the ride and we'll most likely find that the physical market will be more attractive then the contract market.

Time will tell.
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 14:14:38 MDT - Msg ID: 143840)
Forever stamps
It just occured to me the the "forever" stamps proposed by the USPS resemble the selling of US infrastructure (toll roads, bridges, and ports) to foreign management.

The wide spread goal seems to be to balance current budgets at any cost to future generations. The non-polital arms of government seem to be acting in a cery "political" manner.

When governments completely foresake future planning, what is the message to constituents?

Are they telegraphing the demise of current systems?
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 14:24:32 MDT - Msg ID: 143841)
New Margin requirements
Is it entirely coincidence that the new margins are announced exactly as PoG approaches Sinclair's second price magnet of $682?

Chase the specs out, if you must, but it will take a lot more than a few margin increases to chase the gold and silver OWNERS out of their positions.

Of course, the talking heads will immediately commence their "Gold bull is over" song and dance!

doo dah, doo dah!
Flatliner
(05/04/2006; 15:14:13 MDT - Msg ID: 143842)
@Forever stamps
You lost me with your insight. I would like to follow if you're willing to share a little more of your thoughts.
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 16:16:32 MDT - Msg ID: 143843)
Forever stamps
@ FL,

OK, it might be a flimsy trail, but let me give it a shot.

The forever stamps are designed to take advantage of the scare of inflation, and for those not frightened, the "certainly" of inflation.

Other than the 1930 collapse, has there ever been a period of NO inflation? Not really, because the bankster goernment system is designed to fleece the sheeple twicw - once overtly by the Taxmen, and once covertly with constant inflation.Thus I believe the USPS is capitaliaing on inflation expectations to garner "future" revenues now.

The same is true of those selling toll roads, bridge and port contracts. They receive windfall start-up fees, in return for turning a large share of future revenues over to the lease holder. This allows the entities doing the selling to balance their miserable current budgets and look heroic, while actually selling out their progeny to more debt and fewer opportunities to cover that debt.

Is that clearer?

One has to wonder why TPTB fear deflation so much more than inflation. The simple answer is that inflation allows the money creators to maintain better control by compounding their debt with reflation, while deflation gives more power to potentially rogue short sellers.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/04/2006; 16:29:21 MDT - Msg ID: 143844)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

THURSDAY Market Excerpts

May 4 (from Reuters, MarketWatch) -- U.S. gold futures settled sharply higher on Thursday, touching a 25-year high for a second day in a row, on investment buying amid a surge in the euro and copper prices, among other supportive factors.

"The euro rallied to a one-year high against the dollar and that is a huge buy signal for gold," said George Gero, vice president at RBC Capital Markets Global Futures.

"You absolutely saw speculative buying and short covering."

COMEX June gold closed the session up $8.00 at $676.50, after trading in a range of $662.80 to $679.80.

That peak, which also was Wednesday's session high, marked the priciest for gold futures since October 1980. In that year, prices set an all-time high above $870.

A flurry of bargain hunting began to lift gold early in New York after investors ditched positions previously with a fall in crude oil, traders said. Gold stretched higher in late trade as the dollar tumbled and after gold managed to hold above support at $670 to $675.

Gero added that concerns over greater political risk in producing countries in South America also fueled gold buying. Peruvians will go to the polls next month to choose between two leftist candidates, one of whom has pledged to rewrite contracts with Peru's mining companies and bring more of the economy under state control if elected.

The euro surged above $1.27 after European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet strongly hinted that the bank will raise interest rates next month. A weaker dollar usually lifts gold prices as the dollar-priced metal becomes cheaper for overseas investors.

The NYMEX on Thursday will raise the margins for its gold and silver futures contracts, effective with the close of business. Separately, major gold miners significantly reduced their hedging commitments in the first quarter of the year, a report sponsored by Mitsui Precious Metals said.

Peter Grandich, editor of the Grandich Letter said he suspects the market will have a "$20 down day or even 10% correction any time now." But that "should remain a blip in an otherwise run away secular bull market that remains fundamentally sound," he said.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/04/2006; 16:43:15 MDT - Msg ID: 143845)
Goldilox, on imagining "profit" versus proactive inflationary coping measures
You stated that forever stamps are "designed to TAKE ADVANTAGE of the scare of inflation". [emphasis added]

That implies a profit motive by the USPS. However, it wasn't my impression from the prior brief blurb that these stamps were ever going to sell at above-market rates. My take (please correct me if I'm wrong) was that these forever stamps would always sell at current market rates. The difference from conventional stamps with a price denomination, however, would rest in the aspect that these stamps would be denominated as something akin to "good for one First Class delivery". That is, they wouldn't function like normal stamps as a form of postage currency for use upon the floating costs of future services; rather, they would function as a coupon for which a future service has already been paid in full.

It is very much like buying a pre-paid calling card that has been loaded up (credited) with actual predictable MINUTES rather than being denominated in terms of dollars.

Agreed, Flatliner?

R.
TownCrier
(05/04/2006; 16:47:16 MDT - Msg ID: 143846)
Centennial is running a "phone-in only" special
http://www.usagold.com/gold/special/2006may.htmlHeads up... the May Buyers' Group is being conducted even as we speak.

Have you gotten yourself enrolled in the e-mail notifications for this sort of thing?

Don't miss out, and don't be shy about calling, they're going fast.

R.
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 16:52:30 MDT - Msg ID: 143847)
Profit motive?
@ TC,

That was my first thought, as well, but when I found out they were not priced at a premium, I had to analyze why they would propose something that offered them no price margin benefit. It boils down what I opined in the previous post. They are hoping for windfall sales to cover current shortfalls, and the future be damned.

Would you not if someone offered you gasoline "futures" at a fixed price, buy all that you could reasonably afford in this current environment?

Just my opinion.

Some might answer, "Well, that's just insane," to which I respond, "no, it's government."
Ten Bears
(05/04/2006; 17:19:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143848)
@ 24karat
http://www.goldensextant.com/You are welcome.

More from Bob Landis: "After Monetary Collapse:
Strict Reconstruction or More Bork?"

Flatliner
(05/04/2006; 17:34:58 MDT - Msg ID: 143849)
@Forever stamps
I believe you are both correct. At the same time, I believe the problem they are trying to solve is related to the meltdown point for coins. As the intrinsic value (cost) behind the stamp exceeds the face value the stamp gets scrapped and they have to start over again. If they go to a forever stamp, the face value is dictated by the �office� at the time of purchase.

What they may (or may not) realize is that these are futures � or guarantees of future services. If the idea catches on, people will buy LOTS of these with today's strong dollar knowing that as the cost of delivery goes up they will really be getting a good deal.

This means that the USPS will see a huge influx of cash today. But at the same time, it means that as those stamps are used in the future when delivery is more expensive, the USPS will be taking losses - probably really BIG losses. These losses will most likely be at the tax payers expense.

The one good thing that I see here is that this concept of forever stamps means that their value will float with real inflation. You will get tomorrow what you buy today. That does not hold with currency. Unlike CPI numbers that don't really mean anything, the USPS will value the stamps at a price that will make it possible to do business. At least, they will try.

Gold does not act like this. Gold's value is determined by the market (at least that's what we hope for). Gold's value goes up and down based on how people feel about it. These stamps would be valued at the cost of doing business.
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 18:17:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143850)
Dollar still too strong, say manufacturers
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060503/bs_nm/economy_manufacturers_dollar_dc_1snip:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading U.S. manufacturers' group said on Wednesday the dollar is still overvalued by nearly 10 percent and that even a fall of that magnitude would not be enough to bring global trade back into balance.

"The last time we had a normal value of the dollar was in January of 1997," National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler said in a statement.

The industry lobby group said the dollar (^DXY - news) has dropped 13 percent since its peak in February 2002.

"A further decline in the dollar is not a negative sign for the U.S. economy. In fact, with a correctly valued dollar, we should see a pickup in our exports, resulting in the growth of profits and jobs for U.S. producers," Engler said.

The group has been pressing for action on the Chinese yuan currency, which is kept under tight rein by Beijing and which U.S. exporters say gives Chinese competitors an unfair edge in global trade.

Faced with record trade deficits in the United States that could pose an economic threat if they correct too fast, finance officials from the Group of Seven rich countries last month issued an unusually specific call for China's yuan to rise.

Beijing has shifted from a dollar peg to a managed float with reference to a basket of currencies but has so far shown little inclination to hurry toward a market-set yuan.

"Since the dollar has been overvalued for almost a decade, merely bringing it back to equilibrium level with another 10 percent drop wouldn't create a sharp enough dent in the trade balance -- so the dollar would probably have to fall below that level for some period of time," Engler added.

- Goldilox

Now that the manufacturing industry has been almost completely gutted, TPTB want to "save" by allowing the dollar to devaluate.

Hmmm . . . the dollar is not dead; it just smells funny.
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 18:22:12 MDT - Msg ID: 143851)
Forever pricing
http://www.jsmineset.com/snip:

Dear Jimmy,

I make a motion that the grocers follow suit and come up with "forever" steaks, "forever" pork chops, "forever" fruit and vegetables, "forever" coffee and tea and most importantly, "forever" chocolate. They should also insist that their paper suppliers make "forever" paper available.

There is no doubt the price will be increasing so rapidly they will be unable to afford the stuff to make their signs with the prices changing hour by hour � a shadow of the Weimar Republic.

Your pal,
Dan
Ten Bears
(05/04/2006; 18:23:12 MDT - Msg ID: 143852)
Bull in Bear's Skin? by Antal E. Fekete
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5101.htmA good read from the good professor.

Snippets:

Exchange rules may be changed unilaterally favoring the shorts, prejudicial to the longs.

a 1979-80 style devaluation of all currencies against gold should be acceptable to all governments, even though the outcome would be the same. The dollar would be devalued against other currencies at various rates, higher for the yen, less for the euro, and least for the renminbi. The trading partners of the U.S. would tolerate that without retaliating with discriminating tariffs and quotas.

Come to think of it, a measured devaluation of all currencies against gold is the only hope to avoid an enormously destructive and protracted depression of the world economy that would be triggered by the sudden toppling of the Debt Tower of Babel. A planned melt-down, well-entombed inside of a golden sarcophagus, is the preferred way to go.

Yes, as you say, there is an iceberg of gold and silver which is unseen that never enters the market. Yes, the watchdog agencies know this (as well as the identity of the principals of the short sellers who fool the market in posing and parading naked while in full armor, in a reversal of Andersen's amusing tale) but they are sworn to secrecy

Goldendome
(05/04/2006; 18:43:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143853)
Gold or Motorcycles

Goldilox: Today, you must be thanking your lucky stars that the fellow that you were trying to trade gold for his motorcycle a couple of months ago, didn't take you up on the deal. What's an old guy like you want with a motorcycle anyway...back problems?
TownCrier
(05/04/2006; 18:45:53 MDT - Msg ID: 143854)
Flatliner, exactly right...
Thanks for the more careful wording that the same stamps on any future day would be newly sold by the clerks at rates determined by the "cost of doing business".

That's exactly what I meant when I said that the stamps would "sell at current market rates", but in my rush to get my work done before an appointment at the barber's, I failed to state it more clearly as I should have with addition of the word 'then' --- the stamps would "sell at THEN current market rates"... for whatever higher prices are current THEN.

In the same way implied in the analogous cost for minutes that can climb whenenver you recharge your phone card.

Having a coupon for First Class Delivery and a minute of phone time are both distinct quantities of "ownership", and (barring a default by the service provider) that known quantity is what tends to attract people to buy more than their immediate need would call for. It becomes a form of savings.

In buying gold a person with paper savings is trying to accomplish a similar thing -- to convert some of their cash's purchasing power into a distinct and eternal tangible value at the prices available today. And gold is superior to stamps or minutes because there is no unique "service provider" upon whom the fate of the value depends. As gold is respected worldwide as the tangible superior alternative to paper and digital monetary savings, an owner of gold shall always have access to money at the THEN current exchange rate, thus he possesses eternal purchasing power in useful monetary units that give him access to a wide world of potential service providers.

Hence, because 'savings' of stamps and minutes each carry a risk of "service provider default", and also because even in the best of times each ultimately represents a strict limit upon the type of future service, they tend to reach a limit to the extent which people would hoard them up as savings (i.e., a society can only talk a limited amount of minutes in a lifetime or mail so many letters).

Gold on the other hand has no such natural limit to our desire to accumulate it as savings because via a simple exchange via the ubiquitious money markets it can ultimately be "redeemed" for any conceivable variety of goods and services available under the sun by any variety of productive human providers.

Further, one should not be inclined to think that a purchase of gold represents locking in a FIXED amount of purchasiing power for the future. In actuality it should perform much better, with any given mass of gold gaining in purchasing power as several factors combine. These include growth of the world economy (population, goods, services) faster than new gold can be mined. Another factor for promising upside is gold's present LOW exchange rate due to the current state through which our monetary system has been evolving, as finally resolved through a global rejuvenation of its role as the superior reserve/savings asset.

As Flatliner suggested, it's value shall be determined by the sentiment of people in the market, and a trememdous fog is lifting from the viewpoints of a large and currently goldless part of the industrialized world. The adjustment in gold's purchasing power against other real things promises to be stunning.

R.
TownCrier
(05/04/2006; 18:56:12 MDT - Msg ID: 143855)
Goldilox, msg#: 143851
The motion for a grocer's list of "forever" tangibles reveals that "Dan" hasn't quite gotten it the gist of it.

Again, once he, you, or I buy a "forever" First Class Delivery stamp at the going price, it remains forever a stamp for First Class Delivery.

Similarly, a steak is ALREADY a "forever" steak. Once you buy it and put it in your freezer, no matter how much the price may rise in the future, the steak remains forever a steak -- until you eat it. At which point the next "forever" steak you buy will probably cost more.

Now if Dan had been talking about "forever" steak COUPONS, truly then he'd be demonstrating that he's more closely gotten his mind around it.

Yes? No?

R.
The Invisible Hand
(05/04/2006; 19:16:22 MDT - Msg ID: 143856)
Peace and Stability around the Caspian Sea
http://fr.rian.ru/world/20060503/47168058.htmlFrom Novosti, the Russian news agency, May 03,2006
SNIP
Mrs. Chouchan Khatlamadjian, coordinator of the Institute of civil society and of regional development of Yerevan, speaking:
Iran cannot lose from maintaining peace and stability in the region of the Caspian sea. To this effect, it is prepared to give financial aid to other members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OEC). For example, Iran proposes to build an oil-bridge (oleoduc) with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan which later will link all the countries of the OEC
The realisation of the contract of elivery of Iranian gas to Azerbaidjan and the supplying of the autonomous Republic of Nakhitchevan (Azerbaidjanain enclave in Armenian territory) under swap conditions will constitute an important progress of the OEC in matters relating to energy.
The construction of an oil terminal in the port of Neka which will be integrated in the transport corridor of hydrocarbures in Central Asian countries is Another important Iranian project.
This will allow Iran to be the locomotive for the cooperation between OEC members in matters relating to energy. The opening of the IRANIAN OIL BOURSE will contribute to this project.

SORRY, COULDN�T FIND THE ENGLISH TEXT
"La r�alisation de ces projets permettra � l'Iran d'assumer le r�le de locomotive du d�veloppement de la coop�ration entre les pays membres dans le domaine de l'�nergie. L'ouverture d'une bourse du p�trole en Iran est de nature � y contribuer", a estim� Chouchan Khatlamadjia
"L'Iran a int�r�t � maintenir et � renforcer la paix et la stabilit� dans la r�gion de la mer Caspienne. A cet effet, il est pr�t � apporter une aide �conomique � d'autres pays membres. Par exemple, il propose de construire avec le Kazakhstan et la Turkm�nie un ol�oduc qui reliera ult�rieurement tous les pays de l'OCE", a soulign� Chouchan Khatlamadjian.
La r�alisation du contrat de livraison de gaz iranien � l'Azerba�djan et l'approvisionnement de la R�publique autonome du Nakhitchevan (enclave azerba�djanaise en territoire arm�nien - ndlr.) aux conditions swap constituera un progr�s important de l'OCE dans le domaine �nerg�tique.
La construction d'un terminal p�trolier dans le port de Neka int�gr� dans le corridor de transport d'hydrocarbures des pays d'Asie centrale est un autre projet iranien important dans cette sph�re, a poursuivi la politologue.
"La r�alisation de ces projets permettra � l'Iran d'assumer le r�le de locomotive du d�veloppement de la coop�ration entre les pays membres dans le domaine de l'�nergie. L'ouverture d'une bourse du p�trole en Iran est de nature � y contribuer", a estim� Chouchan Khatlamadjian
The Invisible Hand
(05/04/2006; 19:23:37 MDT - Msg ID: 143857)
It becomes interesting in South-America
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4974710.stmSNIP
The leaders of Argentina and Brazil have accepted Bolivia's nationalisation of its gas industry but want talks on future prices and foreign involvement
Sundeck
(05/04/2006; 19:57:59 MDT - Msg ID: 143858)
IMF struggles for cash...
http://www.todayonline.com/articles/116603.asp...as Brazil and Argentina say: "Sooo-long, it's been good to know ya...", with Indonesia and Turkey considering doing the same...

Snip:

"...
Thus, ironically, the IMF profits from the very crises which its existence is supposed to help ward off.

The current system of funding was adopted in 1981. Together with the introduction of surcharges in 1997, levied on countries that fail to repay their IMF debts on time, it has helped keep the IMF liquid.

.....

The official said the diversion of IMF cash reserves [into bonds] had "absolutely nothing" to do with its gold holdings, which are formally valued by the Fund at nine billion dollars but at current high market prices are worth 60 billion.
..."

Sundeck: Mmmm...IMF profiting from the crises that it is intended to ward off? Funny about that...and then they attach an additional surcharge for late payment for good measure.

For an independent, "humanitarians" (versus an "economists") view of the IMF and World Bank, listen to Stephen Lewis's Massey Lectures "Race against time" on the tragedy unfolding in Africa and IMF/World Bank impositions.

Gordon Brown has been quiet lately about selling IMF gold...now priced at about US$60B...

:-)

Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 20:04:22 MDT - Msg ID: 143859)
Dan's humor
I don't think Dan, in his dry humor, was trying to make a distinction between a frozen steak and a steak derivative, which is where you seem to be heading. Obviously, a "steak coupon" is only worth anything at all if there are steaks to be had, plus vendors who will honor the coupon. The phrase "Not worth a Continental" comes to mind.

But from that same perspective, a "forever" stamp is also a delivery derivative, and assumes that postal delivery is a "forever" available service.

The original question was, "Is the postal service forward selling its services, taking advantage of people's inflation expectations to increase current revenues at the potential expense of future revenues?"

If so, it reminds me completely of the lease of public utilities to foreign administrators to balance current budgets with the cash windfall at the expense of a portion of future revenues.

Max Rabbitz
(05/04/2006; 20:08:55 MDT - Msg ID: 143860)
Barrick's Hedges
http://www.miningmx.com/gold_silver/292604.htmIt looks as if Barrick Gold has now decided to dehedge after being the apparent major conduit of FED gold suppression policy for years. News reports (above) stated that they dehedged 5.7 million ounces this quarter. A bit high for a company that only produced 1.87 million ounces in the quarter.

http://www.barrick.com/Theme/Barrick/files/docs_quarter/2006_Q1_rev2.pdf

Chalk this up to sloppy reporting by the media. Apparently Barrick has been reducing its gold "hedges" or forward sales quietly for some time. Yet, that 5.7 million is a big number (total production for 3 quarters). How did they meet costs? After several years of education in modern economics I have to question word meanings and definitions. Perhaps they mean they've derivatized 5.7 million ounces, or the FED (bless their hearts) has forgiven their loans of 5.7 million ounces of our gold.
Gandalf the White
(05/04/2006; 20:11:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143861)
TODAY is added ANOTHER little Green "X" on the Gold P&F chart ! <;-)
http://stockcharts.com/def/servlet/SC.pnf?chart=$GOLD,PWTADANRBO[PA][D][F1!3!!!2!20]⪯f=GThis move says $870. is possible !
Naw -- how about, TO THE MOON, Alice ?
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/04/2006; 20:14:01 MDT - Msg ID: 143862)
Today's US$ chart ! <;-)
http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DX&v=sBEAUTIFUL waterfall today !
<;-)
Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 20:17:05 MDT - Msg ID: 143863)
USDX
@ Gandalf,

The drop from 90 to 85 has been almost in the blink of an eye.
Max Rabbitz
(05/04/2006; 20:32:35 MDT - Msg ID: 143864)
http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/students/organizations/follies/media/EveryBreath.wmv
Just in case anyone missed this little video gem from the Columbia School of Business. Give a minute to download if you've got a phone line.

Thanks to Jim Puplava.
Hilarious.
Armageddon
(05/04/2006; 20:54:33 MDT - Msg ID: 143865)
China Banking Crisis
From FT.com via Yahoo

Snip-----------------------------------------------------------
A report issued yesterday by Ernst & Young, the accountancy firm, puts China's total liabilities for non-performing loans at just over $900bn, even higher than its $875bn stack of foreign reserves, the largest in the world.

The findings of the E&Y survey are broadly in line with a report by professional services firm PwC, issued last week and similar in tone to another lengthy report released this week from McKinsey, the consultancy, on China's financial system.

"I think the numbers will be a big surprise because China has been giving the impression [with its banks listing overseas] that the problem is behind us," said Jack Rodman, a managing director with E&Y. "China has not really resolved the issue - they have just moved it from one state enterprise to another."

The three reports say the original stock of bad loans has not been dealt with and that a huge stack of new NPLs has been created.

"While there have been improvements in the banking sectors, and the government has sought to address NPLs, the core causes for the build-up have not been fully dealt with," said the McKinsey report.

"Until these problems are addressed, the problem is likely to persist, and the banking system will remain vulnerable to potential liquidity shocks."
----------------------------------------------------------

It seems to me the threat of a dollar collapse is even more likely than most think. A crisis in the Chinese banking system may force China to sell a huge amount of dollar denominated assets including U.S. Treasury bonds further driving down the price of the dollar.
China seems to have enough money to cover the Non-Performing loans if they used all their foreign exhange reserves and stopped buying U.S. Treasuries for a few quarters.

Any other thoughts on this?

PRITCHO
(05/04/2006; 21:12:47 MDT - Msg ID: 143866)
"BULL IN BEAR'S SKIN?" -- - By Antal E. Fekete
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/fekete/2006/0504.htmlTen Bears has already posted a link this article which I read earlier at Financial Sense. It is the best article by far I have read by the good professor because it explains in very simple terms WHY the shorts are NOT STUPID!

This article is a must read for those that have missed it. Here's a different paragraph from a highly interesting article.

SNIP:

"Contrary to popular beliefs, the shorts are not stupid. Nor are they suicidal. They are responsible businessmen well able to calculate, including calculation of the cost of transportation by the fastest conveyances available such as supersonic aircraft if need be to carry supplies half-way around the globe. Whenever they sell short, they are not acting on impulse. They act on cold facts. They know full well that the futures markets fail to be symmetric. They know that there is a built-in bias favoring the longs at the expense of the bears: the risk shouldered by the former is limited (as the price cannot fall below zero) while that shouldered by the latter is unlimited (as the price can theoretically go to infinity). Whereas an individual short seller might miscalculate,it is virtually impossible that the shorts collectively would."

mikal
(05/04/2006; 21:23:39 MDT - Msg ID: 143867)
@Armageddon
Good questions. I don't think the world would recover from such a serious dollar(reserve currency) "collapse" precipitated by a major bank or government liquidity crisis or default.
Preventing(forestalling)this was one of the major drivers in the recent explosive growth of risk transference vehicles and schemes such as swaps and derivative "contracts" as you know.
I posted this FT link earlier to underscore the unsustainability of exponential debt growth patterns in China and elsewhere.
Why I think China has accumulated massive commodities stockpiles, gold and foreign reserves is strategic foresight and market prowess aided by western collaborators/partners. There is the will to transition into a new mark to market CB gold reserve structure, because one cannot conceive of any other peaceful, practical way to stabilize major economies in the developed and developing world.
The alternatives would impact completely beyond dollar and currency markets withy or without more fiat. Enough damage market dislocations and distortions have been done to induce hyperinflationary collapse
or unloading of dollars with the same result, or derivative(mortgage, currency, credit, gold or other derivative market(s)) counterparty default chain reaction collapse, or illiquidity in the bond market and other scenarios if enough time is allowed to elapse IMHO.
Druid
(05/04/2006; 21:51:11 MDT - Msg ID: 143868)
Goldilox (5/4/06; 20:04:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 143859)

Druid: G, TC, FL, something that you have not brought up in your informative comments is that the USPO is a government agency just like the Dept. of Labor etc... In my humble opinion this is just another attempt at trying to hide inflation in the form of a derivative for service of delivery against raising the price of a stamp to levels that cover the cost of fuel.

Remember, the Postal Service is a very inefficient fuel intensive entity that is highly reliant on the low cost of fuel. They just can't go out into the futures market and go long oil, gasoline futures etc... to hedge their costs, thus they have to try and be creative in other areas to somehow justify any price increases. Postage prices like gas prices are obvious items that hit right in middle America's breadbasket. This is the Postal Service answer to how the BLS uses CPI. My comments anyway.
Survivor
(05/04/2006; 22:50:39 MDT - Msg ID: 143869)
Forever Stamps

A lot of over analysis happening here and elswhere about this stamp. USPS only does 20% of their business by postage stamp. The forever stamp is just a simple and effective way for USPS to deal with the cost of publishing stamps in a monetary environment where spiralling inflation is anticipated.

In the current model, a new first class stamp must be published for each rate increase, along with 2 or 3 cent "make-up" stamps for folks stuck with old stamps. The forever stamp streamlines this model; the assumption is that any losses due to stamps in possession when the rate changes is made up for in efficiency. One who makes a large forward purchase of forever stamps is just loaning money to USPS at an interest rate that is never higher than "official" inflation.


The other 80% of USPS busines is done by metered postage, which is already positioned for frequent rate increases.

- Survivor

Goldilox
(05/04/2006; 23:59:15 MDT - Msg ID: 143870)
Postal analysis
So Survivor,

The USPS is doing this NOW because:

1) they never thought of it before? or

2) The rate changes are expcted to accelerate?

After all, in the past the USPS has prided itself in the many variations of stamps it produced and even call it a service to numismatists.

Sounds too much like a typical rationalization to me.
Caradoc
(05/05/2006; 00:17:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143871)
$680 in rearview mirror
Tomorrow should be a day to remember.

Regards to all,

Caradoc
TownCrier
(05/05/2006; 01:15:42 MDT - Msg ID: 143872)
Cockerill wants co-operation on gold
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=3233009May 5, 2006; Johannesburg - If companies mining the Witwatersrand Basin co-operated with one another, ways could be found to recover the 600 million ounces of gold still available after more than 100 years of mining.

If they did not co-operate, most of those millions of ounces would be lost to South Africa, Gold Fields chief executive Ian Cockerill said this week.

Even though the Wits Basin had produced 1.2 billion ounces of gold since the metal was discovered in 1886, the fact that there was still a further 600 million ounces challenged gold companies to co-operate in finding ways to mine at 4,000m and below...

"Extraction of even 10 percent, or 60 million ounces, would be almost a year's worth of global demand and a prize worth working towards," Cockerill harangued.

Asked to define what he meant by co-operation, he said it meant the relevant chief executives sitting down ['...as "miners" - without their lawyers and investment bankers...'], having a good cup of tea or a good bottle of wine, discussing co-operation in exploiting selected assets and arriving at terms of engagement.

^---(from url)---^

On a fundamental note, this displays how preciously difficult the remaining gold will be to extract if in fact it can be worked out.

Then on a personal note, as a down-to-earth Miner/engineer myself, I certainly take an immediate shine to Ian's preferred way of doing business. Hopeless as it is, "Good luck fending off the 'suits'."

R.
TownCrier
(05/05/2006; 01:25:27 MDT - Msg ID: 143873)
Gold Futures Exceed $680 as Iranian Nuclear Dispute Intensifies
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aaidJCoOOHQk&refer=europeMay 5 (Bloomberg) -- Gold in New York reached a 25-year high, rising past $680 an ounce, as investors bought the precious metal as a haven and a hedge against inflation.

Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil supplier, yesterday rejected U.S.-led demands that it halt uranium enrichment. Crude prices have surged to a record on concern over disruption to Iranian oil supplies, raising fears of inflation and increasing the appeal of bullion as a hedge.

...Some investors buy gold to hedge against inflation, which erodes the value of fixed-income assets such as bonds. They also buy bullion as a haven against instability in financial markets caused by geopolitical tension....

The U.S., U.K. and France yesterday circulated a draft United Nations' resolution that demanded Iran ``suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development.'' The three have said Iran is developing nuclear weapons; Iran has denied the charge.

The draft resolution ``is extremely unhelpful and won't get anywhere,'' Iranian Ambassador Javad Zarif said. ``Iran does not respond to threats and intimidation.''

Barrick Gold Corp., the world's largest gold producer, yesterday also said it is cutting forward gold sales, which lock in prices, to take advantage of rising prices.

``This is a signal that the producers are still expecting higher prices,'' said Dowsett.

^---(from url)---^

Do you ever get the sense that this whole Iranian thing is not slightly more than coordinated orchestration of a superficial tune for the public to slowly dance to?

Skip the mind-numbing performance and go straight to the finale... own gold. You'll be in your car and home while others are still cueing endlessly in the parking garage.

R.
The Alchemist
(05/05/2006; 01:43:08 MDT - Msg ID: 143874)
counting profits and evaluating long term losses
I have been a reader of the excellent analysis and commentary on this site and I lift my glass to Sir MK and the noble knights of the round. Your intellect and insight are known and appreciated far and wide. As for me, I have been actively invested in the elemental metals for some time with emphasis on gold and silver of late. I'm sure that the knights will agree with me that what our country is facing MUST temper our enthusiasm when counting our profits.....Direct,if you will, your attention to the American political and social order with gold at $5000.00 an ounce.
The Invisible Hand
(05/05/2006; 02:07:16 MDT - Msg ID: 143875)
May 10 � next Wednesday
http://eng.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=74954The US dollar rate can fall to 1.3 euros for 1 "buck." It will happen if the US Federal Reserve System decides to freeze its funds-rate
+
Therefore let us wait for May 10 - the day when the FRS "politburo" meets next time to discuss the funds-rate. Then we will see whither the world market is going. And us as well.
==
The end of the world again!
Topaz
(05/05/2006; 02:28:19 MDT - Msg ID: 143876)
Disturbing EQ swarm!
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Maps/10/185_-20.phpAftershocks following on from the mag 7.9 EQ in Tonga recently seem to be increasing in intensity.
The area in question, an Island group known as Ha'apai is largely made up of coral atolls however there is also an active volcanic presence in the area.
The dark blue features on the map is what is known as the Tongan Trench, a VERY steep/deep area of the sea-bed.

Many moons ago I experienced my first EQ in this area, a most unnerving experience.
Toolie
(05/05/2006; 03:24:26 MDT - Msg ID: 143877)
@ The Alchemist
I share your concern for our country however, but must admit that I'm a bit desensitized to fears for our Social and political systems.

Let's skip what $5,000 gold will mean and discuss what $30,000 will do. As the gold reserve system takes hold a greater effort will be placed on sober currency management; by banks and individuals.

The costs of discretionary wars will have to be weighed carefully before they are entered into.

A deceleration in money supply growth will choke off the growth at any cost mindset that saturates our "culture".

I also expect a hard left turn to be made in the political area. We could look to South America for clues as to where that will take us. For that I lay blame at the feet of the "conservatives" currently in power. America's de-industrialization has been described as the natural order of things, as though free market principals have any application when money is created in a monopoly, from thin air. They have not missed an opportunity shifting the blame for job losses, pension defaults, etc, blaming "creative destruction", "market forces" "a more industrious OR better educated foreign workforce". Meanwhile those with a copy of the corporate/political playbook have profited handsomely. Their actions have proven to many Americans that the "free market" doesn't work. They deserve to suffer for it, it needn't have been this way.

Sir Alchemist, don't confuse the medicine with the disease. Ohhh... and welcome aboard, thanks for bringing the subject up.

@ Mikal � Thanks for your comments of yesterday.
Sundeck
(05/05/2006; 04:06:01 MDT - Msg ID: 143878)
More than just another BRIC in the wall...
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1517464.cmsSnip:

"...
Brazil, Russia, India and China, referred to as BRIC group that currently manifests the world's highest economic growth rate, have surpassed G7 countries in their forex/gold holdings for the first time in history.

As of the end of March, the aggregate holdings of BRIC amounted to $1,292,200 million, according to estimates published on Thursday in Japan's leading economic newspaper, 'Nihon Keizai'.
..."

Sundeck: Russian reserves have now surpassed those of South Korea. While FX reserves of BRIC exceed those of G7, their gold reserves no doubt trail those of G7 considerably...let's hope they try to catch up ;-)

Question: "How many dollars does the USA have in reserve?"

Answer: "We have a technology called a printing press."

:-)
Sundeck
(05/05/2006; 04:21:19 MDT - Msg ID: 143879)
China's Golden Week
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-05/05/content_583078.htmSnip:

"...
The office that coordinates national tourism predicts this week's golden week, to mark May Day or International Labour Day, is expected to witness a record high 120 million person-trips taken by Chinese tourists. If past trends hold true they will likely spend more than 40 billion yuan (approximately 5 billion US dollars.
..."

Sundeck: Those Chinese have a way with words and phrases..."Golden Week"...

Spot has had a golden week too, so far...starting the week around $655 and now above $680...sic 'em Spot!

:-)

Toolie
(05/05/2006; 05:34:57 MDT - Msg ID: 143880)
A little perspective on your post about NAM yesterday.
John Engler is the former Governor of Michigan. IMHO, he is ladder climber in the Republican party. Having failed to deliver the state to the president is 2000, he took a job with NAM (no primo appointment). If that wasn't the message that the administration wanted to put out, He wouldn't be saying; "Since the dollar has been overvalued for almost a decade, merely bringing it back to equilibrium level with another 10 percent drop wouldn't create a sharp enough dent in the trade balance -- so the dollar would probably have to fall below that level for some period of time,"

There have been sharp divisions within NAM and some talk of smaller manufactures splitting away from the multi-national dominated NAM. In short, I believe that he knows a 10% depreciation won't make a bit of difference, but he doesn't want to rock the boat. Design work sent to India costs about 1/4 to 1/3 of what that work would cost here in the states. I believe that machine work is being done for 1/3 to 1/2 in Asia. How much sense does it make to do high value added work overseas then pay US wages to do the lower skill production work here? None. The dollar has a long way to fall, much further than TPTB would have us believe.

Enjoy your posts, thanks.
Toolie
(05/05/2006; 05:37:43 MDT - Msg ID: 143881)
Ooops...
@ Goldilox, regarding the post below.
Goldendome
(05/05/2006; 07:30:57 MDT - Msg ID: 143882)
"Lookout below"
http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DXThe dollar just went over another waterfall. Down to 85.18.
Ouch!
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 07:43:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143883)
Iran
@ TC,

"Do you ever get the sense that this whole Iranian thing is not slightly more than coordinated orchestration of a superficial tune for the public to slowly dance to?"

I get a similar impression when reading Sinclair's coverage of Iran.
Especially when trying to relate it to PoG or USDX.

The Iran thingy has taken a life of its own and seems to be the media's answer to every question when they prefer not to complete their "due diligence."
Gandalf the White
(05/05/2006; 07:46:40 MDT - Msg ID: 143884)
WOWSERS !!! <;-)
http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DXGoldendome (5/5/06; 07:30:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 143882)
"Lookout below"
===
That is not an ordinary WATERFALL -- That is more like a "FREE FALL" at the start of the Pit trading in NY !
Hold on to your YELLOW dearly.
GW
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 07:56:22 MDT - Msg ID: 143885)
Consumer Confidence Tanks
http://urbansurvival.com/week.htmsnip:

Tanks as in "gas tanks". The HUGE drop to 67.1% in early May is a huge drop from the 89.4% in April. Politicians should be wary. The sheeple are getting restless.

If you look at the top of our news links page, you'll see that while gold took a short hit from the numbers, the real damage is to the US dollar which fell dramatically against the Euro. The People's Economist thinks precious metals will keep going up as the dollar keeps sinking.

Fight the Bankster's Big Lie: Prices aren't going up: Your money is being watered down!

-Goldilox

The ConConf numbers may not bring Wall St down today, but they have to send some shudders through the retail sector pretty soon!
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 08:04:58 MDT - Msg ID: 143886)
ETFs
Does anyone know why the GLD ETF sells at a discount to spot, whereas SLV sells at a premium?

Is this reflective of the higher margins and handling costs in silver, or does it echo some generic difference in the funds' charters?
Clink!
(05/05/2006; 08:18:37 MDT - Msg ID: 143887)
Storm in a teacup
I would have to agree with Survivor - wa-a-a-y too much over-analysis of the motivations. Changing stamps (and recalling/scrapping the excess inventory) every year or two is a major pain for the USPS. And a major pain for their consumers,, when they try and finish off those sheets which they bought at Christmas time.

And asking why someone had the bright idea now is the wrong question ! This has been common practice elsewhere in the world for some time. A quick Google showed that all commemorative issues in the UK have had 1st and 2nd class denominations since 2000, for instance. A visit to La Poste shows the same thing in France, and I'm sure you'd find the same thing elsewhere. So the right question is why is the US so far behind other places ?

C!
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 08:55:20 MDT - Msg ID: 143888)
Teacup
@ Clink,

You also (as did the first poster) neglect to address the fact that myriad versions of stamps services their market to numismatists - one which the USPS has always claimed "paid for itself".

If they now come out with a "one-size fits all" stamp, their numismatic business goes in the toilet, or else they do it in parallel, which then saves them nothing, as they are still producing a complete "stable" of different stamps.

No offense, but both explanations have sounded like bureaucratic bylines to me.
Clink!
(05/05/2006; 09:12:36 MDT - Msg ID: 143889)
A good trick, Goldilox !!
Selling stamps to numismatists, that is ! OK, I knew you meant philatelists.

There has always been a distinction between the "one batch" commemoratives (which are always sold in priority until completely sold out) and the bread-and-butter standard issue (always there as a backup).

C!
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 09:47:42 MDT - Msg ID: 143890)
Correction
@ Clink (& Survivor),

Thanks for the correction.

My "big word" depository obviously failed me at pre-breakfast hour. LOL

My point being that there is likely more than meets the eye here, although by itself it may be a fairly minor adjustment.

Witnessing a government agency actually taking steps to deal with potential inflationary explosion is something. Especially when their bretheren expend so much political capital and airtime trying to sell us on the mantra:

"There is no inflation. There is no inflation."
TownCrier
(05/05/2006; 10:09:58 MDT - Msg ID: 143891)
A reminder... (or an announcement for those who don't subscribe to the email alerts)
http://www.usagold.com/gold/special/2006may.htmlCommencing yesterday afternoon a "phone-in only" special has been put underway.

[Or perhaps is already sold out(???)]

The call is yours to make. TOLL FREE 1-800-869-5115

R.
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 10:13:27 MDT - Msg ID: 143892)
Gold Trades Above $682
http://www.jsmineset.com/snip:

Gold having traded this morning above $682 is bringing in some selling into gold shares exactly as it did when we first touched $612.

This is in a way a compliment to this site, but possibly an error in judgment by the position holders.


The reason I say this is twofold:

1. It is not the old gold community that has been responsible for the brisk move from $612 to the present. It is international investment banks whose funds relative to the tiny gold market and smaller gold share market are infinite.

2. The market, although helped by a falling dollar, is truly a product of the shifting dynamic in the political position of Iran and therefore the entire Middle East. All the fundamental damage in the dollar equation can be tracked back to this changing political dynamic and the "follow the money" financial impact it has had on the US while that country enjoys prosperity in all its markets and most of its industries.

There is little chance the Iranian situation, the Iraq situations or US economic policy will make abrupt changes from their present direction. Because of these factors the only selling one should do at $682 gold is to remove any debt you have against your position.

-Goldilox

Sinclair's comments on reaching magnet #2.
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 10:20:04 MDT - Msg ID: 143893)
Free Fall, indeed
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10DX 90 to 85 (6% drop) has occurred in the comparative "blink of an eye."

Six percent losses in one month are fairly spectacular for the "World's Reserve Currency"!

Not the performance I prefer from MY reserves.

Another way of looking at it:

If your paper-based assets haven't gained AT LEAST 6% in the last month, they are LOSERS!
Smeagol
(05/05/2006; 10:22:29 MDT - Msg ID: 143894)
Evaporating ETF assets
(smeagol mode off)

@ Sir Goldilox,
The silver ETF says right in the prospectus that a percentage of silver held is sold to pay the "expenses" of the fund/trust, and that this reduces the value of the shares over time even as/if the metal rises in price. And, that the addition of more metal does not "make up" for this. Perhaps the gold ETF is structured in a similar manner?

ETFs = Eventually Transferred Funds (yours)

Caveat Emptor.

Smeagol
Flatliner
(05/05/2006; 10:56:43 MDT - Msg ID: 143895)
Where's the paper trail?
http://www.ishares.com/fund_info/detail.jhtml?symbol=SLVI'm hoping that someone where might be able to help me understand where the silver is coming from in order to satisfy the holdings of SLV. On their website, which is updated daily, they list the number of ounces that they hold. Right now, it's just under 42 million. At the end of April, they held about 21 million, thus for May, they have gathered another 21 million. Now, when I look at the nymex (http://www.nymex.com/media/delivery.pdf) (the only source that I'm really familiar with) at the delivery notices, I find that this source lists 6,966 contracts or just under 3.5 million ounces �so far for may� for all stoppers. Seems pretty clear to me that SLV is not shopping on this market. But, I'm sure they're shopping in London, or Mexico or someplace where someone has more silver then they know what to do with.

Thanks and sorry if this topic offends anyone. It just seems strange that SLV could buy so much so fast. One would expect that the pipeline to the little guy would be drying up or that someone would have mentioned that there has been a disruption in supply. But, I haven't seen any postings on that matter. Meanwhile, I'll hold onto my ounces of gold. They sure do shine.
Flatliner
(05/05/2006; 11:21:47 MDT - Msg ID: 143896)
@ Free Fall, indeed
If gold where included in the basket as a currency, one would see that the move is much greater then what you point out.

It will not be long before all things are compared against gold.
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 12:10:01 MDT - Msg ID: 143897)
ETFs
@ Smegol,

That would seem to explain why an ETF would be priced at a discount, but the opposite is true for the SLV ETF, which touts a positive margin to spot, while the GLD has dropped from $2.50 under spot to $3.60 under spot.

Maybe, being new, SLV above the 1.0 ratio of holdings to market value in order to pay early expenses and this ratio will deteriorate over time?

Got me.
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 12:12:48 MDT - Msg ID: 143898)
stock
@ Flatliner,

My question, as well.

Maybe Buffett found a buyer for his $7 silver?
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 12:24:06 MDT - Msg ID: 143899)
Driven by uncertainty, gold makes its move
http://www.afxpress.com/about488/index.php?lg=en&c=00.00&story=1467521snip:

SAN FRANCISCO (AFX) -- Gold's a substitute no more.

Sometimes known as an alternative currency, the precious metal has traditionally offered a means through which investors can offset financial losses or potential losses or hedge against inflation.

With the dollar recently trading at a one-year low against the euro and a seven-month low against Japan's yen and experts betting on further weakness in the greenback, gold has climbed more than $150 an ounce year to date.

"The only one who doesn't know the U.S. dollar is dead is the U.S. dollar," said Peter Grandich, editor of the Grandich Letter.

And "as the decline in purchasing power of fiat currencies is magnified, gold will start attracting even more interest from individuals that are seeking an alternate 'currency'," said Emanuel Balarie, a senior market strategist at Wisdom Financial.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said last week that the U.S. central bank may pause its interest rate-increase cycle, adding to the misery of the dollar, and global concerns over Iran's nuclear research has sparked interest alternative investments.

Now there are "trillions of dollars floating around and as people flee paper money (dollars), gold and silver money become attractive competitors," said Peter Spina, a chief investment strategist at GoldSeek.com.

One could say, "gold IS money," he said.

Indeed, "while paper money is a liability with no intrinsic value, gold has -- in all situations," said Julian Phillips, an analyst at GoldForecaster.com.

"To have a stockpile of gold means to have a measure of financial security no matter where one is on this earth, and this will hold true no matter what price oil goes to or how high global uncertainty rises and confidence wanes," he said.

The market for the precious metal offers several investment options for traders, including gold futures, mutual funds, and gold bullion exchanged-trade funds. An ETF based on metals-mining shares is even in registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Going for four digits?

The cost of gold at the end 2006 could even be at almost double the level it started the year at. That's what some analysts predict despite the lofty quarter-century highs the precious metal has been trading at since December.

Gold futures climbed close to $680 an ounce Thursday, a level not seen since October 1980. Prices started the year around $519.

"As more and more investors start allocating more resources in gold, we could see $800 and as high as $1,000 by year's end," said John Person, president of National Futures Advisory Service.

"All the elements are in place for such a move, and it would not be unrealistic to achieve in a relatively short period of time," he said.

Tensions in Iraq, new developments in Iran's standoff with the West on nuclear issues, as well as a U.S. Federal Reserve that sends "confused messages to the American public," are among the reasons gold is likely to keep climbing, Person said.

Overall, it's "simply demand" -- demand from investors looking for an investment or a hedge against rising inflation, or from a perspective of increased jewelry purchases from consumers around the globe," he said.

"In times of confusion, market participants head for safety, and right now safety is found in holding gold," he said.

At the same time, it's important to note that gold prices actually "started their life" at $35 per ounce in the early 1970s, said Jon Nadler, an investment products analyst at bullion dealers Kitco.com. From there, it went to $850-$875 -- a "twenty-five-times-over move."

Gold began its latest move up at $252, so prices at $6,250 can't be ruled out either, in terms of magnitude of the move, he said.

-Goldilox

The article goes on to explain why too much froth is specualtive, as well.

Overall, a good read.
mikal
(05/05/2006; 12:46:03 MDT - Msg ID: 143900)
The political price of equipment upgrades
http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=12473Gold is Going to Cost a Lot More - FMNN - May 5, 2006
Short comments on gold demand vs declining supply
within the context of environmental concerns and rising tech costs.
Goldilox
(05/05/2006; 13:35:19 MDT - Msg ID: 143901)
Market Nears All-Time Lie
http://urbansurvival.com/week.htmsnip:

The talking heads are beside themselves with glee at this hour - they are talking UP the fact that the market is only "185 points from its all-time high!" Well, hold on buckaroo. Not, as we'd say here in Texas, "presactly." True the old all-time-high of the market was at 11,723. BUT that was in January 2000. If you use the Fed's inflation calculator (left menu down a ways) you will see that works out to 13,785 without taking into account another 2% for the inflation this year, year-to-date to just equal things. As I explained to subscribers a few weeks back, when you pencil it all in, we'd have to hit Dow 14,000 -something to equal the old high.

-Goldilox

Inflation hides so many ills, and also allows TPTB to parade a facade of success in the financial media.

DOW 11,700 still only equals 17 oz gold, whereas Dow 11,700 in Y2K was equal to 46 oz.

Not much question which "investment" preserved one's wealth better over the last 5 years.
Caradoc
(05/05/2006; 14:37:29 MDT - Msg ID: 143902)
@Flatliner
Re: Silver supply drying up?

Anecdotal evidence from the left coast is twofold:
1. Most recent bag of junk silver got delivered as two bags with face value of $500 rather than one bag of $1000 face value. (Anybody else have same experience?)
2. A buddy in the business is seeing slight upsurge in what he calls "one-time sellers"; i.e., people bringing in a roll of Ben Franklin 40% silver halves or the handful of silver dollars that were in grandpa's sock drawer when he died. On the other hand, none of his regular customers are choosing to cash out.

Caradoc
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/05/2006; 15:26:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143903)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

FRIDAY Market Excperts

Gold gains nearly $30 for week

May 5 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures climbed Friday as worry about the nuclear standoff with Iran and fresh weakness in the U.S. dollar combined to bolster metal demand. COMEX June futures rose to a high of $686.50, marking an intraday level that futures haven't seen since October 1980.

The contract closed up $7.80 at $684.30.

Prices finished the session $29.80 above the week-ago closing level of $654.50, as the dollar slumped to fresh one-year lows against the euro and fell against Japan's yen.

The greenback's weakness came in reaction to U.S. nonfarm payrolls growth for April that was far lower than expected. See Currencies. "Gold prices have made new major-trend highs on each day this week, underpinned by geopolitical uncertainty and fresh waves of fund demand," said economists at Action Economics.

A lack of forward hedging by gold miners also has helped support prices, pushing the euro price of gold to a fresh record peak, they added. However, "extreme speculative account exposure" means that there's potential for a sharp correction on any gold-bearish development, they cautioned.

But Dale Doelling, chief market technician at Trends In Commodities, said that the metals market is only about four and a half years into what he called a "secular bull market in commodities," adding that "the likelihood of continued higher prices in these and other commodities is quite good."

"There are just too many good reasons to remain long on commodities for continued price gains -- but the most important reason is that the trends continue to gain momentum, and that's always a good thing for traders."

Commodities trader Kevin Kerr said that his new target for gold is $810 an ounce within the next two months, "if things persist as they are."

If they don't, then prices will pull back to $620 and then see a steady climb higher, predicted Kerr, who's also the editor of Global Resources Trader, a newsletter service of MarketWatch. Still, "the way things have been going, though, it's anyone's guess," he said.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
The Invisible Hand
(05/05/2006; 17:52:55 MDT - Msg ID: 143905)
Within two months
http://english.bna.bh/?ID=44529 SNIP
Bako, May. 5, (BNA) Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced here on Friday that within two months, his country will base its oil accounts on the EURO.
TownCrier
(05/05/2006; 17:59:54 MDT - Msg ID: 143907)
A rose by any other name...
http://www.dominicantoday.com/app/article.aspx?id=13128HEADLINE: Bolivia: No Plans to Nationalize U.S.-Run Silver Mines

LA PAZ, Bolivia -- Bolivia's socialist government said Thursday that it has no plans to nationalize U.S.-operated silver mines in the Andean province of Potosi.

Development Planning Minister Carlos Villegas said Thursday at a press conference that "at no time did the government say that it would enter into a process of nationalization" of the operations of Apex Silver Mines Ltd. and Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp.

"Therefore, there is full certainty and legal security," he added.

[Now, here comes the kicker...]

The government will present to Congress modifications of the mining code, in which a hike in taxes and royalties for mining firms is expected.

^---(from url)---^

A hike in taxes and royalties is what I call "a kinder, gentler" sort of nationalization.

All to the same end -- which is, ultimately, no joy to the investor who opted to be a mining shareholder rather than a metal holder.

Fair warning as you navigate the seas ahead.

R.
The Invisible Hand
(05/05/2006; 18:13:28 MDT - Msg ID: 143908)
Stephen Roach's conversion to bullishness
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1768884,00.htmlSNIPS
The reasoning is that once everybody believes things can only get better, markets become gripped by a herd mentality, lose touch with reality and eventually come down with a bump.
Roach is clearly irritated by this kind of talk.
+
Even so, it's not hard to see why Roach's conversion to the belief that global imbalances can be sorted out without large-scale disruption has caused a stir. Markets have been in a bullish, even euphoric, mood.
+
Until recently, the rise in shares was matched by an even more spectacular rise in government bonds, as investors took the view that sustained, non-inflationary growth would be the norm in a globalised world. Gilt yields, which move inversely to gilt prices, fell to their lowest level in 50 years.
Commodity markets have told a similar story. The price of gold is at its highest level since the early 1980s, while silver has doubled in price over the past 12 months. In the world of fine art, a reasonable barometer of the frothiness of financial markets, a painting by Picasso was sold for $95.2m (�51m) in New York on Wednesday - the second highest amount ever paid for a painting.

==

Investors take the view that sustained, non-inflationary growth would be the norm in a globalised world? And all prices are rising, says Roach. Non-inflationary?
Is this guy crazy?
Toolie
(05/05/2006; 18:14:34 MDT - Msg ID: 143909)
What a nice time to own gold
Russia � lightening up on the dollar.
Iran -- basing oil sales in euros
South America � paying off debt to the IMF

It's starting to look like The Three Stooges trying to go through a doorway.
The Invisible Hand
(05/05/2006; 18:26:20 MDT - Msg ID: 143910)
AngloGold hedge backfires as price hits 25-year high
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article362302.eceSNIP
AngloGold Ashanti, the world's third-largest gold miner, posted a loss for the first three months of the year yesterday as bullion prices climbed to a 25-year high.
The South African mining group took a hit from losses on forward sales contracts, in which it had agreed to sell gold in the future at a fixed price.
It underestimated the rise in the market price, which is now higher than the level agreed in the contracts, meaning that the contracts are recorded as a loss in the company's accounts.
Ned
(05/05/2006; 19:46:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143911)
Invisible Hand
Thank you for your post regarding Iran's switch to Euros within 2 months. Gotta be the news of the day.

Wonder if this makes Ahmadinthehead a 'marked' man?

Have a golden weekend.
Ned
(05/05/2006; 19:47:25 MDT - Msg ID: 143912)
Note to self
Duh ! Like he wasn't before?
Ten Bears
(05/05/2006; 21:02:18 MDT - Msg ID: 143913)
good threads on long waves
http://www.safehaven.com/forums-18029.htm
Warren Buffett could be comedian, some pearls in here

http://www.safehaven.com/forums-18027.htm
Sharefin"
The Big Picture Chart of the Week 10 Year Yield, 30 year chart

http://www.safehaven.com/forums-18028.htm
Peak Oil is a longwave problem. Price is a shortwave problem. There is
no direct correlation between them.
Henry C.K. Liu
Survivor
(05/06/2006; 10:07:47 MDT - Msg ID: 143914)
Test
NT
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/06/2006; 12:48:06 MDT - Msg ID: 143915)
A world of gold at your fingertips...
http://www.usagold.com/buy-gold-coins.html

gold -- a global calling card
TownCrier
(05/06/2006; 13:21:11 MDT - Msg ID: 143916)
Gold demand
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=67273Saturday, May 06, 2006; Lima, Peru, May 6 -- Soaring bullion prices are unlikely to end rising demand for gold as the jewelry industry in India, newly found investor interest and medicinal uses all continue to defy expansion forecasts, a top gold official said on Friday.

Global gold demand likely fell in the first three months of this year, but should rise in the second quarter as consumers adjust to soaring gold prices and place their faith in the enduring value of the precious metal again, George Milling-Stanley of the World Gold Council said in an interview on the sidelines of a gold symposium in Lima, Peru.

Gold prices are seen continuing to rise over the coming months as demand strengthens again, led by jewelry demand from No 1 consumer India and as investment fund interest booms.

The World Gold Council said earlier this week it saw prices for gold, also used in industry, challenging the $850/ounce level within the next 18 months. Others are setting their sights to well over $1,000 per ounce.

...contrary to popular logic, gold pundits say higher prices rarely hold off buyers for very long, with most even holding higher-priced purchases in higher regard.

"The private sector is making the decision to move into gold," said Milling-Stanley.

...gold has unique characteristics when broken down to the nano level which allow it be used to do everything from combat diseases to make it easier to make flat-screens on items like mobile phones more readable.

"Definitely, demand will continue to grow," said Paul Walker, the chief executive of GFMS.

The pace of demand will be determined by how much further prices rise and at what rate.

"There's no way to put a time on it, because we've never seen a market quite like this," said Milling-Stanley.

^---(from url)---^

The higher price for gold will be driven by institutions (CBs) and private investors who value gold for its use as wealth reserve property (bullion, coins, eastern jewelry included). As an 'also ran', industry will simply make do and deal with that price for their nano quantities, etc.

R.
TownCrier
(05/06/2006; 13:32:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143917)
HEADLINE: The fallout from a falling dollar
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0505/p01s02-usec.html?s=t5As foreign buyers shun the currency, it could be harder to finance the US trade deficit.

NEW YORK � For two weeks, the dollar has been hammered as foreign buyers shun the US currency.

As a result, the Canadian "loonie" is at its highest point in 30 years. The British pound is at its uppermost level since last September. Even the closely managed yen is at a six-month peak.

If the dollar were to continue falling, it could have wide ramifications:

-- It could imperil the economy next year because Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke might have to defend the currency with higher interest rates.

-- A lower-valued dollar makes imports more expensive, possibly ratcheting up the inflation rate. But it could also stimulate US exports, thus providing more jobs.

-- This summer, Americans traveling abroad will feel as if everything is expensive. However, foreigners coming to America will feel as if the country is one giant Wal-Mart.

Behind the falling currency is a changing global economy. As the US Federal Reserve appears to be near the end of its round of interest-rate hikes, foreign banks are starting to hike their rates - which puts foreign currencies in higher demand, thus making the dollar less attractive.

...central banks of some foreign countries, which are key in financing the US deficit by buying US Treasury bills, are now less willing to do so. Instead, they're diversifying their reserve holdings with euros and yen. [TC note: and gold!]

On Wednesday and Thursday, finance ministers in Japan and Europe tried to stem the dollar's fall. The Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki warned that flexible exchange rates could cause speculation that could hurt the world economy.

...Financing the current US trade deficit is requiring increasing agility. "Every business day requires $3.5 billion of net new money entering the country to finance the current account deficit," says Jay Bryson, an international economist at Wachovia Securities in Charlotte, N.C.

Most of that money comes from foreign central banks, which own large amounts of dollars. Recently, however, the central banks of Sweden, Finland, and Russia have said they will diversify their foreign reserve holdings and reduce their US dollars.

Behind the shift may be concern that the dollar will be devalued, making their holdings worth less.

^---(from url)---^

Diversify. Will you arrive early, or will you find yourself only outside on the doorstep at a standing-room-only event?

R.
TownCrier
(05/06/2006; 13:43:44 MDT - Msg ID: 143918)
Gold does a perfect 10, creates history
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=126153MUMBAI, MAY 5: �It was not long ago that the Sensex crossed the 10,000 mark. And now, Friday turned out to be golden for the precious yellow metal as its price crossed Rs 10,000 per 10 gram for the first time in history in both the spot and the futures markets.

Piggybacking on overseas prices, standard gold in the spot market closed at a record Rs 10,120 in Kolkata, followed by Delhi at Rs 10,050 and Mumbai at Rs 9,945. The Chennai market remained closed on Friday. In Mumbai, pure gold closed a tad below the 10K mark at Rs 9,990 per 10 gm.

"Prices in India are high purely due to rally at the global level. Besides, geo-political reasons, a weakening dollar, higher Chinese and Indian demand and increase in Russian reserves by about $1 billion worth gold are among the main drivers of the gold price," Suresh Nair, vice president, Kotak Commodity Services stated.

^---(from url)---^

If, indeed, Russia has added that much gold to reserves (approx 45 tonnes), then they've only just done it within these last two weeks; before which time their gold reserves reportedly (officially) stood at 12.43 Moz.

R.
Goldendome
(05/06/2006; 14:52:58 MDT - Msg ID: 143919)
Response to Dr. Fekete's latest: "BULL IN BEAR'S SKIN?"
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/fekete/2006/0504.html
Is the good Dr.Fekete, saying that large gold holders are using covered shorts in the futures markets to force down gold prices after sustained run-ups in the gold price, then buying back the shorts --and in addition-- at the same time buying more physical gold at the then lowered spot prices?

Sounds like a good strategy in a gold market with large price swings (2002 through August of 2005). But how's it been working since August 2005? Not so well, I would guess. The price since that time is about $250 higher today ($683 vs.$433) than where gold closed in August 2005!!!! There are very few significant pullbacks in price for any length of time in this latest march forward. Seems to me a wonderful opportunity for shorts to have lost big money or big amounts of gold! By the way-- if these guys are so smart, who wants to be shorting a market thats moved from $250 to $685 anyway? Seems pretty dangerous even for the most nimble and gifted! Nearly guaranteeing losses that would outstrip any gains.

Maybe the game has changed. Maybe the longs (long in dollars held, particularly) are taking control. Are we seeing this also in other commodity markets? Those that want the commodities and have huge dollar holdings, just buying the futures then taking delivery? After the hurricanes of last year, wasn't it common knowledge that the high oil prices were only a temporary blip upward--and this was shown by the fact that the oil markets at that time, I believe, went into backwardation? Well--what's happened since? The markets for oil went to contango at the higher prices, as buyers realized they could buy the commodity outright in the futures markets for a lower price than current spot, and then just hold and take delivery of the contract on the due date. Backwardation was history! Is the same thing happening with gold? I don't know. Though it never went to backwardation, is the spot gold price driving the futures here? The largest breakdown recently that I recall in the gold market was in March, I believe, when spot fell from about $575 to $550. Two days later, spot was right back over $570, and no major pullbacks since.

Are these just short sellers covering in the futures? Maybe so. I don't know. But anyone on the short side for nearly a year now has been consistently "spanked". Anyone truly wanting Gold would just be exchanging their dollars for Gold at spot or waiting for their next futures contract to come due to take delivery there too! I don't know jack about these markets, but were I sitting with hundreds of billions of dollars that I saw as vulnerable to currency risk and wondering what to do with it all...I think that I would happily be exchanging some of them for some of the shiny yellow! The fundamentals of worldwide fiat currencies have not changed. The spending proclivities of the U.S. Government and it's citizens have not changed. The long-term liabilities of this and all Westernized countries continue to grow and loom ever closer now.

For my dollars, I'll continue to buy and hold physical gold. My opinion is: that more and more individuals around the world, along with large governmental entity holders of fiat currencies, are increasingly waking up to the scam of unbacked, counterfeited paper currencies, and will continue to move to the safety of uncounterfeitable GOLD.
The Invisible Hand
(05/06/2006; 16:35:28 MDT - Msg ID: 143920)
No sanctions on Iran's euro-denominated oil market
http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=42602&NewsKind=Current%20AffairsSNIPS
LONDON, May 6 (IranMania) - Iran's Oil Ministry took a step toward establishing an oil trading market denominated in euros, rather than the US dollar, by granting a license for the bourse, Iranian state-run television reported.
+
Iranian legislators �] criticized Oil Minister Sayed Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh, saying he had delayed setting up the bourse.
+
Iran's deputy oil minister, M.H. Nejad Hosseinian, said Thursday he doubted the UN Security Council would impose sanctions on Iran's oil sector because such a move would drive oil prices higher, AP stated.
Matthew
(05/06/2006; 17:08:41 MDT - Msg ID: 143921)
Goldendome- re Prof Antal E. Fekete
An amazing post!
What an alpha mind-he might just have seen through it!

''It is a fatal mistake to underestimate your opponents, in this case the short sellers in precious metals, arguably the smartest lot on earth. They know how to do what Aristotle and latter-day economists have said was impossible: to make gold beget gold. I don't for a moment give credence to the fable that the commercials are selling short naked. Most of their short position is hedged most of the time, if not directly by metal in their possession, then certainly indirectly by metal in the possession of the principals, i.e., for whom they act as a man of straw. The commercials are agents. They act on behalf of their customers, be they wealthy individuals who want to sell call options or futures on their gold hoard anonymously, or banks and governments that do not want you to find out what they are up to. The fact is that selling covered calls and puts is a more efficient way for a bull to husband his resources than buying gold and sitting on it.

Consider the hypothetical scenario that the government of Israel wants unobtrusively accumulate gold. Or, to furnish an example of a more populous country, let's assume that the government of China wants unobtrusively to accumulate silver in any conceivable amounts. The task is cut out for both countries. They have respectable hoards to begin with. Gold is the most portable form of wealth and the most frequently mentioned word in the Bible after God. China has been on a silver standard since time immemorial and did not participate in the silver-demonetization farce of the 19th century. The best course of action for a government wanting to accumulate gold or silver is to mislead the market by fomenting the bearish case. The net short position in gold represents its stake that it is willing to risk in an effort to get more gold and silver through market manipulation. In other words, the net short position is only apparent, a red herring to throw gold bugs off the scent. It is the tip of the iceberg that you can see and touch. What you don't see and can't touch is the bulk of the iceberg submerged: the huge physical gold and silver hoards that the owner wants to increase further by hook or crook. It can be done by hiring agents in the commodity pits. The commercials sell the metals short in excess of visible supplies, acting on behalf of their faceless principals. They sell more gold than the future output of the mines going out five years. They sell more silver than the total inventory held in exchange warehouses. The longs take the bait eagerly. They buy and hold in the hope that the shorts are overextended and will not be able to deliver. The point is that this is exactly what the shorts want them to believe.''

Check his previous articles, good reading.
Goldendome
(05/06/2006; 17:59:50 MDT - Msg ID: 143922)
Maybe the Fekete article was in the mental "drafts box" for a couple years.

Mathew: I concur in favorable appraisal of the good Dr. Fekete. As with you, I have read and then re-read many of his papers. His is often an outside the box gold and economic analysis. He is always a stalwart in the gold camp.

After a couple of readings of his current paper, I just formed the opinion that though it might be an extremely effective and at the same time sly tactic, shorting gold (manipulating downward, profiting from it, to acquire what they really want after all--physical gold)...that tactic may have run it's course by August of last year. If used since that time, it's difficult to see how it could be productive (at least to me). A $250 upward movement in gold, taken in consistent upward steps with few backsteps, seems would make consistent shorting a losing tactic with increasingly mounting losses if persisted in. Since August 2005, those that wanted gold at the "best" price--just bought it--Now! We just haven't had the big pullback buying opportunities that we were seeing up until last Labor day. Everyone of us also were looking for these pullbacks to buy at lower prices, so in that regard the shorts weren't alone; they just profited from the short side, before buying physical gold, if the good Dr. is correct.

We might not be surprised to see that tactic used again in the future with effectiveness by huge gold whales; but can you and I at least hope that we don't see it until at least another $250 has been tacked onto the gold price? Cheers! G-dome.
The Invisible Hand
(05/06/2006; 18:13:54 MDT - Msg ID: 143923)
Gold prices cross Rs 10,000 in Delhi
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=293166&sid=BUS SNIP
``Gold may rise to $1,000 before June should the situation in Iran intensify,`` said Bernard Sin, chief trader at Geneva-based MKS Finance, a precious-metals trading and refining company.
The Invisible Hand
(05/06/2006; 18:20:08 MDT - Msg ID: 143924)
Look at this title!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060505/ap_on_bi_ge/gold_prices_1Gold Prices Rise on Surging Euro
==
Some do understand!
Chris Powell
(05/06/2006; 18:47:58 MDT - Msg ID: 143925)
Sunday NYTimes features Jim Sinclair and GATA's Bill Murphy and James Turk
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/business/yourmoney/07gold.html?_r=1∨ef=Is gold breaking into the mainstream media?
mikal
(05/06/2006; 22:42:19 MDT - Msg ID: 143926)
Driving drunk(deaf, dumb and blind) with derivatives
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114675328154243771.html? Are Derivatives Weapons of Mass Financial Destruction? - WSJ - Trading Shots - May 5
Michael Panzner and Roger Nusbaum debate and reinforce our hosts longstanding position
Goldilox
(05/06/2006; 22:56:04 MDT - Msg ID: 143927)
Top Ten signs of a Precious Metals "bubble"
http://www.prudentbear.com/archive_comm_article.asp?category=Guest+Commentary&content_idx=54048snip:

Top ten signs that a precious metals bubble is actually forming:


10. Commodities trading jackets are the best selling items at Abercrombie & Fitch

9. George Foreman is the pitchman for an infomercial featuring a "Home Panning Kit"

8. The most popular major at Chico State is Geology

7. Due to high prices, Olympic metals are replaced by ribbons

6. Monster Park in San Francisco is re-named Glamis Field

5. Analysts upgrade shares of McDonald's based on mineral rights to its real estate holdings, bringing new meaning to its "golden arches."

4. Snoop Dogg introduces the "Bling Mutual Fund."

3. Hustle and Flow wins another Oscar [Grammy?] for their single "It's Hard out Here for a Miner"

2. The WB has a new hit show about teenage prospectors called "Dawson's Claim"

1. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes name their newborn son Newmont.
[or maybe "Ashanti"]

-Goldilox

The only one close is number 7, as the Olympic medals have already been replaced with plated versions.
The Invisible Hand
(05/07/2006; 01:51:46 MDT - Msg ID: 143928)
The new gold market has arrived!
After breaking the satanised $600/Oz barrier, 99,99% of the gold observers face one big problem: WHAT KIND OF GOLD MARKET IS THIS?

Nobody has ever understood the fundamentals of the old gold market and the present gold market can thus not possibly be compared to the old gold market.

Some seem to get the point. They say that gold is being shorted in order to get gold metal.

They are trying to re-invent the wheel because this "shorting" was part of the old gold management of the last 25 years during which gold metal "had" to land with those parties who could fulfill their demand for gold metal.

It is very surprising that, as of a sudden, one would know that there is more than 10,000 tons of gold in India.

Nobody has however tried to guess the amount of gold which is owned by Saudi Arabia and other toddlers in the oil playground. The reason of this absence of guessing is that this gold is "invisible". Since 1971 this gold has been secretly bought and hidden by the toddlers under the sand.

The reason thereof is obvious. In a later stadium of the present gold price movement, when the sheeple will start to understand "some things" about this new gold market, this secret will be revealed.

If our opponents want to argue that the present gold market is not of a new and changing nature, they will have to knock gold down back under $600/Oz. They will fail in this attempt.



Here's the big news from uruknet.info, information from occupied iraq,

IRAN BOURSE OPENS NEXT WEEK

http://www.uruknet.info/?p=m23118&l=i&size=1&hd=0



In the meantime, here's a lunatic running for office or for nomination somewhere in the US of A:
One of Bayne's campaign releases says that U.S. debt could be manipulated by foreign powers to cause a spike in interest rates. If the dollar then stopped being the universal monetary standard and the Euro became the standard the price of oil could triple. The stock market and global trade could collapse. Governments and military alliances might then collapse, leaving the United States faced with a global depression and possibly a global war.
http://www.whig.com/288222473600534.php
968
(05/07/2006; 02:26:09 MDT - Msg ID: 143929)
Dollar is no more reliable
http://www.iribnews.ir/Full_en.asp?news_id=212639Moscow, May 6 - Dollar is no longer a reliable currency, a Russian economic expert said, urging the government to replace the currency in business transactions.

In a Press Conference on Friday, Mikhail Deliagin also an official with the Russian institute of Managing Committee of Globalization's Problems said the fall in the rate of Dollar during the past few years is astonishing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where have we heard that before ?
The Invisible Hand
(05/07/2006; 03:13:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143930)
Freegold cannot be plundered
http://www.321gold.com/editorials/schiff/schiff050606.htmlSNIPS
� during the 1990s the NASDQ rose from 300 to 5,000
+
It seems fitting that on the first day of trading for the silver ETF, shares of Microsoft, once the quintessential "new era" stock, plunged by 11%. Trading as high as $60 per share in December of 1999, Microsoft shares now trade below $24.
==

From 1990 to 2000, the NASDAQ-bubble multiplied by 16.
After the fact, nobody is hysterical about this, times 16 in one decade.

Microsoft in the same period went from $60 to $24
No cause for alarm.

What kind of imbecile financial world is this?

All this happened while the price of gold has been frozen for 25 years and is still being priced ridiculously low.
This has nothing to do with invisible-hand-capitalism but everything with organised fraud and misleading of the sheeple by those who are allowed to manipulate the money levers.

No western stock-market gamblers would ever think about this. But other producers and owners of tangible wealth are thinking about this. Even the Chinese gambler will at the end of the day transform her gains into gold.

The financial industry (stocks-bonds) will never be able to do the past stunt (1980 � 2000) over again. They are trying at all costs not to show this by letting the gigantic bubble slowly to decompress without appearing to be crashing. This is the maximum they can do after the 1980-2000 lunacy.

Gold's time has come and to the same extent that the financial industry is suffering to maintain the appearances, to that extent gold can in a slow and orderly way display its ambitions.

The "crossroads" will be as follows: Crashing financials (stocks-bonds-dollar) and exuberant gold. Our masters are hoping that gold will not revaluate and put the whole collapsing financial-monetary dollar system out of balance. Because if, and indeed when, this happens, even our masters will have to realise and recognise that the gold market has fundamentally changed.

A trend has been set in motion. This trend no longer accepts plundering. Is it any wonder that in such an environment, wealth is being consolidated in gold and that gold can no longer be plundered through gold price freezing?

The consolidators, those who have consolidated their wealth in gold, will no longer accept that the dollar-regime tells them what is "wealth" and what is not. They want freegold to determine the answer to this question.
The Invisible Hand
(05/07/2006; 03:27:19 MDT - Msg ID: 143931)
Gata, Jim Sinclair and the NY-Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/business/yourmoney/07gold.html?_r=2∨ef=∨ef=sloginSinclair is allowed to promote gold as long as he's silent about the concept of freegold.

Our masters want gold to rise in a vacuum, thereby making sure that the fundamentals of the dollar-regime are not affected.

The dollar-regime can tolerate a dollar-currency devaluation, but cannot possibly tolerate what We-the-People-of-the-World want, i.e., the collapse of the dollar system.
The Invisible Hand
(05/07/2006; 03:58:41 MDT - Msg ID: 143932)
Failure of the total dollar-system
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114675328154243771.htmlAre Derivatives Weapons Of Mass Financial Destruction?
Is a Meltdown Cooking in Exotic Assets,
Or Can Markets Handle the Next LTCM?
May 5, 2006
SNIP
On the eve of Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting this weekend, it is worth remembering that, three years ago, Warren Buffett warned that the global financial system was held hostage to ticking "time bombs" and at risk of a "megacatastrophe."

==

This is a nice example of how one self-complacently trusts the existing liquidity and its diversity.

This all sounds very reassuring,
but, for simplicity's sake,
one forgets that the financial industry with its increasing liquidity has not yet been able to eliminate its arch-enemy GOLD, even if the said industry has been able to freeze gold.

The self-complacent financial industry forgets the concept of freegold which is being built up. There will continue to be global cooperation to maintain the necessary liquidity. But at the same time, non-dollar parties will continue to build their freegold concept and their asset diversity.

This means that the de facto dollarisation which has been imposed will be halted. The fall in dollar liquidity will not result from a failing component, but from the failure of the total dollar-system.

The reason why the total dollar-system will fail is the existing and growing freegold concept, competitor of the dollar regime.
Chris Powell
(05/07/2006; 09:09:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143933)
Vietnam would restrain gold price with plan for buying through banks
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=01BUS060506High Local Gold Price Prompts Rethink

From Vietnam News Agency, Hanoi
Sunday, May 6, 2006

HANOI -- In the face of rising domestic gold prices that exceed world gold prices, the country's banks are planning to sell gold under a new system, according to the deputy director of the Vietnam Export and Import Bank, Dao Hong Chau.

Under the plan, buyers will buy gold through banks under a pricing system that is in line with the world market. The plan aims to gain control of escalating domestic gold prices.

Buyers will be able to pay banks money to get a bill of confirmation for their purchase.

The bill will allow buyers to purchase their desired amount of gold after a negotiated time period between the buyer and the bank.

For example, in a situation where the domestic gold price is in Vietnamese dong 13 million per tael while the world gold price is slightly more than VND 12 million, buyers need only send the equivalent amount of money to the bank and they will receive the equivalent gold volume from the banks after the negotiated time period, said Chau.

At present, it's estimated that local jewellery and gold companies haves imported about 10 tonnes of gold to Vietnam.

The plan will help customers to avoid the risks of the rising gold price, added Chau.

Currently, the world gold prices closed at $679 per ounce (28 grams) (VND 10.8 million). In Ho Chi Minh city, the precious metal closed at VND 13.25 million per tael (38 grams) and VND 13.20 million in Hanoi.
slingshot
(05/07/2006; 09:22:35 MDT - Msg ID: 143934)
Search for the Renaisance
There was a loud bang and then another. This startled the creature and made him stop and focused his attention upon the door. He swayed back and forth under the protection of the Oaken Table. Given this opportunity Sir Topaz and Sir Toolie removed a tapestry from the wall and Sir Pritcho was ready to overturn one of the heavy chairs to trip this invader and thus hope to capture him alive. Sir M.K. and Sir Mikal removed a few candles and placed them on the Oaken Table to give them two sources of light. Finnaly the door gave way and Knights poured into the room bringing torches that lighted the room completly. Like unwanted guests to a feast,this clearly aggitated the creature and started to make sounds that produced that same high shrill. Only this time culminated into howling of a wolf. It filled the chamber and resonated out through the open door and down the hall.
Deep breaths could be heard from under the table and then he charged into the Knights. Seeing him for the first time, they jumped as to get out of his way only to be inflicted with wounds to their legs as the creature passed amoung them. Their swords were useless being close to each other and the speed and agility enabled the attacker to withdraw to the safety and cover of the table. Words of displeasure and retribution from the wounded Knights. "Take him Alive" ordered Sir M.K.
Spreading out and surrounding the Oaken Table completly, one would think the creature would surrender. This was not the case and he emerged to stand in full veiw upon the "Mighty oaken Table of Yore". "What on earth is that! one Knight exclaimed as other words of astonishment were uttered. He turned round to face each Knight, growling and clanging his small swords together in defiance.
The commotion had brought others to the chamber door and they too looked upon the creature.
"GET HIM" was shouted and the top of the table was a flurry of movement. Some Knights with sheilds formed a barrier. "Move him this way" shouted Sir Mikal. The table had taken a beating from club and mace, as they forced the creature to the edge. But Sir Topaz and Sir Toolie were ready and when he was in reach, pulled the tapestry over the creature. Knocking him down on the table, the Knights climbed up pinning him under the cloth before he could cut through with his swords.
" Now that we have him. What are we to do with him" asked Sir Pritcho. "Give him Two", said Sir Toolie.
A club was handed up to Sir Pritcho.
"With pleasure" he said. Wump. Wump.
Slingshot----------<>
Goldilox
(05/07/2006; 10:00:40 MDT - Msg ID: 143935)
GDM as an ETF
http://www.billcara.com/archives/2006/03/gdm_as_an_etf_t.htmlsnip:

The Amex Goldminer's Index (AMEX: GDM) is a market cap weighted index of gold and silver producers that are listed on the AMEX and NYSE. GDM is about to become an ETF.

All the biggest U.S. listed goldminers are there, including . . .

But so too are much smaller goldminers that are in fact too small to qualify for trading by many of the mutual funds and pension funds. And many of these smaller companies would be ignored by the typical individual trader as being too risky.

With the arrival of GDM as an ETF, all that goes away. Interesting to me is that none of these companies senior officers who I spoke directly to yesterday were even aware, but they were all certainly interested after I broke the news.

So the significant beneficiaries of GDM will be the small and mid-cap goldminers. . .

-Goldilox

More ways for the "average" paper investor to participate in a gold bull without understanding the concept of "HOLDING" PMs.
968
(05/07/2006; 11:17:53 MDT - Msg ID: 143936)
Buffett doesn't have any silver...
http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=mergersNews&storyID=2006-05-06T215336Z_01_N06222878_RTRIDST_0_FINANCIAL-BUFFETT-COMMODITIES.XML"We had a lot of silver at one time but we don't have it now," Buffett said, speaking at Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, old Warren doesn't have his silver anymore...
Doesn't silver has no value anymore for old Warren ?
Was silver only 'a trade' for Mr. Buffet ?
Maybe he changed it for gold :) ?


Noble1
(05/07/2006; 11:49:39 MDT - Msg ID: 143937)
Warren Buffet's Silver Hoard
From Richard Beales of the Financial Times (05/07/06)

snip:

Discussing commodities, Mr Buffett said he detected speculative participation in the recent run up in prices, particularly metals. He added that Berkshire had not benefited from the sharp rise in silver prices, despite at one time owning a lot of the metal.

"I bought it very early, I sold it very early. Other than that it was perfect," he joked.

end snip.

A lot of speculation regarding how WB's massive hoard of physical silver would play into this market is now moot. Or is it? The metal still exists. As Antal E. Fekete would have it-many naked shorts may have stealthily covered themselves with this physical. This would give them tremendous leverage.

How about this. Create demand. (The ETF?) Use about 1/2 the hoard to create paper shares. Ride the price up ($30-$40+) with speculative demand (withold physical). Short the paper market again. Flood physical market with the remaining metal thus popping the bubble (back to $7-$10). Cover $30-$40 shorts. Realize insane USD profits to close out old $5-$12 COMEX paper short positions. Still be far ahead of the game.

Coincidences?

1) WB hoard was estimated to be 130 million ounces.

2) SLV (ETF) files registration with SEC for 13 million shares which represents 130 million ounces.

3) According to Ted Butler the four largest commercials hold net short positions of, you guessed it, 130 million ounces.

Hmmm. This is getting interesting.

Their problem would come if they are too succesful in creating demand and the market easily absorbs the 130 million ounces and demands more. It would be the mother of all short squeezes.

Noble1
Flatliner
(05/07/2006; 11:50:45 MDT - Msg ID: 143938)
THE MYSTERY OF THE SILVER ETF
http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_05/dross022806.htmlHere is an article, that was published a couple months ago, that presents a theory regarding where the silver will come from with respect to the Silver ETF. I know its old news, but when articles come out that say that Buffet has sold his holdings at the same time that the Silver ETF goes into action, one can't help but think there is a connection. One can't help but also notice the number of ounces the ETF has consumed without actually participating in a public market. That is the most telling clue.

Taking this a step further, Buffet buys companies. I believe that what we may find is that the real gain that Buffet will realize with a move like this is that the 1) the metal remains locked up or off the physical market and 2) his capital is freed for doing what he does best � buying companies. If I were in that position, it would make total sense to work out a deal that kept the metal off the market while giving me the opportunity to buy solid companies that stood to benefit from the rise in silver price over time.

If such a deal has been worked out, one might also expect that SLV will stop issuing new shares once it reaches it's consumption goal of 130 million ounces. Thus, 13 million shares might be all that we will see. But... this is only a flatline guess.

We watch.
Armageddon
(05/07/2006; 12:53:29 MDT - Msg ID: 143939)
Dollar Devaluation will not work, dollar collapse is coming
I have come to the conclusion based on my research that the current Fed/IMF strategy of dollar devaluation in order to prevent a larger dollar collapse will not work and will not balance the trade deficit. First of all China will not cooperate in such a sudden devaluation of the dollar against the Chinese yuan because this would cause massive unemployment and deflation in China. If China does not cooperate then all the dollar devaluation will do is make Chinese products more competitive against European and Japanese products assuming that the Euro and Yen are allowed to rise against the dollar. Second of all America's manufacturing and high-tech services have been so decimated by offshoring that economists like Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, who served in the Reagan Administration have stated that at no exchange rate can the American trade deficit be balanced because America no longer produces internationally tradeable goods in sufficient quantitites to be able to balance the trade deficit. The only way the trade deficit can be balanced is in a dollar collapse situation where foreign workers and businesses do not accept the dollar as payment for their goods and services because the dollar is basically worthless. This would force American companies to bring back the offshored work to the United States and these products can exported to the rest of the world to balance the trade deficit. Comments are welcome.
ge
(05/07/2006; 13:31:50 MDT - Msg ID: 143940)
Endgame on Silver
The thoughts of Endgame on silver makes much sense. The following is from Endgame's post at another forum:

---begin quote---

I think that there is no question as to whether or not a huge amount of silver exist above ground. Not only the silver hoisted upon China but also the billions of ounces of US silver magically disappearing have to be accounted for. And keep in mind that production did not drop dead once everyone had their fill of silver. Each pound of copper and zinc mined also added to the ever-flowing stream of silver. Kind of reminds you of that Disney movie with Mickey and the brooms.

So what is one to do if one has a few billion ounces of silver to unload? Especially if China is sitting there with enough silver to quash any attempt to drive the price up. Well why not cut a deal? And so China was invited into that whites mans club known as the WTO. And the price of admission was their silver. Much of this silver is now in England along with any other significant holdings belonging to players such as Warren Buffett. The 100 million or so ounces that were in the WTC were removed prior to 911 and are currently stored near DC. The market has been cornered.

This silver will not be sold off piece meal. If will all be unloaded at full price. It will be delivered as fulfillment to the vast quantities of silver paper clamoring for their pound of flesh. This is why much of the physical silver is stored within easy deliverable range of the major commodities markets. At the trigger point the silver EFT's will stand and deliver. By then they should have many hundreds of millions of physical ounces under their control. You will notice how easily their physical count expands by millions of ounces on any given day without barely a ripple in the silver price. This is because their LBMA account is easily adjusted with all of that Chinese silver just sitting around.

The silver aspect of what is going on is just one layer of a multi dimensional game. Although planning and negotiations had been going on for many years, a working consensus was finally reached sometime in 1994/95. That is when the endgame began.

But that is another bedtime story.

Regards,
Endgame

----------end quote--------
Goldendome
(05/07/2006; 15:43:14 MDT - Msg ID: 143941)
Endgame on Silver
Ge: Sounds like Endgame's continuing "bedtime" story is just another fairytale, like, Jack in the Beanstalk.

Perhaps Endgame is one of the shorts currently impaled on the skewer and roasting on the fire, hoping for an out.

We notice his language, "why not cut a deal" so he doesn't know; he's only making up the story and adding into the juice a host of unconfirmed, unknown conspirators.

My own fairytale is that Silver price and bullion was about the last thing on any of the negotiators minds when considering China for WTO status in the mid-90's. The whole fairytale just sounds like another conspiracy tall tale.

But let's just say for argument, that someone would have 200 million ounces of silver that they would dump at once on the market at say $25/oz. That yields only a 5 followed by nine zeros if I'm correct--Five billion dollars. It's also not too difficult to imagine, that some oil sheik somewhere or another large holder of depreciating dollars, could swallow that amount whole, for cash, and not even burp!
The Invisible Hand
(05/07/2006; 17:12:24 MDT - Msg ID: 143942)
Political union soon to be thing of the past in US of A
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/5/5/175809.shtmlSNIPS
The vast political distances between Britain, France, Germany and Italy have doomed plans to rekindle the embers of the European Union's moribund constitution. Skepticism about a European Union keeps growing in public opinion polls all over the Continent.
+
Europe's integration theologians have long preached, all evidence to the contrary, that there is no contradiction between deepening their union and enlarging it. But pragmatists have gradually displaced canonists. EU Commission President Manuel Barroso, a former Portuguese Maoist who morphed into economic liberal, now says Europe needs a new "narrative" to sell the enterprise to countless millions of Europeans who have lost interest.
For leaders of Europe's major powers, giving up their sovereignty prerogatives would mean, down that road, voting for the status of a U.S. state governor. Not on this watch. Nor on many watches to come.

==

Arnaud de Borchgrave, theologian at large of The Washington Times and of United Press International, fails to distinguish between political or constitutional union on the one hand and economic and/or monetary union on the invisible hand.

He forgets that the political union in the EU will be achieved around the monetary union.

This is a process of becoming whereby freegold will provide the necessary continuing stability.

This explains why the AngloAmerican clique likes to amalgamate political/constitutional union with economic/monetary union.

Is the dollar standard not also a kind of monetary union on a global scale with dollar-unity but at the same time with diversity?

Even if it could be argued that there is a political unity in the US of A, it is clear that the dollar-management over there is a big failure.

This will break up the so-called political union, if any, of the US of A whereas the political union of the EU will increase.
PRITCHO
(05/07/2006; 18:19:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143943)
@Slingshot - - --
Wouldn't mind getting a hold of some of that stuff you're smoking :) - -- or is this the first recorded trip?
The Invisible Hand
(05/07/2006; 19:51:42 MDT - Msg ID: 143945)
Paper money soon to be worthless
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/comment/article362763.eceSNIPS
� gold provides an independent yardstick, an internationally traded precious metal acceptable to all that is not subject to the whims of monetary authorities, nor to their occasional errors - an argument in favour of a return to the gold standard, some would say
+
Over the last few weeks, the price of gold has hit a local peak not just in dollars but also in almost any other currency you could care to think of. Might it be that central banks the world over have, simultaneously, made mistakes that make gold a safer bet than all paper currencies? Are we about to find that pieces of paper - our trusted stores of value and mediums of exchange - are about to become worthless?
mikal
(05/07/2006; 20:44:39 MDT - Msg ID: 143946)
Iran says oil bourse, euro accounts imminent
http://english.bna.bh/?ID=44529 Iran to Shift From Dollar to Euro-based Accounts - Bako, Bahrain - Bahrain News Agency - May 5, 2006
slingshot
(05/07/2006; 21:19:28 MDT - Msg ID: 143947)
Pritcho
Third trip (story)and never left the farm (USAGOLD Forum).
Good to see you post. Things should get interesting in both story and PM market.
Enjoy,
Slingshot----------;0)
Goldilox
(05/07/2006; 21:24:18 MDT - Msg ID: 143948)
Slingshot's Novella
@ Pritcho,

Slingshot's gold battle novella has been going on for a couple years. TC may have archived the earlier episodes.

Welcome to the ranks of his gold warriors.
Ten Bears
(05/07/2006; 21:44:05 MDT - Msg ID: 143949)
astonishning read tonight!
http://www.theinternationalforecaster.com/trainwreck.php?Id=122from Bob Chapman
contrarian
(05/07/2006; 23:04:44 MDT - Msg ID: 143950)
Dollar Collapse
I don't know what most people are thinking, but I have a gut feeling that a dollar collapse is imminent--will happen within weeks if not days!
The Invisible Hand
(05/08/2006; 02:15:05 MDT - Msg ID: 143951)
Freegold being picassised out of the monetary gold cartel!
http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=54158PICASSO PAINTING SELLS FOR $95.2 MILLION
NEW YORK, 05 May 2006:
Picasso's "Dora Maar with Cat" fetched $95.2 million at Sotheby's in New York -- the second-highest price ever paid for a painting at auction.
The record is held by Picasso's "Boy with a Pipe," which sold for $104.2 million in May 2004, The New York Times said.
Another Picasso, "Repose," went for $34.7 million Wednesday night, far above its estimated value of $20 million, the Times said.
The artist's "Portrait of Germaine," painted in 1902 during his "blue period," went for $18.6 million

==

What if gold were picassised out of its monetary context and became a wealth-reserve-asset just like and next to stocks, bonds, real estate, cash, etc.

Nobody understands the notion of "freegold".

Whereas our learned observers can recognise gigantic financial manipulations all over the place, they continue to babble about the illusion of free financial markets.

Everybody continues to link gold (and the gold market) to the dollar, whereas gold-pricing is precisely severing the link to the dollar.

Those who are accumulating gold-metal in their portfolios want this reserve-asset to be a "reliable" indicator.

The Picassos were sold to the price equal to the buying-power of the dollar and not to the dollar-currency. The sale of the Picassos was not meant to transform wealth into dollar-currency. Those dollar-units have immediately been converted to Another tangible asset which generates surplus-value. The new owners of the Picassos have acquired the Picassos because they wanted to consolidate their dollar-units and to maintain their buying-power. These new owners rely on the "free market" in valuable art-objects.

This is precisely what the holders of gold-metal also want. They get their inspiration from the market-to-market concept of the European Central Bank which wants to lift its gold-reserve-wealth OUT of its monetary context.

The Picassos continue to have wealth-value and are not caught in the bull-bear movements of the financial industry. The Picassos have an everlasting buying-power precisely because of the existence of a free market in such tangibles.

A free market is thus the corollary of balanced power relations and NOT the corollary of imbalances as they are now globally rising in the polarising market economy based on the dollar-regime.

In a free market, EVERYTHING must be allowed to participate. Free gold-pricing also. This is precisely that to which gold is now evolving.

The days of the monetary gold cartel are numbered.
canamami
(05/08/2006; 07:17:19 MDT - Msg ID: 143952)
Reply to Armageddon - 143939
If the US dollar collapses and becomes worthless, what will that do to the value of China's (and others') US dollar reserves?
Armageddon
(05/08/2006; 09:08:28 MDT - Msg ID: 143953)
@canamami
>If the US dollar collapses and becomes worthless, what will >that do to the value of China's (and others') US dollar >reserves?


Obviously, China's dollar reserves will become worthless as well that is one reason many people are concerned about a rush to convert American dollars into some other form of currency or gold or commodities like copper, zince, etc that would start a dollar collapse. The idea being that the first people to convert their dollars into euros or gold will maintain all or most of the dollar's value. However, those that try to convert their dollars later after the exchange rate has dropped will loose alot more money. This is like selling a stock that is going down sharply into bankruptcy like Enron. Those that sold first maintained most of their money, those that sold later lost most of their money.
Goldilox
(05/08/2006; 09:17:47 MDT - Msg ID: 143954)
Chavez doubles tax for oil firms
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4750473.stmsnip:


Hugo Chavez has used oil income to fund social programmes abroad
The tax paid by foreign oil companies operating in Venezuela will be almost doubled, says President Hugo Chavez.
On his weekly television programme Hello President, Mr Chavez said a new "extraction tax" of 33% would replace the current oil royalty of 17%.

He said the levy would raise at least $885m a year, some of which would be used to fund a housing programme.

Venezuela is the world's fifth oil exporter, and Mr Chavez has used oil income to drive his "revolution".

"We are going to create a new oil tax, called the tax on extraction," Mr Chavez told viewers of his marathon six-hour Sunday show.

"The companies that are pumping oil in Venezuela are making a lot of money," he said.

He said the details of the new extraction tax would be revealed in the next few days, but the figure mentioned by Mr Chavez and his oil minister is 33%.

Chavez applauded Bolivia's stricter terms for foreign energy companies

There will be a different arrangement for foreign companies pumping extra-heavy crude in the eastern Faja region, near the Orinoco River. They include Total, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and BP.

These companies - who are combined in four joint ventures with Venezuela's state-owned PDVSA - are already paying 34% in taxes on income.

That tax will rise to 50%, Mr Chavez said. He said the new taxes would be subject to approval by the National Assembly.

-Goldilox

Resource wars heat up in this hemisphere. It can't be long until the SA socialists are accused of "harboring terrorists" and stockpiling WMD?
Goldilox
(05/08/2006; 09:40:23 MDT - Msg ID: 143955)
Cheaper fuel on tap at gas bank
http://www.newsobserver.com/110/story/437125.htmlsnip:

ST. CLOUD, MINN. - Most motorists are feeling the pain as gasoline creeps toward, or over, $3 a gallon -- but not Art Altrichter.
"This feels pretty good!" Altrichter said as he filled the tank of his Ford F-150 pickup for $2.03 a gallon Thursday, when the average in Minnesota was $2.73. "Right now, to be a few pennies over $2, when it's as high as it is? That's a real deal."

A year ago, the retired milk truck driver bought 500 gallons of gas at First Fuel Banks, locking it in at the then-current price of $2.03 a gallon. He taps that reserve whenever gas rises above that mark. If the retail price drops below $2.03, he can leave his reserve alone and buy elsewhere.

First Fuel Banks bills itself as the only retailer in the country where customers can buy gasoline for the future and hedge against rising prices. It advertises no service charge and no storage charge, just a $1 lifetime membership fee.

Altrichter said one of his neighbors got in at First Fuel Banks several years ago and now is withdrawing from a reserve that cost him 99 cents a gallon. "How about that!" he said.

Individuals and businesses buy gas from the company, which has six stations in and around the central Minnesota city. The city of St. Cloud fills its fleet of cars at the company's stations.

The program is open to anyone who drives off the street. Customers buy whatever amount they want at the current price, then swipe a card and key in a PIN number when they draw from their reserve.

Chief executive Jim Feneis, who runs the company with his brother, Dan Feneis, said 300 members are still filling up with gas that cost them less than a buck a gallon as recently as 2002. Many more are locked in under $2.

"We're offering a pretty attractive concept to the savvy buyer," Feneis said.

Each station has a 50,000-gallon tank for each grade of gasoline -- regular, mid-grade and premium -- compared with 6,000 to 8,000 gallons for each product at a typical convenience store, Feneis said.

That's enough capacity to handle short-and medium-term demand, he said.

-Goldilox

Are gas co-ops a solution to rapid fuel price rises?
Flatliner
(05/08/2006; 11:03:33 MDT - Msg ID: 143956)
Those higher margin rates
Looks like the headlines point towards an Iranian letter as the catalyst for the downward movement in the price of gold today. I would tend to discount that against the adjustment in the margin rate that was announced last Thursday. Those new rates are in affect today. But what's really interesting, is that the market hasn't hit a programmed sell point that would cause a freefall that would be attributed to speculator panic. This makes me wonder about the state of speculators in the market. Did the last freefall cause enough damage make the speculators act in a little more conservative manor? If so, one would expect that there is strength at this margin rate and another margin adjustment would be in the works.
mikal
(05/08/2006; 11:09:39 MDT - Msg ID: 143957)
@Flatliner
Re: Another margin increase- Comex has no choice but to keep raising margins from what I hear. Short interest is steadily shifting to the greater fool.
Flatliner
(05/08/2006; 11:24:51 MDT - Msg ID: 143958)
@margin rates
It seems that you're confirming what logic would suggest. Leverage really equates to speculation. Those that speculate on the price of gold are not looking for delivery of the metal, but rather delivery of dollars. That leverage amplifies gains and losses adding fuel to the addition of trading. As margin requirements rise the potential gains are diminished.

As a side effect, the rise in margin rates will give rise to a rise in physical demand. Or skew the longs in the market to those that actually hold. What will be the advantage of buying a futures contract without margin over buying the physical metal outright? IMHO, I believe that as margin requirements move to 1:1 so arrives Freegold.

TIH, (and others), thanks for keeping the Freegold concept alive and kicking in this forum with your editorials on the articles that you link too.
The Hoople
(05/08/2006; 11:36:31 MDT - Msg ID: 143959)
Flatliner
I think there has been a shift in who is getting damaged by margin hikes. Back a day, when longs were always precarious, it was like shooting fish in a barrel whenever margins got raised. Today longs are flush with profit while shorts are getting crushed. The (non-cabal?) shorts are forced to raise huge sums of money to meet margin while most longs just sit back and stay patient. Raising margin has however reduced the leverage in silver. It is now about 8.46/1 at $13.90 an oz. with $8,100 margin per 5000 oz contract. It was up around 20/1 until this recent flurry of increases.

Probably some of the recent gold gains vs. silver is just because it now provides more leverage. Gold's leverage is still around 18.4/1 which means you can carry over double the contracts of silver. Bottom line silver futures has become a rich man's game. While I am sure the increases dampen small spec interest I also think it makes short covering more likely. And there's a ton of trapped shorts in there.



mikal
(05/08/2006; 11:41:52 MDT - Msg ID: 143960)
Dollar exchange rate seen changing
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ft/20060507/bs_ft/fto050720061642417110Market Preview: Dollar Pressure Will Continue | Financial Times | Chris Flood | May 7, 2006
Inflationary devaluation, lower exchange rates and adjustment to long-term overvaluation are a few of the reasons to diversify out of US $'s into gold in hand...
mikal
(05/08/2006; 14:25:07 MDT - Msg ID: 143961)
@Goldilox
That gas bank looks like fun. Like the food co-ops and barter clubs.
It is funny how gold is rising in all major currencies even as the dollar's exchange rate corrects. Inflation in all currencies.
But with Chavez and others raising taxes, oil drillers pressed for new fields and workers, and the $ fetching fewer barrels via a lower exchange rate, alternative energy and scaled down driving plans become mandatory with more businesses, homeowners and commuters.
Truckers could see more diesel fuel additives and engine modifications. Chinese minicars could face stiff competition BEFORE they debut in the US.
Automakers could revamp entire product lines similar to the early 70's gas/oil crunch with new vigor.
Pension plans may have to become something from "the good old days" lest continued cuts and cutoffs create too much dissension over the federal government's retirement and health care plans, with eight-to-one in matching funds.
Ed Henry this week at etherzone.com asks 'Is this possible?' - "Japan and China, plus a few other countries, will decide that it's futile to continue loaning the United States money; that they are cutting this welfare program because the American people cannot afford to pay them back; that the dollar has fallen too far in value; and that there are better places to invest and sell their products. Two cars in every garage, better toilets, and five cent cigars will become India's slogans."
Clearly, at the rate liquidity is being force fed through the world economy and global markets(derivatives and exchanges) despite tariffs and trade cutoffs, a manic
resolution to the dollar standoff may be just what the bankers(and their doctors) ordered.
R Powell
(05/08/2006; 15:09:29 MDT - Msg ID: 143962)
Barclay's ETF is backed with bullion....NOT paper contracts..
This was my conclusion after reading their prospectus.....many pages of it. It states that the metal must be deposited to the Trust before the shares are released for sale.....But, just for he-haws, I thought I'd ask Barclay's to confirm this. The following is their reply to my e-mail inquiry....

***********


Thank you for your interest in the iShares Silver Trust sponsored by Barclays Global Investors International.

The iShares Silver Trust is comprised of actual silver bullion, not silver contracts. As of the close of Friday, May 5th., the total assets were $619,011,263.

Please find the info sheet attached for the iShares Silver Trust.

For a copy of the iShares Silver Trust prospectus please click on link listed below:

http://www.ishares.com/material_download.jhtml?relativePath=/repository/material/downloads/prospectus/silver.pdf


The iShares Silver Trust is sponsored by Barclays Global Investors International (BGII). The Trust is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act."

************

The description of the process of depositing 50,000 ounces to release "one basket" of 5,000 shares leads me to believe that this is an ongoing process and, probably......PROBABLY....not backed with Buffett's sold stash.

Just mho, again, but I'm guessing that Buffett's silver is long gone...back into the market. And, unless it was a lump sum sale that took the POS down so sharply in early 2004, then I've no idea when he sold it. If not then, then the market absorbed that 130 million ounces (if indeed it was that much!) with barely a hickup. My guess is that continuing demand for ETF shares will require continued deposits of the physical to the holding Trust.

This info is NOT an endorsement of this or any other ETF. Read the fine print....many pages of it. BTW, silver margin for the paper Comex casino is now $8,900 and imho, ought to be even higher. Unless you are a professional trader.....stay out of the silver market...buy the doorstops (100 ouncers) instead. Usagold sells them.
And no, I have not gone physical only....I hold both physical + paper metal. 8>)
rich
R Powell
(05/08/2006; 15:29:44 MDT - Msg ID: 143963)
Another thought from Barclay's reply
Again, from the e-mail reply from Barclay's

"The iShares Silver Trust is comprised of actual silver bullion, not silver contracts. As of the close of Friday, May 5th., the total assets were $619,011,263."


If we divide that number by the closing price of silver on that day....we should get the number of ounces of silver held by the Trust. We do not. It's close but the number is lower as the Trust is not free but is paid through the sale of some of the metal...again, read the fine print in the prospectus!

But, the number does indicate that Barclay's did NOT buy a huge pile of metal BEFORE starting to sell shares, instead, they are accumulating as time goes by and as demand for the shares dictates. They do not hold Buffett's silver. Can we assume that this silver ETF is similar to gold ETFs? If so, and given the number of gold ETFs and awakening demand for them (by long only, stock mutual funds), then it seems logical to me that the price of both silver and gold are in one humungous looooong term bull market with no end in sight. I see no reason to think that momentum playing mutual fund managers will not continue to drive this pony. They know not why but they will buy.

There are always more factors determining price than one can shake a stick at, no? Some are stronger than others and strength varies over time. Maybe right now, these ETFs, being a conduit for mutual fund money, are the strongest factor leading the charge. I don't mean to downplay a weakening dollar, war, new demand from overseas, safe haven buying, etc. but maybe right now....that conduit connects to more money than metals' markets can handle....especially at low prices.
Thoughts???

R Powell
(05/08/2006; 15:33:56 MDT - Msg ID: 143964)
Metals' lease rates
Anyone watching..??? ....!
Flatliner
(05/08/2006; 15:58:00 MDT - Msg ID: 143965)
@R Powell
It looks like you have a little interest in this area. I am curious, do you know how many organizations are dealing these shares to the public? The reason why I ask is that if they are doing business like many do in the precious metals industry, they've done business on a handshake. In other words, the dealers that deliver the metal (50,000 ounces at a time) to get shares probably did so on a promise to deliver in a fixed number of days. These dealers also probably prepared ahead of time in the interest of their customers. Thus, they'd probably already bought some of the silver on the market and stopped it so they could participate in this endeavor. One would also assume that they are counting the ounces before they actually arrive (Dealers are assumed to be true to their word) because no one that I know has ever gotten a physical delivery of precious overnight. That just doesn't happen.

If the order is � shares are shorted to fill customer demand, the dealer stops physical taking delivery, ships that to Barclay's and fills the ishares (that they have already sold), then one would expect melda laure to dance a jig for us with regards to the phosphorescent super-show that we will all experience in the near future.
R Powell
(05/08/2006; 16:20:30 MDT - Msg ID: 143966)
Flatliner
I spent the time reading that prospectus with one big question in my mind. Could the shares be backed with paper contracts (Comex and other exchanges)? If so, I could imagine one gigantic short squeeze when so many contracts were NOT offset but instead called for delivery. This is definitely NOT the case.

The prospectus is very definitive, physical metal must be in the Trust's possession BEFORE the shares are sold. They even list the daily time limits for metal delivery to release shares for the following day. But they are 100% physically backed.

And yes, excellent question(!), where is the source(s) of that physical?

There simply is no where near enough available (in the registered category) on Comex to accommodate even what is now (one week's worth of trading) held by the Barclay's Trust.

Perhaps someone might want to study a gold backed ETF and report back to us. Are they similarly structured? These shares, like any equities can be shorted by hedge funds but, "long only" mutual funds is where the huge amounts of investment money is located. These new vehicles may have absolutely nothing to do with sound money but, they are backed by physical and they have and will continue to move the small market cap metals' markets. As always, just one man's opinion given from a trader's point of view.
More thoughts!!
rich
canamami
(05/08/2006; 16:50:15 MDT - Msg ID: 143967)
Evens the playing field
Equities rallied during the tech boom partly because new technology made the modern mutual fund industry possible - i.e., it became much easier and cheaper to manage mutual funds in terms of purchasing and selling units and managing the fund, which in turn increased demand for fund units and by effect for the underlying company stocks.

The ETF's similarly increase demand for physical, assuming of course there is a valid legal regime in place, there is no fraud in the management and the government doesn't seize the metal. Assuming all these factors are in place, the ETFs "even the odds" between the metals and equities, making shares in metals trusts as easy to purchase as shares in companies/mutual funds.

Ownership in physical itself will still enjoy advantages over owing shares in a metals trust. Those who already owned physical have benefitted from the increase in the currency value of the physical due to the effect of the ETF's.
R Powell
(05/08/2006; 16:58:30 MDT - Msg ID: 143968)
Flatliner
BTW, when melda laure jumps up on the table to dance that jig, he'll find me already there dancing if there were contracts totaling 44 million ounce of silver that had to be settled in physical metal rather than cash. Wow, wouldn't that be a sight to behold!

But I do not believe this is the only scenario that can lift prices....drastically too as the paper contract margins + lease rates are indicating.

Those paper player short from anywhere under today's price are hurting with a losing position that also requires $8900 in initial margin! Even a long position, with some MTM profit, initiated when margin was say $3200, might not have enough unrealized profit to cover the new margin requirements + thus force underfunded small player to close out winning trades. This is one reason why open interest is declining. Volatile market positions held on margin are extremely....Extremely...dangerous. Both gold and silver have often been in "fast" markets lately where reasonable (honest) trading is impossible, especially in open pit conditions as opposed to an electronically filled one.

My opinion (and it's only that), buy the physical + trade only at your own peril. Possible nationalization of natural resources makes mining stocks somewhat of a gamble too, no?

I'm not trying to echo TownCrier here, but in these markets, for unexperienced traders, he's right. There is no leverage in physical but there's also no risk....and there are risks waiting that haven't even yet revealed themselves.
There, that should make Townie smile!
Flatliner
(05/08/2006; 17:11:05 MDT - Msg ID: 143969)
Where's the beef?
So where is this Barclay's warehouse? I would expect there to be a line of armored trucks stacked up out on the street full of silver. 1,368 tonnes is not something that someone can put in a briefcase and casually carry around. Is anyone in the forum in a position to view such a caravan or trucks?

I am one of those that has a hard time extending trust to bankers, thus I continue to take the stand that no physical silver is moving. It's all just a hand shake between the SLV people and the dealers. I'd be willing to bet that SLV has a number of acceptable warehouse locations and they happen to be the same warehouses that the dealers use. Thus, the act of delivery is simply signing over ownership of the metal on reserve � no trucks, no hassle.

This also gives control of the market to the dealers. Everyone knows that the dealers can short shares in anything that trades � and they do. There are more shares outstanding of very fortune 500 company they issued. I'd expect the SLV iShares to fall into this category. Thus, as long as the customer doesn't take delivery of the shares the dealer doesn't have to cover them! Does anyone actually know how many iShares have been sold by the dealers? I'll bet we will NEVER know. But, it does look like the dealers have been waiting for this ETF and they've been acquiring silver for a long time just so they could participate.

If iShares can be shorted by dealers to the public because the public doesn't actually ask for the shares, then one would expect that the dealers would simply cover they naked position by buying contracts. The contracts will give them the option to take delivery if they are forced to have to issue iShares to their customers. In that case, they deliver the metal and more iShares are issued. This idea make sense? Sometimes my imagination gets the best of me and I � well � think as if everything is a Hollywood action thriller that's only rates 2 stars.
R Powell
(05/08/2006; 17:38:13 MDT - Msg ID: 143970)
Canamami
Exactly, and well stated.

But again, read the prospectus! A very small amount of the only asset held by the Trust is sold, on an ongoing basis, to pay the expenses of running the fund.

These ETFs are a means for mutual funds to enter these markets and there are plans for many more such vehicles linking mutual fund monies to commodities. The need exists and this is the capitalist innovative answer. Mutual fund managers who jobs are directly linked to providing profits have been hard pressed to do so since the Nasdoggie blew up. They will sieze this opportunity, no? This can only support higher prices, imho and provide the means for a real tulip-type mania. But for those of us here, if you want metal, especially for any buy + hold strategy, why not pay the one time brokerage fee and hold your own...in your own trust.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/08/2006; 18:00:51 MDT - Msg ID: 143971)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

MONDAY Market Excerpts

Gold dips for 1st time in seven sessions

May 8 (from DowJones) -- Despite hitting a new contract high overnight, Comex June gold lost its luster during the pit session on Monday at the New York Mercantile Exchange and settled lower following a potential ease in US/Iran relations.

June gold reached a new high of $688.20 an ounce - its best performance since 1980. But news of a possible ease in tensions between the U.S. and Iran appeared to cool the market leading to a $679.90 close, down $4.40 on the day.

On Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wrote a letter to President George W. Bush proposing "new solutions" to their differences about Iran's nuclear program. The letter sparked profit taking in the precious metals complex with oil also trading lower while the dollar regained some of its lost ground against the euro and yen, noted analysts at TheBullionDesk.

Support was seen at the lows where buying moved in, noted one trader.

Analysts at MKS Finance said that even if the market sentiment remains upbeat, a consolidation is needed before gold can head to $700 an ounce.

"Buying on dips remains the main feature of the market and should provide some support along with the U.S. dollar, which remains under pressure hitting new lows against the yen and the European currency," MKS said.

In the short-term, gold is very likely to be influenced by the U.S. Treasury semi-annual report to Congress on exchange-rate practices due Tuesday followed by the FOMC meeting and its accompanying statement on the interest rate policy on Wednesday, traders said.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/08/2006; 18:20:09 MDT - Msg ID: 143972)
Asia set to dump unofficial dollar peg
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Tuesday/Corporate/BT566231.txt/Article/May 9 2006 -- Li Yong, China's vice minister for finance, said he had heard a "rumour" that the US dollar was headed for a 25 per cent drop. If the gossip was true, the consequences would be "shocking", he said.

Li's comment, which he made at a discussion on global financial imbalances last week at the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank in the Indian city of Hyderabad, was aimed directly at fellow panelist Tim Adams, the US Treasury undersecretary of international affairs.

The unspoken message was: "Don't try to talk the US dollar down."

And Adams knew better than to ask, "Well, what are you going to do about it?" The answer to that question has already begun taking shape: Asia may be getting ready to fix its currencies to a local anchor, dumping the region's unofficial US dollar peg.

Even as they continue to pile up US debt in their foreign-exchange reserves to keep their currencies stable against the US dollar, Asian nations, China among them, are preparing for a scenario where the US dollar does indeed collapse under the weight of a record US current account deficit.

The ACU [Asian Currency Unit] may well emerge as a viable currency for denominating export invoices, bank loans and bond issuances if the US dollar is no longer perceived as a safe storage of value.

^---(from url)---^

Of note is that the ACU, again, "is an accounting unit; it won't change hands in the physical world".

If the dollar is no longer treated as a store of value and consequently plunges as an accouning unit, the ACU as a monetary accounting unit may certainly fill in for the purposes of invoicing and etc., but it surely has no proper place as a reserve asset in its own right. For that, there is gold. The ultimate reserve asset.

What else did you think was the primary driver behind the end of a 20-year bear market in gold and the upswing in its fortunes ever since the euro had its own successful launch as a currency in 1999?

R.
TownCrier
(05/08/2006; 18:30:44 MDT - Msg ID: 143973)
Common GCC currency 'should avoid dollar-peg'
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=143025&Sn=BUSI&IssueID=29050(Bahrain) Gulf Daily News, 9th May 2006 -- A common GCC currency should not be pegged to the dollar but to a basket of different currencies, says a prominent foreign exchange strategist. BNP Paribas foreign exchange strategy global head Hans Redeker said that a peg to the dollar, which he expects to be a weak currency in the long term, would leave the Gulf economies too exposed.

"The regions with which the Gulf does the most business have changed in the last 10 to 15 years," he said.

"The region currently does more business with Europe and Asia than it does with the US."

Mr Redeker believes that the US dollar will continue to weaken against the Euro for various reasons, including the fact that real wages in the US are on the decline.

"Wages are increasing but not as fast as inflation. Without an increase in real wages, the economy loses one of its main pillars for growth," he said.

In Europe Mr Redeker expects the Euro to remain strong, but predicts an uncertain future for some European countries in the long term.

"I have a prediction which some may find surprising. I believe that there may be two Euros in the future, a normal Euro and what I call a 'Euro deluxe'."

^---(from url)---^

Again, this is a currency issue, and again we see much of it is motivated by expectations for weakness in the dollar.

Bottom Line: If the dollar can't be expected to hold up under the minor duty as a numerical invoicing unit, is surely won't be able to shoulder the much heavier burden as a worthy reserve asset. For that, they shall increasingly turn to gold.

R.
Flaccus
(05/08/2006; 19:21:54 MDT - Msg ID: 143974)
TC: Good euro, bad euro
Redeker's comments give pause. When the split comes -- between the "normal" euro and the euro "deluxe" -- I would think that the typical European citizen would like to know which of the two resides in his or her banking account. Is it the normal or the deluxe? And how did I come to own one or the other? I can't believe that the big banking corporations pay good money for this kind of tripe.
canamami
(05/08/2006; 19:56:03 MDT - Msg ID: 143975)
R Powell - You're right
You hit a nail on the head with respect to the ETF.

My concern: If the underlying asset is sold over time, at some point there won't be enough physical to meet the potential redemption demand of the shares.

I guess alternatively the ETF could charge fees for the issuance and redemption of shares.

As listed, registered assets, the shares would be vulnerable to confiscation and taxation.

A long time ago, I wrote a piece here on how true believers and speculators actually needed and supported each other. In the same vein, I think the pure physical end of the business is helped by the EFT's....makes the pie bigger, so to speak.
Gandalf the White
(05/08/2006; 21:35:01 MDT - Msg ID: 143976)
WARNING !!! Earplugs MAY be required soon ! <;-)
This means you, Sir Smeagol !
Gandalf the White
(05/08/2006; 21:39:35 MDT - Msg ID: 143977)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

(Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as the prizes offered are, NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!)

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the JUNE, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST begin !
<;-)



Druid
(05/08/2006; 22:16:17 MDT - Msg ID: 143978)
TownCrier (5/8/06; 18:20:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 143972)
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/engdahl/2006/0508.html
Druid: I wonder if what I pasted below played any part concerning the comments about a 25% drop in the dollar?


"A Foreign Policy disaster over China

In this context, the recent diplomatic insult from Bush to visiting China President Hu Jintao, is doubly disastrous for the US foreign position. Bush acted on a script written by the anti-China neo-conservatives, to deliberately insult and humiliate Hu at the White House. First was the incident of allowing a Taiwanese �journalist,� a Falun Gong member, into the carefully-screened White House press conference, to rant in a tirade against Chinese human rights for more than three minutes, with no attempt at removal, at a White House filmed press conference. Then came the playing of the Chinese National Hymn for Hu. The �Chinese� hymn, however, was the (Taiwan) Republic of China hymn, not the (Beijing) Peoples� Republic hymn.

It was no �slip-up by the professional White House protocol people. It was a deliberate effort to humiliate the Chinese leader. The problem is that the US economy has become dependent on Chinese trade imports and on Chinese holdings of US Treasury securities. China today is the largest holder of dollar reserves in form of US Treasury paper with an estimated $825 billion. Were Beijing to decide to exit the US bond market, even in part, it would cause a dollar free-fall and collapse of the $7 trillion US real estate market, a wave of US bank failures and huge unemployment. It's a real option even if unlikely at the moment.

China's Hu didn's waste time or tears over the Bush affront. He immediately went on to Saudi Arabia for a 3 day state visit where both signed trade, defense and security agreements. Needless to say, this is no small slap in the fact to Washington by the traditionally �loyal� Saudi Royal House.

Hu signed a deal for SABIC of Saudi Arabia to build a $5.2 billion oil refinery and petrochemical project in northeast China. At the beginning of this year, King Abdullah was in Beijing for a full state visit. Hmmmmm�Since the Roosevelt-King Ibn Saud deal giving US Aramco and not the British exclusive concession to develop Saudi oil in 1943, Saudi Arabia has been regarded in Washington as a core strategic sphere of interest.

Hu then went on to Morocco, another traditional US sphere of interest, Nigeria and Kenya, all regarded as US spheres of interest. Hmmmm. Only two months ago Rumsfeld was in Morocco to offer US arms. Hu is offering to finance energy exploration there."


slingshot
(05/08/2006; 22:49:02 MDT - Msg ID: 143979)
Slingshot's Editorial
"Gold at any Price"

Those of us who have struggled from the bottom spot price of gold at $254 to the unflationary price of $680 per ounce, have truly withstood the test of time. I have never seen a more supportive group, both pro and con, that has provided documentive information as to the precious metal market. I truly have to reject those commentaries that paint us as doom and gloomers, for it may only be our wish that our close friends and family, examine the global markets of paper and promises. It might be sad to say that, with all the insults endured, that we in the electronic, digital and nano age understand each other more than our love ones. Alas we are a fractured society. One remembering what the dollar would buy and the other
consuming more by the acquisition of debt, aided by the never ending barrage of commercialism. Hold it true that each new generation should improve upon the last, but I ask at what cost. And if I am any resemblance of the small time investor, "Gold at any Price" will be out of reach for the common man.
Slingshot----------<>
Druid
(05/08/2006; 22:58:36 MDT - Msg ID: 143980)
QUESTIONS BEGGING ANSWERS?
http://www.financialsense.com/Market/wrapup.htm
"Barclays Global Investors� iShares Silver Trust [AMEX: SLV] began trading Friday, April 28. As of May 5, 2006 [six trading days later] � the trust reports it has acquired 1,368 tonnes of silver. For those of you who might be a little troubled with the conversion � that amounts to slightly more than 48 million ounces of silver bullion.

So this begs the question: how much is 48 million ounces of silver?

Because I thought none of you would ever ask, I would like to explain to folks what's involved in "physically acquiring" a good slug of silver. But before we do that � we need to understand that there is a big difference between "buying paper silver" and physically taking possession of the same.

To get an understanding of how this all works, I contacted Mr. Stephan Spicer, President and CEO of Central Fund of Canada [TSX: CEF.NV.A]. I explained to Mr. Spicer that I was having trouble getting my head around HOW Barclays Global Investors had acquired 48 million ounces of silver in 6 trading days. It seemed logical to ask Mr. Spicer since Central Fund has been in the business of buying and warehousing unencumbered, segregated gold and silver bullion � as a publicly traded entity for investors - in Canada since 1983.

On how silver bullion is shipped, Mr. Spicer revealed to me that it is customarily moved "long haul" via rail or ship and shorter distances by truck. Anyone who's had the experience of moving "ANYTHING" by ship would be more than aware of the time lags involved in doing so. Making arrangements for rail shipment pose equally challenging logistics. When silver bullion is delivered to Central Fund's vault, I was told it is "trucked" into the facility � million ounces at a time [per truck].

As I began feverishly doing a bit of "back-of-the-envelope-math," with visions of 96 truckloads of silver lined up outside of J.P. Morgan - London [SLV's custodian] waiting to be off loaded � I thought to myself, "at least it's a traffic jam with a silver lining!"

Actually, I only make light of this to highlight the logistical nightmare it is to physically move LARGE amounts of silver. So I asked Mr. Spicer how long he would expect it to take, from the time of purchase � to actually taking physical vaulted possession, of say, 20 million ounces of silver for Central Fund of Canada?

His reply was that 20 million ounces of silver could perhaps be positioned and purchased in a day � while acknowledging that such a purchase would most surely "move the market price." For Central Fund to take physical delivery [shipping] and process [weighing and documentation] that that quantity [weight] of metal is a logistical exercise that Spicer maintains could take "as much as 3 months." "


Druid: Barclays doing a hell of a job making sure the bullion is there to back the trade.
slingshot
(05/08/2006; 23:33:13 MDT - Msg ID: 143981)
What is the hotest slot in Las Vegas?
Since we are on the subject of silver I thought this tidbit might be nice.
See I went to the desert on a horse with no name. Felt good to be out of the rain. In the desert, you can remember your name, cause there ain't no one to give you no pain. Remember that song?
Anyway. One slot called Silver Strike gave out 1/2 oz silver provided you bet three coins. They are commendatives with a value of $10.00 game chips. Won ten coins and fifty in cashout on an initial investment of $20.00.
Slingshot-----------<>
Liberty Head
(05/08/2006; 23:35:29 MDT - Msg ID: 143982)
$$$$666.6$$$$

9/11, the desparate war on Iraq, Homeland Gestapo and the re-election of a fascist president are the events that signaled the fate of the US dollar would be determined primarily by emotional decision making.

Best Wishes
Sundeck
(05/08/2006; 23:44:03 MDT - Msg ID: 143983)
$$$$697.0$$$$
The question(s):

"...Every bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you think gold can go, over the long run?"

The answer(s):

Well...we are on a gold bull trend, but when did we learn that we were on one "for the long run"?

Upon inspecting the 10-year gold price chart, it is apparent that the bull trend commenced about April 2001. However, there was for several years considerable scepticism that the trend would last. In fact, the chart seemed to be peaking at about $420; a level comparable to previous peaks over the last 20 years. Many players probably thought that "this was it"...the peak was in, and no doubt there was considerable selling of gold which probably accounted, in part, for the relatively long plateau (of nearly one year) in price at about the $400 level. The question in peoples' minds would have been whether the US-dollar would confirm its updraft with rising interest rates, accompanied by a turn-around in the deficits and renewed faith in US dollar assets as reliable reserves.

Doubts in peoples' minds seem to have been overcome around July 2005, when the gold price chart shows a steadily increasing gradient; leading upward to the present price-level of about $680...and the present general mind-set that gold is on a bull trend for the long term. What happened around July 2005? What signal was sent to the markets that tipped peoples' faith in favour of a long-term golden bull?

To my mind, this event was the CNOOC bid for Unocal that was blocked by the US government. This was probably the first major attempt by a large, powerful holder of US dollar reserves to spend some of those reserves on useful "things" rather than buying more US interest-bearing paper promises. The signal was accentuated by the fact that the attempted purchase was of a US oil company. The signal sent to the markets was two-fold:

(a) large US dollar reserves are unredeemable,

(b) oil production is truly critical and will be defended no-matter-what.

After about this time we see the price of gold rising steadily in ALL currencies, whereas hitherto there had been a fairly reliable inverse correlation between the dollar and gold. This was the point at which "inflation" became a global event in earnest. Gold is being propelled upwards because the treasuries of all countries realise that, in such a climate, it may be of little use to diversify US-dollar holdings into other currencies because they are depreciating along with the dollar. Reserves should be transferred to tangible assets...especially gold.

How high can gold go over the long term? My guess is $6,500 when the Dow sits at 13,000 and the Dow/POG ratio is 2.

:-)
Topaz
(05/09/2006; 00:07:00 MDT - Msg ID: 143984)
$$$646.5$$$
A choppy time ahead with May 24 right in the middle of max agitation for June methinks.

I'd say June last year was when the Bull really lit up. We had seen the $PoG rising nicely up 'till then however the alt-currencies had experienced only minor PoG upthrust.
Aug and Sept '05 confirmed the nascent Bull in June and away we went.
mdgc
(05/09/2006; 02:34:37 MDT - Msg ID: 143985)
**** $711.00 ****
Flex point

The statement by Russia's President Putin that their Central Bank should hold more gold. That was followed by both the Russian and Chinese central banks heads making similar statements. The amounts they will have to buy to have significant gold holdings puts a floor under the POG for years to come.

Long run

As to how high gold can go in the long run depends how long. Long enough and the sky is the limit. But as J.M. Keynes said "In the long run we are all dead." If the long run is a year, then $1500.
Gandalf the White
(05/09/2006; 06:35:10 MDT - Msg ID: 143986)
UPDATE !! TA TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)



$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)



$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)



$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)
===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/09/2006; 06:37:49 MDT - Msg ID: 143987)
ATTENTION, Sirs Liberty Head and Topaz!!!
POG CONTEST ---
You BOTH owe us a LONG TERM PRICE statement!
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/09/2006; 06:39:37 MDT - Msg ID: 143988)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !!
<;-)



Survivor
(05/09/2006; 08:34:55 MDT - Msg ID: 143989)
Barclay's Silver

Does any of the information from Barclay's indicate that the silver changed location as a condition of changing ownership?

- Survivor
Druid
(05/09/2006; 08:35:56 MDT - Msg ID: 143990)
(No Subject)
http://www.fxstreet.com/nou/graph/liverealtimequotes.asp
Druid: The Yen has made a fairly significant move against the Dollar as of late.
Liberty Head
(05/09/2006; 08:46:16 MDT - Msg ID: 143991)
Long Term Price Statement for Contest

I expect the POG will rise above $1000 within one year.
Longer term, the dollar may well be dead before this bull run is over.

Best Wishes
Black Blade
(05/09/2006; 10:20:35 MDT - Msg ID: 143992)
See Spot! See Spot Run!
Interesting day for Gold! Now a contest to boot! A very nice day indeed! It is now obvious even to the Carnival Barkers on CNBC that this dog (Spot) can hunt! Let the real fun begin.

- Black Blade

Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 10:22:47 MDT - Msg ID: 143993)
Who's driving this bus?
A year or to ago, we had some interestng discussions on whether silver or gold occupied the driver's seat in the PM bull run.

While I don't buy the notion of complete severence, it does appear that gold has taken a stronger lead, especially since the recent release of the SLV ETF. Did SLV successfully cap the silver mania, at least temporarily?

Might this also be signalling that the "monetary component" driving these markets has overtaken the "commodity component" - perhaps more significant?

For those who enjoy an entertaining peek into our collective emotions about the near future, the latest web bot analysis is out (albeit a few days late). For non-subscribers, George Ure has posted an authorized summary at UrbanSurvival.com.
mikal
(05/09/2006; 11:13:00 MDT - Msg ID: 143994)
Gold drivers include new investors
http://www.reuters.comGold jumps above $700 - May 9, 2006 NEW YORK (Reuters) - Snippits: "Gold futures jumped above $700 an ounce Tuesday, hitting a fresh 25-year high, fueled by relentless investor buying on geopolitical tensions and worries about inflation.
Dealers said talk that economists urged China to quadruple its gold reserves to 2,500 tons from the current 600 tons because its foreign exchange reserves had become the world's largest also stoked the gold rally."
[Dollar troubles, Iran and inflation continue to pop up in news stories like this. Other trouble spots include housing weakness and growth uncertainty globally.]

""The weak dollar certainly is not hurting - the steady selling of the dollar helps gold," said the gold trader.
Talk was swirling on Tuesday that Chinese accounts were active in spot gold after a report on China's reserves.
"China should raise its gold reserves so those reserves can account for 3 percent to 5 percent of the foreign exchange reserves, instead of current 1.3 percent," the China Gold quoted Liu Shanen, an expert at Beijing Gold Economy Development Research Center, as telling a conference.
Meanwhile, jitters over Iran's nuclear ambitions and inflated oil prices also bolstered the market as a safe-haven investment."
[As economists and experts debate optimum Chinese reserve diversification strategies, potentially unannounced gold purchases become as apparent as future ones. And as does China, so does the Asian sphere as a whole, aand on balance still sharing age-old cultural and commercial ties between themselves and with gold.]
mikal
(05/09/2006; 11:20:33 MDT - Msg ID: 143995)
Gold rises amid flurry of explanations
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/05/09/financial/f091735D76.DTLGold Prices Hit $700 an Ounce - Associated Press - May 9, 2006
Short article with generally bullish comments from Leonard Kaplan and several different views of gold's rise.
Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 12:12:58 MDT - Msg ID: 143996)
PoG @ 700
@ mikal,

This is as fun as watching Barry Bonds' home runs, but of course, we ALL know these markets are "juiced", but perhaps more alcoholically than hormonally!
Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 12:15:11 MDT - Msg ID: 143997)
USDX waterfall contiinues
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10So long, 85!

It was a short visit, but fun, indeed.

Truly an "E" ticket ride!
Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 12:29:21 MDT - Msg ID: 143998)
"Investments"
If PoG rises with this vigor (20% in a month) along side "stable" markets, imagine how it will react if and when the horse-hooey hits the fan at full revolution and oscillation. That could make for one highly pungent "stable"!

Perhaps amid the summer "supply disruptions", as "just in time" (JITM) manufacturing and retail absolutely assume uninterrupted supply chains.

Just a wild-eyed supposition from the unofficial castle radical . . .

(:^} Goldilox

P.S. Got gold?
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/09/2006; 12:54:57 MDT - Msg ID: 143999)
Especially designed for those who are taking their first step...
http://www.usagold.com/gold/special/starter.html

gold ownership starter kit
solosza
(05/09/2006; 14:49:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144000)
$$$723.6$$$
I believe the recent gold bull market eminated in and around the beginning of the start of the Bush administration. Once Bush came into office his domestic and foreign policies accelerated the demise of the dollar. His reckless abandon made all of the keen, forward thinking citizens of this world want to dump fiat currencies and jump straight into the best wealth preservation vehicle that is known to man today...GOLD! (and silver)

In the long run, I think that gold will have 3 or maybe 4 stages of appreciation, which we are still in stage 1. In the current stage we can reach has high as 850 or even surpass the previous high. The next (secound stage) around $1700 and then double again to $3400 in the third stage. Under normal market conditions the appreciation should stop there. However, it could move to a fourth blowoff phase because markets can be at times irrational and the market can climb as high as $5k or $6k an ounce in the final phase because of irrational and panic crowd buying. Timetable on this...only GOD knows...
Sundeck
(05/09/2006; 15:31:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144001)
Low guess.
Errr Gandalf...may I alter my guess to $797.0 ...'twas a slip of the finger on the keyboard, a mere lapse of concentration, mmmm....

(Just kidding!)

Dang! Out of date already...

;-)
Rimh
(05/09/2006; 16:16:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144002)
wild market....
I, for one, will be reluctant to try to call this market for the price guessing contest for a couple more days. After the last couple weeks, gold is showing how it can give us all the rodeo bull ride - today being a great example of one of those powerful leg kicks that gives a rider a real start and gives anyone who's short... a mouth full of broken teeth or worse!
Rustee
(05/09/2006; 16:49:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144003)
$$$714.90$$$
The world has finally noticed that "The Emperor Has No Clothes". A combination of Iraq, Iran, the trade deficit, the budget deficit, the appearance of China and India as major economic players all point to the collapse of the empire as we knew it. With the collapse big money is hedging into gold, silver and other commodities. Where will gold go? To $1,000 this year and $2,500 within 3 years. If inflation really gets going these targets are probably low.
Chris Powell
(05/09/2006; 17:05:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144004)
Gold rally similar but 'more orderly' than in 1980
"More orderly" because the central banks now
strategically dishoard enough gold to prevent
explosions -- as former Federal Reserve
Chairman Paul Volcker wrote in his memoirs
should have been done in the late 1970s?

* * *

Gold Rally Similar Yet 'More Orderly' Than in 1980

By Allen Sykora
Dow Jones Newswires
Tuesday, May 9, 2006

There are a number of similarities in the gold futures now compared to when prices hit record levels back in 1980, yet analysts involved with the metal both now and then tend to describe gold as having more solid footing in 2006 so that any corrections lower may not be as dramatic as they were a quarter of a century ago.

For one thing, the rally has been more gradual, meaning a better base of support has been built on the charts.

"Right now, gold has been in a more orderly trading pace," said John Person, the president of National Futures Advisory Service who back in 1980 was a young trader working in the same office as the famed George Lane, known as "Father of Stochastics."

June gold has traded as high as $700.90 an ounce so far Tuesday on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. This is a 26-year high for a Comex futures contract.

The record high trade for a Comex gold contract was $875 back on Jan. 21, 1980, according to Nymex. The market underwent considerable volatility back then, as it rose from a low of $424 in December 1979 to the $875 peak, then fell back as far as $453 again by March 1980.

"The fundamental stories are the same -- inflation, oil and concerns in the Middle East," said Person.

Much of the impetus behind the 1980 rally was inflation, analysts said. At the time, some related, investors had fewer inflation hedges than they do today, when investors can more readily use tools such as puts in the stock market.

"Jimmy Carter was president and inflation official rate was around 12%," said David Morgan, independent precious-metals analyst with Silver-Investor.com. "Because of that, many investors were concerned with how to protect their wealth."

While official U.S. inflation is currently nowhere near the levels reached a quarter of a century ago, for some time now many market participants have been buying gold on fears that the world's central banks have let money supply grow so rapidly that there could be more inflationary pressures down the road.

Analysts also noted that the Middle East worries then and now centered on Iran. Back then, Iranian militants had stormed the U.S. embassy and held U.S. citizens as hostages for more than a year. Current geopolitical tensions center around Iran's nuclear program.

"Back then, it was hostages," said Person. "Now Iran is possibly turning the world into a hostage with their capacity to produce nuclear weapons."

Peter Grandich, analyst and publisher of the Grandich Letter, commented that there were worries about nuclear war back in the 1980s, after Ronald Reagan had been elected president. And nuclear worries persist in 2006.

Morgan added that a quarter of a century ago, there were also worries about the dollar failing. The greenback this week has hit its weakest level in a year.

Still, analysts suggested that that gold may be better situated now than in 1980. For starters, said Person, the rally to the 1980 highs began from a low of $101 in 1976. The current rally began from a bottom of around $252 in 1999. "That opens the door at this point so that this market really could exceed that (1980) high, because the
base from which we are starting this new bullish cycle was higher," he said.

Person commented that there are some parallels in gold's rally to the sharp rise in the Nasdaq a few years ago in that a "frenzied buying spree" has occurred. Nevertheless, said Person, gold's current rise has been "more orderly" than it was a quarter of a century ago when it climbed and then fell a few hundred dollars within months. Thus, he and other analysts said they would look for any major correction from current levels to halt in the area from
$550 to $575, which would not be as dramatic as the $875-$453 two-month fall in 1980.

If the market did pull back $100, it may then go into a
consolidation phase and the uptrend would still be in tact, said Person. He added that a trendline from the November to the March lows, on a continuation chart, is around $570.

"It's possible for gold to correct substantially from here and still remain in a bull market," said Morgan. "Gold could come down to the $550 level and still remain in a powerful bull uptrend."

Morgan commented that gold's selloff from the 1980 high -- a peak which happened to occur on his birthday -- came when the Fed kept aggressively hiking interest rates to combat inflation. Furthermore, the gold market had run up so fast that technically "it had no legs to stand on" during a retreat after limited base building.

Morgan suggested the Fed would not be able to let the bond market suffer as much now as it did back then due to aggressive tightening. "There would be repercussions, such as potential trade wars or currency blocks where countries would quit accepting dollars," he said.

Analysts commented that the global wealth base is greater than it was a quarter of a century ago, as countries like China and India have seen significant economic improvement, which could also help underpin assets in general. And, Morgan pointed out, gold has been a "store of wealth" for thousands of years.

Grandich said that while gold hit the $870s back in 1980, it was up there only briefly and spent more time around $650 to $700. Thus, he said, he had listed this as his price objective during much of the current rally. While he eventually does look for gains beyond the old record highs, some consolidation first may be necessary, said
Grandich. Then one of three events may have to occur to spark record prices, he continued.

"We will need even more heightened geopolitical fears where not only are we beating the drums, but some actions start taking place like military movements," he said. "We have to see it go from rhetoric to some form of action." If the dollar index should break down below 80, he said, "everybody in the world will get a sell signal on the
U.S. dollar and that in turn will be extremely bullish for gold."

Lastly, added Grandich, mining and other resource companies are having a harder time upping production, in part due to political concerns, such as Bolivia's move to nationalize its energy sector. There has been political unrest around foreign mining operations in Indonesia.

"The environment to explore and develop metals, particularly gold, has become very tough," said Grandich. "So supply doesn't look like it's going to increase (significantly) any time soon. Any furthering
of that inability to get supply would be another bullish factor to get us over this hump of $700 or so.

"I think we'll go through the old high of $875. I just think we'll have to do some work to get there."
Chris Powell
(05/09/2006; 17:07:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144005)
Yikes! China urged to quadruple gold reserves
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060509/3/2kabr.htmlFrom Reuters
Tuesday, May 9, 2006

BEIJING -- Some Chinese economists are urging Beijing to quadruple its gold reserves to 2,500 tonnes from the current 600 tonnes because the country foreign exchange reserves had become the world's largest, an official industry newspaper reported on Tuesday.

"China should raise its gold reserves so those reserves can account for 3 percent to 5 percent of the foreign exchange reserves, instead of current 1.3 percent," the China Gold quoted Liu Shanen, an expert at Beijing Gold Economy Development Research Centre, as telling a
conference.

He said the suggestion was made in light of the country's economic strength and the size of its foreign trade.

China's foreign exchange reserves rose to a record $875.1 billion by the end of March on the back of a surge in its trade surplus and an increase in foreign direct investment.

"More gold reserves will help the government prevent risks and handle emergencies in case of future possible turbulence in the international political and economic situation," the paper said, citing Tan Yaling, a researcher with the Bank of China.

A weak dollar had also made more gold holdings necessary, it quoted Liao Yingmin as saying. Liao is a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, a government think-tank.

China has been trying to gradually diversify its reserve holdings away from the dollar. But economists say fears of a collapse in the U.S currency will prevent any dramatic shift.

Central bank official figures showed China's gold reserves have remained unchanged since December 2002.

Gold has gained 32 percent this year due to tension in the Middle East, firm oil prices and a volatile dollar. Spot gold was quoted at $679.90 an ounce by 0959 GMT.

Traders in London anticipated the price to test 25-year high of $684.70 an ounce.

Flatliner
(05/09/2006; 17:08:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144006)
Google shows 163 articles regarding gold @ 700 today
It is interesting to see so many articles about gold in main stream papers. It is also interesting that so many of them don't have a clue as to why it's going up. But, most all of them will convey the feeling that it will go down. At the same time, there is absolutely no talk at the watering hole about gold. To me, that is a good indication that it's a small minority that are enjoying this ride.

I found it interesting that when I brought up Google, followed the link to "all 163 related" articles and then searched on that page for foxnews I did not find a single article. Curious, they must be Silver advocates or something.
Flatliner
(05/09/2006; 17:19:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144007)
No MTM postings lately?
TownCrier, One can't help but see the genus in the way the Euro was designed. If the gold reserve out valued the US Currency reserve when gold traded for 500/oz, then one can only assume they are smiling a little more today. While they smile, I do not see them having to use gold to defend their currency any time soon.

Those who have not allocated some gold will find it harder and harder to do as time goes on.
Ned
(05/09/2006; 17:43:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144008)
Breaking $700....on route to $7,000?
Just in case anyone is loosing their minds ! Such a sweet thought as we break $700 !!!

Looking at the London PM fix, there was a double top at $709 on Feb 6, 1980 and $710.50 on Feb 11, 1980. Break that and away we go to the old $850 mark.

I saw a post on closes over $700 a while back:

Jan 16, 1980........$760
Jan 17, 1980........$750
Jan 18, 1980........$835
Jan 21, 1980........$850
Jan 22, 1980........$737.50
Jan 24, 1980........$717

Then a dive below $700 and a short revisit:

Feb 6, 1980.........$709
Feb 11, 1980........$710.50

......as mentioned.


So what's going to happen?

Well $800 is not 1980 $800 so regardless of the semantics of breaking $700 and/or approaching $850, it means not a thing. I think even goldbugs are not going to go beserk at $850.

I say........let's poke away at $20 a day in a somewhat methotical fashion and when $1,000 is broke by year-end we BEGIN to get out knickers in a knot.

Have a golden day.
Topaz
(05/09/2006; 17:48:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144009)
@Contest ...Long-run PoG.
It looks like my short-run PoG guess has been trashed already Gandalf so FWIW, here goes with the LR prognosis.

It seems to me we need to try and figure a point on the PoG line whereby Currency of all stripes becomes worthless ie: when no Gold will be available at ANY price.
I'd say that time will be nigh when PoG approaches US$3,000/Oz.
melda laure
(05/09/2006; 17:50:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144010)
THUD!
http://www.financialsense.com/stormwatch/geo/analysis.htmJack be nimble
Jack be quick!

Jack jumps under the margin schtick!

Dont quibble nor quarrel just push the stops!
Drain the pitcher before the cops!

Set out the dartboard, uncage the chimp,
Golden banans, bankers and pimps!

Gimme an ulcer and pop these here pills,
Straddle and dribble the paper shills.

Dramamine lotion and nicotine patch.
Casino's on fire, they're locking the hatch.

Dont bother re-loading, just give him the gun.
Abandon the chips, take the money and RUN!

Sunsets, verandas, Uncork Gandy's wine.
(Unless of course we cut it too fine.) . .(somebody pleas stuff-a-donut in his face)

Congressional gabfest, graybar hotel.
Greenpaper burning, gawdawful smell.

Gondolin burning, gawdawful mess,
Violins screeching, nuclear chess. . . (make it stop!...)

A happier ending you'd like to see?
Here take my hand and climb up this tree.

I'm tuning my harp, I've no time to trade;
Paper's for dixie cups and cool lemonade. .(I can think of other uses for paper too, so what?)

Apple pies baking and stars all a glitter.
Hobbit feet dancing, WHUMP! patter pitter.

Tap a new keg, sun sets in the west.
Stick to the shiney, gold is the best!

Sir flatliner, I have a special helm for that occasion- a special titanium-depleted-passivated-mithril alloy with silver irridited welding goggle face shield. I'm not going to WEAR it (I'm not that stupid) but maybe the digital camera will last long enough to transmit a few frames before it vaporizes. Anybody know where I can hire a pygmie oliphaunt? This stash is getting hard to move around.

Anyone still waiting for the correction to $480 should just divide their fiat pile in two and commit half of it now, the bus is rolling down hill and it wont go in reverse. (You'll need the rest for horsefeed.)

Meanwhile, I'm all for abiotic oil. Just tell us where to drill that's all. Hmmmm, visions of Tiamat.
Flatliner
(05/09/2006; 18:04:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144011)
@melda laure
Ah, I see you've already tapped the keg. There are points along the way at which everyone should tap the keg and share your good fortune. After we get past this revaluation, we'll move on to abiotic oil. Can't have free oil until you remove the currency link. Freegold.
PAK
(05/09/2006; 18:18:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144012)
Contest
$$$$ 652.5 $$$$

This is my first posting. The contest hooked me. I date the "change" from my perspective to when I began buying gold about a year ago. Wish I had started much earlier, but that was when I got truly scared that the U.S. financial system can collapse. I was never a goldbug; stayed with CNBC and believed that "someone" would always rescue us in a crisis. But I live in DC and I know there is no one currently in power who has a clue. In my 40 years in this town, I have never seen a situation like this one where there is truly no adult supervision. In Watergate and other crises, we still had a functioning federal government. We no longer do and I see this up close. I am very scared. I think in the short run, gold will jump around and I don't have a clue where it will close, but it costs nothing to guess. Having gold will not be salvation if our financial system collapses. My hope is that I may be able to preserve something that may be of use to my grandchildren. Gold is a type of insurance for the very long run. But no matter how much gold anyone has or what the price is, when any economy collapses it is horrible. When an economy as big as ours collapses, we are going to be in totally unknown territory.
The Invisible Hand
(05/09/2006; 19:15:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144013)
$$$$8,752.0$$$$
$$$$8,752.0$$$$ The Invisible Hand (2/18/02; 01:46:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 70296)
Confirmation and discussion ****$ 8,752****
I do hereby confirm my guess of ****$ 8,752 ****
Discussion: Although in an earlier post of the last fortnight I said that A/TG predicted an upward surge of 50 bucks a day, I think it would be more precise to say that the gentlemen argue the unexpected move towards $ 30,000 can occur at anytime. It must thus start once. Why not within the 'time limit' of the contest?
==
The event or combination of events which turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run is the Dow Jones breaking fresh records.
"No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come". Victor Hugo
Topaz
(05/09/2006; 19:16:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144014)
Welcome PAK, a very good first offering.
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/charts.jsp?s=GC&o=100/DX&a=M&z=610x300&d=medium&b=LINE&st=
Just flicking through my "favourites" I stumbled on a Long-term alt currency Chart not visited for some time.
For 15 odd years the two lines were hip-jointed, virtually representing little in the way of separation in Gold pricing vis Euro, Yen, Pounds and etc.

The current chart however, to get the lines to fit on the page, has had to re-jig the scalings to such an extent that no relationship is now evident, in fact if the old scalings were employed, the Gold (blue) line would be well off the chart....WoW!

Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 19:27:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144015)
DX / Gold chart
@ Topaz,

Not to worry. That's what logrithmic charts are for!

Plus, they'll assist TPTB in their message that "everything is "under control".
White Hills
(05/09/2006; 19:37:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144016)
Contest
$$$$$829.50$$$$$$$
How high will it go? I believe that Gold is devaluing the $Dollar to bring it down to a balance against other curriencies and eliminating a large part of our Foreign debt. Who is going to pay the price? The American people are going to pay the price with extreme high inflation which we are already seeing the evidence of in oil prices.

I think that the most important event that happened which led to current and future gold prices was the introduction of the EURO. lOOK BACK AND SEE WHAT ANOTHER AND FOA SAID IN THEIR POSTS. The only mistake I can see they made was some of the timing of events but the TRAIL has been steady and led us to todays $700.00 per oz. Nobody, but our enemies, wants to see the $Dollar crash but rather a slow steady devaluation until it reaches a point of balance with the worlds monetary systems. White Hills
Chris Powell
(05/09/2006; 19:59:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144017)
Gold market acts 'like someone big is trying to get in'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/05/10/cngold10.xml&menuId=242&sSheet=/money/2006/05/10/ixcitytop.htmlBeijing Whispers Push Gold to $700

By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
The Telegraph, London
Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Gold has surged to $700 an ounce for the first time in 26 years after Chinese economists suggested the country should quadruple its bullion reserves to protect against a falling dollar.

Speculators have been alert to any sign that Beijing may be planning to switch a portion of its massive $875bn reserves into gold, a move that would electrify the market.

They seized on comments yesterday by Liu Shanen, an official at the Beijing Gold Economy Development Research Centre, who said China should raise the portion of gold in its reserves from 1.3 percent today to between 3 and 5 percent. Such a move would entail the purchase of 1,900 tonnes of gold, equivalent to gobbling up nine months of global mine production.

Washington's cold response to Iran's move to defuse nuclear tension also helped fuel yesterday's rally. "No one is buying Iran's overtures," said Frank McGhee, a metals trader at Integrated Brokerage Services. "This is a purely geo-political move for gold. We've been here before. The difference is that this time, there are nukes involved."

June gold futures jumped $20.10 an ounce in New York, briefly touching the $700 line before falling back slightly.

Tan Yaling, an economist at the Bank of China, backed the call for higher gold reserves to "help the government prevent risks and handle emergencies in case of future possible turbulence in the international political and economic situation".

John Reade, a UBS analyst, said neither economist had any official role but hints were enough to drive prices in the current climate. "This is an investor frenzy, and China has become the biggest rumour in the gold world right now," he said.

Mr Reade said gold had changed stride since the middle of last year, the key moment when it broke out against all major currencies and began to attract investment from the big money brigade.

"Speculative and investment interest has replaced jewellery demand. The last time that happened was in 1979 to 1980," he said.

He said it was likely that Middle Eastern investors were switching petrodollars into gold after burning their fingers in local stock markets.

Ross Norman, director of the BullionDesk.com, said China may already be a silent buyer on the open market.

Central banks are supposed to record their gold purchases with the IMF promptly, but they have been known to move stealthily for months before declaring.

"This market has been bouncing back so quickly after each bout of profit-taking that it looks as if somebody big is trying to get in. It's too darn hot for my liking," Norman said.

Mr Norman said there was a fair chance that gold mining equities would start to play "catch-up."

-END-
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/09/2006; 20:01:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144018)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

TUESDAY Market Excerpts

Gold leaps to $700

May 9 (from DowJones) -- A confluence of bullish factors fueled a sharp rally in the precious metals complex on Tuesday at the New York Mercantile Exchange as gold breached the key $700-an-ounce level for the first time in 26 years. Amid inflationary concerns, a soft dollar, a rally in oil and ongoing geopolitical tensions, gold produced its best performance since 1980 as it reached a high of $702.20.

The most-active June contract later settled just off that level at $701.50, up $21.60 on the day.

The rally was initially sparked by the euro's gains against the dollar while the move by the U.S. to reject a letter sent by Iran suggesting "new solutions" to differences between the two countries set off renewed buying interest early in the session.

Crude oil's top of the $71-a-barrel level on the heels of the news also led the way for gold to break higher, traders said.

Entangled in Iran/U.S. news is the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting on Wednesday that could give the market clues as to whether a pause will be seen in the consistent increase in interest rates.

Also in the mix which led to a mad dash of the $700-an-ounce level for gold was talk that China might move to increase its gold reserves, market players said.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
mikal
(05/09/2006; 20:29:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144019)
@Chris Powell
Re: "China may quadruple reserves, Gold market acts more orderly and Gold market seems like someone big is trying to get in"
Good information.
Isn't it interesting how rumors evolve after official and unofficial statements from pros in various countries such as Sweden, Korea, India, Russia and China.
Why one would think that the west did not have any interest or tradition in gold at all which is blasphemous!
But if we take matters into into our own hands, surely that'll be quickly remedied- Who was it you said told you Warren Buffet was adding to a secret hoard? No problem
if you cannot recollect. :>)
mikal
(05/09/2006; 20:46:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144020)
@Chris
Re: Sweden ... Well that should have been Bahrain because you can't include western countries that go over to the other side. :)
And besides, they didn't ALL mention the "G" word- some just "hedge against abrupt shifts, discontinuity etc", "prudent and timely diversification" and "preventitive risk management" and such- nothing noteworthy at all -
we all know this can't POSSIBLY imply something barbarous
which any civilized or thinking person would rule out,
and there's WAY too many truly cool asset classes out there, and GADS of SWEET (and smart, you genius!) ways
to finance and invest in them!
Tate
(05/09/2006; 20:48:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144021)
$$$$$729.50$$$$$$$
Here we go.
Competitive fiat currency devaluation world wide has been in progress for long time.
This is the only effective tool unelected charlatans, who call themselves Central Bankers, have to tinker with economies of various countries. Since all this worldwide mass of liquidity is not backed by services or newly produced goods it must burn one way or the other. Historically in economically lesser countries this means overnight government/ bankers decree that reduces purchasing power of a given state fiat currency by a factor of 10 or more followed by new type of paper notes. They can not do that with USD which is widely held. Nevertheless the road, journey and destination for $USD is same.

Once Robert Rubin (Clinton's treasurer ) had his proposal (foreign exporters recycle USD back in to treasuries preserving forex USD value) implemented, the last nail in dollars coffin was done. Since then Charlatans have no clue how to fix it and do not care fixing it.
47 trillion debt will be paid with watered down $USD equivalent to writing off such obligations altogether. I wonder if Clinton new what he was signing. Meantime spend while you can.

Winners are: elite closest to fiat printing machines worldwide.
The rest are all losers.
And then there are those who protected themselves from money changers by storing their hard earnings in tangibles: metals, art, select real-estate.

O yes, inflation, devaluation, hyperinflation is all good news for all borrowers.
Chris Powell
(05/09/2006; 20:56:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144022)
Official and unofficial statements
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gata/message/3487Mikal, at the Internet link above is one
official statement from last November that
was as plain as it could be even though
little heed was paid to it then and little
heed is paid to it now.

That is, the Bank of Russia said it would
be buying gold "on all markets," foreign
and domestic.

This statement followed by three months
GATA's presentation to Andrey Bykov, the
unofficial representative of the Russian
government, economics advisor to President
Vladimir Putin, at the Gold Rush 21
conference in Dawson City, Yukon Territory.

For some months now the big sellers of gold
have met some equally big buyers ready to
take as much gold as the West wants to
unload. These buyers almost certainly
include some governments with enormous and
quickly depreciating dollar reserves they
are even more eager to unload. So gold now
may have all the friends it needs --
official friends who don't seem to mind if
we go along for the ride.
Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 23:34:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144023)
Gold climbs above $700
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-05-09T191159Z_01_N09295039_RTRUKOC_0_US-MARKETS-GOLD-COMEX-PRICE.xmlsnip:

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Gold spiked up to a new 25-year high above $700 an ounce on Tuesday on dollar weakness, while platinum set a new record on strong industrial demand and fund buying.

Other precious metals also gained from the bullish environment in commodities, which saw copper setting a new record and aluminum surging to an 18-year peak.

"We have a combination of overlaying sets of momentum here. More and more of genuine investors have become convinced that some portion of their assets should be put into the sector," said Sean Corrigan, chief investment strategist at Diapason Commodities Management.

-Goldilox

Usual bruhaha, including warnings of "correction", but worth it for the PICTURE!
ski
(05/09/2006; 23:38:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144024)
@Goldilox #143993 Who's Driving this Bus?
Sir Goldilox.... you said...

"A year or to ago, we had some interestng discussions on whether silver or gold occupied the driver's seat in the PM bull run.

While I don't buy the notion of complete severence, it does appear that gold has taken a stronger lead, especially since the recent release of the SLV ETF. Did SLV successfully cap the silver mania, at least temporarily?"
...............

As of last Friday (per the Rude Awakening).... Year-to-date
Gold up 31.52% .....nice move
Silver up 55.16% ....much nicer move

My conclusion:
Silver is comfortably driving the bus at nearly DOUBLE the gain IMHO.
Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 23:56:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144025)
BUS
@ ski,

For the longer period, you are completely correct, but as silver was spanked heavily recently, it is not necessarily keeping up in the CURRENT month's move - perhaps only temporarily.

Read the rest of my reasoning to see why I think this is true.

The next month should demonstrate if this is still true, or only a one-month anomaly.
Goldilox
(05/09/2006; 23:58:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144026)
Over The Counter Derivative Damage
http://www.jsmineset.com/snip:

I discussed when gold broke to the upside in the big move the short of gold derivatives will be almost totally forgotten by the new buyers. It is only natural when the gold price leaders are also the major derivative-granting entities.

I strongly recommend you do not forget what the short of gold derivatives are doing. Every major amalgamation in the gold producing industry has been driven by the damage done by short of gold derivatives.

There is a call provision on these arrangements not tied to the price of gold, but rather to the liquid position of the producer's balance sheet and bond ratings. Rather than spreading the position which would even today rescue them, they retrench their operation to producing properties and do anything to gain cash in a futile attempt to protect against the above described margin call provisions.

Short of gold derivatives will cause havoc as gold makes its way to $1650. This damage will not be limited to the gold industry.
Gandalf the White
(05/10/2006; 00:09:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144027)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)

Gandalf the White
(05/10/2006; 00:12:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144028)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAA --- Contest Update

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

===
<;-)
Caradoc
(05/10/2006; 00:20:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144029)
Query/ observation
Anybody notice that on a percentage basis palladium moved more than gold today? Further, if you use paper profits to buy the metal/metals of your choice, palladium offers a couple orders of magnitude fewer stocks to absorb any buying interest.

Implication: If/ when the mob tries to get into precious metal stocks (i.e., loose capital sloshing in our direction), the doorway into palladium stock ownership is a lot narrower than the broad entryway into ownership of gold stocks.

True, with many NYSE stocks having a market cap sufficient to buy up every gold company and every silver company on the planet at current prices, if/ when even a small percentage of overall investment funds heads in our direction, gold and silver stocks will automatically have to move to substantially higher prices; but with palladium offering a smaller doorway for any amount of demand, the price of admission will accellerate even more briskly.

Caradoc
Goldilox
(05/10/2006; 00:22:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144030)
Fannie Mae faces $800m bill for restatements
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a1676740-df75-11da-afe4-0000779e2340.htmlsnip:

Fannie Mae, the US mortgage giant, will spend more than $800m this year on efforts to restate its earnings following the exposure almost two years ago of accounting errors totaling up to $11bn, the company said on Tuesday.

The mounting bill for the restatement - which includes the cost of consultants, accountants and lawyers as well as technology investments and some employees - pushed administrative costs up 66 per cent in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.

The company had already revealed that about a third of its employees would spend more than half their time working on the restatement and that an additional 1,500 consultants would be brought in to help.

"[The scale of the task] underscores how massive a portfolio they had built up and how unprepared they were from an accounting infrastructure perspective," said Robert Lacoursiere, analyst at Bank of America.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company also disclosed that it had discovered two new types of accounting errors, but said it expected to continue to meet its regulatory capital requirement. The requirement includes a 30 per cent surplus imposed by its regulator, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, after the accounting errors were discovered. . .

Fannie said it had now "substantially completed" its internal accounting investigation. It still plans to file restated accounts for the years to 2004 in the second half of this year, with 2005 statements to come later.

-Goldilox

When governments and GSE's spend massive proportions of their capital on spin doctoring, the "confidence factor" is often irreparably damaged. This is likely to have wide ranging effects on the RE bubble and the American homeowners' equity-ATM machine. Neither Iraq nor Iran will likely affect the US electorate as deeply or personally as this situation. Add this to the prediction of another record hurricane season, morality scandals, war plan setbacks, and miserable un-doctored employment reports, and we have all the factors in play to threaten the admin's "confidence factor" with world rocking amplitude.

A healthy economy may cover a multitude of sins, but a failing economy often bares them mercilessly, and when the perps have touted a holier-than-thou fascia as the NeoCons have, the backlash can be terrific.

arbyh
(05/10/2006; 01:00:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144031)
Real CPI and inflation numbers
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P146055.aspThese figures look more believable. My dad used to say that; "Figures don't lie, but liar's figure."
Topaz
(05/10/2006; 01:56:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144032)
Ah the inflation ...sigh!
http://www.crbtrader.com/data/default.asp?page=quote&sym=SIH6&mode=dWe're gonna inflation ya even if it kills us ...it prob'ly will.
Silver is looking the goods imo. Having only paid scant attention to goings-on of late it's interesting to revisit Aggie ...and I'm liking what I see.
7,000 (HUGE for Ag) Contract equivalents for May ...and it's only the 9th ...and 1300 still up the spout ...And in Backwardation (see list) ...AND nowhere near overbought.

It'll be a long time till you see anything apparently looking this good again IMO.

On the Gold front it's similar, we've worked off the Au/Ag disparity evident at the monthly roll-over and both now look ready to rumble.
On looking for a reason for yesterdays uptick, hiding behind the $ downdraft we appear to have had a decent reduction in OI which, being a Tuesday, will show up in the CoT on Sat. I'd like to call it a S-covering rally ...and we'll know soon enough if it continues today I suppose...!



goldpuppy
(05/10/2006; 04:04:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144033)
$$$$ 887.50 $$$$
Jim Sinclair has been right so far. So I will go with his next big major upleg. Go speedracer!!!
Knallgold
(05/10/2006; 05:38:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144034)
1billion in Gold has been sucked out-or was it only Gold receivables???
http://www.ecb.int/press/pr/wfs/2006/html/fs060509.en.htmlItems not related to monetary policy operations
In the week ending 5 May 2006, the decrease of EUR 916 million in gold and gold receivables (asset item 1) reflected the selling of gold by three Eurosystem central banks (consistent with the Central Bank Gold Agreement of 27 September 2004) and a sale of gold coins by another Eurosystem central bank.

The net position of the Eurosystem in foreign currency (asset items 2 and 3 minus liability items 7, 8 and 9) increased by EUR 0.9 billion to EUR 157.2 billion on account of customer and portfolio transactions.

The holdings by the Eurosystem of marketable securities of euro area residents denominated in euro (asset item 7) increased by EUR 0.2 billion to EUR 94 billion. Banknotes in circulation (liability item 1) rose by EUR 3.9 billion to EUR 572.7 billion. Liabilities to general government (liability item 5.1) decreased by EUR 14.8 billion to EUR 44.1 billion.

Freedom
(05/10/2006; 09:42:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144035)
$$$$ 734.00 $$$$
The series of events (IMHO) that kick-started this Gold Bull Market, ranked in order of importance (not chronological order) are as follows:

1. The Bush Regime's economic policies ~ cutting the taxes on the rich, creating a war to institute handing out taxpayer money to friends and cronies, deficit spending for the pharmaceutical companies, etc., etc.
2. Runaway deficit spending to create new Government Agencies for the War on Terror.
3. The 9-11 attack.
4. The coronation of Bush by the Supreme Court in 2000.

All these reasons and many more, too numerous to mention, have led to Joe 6-pack loosing faith in the system, the dollar, and the leaders. J6P started buying into gold in 2002.

I don't see a "maximum" to the dollar value gold can reach; but I do predict that ~ this time around in the not-so-distant future ~ GOLD (and silver) will be used as money by the survivors while PAPER money will become a long forgotten relic of The Age of Wars.
Goldilox
(05/10/2006; 09:48:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144036)
Dehedging forecast at 12 million ounces of gold
http://www.mineweb.net/sections/gold_silver/306487.htmsnip:

LONDON (Mineweb.com) -- Mitsui Global Precious Metals, in conjunction with Virtual Metals, has released its latest assessment of the global gold mine hedge book and concludes that the market impact of the change in the book in the first quarter of this year was a contraction of 5.0 million ounces. That equates to 155.5 tonnes or the equivalent of almost exactly the output of Barrick over the whole of last year (which was 154.2 tonnes). Alternatively it is roughly equivalent to the quarterly output of South Africa, the United States and Papua New Guinea put together.

The study asserts that the decline was due almost exclusively to the activity of Barrick Gold, which reduced its book by 4.7 million ounces in the quarter. This is equivalent to 23% of the company's global book and is the largest single company hedge reduction on record. Barrick has since reduced its book by a further million ounces (between the need of the quarter and May 3) and intends to take another 2.0 million ounces off the book by the end of the year, thus accounting for 7.7 million ounces or 239 tonnes.

The report estimates that the global hedge book now stands at 48.2 million ounces (1,499 tonnes), less than half the peak position in the first quarter of 2003. On a committed ounce basis, the reduction was slightly lower, at 4.9 million ounces.

The Barrick reduction comes hard on the heels of the company's acquisition of Placer Dome in which the company inherited 7.5 million ounces of hedging commitments. Note that Barrick's de-hedging plans for this year therefore just exceed the size of the book acquired via Placer. The Placer book consisted of 6.5 million ounces of forwards and one million ounces of calls with roughly 1.4 million ounces of puts. The company had closed out the call options of 0.5 million ounces of what the study assumes were forwards by February 22. The book calculates that the average hedge reduction from Barrick works out at 76,000 ounces for every business day, leaving Barrick with a hedge book equivalent to 20 months� production. Central Bank sales, meanwhile, are estimated at 4.4 million ounces over the period.

The study estimates that de-hedging over the remaining three quarters will amount to another 6.7 million ounces or 208 tonnes, in substantial contrast to recent quarters, where dehedging had slowed "almost to a standstill". The hedge impact, net of the Barrick activity, amounted to roughly 300,000 ounces, inclusive of the AngloGold Ashanti position, which has been rising as the high gold price has increased the hedge impact of the company's net calls. Excluding the AngloGold Ashanti positions, dehedging was approximately 600,000 ounces.

Of the 102 companies covered, 54 had a price protection programme in place at the beginning of the quarter. Of these, 39 reduced their hedges, with eight increasing their hedging commitments, of which the Aurizon Mining hedge activity was from a previously flat position. Other hedgers included Avocet Mining, Bema Gold and Sino Mining. Avocet and Aurizon both increased the numbers of sold calls and bought puts, with the edge impact of roughly 100,000 ounces.

Among the other de-hedgers, second behind Barrick was Newcrest Mining with a cut of 400,000 ounces and Kinross, which reduced its option by 160,000 ounces.

In regional terms the Americas remains the foremost hedging region at 22.6 million ounces (703 tonnes), a contraction of 4.5 million ounces or 140 tonnes. The African hedge rose by 300,000 ounces as result of the increase in the AngloGold Ashanti position, while the Australian region fell by 800,000 ounces to 11.1 million ounces (345 tonnes), although part of this is due to Gallery Gold's hedge book transferring to the Americas region following the purchase of the company by IAMGold.

The construction of the hedge book is now estimated at 37.7 million ounces of net forwards (1,173 tonnes of 78% of the total delta-adjusted hedge impact). The net call position amounted to 9.0 million ounces 280 tonnes), 1.2 million ounces of other products and 300,000 ounces of net puts. On a committed ounce basis, net forwards are estimated at 38.5 million ounces (1,197 tonnes) with 10.5 million ounces of net sold calls and 1.3 million ounces of other products.

The mark-to market value of the global hedge book is estimated at a negative $11.9 billion at the end of the quarter (gold at $582/ounce) against a revised estimate of negative 9.8 billion at the end of the fourth quarter. The study estimates that the global book would only break even at a gold price of $324/ounce. At $700/ounce, the mark to market is closer to $18 billion.

-Goldilox

Lots of "commitments". Almost enough to finance a war for a couple weeks.
Goldilox
(05/10/2006; 10:04:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144037)
Dx waterslide
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10The USDX continues its "E-ticket" ride.
Black Blade
(05/10/2006; 11:37:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144038)
DeHedging!
That is definitely a very strong positive for the precious metals! It is a very bright signal that producers (the industry experts) see much higher prices for gold going forward. Should make short sellers like past industry mega-hedgers and gold auctioneers (like Gordon Brown) feel rather foolish right about now.

- Black Blade

mikal
(05/10/2006; 12:22:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144039)
Gold, the storied metal
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19095191-643,00.htmlMore in Store as Gold Hits a Record | Robin Bromby | May 11, 2006
Ideas on what's in store short to medium term. Store it up...
Druid
(05/10/2006; 12:49:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144040)
Fed Raises Key Interest Rate to 5 Percent
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060510/fed_interest_rates.html?.v=11WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised a key interest rate to the highest level in more than five years but signaled that it may pause to assess the impact of its string of rate hikes.
ADVERTISEMENT


The Fed boosted its target for the federal funds rate to 5 percent. The funds rate, the interest that banks charge each other, stood at a 46-year low of 1 percent when the central bank began raising rates in June 2004 to keep inflation under control.

In its statement announcing the decision, Fed policy-makers indicated they may take at least a brief pause in pushing rates up further. It said the "extent and timing" of further rate increases would depend on future economic data.

The Fed's rate hikes have raised the borrowing costs for millions of Americans on everything from adjustable rate home mortgages to auto loans. Commercial banks were expected to quickly match the Fed action by boosting the prime lending rate to a five-year high of 8 percent.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke had raised expectations that the central bank was getting ready to pause when he said in congressional testimony on April 27 that the central bank might take a break for "one or more meetings."

Bernanke, who succeeded the legendary Alan Greenspan as Fed chairman on Feb. 1, said a pause would give the central bank time to assess the impact that its long string of rate increases was having on the economy.

In the statement announcing Wednesday's rate increase, the Fed said that some further rate hikes "may yet be needed." That marked a slight modification from the March statement when it stated that further rate increases "may be needed."

It added another phrase in the latest statement saying that "the extent and timing of any such firming will depend importantly on the evolution of the economic outlook as implied by incoming information."

Bernanke had created confusion about the exact meaning of his congressional remarks when he was quoted by CNBC as saying that financial markets had misread his congressional testimony.

That comment came after bond prices, always sensitive to inflation worries, had fallen on fears that Bernanke would not be as tough as Greenspan had been in fighting inflation.

Private economists are split over whether Wednesday's rate hike will be the last for awhile or whether the Fed may pause for one or two meetings and then raise rates another one or two times to make sure that a recent jump in energy prices does not spill over into more widespread inflation problems.

In assessing the current state of the economy, the Fed's brief statement tracked the comments Bernanke had made to the Joint Economic Committee.

The statement said that while economic growth had been "quite strong so far this year," the central bank still expected growth would moderate to a more sustainable pace, "partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices."

The overall economy grew at a sizzling pace of 4.8 percent in the first three months of this year, the fastest spurt for the gross domestic product in 2 1/2 years. But private forecasters believe growth has slowed in the current quarter, reflecting in part rising mortgage rates, which have dampened home sales.

On inflation, the Fed said that the surge in energy prices so far had had "only a modest effect on core inflation" with inflation expectations remaining contained.

The statement noted a unanimous vote for the quarter-point increase in the funds rate



Druid: The Currency specs. seem to be taking the latest rate hike rather well. Shiny's keeping pace.


http://www.fxstreet.com/nou/graph/liverealtimequotes.asp
melda laure
(05/10/2006; 12:49:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144041)
Farewell to the POG:DXY tango.
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/charts.jsp?s=GC&o=DXY%20*GC/89&a=D&z=610x300&d=medium&b=bar&st=DXY is a measure of how many baskets of currency you can get per dollar. By scaling the POG and normalizing you can adjust.

Lately, it seems that the dollar moves have little to do with the POG- POG is dancing solo.
melda laure
(05/10/2006; 12:54:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144042)
Another comparison
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/charts.jsp?s=DXY&o=DXY%20*GC/650&a=D&z=610x300&d=medium&b=bar&st=The previous graph may be a bit confusing. In essence adjusting for dxy doesnt change anything, so of course the graphs look the same.

Here's another view of the same idea: The green line shows the rise in how many baskets of DXY it takes to buy the same ounce of AU.
TownCrier
(05/10/2006; 12:59:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144043)
FOMC Statement
http://www.federalreserve.gov/BoardDocs/press/monetary/2006/20060510/default.htmMay 10, 2006

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 5 percent.

Economic growth has been quite strong so far this year. The Committee sees growth as likely to moderate to a more sustainable pace, partly reflecting a gradual cooling of the housing market and the lagged effects of increases in interest rates and energy prices.

As yet, the run-up in the prices of energy and other commodities appears to have had only a modest effect on core inflation, ongoing productivity gains have helped to hold the growth of unit labor costs in check, and inflation expectations remain contained. Still, possible increases in resource utilization, in combination with the elevated prices of energy and other commodities, have the potential to add to inflation pressures.

The Committee judges that some further policy firming may yet be needed to address inflation risks but emphasizes that the extent and timing of any such firming will depend importantly on the evolution of the economic outlook as implied by incoming information. In any event, the Committee will respond to changes in economic prospects as needed to support the attainment of its objectives.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Susan S. Bies; Jack Guynn; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Jeffrey M. Lacker; Mark W. Olson; Sandra Pianalto; Kevin M. Warsh; and Janet L. Yellen.

In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point increase in the discount rate to 6 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Dallas, and San Francisco.

^---(from url)---^

Fed rate-hiking program now to sit back and take a wait-and-see, play-it-by-ear approach.

R.
melda laure
(05/10/2006; 13:08:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144044)
Pog/Poo
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/charts.jsp?s=GC&o=GC/CL&a=D&z=610x300&d=medium&b=bar&st=Begging your indulgence for one more picture. POG is trouncing POO. From 6.5 bbl per ounce to almost ten now.

I suppose you could say the recent moves are NOT dollar price driven (which is not to say they aren't dollar confidence driven).
TownCrier
(05/10/2006; 13:15:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144045)
IMPORTANT TREND: Gold Markets Eye Latin American Moves -- Nationalization
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20060510\ACQDJON200605101427DOWJONESDJONLINE001057.htm&selected=9999&selecteddisplaysymbol=9999&StoryTargetFrame=_top&mkt=WORLD&chk=unchecked⟨=&link=&headlinereturnpage=http://www.international.naSAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones) -- Moves by Venezuela and Bolivia to nationalize their countries' natural resources could soon spill into the mining sector, likely boosting prices for metals that are already at multi-year or record highs, while pressuring shares of companies with interests in Latin America.

"A great leftwing, socialist rising is occurring in Latin America, which will push higher all mineral prices," said Ned Schmidt, editor of the Value View Gold Report.

"Venezuela and Bolivia are only the beginning," he said.

Indeed, early this month, Bolivian President Evo Morales said the move to nationalize the country's hydrocarbons sector was just the beginning. "Tomorrow it will be the mines, the forest resources and the land," he said.

...Peru may even enter the picture with the 2006 presidential candidate Ollanta Humala already saying he would force foreign-mining companies to renegotiate contracts and candidate Alan Garcia saying mining companies could face higher taxes and royalty payments..

The prospect of nationalization could further feed a rally in metals that's already lifted gold futures to more than 26-year highs...

In Bolivia, the biggest concerns are for silver, tin and zinc production; in Peru -- it's copper and gold; and in Venezuela it's gold, aluminum, copper, nickel and zinc.

Miners with exposure in Peru include Newmont Mining (NEM) , Barrick Gold (ABX) , Phelps Dodge (PD) and "potentially Inco (N) should its acquisition of Falconbridge (FAL.LV.T) proceed," he said.

All in all, while mining stock investors "have reaped huge profits this year," a "leftist political trend in Latin America is forcing many to consider political risk before investing, or suffer costly consequences," said Gold Newsletter's Lundin.

Analysts argue over whether the threat to metals production is extensive, but tend to agree that mining companies will suffer the greatest blow.

"If anything, the potential nationalization of mining companies bodes well for the outlook of the metals," as the "transition from privately held to nationally held will most assuredly bring about supply disruptions," said Emanuel Balarie, a senior market strategist at Wisdom Financial.

"Expect any producer country to follow Peru and Bolivia," says Julian Phillips.

In fact, if nationalization occurs, it would likely be done to gain access to the cash flow generated by a mine, so the government would "endeavor to keep the mine operating to maximize the cash flow," said Lawrence Roulston, editor of Resource Opportunities, an independent investment newsletter.

Therefore, "it's the mining and exploration companies and their shareholders who will suffer the most..."

John Stafford, editor of Stafford's Investment Strategy Letter, said that " political incompetence ... always restricts production [and] these Socialists represent the debtor class -- so they will hyper-inflate away the small remaining value of their worthless paper currencies to pay off debts in cheaper paper currency units."

Against this backdrop, prices for metals will "skyrocket," so he advises his clients to invest in North America, not Latin America.

^---(from url)---^

This point can't be overstressed, so I'll shamelessly say it again. When you're looking for the type of protection of a diversified portfolio that only gold can provide, it should naturally follow that that protection will come only through actual gold ownership wherein you acquire gold coins and bullion -- the metal. As this article makes quite clear, investing in mining shares is a completely different kettle of fish -- or should I say, a can of worms.

R.
Federal_Reserves
(05/10/2006; 14:47:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144046)
This is an outrage! A bald face lie!
When are we going to stand up to RED China? They are going to take our automobile industry apart in the next 5 years! Not a currency manipulator? How can Snow say that, the communists fix the rate right against the buck and it doesn't adjust for the trade imbalances! That is 100% manipulation. When are we going to get some honest politicians and administators who represent US and not communists and illegal aliens?



UPDATE 1-US says China not manipulator; wants currency rise
Wed May 10, 2006 4:29 PM ET

WASHINGTON, May 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department ruled on Wednesday that China was not a currency
manipulator but pledged to "actively and frankly" push Beijing toward faster exchange-rate flexibility that would let its yuan rise in value.

Treasury's decision was certain to anger lawmakers who claim China is dragging its feet deliberately while flooding U.S. markets with cheaply priced goods, but Treasury said Beijing was moving, albeit too slowly, on currency reforms.

"Given our strong disappointment and the importance of China to the world economy, the Treasury Department will closely monitor China's progress in implementing its economic rebalancing strategy...and continue actively and frankly to press China to quicken the pace of renminbi flexibility."

Chris Powell
(05/10/2006; 15:21:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144047)
China is supporting the gold market, at least with bullish talk
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB114726053926948792.html?mod=googlenews_wsjSome See Gold in China's Reserves

Metal Gets a Boost
From Talk of Switch
Out of U.S. Dollars

By James T. Areddy
The Wall Street Journal
Wednesday, May 10, 2006

SHANGHAI, China -- China is again underpinning commodity prices -- this time with bullish comments about gold.

The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, has long been coy about its management of gold reserves. But in recent days, comments attributed to a part-time Chinese economist that a weakening U.S. dollar should prompt Beijing to hold more gold helped send the price of the metal to levels not seen in more than 25 years.

Unlike metals used for industrial purposes, gold historically is owned as an investment hedge against inflation -- or as an alternative to currencies like the U.S. dollar. Beijing is particularly exposed to weakness in the U.S. currency since much of its $875 billion in foreign-currency reserves is believed to be held in U.S. dollar-denominated assets.

"This is a fact in front of everybody," said Liu Shanen, the 61-year-old part-time economist at the Beijing Gold Economy Development Research Center, a government organization closely affiliated with state-owned mining groups. Some traders say his comments helped spark the latest jump in gold.

In global trading Tuesday, gold hit its highest level since 1980. On the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, the most-active June contract broke $700, rising $21.60 an ounce to $701.50, just off the day's high of $702.20. In Comex trading Wednesday, June gold settled $4.20 higher at $705.70 an ounce.

Some traders seized on comments by Mr. Liu that China's government should quadruple its holdings of gold as a reason to buy the metal, though concerns about high crude-oil prices, global inflation, a weakening U.S. dollar and a standoff over Iran's nuclear program were more oft-cited reasons for the price move.

The comments also emerged as China's Ministry of Land and Resources said this week that it would build strategic reserves of some minerals in the next several years, though gold wasn't mentioned. As China has emerged as one of the world's biggest buyers of commodities, traders are eager to factor its policies into market prices.

In recent years, China's bulging foreign-exchange reserves have prompted a number of economists to suggest that the investment could be diversified into other currencies and into gold.

Mr. Liu, who said in an interview he is officially retired, called the market response to any sign of increased demand from China an "excuse" by traders to bid up the price. He noted he has long promoted the attributes of gold and said he has no knowledge about the central bank's actual policy, which is a closely guarded state secret.

A report published Tuesday by China Gold News quoted Mr. Liu from a speech he made to an industry conference late last month, where he said the government should raise its holding of gold to 2,500 metric tons from 600 tons now. The report quoted Mr. Liu saying China holds less gold than other countries, only about 1.3% of its foreign-exchange reserves, compared with 3% to 5% of reserves in other, unspecified countries.

Similar statistics were cited in a commentary carried in a state newspaper late last year written by Teng Tai, chief economist of Chinese brokerage house Galaxy Securities Co.
"Over the longer term, the yellow metal is a rare commodity, and its price tends to rise further," said Qin Weihuan, an analyst with Beijing Gold Economic Research Center, which publishes Gold News.

The People's Bank of China, which manages the country's foreign-exchange reserves, says gold holdings haven't been adjusted since December 2002 and now stand at 19.29 million troy ounces, or 600 metric tons. It doesn't put a dollar value on the reserves. A central-bank spokesman couldn't be reached to comment on gold reserves. ...
Chris Powell
(05/10/2006; 15:23:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144048)
Metals trader seems to be begging central banks to smash gold again
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c404c338-e04c-11da-9e82-0000779e2340.htmlGold and Silver Rally Will End, Trader Says

By Richard Milne
Financial Times, London
Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The bubble-like levels of gold and silver prices cannot be sustained, according to the head of the world's largest precious metals trader, as bullion surged through the $700 a troy ounce mark for the first time in 25 years.

But Helmut Eschwey, chief executive of Heraeus, a family-owned German trading and technology group, said prices in platinum and some rarer precious metals, all at or near record highs, were justified by demand and low stock levels.

"The rally has been enormous [but] it can't go on forever," he told the Financial Times. "Silver will be the first to fall. Gold will not last at this level. It is different with platinum because there is industrial need."

His comments carry weight because Heraeus, based just outside Frankfurt, has been in the precious metals business for more than 150 years and makes annual revenues of about 7 billion euros from trading.

It is also unusual in that it has positions in all parts of the metal cycle, from refining and recycling to making products for industries such as automotive, semiconductors, and telecommunications.

The group also has divisions making sensors for the steel industry, dental products, optical fibres and specialist lighting.
Gold prices have risen from $600 an ounce in the past month and by more than 250 per cent in the past five years, while silver and platinum have recorded strong gains.

Speculators such as hedge funds have been blamed for a large part of the rises and Mr Eschwey said he thought, by jumping on a bandwagon, that they had had an effect.

He said it was "impossible to predict" when the bubble would burst for silver and gold but that it would take place. The situation is clouded because industrial buyers are trying to put back their purchases of precious metals but cannot do so forever and are starting to buy at the record levels.

The easiest way to prick the bubble would be for central banks to release some of their huge holdings in gold, Mr Eschwey said.

"There is a big stock in gold; there is none in platinum," he added, justifying his belief that platinum prices will stay strong. "I believe in the long run there will be a shortage of platinum."

The metal is predominantly used in the production of catalysts for cars and other devices as well as jewellery.

As a privately-owned company with 188 family shareholders, Heraeus, which trades from Hanau in Germany, New York, and Hong Kong, is careful to monitor risks when it trades and closes each of its positions every night.

"Our business model is defined in a way that we have no price risk and a high stability in earnings," Mr Eschwey said.
Goldilox
(05/10/2006; 15:34:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144049)
Currency Manipulators
@ Federal Reserves,

Who is NOT a currency manipulator? When the FED takes an active trading role in the FOREX, they are openly announcing they can bring down any currency any time they wish as they did in Argentina and so many others.

All the Chinese are doing is refusing to play the FOREX casino game, when they know that the western banks have the game rigged in theri own favor.

While I am not a fan of globalist manufacturing, as it makes transport and labor inequalities the basis for too many policy decisions, not participating in the FOREX casino is the smartest decision the Chinese have made, and actually makes them less of a "currency manipulator" than those who do.

Your argument is like that of the casinos, who ban card-counters as "cheaters" for simply applying their expertise at playing the game of BlackJack.
mikal
(05/10/2006; 16:25:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144050)
@Chris
Re: Metals trader
Again the media touts it's own expert and slants a story to a target audience. This mainstream and high-brow segment believes this, a contrary validation of traditional investments, because it reassures and comfortably confirms their own investing assumptions (and ingrained bias).
Because the CRB shows a gain of over 5 pts today, commodities in general could be frothy for some time to come.
But unlike gold, commodities are a potential trap IMO.
This forum has become much more tame, since it's inception when myself and many others were more frequent and vocal with warnings of sharp, unexpected and widespread financial crisis. To an extent it is our silent acceptance of implications and the conclusions we've reached. But it may also be a bit of complacency, though at orders of magnitude less than those unprepared with gold in hand.
mikal
(05/10/2006; 16:32:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144051)
@Chris
I should also add that the FT promote the metal's trader's credentials as if it were enough to prove his allegations.
No evidence, no details, no fuss needed.
Chris Powell
(05/10/2006; 16:56:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144052)
Who gets quoted
Mikal, I couldn't agree more. The media
slant the story from the first word by
deciding whom to quote and whom not to
quote. That the Financial Times could
do through that whole story with the
metals trader without asking him
whether his business was typically long
or short is pathetic. But I suppose
that's why we're here in our parallel
universe!
Federal_Reserves
(05/10/2006; 17:08:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144053)
$$$$$ $812.0 $$$$$$$
There will come a point when gold will make a long term top. At this point, if the cycle is right that will be in
the next 10-15 years and this top will preceed the bankruptcy of the United States and the outright loss of the dollar as the defacto currency reserve. My guess is gold will be priced around 10k/oz by then.

The fundamentals favor gold:

1) Huge and growing trade deficits
2) Huge and growing fiscal deficits
3) Far flung interventionist military campaigns with little effect
4) Slowing innovation (e.g. MSFT's Vista/OS - late and not great) hurting productivity
5) A nation state built on an empire of debt backed by fading tax powers
6) A relatively fixed supply of gold that grows slowly relative to currency

The current move is a resemblance of the 1980 parabolic move, but is starting from a higher base. Some say the
price is topping out now, that a horrible retracement is in order. I'm not sure about that.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/10/2006; 19:16:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144054)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

WEDNESDAY Market Excerpts

Gold climbs to $705, Fed hikes rates

May 10 (from DowJones, Reuters) -- After reaching a fresh 26-year high overnight of $706.80, Comex gold traded quietly Wednesday in New York before popping higher just before the close. Most-active June gold settled $4.20 higher at $705.70.

During the day session the contract drifted near the unchanged level as traders got their bearings following a sharp rally on Tuesday and another overnight high.

"It was quiet throughout the day. I think a lot of people were waiting on the FOMC meeting," said a trader referring to the Federal Open Market Committee meeting at 2:15 p.m. EDT.

During that meeting, the Fed raised interest rates a 16th-straight time by 25 basis points to 5%, but also paved the way somewhat for a possible pause by changing key language in its accompanying policy statement. The Fed said further "that the extent and timing of any such firming will depend importantly on the evolution of the economic outlook."

That statement sent Comex gold in after hours trading lower, but a rally to a fresh 26-year high of $707.80 was seen after the dollar headed south.

Inflation pressures have been part of a mix of bullish factors fueling the rally in the precious metals sector along with ongoing geopolitical tensions and dollar weakness. "(Those factors) continue to provide a firm footing for gold. The investor's interest to allocate part of portfolio to commodities also offers a support," said analysts at MKS Finance.

Gold has climbed 38 percent in the year-to-date and 57 percent since the start of 2005, as investors diversify their accounts with more of the hard asset.

Jeffrey Christian, managing director of research firm CPM Group, said dollar softness has bolstered gold because investors are more and more seeking a greenback alternative.

"You're finding a lot of uncertainty and volatility in the currency markets and that's good for the precious metals," he said in a phone interview.

"You're seeing a lot of buying on the dips as opposed to profit taking," he said, adding that upside targets would now be at $50 increments.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/10/2006; 19:24:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144055)
Chancellor Merkel backs evolution of European 'champions'
http://www.energy-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=ABB2683D-C5C6-4537-99F0-7147BC70411DMay 10th -- German chancellor Angela Merkel has entered the debate on the future of Europe's energy markets by backing the idea of continental champions in the industry.

She attacked both excessive red tape from Brussels and the protectionist leanings of some member states as major factors impeding the development of a truly pan-European energy market.

...In an attempt to get round these hurdles, Europe's energy regulators have come together to propose a plan for regional markets covering different parts of Europe in a bid to catalyze greater trading in power and gas.

^---(from url)---^

If progress is indeed made, shaill "greater trading" within regional European markets tend to be pro-dollar, or pro-euro? The answer, I think, should be obvious.

Step out of the fray and diversify into gold for restful days and nights ahead.

R.
TownCrier
(05/10/2006; 19:30:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144056)
Beijing whispers push gold to $700
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/05/10/cngold10.xml&menuId=242&sSheet=/money/2006/05/10/ixcitytop.htmlTelegraph By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard (Filed: 10/05/2006)

Gold has surged to $700 an ounce for the first time in 26 years after Chinese economists suggested the country should quadruple its bullion reserves to protect against a falling dollar.

Speculators have been alert to any sign that Beijing may be planning to switch a portion of its massive $875bn reserves into gold, a move that would electrify the market.

John Reade, a UBS analyst, said gold had changed stride since the middle of last year, the key moment when it broke out against all major currencies and began to attract investment from the big money brigade.

He said it was likely that Middle Eastern investors were switching petrodollars into gold after burning their fingers in local stock markets.

^---(see url for article)---^

Similar to reports that have already been aired.

R.
PAK
(05/10/2006; 19:35:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144057)
A different perspective
I work as as statistician for the federal government, but any views I express here are my own personal opinions. That is the standard disclaimer that is required. I could write forever about federal statistics; statisticians are probably more aware of the deficiencies than anyone else. But that is a topic for another day.

From the outside, people see faceless, incompetent bureaucrats, they often develop conspiracy theories, they see lots of manipulation (which does occur) and on and on.

From the inside, I see a large number of competent, well educated, smart people who try to do a good job in their fields. There are the usual slackers, there is lots of red tape, and the usual office politics, but it isn't too
different from other kinds of workplaces.

We have had a system which has worked reasonably well for the last half of the 20th century. The media looked for the outlandish examples and always found them, but almost never covered the fact that we had a functioning government that could continue to function, even when Congress and the White House were in disarray.

That has already begun to change and will change radically in the next 5-10 years. 60% of the federal workforce will be elegible to retire within five years; at least 40% will leave. There is no middle generation ready to take over as in the past. Young people, when they enter the system at all, use it only long enough to build a resume and get a higher paying job in the private sector. The concept of public service, which once actually meant something, is long gone.

What does this have to do with gold prices? The various policies which many people discuss are all contributing to the gold price increases, since people either buy it out of fear or they trade it in hopes of making a profit. But ultimately all of these policies, good or bad, have to be carried out by someone. Many times an experienced, faceless bureaucrat can take a totally stupid policy and implement it in a way that is less stupid (the reserve occurs also, of course).

As various federal or quasi-federal programs begin to fail and run out of money (Fannie Mae, the Pension Guaranty program, the flood insurance program, not to mention Medicare, which is in much more serious trouble than Social Security, the system which makes banks "safe", to name only a few), large numbers of people who understand these programs will be gone. The crises will be turned over to student interns, very inexperienced employees, contractors and political appointees. This convergence of bad economic policy, demographics of the population, and the exit of the federal workforce all at the same time has the makings of the often used phrase "the perfect storm". Gold will go sky high as the system becomes progressively more unstable and more people become scared. My guess is that the government at some point will do something to prevent people from continuing to rush to gold; whether they will try to confiscate the existing holdings can and often is debated.

There is a sense of unreality to me at times on this board. Everyone gets so focused on the price of gold and how high it will go. There is the implied or stated assumption that the gold holders with their one year of food supply will be okay. Those are good precautions, but probably very insufficient.

I think about living in a world in which nuclear weapons could be set off, in which there will probably be widespread civil disorder, anyone who has anything will have to protect it from the "have nots", the basics of civilization as we know it--running water, sanitation, electricity, protection from basic disease--will be gone and life will be miserable, if it is sustainable at all.

Am I the only person who has these kinds of worries?
Do other people really believe that they can live through anything that occurs? For me, none of this is academic. It may not happen; I hope and pray it doesn't happen; but it is real to me that it could.
Sinbob
(05/10/2006; 19:37:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144058)
Towncrier: Chinese Gold
Wouldn't it be thought provoking to surmise that the Chinese already have 2,500 tons nicely stashed away securely in their vaults? Let er rip!
Gandalf the White
(05/10/2006; 20:52:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144059)
Attn: Sir Goldpuppy !!!
goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)
===
You owe us all some more words (min 30), AND the answers to the QUESTION !
<;-)
Chris Powell
(05/10/2006; 21:13:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144060)
Gold bugs practically invented PAK's concerns
http://www.gata.org/CentralBankCooperation.htmPAK, you are far from alone in your concerns; they have
been shared by gold advocates from the beginning.
Indeed, gold bugs practically invented them.

AngloGold's CEO Bobby Godsell used to say he wanted
"a good gold price in a good world." Most of us in the
Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee would settle for a
free-market price of gold in a world where we didn't have
to spend most of our capital gains on ammunition,
freeze-dried food, and ventilation equipment.

Which world will it be? Damned if we know. But the
point of a free gold price is precisely to restrain
governments and individuals alike from going too far,
as they tend to do under what the gold bugs call the
fiat currency system. U.S. Ron Paul may put it well;
fiat systems, he says, lead to the "welfare/warfare state," with government surreptitiously taxing people
for things they'd never endorse if they had to be
paid for clearly and directly, from childbearing
outside marriage to the colonial adventure in Iraq.

The gold world does have more than its share of
cranks and bigots but at least one of the
"conspiracies" they see is real -- the joint effort
of Western governments that have been only too
competent in one respect: suppressing the gold
price. These efforts are actually far more than "conspiracies"; they are matters of public
record and public policy, sometimes even announced
at press conferences. They just don't get
acknowledged or reported about much, or construed
as they are.

At least it is hard for me to understand how
anyone would dismiss any of this as "conspiracy
theory" after reviewing the public records laid
out at the link above. As you're new here, they
may interest you.
Gold Hill
(05/10/2006; 22:28:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144061)
PAT entry#144057
As a long time lurker, your post brings reality into the current world we live in. I see the same things that you are talking about. I'm not so sure $1000 gold would be something to celebrate.
Gold Hill
Flatliner
(05/10/2006; 22:32:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144062)
@PAK A different perspective
PAK, I, for one, appreciate your heart-felt words in this forum and do look forward to seeing many more of them as time goes on. Everyone has a different point of view and sense of what is beautiful. I am sure your thoughts will be of well-crafted words.

I would like to encourage you to look beyond the "See Spot Run" comments and help us all survive and thrive into the future. Anyone can cheer for the price of gold, post trading tidbits and news clips, but the real meat of this forum comes from seeing that everyone really is out to help each other. The world is bigger then any small collection of people could ever understand � the puzzles are all just too big. But, do to the wonders of the net, all of us are like nerve endings in a much larger entity that, if we're lucky, will be able to see the images from a collection of all the points.

As odd as it may seem, there have been some real gems that have come through these archives over the years. Even if those gems are not front and center today, the images resonate in the minds of those that have participated. To me, that is the value one finds in this forum � the words of another can ring true and make one's life a little lighter in the process.

Your vision of the future is not rosy. I would be willing to bet that 99% of the people that visit this forum believe that all those bad things may and will happen. Even if Superman were to arrive, we would all find that some things in life cannot be solved by relying on a single individual � a hero of the people. But, rather, they must be solved by a collective consciousness - a group of people with a similar vision and an extensive scope of influence. In other words, we the people must solve the problems that lay before us. We must stand up for ourselves and stand up for our way of life. Take matters into our own hands � in a collective kind of way.

The one thing that I find related in most every catastrophic item that you mention is money. All these future problems really seem to come down to money mismanagement. The escape that I found this chaos was gold. But it wasn't until I found USAGold and was directed to the Thoughts of Another (top of page) that I finally started seeing that their might be a plan that people could take advantage of to help soften the blow in the coming years. If you have not, I encourage all to take a weekend and read the thoughts of another and the words of FOA. Then, share.

I have gained hope from the concept of Freegold. If you study and believe that this is truly in our future, then you would want everyone that you know to hold an ounce or two (or more) of gold. Then, the next step is to really understand what it means to hold that gold. Very few people understand this. Very few understand how physical gold will empower them.

Meanwhile, we all watch the transition that is occurring. Things will be different in the future and if we all play our cards right, our little sections of the universe will be better off because of the decisions that we've made and the effort that we've put into educating others. There is much to learn and so little time.

Hold physical, get out of debt and teach people how to avoid inflation. Every person that learns the power of gold will find life worth fighting for.

Flatliner.
Goldendome
(05/10/2006; 23:38:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144063)
PAK -- You are not alone!
I don't recall your handle before--if not--nice first post!
Stick around and it won't be long before a discussion breaks out involving the very worries that you point out...All of them. That's why many...probably most of us tune in here...we see BIG problems building and building, with little being done to correct them. This is a good place to air some of them out, because most will involve how you're affected financially down the road. One worry we all have in common is fear of fiat currency and how best to preserve wealth and future purchasing power. Have you been thinking about that?
The Invisible Hand
(05/11/2006; 01:09:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144064)
Truth and Justice
For me, gold stands for Truth (and Justice).
You think, life is sustainable without Truth (and Justice).
Truth (and Justice) have been trampled long enough, mainly by government.
Wouldn't it be fair that the pendulum switched?
Is this unreality?
You want to keep the imbalances forever? Or you're hoping that they will somehow disappear. How, is not your problem I suppose.
Are you dreaming?

Basic realism rests
not only on RESPECT FOR FACTS OF HOW THE WORLD IS AND HOW IT WORKS
but also on a view to the effect that realism and the CORRESPONDENCE THEORY of the truth are essential presuppositions of any sane philosophy, not to mention any sane science.
(Barry Smith, "John Searle - From Speech Acts to Social Reality" in: Barry Smith (ed.), "John Searle", Cambridge UP, 2003, 1, p.2)

I am one who has no tale to tell
I made myself a gibbet of my own lintel.
Dante, Inferno, Canto 13

I did not die, and yet I lost life's breath:
imagine for yourself what I became,
deprived at once of both my life and death
Dante, Inferno, Canto 34

I don't mind it if I am to only one to think like that. Quite to the contrary, I would be proud.

Nevertheless, all falsehood set aside,
let all that you have seen be manifest,
and let them scratch wherever it may itch
Dante, Paradiso, Canto, 17
Goldilox
(05/11/2006; 01:16:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144065)
World Concerns
http://www.solari.com/@ PAK,

Welcome to the forum. As others have suggested, your concerns are far from unique.

Many of us know that stereotyping "bureaucrats" is as foolish as any other stereotype, because good and bad apples are to be found in any organization.

What we are beginning to see, however, is a slate of government statistics that are slanted and skewed by policy that comes from the top. Just as you are witnessing an exodus of quality people in your particular branch, similar events are occuring in branches like the CIA, where a disproportionate number of career intelligence analysts have chosen to retire rather than be forced into a purely political role.

I'm sure it's difficult to make sense of some of the statistics when hedonics, pre-conceived "causes", and lop-sided policies are enforced from above.

A good history of the issues regarding government and banking can be found by reading Catherine Austin-Fitts, who was the Sec of Housing under Bush I, until her whistle-blowing found her forced out and under indictment pressures for about ten years. Her "Solari Network" site can be linked from the URL field.

From another perspective, one might suggest that the lack of separation between business/banking and government is as dangerous as a merger of religion and government, because the "level playing field" is destroyed. This makes the most important political game "protection" of insider status and renders many "free" enterprises immune from the effects of their own mismanagement - forcing taxpayers to bear the brunt of their failure.

When burdening the taxpayer is the "fix" for all that ails the system, it becomes no more than a game of musical chairs, where the last man standing is left holding the bag, so to speak. That last man, is of course, the taxpaying public, though insiders like to call this "speading risk". What they don't tell us is they re not "spreading reward" equivalently.

While you suggest that the current system functioned well for most of the 20th Century, I would offer the caviat that the illusion of functioning well has likely been at the root of the very imbalances we are all concerned about.

Another reference that covers this subject can be found in the Feb 17, 2006 archive, and it's a video entitled "Money Masters". While we don't all agree on the solutions they present, it does outline the history of banking and western government quite well, especially the trail of deficit financing and the specific ills it enables.

Finally, as already suggested, the "Gold Trail -Thoughts" linked at the top of this page contains some awesome insights and discussions gathered over the years here at the forum, and archived gratiously by our host.

Happy reading - we're all here to learn, and questions are usually met with gratious explanations and mutiple perspectives. Don't expect complete agreement - just a lot of healthy discussion.
Knallgold
(05/11/2006; 01:23:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144066)
The FT article
So "The bubble-like levels of gold and silver prices cannot be sustained" but then he goes on to plea CB's "The easiest way to prick the bubble would be for central banks to release some of their huge holdings in gold, Mr Eschwey said."

First,this sounds like a contradiction of terms.
And second,why should CB's lower Goldprices-he should think think about why the majority MTM's its Gold reserves.
Goldilox
(05/11/2006; 01:34:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144067)
Markets wait for the FED
http://www.financialsense.com/Market/wrapup.htmsnip:

Markets have been lackluster throughout the morning as traders await the announcement from the Federal Reserve later today. It is widely expected the FOMC will raise the fed-funds rate for the 16th consecutive time to 5.0%. The markets are really waiting for the accompanying statement to look for clues whether or not the Fed will change their language to imply a pause in rate increases. Most analysts are expecting the Fed to pause at 5% after today's increase, but with the failing dollar they may have to continue higher.

In one of today's Bloomberg articles they say a majority of Wall Street's biggest bond traders believe the Fed will pause on rate hikes until at least August as they wait to digest more economic data. We are certainly getting mixed data from the economy with a rising stock market, higher interest rates, a slowdown in the housing market and sluggish wage growth. Commodity prices have been going through the roof and trade tensions are on the increase with China. Later today the Treasury Department will release their budget statement and comment on whether or not China is considered a "currency manipulator."

The markets seem to be fixated on the Federal Reserve's policy toward interest rates, but the real issue is their rampant money creation. We are now hearing lots of talk in the financial press about inflation fears, but the mainstream media never talks about the real roots of inflation which is the supply of money. In fact, the Federal Reserve doesn't even want to discuss the money supply since they decided to stop reporting the M-3 money supply figures. They continue to inflate the supply of money, but work hard to shift the focus on the cost of money � interest rates.

I heard a report yesterday on CNBC where they identified five "cash-rich" companies including Berkshire-Hathaway, Ford, Microsoft, Exxon-Mobil, and one other that are sitting on over $200 billion in cash. They are not spending the money to increase plant and equipment, and they are not passing the cash along in the form of wage increases. What we are seeing is a large flood of money pouring into commodities. The price of gold over $700 per ounce is indicative of way too much cash chasing way too little tangible assets�paper, paper everywhere!

-Goldilox

Paper, paper, everywhere, and nary a buck to save! The discussion around FED rate enforcement is entertaining, as the "rock and hard place" scenario brings out completely opposite prognosticators and their pet bubbles to protect.

"Goldilocks" economy, or is it just being manipulated to the point of strangulation?
Gandalf the White
(05/11/2006; 01:47:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144068)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !


$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/11/2006; 01:48:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144069)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAA --- Contest Update

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

===
<;-)
Beamer
(05/11/2006; 01:52:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144070)
$$$$$ $743.5 $$$$$$
In response to Sir MK's question, I believe that there were aseries of events that led the way for the primary bull market trend in gold. As we all know, the sale of 400 tons of gold by the Bank of England in 1999 led to the first bottom in the gold price at around $252. The flex point event was the announcement of WAG 1 in 1999. The limitation of gold sales to 400 tons per year. The double bottom in the price of gold occurred in 2001 at about $258. This was an indication from a technical viewpoint that a major event had taken place. At that particular time, all the stories in the newspapers were detrimental to gold on many fronts and I noted that the pessimism was similar in proportion to the optimism shown for gold in 1980. The next event was the constant linkage of gold to the US$ and the slow rise of the gold price in that arena. Then came the major event of the gold price breaking out above all currencies in a rather swift and sudden way. This was quickly followed by the announcements that many CBs were anticipating the likelihood of restructuring their reserves towards gold even though the word gold was not mentioned in some instances. And here we are. Projections for gold over the long term have to be relegated to pure conjecture at this point in time. Yet if the forces are put in place to return gold to the position of the primary reserve currency based on the function of its rarity as opposed to the limitless printing of fiat currencies, then I would speculate that the price of gold could rise to a level of $5,000 per ounce and remain there for many years until the the miners exhaust the world's gold supplies in the ground. After that, it would be anybody's guess. The ascent of gold since 2001 has been a slow and steady rise and should continue to follow this route as I see it. Spikes in price will occur but I would think that they will be offset by the corresponding corrections along the way. As the FORUM members say, this is a great time to own physical gold or numismatics. Even platinum, silver and palladium will be beneficiaries of the secular bull market in gold.
PRITCHO
(05/11/2006; 02:03:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144071)
@Gold Hill -- And $1000 Gold
Gold Hill (5/10/06; 22:28:40MT - usagold.com msg#: 144061)
PAT entry#144057
As a long time lurker, your post brings reality into the current world we live in. I see the same things that you are talking about. I'm not so sure $1000 gold would be something to celebrate.
Gold Hill
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Hill you need to understand that US$710 in todays money is equal to only $293 inflation adjusted to 1980.Thats using the highly suspect US Govt inflation chart
so what's to be afraid of?

We've been ripped off for a long time --I'll celebrate when it gets to triple the present rate to reflect the larger deficit that hangs overhead.
Topaz
(05/11/2006; 02:50:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144072)
A$ PoG and PoS.
We have a few milestones coming up and frankly I don't mind if you guys smoke them all tonight.
A$1,000/Oz ...A$30,000/Kg Gold and A$600/Kg Silver.
One or more would be fine by Friday morning (here) thanks Comex!
It only seems like yesterday we saw NZ$1,000 ...she's now doing $1,125.
Sundeck
(05/11/2006; 05:46:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144073)
US$1000 gold
@PRITCHO and Gold Hill et al.,

PRITCHO, you may be correct in assigning $710 dollars today to $293 in 1980...presumeably based on a CPI adjustment... But what if we applied a "housing price" adjustment? Houses have increased in price by about seven times since 1980. In housing terms, $710 today was $101.43 in 1980. $1000 gold today in housing terms was $142.86 in 1980...sounds almost puny, doesn't it... Gold-the-metal has a long way to run before it catches up to House-'n-home in the Bubblefield Derby...

@Topaz

I saw a graph the other day that showed the Australian dollar versus the US dollar since 1910. In 1910 the Oz dollar (10 shillings equivalent in the currency of the day) was worth about US$3.50. Today it is worth about US$0.77...and it has relatively recently been as low as US$0.48. Given that the US-dollar has lost about 95% of its value (??) since 1910, the Australian dollar has lost about 99% 0f its value since that epoch. Is it any wonder that gold is at record prices in Australian dollar terms?

Additional comment:

Sliding value in fiat currency does not necessarily equate to a bad economy. History is full of examples (it is, in fact, the rule) where economies prosper as currencies trend towards worthlessness. It is all a question of how rapid and how ordered the descent is. There is the risk that large sections of society will become greatly disadvantaged while other sections prosper for no particularly just reason. Best to be amongst the winners, however, and own things...like gold...while all this is happening around you, rather than keeping money in the bank.

:-)
Chris Powell
(05/11/2006; 07:16:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144074)
After seven years, Wall Street Journal notices GATA
Still no investigation of what the central banks
and their bullion bank agents do, but a small start....

* * *

Gold Bugs

By Peter McKay
The Wall Street Journal
Thursday, May 11, 2006

Investing pros have begun pondering the possibility that gold will hit a record over $800 a troy ounce soon. This means that the gold bugs -- that patchwork of sometimes offbeat investors who love the shiny stuff -- are happier, and louder, than ever.

Gold futures for May delivery have risen this week 3.2%, or $21.50, to a 25-year high of $703.70 per troy ounce. In the past two years, prices have soared 86%.

"We all said what was going to happen and why," says Bill Murphy, an ex-professional football player and trader who heads up a group that goes by the name Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee, or GATA.

There are lots of reasons behind the move: For one, the dollar has weakened, and seems headed lower. When people lose confidence in paper currency some turn to gold, which is still seen in some parts of the world as an alternative store of value, despite many years in disfavor. This reputation as a store of financial value means it is also seen as a hedge against inflation, which shows signs of picking up, and against political turmoil, like say, turmoil in Venezuela, Iran and Iraq.

For some gold bugs, though, it's rarely that simple. Back in 1999, when gold was at multiyear lows around $250, GATA argued the metal's price was being artificially suppressed by a cartel of large private banks selling borrowed gold, much of it on loan from powerful central banks. The latest stage of the rally, Mr. Murphy says, is because Russia has become a heavy buyer, helping to squeeze the alleged cartel.

"They're a little conspiratorial, for me even," says money manager Peter Schiff, an outspoken gold bug himself. "I don't know if there was any real orchestrated event."

Whatever the case, the gold bugs aren't alone anymore. The investment audience for the precious metal is broadening as hedge funds and others seek alternatives to stocks and bonds. Because the gold market is relatively small, in terms of physical metal available and the number of investors who have traditionally participated, even a small increase in mass appetite for the metal can result in more price increases.

Pick your reason. Gold seems headed higher still.

-END-
goldpuppy
(05/11/2006; 07:28:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144075)
gold speedracer
Look at that gold price run up up up. Go speedracer!

So, are we in the early stages of the Weimar Republic yet?
Druid
(05/11/2006; 07:29:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144076)
Flatliner (5/10/06; 22:32:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 144062)

"The one thing that I find related in most every catastrophic item that you mention is money. All these future problems really seem to come down to money mismanagement. The escape that I found this chaos was gold. But it wasn't until I found USAGold and was directed to the Thoughts of Another (top of page) that I finally started seeing that their might be a plan that people could take advantage of to help soften the blow in the coming years. If you have not, I encourage all to take a weekend and read the thoughts of another and the words of FOA. Then, share.

I have gained hope from the concept of Freegold. If you study and believe that this is truly in our future, then you would want everyone that you know to hold an ounce or two (or more) of gold. Then, the next step is to really understand what it means to hold that gold. Very few people understand this. Very few understand how physical gold will empower them.

Meanwhile, we all watch the transition that is occurring. Things will be different in the future and if we all play our cards right, our little sections of the universe will be better off because of the decisions that we've made and the effort that we've put into educating others. There is much to learn and so little time.

Hold physical, get out of debt and teach people how to avoid inflation. Every person that learns the power of gold will find life worth fighting for.

Flatliner."


Druid: Flatliner, incredibly brilliant post. Understanding the true meaning of gold ownership is to embrace what it represents as a way of life where you literally own something of tremendous value (the real essence of property rights practiced in this country so long ago) that preserves the efforts of your labor.

For to long this concept has been watered down to an "investment play" on par or less then owning a typical stock, bond etc....and now, just maybe, a new paradigm of "thoughts" is being ushered in to redress this MONUMENTAL imbalance of collective Western thought concerning these matters. IMHO.
MK
(05/11/2006; 08:30:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144079)
Recruits needed
The Table Round (USAGOLD Forum) is looking for recruits. What we are looking for is people who like to speak their mind and who are unafraid to advance a theory or two on the state of the world economy and what it means to gold. Applicants do not have to possess a degree in economics, finance or political science. What is required is a good sense of humor, respect for the opinion of others and a healthy, open-mind.

Over the past few days, since Gandalf's contest began, we have seen a glimmer of the possibilities this forum holds for all who visit, participate or siimply read to learn. The new posters have been a welcome and valuable addition to the discussion.

Contest time is a good time for all those looking for an excuse to make their first post. It's easy and once you start -- great things are possible!! Access code requests are in the many thousands yet only a few actually go to the posting page and make their first entry. I assure you its easy and that the other posters look forward to what you have to say.

And who knows you might even be the one to bring home the gold.

This forum needs YOU! WELCOME to all and good luck.

Let the contest continue!
The Hoople
(05/11/2006; 08:42:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144080)
PRITCHO, Sundeck
Regarding the POG correlation to 1980 might I add the lowly postage stamp?

1980 = 15 cents
2006 = 42 cents (by August)
Rate of inflation: 280%

Now gold:

1980 = $840 (or pick any other price point that year)
2006 = $710
Rate of inflation: <-15.5%>

If adjusted to the postage stamp:
$850 X 280% = $2,380

Maybe we need a gold oz./postage stamp ratio index. Currently an ounce of gold will buy 1,690 stamps.

In 1980 an ounce would buy 5,667 stamps.

The low $2,000 area seems to be the best point to find correlation to many things in life- food, cars, houses, college tuition, insurance. That's not to say with hyper-inflation it can't go much higher than that figure. With the money supply expanded by around 700% since 1980 an argument could be made up to $6,000 I suppose. But heck, maybe by then the CPI will hedonically deflate gold because everybody will be switching to pot metal and tin for jewelry.
Druid
(05/11/2006; 08:50:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144081)
COMMODITIES: NEW HIGHS OR SAME OLD LOWS?
http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/2006/0509.htmlWe all keep hearing about new highs that the commodities are making. Let's take a look at some of them to see where the prices have been and where they are going.

What does one use as a measurement as the purchasing power of the dollar keeps dropping, how can you measure something when the yardstick keeps changing? The government numbers on inflation are taken from Alice in Wonderland or maybe from Disney World. I am not sure, but they are not of the real world which most of us have to live in.

In 1973 a gallon of gas cost about 60 � 65 cents, today in Canada it is over $5.00. I bought a new pick-up for $4,000.00 in 1973. My truck last year was $52,000.00 MSRP.

In 1973 I was selling starter homes for $18,000.00, today they sell for just about $200,000.00.

To keep things simple let's multiply 1973 prices for commodities by ten as most things have gone up by a factor of ten. Also remember there is a lot less of these commodities available today as compared to 1973 as we consume them [especially silver].

Link to commodity prices http://minerals.usgs.gov/ds/2005/140/

Aluminum in 1973 was $582.00 per m/t or $.26 per pound
Aluminum in 2006 is about $1.24 per pound Needs to double
A new high for Aluminum would be about $2.70 per pound

Cobalt in 1973 was $6480.00 per m/t or $2.95 per pound.
Cobalt in 2006 is about $16.00 per pound. Needs to double
A new high for cobalt would be about $30.00 per pound

Copper in 1973 was $1312.00 per m/t or about 59 cents a pound
Copper in 2006 hit $3.25 per pound. Needs to double
A new high for copper would have to be over $6.00 per pound.

Gold in 1973 was $3,150,000.00 per m/t or $98.00 per ounce Gold in 2006 was up to $640.00 per ounce
A new high for gold would be about $990.00 per ounce. Will be there shortly

Lead in 1973 was $359.00 per m/t or about 16 cents a pound
Lead in 2006 is about 55 cents a pound. Needs to triple
A new high for lead would have to be over $1.60 per pound.

Moly in 1973 was $3985.00 per m/t or about $1.81 per pound.
Moly in 2006 is about $24.00 per pound
Moly has made a new high by exceeding $18.00 per pound.

Nickel in 1973 was $3370.00 per m/t or about $1.54 per pound.
Nickel in 2006 is about $8.75 per pound. Needs to double
A new high for nickel would have to be over $16.00 per pound.

Silver in 1973 was $82,310.00 per m/t or about $2.55 per ounce.
Silver in 2006 was about $14.79 per ounce. Needs to double
A new high for silver would have to be over $26.00 per ounce.

Tin in 1973 was $5018.00 per m/t or about $2.28 per pound.
Tin in 2006 is about $9320.00 per m/t or about $4.23 per pound. A long way to go
A new high for Tin would have to be over $23.00 per pound.

Zinc in 1973 was $456.00 per m/t or about $.21 per pound.
Zinc in 2006 is about $3360.00 per m/t or about $1.52 per pound.
A new high for Zinc would have to be over $2.15 per pound.

Most commodities are a long way off from making new highs; I would say all that is happening is they are playing catch up. Or maybe they are losing control and the commodities are not as manipulated as they once were. When one sector of society can create money at will, while others have to trade their labor for it, how can we have free markets?

My main focus is silver. Where is the price of silver heading? Higher -- way higher -- or as Bill at www.LeMetropoleCafe.com says "TO THE MOON."


Druid: Sundeck, Pritcho, Hoople, here's a pretty good read reference the loss of purchasing power and the road ahead to be traveled in catching up.
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/11/2006; 09:59:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144082)
Feast your eyes on the contest prize ! ! !
http://www.usagold.com/gold/coins/mexican-20.html

Grand Prize!
Thoreauly
(05/11/2006; 10:36:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144083)
$$$$$ $799.9 $$$$$ (just to make May 25 more fun)
All right, MK, since you insist:

Perhaps what started it all was a kind of millennial awareness that, as Nobel Laureate Robert Mundell said in his 2000 acceptance speech, "The absence of gold as an intrinsic part of our monetary system today makes our century, the one that has just passed, unique in several thousand years." For once this astonishing fact sinks in, one realizes that the last century is going to REMAIN unique, as its premise -- Omnipotent Government (http://www.mises.org/etexts/mises/og.asp) -- proves false in the extreme. Thus are we in the "last throes" not of insurgency in an occupied land but of the empire that occupies it, of a welfare-warfare state that is collapsing under its own weight -- or rather, the weightlessness of the paper that it has been able to push on the rest of the world for 35 years but will not be able to push for very much longer.

Where will gold go as a result? In the end, nowhere, as the most massive fraud in human history comes crashing down around it and a truly New World Order is built on its foundation. In the meantime, the Monopoly money upon which the welfare-warfare state depends for its existence will be recognized as such (as it's just now beginning to be) and, in Reichmark fashion, will flame out completely. Thus will gold go from three digits to four, from four digits to five, and so on and so on, until granny gets mugged on the way to the bakery not for the Monopoly money in her wheelbarrow but for the wheelbarrow itself.

That's an ugly and terrifying thought, of course, which is why PAKman is right "to think about a world...in which there will probably be widespread civil disorder." That is also why Flatliner is right to say that "we the people must solve the problems that lay before us. We must stand up for ourselves and stand up for our way of life. Take matters into our own hands -- in a collective kind of way." As opposed to a COLLECTIVIST kind of way, which is to say, as opposed to a STATIST kind of way. For as Einstein rightly said, "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." That, after all, is what he defined as insanity: "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Midas Man
(05/11/2006; 11:03:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144084)
Gold Contest
Price Prediction: $$$$ $788.10 $$$$$$

Answer to MK's question:
A single event eventually awakened investors to consider gold; 911. This event forced investors to recognize the volatility of intangible stocks and invoked a dose of reality pointing towards tangible goods such as real estate and precious metals. These same investors have mocked the metals over the last 10 years as antiquated and blindly sunk placed their faith in any stock that had the prefix "tech". However these recent self proclaimed genius investors will never concede that their about face was attributed to realizing their investments were being managed by people just like themselves.
Briale
(05/11/2006; 11:05:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144085)
$$$$$762.4$$$$$
The turning point seems to me, focused around the first Washington Agreement about Euro gold sales. The Euro zone was the first economic bloc to recognize the inherent weakness of the dollar financial structure and seems to have built a nice protective wall that may help their currency zone in a short term war with the dollar bloc. In the end though, it will ultimately fail against gold as the denominator of wealth going forward. How far can gold go? It depends upon how far currencies drop until a new international monetary standard is agreed upon. I will be surprised if it happens within the next 50 years. Going forward I would say that gold could hit $3000 in the next 5 years in the present dollar regime. In "nuevo dollars" it might be only $300 again!
I have been a reader of this forum since 2001 and a sparse poster. One thing that I have taken from this forum, and especially from the writings of Another, is that the truly wealthy do not denominate their wealth in terms of dollars. Dollars or "credits" are for the small frys like myself. The truly wealthy determine their wealth by what they can truly hold and own outside of the banking system. I will follow those footsteps and choose the only true wealth that I can readily get my hands on. I choose gold.
Goldilox
(05/11/2006; 11:24:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144086)
Is the paper burn starting?
With gold over $720, silver over $15, and oil back to $73, it seems their paper proxies, the mining and oil companies are not moving in lockstep.

The HUI is unch'd, and the oil stocks I follow are down with the rest of the SM.

DOW -136
NAS -41
S&P -16

Got gold (IN HAND)?
Flatliner
(05/11/2006; 11:31:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144087)
Doesn't 8,255 sound a little high?
http://www.nymex.com/media/delivery.pdfIf a Silver contract is 5,000 glorious ounces that would give control of 41,275,000 ounces to the stoppers on the New York Mercantile Exchange. But hey, don't worry, there are 51,058,880 eligible and 72572815 registered. And, if you think there is a shortage, I'm sure Barclays will come to the rescue. They seem to have a huge pile stashed away somewhere.

Oh well, at least the gas stations have plenty of gas, and the banks have plenty of cash! My debt card still works and I can still drive to work.
Flatliner
(05/11/2006; 11:56:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144088)
Smoke in the air?
Goldilox, ski, There are gold ratios and Silver ratios, it's starting to look like it's time for copper ratios.

If you look back a couple days, you both discussed that gold is up about 31% and silver up 55%, well, copper seems to have gone from 2-4 or about 50%. If you go back over a year, copper has more then doubled, whereas silver has just doubled and gold is waiting to double.

Price inflation is hitting. If you haven't already, you should be seriously looking at ways to ride the uptrend and survive into the future. Wealth moves over time and this time it's not into technology.
Flatliner
(05/11/2006; 12:36:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144089)
As long as people buy
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aVU1ZtfZqxNs&refer=top_world_newsMy take on it is that currency must be crated in order for people to find something to use for servicing debt. A debt based system forces the creation of cash. An asset based system wouldn't have this problem. Manage your debt wisely.

From link:

U.S. 10-Year Treasury Notes Fall After $13 Billion Auction
May 11 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. 10-year Treasuries fell the most in more than a week after the government sold $13 billion of the securities, adding supply at a time when the Federal Reserve is signaling that it may raise interest rates further.

...

The price of the 4 1/2 percent security due in February 2016 fell almost 3/8, or $3.75 per $1,000 face amount, to 94 7/8, the biggest drop since May 1.
Minero
(05/11/2006; 13:04:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144090)
Price of gasoline
Can someone come up with a good explination as to why the retail price of gasoline is lagging so far behind the price of oil? In the past, this has not been the case to the point that it is now.
Goldilox
(05/11/2006; 13:09:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144091)
Nice typo!
@ Flatliner,

"My take on it is that currency must be "crated" in order for people to find something to use for servicing debt."

Is that before or after the wheel barrow phase? LOL
Goldilox
(05/11/2006; 13:19:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144092)
Gas lagging oil?
@ Minero,

Maybe because the oil companies aren't always paying the Nymex wholesale oil price. Much of the Iraq oil is essentially free as "spoils of war", with only transport and wages burdening the delivery.

I think they are under enough scrutiny for record profits already, and don't want to push their luck!

Exxon-Mobil posted more PROFIT this last year than most major companies' TOTAL REVENUE in 1996. Since typical profit margins are about 10%, we're talking 1000% growth in ten years, or about 80% per year.

Government inflation figures would adjust that to about 70% PA, with REAL inflation reducing it to more like 50% PA. Still astounding.
Flatliner
(05/11/2006; 14:31:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144093)
Going to 10
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0512/p01s03-uspo.htmlAt the same time, House Republicans propose raising the debt limit to nearly $10 trillion - its fifth hike in the Bush years. When they took back the House in 1994, the debt limit was $4.9 trillion.

"The trouble for Republicans is they are going to be forced to increase the debt limit again, having just done it [in March], and this time to an embarrassingly large $10 trillion," Mr. Ornstein adds. "It's hard to argue that these tax cuts will cut the deficits, when they have had to raise the debt limit so many times."

The soaring national debt, some $2 trillion of which is in foreign hands, troubles lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. "If you want to explain how much our national debt is, it's handing out a $100 bill on a street corner every second of every day for 2,500 years," said Sen. Christopher Dodd (D) of Connecticut, speaking in opposition to the tax bill on the floor of the Senate Thursday.

Flatliner � Had to dig for this one, seems the press really didn't want to tell us about it.
mikal
(05/11/2006; 14:38:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144094)
Gold
http://www.freemarketnews.com/Analysis/201/4870/2006-05-11.asp?nid=4870&wid=201$1000 Gold: It May Be Here Sooner Than You Think
Emanuel Balarie - May 11, 2006
Some everyday excuses people use as gold encounters widespread denial and reasons for gold's undervaluation.
Goldendome
(05/11/2006; 17:17:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144095)
Hedge fund sharks

I'll tell you what I think is happening: I think the big hedge funds smell
blood in the water and are attacking the shorts now like a bunch of sharks!
The hedge funds, combined, have more money than the shorts can afford to lose is my
guess...even if the shorts are some large banks. The hedge funds are
keeping the pressure on relentlessly...knowing that the shorts at some point
will have to capitulate...driving the market dramatically higher...or they
die. If
true, what a grinder the shorts are in. We know the price could
theoretically go up a long-long way. (Infinity)
Goldendome
(05/11/2006; 17:20:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144096)
Follow-up Futures delivery!
Combined with the short squeze mentioned previously, there may be some other big dollar sharks on the long side that REALLY do want the Gold.

Rumors abound that groups that have wanted resources (like the Chinese) have been buying futures contracts over a period of time...then taking delivery on the due date for the originally contracted price. Done slowly, this tactic was used to acquire huge amounts of oil and copper without roiling the markets too much when the contracts were first placed.

Some here keep an eye on delivery information off the futures markets. Hopefully, they can keep us informed...Will be interesting to see if there are also large amounts of Gold and Silver deliveries requested off previously purchased futures contracts, as the Chinese have spoken of acquiring more gold. If a large buyer wanted to acquire significant amounts, seems that some quietly laddered buys in the futures months ago, could now payoff handsomely in acquisition, for any entity wishing to exchange dollars for gold or silver.
Shanti
(05/11/2006; 17:22:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144097)
$$$$ $777,7 $$$$
MK's Questions:

More than 4 bilion people on this planet, to pamper these folks the earth is and has been exploited as never before by the western alliances. Monetary systems have been gradualy exanged for a academic roberary systems who once will run out of credible amunition. The precious arbiter GOLD is telling us the exact situation where we stand now. The "flex point" to me is the start of the accelerating velocity in the POG, presents to me the indications of what to expect in the future.

How much inflating and depreciating or derivative fiat in this world is or will be at searche for a (virtual) profit��? If only X percent is switching into GOLD the guess may well far beyond imagination. To get a not too upsetting number for now US$ 7,777
bouncer
(05/11/2006; 17:29:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144098)
$$$$818.0$$$$
top 10

911 - Could it happen without prior knowledge? Congress gave away all power because they did
not want to be accountable and miss being re-elected.
IRAQ WAR- Let the global oil war begin.
TORTURE- never thought "my" country would participate so enthusiastically.
CORPORATIZATION - Successfull infiltrattion and control of every level of government.
STOLEN ELECTIONS - national and local - not so hard to do with the right contracts.
KATRINA - Mythbuster, Gov't cares and actively works toward the common good.
MORTGAGES -ballon, interest only, reverse; seemingly sane people now economically enslaved.
ILLEGAL ALIENS- part of new economics built on the assumption of low-cost labor. Next best thing to
slavery, but great profit generator.
IRAN - fool me once�..
FEAR - we are all be socially engineered by conscienceless power-mad "deciders". Our Republic is
not only in peril, but on the brink of extinction.

Pak nailed it though, get to know your neighbors, get active in neighborhood meetings, these are the people that can make a difference when things go bad.
specie-man
(05/11/2006; 17:39:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144099)
Re: Flatliner Typo
"My take on it is that currency must be "crated" in order for people to find something to use for servicing debt."

There's yer web bot hit right there !
hirise
(05/11/2006; 18:40:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144100)
Investing "Pros" predicting $800 soon -
Gold Bugs

By Peter McKay
The Wall Street Journal
Thursday, May 11, 2006

Investing pros have begun pondering the possibility that gold will hit a record over $800 a troy ounce soon. This means that the gold bugs -- that patchwork of sometimes offbeat investors who love the shiny stuff -- are happier, and louder, than ever.

Gold futures for May delivery have risen this week 3.2%, or $21.50, to a 25-year high of $703.70 per troy ounce. In the past two years, prices have soared 86%.

"We all said what was going to happen and why," says Bill Murphy, an ex-professional football player and trader who heads up a group that goes by the name Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee, or GATA.

There are lots of reasons behind the move: For one, the dollar has weakened, and seems headed lower. When people lose confidence in paper currency some turn to gold, which is still seen in some parts of the world as an alternative store of value, despite many years in disfavor. This reputation as a store of financial value means it is also seen as a hedge against inflation, which shows signs of picking up, and against political turmoil, like say, turmoil in Venezuela, Iran and Iraq.

For some gold bugs, though, it's rarely that simple. Back in 1999, when gold was at multiyear lows around $250, GATA argued the metal's price was being artificially suppressed by a cartel of large private banks selling borrowed gold, much of it on loan from powerful central banks. The latest stage of the rally, Mr. Murphy says, is because Russia has become a heavy buyer, helping to squeeze the alleged cartel.

"They're a little conspiratorial, for me even," says money manager Peter Schiff, an outspoken gold bug himself. "I don't know if there was any real orchestrated event."

Whatever the case, the gold bugs aren't alone anymore. The investment audience for the precious metal is broadening as hedge funds and others seek alternatives to stocks and bonds. Because the gold market is relatively small, in terms of physical metal available and the number of investors who have traditionally participated, even a small increase in mass appetite for the metal can result in more price increases.

Pick your reason. Gold seems headed higher still.
TownCrier
(05/11/2006; 19:50:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144101)
Fed monetizes debt, buys Treasury coupons outright
http://yahoo.reuters.com/investing/FinanceArticle.aspx?type=economicNews&storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060511:MTFH31889_2006-05-11_15-11-36_N11242837&rpc=44Open market interventions by the Federal Reserve are commonplace when they add liquidity through temporary monetizations via repo operations, but they should always cause at leasted a raised eyebrow when those repos are large, and especially when the Fed opts instead for permanent, outright purchases of Treasuries.

Today they demonstrated a little of both.

On the temporary front, the Fed single-handedly boosted the money supply with an increase in cash reserves of our nation's banking system through two round of repurchase agreements, the first being a two-week RP to add $9 billion, the second being an overnighter to add $8.5 billion.

Both were generously provided at rates below the FOMC's latest policy directive of 5%. Apparently the publicly announced new rate is not yet ready for prime time, so to speak.

More significantly, the Fed also entered the open market as an outright buyer of Treasury coupons, this time targeting maturities out on the yield curve in the vicinity of December 2008 to September 2009. In the process, our banking system becomes flush with an additional $1.098 billion in 'permanent' cash created fresh in the process of the transaction.

The key point to absorb is that there is no practical limit on the amount of new money that can be created by the Fed through this process and more just like it.

Choose gold as the sound form of savings to provide you with tangible security as a form of purchasing power that can stand the test of time.

R.
Wonko
(05/11/2006; 19:51:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144102)
Real estate Ponzi debacle
$$$$ $769.01 $$$$

It seems to me that real estate is now in a Ponzi type setup. The most important aspect of any Ponzi is confidence that the traded item not only has value but that it is increasing. What better setup than that most important asset of where you live? The difference between a sound security be it stock or bond and a Ponzi type investement is that a real investment has a cash flow basis driving the value. Housing doesn't seem to be based on cash flow. Comments anyone.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/11/2006; 20:27:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144103)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

THURSDAY Market Excerpts

Gold continues its upward march

May 11 (from Reuters, MarketWatch) -- Aggressive buying by funds and speculators drove the latest gains in a long-time rally fueled by strong demand, a weak U.S. dollar and growing diversification into commodities, dealers and analysts said.

"Silver and gold have been in a trend for about two or three years, but the market has really only now made an incredible, incredible move," said Scott Meyers, an analyst with Pioneer Futures in New York.

It took gold two years to rise by $100 to $500 an ounce in November 2005 and another five months to hit $600, but it bolted to over $700 in less than a month.

Overall, "a global readjustment is taking place, and the short of it is -- the U.S. dollar is losing its dominance," Peter Spina, chief investment strategist at GoldSeek.com, said earlier Thursday.

"Clearly, the shift from the U.S. dollar is accelerating," he said.

"Combine this with other driving factors in the gold market, [and] you have the recipe for much higher prices."

John Person, president of National Futures Advisory Service, said, "Crude oil is above $70 per barrel, wage costs have increased ... and the dollar is sharply lower since the beginning of the second quarter -- this gives the gold bulls more reason to buy now, especially since many believe gold could hit $800 to $1,000 per ounce by year's end."

COMEX June gold futures finished up 2.2 percent, or $15.80 higher, at $721.50 after trading from $701.20 to $728, marking the highest for futures since September 1980.

Gold has risen 40 percent in 2006 and 65 percent since the start of last year as investors diversify into the metal as a hedge against global tensions, including those over U.S.-Iran relations, oil prices and doubts about the dollar.

A $1 jump in crude oil futures to helped spark some of the gold buying as a hedge against inflation, dealers said.

Less hedge selling by miners, strong interest in exchange-traded funds, soaring copper, and near-term supply tightness in platinum also supported gold, analysts said.

"It is a general flight into real assets," said Steve Platt, a broker with Archer Financials in Chicago, who also noted a huge amount of fund buying lifting the metals.

Platt warned that metals were ripe for some profit-taking with prices having climbed so far, so fast. "I think what we need is some correction just to take some of the froth out." As to the dollar, analysts said its upside was limited as investors increasingly expect U.S. interest rates to peak soon, after the Federal Reserve raised rates for the 16th straight time Wednesday.

The dollar fell to a 12-month low against the euro on Thursday, benefiting gold as a U.S. currency alternative.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
Liberty Head
(05/11/2006; 20:56:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144104)
Them Apples

Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Debt Ceiling

Ah ha ha hahahaha!!!!!!!!!

Best Wishes
arbyh
(05/11/2006; 21:20:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144105)
Bankrupt the country for the already well to do. It is just wrong.
The replublicans all joined hands to give a tax break until 2011:
House Democrats described the bill as slanted to the superrich. "Under this legislation, middle income families receive an average tax cut of $20, about half a tank of gas, while those with over a million receive $42,000," said Rep. Louise Slaughter (D) of New York, during Wednesday's House debate. "It's a telling indicator of where their priorities really lie." Republicans said that such arguments represent "the ideological baggage of the past."
Bankrupt the country for the already well to do. It is just wrong, and don't give me that trickle down voodoo econ crap. The shit will hit the fan soon.
Buy and hold what you can in gold.
Ten Bears
(05/11/2006; 21:24:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144106)
Ultracrepidarian Musings by Antal E. Fekete
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5139.htmAnyone care to comment on what the good professor has to say?
Gandalf the White
(05/11/2006; 21:34:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144107)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAA --- Contest Entry Update

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/11/2006; 21:39:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144108)
OOPS -- Sorry about that Sir Shanti !!! <;-)
My mind missed your use of a comma instead of a "." !
(You do not live in Kansas !)
Your entry should be moved downward in the listing, and shall be on the next edition.
Tks
Gandy
Flatliner
(05/11/2006; 22:02:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144109)
@Ten Bears
"What to expect now? Sooner or later exchange officials will declare "liquidation only" policy. Thereafter the longs can close out their profitable positions only through cash settlement. The shorts are absolved of their obligation to deliver as contracted. At that moment all offers to sell cash gold will be withdrawn around the globe. Gold is not for sale at any price. Producers of essential commodities such as grains and crude oil will refuse to accept payment in dollars and will demand gold in exchange for their product. The same goes for providers of essential services such as doctors and lawyers. Scales will fall off their eyes and they will decline to give up real goods and real services in exchange for irredeemable promises to pay. The dollar, and all other paper currencies along with it, will go the way of the assignat and mandat.

Nowhere in this argument did we have to refer to supply, demand, or "more money chasing fewer goods". At any rate, Friedman's theory of monetarism won't tell you when exactly the metamorphosis of the dollar from money to trash will take place. Nor will the COT reports give you a clue or advance warning. The gold basis will. I hereby challenge all gold and silver analysts to start educating the public on this subject. I call on all PM websites to run yearly, monthly, weekly, daily, and hourly charts showing the variation of the gold basis."

Flatliner � The words that the good professor states are very much a echo of the thoughts of Another. The rise in the gold price fans the fire that keeps the price rising. I can't help but feel that the fire may no longer be under control.
balzac
(05/11/2006; 23:03:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144110)
THE CONTEST : response by Balzac
$$$$724.50$$$$
IN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION POSED BY MK:
The turning point event in my mind was the British Govt sale of gold reserves followed by the withdrawal of the Rothchilds from
the London Gold fix. these 2 events marked the end of the low in gold at the $250s.

Then Sept 11/2001 and the subsequent action by America as world policemen in Afghanistan and Iraq pushed down the value
of the US dollar.

I have been in this gold market since 1995 and through the depressing lows in the 250s , now we will see $850 within the year.

I will predict $724.50 based on the 20 day mean plus 10%.
Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 00:32:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144111)
Mighty Mo
@ TC,

"It took gold two years to rise by $100 to $500 an ounce in November 2005 and another five months to hit $600, but it bolted to over $700 in less than a month."

Now that's momentum! I've still got friends telling me it's all because of the Iran scare - LOL!
Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 01:09:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144112)
The High-Wire Cinderella Economy
http://www.jsmineset.com/snip:


Dear Friends,

I could post today's economic reports on retail sales, inflation and so on but nothing says it better than the accurate illustration I have named the High Wire Cinderella Economy.

Remember when inflation was not happening? Well that has gone up in flames. Remember who touched the match to the inflation fuse? It was our own Professor Bernanke and his Helicopter Electric Printing Press money drop into the pool of world liquidity that set a new high for low forethought.

When you take huge amounts of cash coming from outrageous currency intervention by the Japanese central bank and blast it instantly into the international market for US treasuries via the NY Fed, there is no way on earth to drain it out. This created the new monster of money that seeks market after market around the world. It is in the commodity market now and will stay at least as long as it did in the equity market.

With this understanding how much inflation to you think the "Puppet Fed" is really going to do? The answer is not much.

-Goldilox


With the BOJ commiting currency hari-kari to keep their Yen cheap, who is calling them "currency manipulator"?

All this "bugger thy neighbor's currency" BS is political clap trap to keep the bankster elites in power, and the citizens enslaved to their "pay us - work ethic".
Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 01:20:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144113)
US presses China to toughen stance on Iran
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a5cf086c-e086-11da-9e82-0000779e2340.htmlsnip:

China's relationship with the US will be determined by how it responds to Iran's nuclear programme, a senior Bush administration official warned on Wednesday as Washington continued to press Beijing and Moscow to back a tough UN Security Council resolution against Tehran.

Robert Zoellick, deputy secretary of state, elevated Iran's alleged nuclear weapons development to the single most important issue at stake in US-China relations rather than the usual concerns over the strength of China's currency and its ballooning trade surplus.

Although less blunt, Mr Zoellick's prepared remarks on China mirrored those voiced by Dick Cheney, US vice-president, towards Russia last week when he berated Moscow for using its oil and gas as a tool of blackmail and intimidation on the international stage.

Speaking to the House international relations committee, Mr Zoellick said the US acknowledged China's need for access to energy resources but that it had urged China to use its oil and gas investments in Iran, Sudan and Burma as a lever for the international good, rather than narrow national interests.

He described China's next move on Iran as "exhibit A" and "critical" in its relationship with the US, which he said was "going to be determined by how they act in Iran in dealing with this nuclear issue".

Condoleezza Rice, secretary of state, returned to Washington on Wednesday having failed to persuade the foreign ministers of China and Russia to support a Security Council resolution that would require Iran to stop its uranium enrichment programme.

-Goldilox

Forget the World Poker Tour. This the real high-stakes game, with you and me as the " poker chips". I guess chess is too mundane for this beer and pretzels crowd.
Topaz
(05/12/2006; 02:36:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144114)
Ag.
http://www.crbtrader.com/data/default.asp?page=quote&sym=SIH6&mode=dCoughing up the fir-ball looks to be getting mighty hard this month ...it's only the 12th, 8K (5K+or- more than a whole "normal" month which, I might add, takes a full 30odd days to get sorted) ...and Barclays haven't been directly involved yet ...hang on!
contrarian
(05/12/2006; 03:00:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144115)
Hyperinflation
http://www.larouchepub.com/eiw/public/2006/2006_10-19/2006-17/pdf/06-8_617.pdfGoldilox--
It appears we've entered hyperinflation, as suggested by LaRouche in looking at commodities (see link). I think $1000 gold is a fait accompli, and $1650 by year end would not surprise me. LaRouche predicts a world system US dollar-triggered collapse by autumn this year, which also seems a fait accompli.

Another good article espousing $1000 gold: http://www.safehaven.com/article-5144.htm
Henri
(05/12/2006; 07:17:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144116)
Minero msg 144090
The price of gasoline is currently affected by the phase in of ethanol additive and the discontinuance of MTBE as anti knock components. Ethanol is difficult to work with and must be dewatered just prior to being added to the gasoline. The refiners might typically use a molecular seive for this final dewatering. the process is causing a bottleneck and supply disruption. Why the price is higher? recovery of equipment and processing costs? the ethanol coming from Brazil for example must be cleaned at least twice...once in the carribean on its way in (perhaps to daisy chain around the stiff importation tax)and again at the refinery.
Armageddon
(05/12/2006; 08:26:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144117)
Rare Gold Coins to Avoid?
I was wondering if anyone knew of any rare gold coins to avoid buying? My intentions are both for my personal collection but also for investment. I consider my rare gold coins to be "emergency money" in case of a big disaster where I would need to sell them for things like food. I want to avoid gold coins that are especially hard to re-sell or would need to be sold in a specialty coin-action instead of on ebay in order to get a fair price.
Thanks.
Gandalf the White
(05/12/2006; 08:31:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144118)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/12/2006; 08:33:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144119)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAA --- Contest Entry Update <;-)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

===
<;-)
Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 09:27:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144120)
More really fun typos
@ Topaz,

I'm enjoying the typos as much as the posts recently. Yesterday's most apropos gaff was "crated" money. This might be today's (the day is still young on here). . .

"Coughing up the fir-ball looks to be getting mighty hard this month"

As in Douglass fir trees? It would take a mighty large cough to expectorate that, one might think.

But as we're talking about a paper-system clog . . . well, you get the picture.

Cheers.

Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 09:32:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144121)
USDX
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=1083.xx breached. More slide ahead?
Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 10:14:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144122)
Refraining From Name Calling...
http://www.dailypfennig.com/currentIssue.aspx?date=5/11/2006snip:

Well... The Fed did raise rates as expected yesterday, and... The U.S. refrained from naming China a currency manipulator... Both of these items have given some strength back to the dollar... The euro, which traded above 1.28 most of yesterday morning has moved back to 1.2715, and the yen, which traded in the 110 handle most of the day, has moved back to the 111 handle...

Applying the brakes... That's all that has happened... The currencies have applied the brakes in order to slow down for that speed bump! But before I get into all of those thoughts, let's talk about the two items at the top of the letter...

First of all, the Fed did indeed raise rates another 25 BPS, but more importantly, Big Ben's press conference afterward showed that he and his Fed Heads are not ready to stop there... Yes, after 16 consecutive rate hikes started by our friend (NOT!) Big Al, Big Ben is not ready to stop. I guess he doesn't believe the inflation reports that the Gov't prints each month either! HAHAHAHA!

Big Ben did say that the data would determine future rate moves... Which data? The awful showing of jobs creation last month? Or... The strong GDP from the first quarter? The collapse of mortgage applications last week (-5.8%) or increase in Productivity? Come on Big Ben throw us a bone here... Oh! Now that would be a "Fed First" ... I just think we're still nearing the end... And Big Ben wants to play this "game" as long as he can, given what he's seen happen to the dollar recently!

OK... As I expected, the U.S. refrained from naming China a "Currency Manipulator"... But warned that it was "extremely dissatisfied with the slow and disappointing pace of reform of the Chinese exchange rate regime". Of course this was disappointing to the Currency participants and those of us that would love to see the renminbi float to its fair value... But what this report really did was give the Japanese a get out of jail free card...

As I explained the other day, with the U.S. and Europe (and IMF) coming down hard on China for currency manipulation, Japan had to take its hand off the intervention gear shift... They didn't want any fingers pointing in their direction... But now that the U.S. backed off of China, it has put the fear back into traders that Japan could intervene and wipe out profits... Bawk, Bawk, Bawk... What's that? Did I hear a chicken? Hmmm...

However, I think this fear will pass soon enough... You see Japan's economy is growing, consumers are spending again, and Corporate Japan is well situated to absorb a stronger yen... So... As opposed to 3 years ago, when the Bank of Japan made a daily visit to the intervention arena... Japan is stronger and ready for a stronger yen!

I found some data that was interesting to me last night... One of the negative darts thrown at the Japanese yen the past few years has been the strong appetite of Japanese investors for foreign bonds... Therefore these investors would be selling yen, and buying (in most cases dollars) the cross currency to purchase the foreign bond... However, recent data shows that Japanese investors have shown almost no appetite for foreign bonds in 2006, and surveys suggest this trend will continue. This obviously removes a negative dart that can be thrown at yen! Just another reason to keep thinking that the Asian currencies, led by Japanese yen, will continue their positive move VS the dollar...

Almost lost in the shuffle of yesterday's events, was the printing of the April U.S. Monthly Budget Statement, which printed worse than expected at $118.9 Billion! OK... I read somewhere recently that the Budget Office had issued a report calling for a reduction of the Budget Deficit this year due to strong tax receipts... What happened? April's result was DOUBLE the March figure of $57.7 Billion! And... I don't even want to get started talking about how the Iraq war expenses aren't even a part of the Budget numbers!

Today, we'll see Retail Sales for April, and as I said earlier in the week, the BHI tells me that we should look for some real strong numbers! So... If that plays out, the dollar will continue to hold onto gains it made yesterday, today... However, tomorrow, we're going to see the March Trade Deficit... And here is where the buck stops with regard to dollar strength!

The dollar strength yesterday didn't deter Gold from moving higher... The shiny metal is now trading at $708, a 26-year high! You know, I say all the time that Gold continues to move higher on demand, world instability, and inflation fears... And at the $708 figure, Gold has now moved 29% since January 9th, when Iran resumed nuclear research, and the tough rhetoric with the U.S. began...
ge
(05/12/2006; 10:45:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144123)
Putin proposes creation of ruble-denominated oil, gas exchange
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060510/47915635.htmlRuble-denominated oil exchanges could launch in 2007 - expert
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060511/48003539.html
Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 11:19:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144124)
New Exchanges
After witnessing the privileges of Dollar hegemony for the last few decades, everyone wants to be in place to reap the bennies of a bourse in their native or customer's currencies as the dollar loses global control.

These events could hit NYC harder than 911!
Flatliner
(05/12/2006; 11:45:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144125)
@ge
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060511/48003539.htmlFrom another link on the same site there is quote that I would like to quote - "Trade in rubles will create a demand for rubles. This will be a real step to achieve ruble convertibility,". Let's see, "Trade in Euros will create demand for Euros" or "Trade in dollars will create demand in dollars". Logic seems to hold in a very simple way (they've stated the obvious maybe?).

What also seems pretty obvious is that Russia is stepping up to get in a position to take advantage of the coming vacuum that the falling dollar will leave. It seems logical that they will find strength in their natural resources and if they play their cards right, not only will they enjoy the same financial support that the Euro will get from gold, but they will have oil to trade for it.

It will not be long before Canada looks to create an exchange for its resources using the Canadian Dollar and Mexico looks to exchange oil for Peso's and Bolivia makes the same claim! But, in the end this will just create chaos as each country tries to create demand for it's fiat on a world scale. Unfortunately, the world has already been fooled by the US Dollar as the reserve. In a world where any number of different counties could come out on top as the next world reserve currency, the only way it will happen is through another world war.

I do not see this happening.

Instead, we will go to the brink of destruction and all will agree to accept a currency that is no one else's liability � gold. Gold will be what everything is compared against. Deficits will be counted in tonnes and currencies will be measured upon the success of the counties economy. Taxation through overprinting of Fiat will create local inflation and only raise local taxes. There will no longer be international taxation through the use of a world reserve currency.

Save gold and physical property, price inflation is rearing it's ugly head.

mikal
(05/12/2006; 12:04:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144126)
Bubbles go unrecognized until they pop
http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/beware-the-perils-of-a-parallel-price-universe/2006/05/12/1146940732642.htmlBeware the Perils of a Parallel Price Universe - Sydney Morning Herald - May 12, 2006
"Rises in prices on all fronts have economists scratching their heads, write Richard Adams and Patrick Collinson. --
The ultra-rich are investing millions in original works by Warhol or Picasso, others in gold, silver or rare stamps. Money is pouring into almost every type of asset - commodities, property, precious metals, shares, bonds and even art are testing dizzying new price levels - and economists are puzzled."
Goldilox
(05/12/2006; 13:43:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144127)
Bubbles go unrecognized until they pop
@ mikal,

That's a crock!

They go "in-admitted until they pop" is more like it.

Sort of like not jinxing a no-hitter, so the elites can "take the money and run!"
ge
(05/12/2006; 14:00:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144128)
@ Flatliner
Proliferation of exchanges in local currencies of resource rich nations could be another milestone to watch for as this bull market progresses. Such a development would slow down the world trade, I guess. The following questions may be asked: Do US, Russia, Canada, Mexico and Bolivia have comparable geopolitical weight in the international scene? May the world be split into a small number of currency zones, echoing the early years of 20th century? May be the world may be split into two zones in a replay of the cold war of late 20th century?

Whatever happens, gold as the premium international reserve looks like the most logical solution.
Topaz
(05/12/2006; 16:53:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144129)
Gold, Bonds etc.
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/micro.jsp?s=GC1%21&s=DX1%21&s=TYXY&s=CL1%21&s=&s=&s=&s=&p=D&v=15&b=LINE&d=LOW
For the second day running we see both Equity and Bond Markets in negative territory.
There once was a time when "flight-to-safety" from equities meant good news for the Bonds ...not so nowadays it seems.
PoG was usually good for a spike on Fridays back then as prudence over the week-end would have you holding more rather than less Gold ...ah the good 'ol pre spell-checker days eh G'lox! ...Fir-ball?? what was I thinkin ;-)
I suppose todays Comex Gold trade IS only a Paper venue this month, we could still expect a Friday uptick in a delivery month I'm sure.
Flatliner
(05/12/2006; 17:48:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144130)
Currency moves
Does anyone have any insight with regards to the South American and South African currency moves against the US dollar today? Is it just that the fed hinted that it will continue to raise rates?

IMHO, all who bet that the fed will not raise rates will be robbed of everything that they own. It seems that they have two options � save the bank or save the economy. Which do you think they will choose?

Take a stand and get everyone that you know to allocate physical and hold.
Flatliner
(05/12/2006; 18:04:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144131)
Who's in the driver's seat for Oil � GW?
http://english.people.com.cn/200605/12/eng20060512_265044.htmlVenezuelan president says oil prices to continue to rise

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday that he expected world oil prices to continue to rise, saying U.S. President George W. Bush's policies contribute to oil price hikes.

"Every time Bush speaks, the price of oil goes up one dollar," Chavez told a press conference during his visit to Rome. "Bush should remain in his ranch and be silent."

Chavez added that he mainly blamed Bush, who he said should be "taken in front of an international court for genocide" for the war in Iraq.

The Venezuelan president again accused the United States of preparing an attack against his country, expressing concern about U.S. naval exercises now underway in the Caribbean.

"It's a threat. And they're making plans against Venezuela," he said.

Chavez reiterated that Venezuela would cut its oil sales to the U.S. if Washington were to launch an invasion, which could lead to a sharp rise of the oil prices, possibly at 100 U.S. dollars per barrel.

Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter, is a major supplier of fuel to the United States despite tensions between the two countries.

Flatliner � What did the world do before Google? Oh, and these seem like strong words. I'm glad I'm not a politician.
Flatliner
(05/12/2006; 19:11:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144132)
Years from now
People will look back at the spring of 2006 as the starting point of the most destructive hyperinflation the world has ever seen. When all the young investment bankers look back they will reflect "That spring I made millions upon million in a matter of months, but I had no idea that the value of those millions would turn out to be but steel pennies left on the ground at an abandoned amusement park." The euphoria of the initial phase of hyperinflation makes people think that they are getting wealthy in a blink of an eye. We are in that phase. Search the net yourself - there are hundreds of headlines stating that we're in the upstart of a commodities super-cycle. The unfortunate part is that the headlines make this super-cycle look like another investment opportunity. It is not. One needs to evaluate the steps needed for self preservation.

This commodities super-cycle is going to, and has caught, businesses around the world completely unprepared. Manufacturing is always the first to go during hyperinflation. The meager few percent return on goods and the lag time between buying supplies and replenishing supplies will lead to a rapid evaporation of capital. The only way companies can survive, is to play the commodities bull and stop manufacturing until the price's of commodities stabilize. This is not something to look forward too!

Time is your enemy. The longer you hold onto cash, the faster your ride to the poor house. To survive, you must be in an asset that is tradable. Physical metals fit the bill here.

Expect price controls and supply shortages. Controls don't work and they create mega imbalances for speculators (that will be you and me). Items that are price controlled will not be for sale. When price controls are lifted, prices skyrocket and assets are shuffled to new owners.

The middle class will be robbed blind. Expect labor to organize and strikes. Expect more free money from the government in an effort to keep people from rioting.

Expect, in five years, to have to rebuild your life.

Fortunately, the euphoria phase of hyperinflation empowers those that know it's coming with a little extra buying power to prepare. Fix your debt. Move to Gold and Silver in tradable units. Re-evaluate what's important with regards to revolving debt and don't get caught without food or water.

Your gold is absolutely the most precious thing you could be holding right now. Guard it well.
mikal
(05/12/2006; 19:20:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144133)
@Goldilox
Re: "crock" - I'll repeat the heading I gave my last post, Bubbles Go Unrecognized Until They Pop.

I don't have to say bubbles go "in-admitted"(unadmitted).

My version is true in many cases, and apt and ample commentary for a lead in(heading).

If one wishes to include MORE relevant commentary below the snippit, that would be their prerogative.

It's actually required under the Fair Use Doctrine of International Copyright Law, prescribing substantive comments (for educational purposes, etc.) on small excerpts.

So your brief comment on the article, paired up with mine, should meet the legal word quota that saves my arse! Thank you.

(Note to self- "Hmm, notice spacing adds something to my status! )
TownCrier
(05/12/2006; 19:42:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144134)
Flatliner, great post(s)
I also saw your good stuff offered Tuesday. I really wish I could chat but extra duties for the next two weeks are taking their toll. No time. (To accentuate that point, I've averaged just one quick meal per day since Sunday -- but not meaning to imply that I'm not greatful for that one, as I know some people are forced to get by on even less.)

R.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/12/2006; 20:11:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144135)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

FRIDAY Market Excerpts

Gold softens on day, $28 higher for week

May 12 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures fell more than 1% Friday but tallied a gain of almost $28 an ounce for the week as traders bet on longer-term weakness in the U.S. dollar.

The dollar was mixed Friday, gaining ground against Japan's yen and paring losses against the euro following a report that showed the U.S. trade deficit narrowing in March. The Federal Reserve's policy statement Wednesday may have deflated the equity market, but it hasn't halted the momentum in metals, observed Edward Meir, analyst at Man Financial.

"Tireless as a Tour de France cyclist, the gold market has now appreciated better than 70% over the past year for a $300 dollar gain," said Jon Nadler, an analyst at bullion dealer Kitco. "To say that gold is climbing a wall of worry is to understate the situation quite a bit -- this is starting to look more like a wall of panic," he said.

"But, like the cyclists, gold must also rest occasionally."

COMEX June futures pulled back to $711.80, closing down $9.70, following an intraday $728 peak.

The contract had rallied sharply this week, rising more than 6% over the past three sessions on the strength of heavy fund buying.

Even if the commodity undertakes a correction that's been predicted for nine weeks, according to Nadler, "the [background economic and geopolitical] conditions will persist and continue to bolster the case for diversifying out of paper for the sake of safety."

Even with gold prices in sight of $750, Dale Doelling, chief market technician at Trends In Commodities, said he doesn't see any 'topping formations'.

"Not only do I believe that we're not at a major top, but I think this bull market may just be building a full head of steam," he said, adding: "I will be very surprised if gold doesn't break the $1,000 barrier before summer turns to fall."

Jim Wyckoff, an analyst at TradingEducation.com was much more bearish -- at least for the short term. "Metals are ripe for big downside correction. It may come as soon as Monday," he said.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/12/2006; 20:24:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144136)
INDIA: Bullion now glitters more than jewellery
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News⊂section=market+news&month=May2006&file=Business_News200605132599.xml5/13/2006; REUTERS
Mumbai -- Soaring precious metal prices have led to a palpable change in the world's biggest gold-consuming market, with jewellery-loving Indians now buying more bullion in the form of bars and coins.

"The current investment-led buying is unprecedented," said Madhusudan Daga, consultant at Gold Field Mineral Services Ltd. "Jewellery shops are now openly displaying the one kilo bar in their showcases."

Daga said bullion, once favoured by wholesalers, is getting popular with two different types of consumers: one set buys to convert it into jewellery for family weddings, while another group, newly rich professionals and investors profiting from India's expanding economy, buys it purely for the capital appreciation, he said.

"Depending on their budget, people have been buying coins and bars," said a salesman at a large jewellery shop in busy Dadar, a middle-class central Mumbai suburb.

While rising prices have opened many Indians� eyes to gold as a financial instrument, the view of gold is also changing, especially in urban areas.

"Gold has become one more item in the investors� menu," said Rajan Venkatesh, marketing director (bullion) at Bank of Nova Scotia. "It is definitely here to stay and in future people would invest in it by comparing its rate of returns over other financial products."

However, the desire for gold as both an investment and jewellery overlaps in rural India.

---(from url)---

The market simply MUST respect the weight and momentum behind the sentiment of a population one billion strong.

R.
Chris Powell
(05/12/2006; 21:41:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144137)
Banks face vast losses in copper mayhem
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/05/13/cncopp13.xml&menuId=242&sSheet=/money/2006/05/13/ixcitytop.htmlBy Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
The Telegraph, London
Saturday, May 13, 2006

The spike in copper prices over recent weeks has left a group of banks and operators on the London Metal Exchange (LME) nursing vast losses, raising concerns about the stability of the commodities market.

The banks have been caught out by a sudden widening in the gap between the price of three-month futures and that of long-term futures, for December 2010 or April 2011.

"The dramatic differential we have seen over the past six weeks has cost them a huge amount of money," said a market source. "The bigger players can absorb the losses but smaller operators have nowhere to hide."

Copper surged this week to an all-time high of $8,875 a tonne, rising almost 10 percent on Thursday. Yet futures prices for April 2011 are just $3,778 a tonne.

Barclays Capital denied reports that it faced losses of �500 million on copper trades, saying that it would have issued a statement if such claims were true.

Banks help to finance the LME's $3,000 billion trades each year, often taking on long-term hedges from metal producers, which they cover by selling short-term futures. If the two suddenly diverge, it plays havoc with their books.

Adding to the intrigue, the LME's chief executive, Simon Heale, unexpectedly said on Thursday that he would be stepping down by the end of the year. His spokesman denied that there was any link to the metals mayhem this week, insisting that Mr Heale wished to spend more time with his family.

Copper has doubled in price this year even though industrial demand is flat.

"This is fairyland," said Richard Elman, head of the Noble Group. "We have never seen such a disconnect between reality and pricing of raw materials. The long-term story is sound but the short-term froth is patently frightening."

William Adams, an analyst at BaseMetals.com, said demand for copper tubes was collapsing as producers switched to PVC plastics. The market in Germany has halved from 90,000 to 45,000 tonnes. "There's a very rapid switch from copper. When it turns, copper could easily drop $1,000 a tonne in one day," he said.

David Threlkeld, a veteran copper trader, said the market had been "out of control" for months, allowing speculators to run roughshod over industrial producers and users. "The LME has been seduced by hedge funds," which have "pushed prices to levels unsupported by fundamentals. There's a vacuum below and the crash could set off a chain of margin calls running through the whole commodities sector. We've got a crisis on our hands and it is a lot bigger than copper," he said.
Ten Bears
(05/12/2006; 21:49:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144138)
@Flatliner msg#: 144109,& contrarian msg#: 144115
http://www.321gold.com/editorials/willie/willie051206.htmlVarious sources, probably using different analytical approaches, arriving at the same or very similar conclusions based on current economic facts. I hope there is just some kind of philosophical feed-back loop existing in the sound money, gold, anti-neocon community, and that things are not really as bad as we think. Unfortunately, this is probably a forlorn hope.

Jim Willie,is another voice in the chorus.

And from Fekete, "What to expect now? Sooner or later exchange officials will declare "liquidation only" policy. Thereafter, the longs can close out their profitable positions only through cash settlement. The shorts are absolved of their obligation to deliver as contracted. At that moment all offers to sell cash gold will be withdrawn around the globe."
Remember poor Bunker Hunt. Notice how the rules are always changed to favor paper. Greenspan's irrational exuberance�all he had to do was raise margin requirements, but he did not! How many times have margin requirements been raised on metals lately? And did not gold trade after noon prior to 9/11?
TownCrier
(05/12/2006; 23:47:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144139)
I'm inclined to think...
http://www.usagold.com/goldenchalkboard/gc_John-Locke-2nd-Treatise.htmlThose who are contributing to the wreaking of "mayhem" on the various industrial metals markets should give Locke's little treatise a once-over and then gravitate toward gold for the greater good, inclusive of their own.

R.
Gandalf the White
(05/13/2006; 00:04:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144140)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Goldilox
(05/13/2006; 00:17:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144142)
inadmitted or unrecognized?
@ mikal,

"inadmitted" is the proper word, as in "inadmissable evidence". SOunds weird, doesn't it?

I have no idea what your response meant, but I was directing my comment at the original author. No slight to you was meant.

My point was that the bubbles are quite recognizable, which is why they are called "speculative bubbles".

The paper specs rush in and profit immensely before running off with the cream. In the cases of the tech bubble (even GS called it 'irrational exuberance') and the RE bubble, which thousands of pundits have written about, there has been no issue "recognizing" them.

It may likely happen to PMs, as well, as it did in 1980, so I suspect that the post-froth "value" of PMs will be significantly lower than during the spec bubble period, whenever that ends. However, I haven't a clue how to evaluate that in the current climate, since actual survival of th dollar is at stake.

Admitting bubbles has been an altogether different story. Once the froth subsides, admission surfaces, but no one dares interrupt the feeding frenzy, or risk the potential of "crying wolf" in case they are later proved wrong.

Just my $0.04, infaltion adjusted.
The Invisible Hand
(05/13/2006; 00:36:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144143)
Renault versus Chirac � Re: Iran
http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=42823&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs
LONDON, May 13 (IranMania) - According to an AFP report, a suspended car deal between Iran and FRENCH giant Renault has been finalized and vehicles will soon start to roll off the production line, the deputy industry minister said.

http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=42833&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs
LONDON, May 13 (IranMania) - FRENCH President Jacques Chirac said Europe should seek the imposition of UN Security Council decisions on Iran over Tehran's refusal to give up its controversial nuclear programme, AFP reported.

==

What's happening here?
I thought Renault was a state-owned entreprise.
PRITCHO
(05/13/2006; 01:37:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144144)
From Richard Russell - - - - Latest Comments
http://ww1.dowtheoryletters.com/DTLOL.nsfRichard Nails It Down - -Again!
May 12, 2006 -- The toughest time to write about the markets is following a "sudden" wild day like yesterday. For the edification of new subscribers, I don't like this stock market, and I haven't liked the stock market over recent months. The reasons I don't like the stock market are simple -- it's overvalued and it's been exhibiting poor technical action. I've gone over the poor technical action so often and so thoroughly that I'm almost sick of talking about it.

Conversely, I've liked the gold market -- a lot. You can say that I've been a long-term cheerleader for the gold market -- all the while almost bullying my subscribers into buying gold.Now gold is overbought, but the situation in gold is so powerful that I honestly don't know exactly what to say about it. OK, I'll say something -- gold is now in one of the most powerful bull markets that I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of bull markets in my 81 years. This gold bull market far surpasses in strength the gold bull market of the 1970s. This bull market is far bigger, it's far more international, and it has much stronger and broader fundamentals than did the bull market of the '70s.

Suffice it to say that gold is in a powerful primary bull market, and my advice in a bull market has always been to put on your chaps and leather vest and boots and ride the bull. But wait, you prefer to trade? You think you can beat the bull via in-and-out trading? Then good luck. However, I'm betting you can't out-trade the primary bull trend. I'm betting that if you insist on trading, you're going to end up on the sidelines just when a major move is underway. Big bull markets gobble up and spit out in-and-out traders. I've seen it happen in every bull market since the 1940s.

The way to make money in a bull market is to load up early on the favored items, buy a bit more on the corrections, and hang on to the bull like grim death. The bull will do everything in his power to shake you off his back. To hell with what the bull wants--- you stick with what you want, and what you want is to harness the full power and profitability of the primary bull trend.

For the last couple of hundred upside points we've heard nothing but caution and warnings from those who don't understand gold and worse, from those who don't have a clue as to what's happening. Yesterday gold and silver both closed at new highs, but because the metals were so overbought, I wrote that I thought the time had come for some kind of a correction.

After all, gold had been up 16 out of the last 19 days, an incredible performance and possibly an all-time record for any item. Stocks and commodities and precious metals tend to act like living organisms, meaning that they exhale (go higher) and they inhale (go lower). Gold and silver have been exhaling for 84% of the last 19 trading days. Talk about amazing bullish power, we've been seeing it..

The capitalist world is very "unbalanced" these days. The US has been getting away with what some of us refer to as "financial murder." How so? Well, the US has been devouring the world's merchandise and services and savings at a furious rate. But the "murder" part of it is that the US has been paying for all this good stuff with paper that doesn't cost the US a damn thing. The US just creates the paper out of thin air, and damned if the rest of the world doesn't accept it -- for now.

You can get away with this chump's game for just so long, but at some point the US's creditors are going to look at all this junk paper that they've collected, and they're going to say -- "Enough, we can't keep taking in this garbage paper. Because what's behind this paper? Nothing -- except just more paper. We're selling the US real items -- food, furniture, machinery, clothes. It's about time we got something real in return -- some tangible US assets or some real, intrinsic money like gold."

Of course, the US won't give its creditors any gold -- the US stopped doing that back in 1971 when Nixon closed the "gold window." So what are we giving our creditors now? I'd say mostly arrogant advice, bullying demands, and well, a whole lot of unadulterated BS. But we may be close to the time when our creditors are tired of all of those "free" items. They may even be tired of paper dollars, which is one reason why the dollar is sinking. Worse, the US openly wants the dollar to fall -- maybe by about 25%. But hold it, a lot of our creditors are loaded with billions in dollar-denominated securities, and obviously they don't want to see the dollar fall. Maybe they should (pardon the expression) diversify. Diversify into what? Euros and yen -- and even gold comes to mind.

968
(05/13/2006; 03:17:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144145)
SA Krugerrand demand "unbelievable"
http://www.miningmx.com/gold_silver/316373.htm"We are seeing unbelievable demand for Krugerrands. The South African public is looking at the gold price movements and they want to be in gold," Rand Refinery's Johan Botha said. Rand Refinery had planned to produce 100,000 oz of Krugerrands in the financial year from October to September 2006, but demand had already overtaken this, he said. Last year, Krugerrand output was 85,000 oz.

"If we could produce 200,000 oz of coins we would have no problem selling them," Botha said. "Demand has outstripped what we were anticipating for this year."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmmmm, it seems they suddenly remember the Sleeper-speech in South-Africa...
Goldilox
(05/13/2006; 09:40:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144146)
ARE THE DOW JONES AND GOLD APPROACHING PREVIOUS RECORDS?
http://www.financialsense.com/Market/wrapup.htmsnip:

As you watch CNBC or other financial media, you'll notice a great deal of hype about the fact that the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is once again approaching the all-time high it hit in 2000. You also might witness the coverage about gold as a "mania market" as it approaches its all-time high reached in 1979. However, neither of these analyses of the current situation takes into account the destruction of the dollar's worth due to inflation.

The DJIA peaked at 11,722.98 in January 2000. As of 05/11/06, the price of the DJIA was 11,500.73 and the inflation adjusted price (CPI adjusted) for what this value would be in 2000 is 9,779.88. That is 16.5% below the 2000 peak and yet the financial media is ready to declare victory?

DJIA on 05/11/06 - 11,500.73

05/11/06 Value in 2000 Dollars - 9,779.88

Now let's take a look at where we are with gold and its previous historic high. The high reached in gold was $850 an ounce seen in January 1980. Adjusted for inflation, that would correspond to $2088.90 for an ounce of gold today!

Gold in 1980 - $850.00

In 2006 Dollars - $2088.90


Let's look at it from a reverse perspective. The recent (05/11/06) price of gold is $715.10 an ounce, which would correspond to $290.98 an ounce in 1980 adjusted dollars, nearly 66% below its previous peak.

Gold on 05/11/06 - $715.10

In 1980 Dollars - $290.98

My question to the financial media is this: how can you call the current action in gold a mania when it is selling for a 66% discount to its 1980 peak and be elated about the current price of the DJIA when it is still 16.5% below its 2000 high?

Since 2001 the dollar has been devalued by 60%.

In 1934 FDR devalued the dollar by 41%.

In 1971 Nixon devalued the dollar by 7.9%.

In 1973 Nixon devalued the dollar by 10%.

The return of the DJIA to its previous highs is misleading as mentioned above due to the decline in the value of the dollar. Gary Dorsch points out in his editorial, "Central Bankers� Worst Nightmare � The Gold and Bond Vigilantes," that "while the DJI is celebrating its hard fought recovery to record highs, the DJI has also lost 60% of its value to gold since its peak of 42.5 ounces in 1999. Investors were much better off owning an ounce of gold, than a share of the Dow Jones Industrials over the past six years."

-Goldilox

How does one tell a "mania" from "pure inflafla"? One try looking at the fundamental bigger picture.
Henri
(05/13/2006; 10:02:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144147)
$$$$$$$ $749.00 $$$$$$$$
In my perception, the key events leading to the increase in the US $ price of gold began in the mid to late 1990's with a decision by global financial interests that the US was incapable of reigning in its monetary/credit creation excesses. Clearly the US dominated global financial system was running roughshod over the major participants with little remorse and even making demands that foreign governments intervene in the currency markets to maintain stability (read life support system for the US $).

The script for change was implemented quietly and without the consent of the US. We were only able to observe symptoms of the ongoing malaise. The evolution of the Euro and its actual dissemination as a real working currency throughout the Euro-zone was but one salvo in the currency war. Tied to a "mark-to-market" pricing of 10-15% real gold reserves, the European players were basically announcing that they were no longer going to play the US structured game. They were no longer on the same level playing field, they started a new game on a completely different field. In the interest of maintaining "stability", they continued with interventions but were clearly no longer amused by the activity.

The virtual requirement that all global oil sales would be executed in US "petrodollars" is the lynch-pin of the aging and decrepit monetary system and was the avenue through which the US maintained its upper hand. There was after all no other currency on the planet that existed in sufficient depth to handled the transactions of the oil trade.

A recognition of the oil/gold relationship was inherent in the new game and as such it was only a matter of waiting for the old system to collapse under the weight of its own excesses. The new game players felt that the gold mining interests were sufficiently under their wing that there would be no trouble from that quarter. The bankers practically owned the major players by holding forward delivery and financing deals on the majority of key mining interests. The others such as those in South Africa could be brought to their knees easily by manipulation of the SA Rand.

What the global interests did not foresee is the lengths to which the US government would go to stay on top of the old game and keep it going. The invasion of Iraq precipitated on the announcement that it would trade oil for Euros was a shot across the bow of the stealth currency war. Here was a warning that the US would not tolerate becoming unseated as top control agent for the world's financial ambitions. Another shot across the bow was "pulling the rug out" from under Argentina�again, upon the announcement that it would begin to diversify the basis of its currency away from 100% backing of the US dollar to "a mixture" sure to include a major component of Euro holdings. Not an invasion, per se, but a dramatic exposition of the fact that Argentina had already been invaded and conquered long ago. Invaded by the US banking system to which Argentina had handed over the keys to its financial independence. What a rude awakening for the Argentine population. They should have gotten wise to the fact that their destiny was no longer in their own hands when the Argentine government announced it was selling its gold reserves.

The lynch-pin of petrodollar dominance rested on keeping the price of gold contained/restrained. The future of the new game depends on the release of gold from its bondage. Here in a free gold pricing structure, the "inflation" required by banking interests to create and maintain growth, can be channeled into an increasing "currency value" of gold reserves�something "real". Under the old system, growth was dependent on the expansion of the number of currency units in circulation.

The unlocking and expansion of Russian petroleum reserves was a key strategy in the new system. The wealth of the Caspian sea oilfields could be exported by pipeline over the geologically unstable mountains to the Turkish port on the Mediterranean or through Russia to the Blak sea and thence through the treacherous Bosphorus straits into the Mediterranean or even better across the Afgan frontier down the valley through Pakistan to the Indian ocean where it would have wide open access to Indian and Asian developing markets. The Russians hoped to "piggy-back" this deal and export their own reserves through this channel. The Pakistan was already a willing player, only the poppy fields of Afganistan stood in the way.

Many years were frittered in the scuffle for access through Afganistan and Pakistan. Meanwhile plans for pipelines directly to China from the Russian oilfields were being implemented.

We gained an insight that the US was invited to participate in the new game and the US showed its intention and desire to do so by taking its seat along with the other players at the directorate of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS)�an organization they had thumbed their noses at for decades.

Recognition that the new game was drawing increasing numbers of important players came when the BIS opened their first new branch office in downtown Hong Kong after the British lease on the territory was terminated. As no one "currency bloc" could effectively combat the US dollar block for currency supremacy, perhaps a coalition of major players can with no one player being able to be aggressively targeted as was done in Argentina.

The Asian contagion was albeit a pre-cursor to the Argentine massacre, not much different in flavor. These countries had made the grave error of allowing western banking interests into their soft underbelly. An Asian currency bloc bringing the Malaysian ringit (Maylasia is a brave hold-out to this trend having witnessed what has transpired in the other countries it continues to resist the opening of its borders to foreign banking interests) back into play is something the US dollar bloc will resist tooth and nail. Russia has learned well from these events and seen that Malaysia is holding its own despite its isolation. Russia continues to resist opening its borders to western banking interests. Russia It is now very close to being out of debt to other countries and has meanwhile become a viable player in the new game.


Another thing the global interests did not foresee was the successful efforts of the Gold Anti-trust association (GATA). This small but noble band of gold advocates severely loosened the death grip strangle hold of the banking interests from the mining interests and precipitated a very much quicker rise in the currency price of gold than was ever anticipated by the new gamers.

The new gamers also did not foresee the rapid rise in the price of oil. This is wholly the result of middle-east meddling on the part of the US government for the exact purpose of driving the petrodollar price of oil out of reach of any potential competitors by the sheer magnitude of resources needed to facilitate the trade. The announcement that Iran was going to open a bourse for the sale of Oil in euros resulted in an immediate focus on their fledgling nuclear power program. Well somebody has to be first to sell oil in something other than petrodollars.

It is in a nutshell as if the world has re-embraced the notion that "He who holds the gold makes the rules". Is it any wonder that the currency price of gold is increasing?

Now for my prognostication of the currency price of gold. I think the price will be substantially different in Euros and dollars. I can foresee a range of 10,000 to 30,000 US dollars/troy oz. and a concurrent range of 3000 to 10,000 euros per troy oz. My projection is only until the year 2012 since that is the date that the Mayan calendar ceases to acknowledge the existence of time. And as we all know "time is money" and so after that date there will be no need for currency or gold.

Cytek
(05/13/2006; 10:19:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144148)
$$$$$$ 674.00 $$$$$$
In response to Sir MK's question. The turning point... many things have transpired in the last 4 years that have caused gold to rise and almost hit the 70's highs. 911, the washington agreement,the dollar sinking and the FED running the printing presses 24 X 7, runaway deficit spending,the Rothchild's announcement and central banks selling gold. But the turning point in my opionion hasn't happened yet..
I would have to say if i bought a stock back in 1980 and payed $850 per share and that stock in 2006 is almost back to where i bought it in 1980, is that a bull market?
Once gold passes the 70's high then we will see something that will turn everyones head. Gold will continiue to fly and not look back. That's when i'm calling the turning point. For gold prices in the forseable future, i am not even going to make a call on that one.

cytek
Goldilox
(05/13/2006; 10:54:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144149)
Great Post
@ Henri,

If there were a prize offered for best essay re the contest question, I would have to vote for yours so far.

Thanks.
Goldilox
(05/13/2006; 11:00:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144150)
Silver ETF Hits Critical Mass
http://freeserve.advfn.com/news_Silver-ETF-Hits-Critical-Mass_15403026.htmlsnip:

SPOKANE, Wash., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver ETF hits critical mass and most in the financial world don't even know it. Silver expert David Morgan of silver-investor.com has just released news that is critical to silver investors worldwide.

"Authorized Participants that wish to redeem a Basket of Shares will receive the Basket Silver Amount in exchange for each Basket surrendered. JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch will be the custodian for the Trust and responsible for safekeeping the silver." Followed by footnote 29.

Footnote 29 states: "If the total value of the Trust's silver held by the Custodian exceeds $1 billion, then the Custodian will be under no obligation to accept additional silver deliveries. In such a case, the Trustee will retain an additional custodian."

At this point in time, May 11, 2006, the Silver ETF has 58 million ounces of silver in trust and is selling at a 4.5% premium. The Silver ETF has a current value of approximately $877 million which means we are already about 88 percent of the level that JP Morgan will be "under no obligation to accept additional silver deliveries" emphasis ours.

What will this mean for the silver market? What if physical demand continues at the current pace? The amount of physical silver put into trust from Silver ETFs first day of trading to present time is nearly 60 million ounces of silver. This is in ten days of trading.

Many have commented that it is nearly impossible to deliver the amounts of physical silver into the vaults without the silver already resting in place. Berkshire Hathaway's silver was in London and Barclays Silver ETF is in London, is it the same silver?

-Goldilox

Dave Morgan adds his insights to the silver ETF questions.
Thoreauly
(05/13/2006; 11:35:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144151)
@ Henri #144147
"My projection is only until the year 2012 since that is the date that the Mayan calendar ceases to acknowledge the existence of time."

You mean time runs out as the Fed approaches 100?

Sounds about right to me.
Stoney Rivers
(05/13/2006; 12:05:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144152)
$$$737.50$$$
Pres. Nixon's decision to detach our currency from gold is, I believe, the beginning of the modern ascent of gold. The spike of 1980, the mark we all aspire to again see, will pale to the new highs this and furure generations will so ardently seek.
Goldilox
(05/13/2006; 12:19:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144153)
FSN Broadcast
http://www.netcastdaily.com/fsnewshour.htmFor those who are still interested in the movie, "From Freedom to Fascism", Aaron Russo, the writer/director/producer is the second hour guest today on Puplava's Financial Sense Newshour.

The first hour market wraps, given this week's volatiity, offer some very interesting perspectives.

Brew a pot, or pop some corn - your choice.
jorgito
(05/13/2006; 13:14:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144154)
****** $892.20 ******
Embry said he would not be surprised if gold $85,000. Lord Jim says Embry may be surprised. I'll go with $892.20 for the month.
Wonko
(05/13/2006; 14:28:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144155)
Where will all the new money come from?
First it was stock, then when that headed down people moved into what they thought was the safety of bonds then when both tanked they moved into real estate. Each time they borrowed money into existance in the hopes that the asset would advance more rapidly than the liability. Meanwhile the currency has been leaving the economy via imports which convert the money to US bonds. Alan "the wizard" Greenspan kept the economy liquid by lowering rates. Now rates are going up so the liquidity creation is gotta slow. What is going to happen?????
Goldilox
(05/13/2006; 14:32:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144156)
***** $745.0 *****
To begin with, let define what I consider the "long term", before I address inflection points.

During the height of Western imperialism, and the confusion leading to the first Great War, the motions were set in place to unseat the Constitutional United States. Almost in tandem, the 16th amendment (which many believe was never legally ratified) and the Federal Reserve Act were ramrodded into law. In order to back them, Emergency War Powers were enacted a couple years later.

As the "free" populace of the US was not malleable enough to allow a coup all in one fell swoop, the solidification of power was accomplished slowly with some powerful landmarks along the way.

First and foremost, JP Morgan convinced the US government to absorb the war debt of the failing British Empire, so that US entry into the European war for colonies was virtually guaranteed to ensure Morgan would be repaid his British war loans.

Then the power to tax the people was established (not without challenges in the Supreme Court) by the IRS acts. Soon after that, the power of the industrialists was weakened by the 1920's stock bubble and subsequent crash. This ensured Wall Street's complete power over industrial America, and again insured entry into WWII, as the weakened industrial base was re-tasked to supply first the British (again), and then the US war efforts. The final result of this transformation was the rise of what President Eisenhower called the Military-Industrial Complex, very much akin to Mussolini's "Corporate Fascism".

Along the way, the US dollar was handed over to a consortium of banks called "Federal Reserve", but one of its "limitations" remained in its constitutional attachment to PMs. Roosevelt used the 1929 crash and subsequent bank run to hand over the wealth of the entire US electorate to the banks by declaring $20 per ounce gold "illegal", confiscating as much as he could, and handing it back to the bankers for FRNs, raising its value to $35 immediately after.

When Nixon completely the severance of US $ from any standard a generation later, the world response was a near immediate demand growth, especially by the growing Opec nations, who found US paper promises less than adequate compensation for their natural resources. Most of the world have been taught that the ME conflicts are about "religion", when, in fact, the rape of oil resources and the presence of a Western intelligence outpost in Jerusalem were both unacceptable to the OPEC leaders.

The answer by TPTB was to set up the US$ as a "world reserve currency", so there was no excuse not to take it "as payment of all debts, public and private". Any grumbling about the above found "economic hitmen" operating within one's borders and more than happy to finance any dictators who would toe the IMF/CIA line at any cost to their people. As George the First once put it, "We must maintain 'business as usual' at all costs."

The turn of the millennium brought dissenters to the dollar in new economic battlefields. Iraq, still reeling from their belief that the US would support their annexation of Kuwait, responded to the about face of US policy by declaring it's "Oil for Food" program would accept Euros only starting in 2002. We've seen what devastation that dissention cost.

More behind the scenes, other Opec nations touted formation of an "Islamic Gold Dinar" and accompanying silver currency. Indonesia was a big proponent of this, along with Iraq and Iran. The heavily US influenced House of Saud, however, was very quiet about any participation. Christmas 2004 brought a rather nasty Santa to Indonesia, in the form of a 9.0 quake and accompanying tsunami, with no working warning systems in place. What was in place, however, was the largest US Navy task force in history all anchored in the China Seas, not far on the leeward side of the tsunami. With this catastrophe, the hopes of an Islamic Gold Dinar were swept away alongside the millions of Indonesians and Indians who were caught in the wake.

Iran, the only remaining Islamic Gold Dinar backer, is under huge pressure from the western banking states due to "uranium enrichment". A country with no nuclear war capability is supposedly holding countries with hundred to tens of thousands of nuclear devices "hostage", once again.

At the same time, "Reich-stag Fires" in NYC and FEMA "failures" in New Orleans have reduced the "fat and happy" benefactors of the "Strong Dollar policy" to cowering paranoids willing to give up their freedoms to the next generation of elites that manipulated Weimar Germany to bankruptcy and subsequent "corporate fascism".

Now that I've set the stage, what is my "flex point"? The point at which the western powers abdicated to the war financiers, whenever that was. Some link that to Lincoln and the Civil War, and even earlier to the Napoleonic Wars.

However, it seems that fomenting Russian revolution (the only Western Monarchy that would not give CB powers to the Rothschild cartel), the Weimar collapse, and creation of the US Federal Reserve all occurred near simultaneously, and can all be pointed to as beginning points in 20th Century New World Order politics.

During that time, gold has been on an embattled path to regain the monetary power forced out by the FIAT War Financiers, progressing from a point where currencies were "fixed" to its value to today's second attempt at re-compensation for the runaway FIAT presses.
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/13/2006; 15:10:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144157)
Putting a world of gold at your fingertips...
http://www.usagold.com/buy-gold-coins.html

gold -- a global calling card
Gandalf the White
(05/13/2006; 18:35:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144158)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAA --- Contest Entry Update <;-)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

===
THANKS all for the interesting ANSWERS to the Question.
(Some are worthy of a PRIZE, IMHO.)
Keep them coming, as we have not seen anything YET !
GO YELLOW
<;-)
jnshirtl
(05/13/2006; 19:54:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144159)
Empire and student debt
@Goldilox - I note that in your contest entry, you neglect a prognostication as to the future price of gold. However, I enjoyed the rest of your essay. Are you an avid reader of The Daily Reckoning and Bonner/Wiggins books? They've taken a similar tack of late, with much talk of the American Empire and imperial corruption, along with an historical examination of the path taken by the American Empire builders, leading to similar conclusions to those you make.

Personally, I concur on many of these points as the road to destruction of the United Empire of America as we know it now, including their dollar. However, my peers and the rest of my demographic significantly discount this possibility. My friends think me terribly pessimistic and even foolish when I speak of the dire circumstances facing the western world, and when I talk about what that could mean, and these are good friends who trust my judgement regularly with respect to our classes and things in which we are involved. Currently, I attend university for my bachelor's degree, and a university is supposed to be a center for knowledge, wisdom, and thought, yet so many people here are unable to open their mind for a second to consider that the world as we know it in an economical sense and in a political sense may be unravelling, much less attempt to find a way to smooth the transition or prevent personal ruin. It is almost as though the world outside has no bearing on our lives; we are isolated from the financial world (and other worlds) by the boundary around the campus.

Part of why I discuss my situation as a university student is because of the debt that I hold and that I am incurring as a result of attending my classes. As a Canadian whose income is small enough to make me eligible, I carry government student loans which are interest-free for me until after I have graduated. I do not have to make any payments against the principle, and no interest is accumulated until my graduation date. While I was leery to enter into the debt, it was necessary to finance my education, and one cannot become an engineer without a degree. What I would like to know is something along the lines of the following: if the system of fiat collapses and is completely abolished in the United States, our near neighbours and close trading partners (thus our currencies closely tied), would the outcome be approximately the same in Canada, and along the same timeline? I admit, I haven't the time to spend poring over the status of the Canadian dollar and government finances and financial policies, so I shall pose my question more generically: How will other paper currencies be affected by a complete collapse of the world reserve currency?

The second part of my question isn't really relevant unless the collapse is accelerated significantly from its current pace, since I expect to graduate in two years. However, given that I owe my government money that they have loaned me as a student, what would you expect them to do with that debt in a period of hyperinflation? The loan's status as interest-free precludes the direct application of outrageous interest rates (although they could probably renegotiate the loan or insist that I pay it instantly if such a period were to occur). Obviously, if they keep the number that I owe them as it is, they lose significantly, because the value of the money I owe them would be much less than when they gave me the money, or even meaningless if the dollar system is eradicated. Do you think it possible that they may convert the debt to an amount of gold equivalent to the dollar "value" of the debt at some point? What point might that be?

These are the thoughts that I've been pondering of late, along with my readings of Another's Thoughts and Bonner's book. Unfortunately, I haven't the time to read and absorb everything, since I am busy with studying and class, but I thirst for understanding of what exactly the gold that I own means beyond preservation of wealth. I read the forum regularly, although I haven't contributed for over two years (I lost my password so I have a different username now; that and I feel that my understanding of the situation pales in comparison to that of the intellectuals who routinely discuss here, so I read and absorb in hopes that I may someday contribute uniquely). I will try to put together a commentary suitable for a contest entry soon, although my guess of $737 has been stolen. In the meantime, I look forward to any thoughts you may put forward regarding my debt.

Thank you,
Jay
Beer Man
(05/13/2006; 20:34:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144160)
@ Jay
Jay when T S H T fan .... My guess is many people will have trouble .... they may try to lock up your pay ..... dont worry ... Im sure you could get a manufacturing job ........ ( fast food ) ... so said W ..... I also need to get my guess in .. many good post .. I agree you will pay back with $$$ of less value .. Good Luck Beerman
Minero
(05/13/2006; 21:08:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144161)
@jnshirt1
I think all of us, young and old, are sitting around trying to predict the future. From my commodities trading days, I remember just how difficult that is. The possibilities are endless. What does this big run-up in gold really mean? Is this the beginning of the end for the American Empire? I often find myself thinking of total destruction, Armegadon, etc. Certainly anything is possible, just look through an old World History textbook.
As for your concern about your student debt, I see that as rather trivial. If we do lapse into hyperinflation, you will be one of many in that same boat. They surely can't eat you, and I think they have also done away with debtors prisons in Canada, correct?
In all seriousness, I am a bit concerned that this whole gold thing could get out of control and cause much irrepairable damage, loss, and pain for one and all (even those with large PM holdings). The fundamentals for a total collapse of the US econemy are in place. I don't think that the American populous is at all prepared to deal with any "hard times". As a nation and people we have had it too good for too long. We are soft! I say this having traveled extensivly through parts of the third world. I have seen how we react to less than perfect living conditions. Americans become upset when the airlines cut back on the munchies on a two hour flight.
I certainly hope that somehow "the powers that be" do not allow anything radical to occur. And then I remember reading in a recent post something about "no adult supervision in Washington D.C,"
Goldilox
(05/13/2006; 21:51:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144162)
Omitted number
jnshirtl,

I omitted a discreet number for the "gold top", because I believe we are witnessing the dissection of the current means of measurement. The US dollar may well survive in name, but it very likely will have little or no resemblance to the current FRN definition, perhaps rendering any comparison completely moot.
Ten Bears
(05/13/2006; 22:10:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144163)
The Center has shifted.
http://reese.king-online.com/Reese_20030409/index.php
Comparing the postings at various blogs, gold, sound money, and other internet sites with postings at similar sites over the past several years, reveals that posters now are more likely to believe that; a. Financial capitalism has destroyed industrial corporations, reduced American living standards, and initiated wars. b. Deregulation and privatization of utilities and transportation has lowered quality and increased consumer prices. c. Government statistics are inaccurate and politicized.

In fact the legitimacy of government at all levels is now widely questioned.

Three and one half decades ago, Charley Reese was considered a conservative commentator, the US Government had not defaulted on gold obligations, financial engineering and the explosion of derivatives (side bets) had not yet taken hold, and a substantial number believed in the truthfulness of their representatives.

Check out Charley's, May,10 2006 commentary.
Snippets:
"Ordinarily, I believe that a property-based capitalism is the best system. Unfortunately, that has been replaced by finance capitalism, and so we have to face the fact that when the super-rich and the giant corporations buy up all the assets and then sit on them, opportunity for average people shrinks almost to nothing."

"The old German Oswald Spengler, predicted in his book "The Decline of the West" that the Age of Money would be replaced by the Age of Caesars."
Caradoc
(05/13/2006; 22:54:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144164)
***$855***
The real upturn for gold hasn't happened yet. It'll begin the day that Joe Sixpack is rudely woken up by having to pay more than $150 to fill the tank of his pickup. Yes, Joe will look around and figure that a lot of things aren't the way he has been led to believe. Meanwhile, May 25 figures to be a nasty day for news, taking gold beyond $887. My figure of $855 is just an approximation of where gold will be the day before it brteaks past $887.

Caradoc
Topaz
(05/14/2006; 00:40:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144165)
Seismic activity.
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/micro.jsp?s=GC1%21&s=DX1%21&s=TYXY&s=CL1%21&s=&s=&s=&s=&p=D&v=15&b=LINE&d=LOWThe last few weeks have seen a gradual build-up of EQ's ...quantity wise anyway. 222 is as many as I can recall at any one time ...post the Indonesia big one anyway!
Topaz
(05/14/2006; 00:47:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144166)
Yep, that'll do it ...Bonds and Gold etc.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/After a turn northward our Bonds resumed their decline but without any real conviction. With such good fertile ground to the upside both Buck and Bond should rally here "with" Gold, but maybe closer to June rollover ...Oh for a spectacular repeat of Sept '05!
968
(05/14/2006; 03:17:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144167)
Iran: Euro to replace dollar as oil currency
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article13030.htm"In July Iran will ditch the dollar in favour of the euro as the currency in which it will accept payments for its oil and natural gas exports, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced Friday."
Gandalf the White
(05/14/2006; 07:23:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144168)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/14/2006; 07:24:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144169)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAA --- Contest Entry Update <;-)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

===
<;-)
slingshot
(05/14/2006; 09:03:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144170)
Search for thr Renaissance
Waiting for a few moments to see if there was movement beneath the covering, this unveiling was rapid and the intruder became the prisoner before he recovered from his induced sleep by Sir Pritcho. He was bound with cord and an flat iron bar cage was brought up from the dungeon and he was placed within. The injured were being cared for and the wounds cleansed and bandaged. Even with their injuries, a few approached the small prison to look in at the creature, drawing satisfation as the welt grew upon enemy's head.
News of the occurance spread throughout the castle. Although this engagement did not last long, those that entered the Council Chamber gasped at the sight. Chairs strewn about, a vacant wall and a fallen candle stand. Blood on the floor and the damage done to the "Mighty Oaken Table of Yore".
Sir Black Blade and Gandalf entered the chamber and seeing the cage, Sir Black Blade asked, "What do we have here"? Gandalf, now peering in from the top of the cage said only one word. "Wolfling". Sir Black Blades attempt to ease the air was overcome by new concern.
Wolfling? could be heard from those in the room.
"Bring him to my room" said Gandalf. With that Gandalf left as quickly as he came.
"Sometimes I wish he would be a little more forthcoming with what he knows?"'said Sir Mikal. Sir M.K. uprighted his chair and sat down at the table. "Ishlar",he spoke.
"What is this? A day for one words?" exclaimed Sir Topaz.
"That is where he hides and where we must go", answered Sir M.K.
Slingshot---------------<>


Noble1
(05/14/2006; 11:40:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144171)
Novella

Sir Slingshot,

I always look forward to the next chapter in your ongoing novella. Your writing style is a pleasure to read. What an enormous talent (gift?) to have!

Best Regards,

Noble1
Armageddon
(05/14/2006; 12:03:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144172)
Another Black Monday coming on Monday?
The dollar has been going down rapidly, gold gaining to around $710 per ounce on the spot market, the stock market was down on Friday and Thursday and the chart action for the Nasdaq appears similar to the Nasdaq chart action on the 1987 Black Monday.

USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/14/2006; 12:40:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144173)
A special combo of assets and info for those who are taking their first step into gold
http://www.usagold.com/gold/special/starter.html

gold ownership starter kit
contrarian
(05/14/2006; 12:42:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144174)
Black Monday
Armageddon--
I wouldn't be so sure! Imagine the deafening sound of helicopter rotors at 10,000 rpm. Imagine a pyroclastic cloud of billions and billions of paper notes, engulfing anything in its path. Imagine light fiber communication lines to the Caribbean melting. Imagine computer terminals brightly illumined with flashing buy signals like Broadway marquees. Imagine the glorious hosannas of a multitude of just us folks as the markets miraculously rebound and salvation is assured. Imagine Ben Bernanke descending in a cloud of glory!
Armageddon
(05/14/2006; 13:57:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144175)
@contrarian - You got a point there. :)
I guess it would also depend on how big the panic is. If it is widespread and also involving foreign central banks then Helicoper Ben may need "trillions" to prop up the markets.

Either way inflation will be certain.
Armageddon
(05/14/2006; 15:21:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144176)
Bernanke's Test Has Arrived?
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5148.htmThis article was the one that showed that the Nasdaq is behaving like 1987 before the crash that I mentioned in my previous post.
Chris Powell
(05/14/2006; 17:00:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144177)
Central bankers are backing 'Plaza lite' to devalue U.S. dollar
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/05/14/ccliam14.xmlBy Liam Halligan
The Telegraph, London
Sunday, May 14, 2006

On Friday the dollar plunged to a 12-month low. With sterling close to $1.90 and further dollar falls likely, we could soon see a $2 pound.

Good news, then, if you have booked a holiday in America. But that is where the good news ends. The dollar -- after a period of sustained decline -- is now dangerously fragile against all major currencies. That presents serious risks.

Friday also saw a one-year low against the euro. The dollar has, in fact, sunk by almost 7 percent in just six weeks against America's main trading partners. A slip of just 1 percent more, on the same measure, will mark a 33-year low.

At the centre of this story is the large and widening US current account deficit. Since 1995, as America has sucked in imports, this trade gap has grown eight-fold. It now exceeds �800 billion -- almost 7 percent of the national income of the world's largest economy.

Inevitably, this record-breaking "global imbalance" puts the dollar under pressure. But in recent weeks its decline has been more pronounced.

One reason is that while interest rates are rising around the world, they are set to go up relatively more in Europe and Japan than in the US. That makes the dollar less attractive.

The US Federal Reserve increased rates to 5 percent last week -- its 16th rise in less than two years. But the dollar kept falling anyway, in part because of narrower "rate differentials."

But there is something far more significant. The dollar is resolutely heading south, and will continue to do so, because of what you might call "regime change."

Central banks around the world -- led by the Fed -- are tacitly co-operating to bring about a managed dollar decline. The first signs of this came at last month's Group of Seven finance ministers' meeting in Washington.

That was followed by an unusually stark statement to Congress by Ben Bernanke, the new-ish Fed chairman, who said America's "international debtor" status "cannot continue forever." The International Monetary Fund chipped in too, warning that the "resolution of global imbalances" may require a "substantial" dollar decline.

An even weaker US currency is the least painful way to address America's yawning deficit. A cheaper dollar helps US exporters while pushing import prices up.

But previous attempts to lower the dollar have been frustrated in Asia. Reluctant to give away competitive advantage, countries in the region -- notably China, but others too -- have intervened to stop their currencies rising too far against the dollar.

But there are signs that the mood is shifting. This latest dollar selloff has seen the greenback fall against the yen and the South Korean won. Also, the US government, in its semi-annual currency report, last week stopped short of accusing China of "manipulating" the yuan. That paves the way for Beijing to revalue without losing face.

The markets are referring to this perceived "deal" to weaken the dollar as "Plaza lite." Back in 1985, faced with a similarly bloated America, the industrial nations united to manage a smooth dollar decline. That agreement was called the Plaza Accord -- after the New York hotel where the meetings took place.

Speaking to Congress last month, Bernanke outlined the dangers of defusing America's deficit. "While it is likely that current account imbalances will be resolved gradually over time," he said, "there is a small risk of a sudden shift in sentiment that could lead to disruptive changes in the value of the dollar and other asset prices."

In other words, the dollar could collapse -- causing more systemic concerns that spread into equity markets. Could such a scenario happen?

Well, with the markets becoming more convinced of "Plaza lite," traders are already quitting the dollar in droves. The currency's sharp fall in recent days, in turn, has sparked fears about US inflation. We are now seeing the result -- shares on Wall Street have dived, a trend now affecting the City.

The dollar desperately needs to come down. But if Plaza lite goes wrong and the currency becomes a one-way bet, we will be in serious territory.

Last week Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, did his bit to convey that Plaza lite would work, precisely because it is not explicit. "As the global imbalances start to unwind," he said, "I think you'll find the major countries want to talk to each other." I hope he's right. Because if this much-needed adjustment goes wrong, it will be no holiday.
MK
(05/14/2006; 19:38:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144179)
A thought. . .
What you are witnessing is real.

It is the logical result of natural cycles too long subjugated, distended, distorted and disturbed.

In the time when the strong dollar policy was king, you could make money by buying stocks, bonds and their paper derivatives.

In this time, when the weak dollar policy is king, you are experiencing the equal and opposite reaction -- the time when the real is king.

What was then is no longer now. And what is now defines the opposite.

It is not difficult to understand what to do next.

Simply realize that nature has its cycles despite the best laid plans of man.

Go with the flow, not the propaganda.

Gold will carry you through.
pilgrim
(05/14/2006; 19:39:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144180)
lquestions from a long-time lurker, first-time poster
Please accept a pronounced tip of the hat and a sincere thank you to all the knights in this castle, both past and present, active and retired. I am most thankful for the knowledge and wisdom that has been so freely shared within the electronic walls of this mighty fortress.

My post is prompted by the hope that this knightly fellowship might be kind enough to consider a few questions about "foreign exchange reserves."

How is it that nations "hold" what is called foreign exchange reserves? Do they stack paper currency in thousands of warehoused pallets or do they deposit electronic digits into the invisible world of modern banking computers? Or do they do a bit of both?

Is gold a foreign exchange reserve or something altogether different? And, where are most nations' reserves of gold bars physically stored? Are the vaults in London, Switzerland, and the USA stuffed with the gold of the "lesser" nations?

In any case, how does a nation actually acquire foreign exchange reserves? Being a simple pilgrim, I thought world trade was handled primarily by private corporations -- how do transactions between private entities result in additions to a nation's' reserves? Or is it only so with regard to those nations (like China and Russia) where the nation (or should I say "government"?) appears to own the corporations which do the deals?

Whew!! That's it! Thanks for your indulgence and I take my leave!

slingshot
(05/14/2006; 19:47:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144181)
Noble 1
Thank you Noble1 and hope you enjoy future episodes. As before I want to say that it is not just my story. It is OUR STORY. Eventhough I have not mentioned everyone, you are still part of the story. There would have been none without all who post here at USAGOLD. And no forum without our host USAGOLD.
Thank you all at USAGOLD/CPM for all you have provided.
May you all enjoy the story as I endeaver to provide some entertainment along the Golden Trail.
Slingshot---<><><>
MK
(05/14/2006; 19:51:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144182)
Slingshot
Love the story. Appreciate being a character in the play. Many thanks. The knights have much to overcome. But dealing with the threat is part and parcel of our character.
mikal
(05/14/2006; 23:00:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144183)
Brimelow, Russell, Murphy on the bull market
http://cbs.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?dist=newsfinder&siteid=mktw&guid=%7B41604753%2D25CC%2D45E0%2D956C%2DF51CE72E052D%7D&symbol=Gold grinds in | Peter Brimelow | MarketWatch - 12:01 AM, Monday, 05/15/06
The Invisible Hand
(05/15/2006; 00:43:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144184)
iMF tries not to be swept out
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,,1774162,00.htmlThe International Monetary Fund is in behind-the-scenes talks with the US, China and other major powers to arrange a series of top-level meetings about tackling imbalances in the global economy, as the dollar sell-off reverberates through financial markets.
==
From Sunday's Observer
Sorry if posted before
Knallgold
(05/15/2006; 01:58:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144185)
"Commodity crash"
Banks face huge losses in the commodity mayhem,and what happens a few days later?The stuff gets crushed at an unusual time,at the same second.

Anyone still against FreeGold??
gindex
(05/15/2006; 02:47:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144186)
Gold price increase
How does the increase in gold price affect hedged positions and how would this affect earnings?
goldpuppy
(05/15/2006; 03:04:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144187)
gold and silver correction?
So was that the gold $688 and silver $13.40 correction we were all expecting? Was that it? Or are we going to have a really good stomach at the back of the throat plunge downwards?
gindex
(05/15/2006; 03:07:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144188)
Gold price decrease
what was the reason for the gold price decrease?
Topaz
(05/15/2006; 03:29:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144189)
@gindex.
If they were hedged at $500/Oz ie: some time ago they locked in a forward sale to deliver Gold today @ the (then) Spot of $480 plus $20 time premium based on Interest Rates. They would have sacrificed the difference between actual PoG increase and a pre-determined calculated increase based on IR's.

The current downdraft is largely a function of dematerialising Gold through the same IR and DX mechanism FWIW...a practice the world by and large has had it's fill with.
Golden Lionheart
(05/15/2006; 03:32:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144190)
Don't worry folks............
This is a healthy pullback that happens in all bull markets. Take the opportunity to top up your holdings in the next week or so.(or maybe longer!)
Take a look at the 1980 gold charts...........been there done that! I have been charting gold since 1961 so I am quite relaxed.
Golden Lionheart
(05/15/2006; 03:46:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144191)
Gold hedging
G'day Gindex...............I can tell you that gold hedging has already accounted for one prominant Australian gold mine and has caused acute sickness in another. I am surprised how Barrick manages to survive with their huge hedge book. Their management must be very very worried.
gindex
(05/15/2006; 04:14:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144192)
(No Subject)
So, what do you think abt AngloGold Ashanti's hedge book. Covers circa 35% of production. How will the increase in gold price affect them. That is equal to a huge loss position. Already the hedge position as at Dec '05 was negative USD1.94bn.
The Invisible Hand
(05/15/2006; 04:48:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144193)
This was 8::30 am GMT
http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-05-15T063249Z_01_ALL523557_RTRIDST_0_OZABS-MARKETS-PRECIOUS-20060515.XMLSNIP
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Gold firmed on Monday after the dollar sank to its lowest level in a year against the euro
==
8:30 GMT was an hour or an hour and a half before the London opening.
Wad is ze probleme?
You worried about dollar?
goldpuppy
(05/15/2006; 06:00:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144194)
POS
Silver $13.10. I've backed up the truck....let me know when you're ready to go!!!!
Gandalf the White
(05/15/2006; 07:36:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144195)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW ! <;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/15/2006; 07:38:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144196)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAA --- Contest Entry Update <;-)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/15/2006; 07:43:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144197)
WHY ? -- one asks ? <;-)
IN CASE a number of readers missed these postings from LATE LAST NIGHT --- Sirs Contrarian and Armageddon had it NAILED ---
Helicopter Ben and the Banksters did their job ! BUT, this can not happen EVERY DAY !!!!
<;-)
===

Armageddon (5/14/06; 15:21:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144176)
Bernanke's Test Has Arrived?
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5148.htm
This article was the one that showed that the Nasdaq is behaving like 1987 before the crash that I mentioned in my previous post.

Armageddon (5/14/06; 13:57:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 144175)
@contrarian - You got a point there. :)
I guess it would also depend on how big the panic is. If it is widespread and also involving foreign central banks then Helicoper Ben may need "trillions" to prop up the markets.

Either way inflation will be certain.

contrarian (5/14/06; 12:42:40MT - usagold.com msg#: 144174)
Black Monday
Armageddon--
I wouldn't be so sure! Imagine the deafening sound of helicopter rotors at 10,000 rpm. Imagine a pyroclastic cloud of billions and billions of paper notes, engulfing anything in its path. Imagine light fiber communication lines to the Caribbean melting. Imagine computer terminals brightly illumined with flashing buy signals like Broadway marquees. Imagine the glorious hosannas of a multitude of just us folks as the markets miraculously rebound and salvation is assured. Imagine Ben Bernanke descending in a cloud of glory!
contrarian
(05/15/2006; 09:01:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144198)
Dollar Collapse...Stock Market Collapse
I think the only thing that will collapse the stock market is a dollar crash. I used to think that the SM had a conventional life of its own, but lately it's become entirely obvious that SM is managed, irrespective of what a female pundit from Bloomberg might say (but look at who pads her pocketbook), but when the dollar collapse happens, it will make any monetary management tools entirely impotent, like trying to kill an elephant with a pebble--and maybe actually will make the SM crash worse I think. But again, after and only AFTER the dollar collapse. We shall see!
Goldilox
(05/15/2006; 09:28:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144199)
OT - Ancient observatory found at Ancient Andes Site
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-sci-observatory14may14,0,4623612.storyMore evidence that our civilization has been preceded by advanced civilizations that predate our own sociolological origins. . . just the kind of evidence that can erode faith in the main premises of "divine right of rule" touted by the world's "royal families" and theocracies.

It also lends support to the theories of the cataclysmists, something gaining more ground in the "rather shaky" realm of modern archeology.

Add this to the list of things that inspire gold acquisition in "troubled times."
contrarian
(05/15/2006; 09:55:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144200)
Dow Crash Averted
Looks like PPT have averted the Dow crash, as it's now up 8 points. Brilliantly executed! Dollar up, stocks up, gold down, isn't it a beautiful day! But keep your umbrella and raincoat handy. Storm clouds still brewing!
Flatliner
(05/15/2006; 10:53:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144201)
Mid-contest price adjustment offering at hand
If anyone comes across a current article that graphically demonstrates how ETF holdings spike on every major sell off, can they post it here? Please. I remember reading an article a few months back that showed clearly how ETFs snatched up gold during every correction cycle. One would expect with the ride that we're taking today that they would once again give them the opportunity to pile it on (and deep).

For some reason, I've come to believe that there might be a correlation between correction cycles and periods of time when really bad news is scheduled to come out about the US economy. It's as if the escape route is being managed at just the right time thus making everyone looking for an exit to question gold as the correct place to be. Well, the fundamentals driving the exodus into gold have not changed. Gold is a great place to be. If one reviews the big picture, one might conclude that this is a great opportunity to acquire physical (IMHO).

Another interesting concept is that if TPTB really are managing the stock and bond markets in order to prevent the *perceived* exit of capital, the only way they can really do this is to add liquidity as the buyer in the market that they are supporting and as a seller in the market that they are discouraging. Thus, two things happen 1) more money is pumped into the failing market that preserves capital for those that exit and 2) those that have already decided to leave that market are finding their way into their destination markets at a discount. This is a deadly combination of actions. It basically empowers those that have already committed to changing markets by maintaining their capital as they exit one market while also giving them a buying opportunity as they enter the next market.
Henri
(05/15/2006; 11:07:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144202)
IMF meeting
Maybe the players are demanding a return of their gold deposits...

IMF an organization the world looks to for help in a crisis?

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha ROTFLMAO
Zhisheng
(05/15/2006; 11:27:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144203)
*** $550 ***
In answering Mr. K's question, much depends on interpretation of "long run". My answer will assume "long run" means 50 years or more, in either direction.
So I can go back to the early 1970's when the pressure of war funding finally induced President Nixon to repudiate US exchange of gold for dollars in international payments. When that happened, gold was destined to rise.
How far it will rise depends on whether the US dollar will survive. To survive, it at some point will have to be at least indirectly tied to gold. My guess is that it will be tied to gold at some point, but that connection will be temporary, and at some point the dollar will go the way of all fiat currencies.
How rapidly that will occur, I cannot know. But for the purpose of this contest I will say $1,000,000 per ounce.

My guess of $550 for May 24 is based on my guess that the PTB has a long-standing agenda to ruin paper gold longs, and that their power is such that in the short term, for limited times, they can control the market. My suspicion is that this is another time when the longs are going to be driven out of their positions because the drop will be greater and longer than rational people will credit beforehand.
mikal
(05/15/2006; 11:51:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144204)
Crimex casino cooking today!
http://www.thestreet.com/_more/markets/metals/10285605.htmlGold Finally Gets Selloff - Nick Godt - The Street.com - 05/15/06 Snippits: "An early trigger of metals weakness on Monday was a rebound in the dollar after news that foreign investors had bought enough U.S. stocks and bonds in March to cover the soaring current account deficit. In addition, the Bank of Japan, concerned that a stronger yen might derail Japan's economic recovery, hinted that it might postpone plans to raise interest rates."

Along these lines, Nell Sloane of NSFFutures mentions that gold was "technically overbought", but doesn't expect the dollar to keep gold down unless it undergoes a string of increases. But the fundamentals and technicals argue otherwise -the dollar would have to reverse it's recent technical breakdown and long-term would need to correct the triple deficits, an impossible feat without a CB gold mark to market reserve backing and balanced budget policies in place. Also gold is rising in all currencies, whether or not the dollar rises or falls. Enough
liquidity and inflation and imbalances exist in the system,
plus exponential daily increases to drive gold demand(foreign central banks, global investors, pension funds, hedge funds and large money center investment banks)

"Meanwhile, a report in Monday's Wall Street Journal says that Treasury Secretary John Snow and the Bush administration are "quietly acquiescing" to dollar weakness as a way of boosting the sale of U.S goods. The report, which cites people familiar with the administration's thinking, says officials don't want to attract attention to their stance to avoid a plunge in the greenback."

It's hardly "all in the greenback", but the wasting away of fiat figures prominently in the generational, cyclical appeal of gold. More and more new powers given to "manage exchange rates" have balloned beyond the
Fed, the Treasury, the Banks of Japan and England etc. to the ESF(Exchange Stabilization Fund)to the IMF and World Bank and associated global coordinating teams.
mikal
(05/15/2006; 12:09:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144205)
Gold sold by frantic funds, bought by shorts
http://www.thestreet.com/_more/markets/metals/10285605.htmlGold, silver start to lose their luster - Reuters - May 15, 2006 Snippits: "This was caused by the falls on Wall Street [equities] last week. Now we've got a good old shake-out taking place, but it is just blowing the froth off it," an investment fund source said."
Despite the misleading insinuation in the title, this article contains some balanced reporting. Also doesn't mention some of the rumors that helped trigger the selloff, or the relatively small number of speculators in the market, but several goodies and a grudging admission that the bull is young.

"Traders said investment funds, which have been the drivers behind a two-year commodity-wide bull market, were uniformly selling on Monday.
Price falls took place in a jittery atmosphere, where talk swirled of some trading firms having suffered heavy financial losses in recent weeks, caused by heightened volatility and increased margin calls.
"You will get this sort of thing when markets are neurotic -- and people think there is no smoke without fire," the fund source added."
mikal
(05/15/2006; 12:12:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144206)
Correct link to excerpts below
http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/15/markets/precious.reut/index.htmHere's link to Reuters story
Armageddon
(05/15/2006; 12:19:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144207)
Stagflation Coming?
From CNN Money's Website:

-----------------------------------------------------------
The two-headed monster under the bed
Economists say investors are right to be worried about the economy, but they don't agree on what the worry should be - slower growth or higher prices.
By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com senior writer
May 15, 2006: 12:53 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Economists agree there are worrying signs about the U.S. economy. What they don't agree on is what should be the major worry.

Some economists are pointing to signs of inflation ahead of this week's Producer Price Index and Consumer Price Index reports.

They point to factors such as wage growth outpacing prices in the most recent employment report, and a weakening dollar as an underlying inflationary pressure beyond the impact of high energy prices. And they say those factors are raising concerns that the Federal Reserve will continue to raise rates at its June meeting and perhaps beyond.

"I think the markets are finally realizing that inflation is in them thar hills and the Fed will have to continue to tap on the brakes," said Rich Yamarone, director of economic research at Argus Research. He's looking for a 0.7 percent rise in the CPI in April, and a 0.3 percent increase in the so-called core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices; both estimates are above the consensus increase of 0.5 percent for CPI and 0.2 percent for the core.

Yamarone said that a dollar weakening compared to the yen and the euro, as well as the Chinese yuan, can only add to the inflationary pressure.

"We haven't seen that yet, but we should be expecting to be importing higher inflation," he said.

But others point to factors such as weaker-than-expected retail sales, lower-than-expected retail employment levels and a sharp drop in consumer confidence in the most recent reports as signs that it's a slowing economy, not inflation, that is the biggest concern for investors.

"Right now the focus of the whole world is the U.S. consumer," said Drew Matus, senior economist with Lehman Brothers. "If the consumers roll over, the Fed will have to react."
Housing concerns

Some of those economists point to the slowing U.S. housing market as one of the factors that will put a brake on the economy and consumer spending. The National Association of Realtors reported a drop in median home prices in the first quarter from the fourth quarter, although they were still up year over year.

Generally, inflationary pressure and a slowing economy are not problems that exist at the same time. Strong economic growth creates increased demand for goods, while slowing growth cuts that demand.

Even the economists focusing on a slowdown acknowledge that price pressures need to be watched.

"I think the market knows these inflation jitters came as a result of faster economic growth," said Anthony Chan, chief economist for JPMorgan Private Client Services.

And even the economists who are worried about prices acknowledge there will be slower growth ahead, they just see it being strong enough to support prices.

The combination of rising inflationary pressure and slower growth can lead to a condition known as "stagflation." But most economists say that even with the current concerns, it's too soon to worry about stagflation, or even a milder form dubbed "stagflation light."

"Trend-like economic growth and 2.2 percent (annual) core inflation is very difficult to call stagflation," said Jason Schenker, economist with Wachovia.

One thing that economists agree is that the April and May inflation readings will be particularly important to the Fed and the markets ahead of the June 28-29 meeting.

------------------------------------------------------------

A slowing of growth in the U.S. will lead to a declining dollar which will add to inflation because alot of manufactured goods and even services are made overseas. This inflation will slow growth further in the United States because the consumers money will not be able to buy as much thus weakening the U.S. economy further which will weaken the dollar further in a vicious cycle. Hyper Stagflation anyone? Hmm. never think you could see 50% inflation and 50% unemployment at the same time in America? I can see George W. Bush right now on TV saying that "Who would have known this would happen?" I hope gold goes to $100 an ounce so I load up on it. I probably would even get a second or third job to earn extra money to buy $100 an ounce gold. :) When the hyperinflation starts and a loaf of bread is $100 then I will sell my $100 ounce of gold to get a few loaves of bread then.
mikal
(05/15/2006; 12:52:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144208)
With big stakes in commodities, traders, insiders trade places
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/6c7d1b50-e3ef-11da-8ced-0000779e2340.htmlCommodities slump on demand jitters
By Neil Dennis - Financial Times - Published: May 15 2006 09:48 | Last updated: May 15 2006 09:48 Snippits:
"Prices for crude oil, industrial and precious metals all retreated sharply from near-record levels on Monday over fears that soaring prices may soften demand."
[Further evidence of the change in gold market to one of utmost importance is the coordinated movements in all markets, with some up, some down. And big money is made by officially sanctioned market "enforcers". ]

"On Friday, the International Energy Agency said the long run of soaring prices was likely to hit consumption and it cut its global oil demand growth forecast for 2006. The IEA said it now expected average daily demand of 84.8m barrels, down from its previous forecast of 85.1m. Also on Friday, Michigan University said its measure of consumer confidence fell to lows not seen since September, when Hurricane Katrina hit the US, due to near record gasoline prices.
Meanwhile on Monday, Ali al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia's oil minister said expansions in capacity from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries may lead to supply outpacing demand."
[Commodities including oil are being buffeted from all directions as the winds of change were long in the making.]
mikal
(05/15/2006; 13:45:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144209)
TIC data dissappoints, symptomatic signs
Jim Sinclair this morning commented on the major gold-bullish Treasury inflows data released today. I will post some of it after this, related analysis from gold-eagle.com forum:

"Tic, Tic, Tic, Tic, Tic, ......
(SeattleSun) May 15, 11:28
...net foreign purchases of long term securities
were $69.8 billion according to Treasury Dept TIC released(this) morning. Consensus was $79.9 billion, more importantly foreign central banks only accounted for 1.7% of net inflows. Japan actually SOLD about $18 billion as their net holding fell from %658.3 billion in February to $640.1 billion in March."

We've seen how Asia's securities purchases have been falling off over the last year and now FOREIGN CB's as a whole appear to have joined in big time.
mikal
(05/15/2006; 13:57:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144210)
TIC data dissappoints, symptomatic signs(and wonders)
http://www.jsmineset.comJim Sinclair's morning comments on
the major gold-bullish Treasury inflows data released today:
"You have not seen the top in gold by a long shot. This is only the beginning of how ferocious the gold market will get.
The TIC report came out today. For the first time in 6 months central banks are net sellers of US treasuries. That is an event that will significantly impact the US dollar on a second occurrence and create new lows on a third consecutive repeat.
The importance of the TIC report is that a deceleration of buying US treasuries is serious in itself, but net selling is a fundamental weakness of the dollar that condemns any technical rally.
The gold price has fully rejoined the dollar so unless some magic can be done to make the markets forget today's TIC report this reaction could easily be just a fierce knee jerk event caused by the action funds, the original bulls in a China shop."
[Sinclair correctly sees volatility as a feature of this bull market and the dollar at a significant milestone (among many) whose market interactions can work in a viscious cycle with other markets including gold. His
noting that "action funds" are "the original bulls in a China shop" accurately identifies the predicament they've
created for themselves.]
Goldilox
(05/15/2006; 14:01:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144211)
Gold Market In 75-Ton Deficit In Q1 2006 - Virtual Metals
http://money.iwon.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt.jsp?section=news≠ws_id=dji-00034720060515&feed=dji&date=20060515&cat=INDUSTRYsnip:

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- The gold market was in a 75-metric-ton deficit during the first quarter of 2006 due to an unexpectedly high volume of dehedging by Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX) (ABX), consultancy Virtual Metals said Monday.

Total identifiable supply, an amalgamation of mine supply, scrap recycling, hedging and central bank sales, stood at 991 tons while demand amounted to 1,066 tons.

This includes jewelry demand, legal tender coins, electronics, demand from exchange traded funds, central bank purchases and de-hedging.

This figure doesn't include the "strong yet immeasurable investment demand known to have occurred," Virtual Metals said.

"With the investment buying into a deficit physical market, it is not surprising that the price has exhibited such runaway strength," Virtual Metals said.

Barrick cut its hedge book by 4.7 million ounces, or 23%, during the first quarter, the largest single reduction in hedging on record.

In physical demand, Indian imports were currently showing some recovery off the lows of November, December and January, Virtual Metals said.

"This is possibly a sign that these market participants are growing accustomed to higher prices. If this is the case, it augurs well for the market, suggesting that the floor for the gold price might be at higher levels than the $500-$550 range we had previously been suggesting," it said.

-Goldilox

Gold bull over? Not hardly!
Henri
(05/15/2006; 14:07:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144212)
Copper gap filled
May and June futures in copper today appear to have filled the gap up of the latest trading sessions paving the way for another leg upward...or a confirmatory plunge in the metal. Shills have pointed out that demand for copper piping/tubing is being replaced by PVC and had pointed out that this was a factor in recently alleged run of copper against fundamentals.

What is not mentioned is the billion miles of copper wire needed to electrify rural china. Do ya think this may be a factor?
jnshirtl
(05/15/2006; 16:13:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144213)
@Henri
Electrifying China would probably be the wrong way to put it. Much of the electrical power system is aluminum, except maybe until you get into the house, and I doubt there's a mile of cable in one house.
Copper is still the last mile in the communications field though, so there will definitely be demand for it there. Probably more demand for communications than for power purposes, given the importance of communications in this globalized world. Then again, the field of communication is moving to wireless, eliminating the need for copper. It's hard to say where the demand will come from, but that it will come is a good bet.
Jay
osa104c
(05/15/2006; 16:20:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144214)
20 Kilo's and then SOME
The typical new vehicle consumes some 20 kilos of copper��..tosters, radios, electronic motors, microwave systems�.ect�..metals will continue to soar��..silver moon flights anyone?????
osa104c
(05/15/2006; 16:31:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144215)
industrial metals
The industrial world consumes between 10 and 20 kilograms of copper per person, ten times more than the developing world.

But consumption could increase. The 137 million coimputers a year of 2000 will become 220 million in 2005, which will use 550 thousand tons of copper. Cell phones will go from 405 to 926 million units, containing 720 million tons of copper.

Will there be enough copper to meet the the demands of the future?

Precious and demand ......
Tuco
(05/15/2006; 16:33:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144216)
$$$$703.9$$$$
The most recent inflection point, I believe, was the implementation of the "American Jobs Creation Act". The world saw the results--few if any jobs created. Instead the money was used for mergers, acquisitions, stock buy-backs. So what does that do to the creditability of large corportions and to the Government that passes a "Jobs Creation Act" that creates no jobs? I believe it continued to erode whatever faith was left in the American system of Government and business.

Words mean nothing. The "money" that backs these words, by association, means nothing. Gold never says anything---but it "speaks" the truth. The world is re-discovering this age old fact.
Goldilox
(05/15/2006; 17:40:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144217)
Murphy's Law Correlary -
Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.
slingshot
(05/15/2006; 20:15:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144218)
$$$$$$$$ $717.60 $$$$$$$$
Reading the contest entries and entering at this time, I find it hard to give an answer without parroting that which has been already stated. Indeed, you have forced me to think outside the box.
Events that would propel gold to astounding heights have been long in the making,but none more important than the creation of the Federal Reserve. Arguing that this may be a malevolent event, the union of banker,politician and capitalist was forseen well before the entry into WW1. Providing industry with the capital to support the war. It is this preparation that cemented the bonds between the political, financial and industrial spheres. The period after the war placed the country in growing pains and the inventions and discoveries spawned new industries. This growth produced the spector of overspeculation leading to the Great Depression or the First Great Transfer of Wealth
F.D.R. called for the citizens to turn in their gold and relied on the Patriotism of the populace to comply. His devaluation pushing gold from $20.00 to $35.00 was the proof that gold could achieve great heights.
The second world war was a controlled inflationary period by todays standards. This war produced the atom and I.C.B.M.'s and travel in space.
The price of Technology combined with the ability to wage war force the closure of the Gold Window by Nixon in 1971.
True not all breakthroughs are attributed to war but war necessitates advancement.Wars must be paid for and the price or war is directly involed with the price of gold.
In conclusion I believe all events are stepping stones to three blocks. The Euro, Dollar and Yaun. but only after the next war as we seem to be on the brink of. This war will force nations to capitulate and the POG will be calculated by the amount of gold for each person in the world. Thus completing the final transfer of wealth. In this scenario $30,000 per ounce is not far fetched.
Slingshot-------------<>
Beer Man
(05/15/2006; 20:52:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144219)
RE: Use of Copper
As we move into the Solar Age the need for copper will grow .... we could mine the land fills & junk yards & all the old cars out in the weeds ... all at the right price !
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/15/2006; 20:53:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144220)
FREE Gold Information Packet...
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USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/15/2006; 21:21:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144221)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

MONDAY Market Excerpts

Gold slips on profit taking as dollar firms

May 15 (from DowJones) -- The precious metals complex suffered a sharp loss on Monday in New York, led by long liquidation and a downturn in the energy markets while the dollar made gains against the euro.

Most-active June gold settled the day down $27.10 at $691.90.

During the session, the contract got as low as $685 an ounce. The sell-off in gold began overnight during the European session when heavy fund selling and long liquidation took gold lower, then moved into the Comex session where June opened below $700 an ounce.

"The drivers of this move included a slight rise of the U.S. dollar against the euro currency, a fall in the crude oil prices and the base metal weakness," a trader said.

"After Comex opening, the worse-then-expected U.S. economic data did not allow the metal to retest the $700 level as the selloff in the U.S. dollar triggered by the news was short lived."

A trader from Mitsubishi Corp. said rumors abounded during trading that gigantic losses from various banks and trade houses were rampant.

"Most (rumors) were variations on large losses linked to LME trading and hedge funds," the traders said. George Gero of RBC Capital Markets Global Futures said every sell-stop was elected when the gold market opened. After that drop-off, Gero said traders then took a second look at the dollar and energy markets.

He added that about 100,000 contracts were traded on Monday and if open interest does not drop by about 20,000 on Tuesday, then a large rally may be seen next week.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/15/2006; 21:35:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144222)
HEDLINE: Gold may have lots of glitter yet
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3669694a1865,00.htmlNew Zealand, 16 May 2006 -- One feature of the current bull market in gold is that so many people think it will end any day. Gold has been a poor investment for so long � at least 20 years � that few believe the current rise is anything but a blip.

However, resource cycles tend to last for years, rather than months, and the gold cycle is unlikely to be different. The ominous signs of inflation in leading economies and creation of technically worthless currencies by big economies could push gold prices much further

Gold thrives in an environment of high inflation, becoming a haven of real value in a world of declining asset values.

While many economists and central bankers believe inflation is under control, the fact gold is in a bull run at a time when shares are also rising, sends a different signal.

...People want gold because it secures real purchasing power, and that is what you want in times of high inflation or when political or economic troubles undermine financial assets.

...Many people try to hedge against all this economic uncertainty by buying physical gold such as coins and jewellery. This is the age-old way of protecting your wealth. Not only is gold indestructible, but it is also portable.

^---(from url)---^

The article's author gets a fair bit right, but omits at least as much, and assumes too much status quo regarding his rosie outlook for the potential performance of mining shares.

Stick with the metal for the wealth of ages and more restful nights.

R.
Solomon Weaver
(05/15/2006; 21:42:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144223)
ping
ping
TownCrier
(05/15/2006; 21:45:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144224)
HEADLINE: Yuan breaks key dollar level
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News⊂section=market+news&month=May2006&file=Business_News200605164811.xml5/16/2006 (AFP) BEIJING -- China's currency, the yuan, strengthened yesterday to close below the psychologically important 8.000 US dollars for the first time since a revaluation last year was supposed to herald in greater foreign exchange flexibility.

"There's definitely a trend for the yuan to rise in value in future," said Sun Lijian, an economist at Shanghai's Fudan University. "But it's not going to be as fast as many believe."

There is only so much change the Chinese economy can absorb, and the banking sector in particular needs a stable environment to carry out much-needed reform, he argued.

"There's a lot of money floating around the world these days," said Zuo Xiaolei, chief economist with Galaxy Securities. "And it's already a while since the yuan started being seen as an asset set to appreciate."

However, the forces of international finance are up against a powerful player in the form of the Chinese state in all its fierce determination to keep the yuan under control.

China officially allows market forces a say in determining the exchange rate, but only permits the yuan to fluctuate inside a 0.3 per cent band around the dollar parity rate within each trading day.

The central bank is known to intervene routinely and heavily and the appreciation since July's revaluation has been at a snail's pace, disappointing those, chiefly the United States, who had hoped for faster change.

Washington has led the charge against China over the currency but Beijing has insisted that while it wants to move to a more market-based forex system, any change will be gradual and measured against its own best interests.

^---(from url)---^

Bottom line: When your very own government is pushing relentlessly for a weaker dollar, you would be wise to act in your own best interest and diversify into something more likely to retain its purchasing power over the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

Choose gold. When it rises, Mother Nature, by contrast,remains apolitical and economically appathetic and therefore doesn't bleat so bitterly over the effects "strong gold".

R.
Solomon Weaver
(05/15/2006; 22:01:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144225)
***712.10***
The long term bull market in gold is mainly punctuated and driven by actions of the world's central banks.

Event one, the Washington Agreement and it's renewal.

Event two, the launch of the Euro and its expansion as a debt currency, backed "more" by gold than USD.

Event three, the sale of gold by England.

Event four, the purchase of gold by Russia and China (and somewhat Japan).

The use of Swiss Central Bank gold sales during the period of the first Washington Agreement. (to keep all hell from breaking loose).

Suicidal management of the South African currency by new powers that be (destroying profits of world's largest gold mining industry).

The change from Greenspan to Bernake.

The leasing of gold by USA sponsored JP Morgan and German sponsored Deutschebank.

Saudi smart money (central bank behind the scenes) exiting Saudi Stock Market and moving to GLD and physical gold.

The choice by all central banks to inflate, but particularly China.

China deciding to move to a "floating rate" (a managed one).

. . . .

NB ... with the worlds total "fiat" M3 standing at nearly USD 50 trillion ... and the 4 billion ounces of above ground gold now coming to "only" $USD 3 Trillion (or even more dramatically, the total "official" CB gold standing somewhere between $USD 1-2 Trillion, we are at (what might be) the end of a big "bull market in fiat".

The true long-term bull market in gold will be established if (and when) the financial industry of the world realizes that the "power to print" needs to be somehow associated with "the ownership of gold and the willingness to part with it if needed".

greeting all......POS
Zoonex
(05/15/2006; 23:16:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144226)
I've Lost Alot ... May You Please Tell Me When To Buy Again ??!!
Hi All ..

Would any of you tell me what is the right price to buy ??!!! ... I've lost more than $2,000 USD in this profit-takin' session and I gotta make it up ...

Any Suggestions ??!!
contrarian
(05/15/2006; 23:22:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144227)
Armageddon--Today's (Monday's) Stock Market Rescue
Armageddon--
I'm so happy to see my gut feelings confirmed--that we have nothing to fear...that, irrespective of last week's market behavior, the Stock Market is on a permanently high plateau, and Helicopter Ben stands ready to rescue from on high whatever the circumstance. So it will be an invisible crash!--against the price of gold, over which they have no control, apart from a few desperate attempts, such as today.

And the dollar, they have limited control over, as well. It's hard to cure contagion when it's spread all over the place!

When the Only Gold Is Real Money hangman releases the scaffold rope and the dollar hangs, its corpse will smash into the picture perfect Dorian Gray bull (beautiful on the outside but corrupted inside) underneath, and both will deservedly collapse into the grave.

The Wizards of Oz may think they have things under control, but eventually Sin and Toto will find them out!
Gandalf the White
(05/16/2006; 00:50:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144228)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW, as Entry DEADLINE is only six days away !!
<;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Ignacioman
(05/16/2006; 06:45:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144230)
$$$$684.2$$$$
As I am a long time lurker, first time poster I must first give my thanks to our hosts, this great forum and to all of the posters over the last few years. In response to the question at hand, I believe that we are seeing the great run up in gold currently due to the culmination of all the poor decisions which have been made all the way back to when FDR began the process of removing the United States from the Gold Standard. If we were still on the Gold Standard as the founding fathers dictated, we as a country would not be in the dire predicament that we find ourselves in currently. How high will gold go during this bull market is the million dollar question, but unfortunately I believe that eventually there will be no amount of USD that will buy even the smallest amount of Gold. Thanks again to this Mighty Oaken Table and all who visit.
Gandalf the White
(05/16/2006; 07:10:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144231)
WELCOME Sir Ignacioman !!
Thanks for the post.
Be not a STRANGER now.
Question -- where did everyone go ?
Did Sir Slingshot's monster get loose again ?
<;-)
Minero
(05/16/2006; 07:13:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144232)
A Plea to Lurkers: Make yourselves heard!
I would hope that all regular lurkers will make an appearance. It will be insightful to see just how many of us there are lurking around the table. I so often wonder just what percent of the American public has any clue as to what is taking place in this once great land. From what I am seeing, the numbers are so small as to make it almost hopeless.
eric
(05/16/2006; 08:30:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144233)
i'm a lurker !
i'm a lurker and really appreciate the forum. Thanks to all!

I have a good proportion of savings 10% in gold now and will look to increase soon, especially after the recent market volatity.
AuOro
(05/16/2006; 08:47:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144234)
New members saying hello
Hello everyone -- I've lurked here off and on for a bit and thought I'd say hello! Thanks for the posts -- many of them are educational; many are over my head but they're all appreciated. :)

To your Success!
ASSAY
(05/16/2006; 09:32:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144235)
$$$$$ 719.5 $$$$$
Here is my guess about gold and my answer to the question.

Everything is driven by the cost of energy/oil. Oil is in almost everything we buy. We have reached peak oil and we are currently using 3 barrels or more for every one produced. This trend, accompanied by the hate that our current Neo-con administration has breed throughout the world towards the USA has set into motion this ugly scenario that I hope will not play out. But I fear the worst. Our market will crash along with the dollar. Economic forces in the world are aligning against us and there is nothing we can do about it at this point.

I see Gold along with the Euro as the only stable investments for the next few years. Gold will hit a high of over $1,200/oz. IMHO. Within 2 years.
Flatliner
(05/16/2006; 09:56:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144236)
Earth Shaking Events
http://www.kitco.com/ind/Laird/may162006.htmlJust a tidbit from the article: "The consensus is that the USD system is now going to collapse, and even though central bankers don't know how to replace it, it will collapse anyway."

The most interesting articles that I've read over the last year have been with regards to countries repositioning themselves for this collapse. Central banks are moving to acquire gold and economies are looking to support local currencies. I believe as time goes on, we will see more resources priced in local currencies, where the value is known, rather then in US dollars � as is the convention today (where the value is dependent on US politics).

One can only hope that gold hyperinflates fast enough that the masses see an alternative to chaos.
elrayox
(05/16/2006; 09:56:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144237)
Lurking in Wyo.
I have been checking this forum for a year. It has affected my perception of what is taking place. For some time, I thought you all were alarmists. No more, ahead of the curve is more like it. Thanks for the information.
Flatliner
(05/16/2006; 10:18:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144238)
Tanigaki: Snow has affirmed strong dollar policy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060515/bs_nm/economy_japan_tanigaki_dc;_ylt=Aki54L5VcmM1kggfyia1wFPv5rEF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Monday U.S. Treasury Secretary

"I understand remarks Secretary Snow has made over the past week, excluding those on the Chinese yuan, noted that values of currencies should reflect economic fundamentals and should be set in open and competitive markets, and a strong dollar is in the U.S. interest and they will keep such a policy," Tanigaki said.

Flatliner � oh course a strong dollar policy is in the interest of the US. A strong dollar is a great export. However, the current trends show that people all over the world, are very excited to take advantage of this strong dollar rather then losing strength to inflation. Thus, they are buying what they know which is what we all treasure � gold. The unfortunate part is that a strong dollar implies a low gold price. Or a high gold price implies a weak dollar. One can only conclude that if the US treasury secretary acts to support his claim, we will all see the price of gold come down.

I am curious about the probability of success at accomplishing this action. It appears to me that when buying opportunities come along, it's not just those who hold the exported dollars that are making their claims on gold. But, rather, it's all the bubble money that has been squirreled away for 20 years in the future. It's now waking up to the policy of a strong dollar and making claims. How long can claims be made before the insurance policy is not longer funded? We all may find out.
Armageddon
(05/16/2006; 10:19:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144239)
@Zoonex - Try a balanced approach
------------------------------------------------------------
Zoonex (5/15/06; 23:16:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 144226)
I've Lost Alot ... May You Please Tell Me When To Buy Again ??!!
-----------------------------------------------------------

I recommend a balanced approach.
What I have is a third in actual gold/silver coins spread across rare pre-1933 coins, 5 ounces of gold bullion coins which was actually the limit in 1933 before confiscation, and silver coins mainly American eagles since I may have to use this as money in an emergency and they also double as a collectors item. Another third is in cash to fund my daily expenses and also since I am trying to start a business. Finally, a third is in gold/silver/copper/mineral stocks since I believe long term that commodities are going up and this would also serve as a hedge against gold/silver coin confiscation. What I plan to do is just leave this stock in place and not try to buy and sell on the dips. The reason being that what if the dollar collapses overnight, or a Nuke war starts in Iran while the U.S. Stock markets are closed? Thus, at the very opening all the gold stocks may be 50% up and you miss the chance to get in low. I guess buy and hold on the gold stocks would be my strategy on this.
Armageddon
(05/16/2006; 10:36:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144240)
@contrarian - October 2006 new date for Stock Market collapse?
From the Telegraph a British online magazine:
=================================================
Markets braced for the worst
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard (Filed: 15/05/2006)

Global markets are bracing for turmoil today after an ominous slide in the US dollar and a slump in equity and bond prices late last week sent tremors through the global financial system, evoking memories of the 1987 crash.

Emerging economies have led the sell-off as investors recoil from risky assets, pummelling stocks and bonds in Turkey, Hungary, Iceland and much of Latin America.

The currencies of Brazil, Mexico and South Africa all suffered their sharpest falls in two years as foreign funds rushed for the exits.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial index fell 262 points over Thursday and Friday to 11381, setting off contagion in Japan and Europe. The FTSE 100 had its worst drop in three years on Friday, falling 129.9 points, or 2.2pc, to 5912.1.

Analysts said there were now clear signs that monetary tightening by the world's central banks was starting to crimp growth. Lombard Street Research warned the US was now heading into outright recession, with China also facing a hard landing.

"Stock markets in the middle of 2006 are confronting a tight Federal Reserve and European Central Bank, sharply higher bond yields, and a downswing in potential profits," it said.

It raised the risk of "an impending financial crisis" caused by excess credit and leverage across the global economy. The group advised investors to liquidate stocks and move into cash yen until the storm has blown over.

The dollar has slumped 6pc against the euro and 8pc against the yen this year as the markets anticipate an end to interest-rate rises by the US Federal Reserve, switching attention back to America's debt mountain and current account deficit of 7pc of GDP.

Volkmar Hable, chairman of Samarium Technology, said the world was now on the brink of a dollar crisis.

"The crash in the autumn of 1987 started with a massive dollar and bond decline in the spring. We are experiencing exactly the same now," he said.

Ominously, bonds are no longer viewed as a safe haven, a sign of fear that inflation is gaining a foothold in the major economies.

Interest rates on 10-year Treasury bonds have jumped from 4.36pc to 5.19pc since February, in part because Asian investors are demanding a higher premium for holding risky dollar investments. The 10-year bond is the benchmark for economic activity in the US, setting corporate borrowing rates and the cost of most mortgages.

The bond slide is exacting a toll on the US property market, where the price of new homes has fallen for five consecutive months. A half-year inventory of unsold houses now hangs over the market.

Goldman Sachs, however, is sticking to its optimistic forecast, banking on a seamless "hand-over" from a slowing US economy to a re-awakening Europe and Japan, while China will continue to be an engine of global growth. The IMF is also bullish, forecasting roaring growth of 4.9pc in 2006, one of the highest rates in half a century.

==================================================

I draw your attention to the sentence:
"The crash in the autumn of 1987 started with a massive dollar and bond decline in the spring. We are experiencing exactly the same now," he said.

Perhaps, the events starting last week with the rapid dollar decline, and gold reaching new highs is the start of a repeat in history where the financial problems will be so big worldwide that even the Plunge Protection Team with Helicopter Ben dropping hundreds of billions of dollars will not snuff out the fire the next time but feed it?




Knallgold
(05/16/2006; 10:56:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144241)
elrayox
I must admit that,at times,I too questioned my sanity regarding this Gold obsession.I started buying in 1998/1999 and remember very well when the BOE sale completely destroyed any remaining positive sentiment.Gold did its last breaths.The bullion bank system and its pamphlets playing a loud accompanying funeral march,the barbaric relict was finally to be put in the coffin.Dead.Case closed.

People were laughing at me.The pain was really horrible-but I followed a strong inner voice.WAG1 in Sept 1999 completely turned the market which had bears well over 100% (thanks to fractional Goldbears banking).It ignited a first rush only to be quelled again.But we licked blood and increased buying which btw guided us smoothly through the stock debacle 2000-2003.Yeah,Gold surely proved to be the ultimative contrarian bet!GOLD NEVER LOSES A WAR!

Welcome all lurkers!
Druid
(05/16/2006; 11:12:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144242)
(No Subject)

Druid: Anyone interested where a lot of basic commodities are ending up? Go out and buy the latest issue of Vanity Fair and read the 10 page story about "Dubai's the Limit". I have two very good friends that are Engineers and when they viewed some of the pictures, they were speechless. The physical amount of construction that is going on there is simply, astonishing.
contrarian
(05/16/2006; 12:04:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144243)
Silver
I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the behavior of silver versus gold. If gold skyrockets to, say, $1650, how will that impact silver? This year, of course, silver price has increased, but can it increase more?
Thoreauly
(05/16/2006; 12:12:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144244)
@ contrarian
The present
Thoreauly
(05/16/2006; 12:15:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144245)
@ contrarian
http://www.taxfreegold.co.uk/goldsilverratio.htmlOops, let me try again.

The above link suggests that silver is undervalued relative to gold, which of course isn't to say that gold isn't undervalued relative to fiat.
Whitewaterwoman
(05/16/2006; 12:17:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144246)
$$$730.0$$$
I think by the 24th we'll be looking back at a strong retracement.

To answer Sir MK's question: many factors.

1. Many chickens coming home to roost from long-term issues like abandonment of gold and silver standard and US trade deficit, also deficit spending.

2. Post 911-fallout, which is continuing in the political and social arenas. People realize they are not truly safe anymore.

3. Declining US dollar.

4. Increasing wild cards: wild weather, bird flu, threat of nuke war in ME, etc.

5. Increasing nervousness in areas that have real estate bubbles.

6. Lackluster stock market since 2000.

7. Collusion to hold down gold price is faltering.

Summary: people are losing faith in stocks, real estate, and even cash...so they need a safe haven. And gold and silver do it for me.
mikal
(05/16/2006; 12:38:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144247)
"Tuesday News" Nuggets
Dollar falls after PPI, housing data - AFX (5/16/2006 8:26 AM)[Dollar falls after intervention prevents FREE-FALL.]
Gold futures rise after two-session loss - CBS Marketwatch (5/16/2006 9:33 AM)[Gold priced in fiat turd rises again.]
Stocks fall as retailers' sales disappoint - Reuters (5/16/2006 11:04 AM)[Stocks fall after intervention prevents FREE-FALL.]
U.S. Producer Prices Gain on Gas Costs; Core Rate Rises Less Than Forecast - Bloomberg (5/16/2006 7:36 AM)[Yes, and I have a bridge to sell in Brooklyn.]
Housing Starts in U.S. Drop More Than Forecast to 1.85 Million Annual Rate - Bloomberg (5/16/2006 7:37 AM)
Court allows tax incentive competitions for now - Stateline.org (5/16/2006 8:56 AM)["Just don't overdo it or you'll damage our tough-guy image!"]
Anonymous House earmarks continue despite heat - Stateline.org (5/16/2006 8:55 AM)[That's a lot of ear piercing!]
In Kentucky Hills, a Homeland Security Bonanza - NY Times (5/16/2006 8:57 AM)[Sure, with all that funding, SOMETHING good must happen!]
NY Fed head sees benefits, risks in derivatives - Reuters (5/16/2006 9:34 AM)[Clearly, the benefits outweigh the risks- NOT!]
U.S. April industrial production rises 0.8% - CBS Marketwatch (5/16/2006 8:28 AM)[Based on what fraudulent evidence?]
Banks' mortgage demand weakens - CBS Marketwatch (5/15/2006 1:46 PM)
Chain store sales rise in latest week - Reuters (5/16/2006 8:26 AM)[At the expense of the small stores? And how long can inflation and welfare prop up the numbers?]
Home prices up by 10.3% - USAToday (5/16/2006 5:34 AM)
State Farm unit seeks to hike Florida auto insurance rates - Stateline.org (5/16/2006 8:54 AM)[What, got hurricane jitters?]
Home prices fall in some U.S. cities, but not here - Seattle Times (5/16/2006 5:32 AM)["Not here" ...yet]
Pension Deficit, Now $500 Billion, May Clobber Corporate Bonds - Bloomberg (5/16/2006 5:05 AM)[Clobber thy neighbor?]
Asian currencies poised to extend gains - CBS Marketwatch (5/16/2006 5:28 AM)["Poise", there's a loaded word!]
Debt-plagued companies finding interest in IPOs - Contra Costa Times (5/16/2006 7:54 AM)[Just don't get TOO greedy, the Plunge Protection Team can keep buying forever you know]Lenders take notice as defaults are rising - San Diego UT (5/16/2006 7:42 AM)
We're Stuck With The Mortgage Monsters - Knight, Wash. Post (5/16/2006 5:21 AM)["Monsters"?]
Asian financial markets hit by flight from risk - FT (5/16/2006 5:30 AM)[Gold acts like magnet.]
China Lets Currency Strengthen Past Threshold - NY Times (5/16/2006 5:15 AM)
China's currency breaks key barrier - Houston Chronicle (5/16/2006 8:48 AM)
Fukui Douses Early Interest-Rate Increase Speculation - Bloomberg (5/16/2006 5:10 AM)[Fukai obfuscates fumbling fiat]
ECB untroubled by weakness of dollar - FT (5/16/2006 1:01 AM)[ECB has gold ace up sleeve]
Markets Brace for Impact Of Japan's Growing Hunger - WSJ ($) (5/16/2006 7:37 AM)
Moody's warns of risk for Gulf banks - FT (5/16/2006 12:50 AM)[The pot calls the kettle black.]

contrarian
(05/16/2006; 12:42:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144248)
Stock Market vs. Dollar Collapse
Armageddon--I could not agree with you more. Currency collapses tend to happen overnight and you can often read the writing on the wall beforehand! Look at Argentina...The SM is doomed, but they will hold off the crash as long as possible. My gut feeling is that the only thing that will crash it is a dollar collapse, as discussed in the excellent Kitco link cited elsewhere on this page. And then any Fed machinations to counter this might make it worse, because more paper=less valued paper.

SM has actually been crashing since 2002 (or 2000), but an "invisible" crash. The dollar collapse will be the final nail in the coffin and expose the SM for the corpse that it is. It'll be like house light on after the Broadway show or 6AM at the disco, when you see everything for what it is, wrinkles and all, no more pancake!

I imagine of the dollar loses half its value in a currency collapse, which seems like a fair figure (if not more) then that must mean $1650 gold. And silver? Well, we shall see!
Clink!
(05/16/2006; 13:04:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144249)
$$$$ 716.00 $$$$
The world (apart from the US) has been caught between a rock and a hard place for a long time. Starting with Bretton Woods, the positive aspects of a global monetary standard in the US dollar outweighed the negatives. In the same way that Congress enjoys the fact that responsibility for monetary policy (and latterly the general US economy) has been shifted from themselves to the Fed, the politicians around the world enjoyed the freedom of only having to be concerned about local matters, while international ones were taken care of by much more anonymous (and unaccountable) international organizations such as the IMF, WB, WTO, etc. There have been moments when the US was chastised for its profigacy, notably in the early '70s when the gold window had to be slammed shut, or the early '80s when Volker had to raise interest rates to dire levels to calm things down.

There has been much speculation at the Forum as to why the first visible signs of the Bull started in '01, but there was probably a confluence of many different factors. In fact, the Cafe "Quote of the Day" a few days back was " No force can stand against an idea whose time has come". The Leviathan began to turn, and part 1 of the Bull commenced.

Part 2 started in August '05, as is very evident by the completely different slope of the POG (and POS, as Rich P would remind us !) as well as the trading patterns. What has changed ? From what I can glean, it is that whereas in part 1 a move up in price co-incided with an increase in the COT, the rises in part 2 have co-incided with REDUCTIONS in the COT, with the large commercial shorts covering their exposure. Why are they doing this ? Because the supply of available real metal is finally no longer meeting the worldwide demand.

Another and FOA wrote at length about the gold for oil deals, and the reasons why it was better to accept the "protection" of the US as well as its currency. With the term "incompetent bully" being used to describe the behavior of the US during the present Administration, it may be perceived that it has just become too risky to hold reserves which can be blocked at the whim of a powerful rogue nation which is known to favor unlawful attacks on Middle Eastern countries on the basis of deliberately falsified evidence. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice ...."

To speak plainer, I suspect that, just as France took the US to the cleaners in the early 70s by demanding delivery of real metal, Iran and other allies which have felt "heat" from the US in recent times (China, Russia, Venezuela ...) are using economic means to try to topple the US. As in judo, it's not the strength of the fighter which is important, but his ability to use the power and weight of the opponent against himself. And, after all, hasn't Iran being doing a pretty handy job of that in Iraq ?

C!

Oh, and the price ? This year, 1,000 rials/dinar.

Rimh
(05/16/2006; 13:36:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144250)
Contest question
I missed the deadline for the price guess, but after yesterday's action I would most likely have guessed way too high. But for MK's question I had a few thoughts that I thought I would pass on.

I have been one of those around here since '99 and it just occurred to me that the beginning of the carry trade was the event that brings us to where we are now. As the carry trade got out of hand (all the bullion bankers realized they could make tremendous profits on this "rigged" one way action supported by the central banks to support their local currencies/exports), the price of gold was pushed to unsustainable levels. Like a beach ball being pulled deeper under water, it began to exert great pressure to the upside. As evidence, look at the immediate fallout from the Washington Agreement (I) on September 26, 1999. I remember it well - gold shot up like a missile! The bankers suddenly realized the monster they had created and quickly acted to subdue the effects of the WA. The original intent of the WA was to support the arrival of the Euro which had its 15% backing by gold which would be marked to market regularly. They wanted gold to go up so their unified currency would have credibility, but realized that their apparently hasty announcement had threatened to destabilize the whole system.

So after secretly back-tracking in the months following the WA (using massive gold derivatives contracts), they began the slow process of trying to unwind the incredible imbalances built up in the system, based primarily on the strong US dollar policy. That process has been carefully monitored by all parties in order to limit the losses incurred and aid the transition to a modified global financial system.

The most recent power rise in gold's price is showing the increasing impatience of other central banks with the US foreign policy and lack of monetary restraint. The first sign to me was Argentina's announcement that they had accumulated 54 tons of gold. Think of it, here's a country that has just gone through a serious monetary crisis, closing banks, converting US dollar accounts to pesos, facing an angry public outcry and the IMF standing over their shoulder with a big stick. How do they respond? Their central bank buys gold and tells the IMF to take a hike. Why? Their central bankers know having gold brings confidence.

Now we have other major central banks (Russia and China) actually admitting they are buying gold! Truth is, they have probably been accumulating gold for some time. The announcement is to put pressure on the US to get its financial act together because they (Russia and China) are getting impatient and are holding alot of US dollars. The rising gold price is putting alot of pressure on the whole system, but R and C must feel that there is no other choice and that adequate measures are in place to keep the financial system somewhat intact locally.

Bottom line - the banksters did it too themselves a long time ago by trying to push gold to the sidelines and operate a pure fiat system. It was doomed to failure, but its taken almost a century to show that. The carry trade was just the last attempt to squeeze gold for more paper profits and now gold is squeezing back. Pity the paper currencies that go down in gold's wake. Pity more the poor who have no gold and whose local currency becomes worthless. Get gold. Get it NOW!
Goldilox
(05/16/2006; 14:15:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144251)
Price guessing Deadline
Rimh,

You may want to reread the rules. The deadline is posted as May 20th.

What's that old saying? Your guess is as good as mine!
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/16/2006; 14:52:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144252)
The contest's GRAND PRIZE awaits its fate.... will the new owner be YOU ???
http://www.usagold.com/gold/coins/mexican-20.html

Grand Prize!
osa104c
(05/16/2006; 14:57:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144253)
$$$707.70$$$
Twenty trillion US$'s were wiped clean from the ledger via the NIKI exchange and Japanese owned real-estate collapse circa 1994. Furthermore, the subsequent TECH stock collapse of 2000���China appeared immune, via industrial base expansion and dollar influx into the family cupboard���additional European pandering and demarcation of "BRIC" community / posturing lends itself to "COMMODIATY" exchange���.PRECIOUS and INDUSTRIAL��buy�.buy!!!!! (acquire)����.silver to the moon most "defiantly"����..
Mthirsty1
(05/16/2006; 14:58:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144254)
$$$$700.10$$$$
To me,the bull market has been based on many things.We have been building toward another bull market for many years now,but i think that when we went to war with Iraq,it was the straw that broke the bears back.That along with the changing of the treasurey guards,and the closing of the market in Japan also threw fuel on the fire.And also the constant talk of world markets looking for other avenues rather than the dollar,in which to put thier trust in.In my opinion gold will continue the climb to the $800 area by the end of the year.
Rimh
(05/16/2006; 14:59:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144255)
Thanks, Goldilox!
My bad... Thought it was this past Saturday (have trouble reading assembly instructions, too!) Still doesn't make guessing any easier, but I will certainly do so!
Rimh
(05/16/2006; 15:07:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144256)
$$$$$ 727.0 $$$$$
Gandalf, see post 144250 for my answer to MK's question. Thanks again for chance to participate in this great forum (and it's awesome prizes!!!!)
tejbear
(05/16/2006; 15:48:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144257)
Monday's drop
http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DX&v=d3
All,

One of the websites I routinely follow is a dollar index. I found this index here at this forum. When viewed on the One Year Scale, the rate that the dollar has been dropping like the proverbial rock. (SEE LINK @ 1 year). Add to this, last week several websites, fund managers and reporters all expressed market fears based on recent "trends". Many were recommending that their followers grab their profits quickly, and go to cash position.

Followers of this forum already know things are looking bad for the dollar. However the recent "action" of the dollar was particularly menacing. My "best guess" is that the Plunge Prevention Team (PPT) intervened by shoring up bonds & stock, while selling off piles gold & silver. Given G7's recent decision to help orchestrate a "controlled" reduction in the value of the dollar, it would not be surprising that the US's PPT had help from several other countries, all who have a vested interest in ensuring against an "un-orderly" devaluation of the dollar.

The fundemental problems facing the dollar have not changed. As such, although we can expect additional battles from the PPT, (to keep the dollar from collapsing), for the time being, the basic bull market for gold & silver will continue, and the dollar will continue its "orderly" decline.

The Bear
Rimh
(05/16/2006; 16:25:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144258)
Second part of MK's question....
How high can gold go over the long run (or, conversely, how low can our local currencies sink...): quite reasonable equilibrium around ~$2000, ultimate high around $5500.
White Hills
(05/16/2006; 16:28:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144259)
Dr. Pick
Sir Contrarian,I just reread Dr. Pick' interview. Confirms my opinion that he was right in most everything except timing. One historic Monday------------
White Hills
Beer Man
(05/16/2006; 16:37:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144260)
$$$$$$ 718.00 $$$$$$$
I think the bed rock cause of this ( Roll ) is our Failure to follow The Constitution Of The United States! The Tipping point came when the Neo Cons took Power. The parts of the world that put up with us became tired of our over use of Oil & our High Volume Prining of $$$$$$. Even our friends could see some bumps in the road for us. Times are a Changing! As far as how high ( to the Moon ) ........... $1000 is possible by years end .... if some fool starts a new war .. They may stop the market & call in all the chips at $2,500.00
Whitewaterwoman
(05/16/2006; 16:49:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144261)
Second part of MK's question
OH, and to answer the second part of MK's question...how high gold can ultimately go depends on the timeframe and rogue events. Within the next year, barring a rogue event (unlikly) I'd look for gold at $800-850.

Rogue event like nuke war, bird flu pandemic, etc? Gold at $1,500 to $2,000.

In 3 years, gold at $3,000 to $5,000.

Hang on, folks, and buy your gilded tickets.

R Powell
(05/16/2006; 19:22:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144262)
ETFs
I haven't read the prospectus on any of the gold backed ETFs. If anyone has studied them, maybe we could get some condensed info...?

The ETF that has my current attention is Barclay's silver backed one which, as of yesterday, reports having sold 6,900,000 shares backed by 68,993,200 ounces of silver. The net value is listed as $914,016,968.

Many have reported the opinion expressed by one metals' analyst that the prospectus states that the Trust is not obligated to accept more silver (= to issuing more shares) after this net value reaches net $1,000,000,000. They are almost there.

At that time Barclay's has the option to find another trust holder. My question is.....if it is profitable for the present trust holder to issue shares in return for physical metal, why would they want to cease the operation at $ one billion? If it weren't profitable, they wouldn't be in the business at all, no? I do not see much risk on the Trustee's part, after all, they are holding the physical metal and are being paid to simple issue shares at 1 per 10 ounces. Any thoughts?

And, many seem to have concluded that the present Trustee MUST not exceed that $ billion limit while I interpret the prospectus as NOT necessarily limiting the net value to this amount of holding by one Trustee. It merely states that the Trustee MAY cease accepting metal + issuing shares at this limit. Also, Barclay's CAN simply hire another Trustee IF the present one decides to limit their holdings to this amount. So the prospectus states. I believe we will soon see the limit reached + exceeded with maybe still the one Trustee or maybe more.

Thoughts? Am I reading the prospectus correctly?
Does anyone know if gold ETFs are structured in a similar manner?

Contrarian thought: too many are now calling for a seasonal down or, at best, sideways price action in gold + silver. Overbought they say, due for a "correction" they say. Mining stocks are not confirming another leg up they say. I say, "I don't know" and never do in any short time frame.

I don't know....but you knew that, didn't you.
rich
Ned
(05/16/2006; 19:37:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144263)
@ ASSAY
Good post.

-snip-

"Economic forces in the world are aligning against us and there is nothing we can do about it at this point.

I see Gold along with the Euro as the only stable investments for the next few years. Gold will hit a high of over $1,200/oz. IMHO. Within 2 years."

Then the $44 trillion that is on the books meets the demographic tsunami that arrives approx. 2008 and takes your $1200 gold and "10 baggers" it by 2012 to $12,000/oz.

Have a golden day.
MK
(05/16/2006; 19:46:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144264)
Note: All, cross threads, back and forth conversation
Just a note (as more people join the discussion group) to say that we don't have to all talk about the same thing here. Sometimes I worry that posters believe that they have to be part of the predominant conversation. You don't have to be. Cross threads and back and forth conversation can exist with other of the same without taking from the overall thrust of this forum -- which ultimately comes down to gold conversation being a good option for one and all. Maybe I'm saying something that doesn't need to said, but, what the heck, it's been a fun week or so here and I don't anyone to feel restricted.
Waverider
(05/16/2006; 19:54:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144265)
$$$$$ 755.50 $$$$$
http://stockcharts.com/h-sc/ui?s=$GOLD:$USD&p=M&b=3&g=0&id=p64317355135&a=77141876&listNum=-1As per the attached chart of the Gold:US$ ratio, in my view the event that turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run is the demise of the US$. The Gold Bull began about 2001/2002, at the time that the dollar started to depreciate. There has since been a series of events including the worsening trade deficit, geopolitical tensions, recognition of Gold as a currency and wealth reserve, supply/demand for Gold, inflation, etc., but I believe the fall of the US$ was the instigator for the Gold Bull.

How high will Gold go? Taking all events into consideration, I wouldn't be suprised to see $1,500.00/ounce within the next 2 years.

Waverider
Goldendome
(05/16/2006; 19:55:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144266)
Anyone care to take out the $550 lowside guess?

Sir Zhisheng: And to think-- you could have purchased all the gold that you wanted at that price a mere two months ago...But now...you hope to win it there! ha, ha, ha! We can usually root for the success of outrageous upside guesses. But sorry...I doubt many will be rooting for your limbo-low guess. Are you a secret shorter that Dr. Fekete is writing about?
Noble1
(05/16/2006; 20:18:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144267)
Acute Corrections/Consolidations
They happen in all bull markets. For the past half decade, every time the POG/POS has been hammered like this, its been a great time to buy. This time is no different. Climb on board or sit on shore and watch everyone else have all the fun. The professionals at USAG will be happy provide you with your ticket on the cruise. Give 'em a call today!

Noble1
Gandalf the White
(05/16/2006; 20:19:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144268)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -- POG Contest UPDATE !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $755.5 $$$$ Waverider (5/16/06; 19:54:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 144265)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $730.0 $$$$ Whitewaterwoman (5/16/06; 12:17:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 144246)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $727.0 $$$$ Rimh (5/16/06; 15:07:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144256)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $719.5 $$$$ ASSAY (5/16/06; 09:32:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144235)

$$$$ $718.0 $$$$ Beer Man (5/16/06; 16:37:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144260)

$$$$ $717.6 $$$$ slingshot (5/15/06; 20:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144218)

$$$$ $716.0 $$$$ Clink! (5/16/06; 13:04:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144249)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $712.1 $$$$ Solomon Weaver (5/15/06; 22:01:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144225)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $707.7 $$$$ osa104c (5/16/06; 14:57:23MT - usagold.com msg#: 144253)

$$$$ $703.9 $$$$ Tuco (5/15/06; 16:33:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144216)

$$$$ $700.1 $$$$ Mthirsty1 (5/16/06; 14:58:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144254)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $684.2 $$$$ Ignacioman (5/16/06; 06:45:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144230)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $550.0 $$$$ Zhisheng (5/15/06; 11:27:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144203)
===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/16/2006; 20:26:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144270)
THANKS all you LURKERS for posting ! We are "on a roll" now ! <;-)

NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW, as the Price of Gold CONTEST Entry DEADLINE is only a little over four + days away !!

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you think gold can go, over the long run ?
---
<;-)
Caradoc
(05/16/2006; 20:26:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144271)
@Gandalf ("How high?")
Thanks for the reminder! Like many, I answered the first question and didn't answer the part about eventually how high.

Three years ago, I would have said $1,642 (with the likelihood of an overshoot and retracement) because that was the number that would have "balanced the books" for the US Treasury. I haven't redone the math since then. Thanks to ever increasing debt, it could now be recalculated on a daily or even an hourly basis and show a continually higher answer, probably approximating 25 hundred May of 2006 dollars.

Two reasons (an old one and a new one) for not having recalculated:
1. Partly because of this forum, I've come to realize that the value of an ounce of gold is exactly one ounce of gold and the this year's price or next year's price in a particular currency is just a statistic and hardly worth chasing down.
2. More importantly, recent geopolitical trends indicate that the "eventual" price of gold will be more than an order of magnitude higher than whatever will be necessary for the US Treasury to balance its books. Specifically, adding Putin's call for Russian oil to be priced in rubles to Iran's announced intentions to market its oil in Euros puts us two steps closer to a world where no one particular currency will be able to serve as the medium for international accounting. At this point, gold becomes the default answer with the unargueable advantage of being equally distasteful to all players.

Those who say there isn't enough gold in existence for it to serve this purpose just haven't added enough zeros to their upper limit for how high gold will have to be priced. If you want it in 2006 US dollars, just pick a number somewhere between 30 and 50 thousand per ounce.

Caradoc

Bubbly
(05/16/2006; 20:30:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144272)
$$$$$ 752.70 $$$$$
Bubbly's a man of few brains and words and prefers to keep things simple in conversation, because � by way of example � what are the ways to calculate the meaning of a Rose?: Spring's intricate creation of complexity and chaos and sharp mischievousness that's kept the poets and the scholars from completing all their volumes on its essence, yet without fail, the rose blooms in its own season without need for explanation; it IS only in its own regard.

$64,275.

Bub
Gandalf the White
(05/16/2006; 20:38:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144273)
You are WELCOME, Sir Caradoc !
Caradoc (5/16/06; 20:26:52MT - usagold.com msg#: 144271)
--
It may take a while for the "Newbies" to learn that "the value of an ounce of gold is exactly one ounce of gold", and why us GOLDHEARTS hold it so dear. I hope to hear from some who have experienced the NEED of having their GOLD in their lifetime.
I hope that my GOLD will not be needed in my lifetime, and my grandchildren will have the "protection" of my YELLOW.
<;-)
TownCrier
(05/16/2006; 21:12:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144275)
A fresh dispatch to us directly from Julian Phillips of his "Gold Forecaster � Global Watch"
http://news.goldseek.com/GoldForecaster/1147791900.phpHEADLINE: Russian Rouble to attack the $ ===> Exchange Controls in the U.S. ?

(excerpts) -- In his annual state of the nation address before both houses of parliament, ministers and reporters, Putin said work on making the national currency fully convertible should be completed by July 1, almost six months ahead of the original January 1, 2007 deadline.

The president called for the establishment of a Rouble-denominated oil and natural gas stock exchange in Russia. "The Rouble must become a more widespread means of international transactions. To this end, we need to open a stock exchange in Russia to trade in oil, gas, and other goods to be paid for in Roubles," he said

...This is the second most significant step in removing the U.S.$ from the throne of sole global reserve and trading currency!

Should any more oil producers take this step, it will precede a U.S.$ crisis and create massive potential instability in the globe's foreign exchanges. Because this is so important to gold and to you the reader, we are going to turn this into a series of pieces detailing the way forward. Needless to say, these moves are very, very positive for gold. (If Putin keeps his word on the gold front, we should expect Russia to enter the gold market as a buyer soon too?)

Once Russia has completed these steps [July onwards], we expect to see the greatest bulk of Russia's oil sold for Roubles.
...this move by Russia tolls the bell on oil being exclusively priced in the U.S.$.

With the oil comprising a huge portion of global trade, as part of the 86% of global trade denominated in the U.S.$, the impact of this change will be heavy on the value placed on the $.

*****So far, as the oil price rose, the demand for the U.S.$ grew heavily, in line with the rising price, giving it the stability it has maintained over the last few years, despite the series of record Trade Deficits. The fact that this has been in effect a devaluation of the $ in terms of oil, is not yet deemed of consequence.

But the rest of the globe doing trade with the U.S. is under no illusions that the sheer volume of dollars being printed to pay the bill for this Trade deficit has forced them to accept a suspect currency. They have, of necessity, to hold these surpluses in U.S. assets. Most have found their way into highly liquid U.S. Treasury Bonds and Bills. Now is the time to attempt to slow the acquisition of new dollars into their reserves.

...As the $'s role shrinks, so will the globe's ability to absorb not just the Trade deficit of the U.S. but also the growing volume of the dollars surplus to requirements.

Let's make clear what this could mean eventually, with Russia supplying oil to the U.S., the U.S. will have to buy Roubles to pay for it just like other nations.

...the demand for the dollar will drop and significantly. This will lead to a steady sale of $ assets, then the $s themselves with which to buy these Roubles [and Euros].

EVENTUAL CRISIS

This will precipitate, in time, upward pressure on interest rates. We would expect this to start in the markets through sales at the long end of the Treasury Bonds, then as these are sold off, move down to the short end of the market until foreign investments are concentrated at the short-end [T-Bill] and at worst, held in �call� money. The liquidation of these assets and subsequent purchases of foreign currencies will pull the $ down and cause a heavy outflow of foreign capital.

****Before this happened, we would expect the Fed, as we mentioned in a previous issue, to heavily intervene in the foreign exchanges to defend the exchange rate of the $. The Fed has already made preparations for such a defence. Should this prove insufficient and we have no doubt they will, we expect the Fed to try to stem the capital outflow from the country with Exchange Controls from initially gentle to eventually harsh levels. [The writer has many years of experience in Exchange Controls in different countries].

Many of you readers may feel these prospects are impossible, but history has precedents. At the turn of the century, the British Empire was in its heyday. Seventy years later it had to impose Exchange Controls of its own to prevent the sudden exit of foreign investments from its shores.

Next week we will look at what happened and how it is pertinent to the U.S. today! Later we will describe just how Exchange Controls work to protect a nation's financial base and the benefits that can come with them to the U.S. but to the detriment of the global monetary system.

^---(from url)---^

Thanks, Julian.

R.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/16/2006; 21:45:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144276)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

TUESDAY Market Excerpts

Gold ends strongly as dollar falls

May 16 (from Reuters) -- U.S. precious metals ended with healthy gains on Tuesday, a day after suffering stiff losses in a commodity-wide sell off, and some traders said the dollar's decline was behind gold's dramatic reversal.

Some traders said gold may have more declines in store. Some players said dollar selling after softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data helped gold win back its 3.8 percent losses to finish strong on Tuesday.

By the end, COMEX June gold futures had gained $7.90 to $692.90, near the top of a $675.50-to-$693.80 range.

U.S. core producer prices, which exclude food and energy costs rose 0.1 percent last month, below forecasts. April housing starts came in at a 1.849 million-unit rate, well below analysts estimates of 1.95 million annual units.

"Both of these numbers reinforce the view that the Federal Reserve can take a conditional pause in June, and that is dollar negative," said Alex Beuzelin, analyst at Ruesch International in Washington.

A weaker dollar offers an advantage to overseas investors of dollar-denominated assets like gold and silver.

Some traders noted that gold went limit down on the Tokyo commodities exchange overnight. If it does so again on Tuesday it may be a strong signal for further corrective selling. If not, gold may trade sideways and build a base on the charts.

"We've seen this pattern consistently over the last 18 months in gold, where we have a run up, a correction and then a base building period. Possibly we're going to play that out again, but I think there's room for a wider correction without any damage to the long-term bull trend," said COMMERZBANK vice president, Paul McLeod.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
Goldendome
(05/16/2006; 22:13:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144277)
Jim: Fire Frank Barbera. Please!
http://www.netcastdaily.com/fsnewshour.htm


Anyone else here listen to that Financial Sense Newshour program linked below? Used to be a fun thing to do, enjoyable. Now�

I am getting SO sick and tired of hearing Frank Barbera call tops in the gold market every week that, well�Like Howard Beale from the movie, Network (1976): "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

That guy Barbera has called 14 tops in the gold market already since December! (Or, however many shows they've had.) Every week it's one of the same tired refrains: "Jim, the Gold market is WAY overbought"�or, "We're out of gold"�or, "We're expecting a market correction to buy in." WHO CARES, you idiot! A lot of Bull markets get overbought! I'm just happy that I didn't sell anything the first time back in December, when with the market around $515 or so, he was looking for a pullback to possibly around $450.00! I don't think that the market ever drifted under $500 from the point of his first top-call! And then�if you sell�you can't get back in where you got out!

Some of you are probably wondering: "Hey Goldendome, why put all of this here on the Oaken Table- before us? Why don't you just write Puplava and ask him to shut Barbera up?

Ok�I'll tell you why not. He wouldn't care about one deranged listener. Obviously, Jim and Frank are old buddies�business, drinking, sailing�Who knows? Otherwise, I can't see how Puplava would put up with the "wide net" technical chart- guessing games that Barbera brings to the show. Most of the time, Frank is off on some space mission somewhere in a facet of stock picking that Puplava, himself, used to rail against!

Besides, by presenting here (unless the Castle guards zap it) it gets wider circulation and perhaps gets back to Jim in a circuitous route. I present to him directly my deep animosity for what's been going on with his show since Barbera came aboard; he might just say: "You don't like the show, no one's forcing you to listen!"

At that point I might respond in some honest yet harsh manner: "That's right, I don't have to listen�And when Frank and that knucklehead from Alabama come on after your weekly update�and start trying to impress everyone with their technical Bs and Frank, disrespecting gold; I generally head off to the little room until they're through, and do something more productive than listen to their drivel�Like take a, Harr-poop!"

What we need there again, is a guy like Jim Willie. Mud slinging, dollar diving, gold grinning,
silver gaining� -Jim Willie. That's why we tune in! Not to hear some tout, talking I-tunes.
Smeagol
(05/16/2006; 22:45:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144278)
$$$$$ FRN717.1 $$$$$

Ai! We almosst missed the Contesst! The earplugs work too well, Wizard! We DO want to hear the Contesst-Horn...jusst at a...sss...level...we can stands. (grin)

(WHY IS IT that these Contessts always sseem to happen during times of maximum volatility???)

Ssir MK's Quesstion:

"We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher.(yesss!) Every bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you think gold can go, over the long run?"

We can think of many things...sss...it is a mess worthy of Rube GOLDberg, eh, precious? (cackle) and we are sure we will miss a few.

The extension of the US-country's imperial ambitions, which led to

The closing of the Gold Window by the US Power...sss... that was the BIG flex-point, O yess precious wasn't it? But the Precious was then forcefully hidden for awhile - "nothing to see here, move along, move along"... and few now remember WHY It flew sso high, and wanted to fly higher, back then...

...while in the meanwhiles...

The creation of a new money sysstem by other Powers...the Euro project...designed to eventually compete with/replace the dollar-hegemony of the US-Power, bore fruit, and that along with

Fewer mines wanting to mine as much of It because of the constrained price, and

Leasing of more of It than they had by bullion banks,

The lowering of interesst rates by Japan to zero, and

The ill-fated decision by the US power to bring war to the Iraq-country on false premise, plus

The lowering of...sss...interesst rates to 1% by the US Federal Reserve, and

More ill-fated plans by the US Power to bring war to the Iran-country, ditto, all eventually resulting in

The America-people borrowing like there is no tomorrow, along with

The US-Power borrowing and sspending like there is no tomorrow, which continues to create

Sstaggering amounts of dollar-creditses, that have recently been

Floating all boats on rising tides of liquidity, causing

Most other Countries to look at the US-dollar and

Central banks that formerly sold lots of It and

Anyone else with half a brain to think, "Hmmm, wait a minute...

GOLD. BETTER GET ME/YOU/US SOME."


How far can It go? Ssss! How low can the US-dollar go? There's your answer, precious! (cackle) But ssince we are used to sseeing numbers...and looking at the Sea of dollars out there...sss...to make a full account of them by It... wethinks North of US30,000, unless the Powers pull ssome nassty-tricksy sstunt like they always sseem to do when It wants to show their evil works in the light of day. Of course, if fissh is US500 per pound then, US30,000 isn't much! >8-(

Smeagol
Waverider
(05/16/2006; 22:47:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144279)
Chavez may price oil exports in euros
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8HL5NS01.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down&chan=db MAY. 16 7:09 P.M. ET

"Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez said Tuesday that he would consider pricing his country's oil in euros instead of dollars in line with a similar declaration made by Iran."

Waverider: Interesting post TownCrier on Putin's plans to price oil in roubles...and now Chavez has similar thoughts.
Flatliner
(05/16/2006; 22:56:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144280)
@Goldendome
Nice to see a rant here every once in a while. Shows we're all human. I'm sure your posting here will reach many for I believe that there are many here that pop in to visit the Financial Sense Newshour for some light entertainment and education on a regular basis.

Mr Puplava has an exceptional eye for content and the site should not be overlooked. I would hope that if he does find your message below that he might also find this one. I would like to credit his site for giving me the education as to why it was dangerous to hold dollars and to express to him that the information gave me the confidence that I needed to make the leap into gold ownership. I would have to say that it has definitely changed my financial life!

It's to bad that the Financial Sense site doesn't have a forum like our great host. Even though there is so much information on that site that is pro-gold, it really seems like there is a missing link behind the real reasons that are driving the market. As luck might have it, our host has links to words that are truly golden from members that have come and gone but they took time to share their insights for all to see. And, most telling are the worldly developments that have occurred since they recorded their words many years ago.

Many thanks to all that labor to teach newbies like myself good financial concepts. In the years and decades to come, as those that pass through this site grow in stature, understanding and influence, the educational foundation gained here will be used to change the lives of many that follow. Lead by example. Get out of debt and hold gold. Security will follow.
Sundeck
(05/17/2006; 00:00:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144281)
Puplava's site
@Goldendome

Ahhh yes, Sir Goldendome...I don't think I agree with calling tops for gold at current levels too often at the moment, but...

remember that Puplava offers an eclectic site...one where opinions of many kinds are freely invited, expressed and permitted...quite a mix really...and truly in the best spirit of (American) freedom-of-speech...sadly in remission over recent years.

I too have learnt much from Puplava's site, although I hardly ever visit these days. A formal education these days can cost many ounces of gold, yet on the web we find a vast repository of knowledge free for the taking (although it frequently needs filtering). What a privilege!

Hats off to Puplava...and especially to our present host for providing not only a remarkable site, but also a comfortable round table at which to sit while feasting!

;-)
Goldilox
(05/17/2006; 00:10:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144282)
PoF (Price of Fish)
@ Sir Smeagol,

"Of course, if fissh is US500 per pound then, US30,000 isn't much!"

That depends, of course on the availability of the desired fish.

Bottom line, "commodities" and FIAT are all starting to exhibit "vedy interesting" relationships, including fish!
Goldilox
(05/17/2006; 00:23:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144285)
PM Volatility
$30 moves in gold, $1 moves in sliver.

Is that enough volatility for ya?

The PM market looks a lot like today's PHX-LAC double OT game.
Goldilox
(05/17/2006; 00:27:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144286)
Contest odds?
My first thought yesterday was that the short attack wiped my guess off the map. With this current volatility, my guess may have as much chance of being too low as too high.

What an E-ticket ride!
Goldilox
(05/17/2006; 02:21:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144287)
Battle in the pits
http://www.netdania.com/ChartApplet.asp?symbol=XAUUSDOZ%7Ccomstock_liteLondon is trying hard to cap the late rise in Hong Kong.

Fun to watch!
Waverider
(05/17/2006; 02:53:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144288)
Reactor deal 'like trading chocolate for gold' says Iran
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/05/17/uiran.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/05/17/ixnews.html"Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has poured scorn on a European package of incentives designed to persuade the Islamic state to break off its nuclear programme, saying that to accept them would be like trading chocolate for gold."

Waverider: Gold, silver, oil up tonight, US$, chocolate down!
Goldilox
(05/17/2006; 04:37:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144289)
Rhodium hits $6 000/oz, highest since early 1991
http://www.miningweekly.co.za/min/news/today/?show=86303snip:

Rhodium, a metal used in the manufacture of autocatalysts, traded at $6 000 an ounce in Europe on Wednesday for the first time since January 1991, as supply tightness gripped the market, traders said.

"It is a fundamantally driven market -- supply is tight, and the demand is consistent," one said.

Free market prices were indicated at $5 800/$6 000 an ounce, up from $5 600/5 800 on Tuesday, having climbed from last week's levels of $5 300/5 400.

Rhodium is a minor platinum group metal (PGM), and also used in the glass-making industry and in chemicals.

Prices have risen steadily from the depressed levels of $500 an ounce seen in 2004, and have significant upside potential -- the all-time high was $7 000 in 1980.

-Goldilox

Now here's a commodity with serious volatility! Swings of 12X from peak to peak.
Arcticfox
(05/17/2006; 06:08:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144290)
Iran shells Iraq's Kurds..
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article485023.eceAs the bombs fall, Iraq's Kurds have 'no friends but the mountains'
By Patrick Cockburn in Kandil, Iraq
Published: 16 May 2006

Snip..

Shell craters and dead branches torn off the trees by explosions mark the places in the mountains of northern Iraq targeted by Iranian artillery firing across the border in a serious escalation of the confrontation between Iran and the US.
Minero
(05/17/2006; 06:08:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144291)
$$$$ 735.5 $$$$
The guessing board is filling up fast, all the winning tickets will soon be drawn!!! The flex point: where and why. Back in the late 90s with the SM on its last big roll, no sane person would hold a stagnant commodity such as gold. The sub-$300 POG forced many small marginal mines, the world over, out of business. It was even enough to force the old woman in Africa and Latin America from taking her wooden gold pan to the river and panning for her gram of gold, which often required all day to get. The majority of these small mines will never re-open. However, I hear that the third world panners are back in force. This loss of production, and the depletion of high grade ore has made it more and more expensive to give you your ounce of gold. All the readers at this forum understand the more recent events that have sustained this five year bull market which is only now warming-up.
****** As to the future POG, I can see 2007 as being a very turbulent year, on many fronts. The POG will likely be sitting around $1500. The problem with this scenario is that the continued exhistance od our nation will be in peril. We have been working very diligently for thirty years to destroy a good thing.
White Rose
(05/17/2006; 08:31:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144292)
$$$$ 721.1 $$$$
The gold price reflects a vast universe of calculations. For a long time, the gold price was placed in a cage of dollars. Anyone with an interest in gold knew that they could make all the money in the world through the dollar systems; that the world of gold was a big dead end.

What has changed? A recognition that the dollar world is ending. Even as no one has any idea what comes next, we all know that it will not be based solely on the dollar.

That broad recognition, plus all the obvious signs and symtoms of the dollar's terminal conditions is powering golds recent stunning rise.
servantHeart
(05/17/2006; 08:43:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144293)
$$$$$ 698.5 $$$$$
In my uneducated opinion, the recent charge in the price of gold is linked to the continually devaluation of a country's currency, ours in this case. This was probably started by removing the gold-standard (backing our paper money with a valuable commodity). By pumping more money into the system backed by wind-pudding and air sauce, every real commodity has to increase. Throw in supply and demand and a need for people to find an investment that they can trust. I think it is about time. How high can it go ... no rational thought can comprehend or estimate such a number.
hirise
(05/17/2006; 08:58:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144294)
How do we enter the contest?
Is there a special "entry board" to click, or do we just post? I can't seem to find directions.

thanks!
Goldilox
(05/17/2006; 09:26:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144295)
Contest
@ Gandalf,

Did you forget to send Hirise the "special decoder ring"?

Just kidding.

Hirise - read Gandalf's Price Guessing Contest description at the bottom of this page. The entry instructions (how to post) are included therein.

It is just a post, with some important formatting instructions. The Hobbits may eat your entry if the instructions are not followed!
Goldilox
(05/17/2006; 09:31:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144296)
USDX
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10Truly Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!
hirise
(05/17/2006; 09:52:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144297)
Thanks, Goldilox!
I'm getting my ring!
The Hoople
(05/17/2006; 10:10:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144298)
I think they fired the Bernanke Confetti Cannon again
Although it's hard to do much damage to the shiny when you're firing paper cannon balls at it. Looks like they're trying to paint the gold tape today- lower highs, lower lows. It's all so neat and the intervals of intervention just perfect. Now the top callers will say the charts show a failure and the down trend is resuming. Yeah, right.

Could anybody actually believe a 11% annual PPI, 7.2% CPI, and a housing market declining precipitously is dollar friendly and gold bearish?
CoBra(too)
(05/17/2006; 10:22:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144299)
FSO - @ goldendome
Interrupting my sabbatical - I'm all the way with you.

BTW - Jim W. is aware of your concerns.

... Meanwhile, against some odds this correction has probably not run its course. So, what else is new except as you've stated F.B. has re- and re-explained his reasoning over time. First it was sell it all, PM's and miners, then only the highly overrated and overbought seniors, then all developers and junior explorations. A while later it sounded like we sell seniors and picked up juniors of merit.
Just before that J.P. ranted at the climate change "artists" and had some mail, which he refused to acknowlege and answer after a while. I'm now laughing at a newborn climate change apostle and the once superb radio show I was looking forward to as my weekend fix.

Enough, and back to my sabbatical - except I do feel wer'e still in the second leg of this secular and generational bull market in pm's. Play it your way, but don't play it if you don't have the bedrock of real gold and some silver yet!

Best cb2
Druid
(05/17/2006; 10:25:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144300)
The Hoople (5/17/06; 10:10:41MT - usagold.com msg#: 144298)

Druid: It's interesting to listen to the Carnival Barkers on the idiot box come up with a story to fit the event. It looks like the invisible hand is doing some heavy lifting today draining liquidity in pretty much all markets. It looks like inflation just showed up at the door today and, instead of knocking, just walked on in and made himself right at home.
osa104c
(05/17/2006; 11:23:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144301)
This is TOOday
I can't wait until tomorrow, because I get better lOOking everyday............buy...buy...the precious
Whitewaterwoman
(05/17/2006; 11:57:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144302)
Will someone please get the invisible hand an icepack?
All this whipsaw action back and forth has got to be killing his wrist and forearm muscles!
The Hoople
(05/17/2006; 12:26:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144303)
Druid
It's pretty hard for CNBC to explain anything today. I too haven't heard them mention the fact Fannie is suspending debt issuance until May 23rd. That could be a huge piece of why Fannie, financials, housing, lumber, bonds, and practically everything else is getting slammed today. Foreign jitters?

Gold got put on lockdown today. The metals should have been the only green blinkers on the monitor. They will, pretty soon if the May 23rd Fannie report is as ugly as I suspect.

Druid
(05/17/2006; 13:05:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144304)
Hoople

"It's pretty hard for CNBC to explain anything today. I too haven't heard them mention the fact Fannie is suspending debt issuance until May 23rd. That could be a huge piece of why Fannie, financials, housing, lumber, bonds, and practically everything else is getting slammed today. Foreign jitters?

Gold got put on lockdown today. The metals should have been the only green blinkers on the monitor. They will, pretty soon if the May 23rd Fannie report is as ugly as I suspect."


Druid: Wow! Hoople, This is one of the most logical explanations I've come across yet. Excellent comments.

I can't help but guess that there has to be some HUGE derivative players that are underwater BIGTIME due to the whipsaw nature that has taken place in these markets as of late. When Greenspan did his farewell rock-n-roll Europe tour and warned the Hedge Fund guys about losing confetti, I would have never guessed that we would be seeing a 5% Fed Funds rate. Maybe he meant it and his successor is going to finish the job off. Could the Chopper by way of all of his exceptional writings concerning monetary policy be leading the market in one direction while doing the opposite of what he put in print?
slingshot
(05/17/2006; 13:14:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144305)
Gold's Tune
Gold goes uppity up up, then goes down ditty, down down.
Oh! those magnificent men with their data machines.
Just have to smile ;0)
Slingshot-----------<>
The Hoople
(05/17/2006; 13:34:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144306)
Druid
I remember when LTCM blew up it was supposedly because they had modeled risk according to old parameters, but had no model for the extreme swings in rubles, baht, etc. Today we know the mining hedgers are collectively nearly 10 billion off sides in their gold derivatives. I doubt if Barrick or Ashanti had any risk model shown to them that included a $400 gain in POG culminating over $700 by May 06. Likewise I bet there are many, many derivative bets placed that are just wrong by gargantuan amounts. It's easy to look at Fannie as some ground zero for where it could unwind but I wouldn't at all be surprised to see one blow up out of the blue. I had never heard of LTCM before AG so ignobly warned us they threatened the entire world economy.

Bernanke might do well to keep some dry powder, or dry paper as it is. I think he fired some pretty big shots the last few days. Really not that impressive when you look at how powerful gold has been snapping back.




Ten Bears
(05/17/2006; 16:38:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144307)
Gold price
$$$696.80$$$

Other posters have provided excellent information on many of the factors which have brought about the gold �break out�. There are too many tough acts to follow to try that route; therefore only one near term event will be mentioned here.

Middle Eastern War:
A justified attempt to free the people of Iraq, An act of desperation, An act of strategic genius, A blunder by fools, Necessary to secure oil, Initiated by Zionist interests, Required to prop up a faltering debt money, Provide a profit for the military industrial complex, all of these concepts and more are floating around on the internet as reasons for the current war.

For those of us who are simply acquiring are saving a bit of gold for our children, grand children, or great grand children, the reasons for the war are not our primary concern. We do, however, need to recognize that a new set of conditions appeared shortly after the arrival of the new century. The constantly depreciating federal reserve note appears to be on the way out as a world reserve currency. If the dollar goes to zero then gold will go to infinity, but if a �new dollar� is created, my guess is gold will be (for a while) fixed at $3200.per ounce.
Goldendome
(05/17/2006; 17:15:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144308)
Ouch! The hounds chewed up nearly everything in sight today.

Lots of blood red on the boards today. Not many can be too happy. In addition to the bad inflation news that's rattled the markets particularily those who believed the Fed may be ready for a breather on interest rate increases, I find the statement and context (from USA Golds own newswire)posted below to be most significant:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In Paris, Finance Minister Thierry Breton told the government's economic and social advisory board that the difference in value between the euro and dollar had widened by 6.5 percent over the past three weeks, but that the economy would be able to absorb the effects.

He added however: "We will do all we can to keep the gap from widening further, even though the euro has not moved much with respect to other currencies."

Breton's comments were immediately interpreted by foreign exchange traders as a veiled warning of possible intervention.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This again just shows us that no nation or region wants to have a strong fiat currency. Everyone fears it on trade reasons. The U.S. economy is creaking and groaning already under the strain of debt and interest when rates are not even that high--historically. Housing and real estate are showing the signs of traveling down the backside of the boom to the bust. Gasoline prices are stretching everyone thin for consumer spending.

The gap that the Fed rests in...between the rock of higher interest rates and the hard place of a weakening economy, appears to narrow again. What will they do? The monetary aggregates created over many years now are spilling into all sorts of product prices, not only into capital assets.

Kill the beast (price inflation) and they--the Fed--may well kill the patient (U.S. economy) as well. Where would that leave the dollar then, if the Fed were pressured to lower rates in spite of perhaps elevated consumer price inflation? The answer my friends would not be a pretty scenario for those holding dollar assets. Best to hold the Gold; the non-inflatable monetary asset.

Boilermaker
(05/17/2006; 17:16:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144309)
$$$$ 705.7 $$$$$
First let me offer my sincerest thanks and gratitude to our host MK and to TC who both expand my knowledge and understanding of things monetary. More thanks and gratitude to those present and past posters who every day have added a brick of knowledge to my structure of understanding.

There have been many inflexion points for gold if one measures them against various currencies over time. Whenever a currency is linked to gold there is a period when gold is "stabilized" by virtue of a promise to maintain the value at some par ratio. The promise, however, is always abused and broken. Each time this happens there is an interval of time during which the realization of the probability of breaking this promise begins to sink in. Individuals and countries with large currency assets start to get nervous and begin the process of converting fiat to gold and other real assets.
In the few years preceding 1971 France saw the need to convert their $ to gold and broke away from the London Gold Pool that had been set up in 1961. They forced the US to break the gold linkage in 1971. This triggered a run from $35 to $850 in less than 10 years. It should be noted that the US Treasury and the IMF resisted this price explosion. In the years between 1975 and 1979 the IMF sold about 1555 tons of gold and the US Treasury sold about 530 tons. The price rose relentlessly (with major hits when auctions were announced) despite the sales.
In more recent history the first widely publicized expression of gold confidence vs. fiat allegiance came with the Washington Agreement #1 in September 1999. A less-noticed but earlier expression of attitude towards gold came with the establishment of the architecture of the Euro. The mark-to-market valuation of gold reserves held by the ECB was a remarkable departure from the US Federal Reserve's effort to maintain a fixed linkage between gold and the $.
There is clear evidence that the architects of the Euro common currency were aware of the need to "free" gold at an early point in the Euro's design. Here's a snip from the 1996 EMI Annual Report, (predating the official introduction of the Euro):
EMS mechanisms
The EMI carries out operations associated
with the creation, utilisation and
remuneration of official ECUs. Official
ECUs are issued to EU central banks
against the contribution of 20% of their
gross gold holdings and US dollar reserves
through revolving swaps. Contributions
are compulsory for the EU central banks
participating in the ERM and voluntary for
EU central banks not participating in the
ERM. The swap operations are renewed
every three months, which allows for the
necessary adjustments to be made in
order to: first, ensure that each EU central
bank's contribution to the EMI continues
to represent at least 20% of its gold and
US dollar reserve holdings at the end of
the month preceding the renewal date;
and, second, take account of changes in the
price of gold and in the US dollar exchange
rate vis-�-vis the official ECU. The results
of these operations are shown in the
Annual Accounts enclosed with this Report.

An even earlier EU document "The Changeover to the Single Currency", published in November 1995 had this statement in an appendix of terms:
"Fiduciary money: refers to banknotes and coins. These means of payment are termed
"fiduciary" because their value is based on the confidence and trust of the holder in the
issuer of the currency; their intrinsic value is not guaranteed by a clause providing for an
exchange at a fixed conversion factor against some other asset such as, for instance, gold."


As Belgian has so often instructed, the formation of the Euro currency was a new gold-friendly architecture that heralded a watershed departure from the gold-antagonistic dollar. Gold is the anti-Christ of the dollar financial system but has been installed as a pillar in the Euro financial system. The Euro will never be as good as gold but it recognizes that gold deserves an independent (free) place in the financial hierarchy.

Regarding the long run value of gold, any price in terms of $ will have no meaning because the $ is an infinitely elastic yardstick. I would rather use other real assets such as oil, acres of productive farmland, kilowatt-hours of electric power, etc, to value gold. However, if one wants a fiat measure, then the ultimate value of all existing gold should become equal to the value of all existing currency and currency denominated obligations. If we arbitrarily peg today's worldwide currency and currency obligations at $50 trillion and use 150,000 MT of existing gold then the potential VOG (value of gold) is about $10,368/oz in current $.


TownCrier
(05/17/2006; 18:16:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144310)
Boilermaker, an outstanding post
Should be required reading for all newcomers and oldtimers alike.

R.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/17/2006; 18:46:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144311)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

WEDNESDAY Market Excerpts

May 17 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures lost more than $1 an ounce Wednesday as the U.S. dollar rose on data showing a rising rate of inflation.

"While investors are still keen to enter what remains a firm bull market long term, the short-term risk remains to the downside as heavily leveraged funds appear keen to lock in profits," James Moore, an analyst at TheBullionDesk, said in a note to clients.

From here, gold will likely be "treading water around $685-$715 for the next week or so before resuming its upwards march," he said.

Fueling the latest pressure on gold prices, the dollar rose against the yen and euro Wednesday, after a hotter-than-expected consumer-inflation report reignited speculation the Federal Reserve will keep lifting interest rates.

But Matthew Parry, an economist at Moody's Economy.com, remains bullish on gold going forward "as we envisage the U.S. dollar falling further."

COMEX June futures fell to a low of $686.30 before closing out the day down $1.10 at $691.80. It touched a high of $712.50 earlier in the session. Prices reached a high of $728 last week, the highest futures prices since September 1980.

"We believe the fundamentals of gold have not yet changed," South China Research told clients, attributing the recent weakness in gold to profit-taking.

"Market demand for this rate commodity should remain strong, as it offers a hedge against inflation risk, the depreciating dollar and geopolitical tensions, while supply would remain relatively steady," the research firm said.

---(see url for full news. 24-hr newswire)---
Gandalf the White
(05/17/2006; 19:37:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144312)
WOWSERS !!
I come in late from working in the far Morador, and find that Helli-Ben has been working OVERTIME !!
This VOLATILITY is becoming an often occurance nowdays.
Hold on to the YELLOW during this rollercoaster ride !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/17/2006; 19:38:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144313)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -- POG Contest UPDATE !
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $755.5 $$$$ Waverider (5/16/06; 19:54:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 144265)

$$$$ $752.7 $$$$ Bubbly (5/16/06; 20:30:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144272)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $735.5 $$$$ Minero (5/17/06; 06:08:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144291)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $730.0 $$$$ Whitewaterwoman (5/16/06; 12:17:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 144246)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $727.0 $$$$ Rimh (5/16/06; 15:07:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144256)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $721.1 $$$$ White Rose (5/17/06; 08:31:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 144292)

$$$$ $719.5 $$$$ ASSAY (5/16/06; 09:32:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144235)

$$$$ $718.0 $$$$ Beer Man (5/16/06; 16:37:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144260)

$$$$ $717.6 $$$$ slingshot (5/15/06; 20:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144218)

$$$ FRN717.1 $$$ Smeagol (5/16/06; 22:45:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 144278)

$$$$ $716.0 $$$$ Clink! (5/16/06; 13:04:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144249)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $712.1 $$$$ Solomon Weaver (5/15/06; 22:01:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144225)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $707.7 $$$$ osa104c (5/16/06; 14:57:23MT - usagold.com msg#: 144253)

$$$$ $705.7 $$$$ Boilermaker (5/17/06; 17:16:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144309)

$$$$ $703.9 $$$$ Tuco (5/15/06; 16:33:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144216)

$$$$ $700.1 $$$$ Mthirsty1 (5/16/06; 14:58:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144254)

$$$$ $698.5 $$$$ servantHeart (5/17/06; 08:43:27MT - usagold.com msg#: 144293)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $696.8 $$$$ Ten Bears (5/17/06; 16:38:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 144307)

$$$$ $684.2 $$$$ Ignacioman (5/16/06; 06:45:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144230)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $550.0 $$$$ Zhisheng (5/15/06; 11:27:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144203)
===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/17/2006; 19:41:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144314)
REPOST --- for the LURKERS and Newbies --- COME ON IN !!!!

TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW, as Entry DEADLINE is only three + days away !!
<;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Armageddon
(05/17/2006; 20:22:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144315)
$$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$
The flex-point I feel was the election of George W. Bush to the White House. This is key because it is both the leadership and lack of leadership of Bush that is leading to the destruction of the value of the dollar and eventually its destruction as the world's reserve currency. George W. Bush is largely responsible for high gas and oil prices prices by starting the Iraq War and failing to bring peace in its aftermath which increases the "Terror Premium" on oil and gas. Bush's lack of leadership in working with China to help reduce the trade deficit is another problem. When China wanted to buy an American oil company Bush should have lead the way in helping China achieve this goal since it would return dollars to America. He should have invited China to invest heavily in American natural resource development projects that would provide jobs for American citizens and again return dollars to America. As a result of Bush's lack of leadership China has turned to Iran and signed a multi-billion dollar oil and gas purchase agreement which gives Iran the critical strength it needs to push forward with its nuclear program and reject American threats. Bush has also failed to build the American economy and as a result it is likely that at no dollar exchange rate can the trade deficit be balanced due to massive offshore outsourcing of American production. Furthermore, Bush has failed to lead in convincing foreign countries to stop propping up the dollar to gain trade advantage. China is not going to move the yuan at the rate that is necessary to correct the trade imbalance. If China does not move the yuan then Japan, Korea, and other foreign countries would be reluctant to increase the value of their currencies because they would not want to loose any trade advantage they currently have. This is critical because then basically the dollar must collapse in value as a reserve currency in order for the trade deficit to correct and balance in the world economy to be restored. Once the dollar is worthless no other country would peg their currency to it or even want to hold it.

Long term high of an ounce of gold is $50,000 after the high inflation by end of 2010.
coralxiong
(05/17/2006; 21:25:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144316)
I am a new buyer
will the gold really go higher?
it seems that it's not so strong now.
which infactors should i consider about to make a decision?
beowulf +
(05/17/2006; 22:54:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144317)
***710.52***
I believe the turning point was the implementation of the Project for the New American Century. The neocons, hangovers from Trotsky and true globalist, coincidentily had their "New Pearl Harbor" to instill perpetual warfare and a statist government antithesis to the constitution against the American public. They then set out to debase the currency as Lenin once coined as a necessity to change society. An economic crisis always tends to transfer power from the proletariat to the elite rulers. Our middle management teams...democrats and republicans, loot the economy like poisoned, fornicating cockroaches, while Rome burns. Both sides of the aisle are proving to be the eternal embarrassment they always have been as true corporate fascists supporting their new fatherland after the burning of the Reichstag. What else could gold do but crack a smile at the society of psycopaths running the country and their millions of minions licking the boots of traitors the like of Clinton or Bush carrying banners of liberal or conservative in their mad rush to crush the constituion or the thought of sound monetary policy? How else could gold respond? Gold has retained its sanity and has illuminated the false demigods this populace insists on supporting. In summary, the installation of the Project has been the prime motivator for golds movement as the dollar is being crushed under the weight of DC insanity. The world has just taken notice.
Chris Powell
(05/17/2006; 23:00:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144318)
Risk of defaults hangs over London Metal Exchange
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2006/05/18/cnlme18.xml&menuId=242&sSheet=/money/2006/05/18/ixcity.htmlCopper trade losses spark fear of defaults

By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard�
The Telegraph, London
Thursday, May 18, 2006

The risk of defaults was hanging over the London Metal Exchange last night after a clutch of clients failed to meet margin calls on losing copper trades, leaving brokers struggling frantically to match their books.

The liquidity crunch follows another day of wild gyrations at the exchange, where copper, aluminium, zinc, and lead all tumbled on bad US inflation data after failing to conquer new highs.

Copper fell 3.3 percent to $8,080 a tonne in late trading. "The hedge books of the banks are seriously underwater on copper, but apart from that there are now brokers in trouble because clients can't meet the margin payments," said a market source.

LME brokers are liable for the margin calls of their clients, who are given 24 hours to stump up the cash. "Some of the wire cable manufacturers and industrial users can't meet payments because of cash flow problems, so the brokers are left holding the bag," he said.

He added that the banks were bleeding heavily because of a mismatch between their short-term and long-term futures contracts.

The market reached fever point late last week with all-time highs across the spectrum of base metals, led by an explosive spike in copper to almost $8,900 a tonne -- up 170 percent in a year.

Speculation by hedge funds prompted LCH.Clearnet to raise margin calls 71 percent to $25,000 per 25-tonne lot earlier this week, after doubling them just eight days earlier.

LCH.Clearnet said that none of its 39 LME members had missed payments, but it is not responsible for monitoring defaults by broker clients. Moreover, many smaller players are outside the Clearnet system.

The LME said all its members were meeting obligations and are in "good standing." "There is no chance of a member defaulting because systemic risk is managed through very sophisticated mechanisms," it said.
Gandalf the White
(05/17/2006; 23:13:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144319)
beowulf + (5/17/06; 22:54:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144317)
The Hobbits "Thank you", Sir Beowulf +, for the two cents !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/17/2006; 23:19:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144320)
Sir Coralxiong's QUESTION ---
coralxiong (5/17/06; 21:25:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 144316)
===
Which do you think is "stronger" in both the near and longer term ? --- The US$ (or replace the "US$" with almost ANY other monitary unit) ----
OR GOLD ?
AND --
What do the peoples of SE Asia use as a storage of WEALTH ?
You should know the answer to that one !
<;-)


contrarian
(05/17/2006; 23:28:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144321)
The New Pearl Harbor
Beowulf--I could not agree with you more. The manipulation is brilliant, I have to say, and has been brilliantly executed. It will be interesting to see how things fare tomorrow in the stock market. I think things will turn out just hunky dory, as it seems like everyone with the exception of a few are either snookered or snoring. Isn't it amazing how things always bounce back lately?!
contrarian
(05/17/2006; 23:33:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144322)
Selling gold/silver during/after hyperinflation
http://www.gold-eagle.com/cgi-bin/gn/get/forum.html?date=2006%3A05%3A17%3A13%3A00%3A00Would be curious to hear other's thoughts on this posting from Gold Eagle. Hyperinflation is new (at least in the US), but I think we're there now.

"The timing is critical. Unless you can move your gold/silver outside the country before hyperinflation, the PM physicals CANNOT be sold as the dollar plunges with intensity. Thanks again. You have the best of both worlds- 1st world income in a 3rd world cost of living. Sounds very logical and inviting to me. :) "
Gandalf the White
(05/18/2006; 00:08:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144323)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW, as Entry DEADLINE is now only three days away !!
<;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/18/2006; 00:08:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144324)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -- POG Contest UPDATE !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $755.5 $$$$ Waverider (5/16/06; 19:54:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 144265)

$$$$ $752.7 $$$$ Bubbly (5/16/06; 20:30:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144272)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $735.5 $$$$ Minero (5/17/06; 06:08:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144291)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $730.0 $$$$ Whitewaterwoman (5/16/06; 12:17:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 144246)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $727.0 $$$$ Rimh (5/16/06; 15:07:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144256)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $721.1 $$$$ White Rose (5/17/06; 08:31:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 144292)

$$$$ $719.5 $$$$ ASSAY (5/16/06; 09:32:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144235)

$$$$ $718.0 $$$$ Beer Man (5/16/06; 16:37:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144260)

$$$$ $717.6 $$$$ slingshot (5/15/06; 20:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144218)

$$$ FRN717.1 $$$ Smeagol (5/16/06; 22:45:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 144278)

$$$$ $716.0 $$$$ Clink! (5/16/06; 13:04:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144249)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $712.1 $$$$ Solomon Weaver (5/15/06; 22:01:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144225)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $710.5 $$$$ beowulf + (5/17/06; 22:54:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144317)

$$$$ $707.7 $$$$ osa104c (5/16/06; 14:57:23MT - usagold.com msg#: 144253)

$$$$ $705.7 $$$$ Boilermaker (5/17/06; 17:16:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144309)

$$$$ $703.9 $$$$ Tuco (5/15/06; 16:33:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144216)

$$$$ $700.1 $$$$ Mthirsty1 (5/16/06; 14:58:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144254)
$$$$ $700.0 $$$$ Armageddon (5/17/06; 20:22:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144315)

$$$$ $698.5 $$$$ servantHeart (5/17/06; 08:43:27MT - usagold.com msg#: 144293)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $696.8 $$$$ Ten Bears (5/17/06; 16:38:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 144307)

$$$$ $684.2 $$$$ Ignacioman (5/16/06; 06:45:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144230)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $550.0 $$$$ Zhisheng (5/15/06; 11:27:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144203)
===
<;-)
AuVenger
(05/18/2006; 01:38:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144325)
$$$$ $677.7 $$$$
I read all ANOTHER's posts many years ago, and I also could see his vision. ANOTHER was tapped into a certain mindset, but he, it seems to me, did not fully realise the complications of chaos theory into his timeline. What he predicted will happen, IMO, will happen, for several reasons - PNAC, emerging China/India currencies/outsourcing, the demise of the USD (happening right now), the fake global war on terrorism orchestrated by the same folks who are planning the middle/dar east oil/energy wars, IRAQ, the fact that there is absolutely no intention of ever leaving (13 bases being built, a HUGE new American embassy, CHAO AB ORDO), IRAN/SYRIA, Chavez and Venezuela the new Bogeman, new oil bourses denominated in EUROs - the list, frankly, is endless...but what has happened in the last two months is that a consensus has formed, the USD is dead in the water, the US Govt is desperate, and a huge middle east conflageration looms - all these factors point to desperate times IMHO within the next 2-3 years, maybe MUCH sooner, with gold IMHO peaking anywhere between $3,200 to $50,000 an ounce, the new de facto commodity based currency...
968
(05/18/2006; 02:17:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144326)
Iraq, Iran and the end of petrodollar: The waning influence of the USA in the Asian century
http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/feedback/80289-petrodollar-0SNIP :

"Throughout history, empires and their civilisations have come and gone. During the first part of the last century, the US quietly built its empire, first in the North and Central Americas and in South America. Soon after the Second World War, the US worked to maximise the advantages it gained, and the power it assumed, between 1943 and 1945, from its victory over Germany and Japan, and as a consequence of massive Soviet casualties, and large British debt and financial burden caused by the war. The USA assumed the leading role in the Western world by, on one hand, containing the Soviet Union and preventing the spread of communist revolution beyond the borders of the Soviet bloc; and on the other hand, ensuring uncontested American supremacy within the Western world.

During the Cold War years, there was little or no challenge to the dominant position of the US in the Western world. However, with the end of the Soviet Union in 1991, the knot tying the basic objectives of the US global strategy together began to come unraveled. Once the communist danger was off the table, American supremacy ceased to be an automatic requirement of the Western system.

Since 20 September 2002, the US government has abandoned its former multilateral approach to global affairs, and adopted an imperial posture known as the so-called Bush doctrine."

"Imagine this: you are deep in debt but every day you write cheques for millions of dollars you don't have -- another luxury car, a holiday home at the beach, the world trip of a lifetime. Your cheques should be worthless but they keep buying stuff because those cheques you write never reach the bank! You have an agreement with the owners of one thing everyone wants, call it petrol/gas, that they will accept only your cheques as payment. This means everyone must hoard your cheques so they can buy petrol/gas. Since they have to keep a stock of your cheques, they use them to buy other stuff too. You write a cheque to buy a TV, the TV shop owner swaps your cheque for petrol/gas, that seller buys some vegetables at the fruit shop, the fruiterer passes it on to buy bread, the baker buys some flour with it, and on it goes, round and round -- but never back to the bank. You have a debt on your books, but so long as your cheque never reaches the bank, you don't have to pay. In effect, you have received your TV free. This is the position the USA has enjoyed for 30 years."

Since the US emerged as the dominant global superpower at the end of the Second World War, US hegemony rested on three unchallengeable pillars: 1) overwhelming US military superiority over all its rivals; 2) the superiority of American production methods and the relative strength of the US economy; 3) control over global economic markets, with the US dollar acting as the global reserve currency.

Of these three, the role of the dollar may be the greatest among equals. The US dollar is the world's reserve currency, meaning that central banks all over the world hold huge amounts of dollars in reserve. As a result of this situation, today America borrows from practically the entire world without keeping the reserves of any other currency. Because the dollar is the de facto global reserve currency, US currency accounts for approximately two-thirds of all official exchange reserves. America does not have to compete with other currencies in interest rates, and even at low interest rates capital flies to the dollar. The more dollars are circulated outside the US, or invested by foreign owners in American assets, the more the rest of the world has had to provide the US with goods and services in exchange for these dollars. The US even has the luxury of having its debts denominated in its own currency.

How does this work?

The United States runs a balance of payments deficit by spending more money in other countries (buying their products, investing in them, or giving them dollars) than they spend in the United States . - The extra dollars are held by the countries' central banks. The banks do not ask the United States to redeem them for gold or another currency. As long as foreign banks accept and hold dollars as if they were gold, the dollars act as reserves."

"Hence the Bretton Woods system was ended. This was a serious crisis inspired by a significant loss of confidence in dollar. As a result, the dollar was left 'floated' in the international monetary market, which weakened the position of the dollar as the hegemonic currency. Now the dollar had no firm backing other than the 'full faith and credit' of the US government. From that point on, the US had to find a way convincing the rest of the world to continue to accept every devalued dollars in exchange for economic goods and services the US needed to get from others. It had to find an economic reason for the rest of the world to hold US dollars: oil provided that reason, and the term petrodollar became the crucial link in this."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A nice read.
Sundeck
(05/18/2006; 06:12:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144327)
This and that...
@Sir 968 #144326 and All,

Yes...a good read... The British Empire was crippled by two (un)great wars that bled the UK pretty nearly dry. I sometimes wonder what the world would be like if that altogether stupid WWI had never occurred, and the egotistical maniacs who "lead" the two great empires of the day had handed over their differences to more rational and gentle minds.

Of course, the ridiculous reparations levied upon Germany after WWI were directly implicated in the rise of the Third Reich, leading to the even more devastating (but, perversely, more justified) WWII. What the world needed after WWI was a forerunner Marshal Plan, but what it got was a bunch of stupid Anglophiles, Hell-bent on squeezing the last drop of blood out of the tatters of a defeated Germany. How counterproductive that turned out to be...

Britain may have "won" the conflict, but in so doing it lost its empire; relinquishing financial and cultural hegemony to the USA...and drifting into a more placid era where nostalgia and ceremony replaced raw power and influence...like Spain after Philip II, or Byzantium after Romanus II, or... All of these older empires, although they have yielded their dominance, have nonetheless gone on to maintain a remnant identity in which life for their many peoples is not too bad...and so it may be for America.

America may have "won" the Cold War, but at what price? The seeds of its present problems have been sown over the last fifty years. One major part of its industrial infrastructructure which still reigns supreme is its "military industrial complex"...American exports of military technology exceeds almost the rest of the world's defence exports combined. It is one area where the US economy is still dominant, but for what purpose? There is no longer a "Cold War" bogyman. If peace were to break out globally, what justification for this vast enterprise would there be? It would seem therefore, that a large part of the American economy needs war...or at least the threat of war.

It is in this context that the so-called "War on Terror" could be viewed. It is almost a stop-gap enterprise to keep the military industrial complex in a job, up-and-running, and viable, until something more definitive comes along. Cynical you say? Well, be that as it may...but the chickens are coming home to roost...

As all of the present "imbalances" in the world work themselves out, it is important to distinguish between real wealth ("things" - gold, houses, good companies, healthy environments, etc) and the proxy to wealth (fiat currencies - "dollars" in particular).

As the plates collide, the dealings will be done in dollars - which will burn for sure - but when it all ends, there will still be land and gold and people to be housed and fed, and the need for energy sources...

Make sure your title to these things is good and irrefutable...

:-)
Pal
(05/18/2006; 06:38:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144328)
$$$$ $701.5 $$$$
Firstly, thank you to USAGold for this forum and also to all participants for their refined discussions. I've been lurking and spending a good deal of time trying to educate myself about the gold market and following the natural springboards it leads to. So, to take a stab at MK's question...
I've read many arguments about why gold is increasing against every major currency. The only consistent and reasonable explanation I can see that doesn't confuse the trees for the forest is freegold. A new system must replace the current dollar reserve system and the paper gold market, but it must have support to do it. This new system appears to be getting its start with the euro and its mark to market gold reserve pricing. The flex point then, is when gold surpassed 350 euros. When this resistance point was broken it showed that gold had international support and that the current paradigm would change. Like dominoes after this point central banks will start to transition away from a dollar reserve standard to a mark to market gold reserve standard(e.g. the Russian Central Bank implemented this plan earlier this year). Some columnists write about phases and commodity bull cycles but I think unlike what happened in the 70's and 80's this time will end differently. Gold will be unshackled from its paper bondage and regain its status as a wealth reserve.
In the short term(2 or 3 years) I would go with Jim Sinclair's target of $1650 for the price of gold based on the markets as we know them today. At first I would think he based that number on the 1980 high figured for inflation using the current CPI calculation(which comes close to it). But if the current method of calculation is hedonistic and $850 in 1980 should be closer to $3,000 now(using other methods like equivalence to M3) I would assume a man of his knowledge of the markets would know this. My only conclusion can be that after $1650 there will be a derivatives meltdown and out of its ashes a physical delivery gold market will emerge. This outcome will be taken in stride by the Central Banks who mark their gold reserves to market because they will balance their losses with their gains in gold. Viewing the the now defunct M3 for the past 10 years it looks to me that we live in a special time... hyperinflation of the money supply without the ensuing price inflation. As the world switches to freegold those dollars will(or are starting to) come home and that is when we will see the $40,000+ gold pricing.

-Pal
968
(05/18/2006; 07:09:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144329)
Duma committee approves bill on quoting prices in rubles only
http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11518480MOSCOW. May 18 (Interfax) - The Russian State Duma Committee on Legislature has approved a draft bill stating that prices for products and services should be denoted in Russian rubles only.

The relevant bill received the backing of a large group of MPs after being discussed at a meeting of the committee on Thursday. Committee members almost unanimously supported the proposal to abandon the practice of quoting prices in conventional units, U.S. dollars and euro.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia on the road to a fully convertible ruble.
Gandalf the White
(05/18/2006; 08:13:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144330)
WELCOME Sir Pal and "THANKS" for that Entry Discussion !
Please be not a STRANGER now.
<;-)
tejbear
(05/18/2006; 08:14:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144331)
The adjustment's only just begun
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid={A522C913-9445-4C48-8D0A-5170AF79526F}&siteid=mktw&dist=All,

That is the title of an article (see link) that represents the sentiment is increasingly numbers of articles I seen on the web.

Worse, the Mogambo Guru advises that he does not believe that that "correction" can be controlled. Moreover, he believes that the market will drop like a rock.

Are we now on the edge of an world wide economical abyss?

The Bear
Minero
(05/18/2006; 08:33:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144332)
The U.S. Military
I feel the need to make a few comments about our military. I am by no means an expert on anything, but I did spend about 5 years on active duty in the Army and Marine Corps, I then served another 25 years in the National Guard and Army Reserve. I have observations; they may or may not be valid: The training we receive in the Corps in 1967 was superb, this training encompased body, mind, and soul. We were taxed to the physical and mental limits. I can not envision how it could have been done any better. The trainers were masters, true professionals who took their duties very seriously. We were taught to obey and also to think, reason, and react. We were taught to be frugal and resourceful. As the years passed, I saw less and less of this true dedication to god and country. The troops lost that sharp edge. It was replaced by all sorts of foolishness. The "All Volenteer Army, the "Army of One", evolved into a high tech machine, complete with its expensive high tech equipment, much of which is too complex for the soldier to operate, unreliable, and not maintainable. The military has been decimated by equal rights activists, politicians working for their own ends, and the "Military Industrial Complex" who invent more, and more high tech garbage to defraud the foolish taxpayer. The United States spends a tremendous amount on the military and gets almost nothing in return. We are rapidly using up our few remaining military resources, and they are not being replaced. Just take a visit to your nearest military base and look at what is there!!!
I see us as being almost defenseless. I guess as a last resort we will get to test a few aging nukes; but what do I know.
slingshot
(05/18/2006; 09:50:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144333)
Minero
Your entrance into service in 1967 was a terrible time in our nations history and probaly spent some time "In Counrty" To this I say Welcome Home. I too entered service in 1972 but by that time the war was ending. Enough said.
But I want to reassure you as to the character and capabities of our fighting men and women. The A.L.I.C.E. was a great inpovement from the 1956 canvas issue and the new kevlar is amasing,not to forget the night vision. The M1A1 Abrams Tank is the best in the world but not invincible.Highly trained crews operate and maintain this sophisticated piece of high tech. Weapons like the T.O.W. and Javelin require skill for the kill. My expertise is in aviation and have worked and trained military for 24 years on jet aircraft and powerplants. My trainees were great and the information between field and support prove adaptability was alive and well. To the political workings?
It was there when I was in and it is still there. God and Country is alive and I wish the media would cover more of the good things our Soldiers do instead of bringing only the reports of DEATH. You have to search for the good reports.
There is alot of ground we could discuss and I hope you do not feel like I shot across your bow. I do not mean to.
Nice to see someone as concern as I.
We are now in 147 countries doing some kind of police action and your right our resourses are not what they should be.
Slingshot----------<>
canamami
(05/18/2006; 10:02:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144334)
Strictly gut instinct...
...but I think the Fed is attacking the POG. POG is down against all major currencies again today. Fed wants to attack commodity prices, so it goes after gold. It may have enlisted fellow CBs in this effort. Just MHO. Maybe some other government or CB will call their bluff, make them deliver some physical.
contrarian
(05/18/2006; 11:37:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144335)
Debasing of the Dollar
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B6BAF6CF8%2DC892%2D486E%2DBE66%2D7BA57B09132C%7D&siteid=mktw&dist=Surprisingly frank piece from Marketwatch. But look at that Bernanke at work today saving stocks!


"But the "debasing" of the dollar by a Fed that is believed to be printing bills and throwing them out of a helicopter as if they're play money? That's anything but mainstream - and going beyond the mainstream is where my pals Todd Harrison, John Succo and Scott Reamer of Minyanville.com often head as they try to get a true grasp on things that are less than obvious. See Minyanville.com
So, I got the three of them on the phone the other day to hear their explanation of their not-so-popular or most definitely not-well-understood dollar-related concerns.
If I understand them correctly, it boils down to this: They believe all those dollars that are being printed make people feel wealthier than they really are. As the dollar drops, everything really costs more relative to the rest of the world. Rather than mere inflation, Succo argues, in this global economy this is a period of hyper-inflation. And every period of hyperinflation, he says, "ends with a deflationary bust."
"The disconnect between perception and reality in the financial markets is the largest it has ever been," Harrison says. "When does all of this manifest? I have no idea.""
Minero
(05/18/2006; 11:46:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144336)
canamami & slingshot
canamami: As I was reviewing yesterdays market close data, I too made your observation. The Dollar Index up, gold and the other indeces down. I thought to myself "it is costing someone a lot to drive the price of gold down". But if it is the Federal Reserve, don't they have the deep well?
slingshot: Another observation: Last week I was sitting at a railroad crossing watching a freight train go past(true story). Along passes a group of cars carring 14 each M-1 Army tanks. This was some very tired looking equipment. The sand colored paint was dull and very rusty, various brackets were bent or missing. But what really caught my eye was that the armor plates that cover the rear drive sprocket, on all 14 tanks, had been cut away with a torch. Now I have changed several drive sprockets on M-1s. This armor plate is easy to remove with only a socket and ratchet and a jack or block to place under the plate to hold it as it is unbolted. Cutting this plating off would only make the job more difficult, not easier. I can envision no circumstance were the plating on 14 tanks would be removed via cutting torch. The ONLY conclusion that my poor, tired mind can draw is that there is no adult supervision somewhere!!!! Or possibly this is the work of an underpaid Hallaburton maintenance team. But there is no problem, the taxpayer can handle it.
The Hoople
(05/18/2006; 11:58:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144337)
canamami
Goldman Sachs has nearly always been the agent of paper manipulations in gold and silver. Since they are practically another Fed branch your hunch is also my bet. This latest "selloff" was almost by the book. First pound the gold stocks last week, hit the 3:00 AM Sunday night access hard, hit the Comex daily after the London fix, hit the access trade immediately after the Comex close, and raise Comex margins. I've never seen such clairvoyance by a collective group of top-callers. They were all apparently right, which markets rarely allow to happen.

There were too many scary numbers released this week (PPI,CPI,housing) to allow gold to begin another launch at $730. It was coordinated for sure, it's just a matter of how many participants were involved.

Now someone must come up with $680 gold and $12.50 silver. I imagine several trucks are backing up to the depository warehouses as I write.



Goldilox
(05/18/2006; 12:05:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144338)
Standing Armies and $$ hegemony
@ Slingshot and Minero,

It sounds like we are of the same generaton, as I was a couple years too late to the party, but watched my older brothers serve. G. Washington was concerned about standing armies in peace-time, but it seems that since the massive build-up required in our fathers' generation, instead of trimming and cultivating defense, the answer has been "more foreign adventures", under various names, like, fighting Communism, taking out dictators (often those originated by our own foreign policies), and "spreading democracy", as if it were some sandwich condiment.

The fact the US Forces are stretched into 600+ bases in 147 countries, leaves us completely unable to defend our own borders if and when necessary. On top of that, the more covert economic mission of "gadgetry over defense" has left the Pentagon scrambling for all sorts of "homeland security" missions that sometimes appear more detrimental to the US citizens than "protective".

Those who subscribe to worries about NWO take-over and such things, often cite the weakening of real US defense as an important requirement, and constant "foreign adventrures" and bleeding of the civilian economy may accomplish just that.

The placement of US National Guard units in Iraq certainly rendered them unable to help in Florida and New Orleans, where their services would have really benefited their friends and neighbors in a time of national need.

As the US Dollar loses it World Reserve hegemony, perhaps someone in power will figure out that the US Armed Forces should be more concerned with US defense than playing the role of economic policemen in foreign markets.

It also seems the idea of a "citizen army" has evolved, perhaps detrimentally, from join the army AS a citizen, to join the army, BECOME a citizen. Hmmmm.... shades of Rome's decline.

It is just his loss of dollar hegemony and transition of the US dollar back to a "national" currency that led me to convert my "savings" to gold, as transitions are usually painful, both in nature and in politics.
pilgrims_gold
(05/18/2006; 12:09:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144339)
$$$$ 690.5 $$$$
Nature doesnt like to be controlled. You have a beautiful sky for weeks and along comes a hurricane. You watch a flowing stream and a storm turns it to a raging whitewater rapids. You suppress the price of gold for 20 years and it breaks free and bites you on the ass. This bull run is nothing more than the release of pressure, felt for 20 years by investors of gold, only to be free of the dam of suppress pricing by the goverments who sell gold. This run didnt have a start date or turning point. It was a building
hurricane, crossing the atlantic to put some whup ass on fiat money! Some of us prepared for the hurricane, some of us got out of the way, some of us were pissing in the wind (bank of England)!
Goldilox
(05/18/2006; 12:21:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144340)
Tired Equipment
@ Minero,

"I can envision no circumstance were the plating on 14 tanks would be removed via cutting torch. The ONLY conclusion that my poor, tired mind can draw is that there is no adult supervision somewhere!!!! Or possibly this is the work of an underpaid Hallaburton maintenance team."

I have never worked on that size of equipment, but I do wrench occasionally on old motorcycles. Once the bolts are rusted into place, more drastic measures are required, usually easy-outs and such assistive technologies. Sounds like someone said "We couldn't figure out how to get those bolts unfrozen, and needed the parts yesterday, so we made an executive decision."

Undertrained Halliburton team, perhaps, but less likely underpaid!
slingshot
(05/18/2006; 12:24:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144341)
Minero
That does not sound right. I have friends who deal with armoring of vehicles (Hummers mostly)Will find out the skinny if I can. Tanker Hmmm, Special Breed Indeed.
Slingshot-------<>
Wonko
(05/18/2006; 12:33:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144342)
Short squeeze on the Dollar
Of course the dollar and currencies based on the dollar are headed to the toilet. But, it seems that everyone is short on the dollar. Some are short via home mortgage. They sell dollars and buy real estate in the hopes of buying back more dollars later. Many business short the dollar by issuing bonds. They short the dollar by selling dollars and buying plant/equipment. If interest rates rise and the resulting less issuance of debt based currency occurs is there a possibility for a "short squeeze"? (Note the best way to short the dollar is by buying gold). But the question remains will they be a "shot squeeze" on the dollar in the near future????
melda laure
(05/18/2006; 13:13:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144343)
where da beef?
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/charts.jsp?s=LC&o=&a=M&z=610x300&d=medium&b=bar&st=Yes, sir Minero, it seems the delta on POG was about 5% and on DXY it was about 1.2% meaning that whacking POG didnt't help the dollar much, (or maybe market actors dont belive this game anymore).

I am confused about one thing. It seems the price of beef has little to do with the price of cattle. Perhaps much of the non-inflation that isn't happening is due not to the rise in commodities, but due to the rising costs in the supply chain, and since this cant possibly be due to rising wages, either it is energy costs (shipping, refridgeration) or plain incompetence or somebody is making a killing (market inefficiency). It seems there is some major piece of data (productivity, inflation, JIT supply, regulation/underinvestment) that is just plain wrong, and I'm wondering what government statistic is to blame.

Is that inflation just hitting everywhere? Where is the disconnect? Maybe in the same place as my non-dividends from those mining stocks? Prices go up, but nobody earns any yield.
Quickbeam
(05/18/2006; 14:39:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144344)
Am I missing something?
Call me a newfer newbie. Until about 8 months ago I was counted as one of the slumbering "sheeple" with no clue about what the big picture really looked like. I couldn't honestly tell you how I stumbled across this site, but the path that I have trod upon since it's beginning here has pretty much changed my perception of reality (not so bad, right? - nothing like a 5 course meal in a little truth) 8). Starting with Mr. Kosares' book and lurking here in the forum, I began to devour every shred of material I could find about the reasons for owning gold. I have dragged my loving wife (kicking and screaming) with me - I think she may be starting to see the light too. My mother has everything in dollar denominated assests - but she's not listening yet. I hope she will see the truth before her hard-earned retirement gets wiped out.

Anyway, sorry for rambling, but I do want to express my appreciation to all you posters for sharing the wisdom that you have learned. Also, thank you Mr. Kosares for your insights and for starting me out on the path I'm now trodding.

Here's my question:
Why does the Fed raise interest rates to combat inflation at the same time they are dropping money out of helicopters? This doesn't make any sense to me - am I missing something?
Flatliner
(05/18/2006; 14:52:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144345)
@Quickbeam
You may like this. The fed doesn't raise interest rates to fight inflation, the fed raises interest rates to fight inflation expectations. These are two very different things. If expectations are high, so will interest rates be.

But, then again, I could have it all wrong. We'll all just have to wait and see.
melda laure
(05/18/2006; 15:13:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144346)
quick beam
You are not missing something; you see exactly the idiocy that others mistake for a "paradox" or conundrum or what ever the fashionable word is.

There is inflation, measured inflation, reported inflation, inflation expectations, and what the Fed DOES and what they Say they will DO: Lies, half lies, misdirection, misinterpretation, and so on.

And then there are all the OTHER money spigots; they make a big show of turning the little on off, while cranking the big one up. It is an unstable system.
Flatliner
(05/18/2006; 15:45:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144347)
@Where's the beef?
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=37334In the slaughter house ... of course. Notice the prices listed at the link. The prices are down from last year. I guess if you can't raise beef because costs are up so much, you might as well take it to slaughter and drive the prices down for everyone. That way, inflation expectations will be contained.
jnshirtl
(05/18/2006; 16:24:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144348)
$$$$ $732.0 $$$$
The first major event that set the recent gold bull market in motion was the election of the Bush administration in 2000. The irresponsible fiscal policies of this administration along with the Bank of Bernanke's (and Greenspan) printing press have finally pushed the imbalance to the brink of teetering over the edge. September 11th provided a means of rationalizing the spending, for a war against no one in particular but waged in combat nonetheless. Once the media fanboys jumped on the bandwagon, cheerleading the troops into combat, there was no looking back.

With long supply chains and significant resistance from the very people they were supposedly trying to save and give freedom, the war is costing America it shirt. I'm sure we all know that the war started not long after Iraq suggested it would begin pricing oil in Euros instead of dollars. Because of the invasion of Iraq and the war against no one, even though the price tag on a barrel of oil is around the $70 mark, the American people are paying significantly more for it in an indirect sense.

This massive deficit spending policy along with the trade deficit and the burden of consumer debt in the form of credit card and mortgage debt is a weight on the shoulders of a nation that is already bending at the knees, and yet they pile on more and more every day. If any corporation were to be in debt proportionally to what the U.S. is, they would almost certainly be declared insolvent; the shareholders would likely receive nothing. America's shareholders, a large portion of whom are foreign, ought to be getting very nervous right about now. After all, wouldn't you be upset if I owed you four quarters and instead gave you four dimes? Or four pennies? Yet this devaluation of the dollar is the only way to make the debt go away, by shrinking it to an insignificant size. Then we can all be millionaires, or billionaires.

Of course, these effects that I speak of are mostly only behind the recent bull that commenced in 2001. There are many other points throughout the last hundred years or so that contributed to its inevitability. The single point that began the string of events was when Congress willingly handed over the right to print currency to unelected officials in the formation of the Federal Reserve.

So, where is gold going in the long run? A very broad subject, I must say. Over the next few years we will see strong appreciation in its dollar price, and its apparent value will also increase when people begin to understand it, simply because of demand. The dollar price will approach infinity at some point, but I expect (based on reading this page and other writings) that there will be a point much below infinity where gold will not trade for paper anymore. Where that will be, I cannot say, but those who know more than I suggest in the tens of thousands.

The thoughts that I've expressed are incomplete, but with the close of the contest approaching, I've put together the jumble that I've had time for. I know I haven't said anything new, but like I say, I'm here to learn from those who understand this game a little better than I. I appreciate the vast sum of knowledge contained on this site and hope to see it continue to grow and mature as time progresses.

Cheers,
Jay
Thoreauly
(05/18/2006; 16:34:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144349)
@ Quickbeam
Tell your mother that I started talking to my father about gold when it was at $250 and that he eventually got in at around $500, bought in again at $665, and is prepared to up the ante as conditions warrant.

It may have taken him several years to "get it," in other words, but get it he now does, so much so that he's gotten entirely out of all dollar-denominated investments, having left A.G. Edwards for Peter Schiff's Euro-Pacific Capital last December.

He's a retired corporate executive, by the way, and a former Marine (fought under Chesty Puller, for all you leathernecks out there), who felt it was unpatriotic to "bet against America." He now understands that it's a government that long ago betrayed America that he's betting against, believing (as I obviously do) that the odds are increasingly in his favor.

This isn't to say that he doesn't fret for his country; it is to say, rather, that having worked through the denial and anger phases (unlike the vast majority of his countrymen), he's moved on to acceptance and has taken action accordingly.
Minero
(05/18/2006; 17:11:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144350)
thoreauly "anger phases"
I would like to thank you for your post explaining your father's anger. If you haven't noticed, as of late I too have been a bit angry (no denial,just anger). Having lived and worked in the "third world", I can really appreciate what a great life we North Americans have enjoyed for a long, long time. Even the poorest Americans have it good. It makes me very angry to see it all being thrown away as if it were nothing. So many Americans seem to believe that nothing serious could happen to jeopardize our standard of living. I can't remember 1930, but my mother and uncle can. Thanks again.
olddog
(05/18/2006; 18:28:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144351)
Gold price contest
$$$$635.50$$$$
olddog
(05/18/2006; 18:36:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144352)
Gold confiscation
I am continually amazed at those posters who mention their fear of governmental gold confiscation. This isn't the 1930s, far from it! The attitudes of our citizenry and our representatives are far different than in FDR's time.
The government can outlaw or seek to control anything, but in reality their control of any commodity will never be complete. Look at the war on illegal drugs. Has this reduced the existence of such drugs? Far from it -it has simply made those drugs more expensive (and I am NOT an advocate of less restrictive drug laws lest anyone thing that is my rant). Our government cannot confiscate ANYTHING, more less confiscate gold. Get a grip folks!
Goldilox
(05/18/2006; 19:05:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144353)
Confiscation
@ olddog,

While I agree with your confiscation assessment, the "war on drugs" is a bad analogy. While the public stand is get the drug users and the little dealers, the intel services quietly go on importing them to finance their "covert wars", so the availability is never threatened.

ot unlike the current illegal immigration BS, where they focus on those that walk over thte border, ignoring teh busloads brought over for US businesses to feast on the cheap labor.

As usual, it's not the practice that is cracked down on, but the audacity to compete with government agencies capitalizing on the illegality.

Then again, maybe the gold situation is similar, in that they will be happy to abscond with whatever baubles the sheeple are swilling to hand over. This would resemble the Bush-Clinton New Orleans charity debacle that is gonna end up financing the Donald's new casinos.

For every aware constituent, they seem to count on 10 more that fall for their insanity out of ignorance and fear.
Goldendome
(05/18/2006; 19:07:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144354)
Dollar short squeeze

Wonko: You're getting at the problem: the dollar is a fiction...and, When something is make believe, it's difficult to judge the value of real things against it when the fiction can be so easily obtainable at times. When all of a sudden--the creators of that fiction decide that it is magically more valuable now, at least in carrying costs (manipulated interest rates) the unfortunate result can be a decline in fictional value of real goods, as others refuse to incur the costs that would allow the unwary to re-obtain the fictional. The game isn't changed...we know what the fictional's true value is...only the rules are manipulated for appearances and the overexhuberent may suffer.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/18/2006; 21:02:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144355)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

THURSDAY Market Excerpts

May 18 (from Reuters) -- U.S. precious metals futures ended lower on fund and speculative selling on Thursday, as an unpredictable U.S. dollar and choppy financial markets this week sparked a late round of long liquidation, dealers said. "It is funds selling in general," said George Gero, vice president at RBC Capital Markets Global Futures.

COMEX June gold contracts fell $10.90 to $680.90 after dealing between $695 and a session low at $679.10. The price has backpedaled on profit-taking this week, hitting a low of $675.50 an ounce, after it rose last Friday to a 26-year high of $732 on COMEX.

"These markets are very thin, trading wide ranges, and they seem to be consolidating," said a broker at a futures commission merchant. "It was end-of-the-day liquidation, and I would not read too much into it."

Part of the time on Thursday, gold traded inversely to the dollar's whippy moves, but the metal was not tracking the currency tick-for-tick, he added.

"It's evident that we are seeing fairly extreme volatility and the markets are looking around to see what to key off of," said Andy Montano, a director at ScotiaMocatta in Toronto.

Commodities mostly fell on Wednesday as world markets reeled after a U.S. report showing a steep rise in consumer prices last month, driven by a jump in fuel costs. Montano said some physical buying below $700 was offering some support to gold.

In other markets, stocks rose slightly but concern about inflation kept investors wary after a prior sell-off.

The dollar fell on profit-taking, losing the prior day's gains, as traders monitored a slew of Federal Reserve speakers for clues on the path of U.S. monetary policy.

Some analysts have said gold could be facing a short-term peak amid the volatility, thin buying and market jitters. Technically, resistance lurks up at $720 and support was seen at $675, they said.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs said it expected a renewed link to a weakening dollar to boost the price of gold to $800 an ounce by the end of 2007, up from its previous forecast of $650.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
TownCrier
(05/18/2006; 21:41:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144356)
Pal (msg#: 144328)
Thanks for posting!

R.
mdgc
(05/18/2006; 22:33:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144357)
central bank gold purchases
Comrades of the Roundtable,

I am in China finishing up a seven-week teaching assignment here. Local time is twelve hours from Eastern Daylight Time so I am up when most of you are sleeping.

I spend a lot of time at the keyboard of my computer, working and keeping abreast of the markets. Recently mornings have been very pleasant because gold and silver are up only to fall when New York trading begins, and PPT and TPTB do their dirty work.

So who is buying here in the Far East? Might it be the People's Bank of China working on the task of raising their gold reserves from 2.5% to 10%, or the Japanese Central Bank, or some trader for the Russian Central Bank working out of Vladivostok (Lord of the East in Russian)? I sure hope so.

Whether or not that is what is happening, there is no doubt they will be buying gold if they have not already started to do so. It got me thinking how they might go about purchasing the large amounts that will be required to significantly increase their gold holdings. Would they not be forced into some kind of dollar cost averaging, buying equal values each day or week rather than trying to outsmart the markets. With China's recent bad experience with trading copper, this surely would have some appeal to them.

If so, their buying will prevent any really deep plunge in gold prices and drive the POG ever higher in the course of time.

Thoughts anyone?
Ten Bears
(05/18/2006; 23:24:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144358)
Massive Wealth Transfer: Dead Ahead
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5195.htmWhy are so many Americans asleep? Why are they still saving their money in Federal Reserve Notes?
Interesting read. from David Andrews

And some history from Hans F. Sennholz; http://www.safehaven.com/article-5193.htm
contrarian
(05/18/2006; 23:28:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144359)
Sundog--some food for thought
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5195.htmStranger tales have been told, like 9/11!

"Coming soon to a Main Street near you:

CONFISCATION of precious metals
MARTIAL LAW after another "terrorist" attack
NATIONAL ID CARD due to the Real ID Act of 2005
GUN SEIZURE spurred by actions of the United Nations
REGIONAL and STATE SECESSION from the Union
CIVIL RIGHTS and BILL OF RIGHTS suspension
SECOND CIVIL WAR of the United States
OK, so now you think I am a hopeless wacko conspiracy theorist masquerading as a mild-mannered precious metals writer. GOOD! If that's what it takes to get your attention, all the better!

If any of you reading this can give me even one really, really good reason why any of the above scenarios are not possible, nor even likely within the next decade (I think sooner), I will publicly retract that prediction. That is how certain that I am about it all coming to pass (I think worse)."
Flatliner
(05/18/2006; 23:30:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144360)
$$$$ 686.80 $$$$
Gandalf the White, Sir MK's questions are very difficult to address. I'm sure there are hundreds of events that have happened over time that have fueled the current rise in the gold price, but when I think of these issues there is only one that turned me towards gold. Simply put, it is the preservation of capital that moved me. I believe that is the same force that is moving others.

Why now? One only needs to look back a few years. Look back to the roaring 90's where Intel, Dell, AOL, Microsoft and a slew of other companies made millionaires out of monkeys. Money came with IPO stamped across its face and anyone caught with no exposure was left out of the irrational exuberance. No matter what you bought, it was going up. No matter what the commissions or how much you lost on the occasional dog, there was another million just waiting around the next corner. Nothing that anyone could do was wrong. The market was going exponential and if you weren't in, you were laid to rest.

Then, one day out of the blue, everyone you know wakes up to a margin call. The markets have moved � but not in the correct direction. Everything can only go up. That is the way of life. Like house prices. Everyone knows that they can only go up. So how could this be? Margin calls wanted cash, but no one had any � it was all in the market! Thus, people found their cash by taking it out of the market. 5 Trillion dollars later, you talk to your neighbor over the fence and he says "easy come, easy go" and he goes back to mowing the grass.

Well, it wasn't so easy. I spent many hours thinking about all the stupid things that I did in an effort to find something that might help explain my biggest mistake. That mistake was that I hadn't put enough effort into the concept of preservation of capital. A serious chunk of working capital evaporated after the 90's which left me market shell shocked. "Cash is king" was my working mantra for a few years. It felt good to not participate in a stagnant market.

After a short while, the brokers that everyone used to buy stocks had became real-estate brokers. They'd moved from selling pieces of companies to houses. The mania kept right on going but in a slightly different form. People that I knew that bought stocks, now owned multiple houses and traded them like making day trades through Scott Trade. I watched as house prices doubled and while I sat in cash knowing that they would all get burnt if they didn't work out a preservation of capital strategy. I felt alone, but safe.

Then one day it dawned on me that my cash would only buy about two thirds of what it would buy a few years earlier. Like getting hit by a baseball bat, I realized that it wasn't the houses that were going up, it was the value of the dollar that was going down! At that point, everything flipped upside down for me and I started to see things different from the common Joe that I talked too. It also dawned on me that my preservation of capital plan had a serious flaw � it was based on holding US currency. What a mistake.

I believe that as we move through bubbles more and more people get hurt and they regret the "easy come, easy go" mantra of their neighbor and they search out how to preserve capital. The more people that find gold, the more that are happy to share their experiences and the word gets around to another that's looking for the same defense. I believe that this type of action is what's driving the price of gold in western countries and that just enough people have caught the idea to tip the scale from bear to bull.

It seems that the word is really spreading fast. If you look back over the last year, you will find many articles of high powered investors that have discovered that holding US currency has its problems that they can also be avoided. As the dollar falls and more people are hurt, you will see even more looking to preserve whatever they can. That will continue to drive the market for gold and all the precious metals.

The most interesting thing is that the more people that enter this relatively small market, the more it brings the market to the attention of those that are looking for it. To an investor, you want to see the price rising. To someone preserving their capital, they want to not see the purchase power dropping. Both these conditions are found in gold today and, unless someone comes up with some serious amounts of new gold, the established trend line will be maintained for a long time into the future.

What will it do regarding price in US dollars? That is a good question. Thousands maybe? (for the contest I'll guess double today's price by the end of the year.) But what I find more interesting is that it takes less gold to buy my house today then it did five years ago. This means that I'm truly preserving capital and I'm not having the headache of trying to maintain it on a daily basis. I would also expect that one day in the future, stocks will also be cheaper relative to gold, thus, if sanity comes back into the political system and they show fiscal restraint, then the tide may turn for gold and one might look to change one's thinking with regards to how to build capital. I'm looking forward to that day.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to learn about the fascinating bubbles. They sure seem like great opportunities. Good day.
Gandalf the White
(05/18/2006; 23:55:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144361)
<;-) --- CAN you read the future from looking at the PAST ?
http://stockcharts.com/def/servlet/SC.pnf?chart=$GOLD,PWTADANRBO[PA][D][F1!3!!!2!20]⪯f=GSee any similarity ?
YEP !
GO YELLOW
GOLD FINGER
(05/19/2006; 00:00:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144362)
$$$$900$$$$
Hello,
This is my first entry and I hope to share an idea or to with all of you. I have read many of the comments here and I have enjoyed the insight. I wanted to enter the "contest" and hope I did it correctly! I will soon add my thoughts on GOLD and why I just entered the market after considering for years.

Cheers,
Jon
Gandalf the White
(05/19/2006; 00:03:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144363)
TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?

---
NOTICE to all LURKERS and NEWBIES ! Time to ask the Towncrier for your posting PASSWORD, so that you may enter !! DO IT NOW, as Entry DEADLINE is now only TWO (2) days away !!
<;-)


===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/19/2006; 00:04:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144364)
TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA POG CONTEST UPDATE

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $755.5 $$$$ Waverider (5/16/06; 19:54:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 144265)

$$$$ $752.7 $$$$ Bubbly (5/16/06; 20:30:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144272)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $735.5 $$$$ Minero (5/17/06; 06:08:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144291)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $732.0 $$$$ jnshirtl (5/18/06; 16:24:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144348)

$$$$ $730.0 $$$$ Whitewaterwoman (5/16/06; 12:17:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 144246)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $727.0 $$$$ Rimh (5/16/06; 15:07:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144256)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $721.1 $$$$ White Rose (5/17/06; 08:31:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 144292)

$$$$ $719.5 $$$$ ASSAY (5/16/06; 09:32:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144235)

$$$$ $718.0 $$$$ Beer Man (5/16/06; 16:37:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144260)

$$$$ $717.6 $$$$ slingshot (5/15/06; 20:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144218)

$$$ FRN717.1 $$$ Smeagol (5/16/06; 22:45:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 144278)

$$$$ $716.0 $$$$ Clink! (5/16/06; 13:04:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144249)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $712.1 $$$$ Solomon Weaver (5/15/06; 22:01:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144225)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $710.5 $$$$ beowulf + (5/17/06; 22:54:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144317)

$$$$ $707.7 $$$$ osa104c (5/16/06; 14:57:23MT - usagold.com msg#: 144253)

$$$$ $705.7 $$$$ Boilermaker (5/17/06; 17:16:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144309)

$$$$ $703.9 $$$$ Tuco (5/15/06; 16:33:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144216)

$$$$ $701.5 $$$$ Pal (5/18/06; 06:38:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144328)

$$$$ $700.1 $$$$ Mthirsty1 (5/16/06; 14:58:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144254)
$$$$ $700.0 $$$$ Armageddon (5/17/06; 20:22:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144315)

$$$$ $698.5 $$$$ servantHeart (5/17/06; 08:43:27MT - usagold.com msg#: 144293)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $696.8 $$$$ Ten Bears (5/17/06; 16:38:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 144307)

$$$$ $690.5 $$$$ pilgrims_gold (5/18/06; 12:09:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144339)

$$$$ $686.8 $$$$ Flatliner (5/18/06; 23:30:07MT - usagold.com msg#: 144360)

$$$$ $684.2 $$$$ Ignacioman (5/16/06; 06:45:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144230)

$$$$ $677.7 $$$$ AuVenger (5/18/06; 01:38:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144325)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $635.5 $$$$ olddog (5/18/06; 18:28:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144351)

$$$$ $550.0 $$$$ Zhisheng (5/15/06; 11:27:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144203)
===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/19/2006; 00:08:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144365)
OOPS --- Trying to sneak by me Sir Gold Finger ?
During my posting preparation --- BUT, I got you !
(PS: you remind me of Sir Smeagol !) <;-)
===
GOLD FINGER (5/19/06; 00:00:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144362)
$$$$900$$$$
kris
(05/19/2006; 02:09:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144367)
$$$575$$$
with all the dodgy players now,
price could go down some more.

hard to answer the question of what kicked
off the price stampede, but clearly
speculators saw a superstorm of interacting
variables headed their way.

the main event
driving up the price couldve been that,
sort of like baruch in 1929,
they were 'commencing to have doubts about
the currency.'

in the long run gold could
stay steady in the 500 range as the usual
suspects keep on pulling off their usual
piracy.
GOLD FINGER
(05/19/2006; 03:11:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144368)
The Desire
I think it is clearly obvious why GOLD is going up and will continue to rise far beyond anyone's expectations. Just wait and see.
goldenpeace
(05/19/2006; 04:32:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144369)
$$$$$673.5$$$$$$
THe present "indigestion" problems at the LME are holding gold back and propping the $ , but the impulse of gold is to the upside based on the $ starting a new leg to the downside. When interest rates are moving up in a weakening consumer and real estate economy and the U.S. balance sheet looks as it does, noone wants the $ at the margin and all start to want "the precious" , as Smeagol would say.
Blessings
goldenpeace
Topaz
(05/19/2006; 06:16:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144370)
Bonds etc.
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/micro.jsp?s=GC1%21&s=DX1%21&s=TYXY&s=CL1%21&s=&s=&s=&s=&p=D&v=15&b=LINE&d=LOWAre we starting to see the much anticipated cracks in the makeup? Back to 120 L-Bond? ...95DX? She'll be one sick SM if thats the case.

PoG might suffer a bit here (in paper mode) ...back down to strong support, come OpEx on June and FND we're off to the races imo.
Gandalf the White
(05/19/2006; 07:34:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144371)
WOWSERS --- Look who is BACK into the GAME !!
The very first Entry ! (from Sir Topaz)
Does everyone like the VOLATILITY ?
<;-)
Quickbeam
(05/19/2006; 07:55:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144372)
Pretty amusing article.
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B6E4908D4%2DA298%2D4190%2DA2F0%2DA3686FB999FC%7D&siteid=netscape&dist=Enjoy.
Quickbeam
(05/19/2006; 08:00:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144373)
We have a name!
Last line of the previous article:

"Play the commodity bubble of 2006 at your own peril," the economist warned.

It's nice to have a formal name for what it is we are experiencing! 8)
Gerbil2
(05/19/2006; 08:05:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144374)
$$$$$ $693.0 $$$$$$$
The flex point was during the 109th Congress in December 2005 and the beginning of this year when it became widely apparent that the Republicans, though they controlled the Executive Office and both houses of Congress, did not have the will to take tough stances in terms of reining in the federal budget. The skyrocketing budget deficit makes the U.S. economy untenable. The federal debt is now more than $8.3 trillion -- the debt per U.S. citizen is $27,908. The United States federal government borrows $1.8 billion every day to finance its operations. The Republicans � supposedly and historically the party advocating the smaller roll of the federal government -- have not shown fiscal restraint. Over the long run, gold can go to $1,800.
Armageddon
(05/19/2006; 08:47:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144375)
Gold Cartel Still Alive?
Hmm.. The recent government report on inflation is starting to indicate inflation is heating up. I guess that means its time to sell all that worthless gold that protects against inflation and change it for some valuable American dollars that are being printed in the additional billions upon billions each week lowering the value of the rest of the dollars that exist. I guess the U.S. trade deficit has disappeared? Or maybe the American budget deficits are going to disappear overnight? Hmm. or maybe China is going to raise the yuan high enough to damage their export competiveness so that they can import more Ameican made goods and throw more of their own citizens out of work, causing riots and threatening the Chinese government?

Well at least I'll soon be able to pick up some cheap gold before the hyperinflation starts. :)
Goldilox
(05/19/2006; 08:51:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144376)
How to deal with the US$ as a "spoiled child"?
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200605/19/eng20060519_267096.htmlsnip:

Excessive issuance of US dollars has led to an excess liquidity of the global economy and served as a macro background of the appreciation of RMB. To observe the exchange rate curve of the RMB against the US dollar, one must first study the dollar trend.

From 2001 onwards, in order to hedge the technology bubble economy and the negative economic impact of the "9.11" terrorist attacks, the US Federal Reserve continued to adopt a slack fiscal policy and lowered down the federal benchmark interest rate from the original 4%-8% to 1% and maintained the level for a three-year period. Associated with this, Bank of Japan implemented the world loosest monetary policy and lowered the interest rate to zero so as to fight against the long-term deflation and economic depression.

In recent years, Bank of England, the US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, etc, have already, one after another, begun to increase the interest rates. Bank of Japan has recently concluded the four-year expansionary fiscal policy in an attempt to tighten its excessive liquidity. But the overall pattern of the excessively loose fiscal environment still remains.

From the view of global pattern with the massive issuance of US dollars, some Asian countries, taking China as a typical head, accumulate this kind of "junk currency" (whose purchasing power is continuously declining) through large scale of export. This is a very unfair pattern for these Asian countries.

Given the overall pattern of the loose global liquidity, the status quo of the global economic imbalances has become the important surveyor's pole that dominates the flow of the capital. In 2005, the US current account deficits amounted to over $800 billion, while the surplus of Europe, Japan, oil-exporting countries, and some emerging Asian economies increased. The huge amount of US current account deficits and the rapid growth of debt have gradually damaged the confidence of foreign investors. International investors believe that a long-term depreciation of the US dollars is inevitable which will unceasingly increase the exchange rate risks of the dollar assets. Meanwhile, the United States is right at the end of one interest rate rise cycle. But Japan, Euro zone countries, China and some other countries and regions are right under way of accelerating the economic recovery therefore right at the initial stage of an interest rate rise cycle. The gap of the yield spreads between dollar assets and the assets of other countries and regions will gradually be narrowing.

Under such circumstances, the investment attractiveness of the US dollar relative to other countries and regions assets is evidently weakening, which has led to a gradual shift of the global capital from focusing on the dollar assets to the assets with higher rate of return and smaller exchange rate risks in Japan, Asia and other emerging areas. This is also why the stock exchange prices keep on rising in the bull market in Japan, India, China's Hong Kong, Brazil, China and other countries and regions. The flowing trend of the global capital led to an ample liquidity in the surrounding markets. Within a short term, it is difficult to reverse the trend. This also exerts pressure upon the rising of exchange rate of these countries.

-Goldilox

Are teh Chinese seveloping an "attitude"?
Knallgold
(05/19/2006; 08:55:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144377)
Armageddon
And I have 4% loss on my wealth,in just a few minutes. paperGold is failing on all fronts.

FreeGold,please!
Knallgold
(05/19/2006; 09:02:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144378)
Iran eyes badges for Jews
http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=11fbf4a8-282a-4d18-954f-546709b1240f&k=32073I guess we'll have Iran war.
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/19/2006; 10:03:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144379)
The contest's GRAND PRIZE awaits its fate.... will the new owner be YOU ???
http://www.usagold.com/gold/coins/mexican-20.html

Grand Prize!
Zhisheng
(05/19/2006; 10:15:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144380)
Goldendome's remarks.
"Sir Zhisheng: And to think-- you could have purchased all the gold that you wanted at that price a mere two months ago...But now...you hope to win it there! ha, ha, ha! We can usually root for the success of outrageous upside guesses. But sorry...I doubt many will be rooting for your limbo-low guess. Are you a secret shorter that Dr. Fekete is writing about? "

I don't think rooting will have much effect, one way or the other.

I have not read the esteemed Dr. Fekete's article, but whatever remarks I make on the matter should have zero influence on the market.

It should be evident to any rational and informed person that, based on fundamentals, gold should be over $1000 an ounce NOW. And it almost certainly will get there at some point.

My guess is that the controlling financial powers are MORE rational, and they certainly are BETTER INFORMED than the rest of us. And since the market is not presently over $1000 an ounce, and has never been, the game is deeper than most people realize.

One should keep in mind that, from the financial and political point of view, the stakes could not be higher.

The safest way I know to play the game is buy physical when you can afford it, and not be concerned or surprised when the market corrects or wildly fluctuates seemingly irrationally.
Thoreauly
(05/19/2006; 10:31:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144381)
@ Zhisheng
"...the market is not presently over $1000 an ounce, and has never been..."

On the contrary, in today's dollars, gold was well over $2,000 an ounce in 1980 and therefore would have to more than triple in price in order to get where it's never been.
Flatliner
(05/19/2006; 10:39:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144382)
GLD Trust Gold Holdings
http://www.zealllc.com/2006/gldetf.htmFrom the middle of the article:
Now during gold corrections I had expected this scenario to happen. GLD sales would be so high that the trust would have no choice but to sell physical gold and therefore increase downside gold volatility. Yet in the chart above this generally didn't happen. GLD's holdings were on a solid growth track with only occasional slight declines despite gold's lackluster and slumping behavior in the first half of 2005.

This behavior is fascinating. It implies that GLD selling so far, when gold is weak, is remaining roughly proportional to actual physical gold selling. GLD investors are not getting more scared than gold investors and are not dumping their holdings at a significantly faster rate than those in the physical market. This also suggests that GLD is being picked up more by long-term investors, who aren't prone to sell, than gunslinging speculators. This is fantastic news as GLD's greatest promise was opening up gold to non-traditional gold investors.

Ultimately this could have an enormous impact. The American GLD ETF is but one of a handful of gold ETFs trading in major markets worldwide. Together all these ETFs are creating conduits for global mainstream stock investors to take a small stake in a gold-tracking asset. Small stakes times hundreds of millions of investors equals enormous amounts of capital.

Flatliner � On may 3rd, GLD held 385.44 tonnes of gold. The price of gold at the time was around 670. On the 12th, when the price of gold traded around 718, they held 353.80 tonnes. Yesterday when gold traded for 682, GLD held 344.52 tonnes. (This information can be viewed at the following link: Historical information: http://streettracksgoldshares.com/us/value/gb_value_usa.php#2) It's interesting to see this behavior. This would imply to me that investors, around the 3rd of May started to see a top in the price of gold and slowly started towards the exit. This forced GLD to enter the market with gold to repurchase their shares.

Now, if you look at the graph provided by Zealllc, you'll see that with just about every top, the gold holdings drop just a little bit. Then, after a short while, the holdings level out implying that they don't have to acquire shares any longer. Then, after the price is seen as bottoming, buyers come back spiking the requirement for more gold holdings. This might make one believe that there are more long term buyers then short term speculators participating in this market.

If you download the historical information (http://streettracksgoldshares.com/us/value/csv/gld_all_data.csv) you'll find that on Feb 3rd, the holdings seemed to level out at 343.99 tonnes and hold close to that up until now. This would imply that investors dived into GLD up until the 3rd of Feb. January saw almost 70 tonne jump in holdings. But, after that, everyone just road the wave. The interesting part here is that with the down turn of the last few days, the sales have only been around 9 tonnes (excluding today's downward buying opportunity). This leads me to believe that there is still a huge percentage of investors that see upward potential over time - longs.

It will be very interesting to watch these numbers over the next few days to see when the investors that just jumped out come back. If they started selling at 670, will they buy back at 650? Or will it have to go lower to bring them back? It will also be interesting to see if there is new interest in holding gold. If we find that more then 9 tonnes are acquired, we'll see that there is strong interest from the gold investment community. The theory has always been, as gold goes up in price this rise creates more buyers. Well, GLD's holdings may help us confirm this theory.

Thank you Adam Hamilton for the great research.

And finally, a picture: http://streettracksgoldshares.com/images/DSC_0037_800.jpg.
Tevye
(05/19/2006; 10:47:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144383)
$$$$ 654.3 $$$$
Had I posted last week, my guess would be 765.4. Had I posted earlier this week it would have been 678.9. Sadly my guess is now a lowly $$654.3$$ I shall wait no longer, lest I have to guess 567.8 and join the esteemed Sir Zhiseng at the lowest end (but we shall watch this new gold market together, yes.)

I have no clue what prodded the gold bull on its recent run. Perhaps, the 'inattention' of the paper traders let it rise this last month in the face of world problems, while now we 'benefit' from their attention while they reset their bidding levels to a higher plateau (just not yet as high as we would like).

It is of course the inescapable value of gold that started the gold bull on its run versus all currencies, especially as opposed to the escapable value (or escaping value) of fiat FRNs

Gold. It's Tradition!

Tevye
Zhisheng
(05/19/2006; 11:00:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144384)
Thoreauly's Observation
"On the contrary, in today's dollars, gold was well over $2,000 an ounce in 1980 and therefore would have to more than triple in price in order to get where it's never been."

If you define your terms thus, you may even be arguing conservatively. That goods inflation since 1980 is not much more than it has been, is chiefly due to foreign entities being willing to accept huge amounts of dollars as reserves, thus keeping the surplus of dollars world-wide from entering domestic goods competition in the US.

This illustrates my contention that, "from the financial and political point of view, the stakes could not be higher."
spikedog
(05/19/2006; 11:34:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144385)
Life imitating Art?
It seems that there is nothing as tragic as a movie star or a sports hero that is past their prime - and unwilling to face or admit the changes that have removed them from their thrones. Whether it is the endless march of time and its effects on the body, the years of abuse, or a shift in the way the game is played; those left behind continue performing for an audience that is not watching. No amount of protest, pleading, fawning, bribing or grandeur can recover what was lost - and the idea of having to be a lesser star in the new order of things is unthinkable.

It appears that the $US (and the US govt) is in the same throes of denial and hallucination. "The world used to love me and it will love me again - these new upstarts are nothing compared to me." Alas, the audience has left the theater/stadium but the stage/field lights obscure from view the vast emptiness of former greatness.

To paraphrase Billy Wilder:

US$: "Alright, Mr. Bernanke, I'm ready for my close up."

spikedog
elrayox
(05/19/2006; 11:37:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144386)
$$$$643.4$$$$$
I think what we are witnessing is the result of a shift in the consciousness of a sufficient number of people to begin the unraveling. When whole systems are built on outdated notions or outright lies, all it takes is enough people to begin the shift to whatever is next.
DryWasher
(05/19/2006; 11:43:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144387)
$$$$ $600.00 $$$$

(I picked a low Gold Price guess because I see a lot of volatility, NOT because I doubt that Gold is going MUCH, MUCH higher long term.)

SIR MK said:

"We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run? "

Many other posters have outlined specific events, from peak oil to Nixon's closing of the gold window as the most important event in turning the market, and although those events are important, I would say that it is the combination of these events, and many more that we may not even be aware of, that now has gold on a roll.

But is gold really still on a roll?
In my opinion, YES.

Could it go much lower?
Could it be held down for another extended time period?
Again, in my opinion, PERHAPS, but the trend will be up because it MUST be.

Sir MK asks: ".....how high to do you think gold can go, over the long run? "

In terms of the present dollar, the sky is the limit, because the present dollar will become worthless, just as all paper currencies have historically done.

In terms of other real things, such as housing, food, oil etc.,the market place will determine just how much gold is required to trade for each of these things, or to put it another way, all things will be priced in terms of some weight of gold.

Finally, the politicians will create a new dollar, and we will start all over again, because we humans NEVER learn from our mistakes over long time periods.

DryWasher.
The Hoople
(05/19/2006; 12:17:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144388)
$$$$ 688.4 $$$$
Clearly the strong dollar policy was also an unspoken weak gold policy. The illusion of a faith-based dollar was fomented by CB's intent on creating the illusion gold was a less than worthy adversary. The illusion was valid as long as they had enough gold to sell to terrorize the market. Now that illusion is ebbing with the gold largely loaned out or sold. While many individual reasons are given by mainstream media for gold's rise in dollars it is in reality a dollar faith-destruction precipitated by untenable debt and reckless policies that have favored paper elitists. The dollar has lost 60% of its value against gold yet the real dollar destruction has barely begun.

How high will gold go? Since M-3 is no longer published we have zero guidance to compare to what gold should be. in addition we don't know the exact nature of the derivatives that are still ticking like bombs. My guess is as always, assume the worst, and trillions are being created out of thin air. You could pick any number north of here practically and be assured of a reasonable shot. $3,000 or $30,000? Only the Fed knows for sure.


Quickbeam
(05/19/2006; 13:16:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144389)
$$$$ $680.0 $$$$
In my humble opinion, there are several events that have transpired to start the current run up in the price of gold. Looking at the historic gold price charts for 2000, we see gold trading generally sideways in the $275 range. The same is true during all of 2001. Gold broke briefly over the $300 mark several times, but always corrected back below that level.

Things changed, however, in early 2002. On January 29, 2002 President Bush gave his State of the Union speech in which he identifies Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an "axis of evil". He goes on to say that he "will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons". Of course, this began the saber-rattling and the run-up to the war in Iraq.

On June 2, 2002 in a speech at West Point, GW introduces the new defense doctrine of preemption in which he says "Our security will require all Americans to be ready for preemptive action when necessary to defend our liberty and to defend our lives."

On September 12, 2002 President Bush in his address to the UN requested that the UN act swiftly to enforce its resolutions against Iraq. If they do not, Bush says the US will have no choice but to act on its own against Iraq.

On October 11, 2002 Congress authorizes an attack on Iraq. On December 21, 2002 the deployment of US toops to Iraq begins. On March 19, 2003 President Bush declares war on Iraq.

This is not meant to be a timeline on the war in Iraq, but we can see from early 2002, gold punches through $300 and never really looks back. I think alot of other factors have combined to push the PoG up to where it is today, but I think those events were the catalyst.

If the globe continues on it's path of polarization and the US continues trying to remove the motes out of it's neighbor's eye's before taking the plank(s) out of its own, I see gold going over $5,000 in the long term.
Thoreauly
(05/19/2006; 13:45:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144390)
@ Zhisheng
No, the stakes couldn't be higher. But as the outcome is certain -- all paper eventually burns -- the only question is how much longer this 35-year-old paper chase can last.

I say time will run out before the Fed sees its 100th birthday.

I wonder how the Mayans knew?

http://www.levity.com/eschaton/Why2012.html
Topaz
(05/19/2006; 13:57:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144391)
Gandy.

I've been off the grid all week and was surprised to see we're back in the hunt, woo-hoo-oo! ...the weekenders no doubt will swamp the $640's ...and so they should. It's a rare event when someone generously gives away an Oz of Gold ..."at ANY price" ;-)
glockmaster19
(05/19/2006; 14:42:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144392)
$$$$680.1$$$$
$$$$680.1$$$$
Hello,

The market turned on MLK's birthday in January. The Gold market was closed in the USA, and went up much in Asia and London. The PTB/gold cartel lost control of the Gold Market on that day. They have really lost control since.

The "$6 up rule" has been broken many times.

The Asians, Indians, Russians, and Arabs started converting huge quantities of all currency to Gold then; and have never looked back.

I also remember when Russian Pres Putin held up a gold bar on national Russian TV and said that is what they will be investing in; not dollars.

I think gold will go to $30,000/oz in ten years. Silver will also go up huge; since there is now more gold above ground than silver. Wealth will be stored in gold and silver. Dollars will be spent on food and rent.

The 70+ year experiment of worldwide fiat currency is about to end. 5,000 years of gold & silver currency is about to resume.

Cheers,
Glockmaster19
2Dogs
(05/19/2006; 14:43:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144393)
$$$$673.3$$$$
There are two factors that answer this question. The first being American women. This is due to increased "needs" starting in the early 90's. At this point what do we have, 40 or 50 supposed holidays in which jewelry is the expected gift? Birthday, anniversary, secretary day, mother's day, just because you love me day. The list goes on. (Note to guys. I have found out that many holidays that you are not aware of neither is she. She simply bought a calendar from Bed Bath and Beyond. Next year beat her to the punch and purchase your own calendar from a Lumbermen's or nearest auto parts store. Typically these are designed by men and only have the important holidays listed.) Also involving women and gold would be marriage. Being that divorce has become a fad of sorts with numbers more than quadrupling over the past decade you can assume that 50% of women will need 3 or 4 different wedding sets. One can bet that there will be no returning of rings as seen in the movies, and for men it is not a good idea to show up to a ceremony with an old ring from a previous marriage. This is apparently frowned upon. With over 3 million marriages last year and and rising and 50% of those remarrying a couple more times, we are going to need a lot of rings. Add up all those rings and jewelry and you can see where a large demand has been created.
The second factor that defines a turning point would be the success of rap in America. In order to understand this fully one must watch MTV. The average rapper weighs between 150lbs. and 175lbs. Using their formula of 95% gold to body weight ratio you will see that an average rapper wears approximately 143lbs. to 166lbs. of gold at all times. With increased popularity of music as well as fashion you can expect these numbers to increase. But why? you ask would one wear so much gold. What do you get? After careful examination of several rap videos the answer became clear. It is a very simple calculation. It breaks down like this: If you are a male rapper wearing between 140lbs. and 165lbs. of gold you get 3 to 5 women wearing 1oz. of clothing.
With these two factors in mind, it is easy to see why gold has and will continue to rise in both price and demand for several years to come.
Flatliner
(05/19/2006; 15:01:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144394)
Rappers
Fake gold, fake music and fake women. But a most interesting concept.
Goldilox
(05/19/2006; 15:51:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144395)
Rappers and Gold
Word, Dog!
Flatliner
(05/19/2006; 16:39:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144396)
Major Foreign Holders
http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/kirby/2006/0519.htmlAh, looks like the United Kingdom has been the one buying bonds. I wondered who was going to step up to the plate to help my finance my next house.

When banks work together to support each other's currencies, commodities win. Buy while the buying good.
Rocky
(05/19/2006; 16:59:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144397)
$$$$678.9$$$$
No single �flex point� is responsible for driving gold, but we can certainly point a finger at a big one. We could take it all the way back to Roosevelt, but in this day, we look at the re-election of President Bush as one causing the current run-up. Early in his second term, Bush and his staff's global lack of intellectual leadership created a major flex point with their precipitous and continuous weakening of the dollar. Gold will seek a high above $800 before the end of this Presidency.
Goldendome
(05/19/2006; 17:38:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144398)
Contest fun.

Sir Zhisheng: In light of recent days market movement, I today, would only give one mighty "Ha!" to your guess, rather than my former three.
R Powell
(05/19/2006; 18:14:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144399)
$$$ 688.7 $$$$
Question....
"Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?"


Bear or bull markets are the sum of investor sentiment measured in dollar amounts. Most markets, I guess, loosely reflect both the fundamentals of supply/demand and, short term, the influence of technical traders, at various times during their ups and downs.

These are general statements of opinion. That's the best I can do as Michael's question can not be answered with any degree of accuracy either before, during or after the event. There are just too many variables, with constantly varying amounts of influence in an everchanging market, which is not traded in a vacuum.

The market price is roughly the sum total of all the monies invested in it at any one time. Money is invested by people....human nature (investor sentiment) is usually somewhere between fear and greed.

How high? How far removed is mania from intrinsic value? ....but, specifically, since it was asked, $7,884.60 on march 18, 2012 at the end of the trading day on Comex. P.S. it will trade higher the day before in the Asian markets...but not on Comex. You heard it here first!
happy weekend
rich
Matthew
(05/19/2006; 18:43:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144400)
Spot gold competition
$$$$$756.50$$$$$
As for the point that signals the turn of gold: look at the last few days.
Dollar under pressure, Iranian problems, Iraq in turmoil, and the PoG has been beaten down beyond belief. Obvious control, obvious panic. PPT on form as well.
Gold will be the last bubble!
RD
(05/19/2006; 19:02:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144401)
$$$$$$$692.1$$$$$$
I have seen many "flex points" (and infinite variations thereof) that appear to be the catalysts for the current bull market. Many of these have been listed by the others and I would be redundant if I repeated them so I would like to share with everyone the personal "flex points" that woke me up to the value of owning gold.

I had a wonderful great-aunt who worked in banking institutions for most of her life. She carefully amassed a trove of pre-1900 American gold coins. She guarded them through the stock market crash, through Roosevelt's confiscation, right up to her death in the 1980's. They were left to my mother who never showed them to me. I only knew of their existence.

My mother died a couple of years ago and I was left as the executor of her estate. When I opened her safe deposit box I discovered that only a handful of coins were left (some silver too). My sister (who apparently was in the know more than I) told me that over the years my Mom had sold them one by one on eBay.

As we divided the estate, my siblings wanted the "stuff" (furniture, jewelry, electronics, etc�) They were more than happy to give me the coins. By this time I was so intrigued by the history, beauty, and weight of my Liberty pieces that I began to read and learn. I learned about the Fed and why my great-aunt disliked them so (I never paid her thoughts on the subject much attention�Money was money, wasn't it?) I learned from this site and so I took the green part of my inheritance and converted it into gold. I'm the Joe 6-pack everyone talks about.

Thanks for this opportunity to guess and share. I learn something new everyday. A real sane place to visit on the Web�

As for how high the price will go� A few thousand, at least before the dollar completely collapses.
TownCrier
(05/19/2006; 19:19:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144402)
The Fed today intervenes in open market, supports Treasuries with outright purchase
http://yahoo.reuters.com/investing/FinanceArticle.aspx?type=economicNews&storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060519:MTFH27949_2006-05-19_15-53-25_N19427139&rpc=44And in the process a 'permanent' $1.375 billion in freshly created money was added in a snap to the nation's money supply.

Etc.

Etc.

R.
TownCrier
(05/19/2006; 19:31:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144403)
US Treasury's Snow says backs strong dollar
http://yahoo.reuters.com/investing/FinanceArticle.aspx?type=economicNews&storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060519:MTFH25082_2006-05-19_13-57-38_N19283785&rpc=44NEW YORK, May 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow insisted on Friday there has been no weakening in the United States' commitment to a strong dollar and vowed to hold China's "feet to the fire" over promises to make its currency more flexible.

"...currency values should be set in open, competitive currency markets, to be in line with underlying supply and demand and market forces."

Snow insisted that Washington still backed a strong dollar.

"...open, competitive markets are the best way to set currency values," Snow said, adding: "I say our policy is the strong dollar."

We've got to hold their feet to the fire," he said, to make sure that China follows through...

But he added: "They respond better in the absence of threats than in the presence of threats," Snow said.

^---(from url)---^

So if I've got this right, the U.S. has a "strong dollar" policy and a "stronger yuan" policy.

And what's this on threats... he talks about holding their "feet to the fire" as if it were as pleasant as an invitation to tea???

If this all is what passes for state-of-the-art in diplomacy these days, we're in for tough sledding.

R.
Goldendome
(05/19/2006; 20:00:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144404)
$$$$$$$$ 694.90 $$$$$$$$$$

Early April 2002 was the flex point for me; I started buying. There were a number of coinciding reasons for this decision.
Here are the reasons- short and sweet:

1) The U.S. had a new war (on terror) to fight. The war looked to be expensive (we were already in Afghanistan) but the politicians were going to fight the war with borrowed money. Growing deficits were already forecast,
eliminating the supposed surpluses of the late "90's.

2) Whole new cabinet level departments were being formed...Homeland Security was becoming big business...and other departments were being greatly expanded. "Oh Boy! Is this going to be expensive," we thought.

3) We had already received the tax rebate in 2001 and now the President was proposing MORE taxcuts, while trying to fight expensive foreign engagements and funding more homeland spending. "Wow! Guns and butter
on the cheap! Just like the old days (1960's). If this doesn't help create a fiscal mess and a healthy environment for gold...nothing will."

4) The unfunded national liabilities including SSI were already in discussion at the national level. "Give it ten years," I thought. "2012-- this should really be a can of worms and lead to a further inflated dollar."

5) The trend was already up! Gold had already poked its shiny yellow headover the $300 mark--up from $250-- for the first time in a while, a couple of years, I think...and already, some people were beginning to talk.
"If I can see the environment developing for gold, others can too!"

******************************************************

How high can Gold ultimately go? Ultimately would need to include a hyperinflation of the dollar that isn't out of the question. In that most extreme instance, gold could go into the millions in dollar terms per ounce.

USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/19/2006; 20:02:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144405)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

FRIDAY Market Excerpts

May 19 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures closed Friday at their lowest level since late April, marking the fifth loss in six sessions and finishing the week with a loss of more than $54 an ounce as a jump in the U.S. dollar and hopes for an early end to interest-rate rises gave traders less incentive to buy the precious metal.

"After more than three months of a marathon run, the gold market took this week to finally begin a decent correction and reconsider its place in the hierarchy of chart values," said Kitco's analyst Jon Nadler.

The COMEX June gold contract traded as low as $651, its weakest intraday level since April 28. The contract closed at $657.50, down $23.40 for the session. Widely viewed as a hedge against inflation, gold has now tumbled $64, or 8.9%, since closing at a 26-year high of $721.50 on May 11.

The quick drop raises the question of whether this is a full-blown retreat or just a setback within a longer-term uptrend. U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said on CNBC that inflation is "well contained, and will be, and inflationary expectations are well contained."

From here, "gold remains vulnerable to revisit the $630 (or lower) levels," said Nadler, but there "appears to be no mad rush for the escape hatches" and even if it revisits that level, it won't likely sustain any permanent long-term damage.

"We do expect gold to once again become an attractive buy at the low end of the scale, as investors in the yellow metal are typically focused on the far horizon," he said.

Indeed, "the bulk of the correction in the metals market is now behind us," with the exception of copper, which "has a ways to go to the downside," said Peter Grandich, editor of the Grandich Letter. He expects gold and silver to "bounce strongly early next week."

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
The Alchemist
(05/19/2006; 20:07:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144406)
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$636.80$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
IN ANSWER TO "THE QUESTION": Gold will continue to appreciate relative to fiat because by it's nature fiat is designed to obscure the confiscation of wealth from a nation. Thank You, Franz Pick..........................
The Invisible Hand
(05/19/2006; 20:10:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144407)
The return of common sense
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1779348,00.htmlDid the bubble burst this week?
snips
Fears that rising inflation might prompt central banks to keep raising the cost of borrowing triggered a sell-off which sloshed through all markets - putting the skids under the dollar, sending commodity prices on a rollercoaster ride and prompting cautious investors to seek out the traditional safe haven of gold.
+
Stephen Lewis, an economist with Insinger de Beaufort, said the past week had been one of those unusual periods when the price of equities, bonds and raw materials moved in the same direction. When that happens, he added, the markets have normally sensed change in the air - and that change is that the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve are going to make credit more expensive.
+
Investors usually buy gold when they are worried about other markets and geopolitical instability. The gold market recently hit a 26-year high of around $720 per troy ounce. The surge in demand for gold could signal trouble ahead in the global economy and a fall for the US currency.
TownCrier
(05/19/2006; 20:15:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144408)
[High] Gold prices disappoint Afghan brides and grooms
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News⊂section=market+news&month=May2006&file=Business_News2006052034133.xmlKABUL, Afghanistan � Take pity on the Afghan bride. Or maybe just as appropriate � take pity on the groom.

Centuries of pageantry and tradition combined with a recent 26-year high in gold prices are taking a toll on the amount of jewelry a bride here can expect to wear on her wedding day, a marker of family pride and a social expectation that can make or break a ceremony, a huge occasion in Afghanistan.

"It is definitely the gold that is the tradition here," said Sarha Rezaie, who was recently shopping in Kabul's main gold market for a ring for a relative's wedding. "If there is no gold, it affects the atmosphere of the wedding."

Gold last week hit a 26-year high above $730 an ounce, in part because of a weak US dollar, high oil prices and anxieties stemming from tensions between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Unlike high oil prices, high gold prices usually have little effect on the average consumer. But don't tell that to the gold sellers in Kabul's gritty main market � or Mohammed Bashir Satari, a 28-year-old Afghan who got married last week.

"Both my family and my wife's family went shopping together. I bought $4,000 worth of gold � necklaces, rings, earrings � and when we got back home, my wife said, 'It's not enough,'" said Satari, who blamed the high price of gold for his troubles.

...The pinnacle of Afghan weddings comes at the post-ceremony party, where the groom's mother presents the bride with all her golden presents. The lucky ones come away with multiple rings on every finger, bracelets, more earrings than she has ears and an extravagant necklace.

...If the person doesn't have money, they will borrow it," Satari said. "They have to provide gold. It is the Afghan culture. I don't know how poorer families can do it."

Though he and his wife hosted close to 1,000 guests at an upper-class Kabul hotel over the weekend, the price of gold � and its effect on the presents she received � did not escape her.

"She told me, 'How unfortunate it is that I get married when gold's so expensive,'" Satari said. "She was not happy," he added with a laugh.

^---(from url)---^

Ain't seen nothing yet. Revaluation levels associated with "freegold" market regime will probably lead to comparatively gold-free weddings. The great value will be condensed into fewer and smaller trinkets of gold.

R.
Zhisheng
(05/19/2006; 20:35:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144409)
Predictions and Probability
Goldendome: if past history is indication of future performance, and you had followed my guesses on previous contests over the years, you would have been justified in a dozen "ha's".

Thoreauly: your statement "time will run out before the Fed sees its 100th birthday" can be interpreted two ways. Many people, such as Richard Russell, have advocated elimination of the Fed. When things get tough, usually things change.

As for the Mayans' prediction, from what I have heard about those things, they deal with probability rather than certainty. And some times the seemingly most probable things are just one side of a two-sided coin.....

In old China a farmer wanted many sons to help with his work. But with many sons, as generations passed, farms became smaller. So making a living became tenuous and farmers became heavily indebted.

There is a Taoist story which tells of one such case, in which a farmer became so indebted to a wealthy neighbor that one year he could not pay the interest, let alone the principal. This farmer had a beautiful daughter, in whom the neighbor had become so enamored that he offered the farmer a wager.

There would be two stones, identical except in color, placed in a sack. One stone would be black and the other white. The farmer, blindfolded, would reach into the sack and take out one of the stones. If the withdrawn stone were black, the neighbor would receive the daughter as concubine; if it were white, the debt, plus accumulated interest, would be forgiven.

The farmer had no choice but to agree to the wager. The daughter had a close friend who worked as maid for the rich neighbor. This friend overheard her master bribe the man who was to prepare the bag, to make both stones black. When the father heard of this, he could see no hope. The daughter however, was as smart as she was intelligent, and when she heard the news from her friend, she advised her father how to proceed.

On the agreed time the parties appeared and the bag was produced by the supposed neutral. The farmer, who had been blindfolded, reached into the sack, withdrew a stone, but before opening his hand, threw it as far away as he could into the nearby freshly plowed field.

And so the assembled company could naught but look into the bag to see the color of the stone which remained, to determine the winner of the wager.
ChristianMom
(05/19/2006; 20:55:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144410)
$$$$$$$$ 708.10 $$$$$$$$
I've been enjoying your discussions as a lurker but the contest reeled me in. I dabbled in gold a bit in 1979-1981... very interesting years. I'm dabbling now as a mom for my family. I like silver too. I'm a busy mom so I am not an expert like many of you here. Here's my response to SIR MK's question -
To me it seems as though the "flex point" was more of a tear... a tear in the seam of the sack of efforts holding together our economy. An economic mess is bulging and wanting to burst out. I found Rich Dad's (Robert Kiyasaki) "The Prophesy" to be very interesting. His perspective on the coming 401K implosion intrigues me. But what caused golds recent strong upswing? From this layperson's perspective it's simply this.... my husband's paycheck, the price of gas and the news. There is a run on gold on Ebay. Why? Because the average Joe and Josephine are seeing their income deteriorate, gas prices soar and the news is finally reporting more of the scary stuff about the economy. That's my mom's take on it. Simplistic but it's my impetus.

How high do I think gold will go in the long run? Sadly for our country's economy but happily for the wise investor it seems it could go quite high. I'm going to guess in the neighborhood of $3800. But that's a shot in the dark.

Thanks for all of the great info. and insight here. :)
Gandalf the White
(05/19/2006; 21:03:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144411)
TA TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -- POG Contest UPDATE !

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS (with 27 Hours to go before the ENTRY DEADLINE of Midnight Saturaday)
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $900.0 $$$$ GOLD FINGER (5/19/06; 00:00:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144362)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $756.5 $$$$ Matthew (5/19/06; 18:43:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144400)

$$$$ $755.5 $$$$ Waverider (5/16/06; 19:54:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 144265)

$$$$ $752.7 $$$$ Bubbly (5/16/06; 20:30:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144272)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $735.5 $$$$ Minero (5/17/06; 06:08:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144291)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $732.0 $$$$ jnshirtl (5/18/06; 16:24:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144348)

$$$$ $730.0 $$$$ Whitewaterwoman (5/16/06; 12:17:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 144246)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $727.0 $$$$ Rimh (5/16/06; 15:07:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144256)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $721.1 $$$$ White Rose (5/17/06; 08:31:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 144292)

$$$$ $719.5 $$$$ ASSAY (5/16/06; 09:32:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144235)

$$$$ $718.0 $$$$ Beer Man (5/16/06; 16:37:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144260)

$$$$ $717.6 $$$$ slingshot (5/15/06; 20:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144218)

$$$ FRN717.1 $$$ Smeagol (5/16/06; 22:45:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 144278)

$$$$ $716.0 $$$$ Clink! (5/16/06; 13:04:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144249)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $712.1 $$$$ Solomon Weaver (5/15/06; 22:01:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144225)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $710.5 $$$$ beowulf + (5/17/06; 22:54:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144317)

$$$$ $707.7 $$$$ osa104c (5/16/06; 14:57:23MT - usagold.com msg#: 144253)

$$$$ $705.7 $$$$ Boilermaker (5/17/06; 17:16:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144309)

$$$$ $703.9 $$$$ Tuco (5/15/06; 16:33:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144216)

$$$$ $701.5 $$$$ Pal (5/18/06; 06:38:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144328)

$$$$ $700.1 $$$$ Mthirsty1 (5/16/06; 14:58:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144254)
$$$$ $700.0 $$$$ Armageddon (5/17/06; 20:22:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144315)

$$$$ $698.5 $$$$ servantHeart (5/17/06; 08:43:27MT - usagold.com msg#: 144293)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $696.8 $$$$ Ten Bears (5/17/06; 16:38:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 144307)

$$$$ $694.9 $$$$ Goldendome (5/19/06; 20:00:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 144404)

$$$$ $693.0 $$$$ Gerbil2 (5/19/06; 08:05:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144374)

$$$$ $692.1 $$$$ RD (5/19/06; 19:02:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144401)

$$$$ $690.5 $$$$ pilgrims_gold (5/18/06; 12:09:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144339)

$$$$ $688.7 $$$$ R Powell (5/19/06; 18:14:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144399)

$$$$ $688.4 $$$$ The Hoople (5/19/06; 12:17:31MT - usagold.com msg#: 144388)

$$$$ $686.8 $$$$ Flatliner (5/18/06; 23:30:07MT - usagold.com msg#: 144360)

$$$$ $684.2 $$$$ Ignacioman (5/16/06; 06:45:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144230)

$$$$ $680.1 $$$$ glockmaster19 (5/19/06; 14:42:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144392)
$$$$ $680.0 $$$$ Quickbeam (5/19/06; 13:16:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144389)

$$$$ $678.9 $$$$ Rocky (5/19/06; 16:59:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 144397)

$$$$ $677.7 $$$$ AuVenger (5/18/06; 01:38:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144325)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $673.5 $$$$ goldenpeace (5/19/06; 04:32:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144369)

$$$$ $673.3 $$$$ 2Dogs (5/19/06; 14:43:06MT - usagold.com msg#: 144393)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $654.3 $$$$ Tevye (5/19/06; 10:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144383)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $643.4 $$$$ elrayox (5/19/06; 11:37:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144386)

$$$$ $636.8 $$$$ The Alchemist (5/19/06; 20:07:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144406)

$$$$ $635.5 $$$$ olddog (5/18/06; 18:28:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144351)

$$$$ $600.0 $$$$ DryWasher (5/19/06; 11:43:51MT - usagold.com msg#: 144387)

$$$$ $575.0 $$$$ kris (5/19/06; 02:09:36MT - usagold.com msg#: 144367)

$$$$ $550.0 $$$$ Zhisheng (5/15/06; 11:27:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144203)
===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/19/2006; 21:05:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144412)
OOPS -- I can not spell well when tired !
SORRY ! THAT should be Saturday !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/19/2006; 21:08:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144413)
Got'ya Mom !!!
ChristianMom (5/19/06; 20:55:26MT - usagold.com msg#:
$$$$$$$$ 708.10 $$$$$$$$
===
WELCOME to the TableRound !
<;-)
MK
(05/19/2006; 21:11:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144414)
Somewhere in the Castle. . .

Marie. . . Marie. . .Ready the guard. Let us proceed to the Treasury vault. We must see if that Aztec Calendar coin is where I put it last.

No, I do not regret parting with it. Why do you question my good nature like this? I know we only have one left. But we've made a promise. Please, bring the keys. We have work to do.

What's that? You say Gandalf has given approval to the trumpets?? You know I can't stand that infernal noise. Why did he do that? And against my long-standing wishes. Oh. . . he says the knights and ladies of the Table like the trumpets? Hruumph. No accounting for taste. Let us proceed. . . and please bring the ear plugs. . . .If we have to have them, let us least insist that they play the same tune. . . Can you send out a royal memo to that effect. . .

Yes. Yes. By e-mail if you wish. Just head it "All on the note of "C" No Trumpet Creativity Allowed!"

Echoes fade. Discussion retreats to a murmur. . .

Quietly: What's that you say "I'm impossible?"

Let the contest continue!!

InternationalIcon
(05/19/2006; 21:19:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144415)
Y2K
It's clear to most of us here that it's gold that represents real purchasing power, and it's fiat currency that is the ephemeral promise. It's been 70 years and more since the experiment began, and it's beginning to go a bit threadbare.
I think the event that signaled that the time was ripe for gold to assume a truer worth was the turn of the century. Just the turn of a year. Those 3 identical digits seemed to subtly wake everyone to take note of their place in the cosmos, and look more carefully at those things that had lasting value. Family, friends are first, of course, followed by tangibles and immovables like property. Gold popped up in my mind about then, because of concern over the possible 'Y2K' problems. I took advantage of my mindset at the time to set aside some gold.
Friends told me I was being silly. And I knew I couldn't spend gold ounces in exactly the same way as I used paper, so I stretched a point and invested in Mercury dimes as well.

$$$$$$699.5$$$$$$
GOLD FINGER
(05/19/2006; 21:34:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144416)
I FOUND IT
I was told the other day when I made a big purchase of GOLD that my Grandfather had a buried a Large Gold Bar. Where? I wonder?

In view of the recent ups and down I really do wonder if someone found a large holding of gold and decided to "CASH" it in. It's my view when others see the market go up they tend to race to find all those hidden bags of gold and cash out.

In a mad rush to make a fast buck they loose sight of the trend that gold has been on an upward climb now for nearly 20 years. The markets will swing and emotions will fly high and perhaps even more gold contests.

I say that the precious metal is an emotional motivated one. Like the search for the "lost Dutchman's gold mine" or the rush to strike it rich in the early day's of the California Gold rush. The idea of gold and having it will always be a lure. The desire to possess it now is even stronger. If my prediction of 900 is to high now, just wait. I bet it will top 2000 in no time.

Why do I think this? What drew me into the market after ignoring it for many years? I will let you know what was revealed to me just a few months back prior to all this taking off. :-)

Now go Buy some GOLD before it goes UP!
Black Pearl
(05/19/2006; 22:02:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144417)
$$$$ $633.8 $$$$
Long time reader, first time contributer. I've spent that last five months slowly accumulating physical Gold. I've been awakened by the intelligence of this site as well as the introduction to gold through MK's book. I have done my best to inform others, no matter how crazy they think I am. The storm is coming.

I believe the inflexion point was a combination of the EUR/USD over 1.30 in early 2004, oil crossing $50 bbl March 2005 and more recently, the removal of published M3 data. Welcome to the launch pad. $1000 will be cheap, $3000/oz will be seen within 10 years.
commish
(05/19/2006; 23:27:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144418)
$$$632.0$$$
I believe the flex point is that readers started to believe in the Mogambo guru and saw what can happen to monopoly money that is not backed by something of value.
Gonlyold
(05/19/2006; 23:35:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144419)
*****646.2*****
The main reason that the POG increased was, and is, the unsavory world issues broadcast by TPTB. There is the Iran situation, the illegal immigrant issue, the Venezuelian issue, the energy issue, the uncovering of the 911 tragedy, the spying issue, the falling dollar issue, etc., etc.

This flight to security was expected by TPTB, moreover, I believe, planned. They are not ignorant of the concept that people want their investments secure. They allow these world issues to be widely publicized for awhile, people get concerned, then the POG goes up. Then TPTB intersperse the doom and gloom with some good tidings and have these good tidings widely publicized, people feel relaxed, then the POG goes down. Same Method of operation I noticed before.

So I'm betting that the POG will stay down for awhile. I believe that TPTB no doubt have already told their friends to get their shorts in. In a little while, we should hear a lot of bad news and it will be time to cover the shorts and go long again.

They have most of the gold or at least control most of the gold. They're simply playing with the market to increase their wealth by using the gold toy. And what if I'm wrong about the TPTB's method of operation? Who cares, I still have the gold. I still expect TPTB to try and increase their wealth and I'll just tag along for the ride. But eventually, they're going to want to make the big switch to digital.
specie-man
(05/20/2006; 00:06:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144421)
$$$$$$ 678.9 $$$$$$
In 1999 I was waiting for a meeting to start at work. We were all sitting around the table talking about the weather. The subject of IRAs came up. These were the days of the NASDAQ bubble. Everyone had a fat IRA in mutual funds.

I noticed one woman quietly sitting in the corner smiling. I knew what she was thinking. She was dreaming about how much money she had in her IRA.

At that moment I concluded that the laws of nature and economics were not going to allow that many people (the baby doomers) to retire with that much purchasing power.

Better to invest in the things that people don't have, rather than in what they already have.

So began the slow exodus from fiat.
In the long run, gold will go high enough (as measured against fiat) to maintain one's lifestyle, while others fall by the wayside.
specie-man
(05/20/2006; 00:10:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144422)
$$$$$$ Change $$$$$$
My guess was already taken.
Make it $$$$$$ 682.20 $$$$$$ .
Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 00:12:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144423)
TA TA TAAAAAA TaTaTaTaaaaaaaaaaaaa, TA ta TA ta TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <;-)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

NOTICE -- Entry DEADLINE is now less than 24 HOURS away !!

Note from Gandalf ---- This is the RICHEST USAGOLD Forum "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST in HISTORY, as prizes offered are NOTHING BUT --- GOLD coins !!

We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of GOLD for the June, 2006 COMEX contract (GCM06) on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Saturday, May 20, 2006, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer SIR MK's QUESTION !!

The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a pre-1933, (therefore, NOT a "restrike" coin), uncirculated Mexican 20 Peso GOLDPIECE, showing the Aztec Calendar, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.4823 fine ozs. of GOLD. These are spectacular coins!!!

There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning a prize of a Mexican 5 Peso Goldpiece, which contains Actual Gold Content of 0.1205 fine ozs. of GOLD.

The QUESTION -- <;-) -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !)

SIR MK says;

We all know by now, that gold is "on a roll", and those who have been involved
in this market for a number of years, have enjoyed every tick higher. Every
bull market has had its flex point -- the event or combination of events that
turned the market toward a primary bull trend for the long run. To your way
of thinking, what was that event, or series of events, and how high to do you
think gold can go, over the long run?
===

THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!

1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active)
June 2006 Gold Contract (GCM06) on the date of Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

2) (NEW Rule) IF, any ties occur, the prize winner shall be determined by the earliest entry, which shall win the prize.

3) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !
(Such as $700.0)

4) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !
(Such as $$$$$ $700.0 $$$$$$$ )

5) ONLY one "Guess" per Knight or Lady is allowed, and once that "Guess" has been "taken" -- no one can duplicate it !! FIRST COME has rights to that "Guess".

6) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on:
Saturday, May 20, 2006.

7) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany the Price prognostication)
--- In order for your entry to be valid, entries will need to have a 30 word (or more) paragraph discussing;
"THE QUESTION" <===== NOTE !!!
---
LET the CONTEST continue !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 00:19:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144424)
Thanks, Sir Specie-man
You were Entry #80 !!
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 00:33:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144425)
<;-) Including two invisible Entries !
Ok -- Only 78 !
canamami
(05/20/2006; 05:16:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144426)
"US is behind the gold price hike, but not China", from...
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200605/20/eng20060520_267305.html...People's Daily Online.

"...Behind the floating money's behavior is the imbalanced international monetary system. Since the collapse of the Bredwood System, there is no other system in the international monetary system. After 1978, the Jamaican Agreement took effect and influenced the international monetary system. But the system is very loose. The International Monetary Fund in charge of international monetary order and coordination of international monetary relations didn't play its due role of preventing and helping to solve debt crisis and monetary crisis. While the US solely enjoys the tax of making currency, it doesn't like to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining and coordinating international monetary order.

As the launcher of the International Reserve Currency, the US has kept a low interest rate and issued too much US dollar currency. The excessive dollar has led to the over-growth of global currency through its double deficit, thus the international opportunist capital can greatly influence the international market.

Famous economist Robert Mondale has explained why we are in such an awkward situation. 'Through the currency development history, one of the main themes is that the country that has the peak financial power always refuses to conduct international currency reform because this will decrease its own monopoly power.' Like it or not, China has to continue to bear consequences brought about by the imbalanced international monetary system and Chinese people have to continue to bear the price hike of gold and oil.

By People's Daily Online..."


One theme of this article is blame: The US blames China, China blames the US. One advantage of gold is that, while imperfect, in international settlement it is outside any country, external and objective. It is not a question of one country shafting another through currency monkey-business. No one country can simply print gold. No major country can peg its currency at an advantageous rate to another's, thereby undermining the second country's economy/sovereignity, because the use of gold as the standard makes that too difficult.
da2g
(05/20/2006; 06:09:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144427)
$$$$$680.50$$$$$$
The inflection points are the increasing realization, on the part of individuals, speculators, corporations, governments, and central banks, of the true value of the US Dollar as a claim on wealth and/or wealth generating assets. Recent events highlighting this include the prohibition of the Chinese from purchasing Unocal and the Emirates to aquire American port facilities.

This is in light of ever increasing US Federal budget deficits and US balance of trade deficits. These claims on assets are beginning to increase exponentially, at the same time that the US is experiencing a decline in its wealth creating manufacturing base. Internally, claims on future goods and services in the form of government retirement and healthcare liabilities, as well as private retirement savings that are dollar denominated, exist.

The height that gold can go, expressed in dollars, is a function of what the perceived international value of the dollar (claim on wealth) will be. This is dependent on how many claims are outstanding, and at what rate these claims will be (attempted to be) redeemed. A rough estimate is outstanding US Treasury debt in foreign hands divided by claimed US Government gold holdings. This ratio could be easily violated to the upside in a panic, however, using today's value of the dollar vis-a-vis wealth, I will estimate $3000.00.
Max Rabbitz
(05/20/2006; 06:32:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144428)
$$$$$ 676.0 $$$$$
http://www.goldrush21.com/In my opinion, the proximal event that sent gold soaring was the GATA sponsored Gold Rush 21 Conference held in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada, last summer, wherein the Russians became convinced of the gold games being played by the dollar faction of western central banks, and thus the great deal they could get trading declining dollars for physical gold. The subsequent announcement by the Russians that they intended to substantially increase their gold holdings alerted China, South Africa, and others of the GATA message. The gold suppression strategy was developed in the mid 1990's to support the Greenspan/Ruben/Summers/Clinton "strong dollar" policy (gambit) was for global financial dominance, at the expense of American industrial manufacturing and fair trade. This dominance of a privately owned central banking system could only have been possible with the imposition of the unconstitutional and poisonous Federal Reserve Act of 1913 under the witless Wilson.
Max Rabbitz
(05/20/2006; 06:38:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144429)
Price of Gold Estimate
I estimate the damage to our currency system to be potentially fatal, thus there is no upper limit on the dollar value of gold....it is infinite.
Minero
(05/20/2006; 07:11:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144430)
Elasticity in Supply Side?
Does anyone have a good handle on how much more gold will be produced at these higher gold prices we are all envisioning? I realize that both gold and oil production are now at or past their peaks and can only continue to fall. However, both gold and oil should see a momentary last spurt production increase over the next couple of years. I plan to get the ball roling on a big "one ounce per day operation" in the upcoming year. Back in 1998, I could get that ounce for about $325. How many more fools like me are there?
Shermag
(05/20/2006; 08:51:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144431)
$$$ 679.5 $$$
If one was to pick a singular event that set in motion the currunt rise in gold, I would have to choose the Washington Agreement, in which several central banks agreed to limit gold sales and leasing to quell activity that was getting out of hand, and to reaffirm golds role as a reserve of wealth in the officialdom of the financial system. This was an inflection point in the price, and more importantly, the psychology of the market.

As to how high gold will go, that is better asked "How low will the dollar go?" The answer lies in whether a hyper-inflationary outcome will be allowed. My view, which is probably in accord with most of those who post here, is hyper-inflation is a likely course of events in our evolving gold market. In that case, the sky is the limit.
Goldilox
(05/20/2006; 09:39:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144432)
Gold and Dollar Market Review
http://www.jsmineset.com/snip:

It is time for a review. For a generational bull market in gold to exist the following is required. What has amazed me is how well gold has acted with major pillars still not fully in place. The price of gold has hit the recovery high of 1980 at the $720 area. That is outstanding when you consider the axiom below.

I told you as gold is roaring up to:

Fasten your seat belts.
Gold may range $100 in short bursts.
Remove your entire margin on anything gold and silver.
This was the Big Kahuna.
Gold is heading for $1650 and I might well be conservative in my expectation.

There are five elements that must be in place in order to have a generational bull market in gold.

We certainly have a recognized top in the US dollar but gold had rallied into a contra-trend dollar move.

We have not had a recognized top in US Treasury instruments yet the rise in the gold price has been spectacular. A recognized top in long term treasuries means a break down in the very long term up trend line which has not yet occurred, but is threatening now to occur. Even without this pillar in place gold has been spectacular in its ability to reach the 1980 recovery high.

There is no question we had and will continue to have a bull market in general commodities. That alone cannot be given credit for the ability of gold to rise so far to the 1980 recovery high.

The Triple Deficits are firmly in place.

Distrust in US paper Assets has not been reflected in US equities, yet gold rallied from the $248 into the high of the 1980 gold recovery at the $720 level.

It is spectacular that gold has been so strong with only Pillars #3 and #4 firmly in place.

Can you imagine what level the gold price will accomplish when all of "The Five Golden Pillars" are in place simultaneously? Consider what the price of gold will be when the long term trend line on the 30 Year US Treasury bond breaks down, when US equities are not so popular and the US dollar is below USDX .8050. My answer is a gold price of at least $887.50.

Please do not let the nature of the gold price changes get you emotionally distraught. They are ferocious and will get even more manic. It is going to range $100 a day soon. You will be slaughtered if you panic on the down and turn into a true believer on the up. You will be slaughtered if you use ANY margin at all. That is only for the pros. Many of them will be ground beef before 2006 is over.

You will prosper if you get a grip and hold it tight. My grip is that we are in a generational bull market that has outperformed even until today. It has done what no one would believe even three months ago. It is acting like a major bull market now in its volatility and volume. The gold price which I expect is now looking too low for the reasons stated above.

I am more bullish on gold today than I have ever been in my 46 years of experience. The following [the Five Golden Pillars] was presented to you in 2003 when the goal of $480 then presented as a market target was considered totally LOCO.


-Goldilox

JS more convinced than ever!
John the Jute
(05/20/2006; 09:54:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144433)
$$$$ $650.0 $$$$
Each of us notices most clearly the failings of his or her own country's government. Accordingly, since the Kingdom of the Jutes is temporarily a part of the United Kingdom, it is the end of the UK gold sales in March 2002 that strikes me as one of the factors starting the current bull market.

Saying that we are in a bull market is easy; saying what the price will be in a few days' time is hard. I've chosen a gloomy value that just keeps me out of the forum's top ten bears.

Assuming that there still is a United States dollar by Christmas, I expect the price of gold to be twice as high by then.
AuVenger
(05/20/2006; 10:18:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144434)
"Gold will be the safe haven ... but at a very high price"
Greetings fellow goldbugs!

I nearly fell out of my chair yesterday in the pub - I live just outside London and was reading the business pages in the Evening Standard, when I happened across Au manna...

Anthony Hilton is the City stocks and shares expert and has a City Comment page - anyhoos he titled his article as above. Alas I could not find a link so I will type out the gist of it.

This is all most pertinent for me in particular, as I may shortly be coming into some money in UK pounds, and wanted to jump on the Gold (and maybe silver) bull, but always, at the back of my mind and down the line, I am thinking of the dollar/pound ratio if I need to partially cash out for any reason. Hilton's article adresses this issue, though I don't necessarily follow his logic/conclusions. In fact some of his other comments I find rather strange too, but that's for you to decide.

What's interesting, IMO, is the fact that his utterances about gold are making page one of the biggest London financial readership newspapers, and the fact that he is saying gold will almost double.

Here it is:

"Gold will be the safe haven ... but at a very high price"

"Citigroup does a lot of banking and dollar-related financing businesse for Lloyd's insurance market, and has done since the eve of the Second Worl War.

That was when Lloyd's moved a huge portion of its reserves to New York so that even if the war went badly for Britain there would be continuing security to back policies written in the United States.

Anyway, earlier this week at a dinner for its Lloyd's business clints, the host, as a bit of fun, asked those to predict the price of gold in 12 months' time and the exchange rate for the pound to the US dollar. A year from now the best guesses will collect a bottle of champagne.

The fun of those things - provided one does not simply go for the extremes - is that they do make one stop and think. So, for what they are worth, here are my two predictions and the reasons why.

(AuVenger - It's a pity he didn't list what all the brokers thought, so I'm assuming his 2 guesses may be a median...?)

First, the price of gold to be $1200 - as opposed to the $800, (AuVenger - I don't know where he gets $800 from!) roughly, at which it currently stands. The reasoning behind this is that there is a strong chance that the US dollar could fall heavily in the next 12 months, for all the usual reasons, and when it does it could create a considerable amount of uncertainty and instability, and distrust of conventional investments.

It is one of the peculiarities of the current situation that while the circumstances might demand a flight to quality, it is hard to know where that quality lies. America is clearly still the economic powerhouse (AuVenger - I'm not so sure!) but it is run through with budgetary weakness, debts and a trade deficit.

China, in contrast, is still much weaker than America - and it looks likely to implode soon under the impact of corruption, banking bad debts and rampant property speculation. (AuVenger - all news to me!) Nevertheless, it has much sounder national finances. So, in a flight to quality, in which direction does one go - towards America or in the opposite direction?

Gold in such circumstances seems likely to appeal to many as a safe haven, and while a 50% rise might seem a lot, particularly on top of the distance it has already come, it is much less in terms of other currencies given the expected fall in the dollar. It is also still substantially less in real terms than the peak of arounds $850 that the metal hit 25 years ago.

The other bet was that there would not be vast turmoil in the markets but that sterling would, nevertheless, fall from near enough the $1.90 at which it has been trading this week to around $1.65. (AuVenger - !!!!!!!!!!)

Here we are talking about the rate in a year's time, so while it would be no real surprise to see the return of the $2 pound in August when traders traditionally do very silly things - with all the benefits from that exchange rate which my colleague Christopher Fildes has listed over the years in terms of great value martinis in New York's cocktail bars - such a rate clearly should not last. (AuVenger - this guy only half gets it, clearly!!!)

It is obvious even now to any visitor to the US that the pound is seriously overvalued in terms of what can be bought in the shops and restaurants. Even back at $1.65 it might still be on the high side, but that lower rate will have to intrude - and it might as well be in the next 12 months."



Punching in some figures - if I were to, for arguments' sake, buy �50,000 of gold right now at say $650 an ounce, at a ratio of $1.90 to the pound - that gives 50,000 x 1.9

= $95,000

/650 = 146 ounces

so

in 1 year

146 ounces x 1200 = $175,200 = $80,200 'profit'

BUT

if the exchange rate is $1.65 (which I just cannot see...)

= �106,181

a true UK pounds profit of �56,181

I think my maths are correct, but so many variables; if the exchange rate goes to $2 to the pound, then the true profit drops substantially to �37,600

And if gold does become the choice of those seeking quality, there is not enough to go around, so $1200 seems on the very low side to me...

Cheers!

AuVenger











YGM
(05/20/2006; 10:19:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144435)
Interesting Gold Commentary From Edelson
No Link (emailed)Special Report | May 18, 2006

Shanghai Gold ETF

I'm convinced it will unleash a new, powerful wave of gold buying in China. Major Chinese banks are already buying in advance of the ETF's launch.

The gold stocks I'm about to tell you about could easily have made you five, seven, even ten times richer!

I'll tell you about them in a minute. But first, let me tell you why I'm so convinced this gold boom has such long legs and offers such huge profit potential � even if you're just getting on board right now!

Dear Investor,

I'm just back to my hotel room after an intense, two-hour meeting with officials of the Shanghai Gold Exchange. In its three short years of existence, it has become the world's largest trading exchange for gold bullion, with its volume of trading surging well ahead of London, New York, and Hong Kong.

The info I received is mind-boggling. It's a first-hand scoop of what could be one of the most powerfully bullish forces in the market in a half-century:

In a few short months, China will introduce a gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) for domestic Chinese citizens, tentatively named "The GoldExpert." Countless numbers of ordinary Chinese citizens will be able to invest in the fund in small minimum units representing just 50 grams of gold.

Three years ago, when gold purchases were legalized in China for the first time in 54 years, I told readers that it would unleash a new surge in gold demand. And that's exactly what happened: Chinese citizens bought gold with both fists.

Now, I believe the introduction of this new gold ETF in China will generate an even larger and broader gold rush. It will open the floodgates for tens of millions more Chinese investors to buy gold in any amount, large or small.

They will not have to worry about storage, transportation or security. They will be able to buy the ETF online. They are almost certain to generate a new source of demand never before seen on the world gold market.

In the U.S., the primary gold ETF has been the fastest growing ETF in history. Over $8 billion has poured into this gold fund, helping to push gold from the low $300 level in late 2001 to over $700 today.

Now, I have no doubt that the launching of a gold ETF in China could easily send gold to $1,000 an ounce � and higher � sooner than expected.

There are an estimated 300 million investors in China, more than the entire population of the U.S. According to the officials I spoke to, they are pouring out of stocks and into gold jewelry, where sales were up 29.5% in April. Now here's the clincher:

China's Big Four Banks Must Start Buying Physical Gold NOW

The four largest banks in China who are sponsoring the Chinese gold ETF � the Bank of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the China Construction Bank and the Agricultural Bank of China � can't wait around to start buying the gold they will need.

They will have to start buying physical gold now in order to back the ETFs that will soon be issued.

And I suspect they may be doing just that right now.

This is one of the reasons I believe ...

Gold is so undervalued, it's a joke!


In terms of today's dollars, gold reached $2,176 in 1980.

And that was at a time when the demand for gold was far less sustainable than it is today ... and the supplies far more abundant.

In other words ...

Gold will have to triple � to more than $2,000 an ounce � just to regain the same purchasing power it had 26 long years ago!

Look. If history teaches us anything, it's that no record stands forever on Wall Street. And right now, the action in the market is telling me the day gold breaks its record is coming a lot sooner than most people think.

And mark my words: When that day dawns, the gold stocks I'm about to tell you about could easily have made you five, seven, even ten times richer! I count five more massive global economic forces � the tsunamis of the financial world � that are already making much, much higher gold prices a virtual certainty ...

Financial Tsunami #1
Exploding Federal Debt Virtually Guarantees Higher Gold Prices!


The White House and Congress have transformed the U.S. budget surplus into a bottomless cesspool of embarrassing and unsustainable debt � and it's getting more horrendous by the year:

Last year's $319 billion deficit was the third highest in history, and this year's is exploding toward the $400 billion level!

All told, the national debt now stands at a mind-blowing $8.17 trillion � and Congress just raised the debt ceiling to $9 trillion, with explosive increases virtually locked into the system until at least 2010.

There's only one way Washington could possibly keep this mountain of debt from crushing the U.S. economy: Crank up the printing presses and flood the economy with paper money!

Now, you ... I ... and every foreign investor and central banker in the world know what that means: That flood of Fed funny money would send inflation soaring. No wonder so much money is beginning to rush into gold right now!

Financial Tsunami #2
Despite What Washington Says, Real U.S. Inflation Is Skyrocketing

Since 2001, gasoline is up 49%, beef is up 28%, eggs are up 34%, oranges and tomatoes are up 39% and 31%. The cost of buying a home has more than doubled. Health care costs and college tuitions have gone through the roof.

And yet, shameless officials at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continue to swear on a stack of bibles that inflation is "under control."

Only a politician or a Washington bureaucrat would have that kind of chutzpah!

How do they get away with that kind of gobbledygook? Simple: The government's math is so convoluted it would make Enron's crooked accountants blush in shame!

Did you know, for example, that if a product jumps in price but Washington decides the "quality improved," they're actually allowed to claim that the price fell?

And did you know that they totally ignore the surging cost of homes and condos, substituting instead the low cost of renting equivalent housing?

Then, they factor in those artificially lower prices � the prices that nobody is actually paying � into the consumer price index, announcing that inflation is "under control!"

But last week, the Fed finally began to admit that something's fishy. In their official post-meeting statement, they recognized that the surging cost of commodities is feeding inflation. But recognizing it is one thing. Doing something to stop it is another.

Right now, if you think � even for one moment � that inflation is really at just a few meager percentage points per year, you're kidding yourself. Your cost of living � the price you pay for everything from housing ... to food ... to fuel ... and to health care ... is skyrocketing by double digits every single year!

And that's important to know � because during the last officially recognized inflationary crisis (1974-80) � before Washington began cooking the books on inflation � the average annual inflation rate was just 8% per year. And ...

During that period, gold prices rocketed more than tenfold from $58 to $612 an ounce � a 1,055% increase. Today, the true inflation is probably higher than 8%. But even if gold jumped only a quarter as much as it did in the 1970s, you'd be looking at a gold price of more than $2,000 per ounce!

Financial Tsunami #3
Wars and Rumors of War Are Triggering Huge New Demand For Gold, the Ultimate Crisis Hedge

Right now, the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and much of the planet is a powder keg on a short, short fuse:

Never-ending, escalating wars in Afghanistan and Iraq ... the first-ever terrorist group (Hamas) elected to government ... Iran's defiant and arrogant program to build nuclear weapons ... the rise of Muslim fundamentalism ... random acts of terror around the globe.

Not one of these hot spots is cooling off any time soon, and more are sure to arise in the months ahead. As a result, wealthy Mid-East and Persian Gulf investors are running away from regional stock markets (all of which have collapsed in recent weeks) ... and are rushing into gold.

Other investors in Europe and Asia, including the most powerful central banks, are following suit.

Why? Because since the dawn of civilization, gold has been the ultimate crisis hedge for the world's governments and investors. The more things heat up, the higher gold prices go!

Financial Tsunami #4
India and China Are Set to Take Millions More Ounces of Gold off the Market!

China has recently announced that it will plow at least 2.5% of its trade surplus into gold. That's a staggering $2.5 billion of brand-new demand for gold every year!

And let's not forget the frenetic pace of economic growth in both China and India, running at 9.8% and 8%, respectively. Both have only recently fully opened their domestic gold markets to private investors, and India is already among the world's biggest buyers!


These cultures have a deeply ingrained, emotional affinity for the yellow metal, and a rapacious appetite limited only by their modest, yet rapidly rising, per-capita incomes.

Remember: Over one-third of the world's population � more than 2.4 billion people � live in these two developing economic superpowers!

Just to match half of the gold reserving achieved by the United States, China would have to buy 3,467 tons of gold.

So watch for soaring central bank demand plus skyrocketing domestic consumption in the world's two largest nations to send gold prices through the hole in the ozone throughout 2006 and beyond!

Financial Tsunami #5
Just When These Massive Forces Are Creating Colossal New Demand for Gold, The Worldwide SUPPLY Is Dwindling!

Even in normal times, you'd expect the four financial tsunamis above to drive gold prices into the stratosphere. But these are not normal times.

The fact is, after thousands of years of mining every ounce of gold possible, the planet is beginning to run out. According to U.S. Geological Survey, there are now less than 45,000 metric tons of proven gold reserves left in the ground worldwide.

And that's serious � because the above-ground supplies of gold couldn't even begin to satisfy today's exploding demand for the yellow metal. If all of the gold in the world were put in one place, it would fit comfortably in a high-school gymnasium!

Bottom line? No matter how you look at the supply and demand realities, only one conclusion makes any sense at all: Much, much higher gold prices are virtually guaranteed throughout 2006 and beyond!


24karat
(05/20/2006; 10:49:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144436)
$$$$$670.2$$$$$
Late entry coming in. I've been on vacation and haven't read all the answers to MK's question, but those that I did were interesting.


For me, the turning point was the reelection of GWB. In 2004, I told myself that if Bush gets reelected I'm buying gold. This administraion already had a track record of spending like drunken sailors during the first term and I saw no change coming. And if that wasn't enough, there was talk of more tax cuts. We all know what that was going to do to the deficit. All of this was happening during a costly war that, I was sure, was not going to end any time soon. The voters got rid of those no good "tax and spend" liberals and ended up getting "borrow and spend" conservatives!

Of course there was not just one turning point but a series of events that has lead to the dramatic price rise. Many have correctly mentioned 9/11, problems in the Middle East, etc. But I have not read anyone say anything about the gold price movement decoupling from the movement of the dollar. Early last year, I, along with Warren Buffet and many others here, predicted a sinking dollar. With that we would expect gold to go up. But what we got last year was a rising dollar and gold moving up anyway. This told me that people around the world were expecting problems with the dollar and now the forces of supply and demand were in play. IMO, a runnup is still in the works because in the US, Joe Six-Pack hasn't caught on yet. Once he does, he will predictably bid up the price to overvalued levels.

So how high will that be? On the last bull run, I don't see $850 (in Jan 1980) as the benchmark. That was simply a one or two day spike. Instead I see $700 (in 1980 dollars) as the true top. Translated into todays dollars, that comes out to about $1800. It will be at this point that I will be looking for signs of an extended pullback. But of course the long-term trend will continue to be up, up, up.

I enjoy these contests; They're always fun. Special thanks to our hosts.
Druid
(05/20/2006; 10:51:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144437)
YGM (5/20/06; 10:19:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144435)

Druid: Thanks YGM. Good to have you back. It looks like more gold "price discovery" is on the way.

Thanks Another, FOA and USAGOLD.
Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 11:02:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144438)
TA TA TAAAAAA, TaTaTaTaaaaaaaaaaaaa, TA ta TA ta TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <;-)
NOTICE -- LESS THAN 13 Hours to go before POG contest Entry DEADLINE !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 11:05:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144439)
TA TA TAAAAAA, TaTaTaTaaaaaaaaaaaaa, TA ta TA ta, TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <;-)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRY LISTINGS
----

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $900.0 $$$$ GOLD FINGER (5/19/06; 00:00:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144362)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $756.5 $$$$ Matthew (5/19/06; 18:43:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144400)

$$$$ $755.5 $$$$ Waverider (5/16/06; 19:54:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 144265)

$$$$ $752.7 $$$$ Bubbly (5/16/06; 20:30:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144272)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $735.5 $$$$ Minero (5/17/06; 06:08:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144291)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $732.0 $$$$ jnshirtl (5/18/06; 16:24:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144348)

$$$$ $730.0 $$$$ Whitewaterwoman (5/16/06; 12:17:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 144246)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $727.0 $$$$ Rimh (5/16/06; 15:07:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144256)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $721.1 $$$$ White Rose (5/17/06; 08:31:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 144292)

$$$$ $719.5 $$$$ ASSAY (5/16/06; 09:32:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144235)

$$$$ $718.0 $$$$ Beer Man (5/16/06; 16:37:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144260)

$$$$ $717.6 $$$$ slingshot (5/15/06; 20:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144218)

$$$ FRN717.1 $$$ Smeagol (5/16/06; 22:45:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 144278)

$$$$ $716.0 $$$$ Clink! (5/16/06; 13:04:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144249)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $712.1 $$$$ Solomon Weaver (5/15/06; 22:01:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144225)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $710.5 $$$$ beowulf + (5/17/06; 22:54:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144317)

$$$$ $708.1 $$$$ ChristianMom (5/19/06; 20:55:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144410)

$$$$ $707.7 $$$$ osa104c (5/16/06; 14:57:23MT - usagold.com msg#: 144253)

$$$$ $705.7 $$$$ Boilermaker (5/17/06; 17:16:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144309)

$$$$ $703.9 $$$$ Tuco (5/15/06; 16:33:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144216)

$$$$ $701.5 $$$$ Pal (5/18/06; 06:38:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144328)

$$$$ $700.1 $$$$ Mthirsty1 (5/16/06; 14:58:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144254)
$$$$ $700.0 $$$$ Armageddon (5/17/06; 20:22:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144315)

$$$$ $699.5 $$$$ InternationalIcon (5/19/06; 21:19:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 144415)

$$$$ $698.5 $$$$ servantHeart (5/17/06; 08:43:27MT - usagold.com msg#: 144293)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $696.8 $$$$ Ten Bears (5/17/06; 16:38:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 144307)

$$$$ $694.9 $$$$ Goldendome (5/19/06; 20:00:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 144404)

$$$$ $693.0 $$$$ Gerbil2 (5/19/06; 08:05:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144374)

$$$$ $692.1 $$$$ RD (5/19/06; 19:02:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144401)

$$$$ $690.5 $$$$ pilgrims_gold (5/18/06; 12:09:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144339)

$$$$ $688.7 $$$$ R Powell (5/19/06; 18:14:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144399)

$$$$ $688.4 $$$$ The Hoople (5/19/06; 12:17:31MT - usagold.com msg#: 144388)

$$$$ $686.8 $$$$ Flatliner (5/18/06; 23:30:07MT - usagold.com msg#: 144360)

$$$$ $684.2 $$$$ Ignacioman (5/16/06; 06:45:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144230)

$$$$ $682.2 $$$$ specie-man (5/20/06; 00:10:51MT - usagold.com msg#: 144422)

$$$$ $680.5 $$$$ da2g (5/20/06; 06:09:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144427)

$$$$ $680.1 $$$$ glockmaster19 (5/19/06; 14:42:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144392)
$$$$ $680.0 $$$$ Quickbeam (5/19/06; 13:16:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144389)

$$$$ $679.5 $$$$ Shermag (5/20/06; 08:51:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144431)

$$$$ $678.9 $$$$ Rocky (5/19/06; 16:59:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 144397)

$$$$ $677.7 $$$$ AuVenger (5/18/06; 01:38:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144325)

$$$$ $676.0 $$$$ Max Rabbitz (5/20/06; 06:32:49MT - usagold.com msg#: 144428)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $673.5 $$$$ goldenpeace (5/19/06; 04:32:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144369)

$$$$ $673.3 $$$$ 2Dogs (5/19/06; 14:43:06MT - usagold.com msg#: 144393)

$$$$ $670.2 $$$$ 24karat (5/20/06; 10:49:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144436)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $654.3 $$$$ Tevye (5/19/06; 10:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144383)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $650.0 $$$$ John the Jute (5/20/06; 09:54:12MT - usagold.com msg#: 144433)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $646.2 $$$$ Gonlyold (5/19/06; 23:35:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 144419)

$$$$ $643.4 $$$$ elrayox (5/19/06; 11:37:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144386)

$$$$ $636.8 $$$$ The Alchemist (5/19/06; 20:07:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144406)

$$$$ $635.5 $$$$ olddog (5/18/06; 18:28:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144351)

$$$$ $633.8 $$$$ Black Pearl (5/19/06; 22:02:10MT - usagold.com msg#: 144417)

$$$$ $632.0 $$$$ commish (5/19/06; 23:27:44MT - usagold.com msg#: 144418)

$$$$ $600.0 $$$$ DryWasher (5/19/06; 11:43:51MT - usagold.com msg#: 144387)

$$$$ $575.0 $$$$ kris (5/19/06; 02:09:36MT - usagold.com msg#: 144367)

$$$$ $550.0 $$$$ Zhisheng (5/15/06; 11:27:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144203)
===
<;-)
YGM
(05/20/2006; 11:27:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144440)
$$$675.00$$$
Many, many factors have obviously led to Gold's value increasing over the last few months/years. Saturation points reached in population, world awash in paper Fiats, lack of trust in Gov't stats, fear of a falling dollar, but most of all, the long reach of the internet and the new heightened awarenesss of Gold issues having been raised over the last few years in the minds of so many average investors. The many Gold related websites like our host has provided here, a few others I'll leave unnamed, GATA and Bill Murphy/Chris Powell and a remarkably LONG list of "RELENTLESS" Gold Advocates & Newsletter Writers spreading the truth and reality of paper vs; Gold for so many years thru this long arm of the internet. One must also factor in declining Gold production worldwide, years of little investment in new mine exploration, CB Gold sales stemmed, writers like Ferdinand Lips (Gold Wars) and especially our own FOA and Another who led the way with Gold expose's right here at USA Gold so many years ago. So many reasons, so many new Gold realities that most people never gave a second thought about until the advent of the internets popularity. Maybe we should all just thank Al Gore for inventing the internet LOL. On a serious note, if I had to pick only ONE catalyst for the newfound widespread awareness regarding Gold it would be GATA. Those who supported as well as those who spurned GATA created volumes of writings on both sides of the arguement, thereby putting Gold out there front and center
in all mediums of media. I also consider GATA the key factor to the exposing of the negative impacts of Gold forward selling by Miners and the subsequent closing out of many years worth of Hedges. Today Gold and most all of the nefarious issues surrounding the precious yellow metal have now been exposed to the light of day for all to see. A new dawn has arisen for the greatest store of wealth and financial security the world has ever known....Yukon Gold Miner {YGM}
nugget101
(05/20/2006; 12:50:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144441)
$$$$672.00$$$$
Golds bull run has been driven by a series of events. One, of course, is the US of A's continued devalulation of the dollar by the printing press and its flip side of defecit spending by an out-of-control Congress. This had been mitigated by central bank colusion to keep the gold price down but has now grown so extreme and central bank reserves have been sold down so much, that this is not viable anymore. This has taken decades to build to a head but a more recent development is the decision by foreign central banks to lessen their dollar holdings and/or start selling their oil for currencies other than the dollar. This is one of the reasons Iraq was invaded but too many other countries have found this could be a way to bring down dollar hegemony and can't resist a power play. Everyone is walking around the chairs now and just waiting for the music to stop. I believe that a defining event could be the invasion of Iran or an attack on Iran. This will probably be done after a small nuke is detonated by our government in one of our cities. This will drive gold to new levels but it will be the continued Mexican invasion and eventual rioting in the streets that will drive the nail through the dollar and send the dollar plunging and gold/silver to new heights.
Goldilox
(05/20/2006; 13:13:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144442)
"Gold will Double"
@AuVenger.

Your "City Analyst" is soooo far behind the "trend" that he's ludicrous. Gold has already doubled, and nearly tripled right before the latest "correction".

It's interesting to read these Johnny-come-lately parrots squawk about having it all figured out, even though they were competely clueless two years ago - when gold first "doubled".

As the Mogambo would say, "HAHAHAHAHA!"

At a minumum, I guess it's nice to see the public criers finally jumping on the train, although, they're the breed that JS calls "professional top callers". Watch for them to pull the emergency brakes a little more often than necessary in their ignorance, just to nurture the "volatility".
TownCrier
(05/20/2006; 13:31:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144443)
Goldilox, you're being far less than charitable in your assessment
Or else you overlooked this paragraph where Hilton acknowledges the strong perfomance (the "double" you spoke of) that gold has already experienced.

"...while a 50% rise (in gold for the year ahead) might seem a lot, particularly ON TOP of the distance it has ALREADY come, it is much less in terms of other currencies given the expected fall in the dollar. It is also still substantially less in real terms than the peak of arounds $850 that the metal hit 25 years ago."


For my part, I'd rather be a builder than a wrecking ball.

R.
GR:
(05/20/2006; 13:42:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144444)
Gold Moving Back to 200 Day Moving Average?
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144While 200 DMA will begin a steeper rise about 100 days out from now, I'm concerned that spot will return to and test the 200 DMA.

That price is around $520-525. It's a heckuva decline.

I've just gone long yesterday afternoon, thinking I'll see a quick run up to the middle of the range, to cross 700 again, but afterwards, I experienced buyer's remorse, and I'm wondering what any of you chartists think about this probability.

You don't know me, but I've stated my views for a long time in a forum called flutrackers.com under the thread called GLD.

If you read my postings, you'll know I'm no new kid on the block. Often, I can see the chart direction and can trade it.

Until this matter of market action immediately after a parabolic rise was "stirred" by the possibility of a revisiting of the 200DMA, I saw this action as "choppy waters", with price swinging back and forth to and over a centerline, in this case around 700.

While I acknowledge the parabolic, and I acknowledge that gold attained front page news status, I don't think the long term bull market is "over". To me, it's all in the time frame perspective one takes. Short term, this parabolic is experiencing collapse on the backside of the rise. This is normal and typical. How it plays out is what I'm asking for your thoughts about.

The 1 year, 5 year and 10 year parabolic ascent lines are not yet violated. Nothing's changed to alter my longer term thinking. Even the 6 month parabolic appears yet unpenetrated. But the 30 day has been hammered...expectedly. And that's why I entered long, for my trading account, after its 65-70 pt drop.

(As to my statement that parabolic break was expected by me, if you're interested, read my many posts over at flutrackers. I've stopped posting there as I've been the gift giver, and in fact, all I'd like to do is to read the markets and take advantage of what I deduce (now and then... I ain't able to see it all the time, not by a long shot; but when I'm aware I'm seein' the market as it will unfold, I've termed that window of opportunity, "free money". As full disclosure, I'm very uncomfortable trading...not seeing...but trading. I take 100% positions with physicals and don't give a hoot as it's gone and forgotten; but when at money risk, be it $100 or a heckuva lot more, I get anxious and want to "run away". As an example, I went short at $720, but chickened out when it took 3 more hours for the market to trade into the collapse. I'd like to not do that now.)

I'm not at all tied to any numbers out here. I've very few reference points for this trade I'm in other than my belief that choppy waters extend for more than a few days.

If this parabolic that's failed is the harbinger of the failure of the 6 month parabolic ascent line, then there's room for significant retracement. We all know that the newbies are going to be and are being slaughtered. They were late to the party and now must "die". We also can see that someone's pressing that USD to retrace its recent free fall. I'm assuming this is the big "contest", as to who can win the day...which direction will prevail. Central Banks of course would be happy if gold declined so they can fill their orders at lower prices. Those who were anxious jumped in already; but there's so much buying power in the Chinese and anti-US economic bloks, someone amongst them will step and the others will surge after as nobody wants to lose the opportunity. The only question is when has the decline dropped enough that those first buyers will start to seriously feed at the gold trough.

Probably I should have waited for a full 10%, 74 pt, pullback to the 665 area, and even then been cautious as a 100 point pullback would be a more round number.

I'm wondering if any trader here thinks I've jumped the gun entering long again too early.

Your well-thought, experienced thoughts are most welcomed.
AuVenger
(05/20/2006; 14:08:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144445)
Hi Goldilox!
"Gold will Double"
@AuVenger.

Your "City Analyst" is soooo far behind the "trend" that he's ludicrous.



I agree - what got me laughing in the pub was actually seeing this in the mainstream press - yes, he's a died in the wool analyst who only half gets what the hell is happening - but it sorta confirms to me that we are certainly in a new era ... and some of his pronouncements were bizarre, to say the least...



Gold has already doubled, and nearly tripled right before the latest "correction".

It's interesting to read these Johnny-come-lately parrots squawk about having it all figured out, even though they were competely clueless two years ago - when gold first "doubled".



I think Mr Hilton is still pretty clueless! But at least it has sunk in with him that gold (he never mentioned silver) is the pretty much only choice for those in a flight to quality panic...




As the Mogambo would say, "HAHAHAHAHA!"



One of my must reads every week, I'll paste in his latest below...




At a minumum, I guess it's nice to see the public criers finally jumping on the train,




Absolutely! they will wake the herd, eventually...




although, they're the breed that JS calls "professional top callers". Watch for them to pull the emergency brakes a little more often than necessary in their ignorance, just to nurture the "volatility".



Sure - personally speaking I'm hoping for some volatility, so that I can buy in as low as possible. I do have �50k available, but not for a couple of months - my gut instinct now is that I should buy in at whatever the price is when I have the funds available...


Cheers!



My apologies if this has already been posted...


The death throes of the scumbags

Richard Daughty
...the angriest guy in economics
The Mogambo Guru
Archives
May 17, 2006

-- Total Fed Credit was up only $1.6 billion last week, and while the custody holdings of foreign banks at the Fed was up a strong $9.2 billion last week, I chose to start off the lecture by dryly saying "The big news, to me, is that the dollar has started collapsing. There are so many ugly ramifications of this that I would not even know where to begin. So, let me merely say that the dollar falling is Unalloyed Bad News (UBN), which means that you and your family are all doomed to die horrible financial deaths, screaming in pain and anger, and let it go at that."

The room erupted in panic and confusion until they finally remembered that I am an idiot, and I obviously don't know what I am talking about. Then they all felt better, until Doug Noland, he of the Credit Bubble Bulletin at the PrudentBear.com site, said "Everyone wants to believe that an orderly decline in the dollar poses few problems."

Mr. Noland, if I understand him correctly (and the chances of that are pretty damned slim, given my obvious cognitive limitations and deficits), is slightly less pessimistic than I am about the possibility of an "orderly decline" in the value of the dollar. I am so pessimistic (audience shouts out "How pessimistic, Mogambo?") that security camera video footage reveals screaming in fear, actual foaming at the mouth, and I seem to have embarrassingly peed in my pants, too, out of the same fear. Now, THAT'S pessimistic!

Mr. Noland, because he is a real smart and classy guy, doesn't even mention the dark stain on my pants, but presents, instead, a lot of tightly-argued reasons why an "orderly decline" of the dollar seems improbable. I, on the other hand, am The Mogambo! And I am sure, absolutely sure, more sure than anything I have ever been sure of, and in fact, this is probably the single-most thing that I have been the most sure of in my whole horrible, wasted life, and that is that the decline of the dollar will NOT be "orderly." It will be abrupt and ugly. A quote that comes to mind, although uttered as a comment on people's lives, is "Nasty, brutish and short."

My Infallible Mogambo Reasoning (IMR) is along the lines of "Suppose I told you that your money would gradually and continuously lose a lot of its value. Maybe half. Or more. My intuition tells me that you would not be happy."

I pause to gauge your reaction, which ranges between homicidal anger and paralyzing fear. Exactly so! Then I go on to say "But that same intuition tells me that you WOULD be happy, very happy, if I told you that I knew of a way to let you keep all your wealth, and you would not lose anything!" Ha! I can see by that smile on your face that I was right!

So how to achieve this miracle of wealth-preservation? All you have to do is sell all your dollars and dollar-denominated assets today, before the dollar is devalued further! Then you'd like to stick someone else with the whole loss!

Now you are ready for today's Mogambo Daily Pop Quiz (MDPQ). The question is "Would YOU stick around to take your share of financial lumps, of up to half of your net worth (or more), meted out month after month, year after year, in a promised 'orderly decline', or would you sell out now, and not take any lumps at all?"

Hahaha! Me neither! And neither will anybody else! So it's a trick question! At first, a few will say "That stupid Mogambo moron (SMM) is right, for once in his miserable, pathetic life!" and they will rush to the exits to get someplace to dump dollars. And then a few more will rush to get out, as little light bulbs blink "on" above their heads. And then a few more. And then more and more and more until it is a stampede!

Hahaha! A stampede! Maybe it will be an "orderly stampede!" Hahahaha! "Orderly decline, orderly stampede! You say to-may-to, and I say to-mah-to!" Hahaha!

If, on the other hand, you answered "yes" to the question, then I am sorry to tell you that you failed the test, but I will not record your failing grade in your permanent record if you write a little paragraph or two explaining what in the hell is wrong with you, and then I will have pity on you.

And it is not just the same dreary story about too many prescription drugs, and too many over-the-counter drugs, and too many illegal drugs, or even that all these people left in a rude rush to dump dollars and dollar-denominated assets, but that the more important point is "Where did they go?" I'll tell you where they went! They went home and quickly scanned the entire course of economic history to find out where all the OTHER people in history went, when THEIR economic system started down the crapper, thanks to the same sorry stupid economic sins we have committed today.

I will save you the trouble of getting up off of your fat, lazy butt to find out, as I share your opinion about getting up off of my fat, lazy butt, and all the damned time, too. So I will simply tell you what happened: Those who bought gold and silver preserved all of their wealth as their currency and economy took a dump, and they actually ended up with a fortune in gold. Everybody else did not.

And the reason may be contained in a witticism by reader Greg, who opines "Gold acts as a magnet to draw in excess fiat money."

Or the answer may be contained in the recent tune, "Purchase Power," by Steve Dore, of Boogiewoogie.com. It contains this perfectly true universal truth concerning price inflation vis-�-vis gold, in a handy sixteen-bar format:

"It's not the metal that's goin' up, it's the dollar goin' down,
Printing presses print away, but no store of value's found,
Over the years, as paper fails, as it will always do,
Gold endures the test of time, pure wealth, tried and true."

But no matter what the reason, they made money by accumulating gold, and the guys who made a fortune in gold went on to make bigger fortunes when they traded the gold for stocks, bonds, houses and real estate at the lows of the economic collapse, and they again prospered as the market values of all these things eventually went back up in the following decades after the collapse.

And if you want to see the advantage of gold in real-life action, then listen to this, from an essay written by Eric N. Young entitled "The Hyperinflation of Germany, July 1922-November 1923". He writes that in 1923, at roughly the height of the Weimar inflation and the end of Reichmark, "Although a loaf of bread cost $200 million marks in November 1923, it was possible to purchase an entire city block of prime commercial real estate in downtown Berlin for as little as $500 US dollars hard currency. The key was to have real money in the form of gold or silver, or currency backed by those metals."

An entire city block of prime real estate! Thanks to a gold-backed money! Of course, it took a long time (made even longer by WWII, which was, in turn, caused by the German people rebelling against inflation and injustice), but what is an entire city block of commercial real estate in Berlin worth today? Hahaha! A very long time horizon, to be sure, but that's how it works in real life!

So, from this fabulous bit of information we can generate one Fabulous Mogambo Market-Timing Tip (FMMTT) for those who are in the category of "Hyper-Aggressive Speculator", and the sub-species "All-Or-Nothing Risk Tolerance." At this stage of the cycle, the best advice to these people is liquidate every dollar-denominated asset they have (like cash, houses, stocks and bonds and everything in their retirement accounts), and use the money to buy silver and gold and commodities."

And the reason a lot of people don't do that may be for the same reason quizzical reader Roberta R. wonders about when she writes "I am writing to you about the paradigm of cashing in gold for fiat (money). I firmly believe in holding hard assets such as gold or silver; but what I have always had a hard time with is the concept of cashing in the gold. As you stated in your editorial, the Reichmark collapsed so far down that it took 87 trillion of them to buy an oz. of Au.

"This is where my brain begins to hurt. Now I am the proud owner of 87 trillion Reichmarks (FRN's) and maybe I can buy a couple loaves of bread. So, you cash out something with a real intrinsic value and you get fiat junk. But it just seems to me that you are back to square one the minute you sell."

She finished with "Working on a headache, Roberta."

I was happy to tell her that she was exactly right! She WAS back to square one! That's the beauty of gold! The answer why is contained in the problem: How much gold does it take to buy one loaf of bread, which costs $2 a loaf when gold is at $700 an ounce? Answer: 1/350th of an ounce. (You can buy 350 loaves of bread with one ounce of gold).

And then how much gold does it take to buy a $200 million loaf of bread when gold is at $87 trillion per ounce? Answer: 1/435,000th of an ounce! You can buy 435,000 loaves of bread with one ounce of gold! Hahaha! A little tiny flake of your gold ounce ought to do it! Hahaha!

So, Roberta, thanks to gold, your buying power has been preserved. THAT'S the beauty of the stuff! And in this particular example, you actually got wealthier, as bread became over 1,000 times cheaper in terms of gold! But notice that the bread cost 100 million times more, in terms of dollars!

-- Things are getting bizarre, as the huge losses in the gold-manipulation scheme of the last couple of decades comes unraveled, and the shorts are forced to either buy massive amounts of gold to cover their enormous short position, or do nothing and continue to lose more and more money. As a result of this panic and desperation, the gold lease rates are gyrating up and down, gold is zooming up and down, and the shares bouncing around. It's weird!

As proof, I refer you to Eric J. Fry, of RudeAwakening.com, who notes that "During the month of April, more than 40,000 metals futures contracts were changing hands every day, on average. That's double the volumes of the prior month and TEN times the volumes of the prior year."

There have been a lot of happy guys on the long side of those contracts that made a lot of money, while a matching lot of other guys are un-happy because they were the guys on the other, losing, side of those trades.

And they have plenty more potential losses due to their still-outstanding massive short positions. Therefore they are using their market-manipulating skills in a desperate, life-or-death fight. To capitalize on their well-deserved misery, and make a lot of money doing it, simply buy more gold and silver every time they succeed in driving the price down.

-- Bob C., who works at JP Morgan, reports that their bullion department reports that they are danger of exceeding their computer data capacity, which "currently only caters for a gold price of $999.999999. We have been asked to cater for a possible $1000.00 gold price within the next few months." Very interesting! Thanks, Bob!

-- If you are thinking of selling options as part of some money-making scheme, let me offer this bit of news; the guy who makes the market in those options is allowed to liquidate your short option position anytime they want to, and you will not even know about it for days. In short, you may be forced to absorb their losses. This happened to me more times than I care to remember, and was certainly NOT in the profit/loss options-trading model I had developed. Soon I swore that I would never again go short an option. And I never did, either.

-- I get a real kick out of people, like the Federal Reserve's chairman and governors, who admit that, "Yes, commodities are rising in price like some kind of rocket ship to the moon, but since inflation in a few, selected statistics (that ignore food and energy) are low, that means that the commodity price rises have not filtered into final prices, and therefore we are justified in keeping interest rates low." Hahahaha!

As an example, the Producer Price Index was up by a blistering 0.9% in April. Yet, the "core" rate was, after powerful massage, up only 0.1% or some other preposterous figure. But the ugly fact is that prices were up 0.9%! And ignoring them does not make that basic truism disappear. Prices were up 0.9% in one month!! And take particular notice the two exclamation points, which is a reliable measure of how hard my teeth are grinding together in anger and fear.

But I grow weary of standing on the roof, dressed in a darling ballerina tutu and firing an AK-47 assault rifle into the air to get people's attention, just so that I can wake these idiot people up to the fact that their money is being destroyed by inflation, and how they are such idiots to allow it, and how I hate them for their stupidity, and what their stupidity has done to us. But my rooftop antics don't work in practice as well as they do in theory, and I may soon stop it altogether, although I'd hate to give up the tiara.

So, taking a Bold, New Mogambo Tack (BNMT), I am now in contention for the Pulitzer Prize for Best Editorial Cartoon In Economics. It's a real nice two-panel job, and in the first panel, see, the scene is this drunken guy driving a beat-up, hopped-up convertible down a mountain road, and he is popping steroids, tranquilizers and anti-anxiety pills like candy. The car has "The Economy" written on its side, and the steroids are labeled "Federal Reserve credit expansion", and the pills are labeled "Fiat Money", the bottle of liquor he is drinking is "Government spending."

In the second panel, the car has, predictably, careened off the cliff. As it begins to plummet to the bottom of the cliff, a long, long way down, Federal Reserve officials in the foreground are holding microphones as they look into the camera, earnestly saying "Well, there is no damage yet! So it looks like all is well! Thus, monetary policy is still in 'accommodating' mode! Back to you in the studio, Ted!"

Now, THAT'S a nice cartoon! I am sure to win the fame and recognition that I so desperately crave, instead of the humiliation and failure that I so richly deserve. And it must be good, because Emanuel Balarie doesn't even try to compete against me, and instead wimps out, resorting to mere prose as he penned the essay "$1000 Gold: It May Be Here Sooner Than You Think," where he writes "I expect the high energy prices and higher raw material costs to eventually pass through to the Core CPI by the end of the year."

I am sure that he is right when he says "I also believe we that we will have a spike in the Core CPI that will force the data dependent Fed to both acknowledge inflation and raise rates. Acknowledging inflation will drive a further round of buying into Gold, which has always been an anti-inflationary hedge. Higher rates will accelerate the housing slowdown, curb consumer spending, and have an adverse effect on the overvalued stock market. I do believe that we will most likely experience a crash in the stock market, rather than a slow decline."

-- If you want the optimal, and probable, solution to our nation's economic difficulties, here it is, as horrific as it sounds: We get into a shooting war with a powerful group of enemies that we owe money to, thus giving us the "right" to default on our debt to them. Then the government declares martial law and suspends the Constitution and Bill of Rights, giving them the power to confiscate our property and lives. And since I said "optimal", then expect the use of biological weapons to kill the older people, thus solving the Social Security and Medicare crisis, by reducing the population of old people. And most importantly, most of our infrastructure is destroyed, thus providing a lot of future work (and vast fortunes) after the war.

This is the kind of repugnant, horrifying things that have always become inevitable when you had a fiat currency, especially one created by debt, and when the people let the government (or, in this case, the Federal Reserve, the government's willing whore) produce too much of it.

-- With all the hoopla over the newly proposed tax cuts, I would like to take this opportunity to declare that tax cuts do not necessarily have an effect on the economy. Either you spend the money, or the government takes the money from you, and spends it. Either way, it gets spent. The only difference is HOW the money is spent.

If both the government and I plan to spend the money in the same way, say, on a new computer and a rocket launcher, then the economy is boosted by the manufacture (and sale) of one computer and one rocket launcher, no matter who buys them. The economy gains, and is unaffected by who bought them.

But if the government instead decides to spend the money on, say, increased welfare benefits, then the economy loses the sale of one computer and one rocket launcher, and the incentive to produce more of them, but it gains more subsistence consumption. Thus the economy mutates. But the same amount of money is spent.

Nowadays, "growth" in GDP is created only by increasing debt, which creates new money, which increases prices, which is also a measure of an increase in GDP, and then the inflation that produced the higher prices (and thus the higher GDP) is ignored, making it look like the economy "grew."

-- The famous letter that Iran sent Bush has been completely dismissed by the White House and by the American press, but not here at the Mogambo Bunker. And the reason is that it said that democracy has failed, and boy, oh boy, are the Iranians ever right about that!

It is democracy run amok here in America that has produced a huge, suffocating, expensive, socialist, communist, fascist system of local, state and federal government that consumes almost half of the income in the country. And then gives a monthly check to almost half of the people in America. And it is a government system that employs one out of every six workers in the whole country.

And why is the government doing this? Because the people, democratically, have created that kind of government! Year after year after year, decade after decade, they elected and re-elected people who actually campaign on a platform of providing a free lunch to more, and then more, and then yet more "deserving" people and organizations. This is insane! This is absolutely, preposterously, my-head-is-exploding, I-can't-believe-I'm-seeing-this insane! And if that ain't failure of democracy, then what in the hell is it?

And as for the Iranian's call for a more "religion-based" economy, the Bible is full of timeless, correct, and classic economic wisdom, all the way from the insistence on honest weights and measures to the admonition to "neither a borrower nor a lender be."

If we had merely (if nothing else!) adhered to the requirement of honest weights and measures, for example, then our money would still be gold (or function like it), inflation would always be zero, and there would be no frightening income mal-distributions (which is the condition where there are some people who are very, very rich, versus many, many, very, very, poor, poor people), because it would have been impossible with a fixed stock of money. It would be impossible for the rich to accumulate so much money, as it would constitute having accumulated ALL the damned money!

Instead, we have a fiat currency, produced by excess creation of credit and debt by the banks, which produces more money, which flows to the rich, creating obscene income disparity, and the attendant woes, one of which is the inflation in prices and social unrest that is going to consume us in a roaring bonfire.

Ugh.

***Mogambo sez: The recent $22 plunge in gold and $2 plunge in silver is just the death throes of the scumbags who have engineered the huge short interest in metals futures, and are now being choked to death by it. Every dip like that is Lady Fate smiling on you, letting you buy gold and silver at a temporary bargain! Whee! Lucky you!

May 16, 2006
Topaz
(05/20/2006; 15:17:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144446)
John Law, (not his real name)
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5205.htmInteresting w-end read with a plethora of related links at the end of part 2.

Goldilox
(05/20/2006; 16:08:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144447)
HIlton
And when have you known me to be "charitable" to analysts?

I try to give newbees at the forum the benefit of doubt, but analysts who release a big, bold prediction when they weren't around for the first legs up are doing no more than trumpeting old news, IMHO.

He may be right, but he's late to the party.

I had a broker in 2000 call me and say "buy Cisco and Qualcomm". Well, he was right, but had already missed 75% of the moves and had nasty corrections on the near horizon.

I pointed out a lot more tech marvels to my broker than he ever did for me, but I was attending the IEEE network standards meetings, and I could readily see which companies had a clue, and which ones were riding the bubble.

After all the research most here have done in the PM market, not many broker types are gonna surprise us with great bargains.

For every gold mine, there are 100 dry holes, and most here know when they're speculating, and when they're saving.
968
(05/20/2006; 16:09:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144448)
Asia, the US Dollar and Global Imbalances.
http://www.bis.org/speeches/sp060518.pdfMalcolm D Knight, General Manager, Bank for International Settlements

SNIPS :

"First, recent years have seen very large and persistent current account imbalances in anumber of countries and regions. The cumulative effect of these sustained imbalances has been a buildup of stocks of external assets and liabilities that are now very large relative to
the underlying economies.
Second, especially from the point of view of emerging markets, the imbalances are being financed in anomalous and unusual ways.
Third, the US external current account deficit itself is partly the result of an unusual distribution of savings and investment across domestic sectors within the United States."

"The chart indicates that during this period there has been one large external current account deficit � that of the United States � and a number of more modest surpluses, spread around the globe. And this pattern has become more pronounced over time. In 2000, as shown by the yellow bars, the major current account surpluses were those of Japan and East Asia, including India, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand. By 2005, as shown by the green bars, China and the Gulf states had become major surplus economies on a par with Japan.
In the case of the Gulf states there is, of course, a ready explanation: the rise in world oil prices has caused the GDP of these countries to grow much faster than their domestic demand. In the case of China and east Asia, however, it is remarkable that these emerging economies
are a major source of net external financing for capital-rich economies, particularly the United States. I believe this anomaly is unlikely to persist. If it is not adjusted by appropriate policy actions, starting soon, it will eventually be adjusted by market forces. And this could lead to unsatisfactory macroeconomic outcomes over a number of years for many, if not most, players in the global economy."

"The yellow bars are investments by the Asian public sector, which we know to be largely central banks. The green bars are investments by the private sector in these countries. By far the larger share of Asian countries� financial investments in the United States are placed by their public sectors. And these are mostly held in US dollar-denominated fixed-income instruments � US Treasuries and agencies � rather than in US corporate bonds or equities. When I look at the two charts, it is clear to me that we are not seeing an exchange of risky
local assets that enhances global risk diversification. So the current pattern of gross capital flows is unlikely to be sustainable in the longer term."

�Now let us turn to the US current account deficit (the solid line in Chart 3), which has risen from 2% of US GDP in 1998 to over 5% in 2005. At root, of course, the development of this deficit depends on what is happening to saving by US households, firms and governments relative to domestic investment. But when we ask the question of who is doing the saving and who is doing the investing, the answer is surprising. The bars in this chart show net savings in the United States by each aggregate sector (so they add algebraically to the US current account balance). The green bar represents the US
government sector and it shows what we all know � that the US fiscal deficit is contributing to the US external deficit. The yellow bar shows a simple estimate of net saving by US households. I have calculated net household saving by subtracting, from total household savings, investment in residential housing. Here we see that this measure of net saving by households has not only been
negative but, in 2005, was an even bigger negative factor than the fiscal deficit in shaping the US current account deficit and its financing. The brown segment shows the US corporate sector. Since 2002, this sector has been a net
provider of savings � that is, the savings of the US corporate sector have exceeded its aggregate investment in fixed capital. This behaviour by US households and corporations is highly unusual. It is surely one reason
why we are in a longer-term disequilibrium."

The cumulative US current account deficit over the 6-year period � roughly the increase in the dollardenominated
liabilities of US residents to the rest of the world over that period � amounts to some $3.2 trillion!
Such large deficits can be sustained only if non-US residents remain ever more willing to purchase very large amounts of US dollar debt. We know that this cannot continue forever. Ultimately, the world must somehow adjust.
Rather than dwelling on what the international adjustment process would look like if it took place entirely through markets without supporting policy measures,, let me close by focusing on what needs to be done so that the adjustment is orderly and reasonably smooth."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice analysis, unfortenally Mr. Knights' solution will not be workable...
phil288
(05/20/2006; 16:25:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144449)
$$$$648.1$$$$
The double bottom in 2000/2001 at about 252 was clearly the numerical turning point to the current bull market for gold, aided and abetted by the Washington Agreement limiting the sale of bullion by the major central banks to 500 tons per year. Some saw this limitation as an attempt to prevent the market from falling further but actually it was the opposite as an attempt to guarantee at least that much metal would be available anually to help the bullion banks to cover their shorts and thus delay their covering on their own. The powers that be could see the potential for the dollar to weaken under credit growth stress and the Washington Agreement was a vain attempt to prevent short covering from getting out of control. It was not completely successful, but only bought some time before it became clear the the dollar was on its way down from 120 on the index. Without the continual suppression of the price of gold, the fall of the dollar below 80 would have been sooner and the strong dollar of 2005 would not have been so pronounced, as the potential 15000 tons worth of short covering would have buried the world's financial system. How this all plays out is yet to be determined, but by the time this commodities bull tops out, gold will be well north of $3,000 per ounce with the fiat dollar and most of the world's currencies headed to their intrinsic value near zero.
Black Blade
(05/20/2006; 16:25:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144450)
$$$$660.00$$$$
Don't Put A Fork In It Yet!

We have seen the volatility of a secular bull market up close and personal, and that has been very evident lately. The gyrations in the price of Gold from between $657 to $730 in the last week have been "gut-wrenching" for many investors in the precious metals. The reasons for these price swings are many but the secular bull market remains intact, as nothing fundamentally different has changed. The US Dollar continues to be put under severe pressure as the Current Account, Trade and Federal Budget Deficits continuously build to unsustainable levels. The bizarre reports that the "Trade Gap" as "narrowed" is rather amusing considering that these measures are cumulative and I have not seen any report in decades where the U.S. side of the equation has been positive. The National Debt continues to climb and now surpasses $54 Trillion (including off budget items).

The Federal Reserve and the US Treasury combined forces this last week to talk up and give support to the US Dollar and to beat down commodities. This is a very dangerous game that can easily backfire (in fact I am counting on it). The recent CPI and PPI data (even with dubious "statistical massage") is ominous for any American and Foreign holders of debt, equities and real estate. As rates rise for US debt, the holders of bonds and treasuries must be getting a bit nervous as the value of their holdings decline. Homeowners with exotic and adjustable rate loans are especially nervous as house payments rise eating away at the sole source of savings for many Americans.

Real Inflation is finally being recognized by the financial media (recently - several network talking heads, televised Carnival Barkers, The Wall Street Journal, Investor Business Daily, Financial Times, Bloomberg and CNBC) in spite of relentless "Fed Speak" and monthly BLS press releases. Hard assets remain attractive because of "negative real rates" in spite of a long series of Federal Reserve rate increases. As the Federal Reserve continuously raises the prime rate to support the dollar and fight inflation, the pressure is on ordinary Americans who are the backbone of the economy. When they stop spending "disposable income" and borrowing against the family home, then "turn out the lights". At that point those who are debt free and holding hard assets will be the true survivors.

Bull markets (cyclical or secular) never rise in a straight line without periodic corrections along the way. The nervous novices jump ship at the slightest sign of weakness usually to get left behind in the overall bull market run. The Hedge Funds, Mutual Funds and Investment Banks (and perhaps some Central Bankers) have been selling down their commodity portfolios to lock in profits on fears of continued rate hikes and on the incompetence of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (and the Federal Reserve governors) and US Treasury Secretary John Snow. However, we have seen this happen many times before. They also have been profiting by taking short positions as they are in the position to manipulate (or as they say "manage" the markets). We don't have that luxury so we take a look at the longer view. Fundamentally the long-term trend is "cash is trash" and hard assets are will outperform.

We are still in the early stages of a multi-year secular bull market. Since this current secular bull market began about 1999-2000, I would expect the overall trend to continue to 2014-2021. How high the price of Gold can go is related to how long and how strong the forces are that drive "real inflation" (sans absurd "statistical massage" filters and dubious statistical methodologies). To match the "gold price spike" of $850/oz. reached in 1980, we would have to see $2200/oz. Now adjusted for inflation (a testament to the decline of the "value" of the US Dollar). However, we are now in uncharted territory as we have long ago passed the "tipping point" for the dollar. We must face the fact that this country will never ever pay off the National Debt (or have the resources to continuously service these rising levels of debt). At some point the holders of US debt will be holding the bag as ultimately the US government defaults like most every other world government at some point before it (Remember Germany, Remember Russia? Remember Mexico? Remember Argentina?�..). How high can Gold go? Does it matter? Especially when the corresponding unit of value (the Dollar) fails to have any value. Remember also that physical Gold is not an "investment" in the normal sense but rather "insurance" to preserve capital.

"As always, get out of debt and stay out of debt, stash enough cash for several months expenses, accumulate Gold and Silver as "portfolio insurance", and start a storage program of nonperishable food and basic necessities."

- Black Blade
AuVenger
(05/20/2006; 16:39:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144451)
Hilton Shmilton
Goldilox (5/20/06; 16:08:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144447)
HIlton
And when have you known me to be "charitable" to analysts?

I try to give newbees at the forum the benefit of doubt, but analysts who release a big, bold prediction when they weren't around for the first legs up are doing no more than trumpeting old news, IMHO.

He may be right, but he's late to the party.




Yes he's late, but my whole point is the guy is mainstream, one of those folks who always said gold was dead in the water - yet here he is facing up to what we all know on this forum, and better still, he is spilling the beans on the guessing game that Citigroup and Lloyds brokers are playing during a black tie dinner - i.e. guessing the POG in 12 months time! Now I find that particularly illuminating, and a definite sign that we are in new territory.

These are the sort of tidbits that INTEL folks call 'chatter' - and all chatter IMHO must go into the mix.

Oh and BTW I am not a newbie, I have posted as AuVenger here many times before, although some years ago. I was here when Another and FOA were posting, lived in Denver, and bought gold personally at the Denver offices from Mr Kosares and his team. They gave me free copies of the ANOTHER/FOA book - now sent to another goldbug buddy in Washington State!

Cheers!

AuVenger
RobertG
(05/20/2006; 17:19:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144452)
Contest
$$$$663.00$$$

One of the primary movers of the price of gold is Mr George W Bush. Since he has incurred more national debt than all the the previous presidents combined people all around the world are becoming more dubious about holding US dollars. And obviously gold is a great alternative to the US dollar. As he continues to spend gold will continue to rise. That, plus the antics of the Gold Cartel should ensure all of us "goldbugs" a nice return on our gold investments in the years to come.
hirise
(05/20/2006; 18:24:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144453)
$$$$$$$$$$ $695.15 $$$$$$$$$$$
I think there's no question that the POG has been heavily manipulated over the last few years in order to keep it down and allay fears about the lunacy of the international fiat monestary system. Gold has always been the enemy of out-of-control governments. GATA's exposure of the manipulation, the manipulators and the methods to all who are willing to hear internationally has, I believe, encouraged individuals and nations to buy physical, and has thus modified the suppression to some degree, and the price has risen accordingly, although the suppression is still in force, and neither gold nor silver have reached anything near what they should be valued in terms of fiat, or in relation to other commodities.
Nomad
(05/20/2006; 18:47:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144454)
(No Subject)

$$$$ $658.7 $$$$

I think the main mover of gold was 911. It exposed the USA as vulnerable to attack, not just physically, but in other ways as well. Like a wolf pack, other countries have smelled blood for some time and this weakness has been translated into rising inflation and instability in the dollar which translates into a higher gold price.
Black Blade
(05/20/2006; 18:47:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144455)
Don't Put A Fork In It Yet (Part II)

Don't Put A Fork In It Yet (Part II)

Perhaps I should have gone deeper into the rising value of Gold. We certainly cannot dismiss the importance of geopolitical and supply-demand.

The world has always been a dangerous place and today is no different. Wars and conquests have been about the taking and securing of resources by one nation or groups of nations from another nation or groups of nations. That was the case in ancient times, that was the case during the "Manifest Destiny" of the westward expansion in the US, that was the case of both the World Wars in the last century and that is the case today. As natural resources are the building blocks of manufacturing and are critical to the survival of every people in every nation, we should not be surprised to see wars at every point of human history going forward. The most critical commodity now and in the immediate future is oil. Tomorrow it will likely be food and potable water. As global tensions rise and wars erupt around the globe, people have and always will look for a means to protect their wealth, and certainly Gold and Silver will always be at the top of the list.

Today is no different than at any other time in history and the future will be the same. After all, Gold and Silver are the only universally recognized forms of money that have a long history stretching over 5,000 years (at least based on the earliest Thracian evidence). The detractors in the United States financial community will say that Gold is a "sterile" investment because almost all that was ever mined in the past is still around today and that it does not yield "interest". However, the world's population has grown considerably far outpacing man's ability to mine enough Gold to satisfy global demand. There is less Gold per capita now than at most any period in the past since Gold was first used as "money". The cost to mine and process Gold and its extreme rarity makes it the perfect form of money. Anyone can print a stock certificate or a bond. I would even suggest that these are in effect "sterile" investments (few stocks or bonds yield enough "interest" to keep pace with the ravages of "real inflation").

A Gold standard has been discontinued because it limits corrupt politicians and profiteers in the investment community from spending beyond the limits of staying within a well-defined budget. Since the then President Richard Millhouse Nixon closed the "Gold Window" in 1974 in response to the irresponsible and ill advised spending of "Great Society" and the costs of the Vietnam War under President Lyndon Baines Johnson. The dollar has depreciated by about 96%. Each succeeding presidential administration has been pressured to spend more depreciating dollars to fund ever more pet projects endorsed by corrupt men and women in our nation's Congress. The trend is now irreversible because there are few if any honest men and women in that pit of corruption we call Washington D.C. nor are many left in our nations financial centers. The return to "honest money" is now in the hands of honest individual men and women taking personal responsibility by accumulating "portfolio insurance".

When two-thirds of the world's population prefers and uses hard assets as money over paper currency then Gold and Silver will always have significant value. How often do we see currencies blow up or that are discontinued only to be replaced with some new paper currency (usually adding a few zeros) leaving the "bag holder" with something worth much less (remember the Mexican Peso, the Argentine Peso, the German Mark, the Japanese Yen, the Asian Contagion of southern Asian countries, etc�.). Travel to most any Third World country and offer to pay a vendor for some item in either paper currency or in Gold and see what form of payment is preferred by the vendor (been there and done that). Go to South and Southeast Asia and note the pervasive use of Gold chain where links are cut off and used as "money". It is only in the western nations (primarily the United States) where is Gold disrespected.

Today we know that there is a shift of material wealth in the form of Gold moving from West to east. The Peoples Bank of China has been long rumored to be accumulating Gold to diversify reserves. They report little and yet the evidence suggests that they have accumulated a substantial amount of Gold. They have been rumored to have been the major buyer of the Bank of England's gold during the disastrous auctions under the guidance of exchequer Gordon Brown. They are also rumored to be the major buyer of the recent Swiss Gold Sales. They also have had contracts with at least one major South African miner to buy production. Other Asian bankers have been known to be buyers including The South Korean Central Bank and the Philippine Central Bank. Then of course more discussion on this matter can be carried over to the Middle East region as the influx of petrodollars have been used to purchase more Gold and Silver. Meanwhile, western central bankers have mostly empty vaults after lending out Gold as loans in the great "carry trade" of the 1980s and 1990's � loaned Gold that will likely never ever be returned to the bankers vaults.

Miners have yet to return to production levels of the 1970's and 1980's after suffering low Gold prices and gutting the heart out of deposits just to survive. Most miners were losing money when the price of Gold fell below $300/oz. In fact the industry "break even" point was closer to about $340-$360/oz. through the 1990's. Many miners were forced into disastrous forward sales contracts that drove some to financial collapse and bankruptcy and others to near bankruptcy (i.e. Cambior, Ashanti Gold, Emperor Mines, etc.). The low Gold price had another unfortunate consequence. That was little exploration work was done and many development projects were shelved as current mining depleted ore reserves. As it takes between 5-7 years to just permit a new mine and several more years to finish construction before actual mining begins, it is obvious that global Gold demand will continue to outpace new mine supply for several more years. Even so, the "low hanging fruit" has already been picked. There are few low cost miners because the easy to find and extract Gold has already largely been "harvested".

Obviously the fundamentals alone for Gold and Silver remain very strong.

- Black Blade


We are only scratching the surface of a complex subject. The discussion could fill volumes. When it comes to Gold and Silver - just get it while you can. There are reasons why ownership was illegal in the past and is illegal in some countries still. The powerful fear it, the corrupt covet it, and free people need it.

Nomad
(05/20/2006; 18:56:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144456)
(No Subject)

I forgot to add, I think what we are looking at over the next 5 years or so is super inflation so gold could go extremely high in terms of FRN's - I think $ 10,000 + per ounce is not out of the question. Near that point though I think it will reach bubble-like status, just like the dot.com bomb and the real estate bubble, the same foolish people are still around looking to jump on yet another fiasco in the making. Gold will at some point reach bubble status as well. When the gold/commodity bubble collapses, then we'll be looking at a massive deflationary depression.
Goldilox
(05/20/2006; 19:08:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144457)
Hilton Schmilton
@ AuVenger,

I was not posting AT you, rather just reflecting on Hilton's tardiness. I agree with all your points, even as you note that the mainstream is "getting it". I'm not so sure they are "getting it", but at least they are "mentioning IT!"
AuVenger
(05/20/2006; 19:53:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144458)
No Worries Goldilox
I hear ya, I just selfishly hope they *don't* get IT and spread the word until I have a chance to load up to the max! LOL

Cheers!

AuVenger

contrarian
(05/20/2006; 19:57:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144459)
$$$$$$$642.0$$$$$$$$$$
I think the seminal event in launching gold upward was the discontinuation of M3 reporting, as it indicated the Fed was serious about hyperinflating the currency. I think it can go to $30,000 per ounce, thereby roughly corresponding to the amount of FRN toilet paper in existence.
Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 20:04:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144460)
TA TA TAAAAAA TaTaTaTaaaaaaaaaaaaa, TA ta TA ta TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <;-)
LESS THAN four (4) hours to go before POG Contest ENTRY DEADLINE !!!
<;-)
otish mountain
(05/20/2006; 20:59:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144461)
$$$$664.40$$$$
First of all Thank you Centennial Precious Metals for this fine forum.
The pivotal event for the beginning of the bull run for gold has to be the Washington Agreement in 1999. This historic meeting was recorded with the jump in the price of gold off its lows, and therefore ending the secular bear market for gold.
All events which could be considered gold friendly after the Washington Agreement only reinforce the new secular bull market for gold.
How far can the price of gold go? I would have to say that I am in another's camp with this call @ $30,000.00 /oz

Thank You
Golden Lionheart
(05/20/2006; 21:07:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144462)
$$$$$$$683.20$$$$$$$
For me the flex point occured when Dubya "engineered" a second term in the Casa Blanca. This signalled the end of the American Dream and sent thinking people to invest in gold worldwide.
7nomads
(05/20/2006; 21:07:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144463)
$$$$$647.0$$$$$
Gold is on the roll. The point is the US dollar is not being accepted as it once was. Too many dollars out there now. Of course those that have been on the "trail" have known this all along.

The point is that federal reserve notes have never been money. Never will be.

All the best.
Golden Lionheart
(05/20/2006; 21:11:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144464)
O0ps........................
Should have added my guess that gold will go to $1600 at which time many people will become sellers because they think the price has reached a peak.
Druid
(05/20/2006; 21:57:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144465)
$$$$615.25$$$$

Druid: The flex point for "freegold" came on November 21, 2002 in a speech that will go down in recorded history somewhere, entitled, "Deflation: Making Sure "It" Doesn't Happen Here". This speech informed debt holders' the world over what the true value of their investments was at that point in time. I can't help but speculate that the shrewdest of these players began selling out of bonds to acquire bullion in a very circuitous and stealth way. This speech signalled a move away from one type of "money" and perceived wealth to real money and wealth.

How high will gold go? I would have to piggy back on $30,000+.
Believer
(05/20/2006; 22:11:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144466)
$$$$$725.4$$$$$
The Flex-point was Nixon taking us off of the gold standard. How high? $1776.00 for starters.
Tranquility Base
(05/20/2006; 22:32:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144467)
$$$$665.0$$$$$
Gold has been on a roll and everytime there is a normal pull back or dip these pages become an important voice of reason to relieve my natural inclinations of concern. I do like the reassurance in the dicussions here of the fundamental of the gold bull which has taken us to this point. I believe the primary cause to start the gold bull was the weakness of the dollar. Therefore the price peak will depend greatly on how far the dollar drops in value. It should reach $860 in 1980 dollars which may very well be $8600 in 2020 dollars. Above all, Thanks to all! T-base
commish
(05/20/2006; 22:46:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144468)
Not being a waging man...Not
But Gandalf the White I bet you have recond entries to this contest!
el dorado
(05/20/2006; 22:52:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144469)
$$$$668.00$$$$
The dot.com bubble and resulting bust in the tech market heralded the begining of gold's rise. In a world with increasing instability and a growing struggle for resources (think oil), governments and people are begining to look for a source of protection that is beyond the reach of politics. Wars and rumors of wars seem to be spreading (Nigeria, Iraq, Sudan, Iran, etc). Gold is one of the few resources available to the common man and woman, hence its growing price and perhaps scarceness. I belive that by the end of this year gold may reach $900.00 if no new major event arrives. And within the next few years it may well surpass the $1,500.00 mark. While we may find refuge financially in gold, let us not forget that the spirit must also have its own refuge.
eldorado
GoldenBear
(05/20/2006; 22:59:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144470)
$$$$669.1 $$$$
Mt husband said i should make a guess before this contest ends so here it is. As to why gold jumped up I have no idea!
Maybe there are a lot of chinese women needing some necklaces.
Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 23:00:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144471)
TA TA TAAAAAA TaTaTaTaaaaaaaaaaaaa, TA ta TA ta TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <;-)
LESS THAN ONE (1) hour to go before POG Contest ENTRY DEADLINE !!!
<;-)
Cuda
(05/20/2006; 23:10:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144472)
$$$$667.10$$$$
I would like to thank Bush for changing the gold market from bear to bull. After the 911 incident and watching my 401k decline in value, seeking other investments was a factor for me, and I did my research and found gold.
I really dont care how much gold goes up or down for I will hold for many years to come, and pass this investment on to my children.
I would think from all the great advice and wisdom here at this forum, gold is long overdue for a great correction into the thousands per ounce. This world has some very unstable events going on right now and in the forseeable future, peoples faith will not cling onto worthless paper, no matter who prints it.

Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 23:31:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144473)
TA TA TAAAAAA TaTaTaTaaaaaaaaaaaaa, TA ta TA ta TA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <;-)
TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK !!!
LESS THAN ONE-HALF (1/2) hour to go before POG Contest ENTRY DEADLINE !!!
<;-)
GoldTags
(05/20/2006; 23:35:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144474)
$$$$$682.8$$$$$
I want to thank the hosts of this site for providing this civil forum of discussion and debate for all issues relating to gold. I also want to thank all the posters who post here regularly. This forum and all of its participants enrich my understanding of what is happening all around us and I am grateful.

I was going to write about the vast difference between perception massage and deceptive sabotage as I am convinced there was sabotage in the gold market this past week. Maybe it was an attempt to corral the safety investors back into bonds and control the descent of the dollar. Suffice it to say, I will let this tender issue rest and zoom out to the larger picture.

For me the inflexion point came in the 2000 election. It is when I became aware this country was in trouble. This was the time when we needed to go through the correction that was overdue and didn't. It was the natural time, for the overbought markets and over inflated real-estate prices, to allow the commodities to swing into their natural cycle up. The longer this wildly speculative environment continues in the markets the harder this correction will be. The price of gold has been suppressed since the 80s and the equity markets has had their run. Now the cycle for commodities is here and will not be denied any longer.
For me, it all boils down to the larger cycle we are in. The need to dissolve this debt is critical and the dissolution will be a painful. It is hard to imagine where the financial safety net will be since this country has no sustaining industry left. Soft virtual value is failing. It has exhausted itself. It is the time for hard, commodity value to give balance while the foam dissipates. Gold is the King of commodities and offers safety during fiat and economic crises. It will hold its value and have a stabilizing effect.

I think this bull has a lot of years to go. To me at this point in time I'd guess Au at the least $3,000 at it's high point.


Gandalf the White
(05/20/2006; 23:50:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144475)
TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
LAST CALL !
POG Contest Enty DEADLINE is Midnight Saturday !
<;-)
mikal
(05/20/2006; 23:59:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144476)
$$$$680.60$$$$$
Although few outside of forums such as this understand where we've been, and therefore where we are, understanding is
growing around the world in the same way that gold is increasing in all major currencies.
The quality of posts here in particular seem to be a leading indicator of the direction of the world's will and cumulative actions. Nowhere is that quality more concentrated than in emotions, such as love and zeal.
The present bull market has had many key drivers, from the formation of the element Au up to this very moment and the next one. Every individual, every thought, word and action plays a role in it's evolution.
One worth mentioning is the formation of the International Monetary Fund(IMF), a relic of the failed Bretton Woods system. Aside from loaning out international reserves to countries least able to manage the largesse, let alone pay for it, this international central bank also accelerated the worldwide addiction to credit lending and promoted inflation. It also contributed to the distortion of trade balances, speculative attacks on currencies and exchange rate volatility.
Accounting and statistical fraud and the explosion in exotic financial insurance investments and currency proxies followed.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were created as bookeeping entries that led to their sanctioning great discrepancies in gold reserves reporting by western banks.
Guided
(05/21/2006; 00:01:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144477)
$$$$$ $752.00 $$$$$$$
The flex point I see is when the world became one community with the onset of the age of information and the internet. The confidence games in various currencies play out and mankinds instinctual desire for real wealth takes it's place. How high? in ten years, likely tens of thousands in any currency left standing.
mikal
(05/21/2006; 00:16:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144479)
@Gandalf
Please go back to Saturday night and tally my last-minute entry. Thanks much!
P.S. Guided's entry too, only 1 minute after the hour.
GOLD FINGER
(05/21/2006; 01:01:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144480)
ADDICTIONS
One of our finest capitalist reported several days ago that we Americans are addicts and have a HUGE addiction to OIL! I was wondering if we might have any other addictions that might get US all into trouble??

Like they say it takes one to know one.

Cheers and may the best "GUESS" win the contest.
Gandalf the White
(05/21/2006; 05:38:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144481)
TA TA TAAAAAA, TaTaTa Taaaaaaaaaaaaa, TA ta TA ta TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA <;-)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ THE "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$

FINAL (Final) LISTING of OFFICIAL CONTEST ENTRIES ! (total of 103)

====

$$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (5/9/06; 19:15:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144013)

$$$$ $900.0 $$$$ GOLD FINGER (5/19/06; 00:00:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144362)

$$$$ $892.2 $$$$ jorgito (5/13/06; 13:14:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144154)

$$$$ $887.5 $$$$ goldpuppy (5/10/06; 04:04:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144033)

$$$$ $855.0 $$$$ Caradoc (5/13/06; 22:54:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144164)

$$$$ $829.5 $$$$ White Hills (5/9/06; 19:37:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 144016)

$$$$ $818.0 $$$$ bouncer (5/11/06; 17:29:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144098)

$$$$ $812.0 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (5/10/06; 17:08:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144053)

$$$$ $799.9 $$$$ Thoreauly (5/11/06; 10:36:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144083)

$$$$ $788.1 $$$$ Midas Man (5/11/06; 11:03:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144084)

$$$$ $777,7 $$$$ Shanti (5/11/06; 17:22:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144097)

$$$$ $769.0 $$$$ Wonko (5/11/06; 19:51:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144102)

$$$$ $762.4 $$$$ Briale (5/11/06; 11:05:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 144085)

$$$$ $756.5 $$$$ Matthew (5/19/06; 18:43:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144400)

$$$$ $755.5 $$$$ Waverider (5/16/06; 19:54:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 144265)

$$$$ $752.7 $$$$ Bubbly (5/16/06; 20:30:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144272)

$$$$ $752.0 $$$$ Guided (5/21/06; 00:01:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144477)

$$$$ $749.0 $$$$ Henri (5/13/06; 10:02:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144147)

$$$$ $745.0 $$$$ Goldilox (5/13/06; 14:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144156)

$$$$ $743.5 $$$$ Beamer (5/11/06; 01:52:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144070)

$$$$ $737.5 $$$$ Stoney Rivers (5/13/06; 12:05:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144152)

$$$$ $735.5 $$$$ Minero (5/17/06; 06:08:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144291)

$$$$ $734.0 $$$$ Freedom (5/10/06; 09:42:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144035)

$$$$ $732.0 $$$$ jnshirtl (5/18/06; 16:24:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144348)

$$$$ $730.0 $$$$ Whitewaterwoman (5/16/06; 12:17:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 144246)

$$$$ $729.5 $$$$ Tate (5/9/06; 20:48:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144021)

$$$$ $727.0 $$$$ Rimh (5/16/06; 15:07:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144256)

$$$$ $725.4 $$$$ Believer (5/20/06; 22:11:44MT - usagold.com msg#: 144466)

$$$$ $724.5 $$$$ balzac (5/11/06; 23:03:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144110)

$$$$ $723.6 $$$$ solosza (5/9/06; 14:49:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144000)

$$$$ $721.1 $$$$ White Rose (5/17/06; 08:31:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 144292)

$$$$ $719.5 $$$$ ASSAY (5/16/06; 09:32:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144235)

$$$$ $718.0 $$$$ Beer Man (5/16/06; 16:37:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144260)

$$$$ $717.6 $$$$ slingshot (5/15/06; 20:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144218)

$$$ FRN717.1 $$$ Smeagol (5/16/06; 22:45:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 144278)

$$$$ $716.0 $$$$ Clink! (5/16/06; 13:04:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144249)

$$$$ $714.9 $$$$ Rustee (5/9/06; 16:49:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144003)

$$$$ $712.1 $$$$ Solomon Weaver (5/15/06; 22:01:15MT - usagold.com msg#: 144225)

$$$$ $711.0 $$$$ mdgc (5/9/06; 02:34:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 143985)

$$$$ $710.5 $$$$ beowulf + (5/17/06; 22:54:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144317)

$$$$ $708.1 $$$$ ChristianMom (5/19/06; 20:55:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144410)

$$$$ $707.7 $$$$ osa104c (5/16/06; 14:57:23MT - usagold.com msg#: 144253)

$$$$ $705.7 $$$$ Boilermaker (5/17/06; 17:16:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 144309)

$$$$ $703.9 $$$$ Tuco (5/15/06; 16:33:01MT - usagold.com msg#: 144216)

$$$$ $701.5 $$$$ Pal (5/18/06; 06:38:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144328)

$$$$ $700.1 $$$$ Mthirsty1 (5/16/06; 14:58:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144254)
$$$$ $700.0 $$$$ Armageddon (5/17/06; 20:22:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144315)

$$$$ $699.5 $$$$ InternationalIcon (5/19/06; 21:19:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 144415)

$$$$ $698.5 $$$$ servantHeart (5/17/06; 08:43:27MT - usagold.com msg#: 144293)

$$$$ $697.0 $$$$ Sundeck (5/8/06; 23:44:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 143983)

$$$$ $696.8 $$$$ Ten Bears (5/17/06; 16:38:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 144307)

$$$$ $695.1 $$$$ hirise (5/20/06; 18:24:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 144453)

$$$$ $694.9 $$$$ Goldendome (5/19/06; 20:00:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 144404)

$$$$ $693.0 $$$$ Gerbil2 (5/19/06; 08:05:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144374)

$$$$ $692.1 $$$$ RD (5/19/06; 19:02:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144401)

$$$$ $690.5 $$$$ pilgrims_gold (5/18/06; 12:09:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144339)

$$$$ $688.7 $$$$ R Powell (5/19/06; 18:14:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144399)

$$$$ $688.4 $$$$ The Hoople (5/19/06; 12:17:31MT - usagold.com msg#: 144388)

$$$$ $686.8 $$$$ Flatliner (5/18/06; 23:30:07MT - usagold.com msg#: 144360)

$$$$ $684.2 $$$$ Ignacioman (5/16/06; 06:45:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144230)

$$$$ $683.2 $$$$ Golden Lionheart (5/20/06; 21:07:30MT - usagold.com msg#: 144462)

$$$$ $682.8 $$$$ GoldTags (5/20/06; 23:35:34MT - usagold.com msg#: 144474)

$$$$ $682.2 $$$$ specie-man (5/20/06; 00:10:51MT - usagold.com msg#: 144422)

$$$$ $680.6 $$$$ mikal (5/20/06; 23:59:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144476)
$$$$ $680.5 $$$$ da2g (5/20/06; 06:09:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144427)

$$$$ $680.1 $$$$ glockmaster19 (5/19/06; 14:42:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144392)
$$$$ $680.0 $$$$ Quickbeam (5/19/06; 13:16:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144389)

$$$$ $679.5 $$$$ Shermag (5/20/06; 08:51:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144431)

$$$$ $678.9 $$$$ Rocky (5/19/06; 16:59:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 144397)

$$$$ $677.7 $$$$ AuVenger (5/18/06; 01:38:28MT - usagold.com msg#: 144325)

$$$$ $676.0 $$$$ Max Rabbitz (5/20/06; 06:32:49MT - usagold.com msg#: 144428)

$$$$ $675.0 $$$$ YGM (5/20/06; 11:27:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144440)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $673.5 $$$$ goldenpeace (5/19/06; 04:32:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144369)

$$$$ $673.3 $$$$ 2Dogs (5/19/06; 14:43:06MT - usagold.com msg#: 144393)

$$$$ $672.0 $$$$ nugget101 (5/20/06; 12:50:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144441)

$$$$ $670.2 $$$$ 24karat (5/20/06; 10:49:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144436)

$$$$ $669.1 $$$$ GoldenBear (5/20/06; 22:59:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144470)

$$$$ $668.0 $$$$ el dorado (5/20/06; 22:52:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144469)

$$$$ $667.1 $$$$ Cuda (5/20/06; 23:10:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144472)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $665.0 $$$$ Tranquility Base (5/20/06; 22:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144467)

$$$$ $664.4 $$$$ otish mountain (5/20/06; 20:59:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144461)

$$$$ $663.0 $$$$ RobertG (5/20/06; 17:19:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144452)

$$$$ $660.0 $$$$ Black Blade (5/20/06; 16:25:33MT - usagold.com msg#: 144450)

$$$$ $658.7 $$$$ Nomad (5/20/06; 18:47:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144454)

$$$$ $654.3 $$$$ Tevye (5/19/06; 10:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144383)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $650.0 $$$$ John the Jute (5/20/06; 09:54:12MT - usagold.com msg#: 144433)

$$$$ $648.1 $$$$ phil288 (5/20/06; 16:25:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144449)

$$$$ $647.0 $$$$ 7nomads (5/20/06; 21:07:36MT - usagold.com msg#: 144463)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $646.2 $$$$ Gonlyold (5/19/06; 23:35:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 144419)

$$$$ $643.4 $$$$ elrayox (5/19/06; 11:37:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144386)

$$$$ $642.0 $$$$ contrarian (5/20/06; 19:57:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144459)

$$$$ $636.8 $$$$ The Alchemist (5/19/06; 20:07:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144406)

$$$$ $635.5 $$$$ olddog (5/18/06; 18:28:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144351)

$$$$ $633.8 $$$$ Black Pearl (5/19/06; 22:02:10MT - usagold.com msg#: 144417)

$$$$ $632.0 $$$$ commish (5/19/06; 23:27:44MT - usagold.com msg#: 144418)

$$$$ $615.2 $$$$ Druid (5/20/06; 21:57:06MT - usagold.com msg#: 144465)

$$$$ $600.0 $$$$ DryWasher (5/19/06; 11:43:51MT - usagold.com msg#: 144387)

$$$$ $575.0 $$$$ kris (5/19/06; 02:09:36MT - usagold.com msg#: 144367)

$$$$ $550.0 $$$$ Zhisheng (5/15/06; 11:27:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144203)
===
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/21/2006; 05:43:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144482)
TA TA ! <;-)
mikal (5/21/06; 00:16:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144479)
@Gandalf
Please go back to Saturday night and tally my last-minute entry. Thanks much!
P.S. Guided's entry too, only 1 minute after the hour.
===
Ok -- Sir Mikal !
You sneaker !!!
You caught me on that one, BUT, if you notice, I did catch Sir Guided's Entry in the FIRST "Final Official" listing !
(NOW, back to sleep !)
<;-)
MK
(05/21/2006; 08:42:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144485)
True believers, trends and an understanding of the week just passed
It seems that everyone is wondering what happened to the markets over the past seven to ten days. Markets -- from stocks to gold to the commodities -- dumped across the boards and people are looking for the reasons why.

When you look for answers start with the fact that they had all gone up precipitously over the past several months. Some like gold attained blowoff stature with vertical spikes being the predominant feature on the charts.

If you were to ask why these markets behaved as they did over the past week or so (and I asked several clients and friends in the financial business), one explanation would emerge as a common thread -- they were all "too high." (I'll spare you and myself the time and effort required to chronicle the numerical details and proofs. You can get those with a few entries in the google box.)

This is an odd era. There was a time when the markets were dominated by people who invested based on 'belief.' We as gold owners save gold because we believe in its intrinsic value and its ability to carry us through the storm (whatever that storm might be). The true believers no longer carry the big stick in the financial markets in the short run.

Instead the 'funds" are predominant in the short term and dwarf any muscle the 'belief' investors can muster. The funds do not believe in anything but the trend. The charts are all important. And the name of the game on Wall Street is no longer who has the best research, the best economic analysis, and the best anticipation of the trend. They could care less what is causing the trend. All they want to do is identify it and ride it. The name of the game is to guess what the other traders are going to be doing over the next day (week, month) or two and then ride that trend to higher profits.

What's more, whereas 'belief' investors are spread near and far with next to no organization and little clout, fund capital is huge and concentrated in few hands (the fund managers'). In the short run, they determine which way the markets are going to go. And it has little to do with the fundamentals so relied upon by the 'belief' investor. That doesn't mean they can dictate which way the market is going to go in the long run. For that the 'belief' investor will still act as the primary driver.

Some of you may recall that I have written about this before. What it all translates to is 'volatility'-- and lots of it -- as concentrated capital moves in and out of market in the blink of an eye.

As 'true believers,' we shouldn't be afraid of volatility, but it would be comforting to understand it for what it is. Like any fear we come to quell, the main ingredient to overcoming it is to understand it. This high volatility comes from trend players who do not believe in anything. The downtrend has no more finality than the uptrend. In a few days or weeks, a low point will be hit and it will be bought for precisely opposite the reason the top was sold, i.e., it will look too low.

Meanwhile all the reasons gold has appreciated over the past four years are still present. Nothing has changed. All the volatility will achieve is to present a buying opportunity for those who carry the simple understanding just conveyed.

That's it for now, fellow goldmeisters.

Thanks to all for a great contest. I really enjoyed and learned from your answers to the questions. Special thanks to Gandalf -- a stalwart wizard devoted to this Table Round and its participants.
Knallgold
(05/21/2006; 09:29:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144486)
We deserve a rest on the trail to see if we are still on track/LBMA turnover
http://www.lbma.org.uk/clearing_charts.htmGold is up,yes,BUT:where have all the footsteps gone?

If this is just Another Gold manipulation game (this time up),I am less than positive about it.The chart looks PERFECT,and this can only mean too perfect,one nice tight trading range line,with a slowly increasing slope.Not one hint of losing control (as some commenators claim/wish),the paper Gold market is still operating (of course as shallow as before),no smoke,no bust at those levels proclaimed,now all behind us.Smooth sailing in lala land.

How can we argue in political/financial discussions when there are never consequences aka healthy shocks?The addict needs Naloxone,not Heroin.I have to admit its brilliant invisible hands at work-but is this really what we want?

Lots of talk about the parabole,hey'shouldn't this,one day,evolve into a parabole which does not collapse again (paper notwithstanding) but catapult itself into high plateau?

What happens?The ETF's are popping up everywhere,and more important,the LBMA volume is picking up again since roughly a year (though less so on the ounces transfered).FreeGold abandoned?

Now resting on an old wood piece,drinking fresh spring water and grilling a good "Servelat" (Swiss know it...),breathing
almost virgin air so we are again full of new energy to take the next stage.I would be ready,but are we still on the right road, to FreeGold?
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/21/2006; 12:31:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144487)
Putting a world of gold at your fingertips...
http://www.usagold.com/buy-gold-coins.html

gold -- a global calling card
TownCrier
(05/21/2006; 13:00:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144488)
Knallgold, LBMA volume/clearing charts
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate the concern you've expressed.

In a very approximate way, would there be any appeal to you to view these paper-gold clearing charts from the 1997-98 peak then downward to the present re-climb as a sort of extremely time-compressed parallel to the GoldStandard Dollar's historic behavior from the infamous 1929-33 blowoff then downward to the equally infamous re-climb of the 1960s that resulted in the London Gold Pool, which ultimately necessitated the mini-'freegold' declaration of Nixon on August 15, 1971 followed by the structural shift of the IMF's Articles of Agreement (1976-78) to officially recognize that gold may be allowed to float against the currencies of the world.

As I see it, even though it is called by the name of "gold", the accounting unit of the LBMA is truly just a paper phenomenon just like the old GoldStandard Dollar was. There will come a day when gold (the metal) will decisively break free from "gold" (the paper) on their books.

Here we're seeing 40 years of history replayed and compressed into a mere ten years!

The next three-and-a-half years will change our lives!

Randy
R Powell
(05/21/2006; 14:43:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144489)
Ups and downs
From Michael's earlier post......

"This is an odd era. There was a time when the markets were dominated by people who invested based on 'belief.' We as gold owners save gold because we believe in its intrinsic value and its ability to carry us through the storm (whatever that storm might be). The true believers no longer carry the big stick in the financial markets in the short run.

Instead the 'funds" are predominant in the short term and dwarf any muscle the 'belief' investors can muster. The funds do not believe in anything but the trend. The charts are all important. And the name of the game on Wall Street is no longer who has the best research, the best economic analysis, and the best anticipation of the trend. They could care less what is causing the trend. All they want to do is identify it and ride it. The name of the game is to guess what the other traders are going to be doing over the next day (week, month) or two and then ride that trend to higher profits."

**********

I'll agree 100% and have said as much many times.

But, as mentioned, this is a relatively short term occurance. When/if real demand enters the market....more than current supply can accomodate, then the fundamentals overwhelm the technical guys....actually, they reverse a downtrend. The opposite also applies. This doesn't bother the technical guys at all, they will simply cover their shorts and, if convinced by their chartreadings that an uptrend has started, go long. The big question is always....when! Long term holders need not worry about such market swings.
rich
AuVenger
(05/21/2006; 15:54:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144490)
Just saw this on another forum......
Just saw this on another forum......

News as it happens! This just popped into my inbox:

It is a rare time when MIDAS receives feedback such as
this from the Comex floor ... from the most veteran of
Comex traders:

*They are convinced this is it as far as the down move,
gold correction is concerned ... and believe this crushing
has set up a move to $800. Their words, not mine.

*The orders coming in on the silver buy side are huge:
1,000 lots in size. They are limit orders on the downside,
letting the spec selling come to them. >

Anyone here on MIDAS e-mail list that can confirm?

TIA
Chris Powell
(05/21/2006; 16:20:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144491)
Excerpt from Midas
Yes, AuVenger, that's what Bill
Murphy's "Midas" column reported
on Friday. The performance of the
mining shares on Friday seemed to
concur.
MK
(05/21/2006; 16:53:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144492)
Rich, more on the current volatility and what it means to the average investor
http://www.usagold.com/info/disturbingtrends-mar06.htmlBefore the days of concentrated capital pools of every sort and description, it took months even years for trends to play themselves out simply because coversion to any trend was accomplished the hard way -- one investor at a time. Now, thousands of investors coalesce their financial power under the aegis of a few fund directors. The power is applied to the market rapidly and decisively. This is the reason for the volatility.

As "belief" investors we must recognize that for what it is. How many times -- including this last little go around in the gold market -- have you heard the question asked "How in the heck did that happen? Everything was going along fine and then BAM 'they' just pulled the rug on us."

If we are going to deal with any of these markets without completely losing our sense of mental balance, we are going to have to learn how to deal with this matter of volatility. Belief still plays a role in building long term investment character. We must do the work required to determine which set of circumstances we believe to be the prevailing one. We must then hold fast. As I said in the earlier post, nothing has changed over the past week -- nothing! I, for one, believe that we have entered the commodity (read "real things" phase of the economic cycle, and it will run, given past history, for a ten to fifteen year period from inception (2001)

The representations of wealth in the form of paper, including the various currencies, have run themselves to the point of exhaustion (having started their cycle in the mid-1980s. The bull market for commodities (most directly represented by gold) is in its early childhood (having begun in 2002).

It is interesting to note that since Nixon's abrogation of the gold standard and the inauguration of free floating currencies in the early 1970s (the events which touched off the previous bull market in gold from 1969 to 1985), gold has risen about 1800%; stocks have risen about 1500%. (See "Disturbing Trends: Why Gold Is the Buy of a Generation" linked above).

Clearly though in real, if not nominal, terms gold is going in one direction and paper assets in the other. When you look at the numbers and the trends, and disregard your daily dose of CNBC propaganda, reality and belief begin to aggregate as rational insight.

For whatever reason, most of the public believes that cycles apply to the short term. For these people, three to five years is a long time. With respect to the economic reality, that is a very short period of time even in this era of instantaeous information retrieval and the ten second execution of buy and sell orders. The real economic cycles extend over periods sometimes fifteen years long. For example, in order to address the inequities fostered by the strong dollar policy, it will take years -- not weeks or months -- for devaluation to have a positive effect on the American economy. Few people realize or think about that aspect of economic reality. The properly assembled rationale will carry you through the whole period from a portfolio point of view. I hold with the argument that we are in a long term uptrend for gold with this latest phase a healthy correction in a bull market. The stock market on the other hand just experienced a contracyclical rally in a long-term bear market.
AuVenger
(05/21/2006; 17:14:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144493)
Thanks Chris
Yes, I thought that was Mr Murphy - saw it on a mainstream forum - just joined LMC for a 2 week trial - but I do love *this* place!!! The other bit of chatter that caught my attention, as in a previous life I was an Assembler programmer, was Goldman Sacks (or similar gangsters) having their IT department change their system software to allow gold to be priced into the 1000 range ... !
contrarian
(05/21/2006; 17:49:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144494)
Carolyn Baum article
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000039&sid=a3o5WO8eKyJg&refer=columnist_baumIf she walks like a duck, she quacks like a duck, acts like a duck, she's a duck.

Initially, I was perturbed reading the "article", but after some thought, remembering that this was the same person who several months back claimed that there was no stock market manipulation, felt elated and felt no need for concern. She knows who butters her bread. And I actually realized there's still two bulls--the first one in gold, and the second one, in her article.

Isn't it interesting how tops are never called in the stock market, but in commodities, yes. Yes, stocks do go up forever, Carolyn. And similarly interesting how bottoms are always called in the stock market.
slingshot
(05/21/2006; 18:03:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144495)
Search for the Renaissance
As quickly as Gandalf requested, the small prison was moved to his chamber and placed to one side. Gandalf made sure there was nothing in the Wolfling's reach and then sat down at his table. "That will be all", he said to the carriers of the vessel and then turned his attention to the myriad of old books setting before him. Searching for a short time he found the one in particular. Opened it and began reading. The pages slowly turn raising his eyebrow now and then. Time passed and what he was waiting for finally arrived. A moan emerged from the cage, then movement. The wolfling facing away rolled over to see the wizard looking at him from his chair. They stared at each other. "Would you like me to cut your bonds", asked Gandalf.
Again the creature rolled to place his leg and arms in position for the cords to be cut.
Gandalf produced a small knife and drew near to the cage. Leaning over he cut the cords and slowly the creature sat up within the confinement.
" It has been many a year since I have seen one of your kind", said Gandalf. " I know what you are".
The wolfling grabbed the flat iron bars and pressed his face to them. His eyes shown interest in what the wizard was saying. Gandalf returned to his chair and brought forth his pipe, filled it and lit the contents. The wolfling watch him intensely. "You are a creation" he exclaimed. The hands holding the metal tightened. The wizard drew in and blew smoke rings into the air. They danced about and the creature watched them with some delite losing eye contact momentarily. Gandalf continued. " Your are not like the Orcs, Trolls or Drawfs. You allowed yourself to be captured killing noone. Then you must have a message?".
The creature extended his arms between the bars and motion for pen and paper. Placing his pipe down, Gandalf complied with his crude request. Taking the material the wolfling wrote down one word and handed it back to Gandalf.
Taking the paper, Gandalf read one written word.
Taking a step backwards in disbelief he muttered,"Tobias?"
The wolfling stared at Gandalf. "You are Tobias? Governor of Hammerton?" The wolfling shook his head yes.
"Tell me of the people of Hammerton" asked Gandalf. The creature motioned for the paper. Scribbled again and handed it to Gandalf. The wizard could not believe what he read and sat down in his chair. Tobias, sat down against the bars.
There came a knock at the door. "Enter" said Gandalf. Sir Slingshot entered to see Gandalf at his table. The young Knight could not get a word out of his mouth. "I have a job for you Sir Slingshot". "How may I help" asked the young Knight" "Find Cougar and Otish Mountain and bring them here. "Wait for them at the gate if they have not arrived already. None the less bring them here as soon as you find them" said Gandalf. "As you request", answered Sir Slingshot, and left Gandalf's chamber.
Gandalf again looked at the words from Tobias, "All like me".
Slingshot----------<>
GOLD FINGER
(05/21/2006; 18:08:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144496)
The Golden Calf
I wonder how many people in CHINA would like to own some GOLD?

How many people are there in CHINA anyway?

A few more months and the FLOOD gates will be WIDE open!!

They don't even have to hide it like the IRAQI women who wear GOLD under their black gowns or whatever they call them.

BUY BUY!
AuVenger
(05/21/2006; 18:18:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144497)
$550 by summer???
MARKET REVIEW: THE INFLATION BOOGEY MONSTER

Stocks and bonds all over the world fell last week on the grim inflation
news coming out of the American economy. Let us cut to the proverbial
chase: Will inflation fears snuff out the rally in resource and energy
stocks even as underlying resource and energy prices soar? Let's pile this
question on, to Will commodity inflation smother returns in emerging
markets and again favor U.S. assets?

No stock - even a commodity stock - is immune from the inflation boogey
monster. But it's not time to sell everything. The Dow and the S&P have
been on a nice run. For its part, the Dow wasn't able to make a new high,
and its failure to do so, coupled with the fear that the Federal Reserve
will continue raising rates to fight inflation, put investors in selling
mood. Yet none of the underlying bullish conditions in the energy and
resource sector have suddenly evaporated.

What Wall Street is now wondering is if persistently (and record) high
resource prices will begin to slow down production and overall economic
growth. Are things heating up so fast that both producers and consumers
will have to cut back and retract? That's what the market is trying to
figure out and discount at the moment.

My biggest concern is that resource stocks are getting overheated,
especially precious metals and energy stocks. Sure, political risk has not
diminished, and may actually take energy prices higher. And yes, the
managed fall of the dollar could quickly turn into a debacle. But it's
also possible we're seeing a short-term blowoff in this commodity rally
that will take gold near $1,000 and oil near $100 before losing momentum.
What do I mean?

A lot of money is chasing after commodities and commodity stocks right
now. I wouldn't call it a bubble. But the constant mention of price
targets for gold and oil is starting to become a self-fulfilling
phenomenon. It might not seem like it, because the fundamental drivers of
the precious metals and energy bull markets are still there. The dollar is
backed by mountains of debt and oil demand is growing faster than oil
supply. Those trends haven't changed.

But when everyone is on the bullish side of the oil and gold trade, the
trade has run its course. Notice I said "the trade." The trend is still on
the side of oil and gold. But the smart speculative money right now is
looking at out-of-the-money put options on gold stocks.

Once gold busted out over $500, it's been nothing but new multidecade
highs. I know gold is making up for lost time with its latest run. But
even gold bulls shouldn't expect more of the same without correction or
interruption.

It wouldn't surprise me to see gold correct back down to around $550 by
the end of the summer. This would come in the context of a deep sell-off
in bonds and stocks as well. How could that be, you may be wondering?
Wouldn't gold go up on inflation fears? Wouldn't gold go up on DE-flation
fears?

If and when global liquidity begins to tighten in earnest, it will be bad
for all asset classes. Gold will do relatively better. But from its
current perch, it is not, relatively speaking, a screaming buy. Be
prepared for a dip. And if you haven't bought yet, that will be your
chance to make amends.

Regards,

Dan Denning
R Powell
(05/21/2006; 18:41:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144498)
MK // more on volatility
Perhaps the volatility that often upsets those gold investors whom you have classified as "belief" investors, is the more upsetting to those who have little knowledge of the price determining process. There will be huge moves both up and down, often for no readily apparent reason. I must agree that huge dollar amount price drops will and should cause all long side investors to re-evaluate their analysis. What you term "belief" investors I term "fundamental" investors ....as opposed to those fund managing trend followers who so often can and do move markets on a short term basis. Many use both means of price prediction, such as Gandolf following the dollar index.

You said "nothing has changed over the past week."

In regards to the innumerable market forces that have been aligned in play over the past decades...since 1913 perhaps?....I must agree. But within that other game, the short term one of high volatility, the PPI index has been blamed by some for initiating this latest downturn. Markets rarely move evenly but often move to fits and starts. Maybe it was time for some "consolidation" as the gold price "got ahead of itself" as they say, and this PPI was a convenient scapegoat or trigger of sorts for this downturn. One of my means to judge the strength of any trend is to watch closely how a market reacts to both bullish + bearish news. I watch also the duration of these reactions. I do not believe there is much that can stop higher prices for any length of time. Usually these news events are short term influences like an inflation indicator report. Some, like the original Washington Agreement I classify as long term fundamentals. Strange that I believe inflation of both the monetary supply + of the prices of goods + services was and is a long term, fundamental, evolving supporter of higher prices but, a confirmation of just such may have triggered this downturn. Some will argue that inflation confirmation will trigger other events (reaction from the Fed. etc.) so that bullish news may be really bearish. This type of cause + effect or event-result analysis is often endless. Sometimes the end result is almost impossible to predict with any certainty, no? It has often been for me. Many technical traders justify their total lack of fundamental knowledge with just such an argument. No matter.

But, as you opined, any long term investor will probably conclude that nothing of any consequence has changed. The disclosure of some effects of past monetary policy is just beginning as is the monetary flow into tangibles, first real estate, now commodities. If the economy does continue to assimulate towards a global as opposed to regional one, then perhaps commodities of all sorts will become even more precious until the worldwide demand for them subsides. I do not envision living long enough to witness that decrease but I have lived long enough to see the great gold mania of the 21st century begin. I do believe this will become a mania before the monetary system stabilizes, maybe with a one world purchasing credit system of sorts replacing all physical paper + coin currency. Intrinsic value is often mentioned...especially for gold. How does one determine the intrinsic value of anything? How much is a rookie Mickey Mantle baseball card worth? How much was it when the Mick was a rookie? And how much will it be worth when our grandchildren don't remember him at all? How much is worth to a rabid Yankee's fan? How much to someone who cares not about baseball? Intrinsic has always been a moving target, at best, no?

This, global credit system, if it happens, will bother those who insist that gold is money. I held this belief for years but now see gold (and silver!) as a wealth storage investment rather than currency of any kind. Oro + Aristotle had a great influence here. But I'm rambling. I had intended to end by once more opining that this is not the gold market of two dollar/day moves anymore. And, yes, there may well be huge moves both up and down in the future. This may well wipe out many leveraged paper traders. I suggest avoiding leverage at this time and hanging on as, unless our analysis is badly flawed, we've only just begun.
happy weekend!
The Invisible Hand
(05/21/2006; 19:53:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144499)
Found on Drudgereport
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2095-2189601,00.htmlMarkets �are like 1987 crash�
SNIP
CONDITIONS in the financial markets are eerily similar to those that precipitated the "Black Monday" stock market crash of October 1987, according to leading City analysts.

Goldilox
(05/21/2006; 22:41:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144500)
Gold Declines in Asia on Speculation Five-Year Rally Has Ended
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000081&sid=aEZ0RM2qHq78&refer=australiasnip:

May 22 (Bloomberg) -- Gold in Asia fell on speculation that a five-year rally in the metal has ended as investors deemed its rise to the highest level in 26 years was overdone.

-Goldilox

Bloomberg right on schedule!
Chris Powell
(05/21/2006; 23:24:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144501)
China should put more foreign exchange into gold, official paper says
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060522/3/2kvnn.htmlFrom Reuters
Monday, May 22, 2006

BEIJING -- China should buy more gold with its foreign exchange reserves, an official newspaper said in a commentary on Monday.

The China Securities Journal said gold accounted for only 1.3 percent of China's foreign currency reserves, which hit a world record $875.1 billion at the end of March.

In rich countries, by contrast, gold makes up 50 percent to 60 percent of reserves, it said.

Worries about the momentum of the U.S. economy; fears among financial experts that the dollar is on a long-term depreciating trend; doubts that the euro can replace the dollar as a major reserve currency; and concern that overseas demand for U.S. Treasury securities is drying up -- except on the part of China -- were all reasons why China should buy more gold, the paper said.

Against this background, gold was playing a much more important role in the global monetary system, it said.

"It would be a wise step for China to appropriately increase its gold reserves," the China Securities Journal said.

The newspaper is owned by Xinhua, the state news agency.

The newspaper cited Russia and South Korea as examples of countries that had switched part of their reserves out of dollars and into gold.

The paper recalled a recent recommendation by an expert at the Beijing Gold Economy Development Research Centre that China should quadruple its gold reserves to 2,500 tonnes from 600 tonnes now.

"China should raise its gold reserves so those reserves can account for 3 to 5 percent of the foreign exchange reserves instead of current 1.3 percent," the China Gold newspaper on May 9 quoted Liu Shanen as telling a conference.
Golden Lionheart
(05/22/2006; 00:54:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144502)
Gold $636...................
Time to buy big! I am.
Zhisheng
(05/22/2006; 02:22:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144503)
$50
This may be some sort of recent record in spot gold price for consecutive trading days.

On Friday morning at 3AM (EST) spot reached $688 and on Monday at 3AM it was $638.

I have observed over the past ten years or so, that the rate of change of price seems to be greatest during the initial stage of a drop in price.
AuVenger
(05/22/2006; 04:19:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144504)
The USUAL SUSPECTS
This may be some sort of recent record in spot gold price for consecutive trading days.

On Friday morning at 3AM (EST) spot reached $688 and on Monday at 3AM it was $638.


No such thing as coincidence!

Still time to bounce back to $677.7 by Wednesday - COME TO DADDY!!!
Chris Powell
(05/22/2006; 06:41:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144505)
Russian exchange will start trading oil and gold in rubles next month
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060522/48434383.htmlFrom RIA Novosti News Agency
Monday, May 22, 2006

MOSCOW -- The Russian Trading System, Russia's premier stock market, announced Monday that it would start trading in gold, oil and oil products on June 8.

The announcement comes in the wake of President Vladimir Putin's state of the nation address May 10, when he said Russia, as a leading oil-exporting nation, should establish its own oil exchange to trade crude and petroleum products for rubles.

"The first trading in contracts for gold will commence in Russia on June 8," the RTS said in a statement.

The stock exchange also said it would start trading in futures and options on oil and oil derivatives, including Urals brand diesel fuel, jet fuel, and fuel oil. Trade will be in rubles based on prices calculated by the Platts agency. The settlement period for a contract is one month and the minimum security guarantee on a contract is 10 percent of its overall value.

The derivatives section of the RTS, known by its Russian acronym Forts, will trade futures and options on gold in rubles based on the London Stock Exchange evening fixing rate. The settlement period for a contract is one month and the minimum security guarantee on any contract is 5 percent of its overall value.

The statement said RTS would collect a 1-ruble commission for each concluded contract.
Max Rabbitz
(05/22/2006; 08:53:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144506)
Dollars not needed.....
http://za.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-05-22T102448Z_01_BAN237468_RTRIDST_0_OZABS-MINERALS-SAUDI-GOLD-20060522.XMLA private Saudi jeweller has bought 36 tonnes of raw gold from an African central bank for 1.8 billion riyals, a company spokesman said on Monday, confirming a newspaper report."The deal was concluded directly (with the unidentified African central bank) without any intermediary,"

Max......36 tonnes! Maybe the jeweller wants to make those big "ghetto chains."
Flatliner
(05/22/2006; 09:47:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144507)
Market's making corrections
1) "Gold has turned into brass. We are finished," said S.S. Gupta, a middle-aged Mumbai broker who said he had lost millions of rupees in two hours of trading on Monday morning. (From http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/22/news/international/india.reut/index.htm)

2) Brazil's currency hits four-month low
SAO PAULO, Brazil, May 22 (Reuters) - Brazil's real weakened some 4.6 percent to 2.308 per U.S. dollar on Monday on concern about higher global risks in emerging markets and possible changes in rules on repatriation of profits.
It was the real's weakest point since Jan. 20. (From http://yahoo.reuters.com/investing/FinanceArticle.aspx?type=economicNews&storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060522:MTFH77361_2006-05-22_14-50-19_N22370480&rpc=44)

3) Argentina stocks continue diving, shed about 5 pct
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, May 22 (Reuters) - Argentina's stocks resumed their downward slide on Monday, falling in line with other international markets amid renewed fears that inflationary pressures could lead to U.S. interest rate hikes.
The benchmark MerVal index <.MERV> of 11 leading shares was down 5.2 percent at 11:30 a.m. (1430 GMT), rebounding slightly a few minutes later to 4.9 percent at 1,573.90 points.
Argentine stocks had slumped for six straight sessions before closing steady last Friday, pressured by similar investor concerns. (from http://yahoo.reuters.com/stocks/QuoteCompanyNewsArticle.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060522:MTFH77107_2006-05-22_14-38-59_N22221086&symbol=.MERV&rpc=44)

4) WRAPUP 1-Latam stocks, currencies tumble on rate concerns
Mon May 22, 2006 10:28 AM ET
NEW YORK, May 22 (Reuters) - Leading Latin American stock markets and currencies opened sharply lower on Monday on investor jitters of higher U.S. interest rates fed in part by comments by International Monetary Fund chief Rodrigo Rato.
Brazil's Bovespa <.BVSP> index of the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange much as far as 4 percent before trimming losses to a 3.55 percent fall to trade 36,394 points.
Brazil's currency, the real , fell 3.62 percent to 2.288 per dollar.
Some analysts said the stock market fall was fueled by statements in Vienna by IMF's Rato who said that the Federal Reserve may need to continue raising interest rates depending upon how economic conditions evolve in the United States. (from http://yahoo.reuters.com/stocks/QuoteCompanyNewsArticle.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060522:MTFH76761_2006-05-22_14-28-07_N22362062&symbol=.BVSP&rpc=44)

Flatliner - We also saw the Saudi market's turn a week or two ago (and I think a couple others). Ask yourself, where are these people going to find cash to cover their losses in these markets? My guess is that it will come from their savings in US treasuries. Which, interestingly enough, are also falling.

The only answer that I see is here is that the liquidity will be turned up. IMHO, what we're witnessing right now with this turn in the markets is the building of a new foundation for precious metals. These turning markets will bring millions more to believe in gold. See the quote from the Indian broker above.

Good day.
mikal
(05/22/2006; 10:19:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144508)
Rock and roll
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060522/48434383.htmlRTS Bourse to Start Trading Oil, Oil Products, Gold on June 8 - RIA Novosti - May 22, 2006
Into the swing of things
ge
(05/22/2006; 10:29:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144509)
European Point of View
http://www.newropeans-magazine.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3983&Itemid=84"June 2006 � Beginning of phase 2 of the global systemic crisis: the phase of acceleration". This, they expect to last 3 to 6 months; to be followed by "impact" phase. One of the concrete consequences of "acceleration" phase would be "rebalancing of world assets� comparative value", they say.
Gandalf the White
(05/22/2006; 11:00:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144510)
BUT, Sir Zhisheng

Re: (5/22/06; 02:22:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 144503)
===
PERHAPS you forgot about MAGIC SPELLS that reverse "drops" and make advances of them ?
GO YELLOW !
<;-)
Gandalf the White
(05/22/2006; 12:21:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144511)
TA TA Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa <;-)

The POG CONTEST "King of the Hill" Report !

The following TWELVE Goldhearts where (at one time) atop the "HILL" during the COMEX trading today !

GCM06 = HIGH $661.5 low $636.8 Settlement $657.7

====

$$$$ $660.0 $$$$ Black Blade (5/20/06; 16:25:33MT - usagold.com msg#: 144450)

$$$$ $658.7 $$$$ Nomad (5/20/06; 18:47:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144454)

$$$$ $654.3 $$$$ Tevye (5/19/06; 10:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144383)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $650.0 $$$$ John the Jute (5/20/06; 09:54:12MT - usagold.com msg#: 144433)

$$$$ $648.1 $$$$ phil288 (5/20/06; 16:25:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144449)

$$$$ $647.0 $$$$ 7nomads (5/20/06; 21:07:36MT - usagold.com msg#: 144463)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $646.2 $$$$ Gonlyold (5/19/06; 23:35:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 144419)

$$$$ $643.4 $$$$ elrayox (5/19/06; 11:37:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144386)

$$$$ $642.0 $$$$ contrarian (5/20/06; 19:57:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144459)

$$$$ $636.8 $$$$ The Alchemist (5/19/06; 20:07:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144406)

====

AND THEREFORE the "King of the Hill" for Monday 6/22/06 is:

-------- Sir Nomad !!!
GOLD FINGER
(05/22/2006; 12:23:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144512)
The ride is just getting started!
Winners and Losers!
We need them all.
Which one will you be?

CATCH THE WAVE!
Armageddon
(05/22/2006; 12:54:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144513)
Gold Bullion Coin Scratches Question
I was wondering how scratches on a bullion coin like the Canadian Maple Leaf would effect the coin's value or sellability? I would think since the Canadian Maple Leaf is valued for its gold content not its numismatic value so the condition should not be an issue. The Maple Leaf I have became extremely scratched on the floor of my car. I had dropped it on the floor of my car and couldn't find it until months later.

What are most gold dealers policy on this? What is USA Gold's policy on this?
Flatliner
(05/22/2006; 13:22:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144514)
Rumors and rumors of rumors
Karl Rove Indicted on Charges of Perjury, Lying to Investigators
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/051306W.shtml

Rove Indictment Report Denied
http://www.nysun.com/article/32727

Rove Indictment?
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001394.php

Flatliner � where do the confidence reports go from here? Down? There isn't much more room down there.
Flatliner
(05/22/2006; 13:29:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144515)
Panic into cash
http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=reutersEdge&storyID=2006-05-22T152045Z_01_L22462111_RTRUKOC_0_US-MARKETS-INVESTORS-CASH.xmlThe first step in a panic is to move into cash. The next, is to wait. During the wait, one recovers from the emotion of the panic while looking for the next investment. Do you re-enter the bond market? The stock market? The Fish market? Depending on one's level of confidence, they may be out for a while.

During this rest and relaxation, some will find gold. Some will even take physical delivery of it so they can loose it in their car for months on end and find happiness on recovery.

Take Black Blades advice and stock up � things tend to break when they are bent too far.
AuVenger
(05/22/2006; 13:41:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144516)
Ripped Off
Armageddon (5/22/06; 12:54:41MT - usagold.com msg#: 144513)
Gold Bullion Coin Scratches Question
I was wondering how scratches on a bullion coin like the Canadian Maple Leaf would effect the coin's value or sellability? I would think since the Canadian Maple Leaf is valued for its gold content not its numismatic value so the condition should not be an issue. The Maple Leaf I have became extremely scratched on the floor of my car. I had dropped it on the floor of my car and couldn't find it until months later.




When I tried to unload some perfectly excellent gold eagles, pandas, and whatnot, at a coin dealer in downtown Denver, circa maybe 2000 or so, there was much shuddering, lurching and heaving of breath through clenched teeth, and shaking of the head!!! What B888sh888t!!! The fact is the coins were each 1 oz, each worth xxx at spot, yet they were being treated like numismatics...I was then questioned why I had taken them out of their individual dinky little clear plastic protectors...I did that in order to SET FREE the bloody Au!!! And jingle jangle them in my sweaty paws...

It is all somewhat of a scam - and u will get marked down - for example, be careful buying Kruggerands from certain dealers, they will come with many battle scars, but when u try to sell....


AuVenger
Goldilox
(05/22/2006; 14:39:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144517)
Coin condition
@ AuVenger,

I found this a bit frustrating at first, as well.

Now I ask my dealer to survey the coins he sells me and discount them if there is any reason he would discount the buy-back. It's typically no more than a few dollars if they are scratched, but BU US and Can bullion coins are commanding a small premium over spot right now in my locale.

If you develop a regular relationship with your dealer, these details become less surprising.

Interestingly enough, on the other side of the equation, I own some post-2000 Eagles that were graded and stored in fancy hard plastic containers, and are not worth a penny more than the tubed versions for all the expense and trouble.

In fact, my dealer sold them to me at "face" because they didn't fit well in his "strotage scheme".

Go figger!
Flatliner
(05/22/2006; 14:42:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144518)
On yesterday's message from AuVenger (&Chris Powell)
You mentioned that you heard: "*They are convinced this is it as far as the down move, gold correction is concerned ... and believe this crushing has set up a move to $800. Their words, not mine.

*The orders coming in on the silver buy side are huge: 1,000 lots in size. They are limit orders on the downside, letting the spec selling come to them."

Is there any follow up on this from anyone? Was there exceptional hoarding today in the markets? Also, what are "1,000 lots in size"? (and that's not a riddle.)
Survivor
(05/22/2006; 14:43:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144519)
Condition of Gold Coins

My trading experience tells me that pristine coins sell for a few dollars more than scratched ones and I expect the same when (if) it is time to sell.

Your ounce is still an ounce regardless of condition. I expect that the over-the-counter reaction described in a previous post is a well rehearsed preface to a lousy offer to buy the coin(s).

The absolute bottom would be the 'scrap' 24K price, which is about $30 less than the one ounce bullion coin price.

This appies to garden-variety bullion products. Coins having numismatic value in addition to their bullion weight are another story.

Unless you are dealing with a top-drawer firm like our host, it is good to shop around whether buying or selling.

- Survivor

R Powell
(05/22/2006; 15:40:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144520)
Flatliner
Your question....

"Is there any follow up on this from anyone? Was there exceptional hoarding today in the markets? Also, what are "1,000 lots in size"? (and that's not a riddle.)"

********

The follow up is in today's price move. If there is any truth to this, then the market should have found some solid support on any down ticks.

These markets contain a great amount of speculation, but very little "hoarding".

Each Comex contract is 5,000 ounces in silver, 1,000 ounces for the mini contract. Did the rumor specify whether that "1,000" refers to ounces or contracts? I doubt it was contracts, but what do I know about rumors?

A gold contract is 100 ounces. The exchange requires good certified bars with marked purity, stored in exchange approved warehouses. Storage is possible for owners or arrangments can be made to pick up or deliver metal at specific places on specific dates. Almost all of these contracts, I believe, are settled for cash. Physical moves elsewhere. Hope this is correct.....?

There were a good many "kings of the hill" today. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone got to be king for a few minutes, moving right on up Gandalf's list toward the top.
rich
Goldilox
(05/22/2006; 16:17:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144521)
Fib view
After hearing so many remarks about $550/oz potential, I went back and studied the chart a little more.

$550 is 100% retracement to the last major support, whereas we are now at the 50% retracement level.

I am no chartist, but I think these numbers are close.

If this holds, we could see some upside ahead. If not JS' $628 magnet may pull us back some more.
Goldilox
(05/22/2006; 16:23:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144522)
Russia's MICEX Suspends Trade Over Heavy Losses
http://www.mosnews.com/money/2006/05/22/micex.shtmlsnip:

Russia's MICEX stock exchange has suspended trading in shares from 1430 GMT after intraday losses of more than 8.5 percent, a MICEX official said on Monday, the Reuters news agency reported.

He said trading would resume on Tuesday. The Russian market has been declining for nine consecutive days and has lost almost a third of value following a global trend on the emerging markets in the past weeks.

An official from the RTS bourse, Russia's second key exchange, said the trading would continue as Monday's decline has so far not exceeded seven percent.
Goldilox
(05/22/2006; 16:25:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144523)
India suicide alert as stocks crash
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/AD2982D0-2889-4E2A-BAE9-D626FF410AF8.htmsnip:

Indian police are watching out for brokers and investors attempting suicide after a market slide wiped out billions of dollars in share values.

Policemen were keeping a watch near lakes and canals on Monday - possible places where people in distress could head to kill themselves. They said rescue teams were on alert.

A police official in the western city of Ahmedabad, R K Patel, said: "A financial crisis can trigger suicides. We are just trying to prevent them. Till now, no such cases have been reported."

India's Bombay Stock Exchange, which had a market value of $657 billion last week after falling 10% in the previous two sessions, slid as much as another 10% in early trade on Monday.

The latest slump came after brokers sold the stocks they were holding as security for their clients.

-Goldilox

Can you say, "MARGIN CALL".
Goldilox
(05/22/2006; 16:28:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144524)
Swedish Krasch!
http://urbansurvival.com/week.htmsnip:

Subscriber report out of Sweden just in 11:00 CDT:
Hi - The Swedish bourse (biggest Nordic) has crashed as of today. It topped 3 April and has since then declined over 15 percent as of today's closing. Wednesday last week it fell 4,2 percent, and it was called black Wednesday in Swedish press. But today Monday it fell 5,34 percent, which must be a blacker Monday. It sure can be the beginning of wave three down globally.
Regards KH, Subscriber, Sweden

-Goldilox

Not a good day at the ole' mercado!
Flatliner
(05/22/2006; 16:29:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144525)
Thanks R Powell
Thousands of ounces of Silver does not make a market. iShares SLV and NYMEX will provide numbers come tomorrow for today's actions. Unfortunately, this doesn't really say anything about the actions on the floor. If the rumor comes from floor traders, it would be nice to see someone nourish that connection and share if they are willing.

For gold, StreetTracksGoldShares shows no growth in hoarding today (but I'm not sure if these are Friday's numbers of Monday's: http://streettracksgoldshares.com/us/value/gb_value_usa.php#2). Price action does seem to give any hints as to direction either.

Back to supporting MK � nothing has really changed much except for stock market crashes and confidence in the economy - that's just getting a little worse.
Ned
(05/22/2006; 17:42:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144526)
Foreign markets crashing is supporting dollar
Sweden, India, Saudi, many..........most?

Flight to dollar? Safe haven for how long?
Ned
(05/22/2006; 17:47:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144527)
More crashing....
More honorable mentions......Brazil, Argentia, Russia, European markets.

Dollar is getting a little support in this 'run'.
canamami
(05/22/2006; 17:53:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144528)
Another view - Crashing foreign markets
A better place to put money is gold. If one's domestic stock market is crashing, and the US dollar is on its last legs, gold becomes a place to park some wealth.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/22/2006; 19:25:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144529)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

May 22 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures climbed Monday, recovering from a three-week low to post their first gain in four sessions as some traders viewed the metal's more than $60-an-ounce drop since May 11 as a buying opportunity.

"Nearly completing a full $100 correction from highs recorded just 10 days ago, gold now appears to be a reasonable-enough buy to more and more investors," said Kitco's investment products analyst, Jon Nadler.

No one is "yet certain that the bout of profit-taking has come to an end, at the very least, increasing numbers of sidelined buyers feel more comfortable with the low $600's as a buying opportunity," he said.

COMEX June contracts rose 20 cents to close at $657.70, recovering from a low of $643.50, an intraday level the contract hasn't seen since April 28.

"When taking into account the overall fundamentals of the dollar, of inflation prospects, and that of equities, most investors remain of the opinion that a core hedge position in gold remains very much warranted," said Nadler.

Weakness in the U.S. dollar by the afternoon provided support for the metal. The greenback was down 0.1% against the yen at 111.55, though it reached a two-week high of 112.94 in overnight trading. The buck was also 0.7% weaker versus the euro at $1.2858.

"Despite some speculating [that] the bull run for gold is over, in my view there are still far too many factors in favor of being long gold, with $850 remaining a realistic target for later in the year as investment demand continues to swell prices," James Moore, an analyst at TheBullionDesk, said in a note to clients.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
R Powell
(05/22/2006; 19:47:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144530)
Pennies, dollars + hundreds
Silver is currently up 11 pennies. The POS is still in dollars and cents but daily moves are almost always measured in pennies.

Gold is currently up $6.10. Gold too trades in dollars and cents. The POG daily moves are still measured in dollars and cents.

Platinum is up $8.00. It is $1283 and trades in dollars, not pennies.

And then there's Rhodium. It is up an even $100 to $6,205. It most certainly does not trade in cents. It probably will not see ticks less than $5.00.

The day when silver trades more dollars and dimes, not pennies and gold trades mostly in dollars, rarely in cents, like platinum, may not be all that far off. Then we'll be able to say.....I remember the old days when an eight cent silver day and a two dollar gold day were big events! Ah, yes, do you remember?
Titan
(05/22/2006; 21:15:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144531)
Question from a newbie
Hi, all. This is my first post. I've enjoyed reading this forum for a while and finally got around to requesting a password so I could join you. I'm looking forward to being a part of this enlightened group of investors!

My wife and I decided a month or so ago to put 5% of our assets in gold. The POG is now below what we paid for it, but that's OK. We're on the same wavelength as most of the rest of the people I've been reading in this forum, and I'm not worried. I believe! I'm not a wise enough Au owner yet to prognosticate how high it'll go. But it just makes sense that it's got to go WAY higher than it did on 1/21/80--and in today's adjusted dollars too!

My question is this: if enough of those "experts" keep saying that gold will probably go below $600 for a while, and THEN start going up again, should we believe them? I'm sure that if it does do that (go down) and sit there for a while, I'm going to kick myself for not unloading what I own now and then rebuying it on the downside. That could make us over a thousand dollars, and maybe just in the course of a month or so.

We're intent on being long-term holders of gold. I know that the above buy-and-sell action makes me look like a day-trader or whatever you call someone who tries to do with precious metals what some of us were crazy enough to try and do in the 90's with stocks. I think I've grown a little and maybe wised up. Gold really makes sense; stocks often don't.

Since no one really knows what the price is going to do short-term or long-term, if all we really have is our belief that over the course of a number of years it's GOT to go WAY higher than it is now, is it better to just forget about it?
The Hoople
(05/22/2006; 21:29:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144532)
Flatliner
A 1,000 lot silver order is 1,000 - 5,000 oz contracts. Those are indeed huge orders if they came in, but I believe it could have happened. Bill Murphy's Midas comments was where the comment originated. I trust his sources. I have done 100 lots and I see no reason why entities like Goldman Sachs or JPM couldn't easily do 1,000 lots if the opportunity presented itself. To a clearing member it would amount to about 5 or 6 million of margin funds. No sweat if you are the cabal guy.
Pal
(05/22/2006; 21:35:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144533)
China should buy more gold, newspaper says
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060522/3/2kvnn.htmlSNIP

"Worries about the momentum of the U.S. economy; fears among financial experts that the dollar is on a long-term depreciating trend; doubts that the euro can replace the dollar as a major reserve currency; and concern that overseas demand for U.S. Treasury securities is drying up -- except on the part of China -- were all reasons why China should buy more gold, the paper said."

END SNIP

The huge imbalances caused by the decades of Dollar(Fed?) Hegemony has and continues to increase the awareness that no currency can be a substitute for gold's ability to preserve wealth.

-Pal

mikal
(05/22/2006; 22:24:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144534)
Headline hotlist
Stagflation Lite, Central Banking Nightmare, May Await Bernanke - Bloomberg [Is that innocent looking guy in the horror script for a reason?]
What Would Greenspan Do? Bernanke Weighs Risks of Rate Increases and Rising Inflation - WSJ [Greenie and Bennie- SOMEONE'S gotta be the fall guy.]
IMF: More Fed rate hikes may be needed - Reuters [You're bluffin me big guy.]
Regulator fears fuel spiral - AJC.com [The world's improving- the "R" word is getting some exposure for what it's worth.]
Emerging-Market Stocks Slump 10th Day, Longest Rout in 8 Years - Bloomberg
New index offers window on to US housing market - FT [Oh boy, another way to instant riches!]
Age-old problems and pension fund deficits - FT
Cash becoming king as all else fails - Reuters [Also liquidations generating cash to pay losses, margin calls etc.]
Global derivatives market expands to record US$298t - Asia BusTimes [Conservative estimate- others have it pegged at 4X that number.]
U.S. dollar has further to fall, most agree - Globe&Mail
US warned it risks losing capital flows - FT [A little too late.]
Fannie Replaces Audit Leader - Wash. Post [Big Fannie and Freddie accounting irreguarities report is due for release May 23, 2006- today.]
Hutton warns of looming pensions crisis - FT [Another great reason to hold gold.]
Six Major Hurricanes May Form in Atlantic This Year - Bloomberg [Some say a strong multi-year cycle has begun.]
24karat
(05/22/2006; 22:39:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144535)
Welcome aboard sir Titan
What you are describing is market timing. This is always a tricky thing to be doing. You would have to correctly identify the peaks and the troughs, and then overcome the premium your bullion dealer charges - currently $15-45 per ounce, depending on the coin or bar you buy.

Glad to have you join in.
GOLD FINGER
(05/22/2006; 22:43:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144536)
YOU FORGOT....
GLOBAL WARMING!!

Gold will out last them all.
mikal
(05/22/2006; 22:46:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144537)
Metals in the news
Metals Take a Beating But Some Still See Life
That is the title of a Reuters story tonight.
Like Bill Murphy says, you can't make this stuff up.
Imagine if someone posted a similar headline for a major stock index, the lawyers would have a field day.
Speaking of stocks, the Nikkei is down almost
another 200 points at this time. I did detect a twitch though. :)
contrarian
(05/22/2006; 23:34:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144538)
AuVenger--gold coins and local dealers
I had heard that Canadian Maple Leafs could be problematic, as they're 24 karat, and thus prone to scratches, damage, etc., since nearly pure gold is very malleable.

As for neighborhood coin dealers, when I went to one of my local coin dealers (on 57th Street in NYC), I was immediately turned off when they charged me $5 to buy a silly little box to put a coin in. I could only imagine how they would try to take me to the cleaners if I did any sort of precious metal business with them, so I never returned and avoid them like the plague. Maybe because it's NYC and tourists, so they figure they'll rook you because you'll never come back anyways, but you never know.

It's similar to trying to sell used music equipment at a used equipment music store. I'll never do that again! They take apart your piece of equipment and find anything wrong with it that they can--spurious stuff, so they can justify paying you less. But they don't do that with microphones! But when I did that, EBay wasn't around, so now I know better.

I think USAGold, or any of the other dealers recommended at the GATA site are a good choice. Use local yokels only as a last resort!
AllanC
(05/23/2006; 00:11:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144539)
Russia to trade gold in rubles June 8 to be followed by oil futures
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060522/48434383.htmlMOSCOW, May 22 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Trading System, Russia's premier stock market, announced Monday that it would start trading in gold, oil and oil products on June 8.

The announcement comes in the wake of President Vladimir Putin's state of the nation address May 10, when he said Russia, as a leading oil exporting nation, should establish its own oil exchange to trade crude and petroleum products for rubles.

"The first trading in contracts for gold will commence in Russia on June 8," the RTS said in a statement.

The stock exchange also said it would start trading in futures and options on oil and oil derivatives, including Urals brand, diesel fuel, jet fuel and fuel oil. Trade will be in rubles based on prices calculated by the Platts agency. The settlement period for a contract is one month and the minimum security guarantee on a contract is 10% of its overall value.

The derivatives section of the RTS, known by its Russian acronym Forts, will trade futures and options on gold in rubles based on the London Stock Exchange evening fixing rate. The settlement period for a contract is one month and the minimum security guarantee on any contract is 5% of its overall value.

The statement said RTS would collect a 1-ruble commission for each concluded contract.

Titan
(05/23/2006; 03:57:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144540)
Premium dealers charge, etc.
Thanks for the reminder of the premium coin dealers charge, 24karat! I tend to look at the price of gold and sometimes forget about that all-important detail!

Around where I live, all the dealers are charging $30 over. I haven't sold any back to them yet, but suspect they'll probably pay me something under the price (I hope not $30!). Whatever it is makes up their spread so I guess that means one shouldn't try to lock in some profit unless the price is moved $100 an ounce or something in the right direction.

You said dealers charge $15-45. Are those asking $15 going to be in larger cities or are they online (like our hosts)? I've got to do some more research, but if it's not against the rules here, I'm wondering where those at the low end of the charges are.

One more question for any of you: if someone wants to sell as gold is going down and buy back when it's lower, should there be a concern about the form the dealer has to send to the Govt. for $10K transactions? I'm not a drug dealer or anything, but still don't really relish the idea of the Uncle Sam monitoring what I'm doing. Guess I could always divide stuff up amongst family members or something so the whole transaction isn't in one person's name!
Goldilox
(05/23/2006; 04:44:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144541)
Coin price margins
@ Titan,

Check around. Check here first! I won't detail this any more out of respect for the host, but I've noticed some bullion coins BRING a premium over spot.

The $10K report applies to cash sales and purchases, I believe.

Check-based transactions use different rules.
Sundeck
(05/23/2006; 05:31:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144542)
Fannie settles...and other thoughts...
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/business/23fannie.html?_r=1&th&emc=th∨ef=loginSnip:

"...
Fannie Mae, the giant mortgage buyer, is expected to pay more than $400 million today as part of a settlement to resolve claims that executives manipulated earnings in the 1990's so they could receive bigger bonuses, two people briefed on the situation said yesterday.

...

For Fannie Mae, the settlement is also a significant step in moving beyond an accounting scandal of almost $11 billion that resulted in a major management shake-up, including the abrupt departure of its chief financial officer and Franklin D. Raines, its former chairman and chief executive, who left in December 2004.

The company is trying to get its financial house in order so that it can issue revised earnings reports
..."

Sundeck: $11B accounting "deception"...pretty soon we will be talking real money... Is this settlement the end of the matter? Or are there still tangled webs to be deconflicted? No doubt, using the magic of derivatives, everyone's gonna be alright...all parties and counterparties can book profits just by rolling around the settlement dates and hedging some wild idea with an "expeditionary" counterparty and marking-to-market at some time of choosing...gawd help us!

...

Meanwhile, the world's stock markets have been undergoing an attack of the shudders...wonder what brought that on? My guess is that everyone watches Wall St (still), and as Wall St hiccoughs three times in a row, everyone else wets themselves...

Not entirely without good reason, mind you. If the dollar falls too fast, then foreign investment in US securities, treasuries and agencies start to suffer "foreign exchange loss", and flighty idividuals (or flighty massed funds of individuals) opt to move their money out. It does not need to be the likes of a Chinese or a Korean or a Japanese Treasury/Central Bank to send the market into a roil...enough little guys can have the same effect.

In addition to FX losses, investors are probably petrified that a rapid dollar decline will stall the buying power of the trusty US citizen and thereby dislocate the somewhat unidirectional flow of goods from Asia to the US. Interrupting this flow will react back onto the Chinese (and Japanese, and Korean) economies disrupting their exports and throwing many of their manufacturers into serious oversupply...which will, in turn, react back onto the "commodity countries" like Australia and Canada and Brazil and Russia...

Thus, the dollar must decline s.l.o.w.l.y to give China (in particular, but also Japan and Europe) time to grow its domestic demand...which is happening. Trichet has recently been fairly silent about a strengthening Euro (European domestic consumption improving, oil costs less burdensome with strong euro) and the PBOC is showing signs of allowing the yuan to appreciate a little more rapidly...thus giving the hard-working chinese citizen more spending power and stimulating imports...it will be wonderous to see the ignition of widespread domestic (retail) demand in China...watch out gold!

Still, it all has to happen oh so delicately, so as not to produce a rout in the Dow or in US treasuries...financial plate tectonics in action. The FED (and other international authorities will do just about ANYTHING to try to prevent a rapid slump in the dollar and the Dow and in treasuries...but they do not hold all the cards...

Meanwhile prices of gold and silver and commodities "correct", as Wall Street's health is examined... Keep her going, Ben! The World's dependin' upon ya'! Still... Come-onnn! You can out-do Big Al...we knows ya can...

;-)
Ned
(05/23/2006; 05:36:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144543)
@ canamami, any, all
http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DX&v=d1Please see attached one-month DX chart. Strong dollar from May 13, co-inciding with weakness in most global stock markets. Just read that SM weakness has been last 10 days, matching the dollar strength.

Not surprising, gold has found weakness in the same period. I agree that gold "will win in the end" but USD, for many, is King of cash.

We are still in phase 2 of this bull market, the realization that fiat WILL be in trouble in the future. Phase 3 begins when fiat is ablaze.

Possibly not too far in the future. This also co-incides with 4-digit gold.

Have a golden day.
Boilermaker
(05/23/2006; 06:50:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144544)
Titan
Resist the temptation to trade physical gold. Its expensive for the trades and very likely will result in costing more to get back in. I think of the this as the same mindset that our local squirels have when trying to cross the road with oncoming traffic. They tend to wait until the last possible moment, then make a mad dash for the other side and mostly end up as roadkill. The local hawks and crows feast on their remains. Brokers and dealers do the same with small traders.
If you must try your hand at gold market timing then do it with a small bet on a gold etf. Think of it as a Saturday night poker game. Use the winnings (if any) to buy more physical. Any losses are for "learning". Remember that the etf product is only paper and must eventually be cashed in for physical before the "big bang" to accomplish the primary purpose of gold ownership, preservation of wealth.

Good Luck!
Pal
(05/23/2006; 07:38:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144545)
How high can it go?
https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/data/M3.txt
http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/fun_facts/index.cfm?flash=yes∾tion=fun_facts13

Since we were asked as part of the contest to decide how high gold could go I decided to revisit a couple of key statistics. A few months back an article was linked here that had the idea to divide the number of ounces of gold in reserve into the M3. I remember the article was written a few years ago so I tracked down the current number of ounces of gold the U.S. has in reserve and the last reported M3 measurement. Here is what I found...
147.3 Million Ounces(United States Bullion Depository Fort Knox, KY)
10336.3 Billion Dollars(M3 March 13, 2006)

Let's see... if in 1933 one ounce of gold was equal to $20 and if we were still on a gold standard then that would would look like:
10,336,300,000,000 � 147,300,000 = Go get a calculator(you need to see this yourself-it was even higher than I thought).

Now keep in mind the US Mint link above states, "The gold is held as an asset of the United States at a book value of $42.22 per ounce." It sounds a little undervalued to me...

-Pal

P.S. Does the U.S. have more gold reserves than what is held in Fort Knox?
Druid
(05/23/2006; 07:43:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144546)
Conspiracy Theories and the Global Stock Market Melt-down
http://www.safehaven.com/article-5221.htm
Druid: Excellent read. The paper architecture is comprised of levers and pulleys. Don't think for minute that what has happened in the overall markets as of late wasn't orchestrated.
24karat
(05/23/2006; 07:57:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144547)
@ Titan
The $15 premium I mentioned is approximately the amount many dealers get for a SA Krugerrand. If you were interested in an Austrailian Kangaroo, the premium goes up to $45. As gold goes up in value, the premium seems to do the same.

On the sale side, don't be surprised to find out that some of your coins will sell for near spot prices. If they are dinged in any way, as Sir Armageddon found out, they will sell for less.
slingshot
(05/23/2006; 08:11:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144548)
Sir Titan
Not easy being a Goldbug and I bet you caught a bit of gold fever too ;0) I am a small time investor.Your concern about the correction is just watching your FIAT disappear. Hard to get over it I Know! But has anything changed? Here is a good one for you. I just found a closet goldbug who has gold he brought at over $800. He is going to dump it. What is he going to think when gold goes to $1200.How do I know it will go that high? I know that I can not purchase as much as I did four years ago with my Fiat. The stock market is in stall and real estate is taking a beating in some areas. What is left? Precious Metals. I look forward to volatility and this ten percect drop is a buying opportunity. There is something I call "The Lock Up"
That is when there will be no gold or silver for sale. Will not be a good time. Anyhow Warren Buffet couldn't call the top and he sold 130 million oz. of silver.
DYODD and READ READ READ everything on P.M.'s
Do you have M.K.'s book on Gold Investing? A MUST READ!
Slingshot-----------<>
Henri
(05/23/2006; 08:19:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144549)
Welcome Titan
I think you should take your new gold and just stash it next to your life insurance policy and don't look at it or think about it again. And absolutely do not fondle it! You will just want to buy more :-)
Lady Liberty
(05/23/2006; 09:06:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144550)
Hilarious Parody & Link to Ludwig Von Mises Institute Online Movies
More proof that the fact of the increasing gold price is not going unnoticed in the media! Dr. Mercola is a naturopathic physician and here is one story in his weekly newsletter. It includes links; one to the parody on the FRS and the other to the Ludwig von Mises Institute and its various movies/treatises.
becominghttp://www.mercola.com/2006/may/18/why_is_the_price_of_gold_exploding_and_your_paycheck_crashing.htm

Lady Liberty
Gandalf the White
(05/23/2006; 09:17:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144551)
WOWSERS !
http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DX&v=sUS$ Chart for TODAY shows BEAUTIFUL CLIFF fall after 10 o'clock !
GO YELLOW
<;-)
Goldilox
(05/23/2006; 09:43:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144552)
CBS - Police Video parody
Being a hobbyist in the realm of parody, I gotta say this is one of the best I've seen produced. It ranks up there with Weird Al Yankovich.

"Every oath you take . . .
Bet your beard is fake.
I'll be watching you."

almost wet myself.
Henri
(05/23/2006; 10:33:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144553)
Hillary really doesn't get it
http://kevxml2adsl.verizon.net/_1_LZ3TUK0495EYGM__vzn.dsl.tbar/apnws/story.htm?kcfg=apart&sin=D8HPIVDG0&qcat=washnews&ran=17770&passqi=&feed=ap⊤=1Being partially (but not dyed in the wool) an objectivist, this rant raises my blood temperature only a little.

A time that calls out for presidential leadership???

It is the continual meddling of governments in our markets that has caused the issues we are experiencing now. More meddling will not quell the starkness of reality on a planet that believes its leaders (elected or otherwise) and "all the King's men" can put Humpty-Dumpty back together again.

Even the so-called market regulators have been compromised by the body politik.

Democracy = government by financiers

Thank God we are a Republic
Armageddon
(05/23/2006; 10:45:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144554)
New Indian Head Buffalo Gold Coin Question
Does anyone out there know if the U.S. Mint is going to release a new 24k gold Bullion Indian Head Buffalo coin in June? I have read some articles on this before and was wondering what is the current status of this coin.

Thanks.
Goldilox
(05/23/2006; 11:01:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144555)
Clinton's "campaign speech"
@ Henri,

Yep, she picked up where the prez left off, right on cue.

Don't anger the oil companies, and play to the farming block.

Note that dissenters have to be forcibly removed from her appearances, just as the Secret Service (SS) has to pre-screen all attendees to any presidential appearance for politcal compliance.

The Demopublicans (or Replublicrats, if you prefer) are not getting the message from the people, and it is ticking a lot of folks off!
Ned
(05/23/2006; 11:07:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144556)
Connect the dots to GOLD !!
http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?t=198387On occasion interesting stories at this site. Clearly China and Russia are siding (even aiding)Iran with their nuclear and military ambitions.

News out of China:

"China on Tuesday defended its nuclear cooperation with Iran following a British Broadcasting Corp. report that traced Tehran's newly announced ability to enrich uranium to Chinese assistance.

Beijing abided by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in collaborating with Iran on "peacefully using nuclear technology" and reported their dealings to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

"Since 1992 China has been a party to the NPT and we have been honoring our commitments," Liu said at a news briefing. "We have reported our cooperation with Iran to the IAEA." "

It wouldn't be a long shot in betting that many Asian countries do not want to see a repeat of the Iraqi mess, Iran will not fall prey to the US Administration.

As BRIC gets stronger, US gets weaker. Iran's oil goes to China, India et al. US imports more, oil works through peak production, oil gets stronger, dollar gets weaker. Interest rates are raised tentatively to support the cliff falling dollar, economy falls into the toilet. SM, HM, bonds, dollar, economy, nosedives. Tax receipts falls while indebtedness and committments skyrocket.

Gold goes to the moon.

Timeframe?

Sooner than you think!

Have a golden day !

Gandalf the White
(05/23/2006; 11:31:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144557)
Jump SPOT, JUMP !!
WHERE is Sir Zhisheng when you need him to say ---
<;-)
LimitUp
(05/23/2006; 11:53:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144558)
Ned, connecting the dots to Gold
Reality doesn't get any better than this.
mikal
(05/23/2006; 12:16:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144559)
WGC reports on gold
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/0f53fc76-ea68-11da-9566-0000779e2340.htmlInvestment Demand for Gold Soars - Chris Flood - 5-23-06
Gandalf the White
(05/23/2006; 12:17:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144560)
TA TA Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa <;-)

The POG CONTEST "King of the Hill" Report !

The following SIXTEEN (16) Goldhearts where (at one time) atop the "HILL" during the COMEX trading today !

GCM06 HIGH $674.4 low $651.5 Settled $673.7 CHANGE +$16.0

====

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $673.5 $$$$ goldenpeace (5/19/06; 04:32:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144369)

$$$$ $673.3 $$$$ 2Dogs (5/19/06; 14:43:06MT - usagold.com msg#: 144393)

$$$$ $672.0 $$$$ nugget101 (5/20/06; 12:50:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144441)

$$$$ $670.2 $$$$ 24karat (5/20/06; 10:49:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144436)

$$$$ $669.1 $$$$ GoldenBear (5/20/06; 22:59:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144470)

$$$$ $668.0 $$$$ el dorado (5/20/06; 22:52:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144469)

$$$$ $667.1 $$$$ Cuda (5/20/06; 23:10:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144472)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $665.0 $$$$ Tranquility Base (5/20/06; 22:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144467)

$$$$ $664.4 $$$$ otish mountain (5/20/06; 20:59:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144461)

$$$$ $663.0 $$$$ RobertG (5/20/06; 17:19:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144452)

$$$$ $660.0 $$$$ Black Blade (5/20/06; 16:25:33MT - usagold.com msg#: 144450)

$$$$ $658.7 $$$$ Nomad (5/20/06; 18:47:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144454)

$$$$ $654.3 $$$$ Tevye (5/19/06; 10:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144383)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

===

AND THEREFORE the "King of the Hill" for Tuesday 6/23/06
(with only one more day to go) --- is:

-------- Sir Goldenpeace !!!

CONGRATULATIONS, and "HANG ON" !
<;-)

LimitUp
(05/23/2006; 12:30:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144561)
PAL, How high can it go?
The answer is to the moon. The Gold that was in Fort Knox is gone! I'll bet a 1oz. Maple on it. They refuse to inventory because it's gone.
Henri
(05/23/2006; 12:42:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144562)
Thanks Lady Liberty and Question for MK
for the link to the Columbia Business School parody...also the Von Mises Institute Tutorial. While viewing the tutorial, the commentator kept referring to dollars 100% backed by gold as a gold standard. This is felt to gurantee the value of savings going forward generationally.

I could not help thinking that under the current system, we still have that option as long as we are able to convert our fiat into gold bullion/coin. OK so there is not enough gold around for everyone to do this, so it is only a good plan for those who 1) Have savings to protect the value of, and 2)can see the systematic savings destruction caused by the global fiat expansion and opt for "that asset which is no man's liability".

Those would be bankers and big financiers and the little guy who has learned to live below his means in order to generate savings.

Those who consider part of their means to be the amount of credit they can obtain along with their employment cash flow, will never understand the concept of wealth...only affluence.

In my perception, any global banking system must inflate the monetary base so that there is money to repay loans. The evolving central banking concept is to "Mark to Market" (MTM)the gold reserves held by country's various central banks. In turn the currency value of that gold reserve base must inflate rather than the fiat currency supply. In this way the books of the global banks can be balanced by accomodating an ever increasing MTM cushion.

MK question:
Isn't this just another way of skinning the banker's cat???
Doesn't this system allow the banks to continue profiting in the financing of "business" and the transactional affairs of the common man while not having to become the "banker of last resort"?

As long as the global imbalances can be mitigated or absorbed by an increasing currency value of limited gold reserves, the international currency exchange rates can be adjusted to discount/accomodate the disparities in both the amount of gold reserve held and the relative monetary expansion of the varieties/blocs of fiat. Is this what is being proposed in secret by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS)?

This means, if true, that the race is on to acquire gold at any current price since it is a slam dunk that it will (as always) be worth more in fiat currency terms later.

Is this better than a system based on exchange of value for value? For example tankers of fresh water for parched middle east in exchange for oil? I am thinking the answer to this is...only for the bankers.

The BIS is beginning to look more and more like the "One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them"

The other major international banks of course having the sets of rings given to the various groups/blocs populating the globe from which all profit will be rung (wrung?) OK something related to rings and things.



Titan
(05/23/2006; 13:51:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144563)
What's a reasonable % of assets to be in gold?
OK, I'll relax, Henri. :-) (Though it IS hard not to want to visit the safe deposit box and make sure it's still there!)

Reading people's comments (not in *this* forum) that gold is headed down to $550-600 for a while got us thinking about cashing in a rebuying low. But now it's $670, so looks like they don't know what they're talking about (and who really does anyway when you're predicting the future).

We're happy with our little stash and maybe now I'll just try and figure out a way to convince my wife to increase our gold holdings when she starts complaining about how our retirement accounts based in mutual funds are losing so much money!

What percentage of assets do any of you feel is right to be in gold? Is it a good strategy to balance stocks/mutual funds against gold and bonds? Or are you so convinced precious metals hold the key to wealth in the future that you would put virtually all your eggs in this basket? I know there are some hard-core folks here, but I'm not sure how far you'd go with it (or how far I'll try and go).
Minero
(05/23/2006; 14:23:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144564)
@Titan
I don't know about you, but the longer I hold my little stash, the more secure I feel about it. I no longer worry about the ups and downs of the POG. I wouldn't consider selling a gram of it. I feel like I have done about all there is to do to protect the wealth. I suspect that a year from now, you will wish that you had been a bit more brazen about acquiring gold. I for one prefer a good prepaid burial plan. If I were given the task of confiscating the public's gold, I would go straight to the bank safety deposit boxes. That doesn't sound like a safe place to me.
Armageddon
(05/23/2006; 14:42:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144565)
@Titan - % Assets in Gold
I would recommend 2/3 of your total wealth in gold/silver based assets either coins and/or gold/silver/mineral stocks and 1/3 in paper currency denominated assets like cash/treasury bills, etc.

For me, I have 2/3 in gold assets and 1/3 in cash. I have 1/3 in gold bullion coins (<5 ounces since 5 ounces was the max allowed during the gold confiscation in the United States before), pre-1933 rare gold coins, collector gold proof coins, and some silver coins mainly American silver Eagles coins that are in brilliant uncirculated condition and could also be considered collector's items. Collector's items are generally considered more "confiscation" resistent than other gold/silver coins such as plain bullion coins that have little numismatic value. I have another 1/3 in gold/silver/mineral mining stocks. The other 1/3 is in cash.
TownCrier
(05/23/2006; 15:44:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144566)
Henri, MTM is a most important topic
A brief conversation would be far more thorough and time-efficient than typing. Would you care to call me while I'm at filling in at Jonathan's extension during his holiday? You'll reach me at #110.

Randy
Flatliner
(05/23/2006; 15:57:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144567)
@MTM is a most important topic
Why, this is most unfortunate for the rest of us. I was looking forward to hearing more about this topic. It seems to me that this topic will shape the rest of our lives, so it should be well understood by all. And, as it becomes more and more understood, it will become self fulfilling!
Flatliner
(05/23/2006; 16:34:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144568)
@Henri, Question for MK
FWIW, I think you're right on with your perception with regards to the need to create money to service loans, thus banks are forced to inflate. I also believe that they need some way to maintain confidence in the currency which will lead us to the MTM functionality. As long as a currency if freely convertible into and out of gold, that currency can be used for transactions. If not, we will most likely find, that no one in the international community will hold that non-marked currency. Thus, it will be in the interest of all countries to make gold trade freely in their economies and let dollars chase gold or flee from gold based on the politics of the currency supply.

I can't help but think that our financial system, post crash, might be structured like a gold ETF. Right now, people are willing to buy into something that tracks gold, without actually holding it. Thus, any county could effectively create a Central Economic ETF for currency. They might do something like place gold on reserve and issue 56,000 units per ounce (or something similar). Then, anyone that wants this unit of currency simply delivers the appropriate amount of gold and they get the currency. Likewise, anyone with the appropriate amount of currency can convert back into gold. But, conversion prices are not fixed by the bank as they are today, but rather, they are determined in a world market.

As more people come to an understanding that being part of the currency trade means that you are taxed by the issuing country through inflation, they will change their way of doing business to in an effort to reduce taxes (or they will choose to deal with the currency that has the lease amount of taxes!). There is nothing worse then setting aside a few million for a few years and then revisiting it to find that it only buys � as much crap. Just like everyone creates companies based in Delaware, they will choose to perform economic transactions in currencies that have the lowest tax burden!
CoBra(too)
(05/23/2006; 16:50:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144569)
@ Flatliner
... Don't forget tbe WGC is taking credit to have initiated the gold ETF's.

Pathetic, if you ask me ...

cb2
Henri
(05/23/2006; 16:58:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144570)
@ Titan
Titan, The first order of business is to protyect what you have by getting completely out of debt...EVERYTHING. Release the bonds that tie you to the future by anymeans possible EXCEPT becoming further indebted. If that means moving to a smaller home with no mortgage payment then so be it. Credit cards? dump them! Pay them off and get out.

Worried about your credit rating? Why? If you do not need to borrow money, you no longer have a need for credit. The days when you need a "credit" card to rent a motel room or a car are long gone. Today a VISA debit card with "bank one" is all you need.

If you wnat a picture of why this is a good idea for anyone, even those in a still accelerating (pricewise)residential district, just multiply your monthly payment by the term of the loan (from the beginning) and subtract the market value of the home to see how much further the price will need to appreciate in order to break even (don't forget to add the principle and interest on the amount of any equity loans you have taken out).

Worried about not having a tax deduction? Here's a little known secret. If you don't have enough deductions for schedule A, the government gives you a generous standard deduction. For many folks with no debt, this is a gift because it assumes you are a profligate spender and not a saver. For many this is actually a windfall gift...but then it was your own money you gave them in the first place.

Following becoming debt free with a positive cash flow place the long term savings component in PM physical, Your IRA holdings in small quality mining stocks and/or Non-US based stocks, a portion in foreign currency and the balance in ready cash. Now you are ready for whatever comes.

The key is not to give the bankers a handle on any of your posessions.
TownCrier
(05/23/2006; 16:59:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144571)
Flatliner -- 144568; great post there!!
You may have noticed, I haven't had much time lately for posting, and the phone has become as part of my ear.

Henri had a really fine commentary as part of his contest entry, and I was hoping he could incorporate the points of our conversation into the good energy and smooth style he has for posting to the rest of the group while my hands remain tied.

Thanks to you, too, as always, for your valuable ongoing contributions on this key subject.

R.
AuVenger
(05/23/2006; 17:12:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144572)
The Plan To Replace The Dollar With The 'Amero'
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=15017FYI...

The idea to form the North American Union as a super-NAFTA knitting together Canada, the United States and Mexico into a super-regional political and economic entity was a key agreement resulting from the March 2005 meeting held at Baylor University in Waco, Tex., between President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Martin.

A joint statement published by the three presidents following their Baylor University summit announced the formation of an initial entity called, "The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America" (SPP). The joint statement termed the SPP a "trilateral partnership" that was aimed at producing a North American security plan as well as providing free market movement of people, capital, and trade across the borders between the three NAFTA partners:

We will establish a common approach to security to protect North America from external threats, prevent and respond to threats within North America, and further streamline the secure and efficient movement of legitimate, low-risk traffic across our borders.

A working agenda was established:

We will establish working parties led by our ministers and secretaries that will consult with stakeholders in our respective countries. These working parties will respond to the priorities of our people and our businesses, and will set specific, measurable, and achievable goals.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has produced a SPP website, which documents how the U.S. has implemented the SPP directive into an extensive working agenda.

Following the March 2005 meeting in Waco, Tex., the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) published in May 2005 a task force report titled "Building a North American Community." We have already documented that this CFR task force report calls for a plan to create by 2010 a redefinition of boundaries such that the primary immigration control will be around the three countries of the North American Union, not between the three countries. We have argued that a likely reason President Bush has not secured our border with Mexico is that the administration is pushing for the establishment of the North American Union.

The North American Union is envisioned to create a super-regional political authority that could override the sovereignty of the United States on immigration policy and trade issues. In his June 2005 testimony to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Pastor, the Director of the Center for North American Studies at American University, stated clearly the view that the North American Union would need a super-regional governance board to make sure the United States does not dominate the proposed North American Union once it is formed:

NAFTA has failed to create a partnership because North American governments have not changed the way they deal with one another. Dual bilateralism, driven by U.S. power, continue to govern and irritate. Adding a third party to bilateral disputes vastly increases the chance that rules, not power, will resolve problems.

This trilateral approach should be institutionalized in a new North American Advisory Council. Unlike the sprawling and intrusive European Commission, the Commission or Council should be lean, independent, and advisory, composed of 15 distinguished individuals, 5 from each nation. Its principal purpose should be to prepare a North American agenda for leaders to consider at biannual summits and to monitor the implementation of the resulting agreements.

Pastor was a vice chairman of the CFR task force that produced the report "Building a North American Union."

Pastor also proposed the creation of a Permanent Tribunal on Trade and Investment with the view that "a permanent court would permit the accumulation of precedent and lay the groundwork for North American business law." The intent is for this North American Union Tribunal would have supremacy over the U.S. Supreme Court on issues affecting the North American Union, to prevent U.S. power from "irritating" and retarding the progress of uniting Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. into a new 21st century super-regional governing body.

Robert Pastor also advises the creation of a North American Parliamentary Group to make sure the U.S. Congress does not impede progress in the envisioned North American Union. He has also called for the creation of a North American Customs and Immigration Service which would have authority over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security.

Pastor's 2001 book "Toward a North American Community" called for the creation of a North American Union that would perfect the defects Pastor believes limit the progress of the European Union. Much of Pastor's thinking appears aimed at limiting the power and sovereignty of the United States as we enter this new super-regional entity. Pastor has also called for the creation of a new currency which he has coined the "Amero," a currency that is proposed to replace the U.S. dollar, the Canadian dollar, and the Mexican peso.

If President Bush had run openly in 2004 on the proposition that a prime objective of his second term was to form the North American Union and to supplant the dollar with the "Amero," we doubt very much that President Bush would have carried Ohio, let alone half of the Red State majority he needed to win re-election. Pursuing any plan that would legalize the conservatively estimated 12 million illegal aliens now in the United States could well spell election disaster for the Republican Party in 2006, especially for the House of Representative where every seat is up for grabs
R Powell
(05/23/2006; 17:33:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144573)
Titan
Yesterday you asked.....

"My question is this: if enough of those "experts" keep saying that gold will probably go below $600 for a while, and THEN start going up again, should we believe them? I'm sure that if it does do that (go down) and sit there for a while, I'm going to kick myself for not unloading what I own now and then rebuying it on the downside. That could make us over a thousand dollars, and maybe just in the course of a month or so."

*********

The answer is NO.

Metals trade daily in extremely leveraged markets. Anyone who could correctly call the innumerable ups and downs in these or any commodity markets could quickly make a fortune. He/she would have no need to sell opinions.

Also, there are always bears....and always bulls, always in every market. Don't believe them to be experts, but rather analysts with opinions. Sift through the offerings to find the facts...there is more info than you can shake a stick at....then form your own opinion...TRUST YOURSELF!
Just one man's opinion...

Henri
(05/23/2006; 17:45:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144574)
@ Flatliner and COBRA2!!!!! also AuVenger
Hey! Welcome back CB2...burning the midnite oil? I am so glad to see your post I about lept out of my swivel chair.

Flatliner: I don't see people using an ETF linked "currency" when it is much easier and more direct to use any one of the new digital gold as units of transaction. This is actual gold in circulation exactly as you described it. Of course you pay a fee for the privilege of using it, but you would also be paying bank fees for using their services if they were not allowed so wide a margin on reserve requirements and the differential in their market interest rate to depositors and what they charge for loans.

I don't see a pan North Am "currency bloc" to be a good deal for either Mexico or Canada as long as the US $ is still in a death spiral. Only in the circumstance of a default in obligations to their heavy foreign debt and abolishment of the Federal Reserve by Congress would such an arrangement even make any sense. Essentially why should they hitch their halyards to a titanic on the way down when they could spread their own sails once the blockage to the wind is asunder.
AuVenger
(05/23/2006; 17:57:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144575)
Hi Henri
I don't see a pan North Am "currency bloc" to be a good deal for either Mexico or Canada as long as the US $ is still in a death spiral. Only in the circumstance of a default in obligations to their heavy foreign debt and abolishment of the Federal Reserve by Congress would such an arrangement even make any sense. Essentially why should they hitch their halyards to a titanic on the way down when they could spread their own sails once the blockage to the wind is asunder.


Agreed.

But when did common sense get in the way of these archons?

I posted this as a small reminder to us all that there are forces at work (described by Another and FOA) who have plans - regional currencies, at one level, see below - the Amero- but higher up the pyramid, at the apex, are planners whose overall goal is a one world digital currency - perhaps gold backed - so that ultimate control can be established.

I have been studying this for 20 years - even wrote a book about it (Dancing on the Brink of the World - at Amazon)- and all signs indicate that these plans have not gone away for these folks - from their POV it's just a matter of time...
RD
(05/23/2006; 18:20:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144576)
Good Advice - Henri: msg#: 144570
@Henri

2 years ago I did exactly what you recommended to Titan (with the exception of aquiring some foreign currency - that is next - ), and now I sleep much better at night.
Flatliner
(05/23/2006; 18:51:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144577)
ETF linked "currency"
I too have thought about the digital gold offerings and would truly love the functionality, but it hasn't hit prime time yet. Why? Two reasons: 1) One of the key reasons is that I need to pay taxes! As much as I hate it, I've got to pay taxes in our national currency. They don't accept gold and expect that they never will. This maintains demand for fiat. And 2) the conversion fees are too high for digital gold. They are also too high for physical gold. These fees deter wide spread usage and adoption. If the fees were a fraction of a percent to convert into and out of gold, then digital currencies will be a lot more appealing (physical gold also!).

But, backing a currency with some gold gathered from whatever source provides a sense of �backer of last resort� to the currency. Even if that gold never sees the light of day, there is a known ratio between gold and issued currency that can be monitored by everyone around the world. Then, the boarders have to be opened for tax free import and export of gold. In other words, someone in Brazil, or wherever, should be able to call the �issuing office� and redeem issued shares for a golden bucket. One would expect the golden baskets to be fairly large (hundreds of millions) in order to reduce the work needed to maintain the system. Meanwhile, every little guy can go into the open market and redeem currency for gold. If gold fleas a country due do deficit spending, the price of gold will skyrocket in that country until it absorbs the money sent abroad. To someone holding that currency, their profits are quickly inflated away. This traps currency in the originating countries and frees gold to travel between them. A country that carries a surplus of trade will find that gold becomes very cheap in that country and holding the currency of that country may (actually) prove to be a money making deal! If gold prices are falling there, you hold the currency and then call in the gold later to bring it home where it's really expensive.

I'm sure I'm dreaming here. It all seems too simple. Bankers still keep their jobs and people keep buying houses under such a system. I'm sure there would even be investment opportunities for bankers with regards to playing currencies. But, we may never now. For now, I'll just keep dreaming and talking to people that I know about gold so they can find a happier life knowing that their savings is protected from inflation taxation.
Flatliner
(05/23/2006; 19:04:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144578)
TownCrier
I am sorry to hear that your hands are tied. I do hope that it is because you are busy moving physical between good people. If it is for other reasons, it would be nice to know.

I would like to make a request, if I could. For months, we have all watched as you've come up with great articles showing that the trail is alive and obvious for those who choose to look. We are all looking and every time we see one of these great articles it reaffirms the Freegold stand. And one can't help but want to contribute if there is a need. Thus it really comes down to, if you are too busy to go looking for them, can you reveal how you find them? Google and Yahoo are fine, but I'm sure there are particular signals that you get, that have been honed over time, to help you zero right in on the important ones. Is there any trick, or do you find them through the �usual� Goldbug channels? Most curious and much thanks.
The Alchemist
(05/23/2006; 19:12:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144579)
SIR TITAN: ORTHODOXY SAYS 7% BUT THEN AGAIN!!!!
LET ME ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IN THIS MANNER AS BEFITS AN OLD MAN SUCH AS MYSELF. DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT I WAS ASKED REPEATEDLY BY THE FRESH "JARHEAD" TROOPS, HOW MUCH AMMUNITION SHOULD I CARRY THIS TIME. I DON'T RECALL THE SAME MAN EVER ASKING THAT QUESTION A SECOND TIME.......IT BECAME OBVIOUS VERY QUICKLY THAT YOU CARRY ALL YOU CAN....IF YOU CAN BUY GOLD NOW AND KEEP IT THE PRICE DOES NOT MATTER. IF A FINANCIAL "FIRE FIGHT" DEVELOPS,AS IT MIGHT, THE PRICE DOES NOT MATTER.....
IF YOU WANT TO TRADE USE OPTIONS..... THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR LOVELY WIFE...
TownCrier
(05/23/2006; 19:18:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144580)
Flatliner, on getting "good" news
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.htmlThe link above, is one of my favorite or more useful "channels". The newswire updates around the clock, and of course, there is much too much to be said for knowing what, importantly, to read INTO (or even to read OUT OF) the various items.

Familiarity with the 'Gold Trail' provides an exceptionally good foundation toward that purpose, as does 15 years of central banking study.

And, of course, my apologies in advance, there is a close network of friends among whom the conversation is to be dearly held. A popular series of TV commercials for MasterCard would call that 'priceless'. And to be sure, I'm the laggard of the group!

R.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/23/2006; 19:20:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144581)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

TUESDAY Market Excerps

May 23 (from DowJones) -- The entire precious metals complex rose sharply Tuesday as speculative buying returned after a recent correction lower, aided by a bounce in crude oil, traders and analysts said. Also, the recent pullback in gold and silver prices has attracted some physical buying, they added.

Some traders may have been encouraged by ideas the bounce might signal the recent correction lower may be over, although some market watchers caution that there is still potential for a further pullback.

COMEX June gold futures settled $16 higher at $673.70.

"Oil was around $68 a barrel. Now, it's $72. That brought everything else with it," said a desk trader. More specifically, July crude has risen from a low of $68.17 on Monday to a high Tuesday of $72.15, just prior to gold's close.

Strength in still other commodities also has spilled over into the precious metals, another trader said.

He pointed out that copper futures rose so dramatically on Comex that they hit their limit twice Tuesday, meaning temporary closures before the market opened with expanded price limits.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
R Powell
(05/23/2006; 19:24:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144582)
Annual gold survey
I'm not sure but the 24th may be the release date for this year's gold survey....anyone know for sure? The silver survey should be coming soon too....anyone know?
R Powell
(05/23/2006; 19:32:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144583)
Silver lease rates
The one year is now 6.4%, higher than platinum's.

MK mentioned volatility over the weekend. Copper's limit move today of $0.40 equates to a $4,000 move on one Comex contract. Can you say margin call for those on the wrong side of that one?
R Powell
(05/23/2006; 19:35:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144584)
CoBra(too)
Like Henri, I too am glad to see your name!
I hope all is well with you + family.
rich
mikal
(05/23/2006; 19:45:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144585)
Capital controls, Part I
http://www.freemarketnews.com/Analysis/174/5001/2006-05-23.asp?wid=174∋d=5001 Capital Exchange Controls for the U.S? | Julian D. W. Philips | May 23, 2006
Exploring the murky realm of the possible (and improbable?).
mikal
(05/23/2006; 19:51:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144586)
@RPowell
Re: Copper limit move $.40
Copper was limit up twice today. Closing up 12%.
It speaks for itself even to an amateur like myself. ;)
LimitUp
(05/23/2006; 20:19:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144587)
SIGNS
My wife and I both received letters from our credit union stating we can no longer access our savings and checking accounts using our Visa cards. Looks to me like the early stages of the Argentina crisis limiting ones ability to get to their cash. Silver and gold the only way to go.
Ten Bears
(05/23/2006; 20:24:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144588)
Pass the Bread by Bill Moyers
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0522-35.htmText of Baccalaureate Address, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, May 20, 2006

Snippet:
Civilization is an unnatural act. We have to make it happen, you and I, together with all the other strangers. And because we and strangers have to agree on the difference between a horse thief and a horse trader, the distinction is ethical. Without it, a society becomes a war against all, and a market for the wolves becomes a slaughter for the lambs. My generation hasn't done the best job at honoring this ethical bargain, and our failure explains the mess we're handing over to you. You may be our last chance to get it right.

Bill Moyers may have presented the best graduation speech since Robert M. Hutchins, the difference between "thief and trader" has, unfortunately, become increasingly blurred in modern times.

mikal
(05/23/2006; 20:40:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144589)
Poll
http://news.goldseek.com/TexasHedge/1148396580.phpGold Is Not Finished � Here's Why | Todd Stein and Steven McIntyre | Texas Hedge Report | 05/23/06
Short coffee house poll establishes that gold is seen,
still very barbarous!
Au contraire, gold is a bona fide bargain, in part due to the popular pro forma investment approach. In toto, gold became ever more sine qua non!
mikal
(05/23/2006; 20:57:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144590)
Markets respond to volatility
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060524/asp/business/story_6262547.asp Special Margins on Commodity Contracts - The Telegraph - Calcutta - May 23, 2006
MCX special margins imposed "to cut excessive speculation and clamp down on panic selling".
GOLD FINGER
(05/23/2006; 21:01:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144591)
900 a wish?
So has the "GOLD DUST" settled or has the ground breaking just begun? I have often wondered when the GOLD market would finally start to show some signs of life. Even with all the market data and forecasts I still like to go with my gut feeling on the actual purchase of GOLD.

Perhaps there is no logic to this and I might even make a wrong turn. I must point out however, that just a few months prior to all this movement I decided to finally give in and BUY some GOLD. For me the experience has been delightful and I now find myself at another crossroad.

I still have additional funds available to purchase a lot more gold and or silver. I am thinking with all the world conditions as such If I should take that LAVISH holiday OR Spend the funds on a Huge lot of GOLD?

Any advise?

Sometimes being practical is not easy for various reasons.

Cheers
Pal
(05/23/2006; 21:12:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144592)
Fort Knox Gold?
LimitUp,
"Okay, the worst environment imaginable...that's all you had to say."
-"Armageddon" the movie.

Thanks for the heads up on that. I ran a Google search on 'gold gone from Fort Knox' and found some interesting things to read and research.

-Pal
Druid
(05/23/2006; 21:27:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144593)
Henri (5/23/06; 17:45:31MT - usagold.com msg#: 144574)

"I don't see a pan North Am "currency bloc" to be a good deal for either Mexico or Canada as long as the US $ is still in a death spiral. Only in the circumstance of a default in obligations to their heavy foreign debt and abolishment of the Federal Reserve by Congress would such an arrangement even make any sense. Essentially why should they hitch their halyards to a titanic on the way down when they could spread their own sails once the blockage to the wind is asunder."


Druid: Inferred in your response is that Canada and Mexico might have some sort of choice. Both countries have a huge amount of natural resources and Mexico has a huge young labor force.
Quixote
(05/23/2006; 23:55:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144594)
@ gold finger
the easy answer is this:

if you have to ask, you obviously can't afford the gold.
GOLD FINGER
(05/24/2006; 00:47:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144595)
My Point


My thought is this.

If more entered into the commodities market and INVESTED in solid assets such as gold and less frivolous spending that we each do on a daily basis,
wouldn't this help the over all "tick" that is mentioned? Wouldn't this actually increase everyones wealth and aid in more actuall savings?

Also, could this even help to curb inflation? My idea is that so many seem to push dollars into investments or spending that really have solid grounds. Look for example at the "big one's" that hit us in the face daily.

ENRON, just to mention names.

How far can gold go??

P.S. Even copper?
The Invisible Hand
(05/24/2006; 03:54:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144596)
Understanding the Gold Bull
http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_05/milhouse052306.html
Steven Saville [thinks that] the gold bull market that began during 1999-2001 is widely misunderstood, [that] [t]here is actually a valid reason for gold to rally [and that this reason] is about falling confidence in the currency of the realm, which is, in turn, linked to falling confidence in central banks and governments (the purveyors of the official currency).

Saville therefore concludes that:
Because gold has been a beneficiary of the rising sea of liquidity over the past year it will almost certainly be hurt once liquidity starts evaporating, but any downturn in the gold market associated with declining liquidity is likely to be much less in terms of both duration and magnitude than the corresponding downturns in industrial metals, emerging market equities, and other markets that were the more natural beneficiaries of the rising liquidity.

==

1.
It is possible that the price of gold (POG) will be pulled back under $600, but if this would happen, this would not matter as the debt-driven-political economy (system) must at the end of the day evolve towards freegold.

The $600 threshold is only relevant for those gold lunatics who are still strangled in the dollar-IFMS-system straitjacket and who therefore haven't yet understood that freegold equals wealth.
(IFMS = Integrated Financial Management System).

They are watching the wrong war with the wrong enemies.

Yes, the POG can be pulled back under $600 if the general trend is further delayed.

But the gold/dollar war will only end one day. It will end when there will be euro freegold peace.


2.
Saville has a chart of the Newmont Mining (NEM) and Gold Sachs (GS) share prices.

Saville realises that there is something wrong with the share price of NEM and of GS evolving similarly whereas the POG was outperforming the stock market. If the POG was outperforming the stockmarket, NEM should have outperformed GS. No way, everything must remain within the dollar-IFMS-straitjacket.

Homage to Saville for having discerned this anomaly. But as an Amerikan, he is unable to arrive at the correct conclusions, let alone that he would be able to discern the present challenges for the dollar-IFMS-regime.


3.
The chart also displays a (non-accidental) visible analogy (similar evolution) with an underlying fundamental.

Stock market � monetary expansion (or debt-driven-political-economy) � POG.
All these three elements are under dollar DOLLAR-IFMS-CONTAINMENT.
There is nothing new under the sun; just as the global economy rests on monetary (expansive) policy, so the stock markets are being price-contained in relation to the monetary cycles (trends).
More money in the system should mean more inflation. This means that the stock-market and GS should go up with the POG, thereby revealing monetary expansion/contraction.

The fact that this is not happening means that the POG-containment is still within the dollar-IFMS-straitjacket which explains why the POG is so obscenely low.

Until further notice (freegold), the trillion dollar IFMS market has absolute power.
mikal
(05/24/2006; 04:43:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144597)
Ruble and other dollar challenges
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article13141.htm Vladimir Putin and the Rise of the Petro-Ruble�| Mike Whitney | May 22, 2006
After this was written, the launch of Russian gold and commodities trading in rubles has been moved up to early June. Whitney explores some of the little known background and implications of this and similar actions by Norway, Iran and others.
Goldilox
(05/24/2006; 05:07:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144598)
Monty Comments of the Nature of Hillary's Energy Plan:
http://www.jsmineset.com/snip:


Hillary Clinton is a smart politician. $50 billion of alternative energy research money paid for by big oil plus ethanol use throughout the US to become energy independent. Any expert who is not associated with farming interests will tell you ethanol from corn is not a very effective way to decrease importation of oil. Ethanol from sugar cane is better but still not as good an alternative as many other possibilities. The big farm lobby will be very happy and deliver a lot of votes for Hillary.

The $50 billion will appeal to the little guy as a way to get even with big oil, thus generating even more votes for Hillary. It will also be a big government boondoggle that produces very poor results. No energy independence will result from this and the net effect will be lots of votes for Hillary. The net effect for US voters will be a lot of hopes but no real results.
Goldilox
(05/24/2006; 05:28:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144599)
Fannie Mae Expected to Pay Large Fine
http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2006/05/22/ap2765045.html#snip:

Embattled mortgage giant Fannie Mae is expected to be fined several hundred million dollars over the alleged manipulation of accounting so that executives could collect millions in bonuses, in a settlement to be announced Tuesday.

The deal with the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight and the Securities and Exchange Commission comes as the government-sponsored company struggles to emerge from an $11 billion accounting scandal. The housing oversight agency is scheduled on Tuesday to issue the results of its extensive investigation of Fannie Mae, an assessment that is widely expected to be sharply critical and to touch on areas not addressed in a previous report ordered by the company's board of directors.

-Goldilox

So how does "fining" FNMA help to in any way recover from hidden losses? It goes a long way towards the officers of the court protecting their own portfolios, and subsidizing other failing government coffers, but that's about it.
Toolie
(05/24/2006; 05:31:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144600)
@ Gold Finger
Your question brings to mind an essay that I'd read � while back. "How high can gold go"?

In this essay the author sets forth a scenario where a farming community exists without the use of money, goods are bartered for. One day a passerby suggests that he can ease the difficulties that arise from trying to exchange a hog for a number of chickens. The farmer with the hogs has one he doesn't want at the moment, the farmer with the chickens, wants a hog now, and is willing to trade chickens for it. However, the hog farmer wants only one chicken presently. The passerby asks a member of the community to bring a cowhide. From this cowhide he cuts a number of "rounds", equal to the number of chickens in the village, and stamps them to assure authenticity. This allows the farmer with the hog to trade it for a single chicken today plus a number of "rounds", and redeem the "rounds" for more chickens later.

After reading this I asked myself: By issuing a "round" for each chicken in the community, hasn't that doubled the "chicken wealth" of that village? Yes. Hasn't that doubled the "chicken wealth" of chicken owners at the expense of everyone else? Yes. Well then, what would be the proper (honest) amount of money for that community?
Hmmm....

What is missing is a divisible commodity that is wealth, independent of the number of hogs or chickens a person owns. The commodity should not decay, it should be desirable to own. Gold comes to mind. If the chicken farmer had traded several chickens to the passerby for a quantity of gold, then that gold exchanged for a hog, then a portion of the hog farmer's gold back to the chicken farmer for one chicken the money supply (chicken wealth") would not be inflated.

If it is the goal of a village to optimize efficiency (perhaps it must compete with other villages), then the free market must be allowed to function without the influence of non-real factors. The "rounds" redistributed wealth to the disadvantage of the hog farmer, who may have been the most productive member of the community � and a valuable capitol generator is trade with neighboring communities.

So good Sir, is it a stretch to say that: All the worlds gold should be equal in value to all the worlds wealth? No � how many non-real factors equals an ounce of gold?
Sundeck
(05/24/2006; 05:39:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144601)
Proliferating oil bourses
@mikal #144597 et al.,

An interesting article...and the associated comments are probably worth reading too. If they represent an unbiassed cross-section of world opinion, then feelings towards the US, Dubya and his henchmen are sour indeed...perhaps not a fair cross-section however??

It seems that other significant oil producers are raising the idea of trading oil for other currencies as a means of signalling to the US Administration that it would gain little by taking-out Iran...because even if they did, there would then be the Russian bourse dealing in rubles. Would Bush be stupid enough to try to take out Russia? And Chavez also has stated that Venezuela may convert to invoicing in euros. Pretty soon the US would find itself having to combat half the world over dollar hegemony...

The days of invoicing oil-trades in dollars alone are indeed numbered... Oil for eros and oil for rubles are looming large...and not a bad thing either, as it is one sure way of restoring proper parity between the major trading currencies, leading to eventual correction in the US deficits and more equitable investment of savings into various countries around the world, rather than predominantly into the US.

And while oil is "special" and the dollar is "special" at the moment, I have never been able to understand why, in these days of instant information transfer and sophisticated hedging, there should not be much more flexibility in choice of currency for invoicing any and all sorts of international trade...why continue to use the dollar??

:-)



AuVenger
(05/24/2006; 06:29:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144602)
Putin - Oil/Gold - Iran Oil
http://www.the-cloak.com/Cloaked/+cfg=32/http%3A//mathaba.net/0_index.shtml?x=537683
From Information Clearing House

"If one day the world's largest oil producers demanded euros for their barrels, it would be the financial equivalent of a nuclear strike". Bill O� Grady, A.G. Edwards

On May 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin ignited a firestorm that is bound to sweep across the global economy. In his State of the Nation speech to parliament,, he announced that Russia was planning to make the ruble "internationally convertible" so that it could be used in oil and natural gas transactions. Presently, oil is denominated exclusively in dollars and sold through the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMX) or the London Petroleum Exchange (LPE) both owned by American investors. If Russia proceeds with its plan, the ruble will go nose to nose with the dollar on the open market sending several billions of surplus greenbacks back to the United States. This could potentially send the American economy into freefall; triggering a deep recession and an extended period of hyper-inflation.

"The ruble must become a more widespread means of international transactions," Putin said. "To this end, we need to open a stock exchange in Russia to trade in oil, gas, and other goods to be paid for in rubles."

Currently, the central banks around the world carry large stockpiles of dollars to use in their purchases of oil. This gives the US a virtual monopoly on oil transactions. It also forces reluctant nations to continue using the dollar even though it is currently underwritten by $8.4 trillion national debt.

Putin's plan is similar to that of Iran, which announced that it would open an oil-bourse (oil exchange) on Kish Island in two months. The bourse would allow oil transactions to be made in petro-euros, thus discarding the dollar. The Bush administration's belligerence has intensified considerably since Iran made its intentions clear. In fact, just yesterday, Secretary of State Condi Rice said that "security guarantees were not on the table" regardless of any Iranian commitment to stop enriching uranium. In other words, Washington will not provide Iran a "non-aggression pact" whether it follows UN Security Council guidelines or not.

Surely, this is a sign that Uncle Sam is on a fast-track to war.
AuVenger
(05/24/2006; 06:31:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144603)
Oops - sorry Mikal
I didn't spot your post down below! At any rate, I would not be surprised to see a strike by USA and or Israel on Iran, sooner rather than later...
The Hoople
(05/24/2006; 07:06:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144604)
Wow, they must have had the durable goods number last night
Even CNBC was shocked at how bad the durable goods number was. It's going to be hard for the Fed to claim a robust economy as an excuse to raise rates again. At least a hundred reasons for gold to go into orbit yet a smash was pre-ordained by the Orwellians. Happy option expiration cabal, and a special thanks to the World Gold Council for coming out trumpeting bogus declining gold investment demand. With friends like them we certainly don't need any additional enemies.
AuVenger
(05/24/2006; 07:56:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144605)
Dinged
Goldilox (5/22/06; 14:39:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144517)
Coin condition
@ AuVenger,

I found this a bit frustrating at first, as well.


I think I goit didnged 5 or 7 bux per coin? Maybe more. He also kept me waiting for ages whilst he studied the gold ticker, obviously it was going down at the time!!! Won't be going back there again - it was more of a pawnshop really.
AuVenger
(05/24/2006; 08:15:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144606)
Scratches
contrarian (5/22/06; 23:34:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144538)
AuVenger--gold coins and local dealers
I had heard that Canadian Maple Leafs could be problematic, as they're 24 karat, and thus prone to scratches, damage, etc., since nearly pure gold is very malleable.



Yes, if this is a concern (Kruggerands also scratch fairly easily) then buy coins that have a slight alloy/other metal content i.e. Gold eagles = more resistant to scratching.



As for neighborhood coin dealers, when I went to one of my local coin dealers (on 57th Street in NYC), I was immediately turned off when they charged me $5 to buy a silly little box to put a coin in. I could only imagine how they would try to take me to the cleaners if I did any sort of precious metal business with them, so I never returned and avoid them like the plague. Maybe because it's NYC and tourists, so they figure they'll rook you because you'll never come back anyways, but you never know.

It's similar to trying to sell used music equipment at a used equipment music store. I'll never do that again! They take apart your piece of equipment and find anything wrong with it that they can--spurious stuff, so they can justify paying you less. But they don't do that with microphones! But when I did that, EBay wasn't around, so now I know better.

I think USAGold, or any of the other dealers recommended at the GATA site are a good choice. Use local yokels only as a last resort!



Absolutely! These small hight street dealers, I guess they have to make a living so they will often try and push their luck.

I am in a quandy. I want to buy physical, ideally, but am in the midst of moving house - so midnight gardenning is not really a possiblity - maybe when I find a new place, but I may be renting.

I am very wary of safety deposit boxes - should there be a makor meltdown, markets closed etc, maybe exchange controls etc (I am UK based) - then there is a risk of safety deposit boxes being opened. Especially with these never ending war on terror laws coming in all the time - so that is a no no for me...

I am similarly wary of BullionVault - great concept, sounds ideal - but I again amd wary of their stashes being seized in a serious crisis - they say their vaults in NYC, LON, ZURICH are insured by Lloyds, but I certainly do NOT trusts Lloyds whatsoever - in a crisis even Lloyds (who are corrupt anyway) may default because of all their obligations...

I am seriously looking at the Perth Mint, certificate programme, but of course again, we have all the problems of the above...

Decisions decisions...
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 09:29:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144607)
Still no change in tonnage
http://streettracksgoldshares.com/us/value/gb_value_usa.php#2Volume is lower also. Doesn't look like anyone is jumping into silver either (http://www.ishares.com/fund_info/detail.jhtml?symbol=SLV).

On the flip side, tonnages are holding steady seemingly hinting that those that are in are in for the long haul. Or, at least, they are willing to wait this correction out for now.
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 11:23:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144608)
Delivery notices
http://www.nymex.com/media/delivery.pdfSilver 9,825 or 49,125,000 ounces. That seems like a lot, is it?
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 11:31:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144609)
Warehouse stocks
From the same link:

Total Registered 70,602,601
Total Eligible 49,799,358

I wonder what the eligible numbers will be for next month.

Black Blade
(05/24/2006; 12:14:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144610)
Russia Tentatively OKs Ban on Dollar, Euro
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060524/russia_ruble.html?.v=7
Snippit:

After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, hyperinflation hit the ruble and the dollar and German mark became the currencies of choice for most anything worth buying. By the late 1990s, Russia had banned transactions in those currencies, but hard-to-enforce rules meant businesses still routinely listed their prices in dollars or marks -- or later, in euros.

Adding to the confusion, the law also allows prices to be shown in the form of so called "u.e." -- an abbreviation formed from the Russian for "conditional units." Customers still pay in rubles, but must first understand what the store, restaurant, or real estate agent has pegged its "u.e." to -- the dollar, the euro or a rate of its own devising.

The move comes against a backdrop of oil-driven economic growth that has seen the ruble strengthen by nearly 7 percent against the dollar this year. At today's exchange rates, it takes 27 rubles to buy a dollar. In 1998, before Russia's financial collapse, the rate was just over 6 rubles to a dollar. By 2002, the ruble had plunged to more than 32 rubles to the dollar. The government plans to make the ruble fully convertible by removing the remaining restrictions on currency movement as of July 1


Black Blade: Russia is joining a growing list of countries to abandon the USD. Meanwhile, Treasury and the Fed are working hard to pump up the dollar on world markets. I am not sure if today's $22 billion bond auction had much impact, but the dollar made a very sharp U-Turn this morning. Curious indeed. Also, Ben Bernanke is "caught between a rock and a hard place". On one hand the Fed needs to raise rates to support the dollar and b doing so he strips bare the savings of Americans by negatively impacting real estate. To lower or hold off on rates and commodities resume the inevitable climb higher seeking relative true value against a currency spinning out of control. I guess some would call this a "double-edged sword". I call it buying time and a "no-win situation".

As always, get outta debt and stay outta debt, stash enough emergency cash for short-term household expenses, accumulate Gold and Silver as "portfolio insurance" (easier to accomplish today), and start a storage program of nonperishable food and basic necessities.
Gandalf the White
(05/24/2006; 12:28:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144611)
TA TA Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa <;-)

The USAGOLD Forum POG CONTEST "WINNERS" Report !

LET me first say --- WOWSERS, Volatility - Volatility - Volatility !!!

GCM06 HIGH $675.0 low $636.0 SETTLED $637.5 Change -$36.2

The following TWENTY-FIVE (25) Goldhearts where (at one time) atop the "HILL" during the COMEX trading today !
===

$$$$ $675.0 $$$$ YGM (5/20/06; 11:27:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144440)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $673.5 $$$$ goldenpeace (5/19/06; 04:32:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144369)

$$$$ $673.3 $$$$ 2Dogs (5/19/06; 14:43:06MT - usagold.com msg#: 144393)

$$$$ $672.0 $$$$ nugget101 (5/20/06; 12:50:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144441)

$$$$ $670.2 $$$$ 24karat (5/20/06; 10:49:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144436)

$$$$ $669.1 $$$$ GoldenBear (5/20/06; 22:59:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144470)

$$$$ $668.0 $$$$ el dorado (5/20/06; 22:52:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144469)

$$$$ $667.1 $$$$ Cuda (5/20/06; 23:10:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144472)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $665.0 $$$$ Tranquility Base (5/20/06; 22:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144467)

$$$$ $664.4 $$$$ otish mountain (5/20/06; 20:59:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144461)

$$$$ $663.0 $$$$ RobertG (5/20/06; 17:19:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144452)

$$$$ $660.0 $$$$ Black Blade (5/20/06; 16:25:33MT - usagold.com msg#: 144450)

$$$$ $658.7 $$$$ Nomad (5/20/06; 18:47:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144454)

$$$$ $654.3 $$$$ Tevye (5/19/06; 10:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144383)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $650.0 $$$$ John the Jute (5/20/06; 09:54:12MT - usagold.com msg#: 144433)

$$$$ $648.1 $$$$ phil288 (5/20/06; 16:25:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144449)

$$$$ $647.0 $$$$ 7nomads (5/20/06; 21:07:36MT - usagold.com msg#: 144463)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $646.2 $$$$ Gonlyold (5/19/06; 23:35:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 144419)

$$$$ $643.4 $$$$ elrayox (5/19/06; 11:37:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144386)

$$$$ $642.0 $$$$ contrarian (5/20/06; 19:57:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144459)

$$$$ $636.8 $$$$ The Alchemist (5/19/06; 20:07:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144406)

$$$$ $635.5 $$$$ olddog (5/18/06; 18:28:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144351)

$$$$ $633.8 $$$$ Black Pearl (5/19/06; 22:02:10MT - usagold.com msg#: 144417)
===

WOWSERS -- it is very interesting that TWO Goldhearts were not even atop the "HILL" today, BUT managed to have the closest prognostications to the SETTLEMENT price and therefore claim the two RUNNERS-UP prizes !

THEREFORE the "WINNERS" are:

The Alchemist wins the FIRST PRIZE of a 20 Peso Mexican GOLDPIECE,

while Sirs Olddog and Black Pearl -- each win the RUNNERS-UP prizes of the 5 Peso Mexican GOLDPIECES!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS !!

====
NOTE: will the three WINNERS please contact jamie@usagold.com
by email at USAGOLD with their REAL NAME, FORUM "handle", and correct snail mailing address for the posting of the GOLDPEICES ! --- Thanks <;-)

AuVenger
(05/24/2006; 12:49:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144612)
Congratulations to The Alchemist!!!

A most appropriate handle, to be able to conjure up real GOLD from worthless digital zero and one keystrokes!!!
Gandalf the White
(05/24/2006; 12:49:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144613)
ALSO -- I wish to THANK the One Hundred (100) --
other persons that entered the USAGOLD POG Contest and did not win a prize !

MANY were new "faces" on the Forum and I hope that now that you see now easy it is to post and express yourselves, that you will join in the discussions often.

WELCOME all you former Lurkers and Newbies !
Gandy
<;-)
Beamer
(05/24/2006; 13:38:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144614)
Day of Reflection
The recent fall in the price of gold is mainly attributed to a correction based on the tremendous spike upwards since the beginning of the bull run that started last Fall. I have recently read on this board that both India and China are in the process of launching their gold ETFs. Would not these countries strongly withhold purchasing gold until the price fell to a level where they could accumulate the required reserves that they would need prior to launching their ETFs? Would China require about 1,200 tonnes and India 800 tonnes prior to launch? These countries have a combined population of about 2.6 billion souls. We also know that they have an affinity to the ownership of physical gold. Another thought that has crossed my mind relates to the period of time after the ETFs become operational. What would stop them from cornering the market in gold? They have the population base as well as the economic base with which to undertake such a plan. They could very well buy up every single ounce of physical gold to hit the market for decades to come. Once their goal is achieved, they could very well entertain the thought of selling to the global community a few ounces of their stash for a reasonable price of $100,000 per ounces. At first thought, this idea seems far fetched indeed. Yet, on second thought, I wonder?
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 14:06:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144615)
@Beamer's day of reflection
Wondering is a philosophical trait of great value. As is gold. But which is more valuable, all the gold in the world or the right to print all the currency in your nation? I have brought this up here before, if gold were so valuable why haven't all the central banks in the world already bought up all the gold? It puzzles many, but if the goal were to get all the gold and you were the federal reserve receiving 500 billion in interest payments on debt every year, wouldn't you have already been able to buy up all the gold?

No, the goal is to NOT corner the gold market. It's to maintain the right to print the currency of a country. Gold, to a central banker, is what must be demonetized. Gold, to a free loving honest individual, is freedom from taxation through inflation. To you and I gold is what helps us sleep at night. Gold to a central banker is what the currency of the country must not be measured against.

Let all the countries around the world �claim� that they will build their gold reserves, but they will not do so on any public market or in any public way. They will not spook the price up and they will do everything in their power to hold the price down. Sure, they will build the gold reserves, but if they ever have to use them in defense of they're local currency, they will find their currency worthless and will have to deal with rebellion of their own people. At this point, those that owned the right to print currency typically loose that right. Thus, they've lost the game.

What we see today is not central bank buying, but simply the overflow of years worth of excess cash now looking for a place to live. An asset to live in. IMHO, due to the strong dollar, it just so happens that a few dollars will buy a lot of gold. This has caused problems with the price because there just isn't enough gold to go around. It's really that simple. As more people find gold worth investing in, the price will rise to absorb the flows looking for shelter.

As a final note, you should look around the world at all the ETFs that are springing to life. Any time there is excess investment capital looking for gold bankers will find a way to divert it. When they are successful at diverting the flow, the are successful at keeping the price down with in turn reduces capital flow and maintains their currency printing monopoly.

Buy physical to help you sleep and night and then take Black Blades advice about all the other things.
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 14:33:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144616)
Look at what Russia is doing
Last year they announced that they would be increasing their gold holding (reserve) saying that they would "buy gold on any and every market". This should come across to anyone that reads it that they are working to restore confidence in their currency. But, because we know that a central bank can print any amount of currency that they want to buy gold, they could have done this outright. But, where were the reports of them buying gold? They seem to be mysteriously missing.

Later, we found a stand-off between Russia and Europe over energy prices. Russia claimed that they wanted current market prices. It seems to me that they feel like they are giving away resources � just like Middle Eastern countries. Then, when they do settle on a price, do you think they got paid rubles or Euros or dollars?

Now, it looks like they are trying to make the ruble fully convertible and they will support selling commodities that that own in their own markets using their own currency. To me, this is very interesting. They have basically stepped up to say that they fully understand the purpose of gold as a reserve and they are taking the next step to develop international demand for the ruble by pricing their oil in rubles. This makes me believe that Europe will find new value in rubles in the coming years.

Also, the offering of gold for rubles means that any foreign country that acquires extra rubles will be able to convert them for gold on the Russian market. Likewise, if Russia ends up with to many Euros, one would expect that they will go shopping in Europe for that gold to balance the trade.

Ah, it's only in the US where you can't take delivery of metal that the system breaks down. Honest weights and measures would allow foreigners to convert dollars for gold here. If it did, we would know what the honest price is for gold in terms of US dollars and there would be not gold left in the markets and the price would be determined by the wedding rings that come up for sale. It's a mixed up world of gold.
968
(05/24/2006; 14:39:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144617)
Weaker dollar not a problem for Russia - Gref
http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/finances/26.html?id_issue=11521204MOSCOW. May 23 (Interfax) - The dollar's devaluation will not cause major problems for the Russian economy, Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said in a lecture at the Russian Foreign Trade Academy.

"The dollar's depreciation will not have a strong impact on us. It will not cause major problems for the Russian economy. I'm more worried about personal savings," Gref said. He said, though, that the U.S. government itself would hardly want to see the dollar weaken too quickly and fuel inflation.

Russia and countries with similar gold and foreign exchange reserves have publicly stated that they will diversify their reserves, Gref said. So if the dollar does weaken too much, "the whole world, Russia included, will feel it," he said.

As for savings, Gref said it was best to keep these in rubles right now. In addition, he said that money could be invested on the stock market. But investing on the stock market "is a game and nobody should ever put their last [savings] in there."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatliner, any thoughts ?
968
(05/24/2006; 14:41:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144618)
China To Set Up Institute To Manage Gold Reserves
http://framehosting.dowjonesnews.com/sample/samplestory.asp?StoryID=2006052306580000&Take=1Copyright � 2006, Dow Jones Newswires

BEIJING (Dow Jones)--China's central bank will set up a reserves management center in Shanghai to oversee its forex reserve investments in gold, Shanghai Securities News reported Tuesday, citing an unnamed source familiar with the situation.

The source, at People's Bank of China's Shanghai division, said the new center's initial task will only be managing the country's gold reserves and not other precious metals or oil reserves.

The center was originally expected to be established in July, but it might take more time, the official said, without elaborating.

He added that setting up such an institution for managing gold reserves doesn't necessarily mean China will raise the proportion of its gold reserves in relation to its forex reserves.

The nation's gold reserves totaled 19.29 million troy ounces or 600 tons at the end of March, while foreign exchange reserves totaled $875.07 billion, according to data released by the People's Bank of China. The nation's gold holdings haven't been adjusted since December 2002.

Earlier this month, an analyst with the Beijing Gold Economic Research Center said the country's gold reserves should be raised to around 2,500 metric tons or 3%-5% of total foreign exchange reserves, as holding too much foreign currencies is no longer "safe".

Gold historically is owned as an investment hedge against inflation, or as an alternative to currencies like the U.S. dollar. Beijing is particularly exposed to weakness in the dollar, as much of its $875 billion in foreign currency reserves is believed to be held in U.S. dollar-denominated assets.

-By China Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; (8610) 6588 5848; djnews.beijing@dowjones.com

-Edited by George Bernard

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 23, 2006 02:58 ET (06:58 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flatliner, any thoughts ?
AuVenger
(05/24/2006; 15:05:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144619)
600 ---> 2500
snip

600 tons at the end of March, while foreign exchange reserves totaled $875.07 billion, according to data released by the People's Bank of China. The nation's gold holdings haven't been adjusted since December 2002.

Earlier this month, an analyst with the Beijing Gold Economic Research Center said the country's gold reserves should be raised to around 2,500 metric tons or 3%-5% of total foreign exchange reserves, as holding too much foreign currencies is no longer "safe".



LOL

It occurs to me that those two figures above, $600 (approx market value of gold now) - and $2500, a not unreasonable estimate of many experts' predictions of the POG within the next 12-24 months - $2500 may also be approximately the inflation adjusted 'value' of the 1980 $850 peak...

Sundeck
(05/24/2006; 15:36:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144620)
Congratulations...
...to the winners!

Aaaaggghh...that does it! I'm getting my digital crystal ball serviced today at Madam Zodiak's Prophecy Shoppe...that last $25 negative move in POG should have been a POSITIVE move; taking gold to my prediction of $697...

(Damned digital technology...getting its flips confused with its flops...)

;-)
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 16:22:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144621)
I have thoughts
And sometimes they are best left that way.

Bring an armchair economist, it seems like the comment from interfax where the US wouldn't want to see the dollar weekend too quickly and fuel inflation hits the issue square on. Unfortunately, if you ask around, inflation expectations are contained. People are not panicking out of the dollar, but rather going on as if mild inflation is healthy and it's just part of life. Gref sees this differently saying people that have put trust into saving US dollars should switch to rubles as fast as they can. But, if they were really smart, they would do what the government bankers did � move to gold. The law change where the government will only use rubles in calculations goes to support what they are talking about here. The coming markets will also support this and give strength to the ruble. To me, Russia is trying to say this to its people in a tactful way.

China's position is a little different. They are not exporting oil or gold. They are exporting finished goods. They are also leaking that they should build they're gold reserve, but only to get stability to the currency. Right now, it seems what's giving the Chinese economy (currency) stability is the link to the dollar. Thus they keep that link and don't report any new hoarding numbers. But, china has made it perfectly clear to its people that gold is now available for them to buy and hold. To me, this strengthens the need for them to stay linked to the dollar. As long as the exports are strong, their citizens will naturally acquire the gold that is needed to support a free gold market. As long as there is tonnes of gold trading in china, they will be able to gather that up over time and buy oil if need be. Remember, central banks can be used to print local currency and buy local gold for nothing � or they can confiscate it. But if there is no gold within the boarders, they will have to earn it.

Moves are being made to Freegold. To me, the biggest step that we have left to take is the loss of confidence in US dollars by the common folks. Central banks around the world have already lost confidence by moving to gold and Euros (or baskets if there isn't enough gold or single currencies to get into). The next steps are for these same economies to setup new methods for international trade. The Euro has set the stage, but the Ruble is going to scare the entire world. If the Ruble gets an international foothold as a reserve currency, Russia will enjoy the same inflation taxation that the US has enjoyed for decades. This is exactly what the Euro is trying to get away from. This is exactly what's killed many smaller economies.

The only way I see this working (short of war) is that these new markets must also trade gold. They must deliver physical gold for international redemption of national currencies. If Russia really wants to add strength to its ruble, they will offer oil in rubles and sell rubles so the oil can be bought. For Rubles that don't buy oil, gold must be offered. If gold is not offered the world is no better off then if they use US currency.

The world reserve process is changing. You can either be taxed or not.
R Powell
(05/24/2006; 16:27:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144622)
Highlights of survey
http://www.gfms.co.uk/Press%20Releases/WSS06_highlights.pdf Fwiw.....and lease rates are higher again today, also for what it's worth.....
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 16:47:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144623)
Buyers have come back
http://streettracksgoldshares.com/us/value/gb_value_usa.php#2This is an update from earlier today:

23 May 341.43 tonnes
24 May 343.29 tonnes.

Looks like the first up day in May.
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/24/2006; 18:57:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144624)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

WEDNESDAY Market Excerpts

May 24 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures rose as much as 1% in electronic trading Wednesday evening following a loss of more than $36 an ounce in the regular session, when stronger-than-expected new-home sales fueled a rise in the U.S. dollar and damped investment demand for precious metals.

"The chinks in the armor (of gold) are multiplying, but as the Black Knight likes to say: 'tis but a scratch'," said Kitco's investment products analyst, Jon Nadler. "Hopefully, one of the legs of this market (the investment leg) will not be chopped off in this process," he said.

COMEX June gold futures plunged $36.20 to close at $637.50 during the regular session on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices for the contract, however, climbed as high as $643.90 in electronic trading. As of Wednesday evening, they were up more than $5.

At the moment, the gist of it is, "after rising some 60 days (almost in an uninterrupted string) a ten-day pattern of lower prices should not be too scary," he said.

Investors, mostly of the smaller, retail variety, "appear to prefer loading up on more [gold] only if they perceive that the correction has run its full course or if prices are at truly bargain-basement levels (say from $580 to $620)," he said.

"We still cannot rule out the possibility (now becoming more of a probability) of executing a full (or very close to full) 50% retracement of the $300 move achieved by gold during the past year," he said. And that would bring gold "very near the high 500s or low 600s."

Ned Schmidt, editor of the Value View Gold Report, viewed the steep drop in gold as a buying opportunity.

"When funds meet an illiquid market like gold, prices decline," he said. "That equals opportunity for real investors." So "investors should be using this period through early next week to be buying gold."

From here, gold will likely "build a base between $625 and $675 before going to new highs," said Peter Grandich, editor of the Grandich Letter.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
Toolie
(05/24/2006; 19:07:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144625)
A tip of the cap...
USAGOLD posters are the best!
The Invisible Hand
(05/24/2006; 19:12:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144626)
Dollar masquerade is pain in the neck
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/article_1166454.php/Report_Zoellick_looking_at_other_optionsSNIPS
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick is looking at other options including Wall Street investment banks, reports the Financial Times.
+
The report also quoted two people close to the administration that Zoellick had been talking with investment banks. His friend said Zoellick had talked to Merrill Lynch, but both Merrill and Zoellick`s office declined comment.

==

Zoellick is one of the guys who in January 1998 sent a letter to President Clinton out of a desire to eliminate a threat to the safety of Israel. And when he and his co-signers came into power some began immediately to campaign for regime change in Iraq.
http://www.pej.org/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=4541&mode=threadℴ=0&thold=0
Something You Need to Know Before the End
April 22, 2006

==

Flatliner,

1.
You are saying that if the Russians were really smart, they would move to gold instead of to dollars, not to rubles instead of to dollars.

Note that as the owner of oil and gas, Russia is in its pricing policy still taking the evolution of the gold pricing (containment) into account.

When the price of gold (POG) fell from $728 to $638 and the price of oil (POO) fell from $75 to $69, the POO was the first to react by falling to $71.8 and then gold had immediately to return from $638 to $703.

Let them all intellectually masturbate about these facts, but Gref has told us in a few lines what the real act is about. Can you spell kastration of the dollar (and of Amerika)? Pain in the "neck", I said.


2.
If the Chinese, Russians, Middle-Easterns, and Eurolanders are each, for their own reasons, considering the dollar to be "unreliable", this is nothing new under the sun. This goes back to long before 1971, maybe even to 1913, the creation of the Federal Reserve System of the US of A.

The Amerikans are however not that stupid. They know that if the Chinese are now openly calling for gold liberalisation, this is because those same Chinese want gold to operate as the replacement of the dollar reserve.

HENCE

It becomes a matter of the UTMOST URGENCY for the Amerikans that the dollar makes gold and its pricing ALSO LOOK/SEEM UNRELIABLE.

HENCE

The increasing volatility of the POG while the dollar exchange-rate is not moving.

Instead of displaying the same volatility as gold, the dollar is attempting to look as stable as the euro and euro-gold (the gold-euro).

And for the moment, the Amerikans are succeeding in this masquerade.

HENCE

The Chinese call to end this masquerade by creating an institute to manage gold reserves.

This creation is very timely and will be a pain in the neck for the dollar-mismanagers.

"The world reserve process is changing. You can either be taxed or not."


3.
Re: my previous post of earlier today
dollar-IFMS should read dollar-IMFS
dollar -IMFS = dollar-international monetary and financial system
dollar-IMFS is thus NOT dollar-IFMS = Integrated Financial Management System.
Sundeck
(05/24/2006; 19:36:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144627)
Zoellick
Yes...I understand that Zoellick sought Bush's nomination as Treasury Secretary to replace Snow, but that he is unlikely to get the nod. Hence it seems he is threatening to toss in the towel and go off to Wall St.

I wouldn't want Snow's job for all the tea in China...

:-)
Smeagol
(05/24/2006; 20:41:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144628)
Ai, er... umm...where'd our arrow go, precious?
sss... that golden target has been all OVER the place... you shot far too high to say the leasst, you did...and we missed it by a mile thiss time. Hope it doesn't hit anyone on the way down! =8-0

Congratulations to those who DID hit the mark! THAT Precious was well deserved!

We thanks you, Sirs MK and Gandalf... for possibly the wildesst Contesst ride ever in the hisstory of the Castle?

S.
mikal
(05/24/2006; 21:17:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144629)
Global crisis warned
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1782477,00.html?gusrc=rss Trouble Spots Threaten Perfect Storm of Global Crisis | The Guardian, U.K. | May 25, 2006
U.S. begins to get seriously indicted for failures in conflict regions. Bad behavior(not to mention basic treaty violations) coming full circle? Watch the soap opera play on behind the safety of a wall of gold.
Flatliner
(05/24/2006; 22:15:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144630)
@pain in the neck
The Invisible Hand, thanks for making me think twice about those swiftly drafted words. I think that I might have confused the two different sides of the Russian equation (people and gov.). If I were a Russian citizen watching the situation unfold, I would buy gold to store my savings. Likewise, if I were running a business in Russia and had my goods listed in multiple currencies, I would not offer US dollars as an option any longer. The Euro would be a good option because its supported with MTM gold. The Ruble, as of January (I believe), is also supported by MTM gold. In any case, I would want to make sure that I had a clear path towards getting out of the currency carry trade. Time is lost value in a currency that is over printed.

As a Russian businessman, I would look closely to see if I could find a path that leads to success for the Russian government with regards to the ruble. If the government is successful in creating international demand for Rubles � thus causing foreigners to hold them for extended periods of time (foreigners saving them), they will find that the purchasing power of the Ruble may go up. The government said it itself, they want to create demand for Rubles. In the long run, if the government is successful, the Ruble might model the Euro and find that it's strong in gold in the coming years.

The other side of the Russian equation would be the government (central bankers) side. Here, they don't want to tell anyone to buy gold. Instead, they want people to buy Rubles. How can you sell your currency internationally if you can't sell it at home? They have a tough battle here working over the problems of ten years ago. Lives changed overnight and it caused a mass exodus from their currency. They have to restore that confidence first and the way they can do that is to 1) Follow their neighbors and put gold on reserve and 2) create demand so they can grow the money supply. So here, the government will push to move commodities into being priced in Rubles.

So, I believe I'm saying, if I were Russian, I would probably move to gold for my savings and Rubles to conduct business and hope the government is successful.

With point two, think I follow your logic. I would ad a little to it. I believe that many years ago when commodities were linked to the US dollar and the dollar was backed by gold, the only reason why other countries did not cry foul was because of the gold backing in the dollar and for some reason, they might have believed that they didn't have a choice. The side affect of this system became apparent in time. Worldwide taxation through US dollar inflation. Over time, this taxation fueled a monster that now dominates with F16s, smart bombs and threats of tactical nukes in an effort to maintain the tax base.

Now look at the actions of the Chinese, Russians, Middle-easterners and Eurolanders. Do they want to be nuked? No. Will they openly stand up against this taxation like Iraq did? No. Even Iran backs down at key points as they make their stand. Every one of these countries wants to be free of the burden associated with the US dollar while at the same time not openly defying the US. So look closely, have the European countries increased they're gold holdings? No � they have been spreading it around to build interest and encourage a re-education in gold. Are the Central banks in the Middle-Eastern countries increasing their holdings? Or is the threat of war making the people in that region want to hold gold? Russia hasn't really gone into "any and every market" in which gold is sold to increase their reserves, but they are quietly working on a plan to strengthen the Ruble. China has also not announced to the world that they are buying gold outright. If any of these countries or any central bank in a major economy were to publicly move into gold in any meaningful way, the US bankers would turn on them in an instant.

Where does this leave all these countries? None of them want tactical nukes flying around. Thus, we look at their actions. What have they done? First off, they have placed gold on reserve making is a monetary metal. They are making it easier to buy and sell gold and move it around. In other words, it's coming out of the vaults to serve its purpose. In China, they are doing everything that they can to encourage gold ownership. In India, they are reducing the taxes on trade. Dubai as a new gold market. Russia will have more open trading. All of this means is that there is no single target for those in control of the US dollar to aim at. Who do you fight when EVERY central bank is not cornering the market in gold but the ants in every country are buying up fractions of gold?

So now, the price of gold starts going up. In the old days, you beat up the neighbor that didn't play fair � the one that cornered the market. Today, there is no one that you can beat up on to stop the rise in the price. There is no one that's cornering the market and no country would dream of that.

This leads us to the second part where the dollar seems unreliable � because the policies are falling apart. The policy was a strong dollar. A strong dollar against gold. Thus, those in control must create liquidity in the futures markets to keep the price from rising if they want to give stability to the policy. Thus the volatility that we're seeing in the gold market. So far, they have not been able to create enough derivatives of gold to soak up the excess investment demand that is flowing in. The side affect will be that given time, there will be defaults in the futures markets.

A default in the gold futures markets will mark the end of the strong dollar policy. The strong dollar policy only works because the spot price of gold tracks the price on the futures markets. If there is nothing to track, how will the price of gold be determined? Ebay? USAGold auctions?

IMHO, time is on the side of the physical longs and no government would willingly stand out against the US. They are all preparing for the day when the markets shut down because there is two much money chasing too little gold. It will be shut down by the actions of the US itself and no country will find itself a scape-goat in the process.
The Invisible Hand
(05/25/2006; 00:38:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144631)
Connect the dots �
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1782477,00.html?gusrc=rss mikal (5/24/06; 21:17:33MT - usagold.com msg#: 144629)
Global crisis warned
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1782477,00.html?gusrc=rss
Trouble Spots Threaten Perfect Storm of Global Crisis | The Guardian, U.K. | May 25, 2006
U.S. begins to get seriously indicted for failures in conflict regions. Bad behavior(not to mention basic treaty violations) coming full circle? Watch the soap opera play on behind the safety of a wall of gold.
SNIP
The report also highlighted growing US concerns about China's military build-up and intentions, quoting the findings of the recent US Quadrennial Defence Review. It said China was "a power at a strategic crossroads that is still pointing largely in the wrong direction and which has the greatest potential to emerge as a military rival to the US".

The Invisible Hand (5/24/06; 19:12:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144626)
Dollar masquerade is pain in the neck
SNIP
The Amerikans are however not that stupid. They know that if the Chinese are now openly calling for gold liberalisation, this is because those same Chinese want gold to operate as the replacement of the dollar reserve.
solosza
(05/25/2006; 01:17:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144632)
Wiping Out the Middle Class
http://www.lewrockwell.com/bonner/bonner246.html"Much of the middle class was wiped out."

So said our lawyer in Buenos Aires. He was speaking about the last financial crisis in Argentina.

"Those who understood what was going on didn't lose a thing. We had our money in dollars or euros...with accounts in Switzerland or Miami. But when the government let the peso fall...and then put on controls to keep you from getting your money out of the bank while it was falling, you can imagine what that did to people. It's always the middle classes who suffer."

-SNIP-

A must read for all. I just want to thank everybody for their great insightful posts. With me stumbling on to this site I've learned a great deal and have become a diligent truthseeker. I would have never awakened from this matrix without all of your help. Thanks again everyone...
The Invisible Hand
(05/25/2006; 01:31:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144634)
Some more dots
http://english.people.com.cn/200605/25/eng20060525_268539.html
SNIP
Crude oil from KAZAKHSTAN poured into China Thursday morning through a newly completed petroleum pipeline linking the two countries.

http://www.iranmania.com/News/ArticleView/Default.asp?NewsCode=43186&NewsKind=Current%20Affairs
SNIP
Iran and French auto giant Renault put their joint venture back on track by signing a final contract that paves the way for the manufacture of a no-frills car for the Islamic republic, AFP reported.
+
"Production of Logan will start with a basic price of � 6,750," Minister of Industry Ali Reza Tahmasebi said at the event. "Production is scheduled to start in September."

==

Note the currency in which the Logan will be priced.


http://www.energybulletin.net/16393.html
Published 25 May 2006.
Energy Geopolitics 2006
by Richard Heinberg

SNIPS
News reports flitting across computer screens these days seem increasingly to be related to the subject of energy. But what do they signify? The modern world affairs analyst is in little better position to discern the patterns and portents than was his or her ancient Roman counterpart, the reader of entrails. What is one to make of items like these?
+
While the specific meanings of�and connections between�these occurrences are often difficult to discern, their overall drift is becoming plainer with every passing day: The world is plunging into an energy crisis unlike any before, while geopolitical alliances are shifting quickly and to a degree not seen since the end of the Soviet era, and perhaps not since the end of World War II.
+
With the decline of Washington's "full-spectrum dominance," we are seeing the emergence of countervailing power blocs, primarily in Asia but also in South America. Liberal pundits have sometimes mocked Bush's campaign promise to be "a uniter rather than a divider," claiming that the president's policies are effectively uniting the rest of the world against the US. There is more than a little truth to this.

This is the end of an era. And the transition toward whatever stable geopolitical arrangements are yet to come is likely to take some time and to be extremely dangerous and messy.

If you want to understand the progress of that transition, follow the energy.

==

Middle Class said you?

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/05/1ef17e4e-e4c0-4b4c-9f9b-bd47f7bf6dc4.html
Friday, May 19, 2006
Sliding Dollar Pinches Ex-Soviet Middle Class

SNIP from interview
RFE/RL: Will the longer-term consequence be a shift toward the euro? Will the Russians start denominating their energy sales in euros?
Aslund: That's a big question. The Russians have been talking about that publicly from time to time, partly in order to annoy the Americans, partly in order to, so-to-say, 'index' their exports -- most importantly -- because they are importing primarily from the euro area, while they're exporting in dollar-denominated goods, which doesn't make much sense.
RFE/RL: What about in Central Asia? How are those countries being affected by the dollar's slide?
Aslund: They trade very little with Europe. For KAZAKHSTAN, it would have some impact, but not much. Turkmenistan, certainly. Turkmenistan essentially lives on gas and its price is fixed in dollars -- but prices have gone up so much in any case.
AuVenger
(05/25/2006; 02:26:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144636)
Chatter

From another mainstream forum:

A follow up on that:

I sense something very wrong is going on in connection with derivitives. Sinclair suggested in connection with the carry trade last night, but I have a gut feeling it more connected with credit swaps and the mortgage industry/FNM. I also think that the motivation for this unprecedented attack on the gold/silver is to enable the shorts to cover as much as possible before what is going becomes apparent to those of us on the watch. What happened with Refco? I truly believe the Refco blow-up was just a small warning shot across the bow on the inevitable derivitives melt-down....Dave

Pressure on The Gold Cartel gang is showing ... a PruBear post from Bulldog:

So, I have a core gold position that is moderate sized in my fund. I am running very low on margin; do not have any issues of that type. Yet, the compliance officer for Citigroup contacts me, and is questioning my gold position. This is my f*&(^%# brokerage firm. And they questioning the reasoning of our trading strategy? And harassing us (demanding our LP agreement; to make sure that we can own gold) over our gold position. This renewed interest within compliance at Citigroup is clearly a top down affair. There must be a delivery issue; or regulatory interest in owning gold.

Here is a follow up post.

I worked at a firm where we had massive S&P trading activity; no big deal. And we were selling massive vol; riding right on the edge - and over the edge - of margin. No big deal. Now, I receive regulatory interest because I have a small core gold position. That's weird. And the compliance personnel (apparently they are having to do this for many accounts) have to verify that we have the right to be dealing in metals. That's weird. Basically, we are being harassed for dealing in metals. Even though we are doing nothing abnormal. And, Citigroup is doing this systemwide? Why? Is Citi trying to find out if we are going to take delivery? Or, are they trying to subtly discourage ownership of these futures? Or, have regulators encouraged them to take these actions? I am as baffled as anyone by this.
Bulldog

BTW: I used to work for Victor Niederhoffer. And, I was the one on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange who reported on the 990N account from the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Anyway, keep up the great work.

***

The infamous 990N account was the one for the PPT!

More:


Citigroup was named as defendant in Reg Howe's suit against The Gold Cartel. It appears pressure is being applied from all angles as The Gold Cartel assaults the gold price. From Caf� member Dave:

Here's an interesting anecdote. A good friend of mine manages a hedge fund. He has held long term futures positions in gold since it was below $400. He has been adding some recently during this pullback. Today he got a call from a compliance guy at Citigroup, the broker the fund uses, and the guy was grilling him as to why he was buying gold futures and whether or not he intended to take delivery and he demanded a copy of the fund's LP agreement to verify that it was okay for the fund to own gold (I'm not sure that's a legal request). Very strange in the context of everything going on right now...fwiw.




AuVenger - !!!!!!!
Caradoc
(05/25/2006; 04:44:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144637)
@AuVenger re: Citigroup
Great post! Yesterday, I threw away a Citibank offer of credit card with 0% interest for one year on transferred balances. Evidently, they'd love to have debtors who went into debt to pay for vacations and bigscreen televisions. Instead, it would be fun to buy a few ounces of yellow using current credit cards and have the resulting balances transferred to a new Citibank card.

Just a thought, but with some sardonic humor in the prospect of Citigroup's left hand not knowing what its right hand is being used for,

Caradoc
AuVenger
(05/25/2006; 05:19:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144638)
Remember Hilton?

Caradoc (5/25/06; 04:44:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144637)
@AuVenger re: Citigroup
Great post!


Hi Caradoc, yes, it got my attention, because a few days ago I posted an Anthony Hilton piece about Citigroup DIRECTORS (see below where Bulldog thinks this GOLD/metals harassment is a top down affair) in their OFF TIME, at a BLACK TIE DINNER!!! Speculating on the POG in 12 months time - I thought that was MOST peculiar!!!

And now more evidence of the muckety mucks at Citigroup interfereing in Gold - something is definitely up, some alarm bells are ringing at Citigroup ... maybe they are exposed, who knows...




Yesterday, I threw away a Citibank offer of credit card with 0% interest for one year on transferred balances. Evidently, they'd love to have debtors who went into debt to pay for vacations and bigscreen televisions. Instead, it would be fun to buy a few ounces of yellow using current credit cards and have the resulting balances transferred to a new Citibank card.




I say GO FOR IT, LOL!!!



Just a thought, but with some sardonic humor in the prospect of Citigroup's left hand not knowing what its right hand is being used for,


Absolutely. Reading the mainstream rags today in the UK, their financial pages are clueless, and encouraging folks to remortgage and borrow more, buy more stocks ... and so on. Amazing.
AuVenger
(05/25/2006; 07:01:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144640)
Leary
But a connection with the CIA? I don't think so.


Probably an unwitting dupe, IMO...
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/25/2006; 09:39:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144641)
Put a Solid Foundation Under Your Portfolio

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Henri
(05/25/2006; 09:55:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144642)
@968 msg #144618
I don't understand this Bejing Dow clip saying that China will establish gold/Forex "management" agency? I can see a need to "manage" Forex Reserves but I see only a need to "accumulate and store" gold. By saying "manage" gold it implies some sort of buy in to the idea that its price must be manipulated in concert with others (they don't have enough to "manage" anything on their own. Perhaps they mean buy commodities including gold through straw man entities with their forex reserves and this was lost in translation?

Unless they are in bed with the BIS through its Hong Kong Branch, I don't see China buying into the gold price manipulation scheme. If they are, it is only to "buy time" to acquire more at better prices.
Flatliner
(05/25/2006; 11:30:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144643)
Delivery notices
http://www.nymex.com/media/delivery.pdfSilver 10,124 stoppers or 50,620,000 ounces.

Warehouse stocks:

Total Registered 67,257,580
Total Eligible 46,419,694

I guess I need to learn more about these numbers, but it seems to me that there are claims that exceed the eligible. Thus, one might expect that someone may have to cover out of their own pocket rather then out of the warehouse vault.

Where will the silver come from for next month? I guess I'll have to wait a few days to see.
Flatliner
(05/25/2006; 11:35:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144644)
@AuVenger
Your chatter posting is most interesting. Cross pollinating forum speak is very interesting to see. The only problem that I had while reading it came when I tried to figure out what part was you and what was from the other forum. I do look forward to reading more. Thanks.
mikal
(05/25/2006; 11:59:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144645)
Risk in derivatives
http://www.lewrockwell.com/north/north456.htmlBernanke's Bet on Derivatives - Gary North - May 25, 2006
Cage Rattler
(05/25/2006; 12:24:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144646)
Gold as a store of value
http://www.page88.co.za/cr/goldfxcompare.shtmlThe attached link shows how the major currencies have lost significant value to gold over the last few years. As they say in the classics, a picture is often worth a 1000 words.

On another note, there's been a lot of talk about risk in the market lately. The following comment from a friend might be illuminating, especially since there might be an agenda by the powers-that-be behind the promotion of systemic risk in various news media.

"The first real jump in risk aversion was around 10/11 April ( with early signs 1 week before ) . Considering that date and emerginging currencies vs USD, in few words we see:

- All the Asians ( apart Philipines with a 3% loss ) stable with +/- 1%.
- All the European emerging appreciated from 3 to 5%.
- So the real case was some Latam, mainly BRL, and TRY and ZAR. All those 3 cited could be seen also, for some reasosns, as particular cases, at least partially.

What catches my attention are the continuous comments comparing today with past Asia, Russia or LCTM crisis. While something could well be, I suspect some comments aren't fully innocent."
USAGOLD - Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/25/2006; 13:38:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144647)
Memorial Day -- Holiday Scehedule
USAGOLD - Centennial Precious Metals, Inc. will be closed in observance of the Memorial Holiday tomorrow, Friday, May 26th and will remain closed through Monday May 29th.

The brokerage will reopen Tuesday, May 30th.


In the meanwhile, here is a "news" item from those reporting rapscallions in a recent issue of 'The Onion'...

HEADLINE: Gold At 26-Year High

Gold prices have climbed to over $700 an ounce, a level not reached since 1980. The following factors have contributed to this recent surge:

>> Gold much shinier than long-term medium-yield municipal bonds

>> Pyrite no longer fooling public

>> Sir Lance-A-Lot, the popular new rapper who wears solid-gold suit of armor

>> Construction of "El Dorado" Business Park

>> God now allowing souls to bring gold with them to heaven

>> RIAA giving out significantly more Golden Ringtone Awards than initially anticipated

>> Fear of everything but gold
elrayox
(05/25/2006; 13:48:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144648)
What are the results?
I am new to the contest scene here. People are congratulating the winners. Are they posted or am I just impatient?
Gandalf the White
(05/25/2006; 14:18:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144649)
REPOST --- TA TA Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa <;-)
Gandalf the White (5/24/06; 12:28:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144611)

TA TA Taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa <;-)

The USAGOLD Forum POG CONTEST "WINNERS" Report !

LET me first say --- WOWSERS, Volatility - Volatility - Volatility !!!

GCM06 HIGH $675.0 low $636.0 SETTLED $637.5 Change -$36.2

The following TWENTY-FIVE (25) Goldhearts where (at one time) atop the "HILL" during the COMEX trading today !
===

$$$$ $675.0 $$$$ YGM (5/20/06; 11:27:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 144440)

$$$$ $674.0 $$$$ Cytek (5/13/06; 10:19:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144148)

$$$$ $673.5 $$$$ goldenpeace (5/19/06; 04:32:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 144369)

$$$$ $673.3 $$$$ 2Dogs (5/19/06; 14:43:06MT - usagold.com msg#: 144393)

$$$$ $672.0 $$$$ nugget101 (5/20/06; 12:50:32MT - usagold.com msg#: 144441)

$$$$ $670.2 $$$$ 24karat (5/20/06; 10:49:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 144436)

$$$$ $669.1 $$$$ GoldenBear (5/20/06; 22:59:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 144470)

$$$$ $668.0 $$$$ el dorado (5/20/06; 22:52:26MT - usagold.com msg#: 144469)

$$$$ $667.1 $$$$ Cuda (5/20/06; 23:10:54MT - usagold.com msg#: 144472)

$$$$ $666.6 $$$$ Liberty Head (5/8/06; 23:35:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 143982)

$$$$ $665.0 $$$$ Tranquility Base (5/20/06; 22:32:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144467)

$$$$ $664.4 $$$$ otish mountain (5/20/06; 20:59:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 144461)

$$$$ $663.0 $$$$ RobertG (5/20/06; 17:19:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 144452)

$$$$ $660.0 $$$$ Black Blade (5/20/06; 16:25:33MT - usagold.com msg#: 144450)

$$$$ $658.7 $$$$ Nomad (5/20/06; 18:47:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 144454)

$$$$ $654.3 $$$$ Tevye (5/19/06; 10:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 144383)

$$$$ $652.5 $$$$ PAK (5/9/06; 18:18:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 144012)

$$$$ $650.0 $$$$ John the Jute (5/20/06; 09:54:12MT - usagold.com msg#: 144433)

$$$$ $648.1 $$$$ phil288 (5/20/06; 16:25:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 144449)

$$$$ $647.0 $$$$ 7nomads (5/20/06; 21:07:36MT - usagold.com msg#: 144463)

$$$$ $646.5 $$$$ Topaz (5/9/06; 00:07:00MT - usagold.com msg#: 143984)

$$$$ $646.2 $$$$ Gonlyold (5/19/06; 23:35:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 144419)

$$$$ $643.4 $$$$ elrayox (5/19/06; 11:37:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144386)

$$$$ $642.0 $$$$ contrarian (5/20/06; 19:57:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144459)

$$$$ $636.8 $$$$ The Alchemist (5/19/06; 20:07:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 144406)

$$$$ $635.5 $$$$ olddog (5/18/06; 18:28:59MT - usagold.com msg#: 144351)

$$$$ $633.8 $$$$ Black Pearl (5/19/06; 22:02:10MT - usagold.com msg#: 144417)
===

WOWSERS -- it is very interesting that TWO Goldhearts were not even atop the "HILL" today, BUT managed to have the closest prognostications to the SETTLEMENT price and therefore claim the two RUNNERS-UP prizes !

THEREFORE the "WINNERS" are:

The Alchemist wins the FIRST PRIZE of a 20 Peso Mexican GOLDPIECE,

while Sirs Olddog and Black Pearl -- each win the RUNNERS-UP prizes of the 5 Peso Mexican GOLDPIECES!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS !!

====
NOTE: will the three WINNERS please contact jamie@usagold.com
by email at USAGOLD with their REAL NAME, FORUM "handle", and correct snail mailing address for the posting of the GOLDPEICES ! --- Thanks <;-)


AuVenger
(05/25/2006; 15:13:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144650)
Cheers Flatliner!

Flatliner (5/25/06; 11:35:19MT - usagold.com msg#: 144644)
@AuVenger
Your chatter posting is most interesting. Cross pollinating forum speak is very interesting to see. The only problem that I had while reading it came when I tried to figure out what part was you and what was from the other forum. I do look forward to reading more. Thanks.


Yes, we are all pretty much on the same wavelength, and operate at a huge disadvantage by not having inside information. Or if we do get snippets, it could be real, could be disinformation. We must operate, IMO, like intel analysts, and glean what we can from all manner of places, all manner of forums. Radio, books, history - spies!

Everything is connected. I will try and be more easy on the eye in future! My own opinion is that a hard core of 5-7 folks can do a superb job in breaking down all the BS - I think 7 is optimum, based on a whole bunch of factors.

Having said all that I am doing maximum due diligence before I jump in big time - however, based on my research so far, my strategy will be buy and hold physical gold and silver, both in my hands, and via allocated audited bars etc.

Cheers! ~ AuVenger
mikal
(05/25/2006; 15:20:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144651)
Hedge funds faltering
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article571737.eceMan heightens hedge fund fears
Flagship fund losses fuel fears for smaller players. Bolton warns correction could take months
By Andrew Dewson - Published: 25 May 2006 - Snippits:
"Man Group, the world's largest quoted hedge fund manager, fuelled fears yesterday that some of its smaller competitors may be in serious trouble after revealing that some of its futures funds have made substantial losses this month.
The disclosure prompted speculation in the market that some smaller hedge funds may be suffering even greater losses and could be forced to unwind highly leveraged positions, causing share prices to spiral lower."

[Blame can be distributed to regulators, the stock market, volatility, greed, the carry trade, greed, etc. But complex computer driven trades and the lack of basic common sense and sound finance and investment principles should not be overlooked.]
"A failing hedge fund is likely to create a distressed selling situation when a fund is forced to sell stock into a falling market because it is in danger of breaching its financial obligations. Most hedge funds borrow a large proportion of the money that they invest, using their existing capital as collateral against borrowed funds. When markets move substantially against these positions they have taken, a fund may need to sell assets to cover margin calls, like when the hedge fund Long-Term Capital Management collapsed in 1998, causing weakness across global equity markets.
Market-makers also blamed Sets, the electronic trading platform used in London, for the increased volatility seen in recent years. In the past, when market prices were created by a quote-driven competing market-maker system, prices could be "held up" in the face of strong selling pressure. That is no longer possible, as the electronic system executes trades without any human interference."

["Market-makers" have increasingly come to rely on complacency and outdated assumptions. Comments such as
above may suffice in a pinch, but remain to indict them if not quickly censored.]
Flatliner
(05/25/2006; 16:10:12 MDT - Msg ID: 144652)
Moving away from dollars?
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060525/3/2l23c.htmlECONOMY-RUSSIA-EURO (URGENT)
ST PETERSBURG, Russia, May 25 (Reuters) - Russia's central bank has increased the share of euros in its $237 billion gold and forex reserves, central bank Deputy Chairman Alexei Ulyukayev said on Thursday.

"The share of euros has increased," Ulyukayev told Reuters, without giving any details.

Commenting on an earlier statement by Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin about the currency structure of Russia's oil-fuelled stabilisation fund, Ulyukayev said Russia would not have to buy foreign currency on the market.

"The volume of our gold and forex reserves is more than three times bigger than the oil fund, so there is no such problem," Ulyukayev said.

Flatliner � no numbers, just talk
Goldilox
(05/25/2006; 16:49:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144653)
Crimex Holiday hours
From CBS MarketWatch:

"Metals trading on Nymex will close by 12:10 p.m. Friday and remain closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday."
Goldilox
(05/25/2006; 16:51:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144654)
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10Yesterday's US $ "enthusiasm" was rather short-lived.
Chris Powell
(05/25/2006; 18:59:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144655)
Russia cools to dollar as it invests stability fund
http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nL25700581By Artyom Danielyan
Reuters
Thursday, May 25, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG -- Russia has raised the share of euros in its growing central bank reserves, a top central banker said on Thursday, confirming Moscow's cooling to the dollar as a dependable store of value.

The announcement, made by central bank First Deputy Chairman Alexei Ulyukayev, came after Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Russia would save its $71.5 billion budget stabilisation fund equally in euros and dollars, with a small share of sterling.

"The share of euros has increased," Ulyukayev told Reuters in Russia's second city, St. Petersburg, without elaborating.

Euros have accounted for 25-30 percent of the central bank's reserves in the past.

Russia, the world's No.2 oil exporter, has been piling up reserves rapidly as the central bank buys up petrodollars and prints roubles to defend a competitive exchange rate.

Its gold and forex reserves rose to a record $236.7 billion in the week ending May 19, up 36 percent over the year to date.

Kudrin had already questioned the weakening dollar's role as a standalone reserve currency. Late on Wednesday, he said the stabilisation fund would be invested 45 percent each in dollars and euros, and 10 percent in sterling.

Kudrin said the fund -- which gathers windfall tax revenues when the oil price exceeds $27 a barrel and is now held in roubles -- would first be put on deposit at the central bank to earn interest.

"As far as I know, this will not affect the market, I do not think they (the central bank) will need funds from the market," Kudrin told journalists.

Ulyukayev confirmed that the central bank's reserves -- of which the stability fund forms a part -- were sufficiently large to cover the fund's currency allocations.

"The volume of our gold and forex reserves is over three times bigger than the oil fund, so there is no problem," he said.

Under a government order published in April, the central bank and Finance Ministry should sign a bank account agreement by the end of June, and shortly after that swap roubles in the stabilisation fund for hard currency from the forex reserves.

The funds may then be invested in AAA-rated government bonds potentially creating waves on markets, according to analysts.

"At the margin it would make a difference -- it would be a substantial amount of money that goes into U.S. Treasuries and euro govvies," said Zsolt Papp, an analyst at ABN Amro.

Speculation about a shift in reserve composition, mainly from China, Asian economies, and major oil exporters, was key in dragging down the greenback in the three years to 2004.

But currency strategists doubt there would be any short-term impact on the dollar from the Russian news.

"Although it may also be a signal of similar moves to come from other reserve managers, it probably suggests that some respite from U.S. dollar selling may be seen in the short run," Royal Bank of Scotland said in a market commentary.

However, as the oil fund grows, there may be a need to adjust the structure of Russia's reserves.

"This signals that in the mid-term the authorities will gradually increase the share of euros, which will reflect our economic realities because the European Union is our main trading partner," said Yaroslav Lissovolik at Deutsche UFG.

Global central banks, which hold more than $4 trillion in forex reserves, have become more active currency managers and increasingly play a strong role in the $1.9 trillion-a-day forex market as well as the bond markets.

Oil exporters have received huge petrodollar inflows in the past few years, a major part of which has been ploughed back into risk-free U.S. Treasuries. But they have also made efforts to spread their risks by diversifying into euros and sterling.

Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov told Russian agencies that the approved investment mechanism would work through this year, but in 2007 Russia may start investing oil funds in riskier assets such as international blue-chip stocks.

"In principle we do not reject this idea," Zhukov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.
Topaz
(05/25/2006; 19:00:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144656)
Gold and whatnot.
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/micro.jsp?s=GC1%21&s=DX1%21&s=TYXY&s=CL1%21&s=&s=&s=&s=&p=D&v=15&b=LINE&d=LOWThe flurry of activity in Stocks and Bonds hasn't resulted in much enthusiasm for Buck so I'd expect the rout to continue next week.
Gold is really where the interest lies ...our PoG is sitting right on Stage 2 support here with exponential/parabolic Stage 3 ready to rip.
Only fitting to wait for OpEx and FND to begin a moonshot imo ...when "manufacturing" comes to mean determination of current issues via futures management ...Sic-em Spot!

Congrats to the contest winners and well done Gandy, MK and Staff at CPM USAGold.
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/25/2006; 19:06:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144657)
(No Subject)
THURSDAY Market Excerpts

Gold Up $11, Holiday Looms...

May 25 (from DowJones) -- Gold futures advanced Thursday, helped by crude oil and a bounce from chart support, traders and analysts said. However, traders tended to characterize the session as one of the quieter ones for a while, with activity subdued ahead of a long holiday weekend.

COMEX June gold contracts added $11 to $648.50.

Shortly after gold closed, July crude was up $1.09 to $70.95 a barrel, while Comex copper settled up 6.85 cents to $3.7075 a pound. Several traders suggested gold was getting a technical bounce after drawing support in the area from $640 to $637.

"Yesterday's low ($636.50, basis June) was about the same as the low from Monday ($636.80)," said Patrick Lafferty, Commodity Trading Advisor with Fox Investments, a division of Man Financial. "It held, so we're getting a little bounce from that."

Bernard Hunter, director of precious metals at Scotia Mocatta said, "It seems to have found a little bit of producer support down there and a little bit of physical demand."

Several traders characterized the session as thin. "I think a lot of people have closed up their books ahead of the long weekend," said a trader.

Nymex trade closes early Friday, with precious metals finishing on a staggered basis between noon and 12:10 p.m. EDT, ahead of the U.S. Memorial Day weekend. And, added the trader, "Remember, London is also closed on Monday."

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
Quickbeam
(05/25/2006; 20:57:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144658)
LOL - Looks like the price index needs more tweaking!
http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?siteid=netscape&dist=netscape&guid=%7BE18F395F-6BFA-4AE2-A15C-CB757BE4F6C2%7D"In a letter to Rep. James Saxton, R-N.J., responding to questions left over from his recent testimony to the Joint Economic Committee, Bernanke said both the consumer price index and the Fed's preferred gauge, the personal consumption expenditure price index, overstate inflation, but show that core inflation is well contained."

--I think the Fed should come up with a new index call IAPI (Inflation Adjusted Price Index). All you need to do is establish the ideal "core" reading then adjust to remove anything inflationary. 8)
GOLD FINGER
(05/25/2006; 23:20:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144659)
$$$$ how low can it go?
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/HowJapanSankTheUSmarket.aspxWhat if the US$ fell another 10% within the next few weeks? Would the POG go UP?

Seems to me everyone has some king of insight on this odd $ to GOLD relationship.....

Goldilox
(05/25/2006; 23:56:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144660)
Jubak
@GOLD FINGER

Jubak is another CNBC shill. Not on my list of knowledgeable analysts.
mdgc
(05/26/2006; 01:51:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144661)
GOLD FINGER how low can it go?
Naive response: If the US dollar were to fall against all currencies by 10%, gold would rise by 10%. Because gold is priced in US dollars and because many who hold or trade gold are in the USA, it would probably rise by less 10%.

But if the dollar's fall is perceived as the beginning of a run on the dollar, gold should rise by more than 10%
Ned
(05/26/2006; 04:35:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144662)
@ Gold Finger
In a static enviroment such as in the ratio of miles per hour we see a rigid arithmetic relationship.

Suppose one has driven down the road for one hour at 50 miles per hour. He would have driven 50 miles, yes? Suppose he speeds up by 10%. He would be driving at 55 miles per hour OR 50 miles per 54 minutes !

Speaking in a rigid tone the ratio of dollars per oz. is little different. If a dollar gets smaller by 10% then it will take 10% more dollars to buy the same oz. Today the oz. is $650/oz., tomorrow $715/oz.

But the ratio is NOT arithmetic, it is not a physical matter as mdgc points out, if the dollar drops by 10% and is perceived to be on its way to breaking 25 year support of 80 on the DX scale, gold will skyrocket. Add in another 14 billion variables and away we go.

For a couple years after the 2001 $255 low we had arguably a simplistic dollar per oz. ratio but as many have pointed out we are now in Phase II of the gold bull where the ratio is no longer linear.

I believe it was called the "gold will rise in all currencies" phase. Phase III calls for a Rouge World Event (derivative blowup/fiat meltdown/war etc., etc., a la Sinclair)

Many call for the recognition or at least the beginning of Phase III by end of this year. The pop (acceleration) YTD from $525 to $725 is indicative of this possibility. My personal feeling is further recognition of this phenomenon will lead to 4-digit gold by end of year.

Have a golden day.
968
(05/26/2006; 06:48:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144663)
@ Henri msg#: 144642
Well Henri, I think it is VERY significant !

This means the "institutional" management of goldreserves by the non-dollar faction.

Can you please define what you understand under the 'management of goldreserves' ? Only its pricesetting, ..... or more ?
Goldilox
(05/26/2006; 07:23:13 MDT - Msg ID: 144664)
Bush - ENRON Connection
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/052506.htmlRobert Parry, whose investigative work exposed the Iran-Contra details, has published an article on his investigations into the Bush-Lay connection.

Interesting, to say the least, as it elucidates a lot of energy market manipulation from within the WH and State Dept.
Goldilox
(05/26/2006; 07:34:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144665)
Gold / $ "ratio"
@ Ned,

"But the ratio is NOT arithmetic, it is not a physical matter as mdgc points out, if the dollar drops by 10% and is perceived to be on its way to breaking 25 year support of 80 on the DX scale, gold will skyrocket. Add in another 14 billion variables and away we go.

For a couple years after the 2001 $255 low we had arguably a simplistic dollar per oz. ratio but as many have pointed out we are now in Phase II of the gold bull where the ratio is no longer linear."



A most curious difference between a parabola and a hyperbola is the appearance of linearity in the asymptotic legs of the hyperbola. Those who point out "parabolic" rises" are neglecting the longer lead-time of the hyperbolic inflationary curve. They suggest that the events become "parabolic" out of nowhere, when the evidence suggests that hyperbolic rise has been in effect for a much longer period of time that they care to admit.

The most obvious reason for this relationship in $/gold is the market size. When the gold market was confined to a few CBs and miners, reactions were minimized. As more attention and capital is drawn into the PMs, those moves become muliplied exponentially.
The Invisible Hand
(05/26/2006; 07:58:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144666)
360 Degrees on Gold
http://www.thestreet.com/_googlen/markets/activetraderupdate/10288124.htmlBy TSC Staff5/26/2006 9:12 AM EDT
SNIP
Editor's Note: In this edition of "360 Degrees," an array of RealMoney commentators assess the prospects for gold and mining stocks. Does the recent selloff mean the party is over, or does the interest rate environment make it just a pothole in a rising road?

==

I thought 360 degrees was fool cerckel.
Page 3 of the article
http://www.thestreet.com/_googlen/markets/activetraderupdate/10288124_3.html
speaks about a 540-degree move.
No comprendo.
Goldilox
(05/26/2006; 08:22:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144667)
Inflation Rises Above Fed Comfort Zone
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060526/economy.html?.v=2snip:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumer spending grew in April at the fastest pace in three months, supported by solid income growth. But in a worrisome development, a key gauge of inflation watched by the Federal Reserve posted the biggest increase in 13 months.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that consumer spending jumped 0.6 percent last month, the best showing since a 0.8 percent rise in January, while incomes rose by 0.5 percent, supported by strong wage and salary gains.

However, core inflation, excluding energy and food, was up 2.1 percent in April compared to the same month a year ago. This was the fastest increase in this inflation gauge since a similar 2.1 percent increase for the 12 months ending in March 2005 and was above the Fed's comfort zone for inflation.

-Goldilox

Well, since we know they don't shop for fuel or food, someone on the BOG must have purchased a new suit, and found it cost one ounce of IT!
Goldilox
(05/26/2006; 08:47:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144668)
CONgressional deal in Investigations?
http://www.jsmineset.com/snip:

Your telephone records have been seized. Your library book preferences are now wide open just like your health and financial records, but whatever you do don't touch a lawmaker's records. His $90,000 was already frozen, isn't that enough?

Bush orders documents seized in Capitol Hill search sealed
Hastert, Pelosi demand return of document from the FBI
Thursday, May 25, 2006;

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush stepped into the Justice Department's constitutional confrontation with Congress on Thursday and ordered that documents seized in an FBI raid on a congressman's office be sealed for 45 days.

The president directed that no one involved in the investigation have access to the documents taken last weekend from the office of Rep. William Jefferson, D-Louisiana, and that they remain in the custody of the solicitor general.

Bush's move was described as an attempt to cool off a heated confrontation between his administration and leaders of the House and Senate.

From the linked CNN source:

"Our government has not faced such a dilemma in more than two centuries," the president said. "Yet after days of discussions, it is clear these differences will require more time to be worked out."

-Goldilox

More "Secrets Revealed" right on cue, according to the Web Bots.

Abramoff, the Duke, etc. - I guess CONgress is tired of giving up sacrificial lambs, and wants the investigations to STOP before the public gets a clue!

Not unlike George the Elder's pardon of Ollie North for lying to CONgress about dealing arms, heroin, and cocaine from the White House basement. Now this hero's on TV telling us how "righteous" the war to protect his drug sources in Afghanistan and Iraq is.

Is TSHTF? One might think . . .obviously, the CONgress has realized that whatever hits the fan is not redistributed evenly, and they're just a little bit concerned.

With ENRON verdicts being handed down, might some of this scrutiny fall towards the SEC, or like Hitler's final command, will they do everything they can to "Secure the banks" while Humpty Dumpty falls?
mikal
(05/26/2006; 09:16:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144669)
INFLATION - An all-purpose attention getter
The news: Core inflation reported not as strong as expected
The spin reaction: "Great news, Treasuries deservedly getting boost"

The news: Inflation comes in higher than income gains
The spin reaction: "Great news, Bernanke will raise rates in June and so the dollar should be bought. (The dollar, not gold is the inflation hedge according to this reasoning!)
mikal
(05/26/2006; 09:28:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144670)
"Personal" statistics
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060526/economy.html?.v=2Inflation Rises Above Fed Comfort Zone - Martin Crutsinger - AP - May 26, 2006
Americans personal savings rate well into negative territory.
But these "personal" statistics mentioned in this- spending, saving, etc.- are quite IMPERSONAL and rudely inaccurate
as you will see how they adjust them for their "inflation" and base them on false premises.
Henri
(05/26/2006; 09:28:49 MDT - Msg ID: 144671)
@ 968 Msg # 144663
Hmmm...

This is only my thought process synthesizing what I have think I have learned about the Chinese and about banks and reserve requirements so it does not necessarily have any connection with the way things are really done and, I must confess to not having put due diligence into this or any other post. So enough of the disclaimer.

Lets start with the Bejing Dow post that you posted. Chinese is an extremely complex language and one of its prime beauties is that the same phrases uttered in the same intonation mean different things to different people...In essence, if one is not very careful, one can hear exactly what one wants to hear and it has no bearing on the actual meaning intendend by the speaker of those words...in particular, the loss of context for the commentary before interpreting its meaning is the most aggregious lapse of judgement. In the written language, the possibilities for misinterpretation are even greater, only because the exact intonation of the phrases is lost degrading the ability for discernment of fine and not so fine shades of meaning. Both the language and written text are the quintessential artist's pallette. They are perfectly suited to poetry and colorful mind-exanding expression.

So when Western observers get a translation of what is spoken or written, by the Chinese, their interpretation of that information often takes on the form of what they would like to have happen...for want of a better explanation. As part of the Asian "way", fools who misinterpret what is said, are never corrected for it is in the subsequent actions taken by these individuals, that their true nature can be discerned. It is why westerners have the impression that the Asians are "polite and patient" to a fault and at the same time "inscrutable" (which I think means "tough to read").

It is partially because of this, that there was never the development of the Chinese/asian equivalent of "contract law". Instead, business is conducted essentially on an "organized trust" basis. My understanding is that the smallest division of this system is a "triad"...three people of means coming together to exploit a market niche. One would never venture into such a venture alone. The partners in the venture are therefore not commonly known outside the triad and the affiliations of each triad member are only partially disclosed to even the members of a triad. In this way, trust is enforced by uncertainty as to who one would be offending if one were to decide to stab the members of ones own triad in the back (figuratively or literally). Loyalty is fierce and often tested by those outside the triad who are concerned for the well being of their partner in another business. It is a matter of great shame and family disgrace to betray a trust.

Because of my belief in the veracity of the above (not that it can be taken as fact in all cases) and that the Chinese, in opening their doors to western ideas of mercantilism, seek only to understand how it operates so that it can be used to advantage (or, if not, discarded), I say that there is no doubt an error in the translation of the message.

Now for the subject of Reserves and how they are used (managed). In a banking institution that operates on the principle of fractional reserve, one may loan out 10 times the amount that is held "in reserve". This applies to currency in particular, but there is no reason to believe, in an atmosphere that is perceived to have "demonitized/demonized?" gold, that the same has not been done with the gold reserves of the various central banks including our own. One would like to believe that gold is so "special" that such a thing would never be done. That attribute of gold that makes it "special" is the same one that gives it the quality of a perfect monetary basis. It is honest in weight, limited in quantity, and not subject to degradation over time. Notice that "stable in value" is not included in my list of desirable attributes. In a distant past, this was one attribute that governments felt comfortable with and actually believed that they could "manage". It was the bankers who used this quality to extract wealth from the common man and also bankers who ventured into the realm of fractional reserve banking. The degree to which they have embarked on this adventure was mitigated by periodic bank failures/runs precipitated when the common man perceived that the bank had over extended itself or placed its trust in less than scrupulous projects. So 10% of deposits was arrived at as a figure "manageable" for a well founded bank, and a higher figure for a bank new on the street with relatively few customers until it showed that it was worthty of moving "down" to the 10% range.

In a world of high finance, where gold was but a barbarous relic, was any restraint at all placed upon the loaning of gold? We amy never know but in a world moving back toward a recognizable standard of "value" be it on a sliding scale (MTM) or "fixed" (managed), gold in the vault will be what matters and not the creditworthiness of who has it out on loan. If any of the gold "in the vault" is encumbered in any way, it should not be included in that amount held as reserve until such encumbrances are released.

So, do I believe that the Chinese are seeking to "manage" their gold reserves? It depends on what you mean by "manage". If we say it means keep a verifiable listing (audited by trustworthy independents) of the amount held in reserve underpinning the credibility of the currency of a nation in the world of international commerce. It means that to we who agree that this is the case.
Henri
(05/26/2006; 10:25:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144672)
Interesting
http://www.physorg.com/news67442282.htmlOnly a few hurtles left
Goldilox
(05/26/2006; 11:00:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144673)
Hurdles?
@ Henri,

Even more interesting that so much capital and emphasis is placed on complicated fuel-based research, and the Tesla ideas of tapping the magnetosphere are essentially ignored.

I guess they gotta keep a "handle" on energy distribution, to continue to define the "haves" and "have-nots".
Boilermaker
(05/26/2006; 11:05:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144674)
China's Reserves Management Center
https://www.dnsc.dla.mil/Uploads/Materials/admin_4-26-2006_14-19-33_SRC%202005%20Ops%20Report%20Complete.pdf@Henri & 968
Your conversation on this subject reminded me of the US National Defense Stockpile (NDS) that came into being after the first WW. This snip from the latest 2005 Report to Congress reveals that the US has all but disposed of its critical materials over the last 10 years.

"The Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (50 U.S.C. section 98 et seq.)
mandates that a stockpile of strategic and critical materials (the Stockpile) be
maintained to decrease and preclude, where possible, dependence upon foreign
sources of supply in times of national emergency. (Appendix A of this report
includes the Stock Piling Act.) Authority for management of the operational
aspects of the National Defense Stockpile has been delegated to the Defense
Logistics Agency, Defense National Stockpile Center (DNSC). Policy oversight
remains with the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics).
Beginning with the early 1990s, the Department of Defense determined that over
99% of the inventory was excess to the Department's needs and Congress
authorized its disposal. From 1995 through 2005, DNSC had $5.1 billion in sales,
over $3.7 billion of which was transferred to various military programs or the
General Fund of the Treasury."

The news release for the Chinese reserves management center says in part:
"BEIJING (Dow Jones)--China's central bank will set up a reserves management center in Shanghai to oversee its forex reserve investments in gold, Shanghai Securities News reported Tuesday, citing an unnamed source familiar with the situation.
The source, at People's Bank of China's Shanghai division, said the new center's initial task will only be managing the country's gold reserves and not other precious metals or oil reserves."

The words "initial task" suggests the potential for a broader mandate in the future. It is ironic that the Chinese could be building their own strategic materials stockpiles at the same time that the US is disposing of theirs. This would be a sensible way for China to convert their $ reserves that are sure to undergo shrinkage and to create a tangible storehouse of materials that are likely to gain in value.
Henri
(05/26/2006; 11:19:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144675)
@ Goldilox
(In my best Yoda Immitation voice)

Right you are!
TownCrier
(05/26/2006; 12:16:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144676)
On China's new "gold management center" in Shanghai; also Russian CB activity
Without further gilding the lily, I'd say the most significant conclusion to be had about China's creation of this entity comes when considering that it is a rather odd bit of fuss for something (the gold) which currently constitutes such as seemingly small and insignificant portion of their overall reserve position.

We would do well to consider the distinct implication that the significance of their gold position will someday soon become greatly magnified.

Amen.

On an equally intriguing note, it's interesting to me that Russia is using its windfall oil-based stabilization fund to technically siphon dollars (and euros) out of the reserve role on it's central bank's books in exchange for rubles.

Signifcantly, these leaves the central bank looking more to its gold to do the heavy lifting.

Hello. The playing field starts to show clearer signs of being leveled. If you've been walking the 'Gold Trail', you've got a comfortable and commanding look from a high vantage point.

Randy
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/26/2006; 12:22:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144677)
As always, please feel free to call for BEST prices!
http://www.usagold.com/buy-gold-coins.html

gold -- a global calling card
Guided
(05/26/2006; 12:39:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144678)
TC - Post 144676 - His words ring true today.......
From King Solomon; to accompany your post even though you did say amen.

Proverbs 20: 14-15

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
AuVenger
(05/26/2006; 13:12:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144679)
Typo
Guided (5/26/06; 12:39:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 144678)
TC - Post 144676 - His words ring true today.......
From King Solomon; to accompany your post even though you did say amen.

Proverbs 20: 14-15

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
There is gold, and a multitude of rubles: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Guided
(05/26/2006; 14:09:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144680)
AuVenger
I thought someone may see that. Timeless isn't it?
AuVenger
(05/26/2006; 14:34:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144681)
Sorry - could not resist!

But yes - v timeless indeed...

Here are a few I like:

"You have to choose [as a voter] between trusting to the natural stability of gold or the natural stability and intelligence of the government. And with due respect to these gentlemen, I advise you, as long as the capitalist system lasts, to vote for gold."

George Bernard Shaw, Irish dramatist, theorist & philosopher (1856-1950)


and

OTOH


"Gold is not necessary. I have no interest in gold. We will build a solid state, without an ounce of gold behind it. Anyone who sells above the set prices, let him be marched off to a concentration camp. That's the bastion of money."

Adolf Hitler, fascist & dictator (1889-1945)




Hmmmmm :O)))
Topaz
(05/26/2006; 17:23:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144682)
Gold strength - Dollar weakness ??
http://www.futuresource.com/charts/charts.jsp?s=GC&o=100/DX&a=D&z=610x300&d=LOW&b=LINE&st=Forget about it! ...not an issue since Jan '05.
The short-term comp chart is indicating current Gold weakness vis a vis Currencies but is largely a PaperGold, non-delivery month phenomenon.
Don't be caught doing a Wile-E, with eyes wide open and mouth agape next week when the reality of June rolls around.
Topaz
(05/26/2006; 17:29:23 MDT - Msg ID: 144683)
This Dollar, it's bloody Lance Armstrong!!
http://quotes.ino.com/chart/?s=NYBOT_DX&v=s...riddled with Cancer one minute, gets treatment and ...with the help of his team-mates, goes on and wins 7 Tours de France.
The Invisible Hand
(05/26/2006; 19:29:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144684)
the spoiled child and her junk dollars
http://english.people.com.cn/200605/26/print20060526_268889.htmlStronger yuan will not heal trade imbalance
SNIPS
in China's trade surplus, China exports to the U.S. at very low prices and invests a considerable part of its foreign reserves rewarded from the exports in the U.S. market.
As a result, the U.S. gets both Chinese commodities and Chinese deposits at very costs.
+
the petrodollar, has helped the U.S to great extent keep its medium and long term interests rates relatively low.
+
the U.S. is a minter while huge forex reserve holders like China receive and accumulate "junk dollars".
Junk dollars mean the weak purchasing power of the dollar.
China's forex reserves are not growing fast as it looks in terms of oil and gold.
+
The U.S. has attracted more world deposits than any other economy with its dollar dominance, developed financial market, efficient deposit placement mechanism.
All of that has made dollar "a spoiled child".
+
it is not possible for China or the U.S. to change [the U.S. trade deficit] over a night through unilateral actions by either side alone.
Nor will value changes on exchange rate work.
Steps must be taken to restructure the economy

==

The article does NOT mention the euro explicitly.
The last snip is from the conclusion.
Yes, the final sentence says that the economy has to be restructured.
The first sentence of the final snip says that the "problem" cannot be solved by either side alone.
Does this mean that the euro has a role to play in the solution?
The Invisible Hand
(05/26/2006; 19:44:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144685)
Gold traders have zero intelligence
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/paul_ormerod/2006/05/volatile_financial_markets_and.htmlSNIPS
The past week has seen massive volatility in financial markets. �] Why does this happen?
+
America has had inflation worries in the recent past, and this has not triggered share price falls.
And investors have been heavily involved in risky assets for a long time
+
The fact is that there is far, far more random behaviour than the highly paid financial analysts are ever going to admit.
+
The financial market is a highly connected market, traders know what everyone else is doing. In such networks, identical shocks have massively different consequences.
+
The American physicist Doyne Farmer has a paper showing how the properties of financial markets can be explained on the assumption that traders have zero intelligence.
The Invisible Hand
(05/26/2006; 20:01:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144686)
Frankfurt, wir haben eine Probleme!
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/comment/article571703.eceHigher eurozone rates: Germany is fine but Italy and Spain could be in trouble
SNIPS
Now things are going to become really interesting. We don't know how far dollar weakness will proceed. The consensus is that it will fall further but consensus views should always be distrusted. Still this is a useful working assumption. We know with greater certainty that eurozone interest rates will rise, the only issue being how far and how fast. Put the two together and it is pretty clear that eurozone businesses will be hit by a double whammy of a higher exchange rate and higher interest rates.
Just how this will pan out is far from clear. Germany will be all right [but Italy and Spain could be in trouble.]

==

Enter the gold euro!
MK
(05/26/2006; 20:02:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144687)
Invisible Hand
"The American physicist Doyne Farmer has a paper showing how the properties of financial markets can be explained on the assumption that traders have zero intelligence."

OK, you've got my interest.

Is Farmer saying that traders are like lemmings who go over the cliff, or whales that beach themselves for perfectly inexplicable reasons to the human observer? Is he saying that traders are acting with respect to a biological urgency divorced from the pursuit of profit -- simply agents driven by some cosmic design? I think many of us would like to hear more. The 'assumption' begs a question: Is there any intelligence divorced from this inexplicable, primal motivation? So here I am getting Aristotelian on you. But let's make a scratch or two and see what's under the gold plating, or if it's gold after all.
The Invisible Hand
(05/26/2006; 20:26:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144688)
The Times: US of A is hurting Europe, not Iran
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13129-2198857,00.htmlhttp://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13129-2198857,00.html
American pressure threatens UK firms
SNIPS
THE US Government is putting Britain's �1 billion annual trade with Iran at risk by pressing European banks to withdraw from the country, The Times has learnt.
+
"What the US is doing isn't hurting Iran, because Iran can get whatever it wants from the Gulf or the Far East, but British traders are finding it difficult to get funding from the banking system in the UK."
Iran is the Middle East's third-largest consumer of British products, buying �460 million of goods directly from the UK every year and purchasing a further �600 million worth from Dubai, which acts as a "wholesaler" of Western goods to the Middle East.
The United Nations Security Council has not imposed economic sanctions on Iran, despite concerns that the country's uranium enrichment programme is a precursor to developing nuclear weapons.
European negotiators met in London this week to discuss incentives that could be used to convince Iran to halt its pursuit of nuclear power. Further talks are expected.
+
GIANTS WITH A FOOT IN TEHRAN
Total, Shell, Statoil, BNP Paribas, Commerzbank, MTN, UPS, Linde, Technip, Nokia, Ericsson, Peugeot, Renault, OMV, Soci�t� G�n�rale, ENI, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Siemens, LG, Samsung, Bosch, Valeo, Nestl�, Unilever, BAT, Japan Tobacco

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8209-2198856,00.html
Economy 'could come to standstill'
SNIP
With Iran increasingly alienated from the international community, foreign investors are pulling out as the possibility of sanctions raises fears that Iran will not pay its foreign debt. The climate of uncertainty is also affecting Iranian businesses.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9072-2198858,00.html
Oil wealth, but slow progress on reform
SNIPS
IRAN has enjoyed a boom in recent years, making it one of the best-performing economies in the Middle East and North Africa region, as a surge in world oil prices has allowed it to capitalise on its resource wealth.
+
The International Monetary Fund reported in 2003 that Iran had been successful in efforts to liberalise the financial sector, with licensing of private banks, and to open itself to trade and foreign investment.
However, it reported slow progress on privatisation, the cutting of subsidies of basic consumer goods and efforts to lift bureaucracy and political uncertainty from business.
GOLD FINGER
(05/26/2006; 20:28:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144689)
J U N E
Two weeks ago my 14 year old Son informed me that June would mark the END of the world as we now know it. I asked why and he said it was because of the date?

I then figured and asked if the numerals of 666 had something to do with it and he said yes.

So after everyone has a fine holiday and has stuffed them selves with lots of spending: like that new lavish vacation and/or the new car purchase and maxed out one of the credit cards with a big shopping spree, wouldn't it be IRONIC if on the day 06-06-06, (just around the corner) we see things change as we know it?

Gold UP past 800 again?

Hmmm I do think the season of change is upon us.

Thanks, to my Kid's wisdom and everyone here who has enlightened me with more.

Also, congratulations to the winners of the contest and thanks to the sponsor----->Gandalf the White for the thrill.

Happy Saving!
Gonlyold
(05/26/2006; 20:40:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144690)
Why does this happen?
The Invisible Hand/American physicist Doyne Farmer:
"The past week has seen massive volatility in financial markets. �] Why does this happen?"


Let me tell you a story....

There was a time when I used to bet on horses. At the first, I tried mostly the long shots expecting to reap huge rewards. That wasn't doing so good. Then I switched to what could be called the "medium shots". It was better, but I still wasn't really making money. As a matter of fact, I wasn't making any money at all: just a gradual decline.

As time went on, I noticed that the horses with the low odds, like 2:1, appeared to have more consistant winnings. So I decided to switch again: to betting on horses with sure-to-win low odds. I knew that maybe I wouldn't make big money, but at least I would make the "sure" money.

So I bet on this one horse that showed himself to be a consistant winner with 2:1 odds. I think that I even bet a hefty sum relative to my previous wagers. And low and behold, this "consistant" winner came in 4th or 5th or something like that. Way off his usual record. I was dumbfounded! I asked my betting buddies what the heck happened? How could this happen?

That's when I was told some of the insides of horse betting business. My buddies told me that, although they couldn't be sure but that this was their feelings, that sometimes, when the horse has low odds, meaning that the owners/betters wouldn't make much money on this horse, they hold him back and let him loose in order to get the odds back up. After the odds climb, then they start letting the horse win.

Now, I don't know if this story is true, but at the time I couldn't believe it. If it was true, then no matter how much studying I did on the kind of track, the length of the track, the horses' history, blah, blah, blah, there was no way I was going to be able to consider enough things to win. There were forces that I didn't know about much less control.

So I chocked it up and quit betting. I cut my losses. I filed it under lessons learned.

Now comes The Invisible Hand and the American physicist Doyne Farmer and asks, Why does this happen?

Can you say TPTB?
The Invisible Hand
(05/26/2006; 23:07:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144691)
properties of markets depend on structure of institutions
http://www.santafe.edu/~jdf/papers/zero.pdfMichael,

I was only snipping.

Here's the paper:
Farmer, J. D., P. Patelli, and I. I. Zovko, "The Predicitive Power of Zero Intelligence in Financial Markets" PNAS USA 102(11) (2005): 2254-2259.

Standard models in economics stress the role of intelligence agents who maximise utility.

However, there may be situations where constraints imposed by market institutions dominate strategic agent behaviour.

The paper suggests that institutions strongly shape our behaviour,
so that the same properties of markets may depend more on the structure of institutions and on the rationality of individuals.

Farmer says that he does not claim that market participants are unintelligent.
Indeed, one of the virtues of his model,
which treats the statistical mechanics of order placement, price-formation and the accumulation of revealed supply and demand within the context of the continuous double action and yields simple laws relating to order arrival rate to statistical properties of the market,
is that it provides a benchmark to separate properties that are driven by the statistical mechanics of the market institutions from those that are driven by the strategic behaviour of agents.

Are you suggesting that profit goes against biological urgency?

Biology is the scientific study of life, each creature having connections to other organisms.
+
Darwin stands out in history with people like Newton and Einstein, scientists who synthesised ideas with great explanatory power. Such comprehensive ideas, much broader in scope than hypotheses (which may explain only a single set of observations), are called THEORIES.
Darwin showed how evolution could explain the common threads underlying life's diversity.
+
Most importantly, Darwin's "Origin of the Species" proposed the theory of NATURAL SELECTION to explain how evolution occurs from

(Campbell, Reece, Mitchell and Taylor, "Biology � Concepts and Connections", Prentice Hall publishing as Benjamin Cummings, 2003, 4th ed., Philippine edition published in 2003 in Singapore by Pearson Education (Asia) Pte. Ltd., pp.1, 8 and 9)

Do you mean evolution is a cosmic design?

Yesterday, I started reading the 9th Tractate of Plotinus� Second Ennead:

Against those that Affirm the Creator of the Kosmos and the Kosmos Itself to be Evil
[generally quoted as "Against the Gnostics")

I prefer the French translation of the title:
Contre les Gnostiques, ceux qui disent que le d�miurge du monde est m�chant et que le monde est mauvais,
Against the Gnostics, those who affirm that the world's demiurge is wicked and that the world is bad.

Plotinus (AD 204 �270) is a neoplatonist who asked in the First Tractate of the Fifth Ennead the question:
"What can it be that has brought the souls to forget the father, God, and, though members of the Divine and entirely of that world, to ignore at once themselves and It?
The evil that has overtaken them has its source in self-will, in the entry into the sphere of process, and in the primal differentiation with the desire for self ownership. They conceived a pleasure in this freedom and largely indulged their own motion; thus they were hurried down the wrong path, and in the end, drifting further and further, they came to lose even the thought of their origin in the Divine."
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/texts/plotinus

In the first centuries of Christianity, the Gnostics were placing human knowledge (GNOSIS) above religious faith (PISTIS)
and therefore human philosophy above divine revelation.
The Gnostic sects were active at the beginning of the Christian era and continued to exert influence on intellectual life until the 4th or 5th century (thus after Plotinus).

For the Gnostics, the visible world, i.e. the kosmos, and the Creator is evil, man is the creator and only what man has created deserves respect.

This goes against Aristotle's metaphysics which is about things or entities that make up the world. For the opponents of the Gnostics, there is an order in the world which the mind can discover.

My understanding of the received vision of European history says that:
the so-called RENAISSANCE started in 15th century Italy
(there never was a Renaissance, the classical Greek works were in the years 830 being translated in the House of Wisdon in, of all places, ... Baghdad
(Alain de Libera, "La Philosophie M�di�vale", Presses Universitaires de France, 1998, 3rd ed., p. 73)
but this is Another question)
and the ENLIGHTENMENT started in the 17th century England.

The Enlightenment project stressed reason, freedom, progress, and individualism.

Then came Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), the most significant thinker of the Counter-Enlightenment, who buttressed the pre-modern worldview of faith and duty against the inroads of the Enlightenment and opened the door to 19th century irrationalists and idealist metaphysicians.

Then came Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) who argued that the world is the only thing which is the case and that since metaphysics concerns that which transcends the world, metaphysics does thus not concern that which is the case. So that one cannot speak about metaphysics because what one can speak only about what is the case and that which is not the case must therefore be passed over in silence. (I'm afraid this sentence is not very clear.)

He went to state in section 6.522 of his Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus that:
There are, indeed, things that cannot be put into words. They make themselves manifest. They are what is mystical.

6.522
Es gibt allerdings Unaussprechliches. Dies zeigt sich, es ist das Mystische.

I find this adjective "manifest" (the verb "to show", "zeigen" in German) back in the conclusion of section 15 of Plotinus� 9th tractate of the 2nd Ennead.

Plotinus, end of section 15
Virtue, advancing towards the Term and, linked with thought, occupying a Soul makes God manifest:
God on the lips, without a good conduct of life, is a word.

The original (classical) Greek text of the Second Ennead is available here
http://hiphi.ubbcluj.ro/fam/texte/plotin/enneade-2.pdf

The conclusion of section 15 of the 9th tractate is apparently available on p. 53.

Do you have any knowledge of (classical) Greek and can you tell me what "manifest" is the translation of?
(I understand my request is off-topic on a gold forum.)

If I could show that Wittgenstein only repeats the errors of the Gnostics, which were refuted by Plotinus, this could be interesting because postmodernist philosophers like Jacques Derrida (1930 � 2004) and Richard Rorty (born 1931) reject the entire Rnlightenment project, oppose reason, truth and reality and say that there is no distinction between right and wrong.

And has gold not something to do with reason, truth, reality, and right-and-wrong?
monTROZ
(05/26/2006; 23:58:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144692)
IQ=0
Sometimes the humor level of this forum rises so high one must respond, with thanks!

MK (5/26/06; 20:02:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 144687)
Invisible Hand
"The American physicist Doyne Farmer has a paper showing how the properties of financial markets can be explained on the assumption that traders have zero intelligence."

Ahh Ha ha ha, So Now I know why I keep screwing up. He he, right back atcha Doyne. Apparently the physicists trading account is not doing too well. IQ=0 physicist (me too)

The Invisible Hand (5/26/06; 19:44:53MT - usagold.com msg#: 144685)
The past week has seen massive volatility in financial markets. �] Why does this happen?

Have yer never read Mandelbrot? Explanation does not mean change of behavior. IQ=0 mathematician (me too)

Goldilox (5/26/06; 11:00:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 144673)
Even more interesting that so much capital and emphasis is placed on complicated fuel-based research, and the Tesla ideas of tapping the magnetosphere are essentially ignored.

Tapping the Magnetosphere??? Try and get that past the environmentalists. They won't even allow drilling a hole in a god forsaken frozen wasteland. You want to disturb the delicate balance of the Earth/s magnetosphere!!! Ha Ha Ha. And who's going to do it Halliburton? IQ=0 environmentalist (not me)

GOLD FINGER (5/26/06; 20:28:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 144689)
J U N E
Two weeks ago my 14 year old Son informed me that June would mark the END of the world as we now know it. I asked why and he said it was because of the date?

I then figured and asked if the numerals of 666 had something to do with it and he said yes.

Nope the end happened a few years back in when God's number (3) was multiplied by the devil's (666) to get 1998. Numerology is for the mathematically illiterate, like the lottery. IQ=0 numerologist (not me)

The Invisible Hand (5/26/06; 23:07:07MT - usagold.com msg#: 144691)
properties of markets depend on structure of institutions

And has gold not something to do with reason, truth, reality, and right-and-wrong?

If you have to ask that question, you've been reading too much, and not buying enough. IQ=0 philosopher (me too, but I keep buying anyway)

Too much humor for my limited mental capacity, but thanks.
Goldilox
(05/27/2006; 03:10:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144693)
Tapping the electro-magnetic field
@ monTROZ,

"Tapping the Magnetosphere??? Try and get that past the environmentalists. They won't even allow drilling a hole in a god forsaken frozen wasteland. You want to disturb the delicate balance of the Earth/s magnetosphere!"


Respecting your humor, I think Tesla technology actually disturbs the magnetosphere much less than your cell phone and the microwave towers used to propagate those signals. Tesla actually fought and won a patent infringement lawsuit against Marconi, as radio is a direct application of his proposal to harness and broadcast electric potential from the Earth's electro-magnetic field, so it's not wacko science. It's just been shelved for 100 years for every application except communications.

The biggest challenge is to design "collectors" that can withstand the humongous voltages of a lightning strike without damaging the system. That is no small engineering feat. Once "captured", it can be stored and retransmitted over a standard grid, rather than "broadcast", ro eliminate the concern about more field perturbations.

In terms of potential, it is estimated that one major lightning storm contains enough potential energy to run a major city for a year. How efficiently that can be harnessed remains to be seen, but if successful, it will likely cause a lot less cancer and emphysema than the by-products of burning hydrocarbons and coal.
GOLD FINGER
(05/27/2006; 03:41:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144694)
monTROZ
EXACTLY!! I_Q?

NOW DOSE THIS GIVE THE QUOTE "WHAT DOSE IT HAVE TO DO WITH THE PRICE OF TEA IN CHINA" NEW MEANING??


HAHA
CHEERS

BUYING GOLD IS SO EASY A BABE COULD DO IT RIGHT?
The Invisible Hand
(05/27/2006; 04:10:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144695)
Mandelbrot set
http://www.math.utah.edu/~pa/math/mandelbrot/mandelbrot.htmlmonTROZ,

Here are some of my notes from Roger Penrose, "The Road to Reality � A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe, London:Jonathan Cape, 2004

PENROSE FLAP
New York Times book review
- we lack a fundamental important insight into physics without which we will never be able to comprehend the mind
- this insight may be the say one that will be required before we can write a unified theory of everything

p. 7
What laws govern our universe?
How shall we know them?
How may this knowledge help us to comprehend the world and hence guide its actions to our advantage?

p. 13
in 1637 : Fermat:
- this proposition is true
- I have discovered a truly marvellous proof of this, which this margin is too narrow to contain.

1995: proof by Andrew Wiles

p. 13-14
Now,
- do we take the view that Fermat's assertion was always true, long before Fermat actually made it?
OR
- is its validity a purely cultural matter, dependent upon whatever might be the subjective standards of the community of human mathematicians?

p. 14
I think that virtually all mathematicians,
irrespective of their professed attitudes to "Platonism"
would regard the second possibility (subjective standards of mathematics) as patently absurd.

The issue is the objectivity of the Fermat assertion itself,
NOT whether anyone's particular demonstration of it (or of its negation) might happen to be convincing to the mathematical community of any particular time.


p. 16
MANDELBROT SET
- has an extraordinarily elaborate structure
- but is not of any human design
- no one, not even Benoit Mandelbrot himself, when he first caught the incredible complications in the fine details of the set, had any real preconception of the set's extraordinary richness

p. 17
The existence of the Mandelbrot set can only be within the Platonic world of mathematical forms.

I am aware that there will be many readers who find some difficulty with assigning any kind of actual existence to mathematical structures.

"existence" means here not the same kind of existence as ordinary physical objects such as tables and chairs have

(the mathematical forms do NOT have spatial locations, nor do they exist in time)

BUT
objective mathematical notions must be thought of as timeless entities and are not to be regarded as being conjured into existence at the moment that they are first humanly perceived.
ge
(05/27/2006; 05:13:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144696)
@ monTROZ
http://www.usagold.com/cpmforum/archives/320033/default.htmlI remember the comment you made at the time Portugal was selling 30 tons of gold, with respect (03/03/03; 12:35:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 98787, see the link). Are you still holding the rhodium? It was a great buy!
http://www.kitco.com/LFgif/rd00-09.gif
Gonlyold
(05/27/2006; 08:58:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144697)
TPTB's Mind Set
What laws govern our universe? How shall we know them? TPTB have reduced this to simple terms: control and praise for having control. Have control over everyone and seek, by force if necessary, everyone's praise for having it.

Money is the usual commodity for control. Not necessarily having money, but having control over other's money. Having money usually renders control over other peoples' money.

But this mind set has a stinger attached. People want to be free. They do not want to be manipulated. Once they find out that they have been cleverly coerced into some course of events which lead to their diminished assets or freedom and even praising someone for that course of events, then that praise turns into condemnation and with it, eventually, war.

Knowledge is control. We could cloak knowlege in philosophical terms and discuss them ad infinitum.

But how I do wish that we had leaders who would guard our "...persons, houses, papers, and effects...".
mikal
(05/27/2006; 10:23:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144698)
Gonylgold- Your gold post!
http://www.alternet.org/rights/36553/ Gonylgold: Re: "By what laws shall we know them(TPTB)?" There is a battle within and without the Bush administration over what constitutes the law and who shall decide(and who shall construe votes of the elected and electorate).
Are we becoming a police state? Here are ten signs that
will help anyone detect human and mineral pyrite(false gold).
Rights and Liberties:
Top 10 Signs of the Impending U.S. Police State - Alan Uthman - May 26, 2006
Toolie
(05/27/2006; 10:35:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144699)
Police State
Can an empire be anything else?
Henri
(05/27/2006; 11:26:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144700)
@ Invisible Hand Msg # 144691
Hi IH,
I can't help but feel you have done a misservice to the Gnostics and have have not presented their view of things in the proper context.

As you have said, the Gnostics appeared shortly after the Crucifiction and actually represented fragmented groups of Christians who followed the texts of the disciples of Jesus that were not included in the Holy Bible. These texts such as the Gospel of Thomas. The essential belief that bound the different sects of the Gnostics was that there was that of God within each man and that through self examination and proper sentiment, one could come to know God directly and do such good works as Jesus as was told to them by the Savior Himself.

The Gnostics were persecuted by those of the belief that only the church could act as intermediary between man and God and that only Priests ordained by the sucession of Bishops were proper representatives and interpreters of God's will on earth. At hte time of the crystallization of the Catholic church, the Niocine conclave created the New Testament of the Holy Bible from the writings of the Apostles that supported the idea that only a (powerful) heirarchy The Niocene creed is the basis of this consolidation. Those writings such as those of Thomas were eliminated and thought to have been destroyed. A jar unearthed in Nag Hammadi, Egypt contained many texts from the early 100-300 AD that were not familiar to scholars including the writings of Thomas and others.

It now appears that consolidation of the church and the interposition of ordained intermediaries between God and man was little more than a struggle for power. Power over the common man and over Kings and their empires which funneled enormous wealth over the centuries into the coffers of the Vatican. The concept of Gnosis or the knowing of God through discovery of that of God within was deemed heretical and persecuted by death.

Yes, the "Demiurge of Man" was even considered evil by the Gnostics and it was just this Demiurge that the Gnostics sought to overcome in their pursuit of "knowlege of God" directly.

For info on the Gnostics I refer you to the writings of Elaine Pagels and in particular her text "Beyond Belief" where she explores the concepts of the unearthed texts and the origin of the "Church" and why the Gnostics were hunted down and murdered or persecuted and forbidden to congregate. These were the "dark ages" indeed. There you will also find the complete text of the 'Gospel of Thomas"

The work itself is a series of quotations by the Savior in response to questions asked by the disciples of Jesus written in first hand. Interesting reading and it presents quite a different picture of the Gnostics than what you have presented through the lens of Plotinus progentitor of the fountain of emanations.Hi IH,
I can't help but feel you have done a misservice to the Gnostics and have have not presented their view of things in the proper context.

As you have said, the Gnostics appeared shortly after the Crucifiction and actually represented fragmented groups of Christians who followed the texts of the disciples of Jesus that were not included in the Holy Bible. These texts such as the Gospel of Thomas. The essential belief that bound the different sects of the Gnostics was that there was that of God within each man and that through self examination and proper sentiment, one could come to know God directly and do such good works as Jesus as was told to them by the Savior Himself.

The Gnostics were persecuted by those of the belief that only the church could act as intermediary between man and God and that only Priests ordained by the sucession of Bishops were proper representatives and interpreters of God's will on earth. At hte time of the crystallization of the Catholic church, the Niocine conclave created the New Testament of the Holy Bible from the writings of the Apostles that supported the idea that only a (powerful) heirarchy The Niocene creed is the basis of this consolidation. Those writings such as those of Thomas were eliminated and thought to have been destroyed. A jar unearthed in Nag Hammadi, Egypt contained many texts from the early 100-300 AD that were not familiar to scholars including the writings of Thomas and others.

It now appears that consolidation of the church and the interposition of ordained intermediaries between God and man was little more than a struggle for power. Power over the common man and over Kings and their empires which funneled enormous wealth over the centuries into the coffers of the Vatican. The concept of Gnosis or the knowing of God through discovery of that of God within was deemed heretical and persecuted by death.

Yes, the "Demiurge of Man" was even considered evil by the Gnostics and it was just this Demiurge that the Gnostics sought to overcome in their pursuit of "knowlege of God" directly.

For info on the Gnostics I refer you to the writings of Elaine Pagels and in particular her text "Beyond Belief" where she explores the concepts of the unearthed texts and the origin of the "Church" and why the Gnostics were hunted down and murdered or persecuted and forbidden to congregate. These were the "dark ages" indeed. There you will also find the complete text of the 'Gospel of Thomas"

The work itself is a series of quotations by the Savior in response to questions asked by the disciples of Jesus written in first hand. Interesting reading and it presents quite a different picture of the Gnostics than what you have presented through the lens of Plotinus progenitor of the "fountain of emanation"
Henri
(05/27/2006; 11:30:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144701)
Oops Editor please
I have somehow double posted my text below which is only half as long as it appears...thanks in advance to editor to clip the duplication.
Gonlyold
(05/27/2006; 12:22:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144702)
The Secular Problem
Do not fear, I know, even in my limited mind and with my limited resources, what the secular problem is. The problem is stated in I Tim 6:9 which read in part, "For the love of money is the root of all evil...". Sitting in a chair 24/7 and loving money isn't going to hurt anyone except the sole person so ill displaced. It's not until actions are implemented to manifest this love, that the people's oppression starts. And number 1 on the list of these actions, already implemented, is the fractional reserve component of the FRS. If the reserve requirement were at 100 %, our oppression would be substantially and significantly eliminated.

Would this eliminate all secular problems? No, there's still those listed in Gal. 5:19-21. Underlying all secular problems are the spiritual problems. Here's where it gets real scary. Eventually people are going to arrive at a concencous that they need a spiritual awakening to set things right. Then enters the Anti-Christ, people believe him, they give him power, and shortly thereafter all goes down the drain.

How to keep from being found in the wrong camp is not mysterious. What has to be done is to have the Bible read you. My pastor always says that when you read the Bible, you THINK that you are reading the Bible, but, in actuality, the Bible is reading you. Once you find out what your problem are, you take steps to correct them. I doubt that TPTB will ever give up their pride to do some self introspection.
Ten Bears
(05/27/2006; 13:25:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144703)
@Gonlyold msg#: 144697
Thanks for a thought provoking post,A few quotes along similar lines:

"The FRN is a unit of control over resources, both human and natural. Those with the franchise to create, and control the distribution of FRN's can (and do) control all aspects of society. If you like the Way things are, give them credit, and if not, the reverse."

"It is an evil paradox that men with the lowest motives can launch wars by appealing to the highest ideals of better men."

"Our President has turned the intelligence community's most powerful tools against the American people."

"A monetary system which at its hart is fundamentally dishonest is unlikely to foster the development of honest business or governmental institutions."

"Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world."

"What exists at this moment is a government solicitous of (financial corporations) welfare, but one that doesn't give a hoot about the individual American"

"Two centuries ago (now three) the money lending class was comparatively poor and humble�.now they drag the entire community by the heels, and their retainers fill every department of government, every avenue of profit, and every source of influence."

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest."

Goldilox
(05/27/2006; 14:01:29 MDT - Msg ID: 144704)
Control issues
@ TenBears,

Great set of quotes. It seems to matter not whether those who wield power subscribe to one particular religion or another, as they all tend to hide behind a curtain of piety, and warp the original principles with out-of-context quotes from their god's "Word".

As Wilhelm Reich observed in his "Mass Psychology of Fascism", manipulation of religion and sexual repression are the two most common tools of those who desire to control the masses. The first preys on the innocent, while the other perpetuates deep-rooted brutality.

History certainly seems to bear him out, as more genocide has occurred in the name of "holy retribution" than for any other advertised reason, although resource grabbing is most often the underlying current. Your quote about those with high ideals being manipulated for the purposes of those with low morals is the best one of the lot.

Every religion has its Elmer Gantries, and they seem to gravitate towards politics.

Unfortunately, this relates directly to finance and gold, as Nathan Rothschild observed, "Give me the power to create a country's money, and I care NOT who rules." It seems modern society has caught the disease of "caring NOT".
AuVenger
(05/27/2006; 14:14:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144705)
$150 Oil - Kissinger
http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/bilderberg_to_meet_in_canada.htmlBilderberg to Meet in Canada

By James P. Tucker Jr.



The secretive group known as Bilderberg will hold its annual secret meeting at the posh Brook Street Resort a few miles from Ottawa, Canada, June 8-11.

The location and part of the agenda was disclosed to American Free Press by a source inside Bilderberg's inner circle.

High on the Bilderberg's secret agenda this year are oil prices and the political upheaval in Latin America. When meeting last year in Rottach-Egern, Germany, Bilderberg called for dramatic increases in the price of oil. Oil prices started climbing immediately from $40 a barrel to $70.

Whether Bilderberg will call for still higher prices is unclear, but Henry Kissinger and others had gleefully anticipated ultimate prices at $150 a barrel a year ago. Bilderberg is certainly concerned about supply, which is related to the "Latin American problem," as one insider said.

Approximately 120 international leaders in politics and finance will also discuss the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which has caused a rare breach between American Bilderbergers and their European counterparts since the United States Iraq invasion in 2003. Whether the United States should invade Iran is also high on the agenda.

Bilderberg is especially concerned about Venezuela, where as part of a plan to increase revenues from its petroleum industry President Hugo Chavez said May 7 he would impose a new tax on companies that extract oil from his country. Big Oil is represented at Bilderberg by Jeroen van der Veer of The Netherlands, chairman of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Franco Bernabe of Italy, vice chairman of Rothschild Europe, among others. "We are going to create a new oil tax, called the tax on extraction,"
Chavez said. "The companies that are pumping oil in Venezuela are making a lot of money."

Chavez accused foreign oil companies of exploiting his country's vast petroleum reserves without paying sufficient taxes. Venezuela is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter but has troubled oil barons by sending cheap petroleum to needy American families and subsidizing domestic use so local citizens pay 12 cents a gallon.

Venezuela has voided oil-pumping contracts with private companies at 32 fields and replaced them with a mixed-company model that gave Venezuela's state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela SA a minimum 60 percent stake. Chavez has also sharply raised royalties and taxes, and reduced potential drilling acreage by almost two-thirds. He is also resisting expansion of NAFTA throughout the hemisphere, a prime Bilderberg goal.

Chavez's outspoken criticisms of the United States make it unlikely that American Bilderbergers can help smooth over the supply problem. However, banker David Rockefeller's family has always had a heavy interest in oil and other investments in South America.

President Bush will have a top White House aide representing him at Bilderberg, and high officials of the state, defense and treasury departments will attend. Heads of state and other high officials in government and banking will attend from Europe and Canada.

Bilderberg's agenda also includes the turmoil in the Middle East, nuclear proliferation, with an emphasis on Iran, North Korea and Pakistan, and global warming.

The Bilderberg group takes it name from the hotel in Holland where the group met in 1954, during the earliest period of its inception. Bilderbergers meet regularly, presumably on a once-a-year basis, at various locations around the world, always in extreme secrecy, often at resorts controlled by either the Rockefeller or Rothschild families. The Rothschild family is the leading European force within the Bilderberg Group, sharing its power with the American-based Rockefeller empire.

Bilderberg maintains an extremely low profile and seldom, if ever, publishes reports or studies for the public, at least, under its own official aegis. Participants denied the groups very existence for decades until it was forced into the open by the glare of media publicity, generated largely by the now defunct Spotlight newspape
Usul
(05/27/2006; 15:28:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144706)
Mandelbrot - The Invisible Hand - The self-similarity of trading patterns
The Mandelbrot set is a truly amazing visual spectacle, I remember programming it up in Fortran-77 on a DEC minicomputer in the '80s, displaying it on an MVI-7 colour graphic CRT terminal (which then cost much more than a typical high-end PC or laptop today) and plotting it out on a HUGE Hewlett Packard pen plotter. The interesting thing about fractal patterns is their self-similarity over scale. You can see similar things in trading patterns, especially in analyses like Elliott Wave (which I regard as mostly useless, even though the patterns are probably fundamental in terms of human behaviour, because of the demonstrable failure of analysts to identify a consistent and stable set of wave numbers). I find it interesting to think of the trading patterns in things like candlesticks, triangles, flags, bull and bear cycles etc, as potentially occuring with similar patterns on an intraday basis or on a very long term basis (a century of oil prices for example will show you a very interesting triangle formation)... and at all scales in between. The long term cycle I am most interested in is the Kondratieff cycle, where I believe that, given the debt burdens present at this point in time, there must be a Kondratieff Winter ahead that will dissipate the debt and cause "paper to burn" which of course is our cue to hold gold as the only refuge in time of turmoil.
Ten Bears
(05/27/2006; 16:39:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144707)
Quotes
http://reese.king-online.com/Reese_20030409/index.php @Goldilox #144704

The quote ""It is an evil paradox that men with the lowest motives can launch wars by appealing to the highest ideals of better men." is from C. Reese, 5-26-06 referenced above.

The Invisible Hand
(05/27/2006; 19:27:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144708)
Nervousness is good for gold
Decline in dollar to take toll on UK giants
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article620594.ece
SNIP
Fears are growing that market volatility could continue long into the summer as the slide in the US dollar starts to hit earnings at some of the FTSE 100's biggest stocks

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article620590.ece
SNIP
Hedge funds began life as investment vehicles designed to reduce risk and preserve capital in all market conditions. The term is an umbrella description for funds that are typically private, run by professionals with a stake in the fund, and requiring a significant initial sum - often more than $1m (�534,000) - from investors.
+
Although the funds have been going since 1949, it was not until the 1990s and, in particular, two high profile events, that they caught the public imagination.
George Soros became known as the man who broke the Bank of England following the events of 1992, when his Quantum Fund bet against the pound, making profits of �1bn and contributing to sterling's ejection from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.
And the once seemingly bullet-proof Long Term Capital Management (LTCM) was brought to its knees in 1998 when it was unable to cope with the market turmoil exacerbated by the Russian financial crisis. The highly leveraged American hedge fund was left with a $4.6bn loss.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8209-2199829,00.html
SNIP
"Nervousness is not good for the markets but it is good for gold", said Peter Hambro, chairman of Peter Hambro Mining.

==

I can understand that some consider Frank van Dun's interpretation of the Gnostic worldview in his draft paper "The Science of Law and Legal Studies"
http://users.ugent.be/~frvandun/Texts/Articles/ScienceOfLaw.pdf
to be non- conformist, although I would like to see the evidence.

Yes, Bertrand Russell was a non-conformist left-winger brought up by his grandfather who was Her Majesty's Prime Minister, but I don't accept that my quoting from his "History of Western Philosophy", first published 1946, republished by Routledge Classics in 2004, is non-conformist.

From the 2004 reprint
p. 130
[For the Gnostics] only the contingent world, the world in space and time, can have been created
but this is the everyday world which has been condemned (by Plato) as illusory and also bad

pp. 275- 276
Gnostic view = the visible world is evil
- cosmos and its creator are evil
- hatred of matter

==

You see reality says one thing.
For the Gnostics however, the world is evil and only what man has created deserves respect.
Is it not such a Gnostic-like view which allowed Nikson in 1971 to sever the dollar from gold and which allowed Kongress in 1913 to set up the Federal Reserve System.
Bound Spirit
(05/27/2006; 19:44:32 MDT - Msg ID: 144709)
Invisible Hand and the Mandelbrot Set
Invisible Hand �

Those not familiar with Penrose may not appreciate the context with which you discuss the Mandelbrot set. The way I perceive the intent of Roger Penrose's books is that they are part of the great on-going debate about Strong Artificial Intelligence. On the other side of this debate are scientists like Daniel Dennet � "Consciousness Explained". At its core, the argument revolves around whether our existence � simply put � is a mindless evolutionary process exnihilated from nothing or that there is a mindfull purpose transcending our cosmos but imbues everything within it. I.E. something from nothing or there is no such thing as nothing � your choice. If the former is true � strong AI is possible. If the latter, creating consciousness by manipulating space, time, energy and matter is impossible.

The Mandelbrot set supports the notion that mathematics, and by extension, intelligence itself, is a discovery by humans and not manifestations created by them. It supports the notion that existence itself is different than what we perceive through our senses and necessarily derives outside of space, time, energy and matter.

IMO, the outcome, or ebb and flow of this debate has very important implications for mankind. Socially, either we are tending toward nihilism (the end result of a purposeless universe) or its opposite � a purposeful life commonly experienced. Framing the question in these terms is better than the atheist � theist model because it escapes the religious overtones that renders productive conversation nearly impossible. It exposes the weaknesses of the Darwinian expanders (e.g. Dennet) and it exposes the many false premises of the religionists.

For example: The Darwinian expanders will continue to have difficulties with metaphysical questions such as the origin of intelligence (e.g. the Mandelbrot discovery), love and beauty. And the fundamental religionists may come to understand that morality does not derive from adherence to a book of rules but from crossing a metaphysical bridge and accessing information that is not contingent or reducible to anything empirical. They will come to learn that an act like stealing is wrong not because the bible or the law says so, but because it's wrong � period.

The strong AI debate or similar intellectual exercises is required reading. As for me, I lean toward Penrose. He is why I can say that I completely agree with you Invisible Hand � Gold is primarily an intellectual phenomena � delivered to us as a discovery of pure truth, period.
melda laure
(05/27/2006; 21:19:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144710)
nature of truth in times of rampant lies
Penrose often alludes to things he dare not say outright. The treatment of certain features of Riemann in Penrose' "road to reality" comes to an odd halt just before crossing the threshhold into free energy ideas that you can find in the preface to Akhlesh Latakhia's book.

As in mathematics, so too in physics, and so also in politics and economy and matters of "faith"; this should hardly be surprising- and they wonder that elves keep their own councils. Some truths are poo pooh'ed in public and professed in private. And so too is it with gold.

Very good points all.
melda laure
(05/27/2006; 22:48:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144711)
What really powers Gandy's crystal ball. according to Novum Merlini
http://www.atomicprecision.comI'm not sure that Tesla had any idea of the saftey of what he or others have invented. Certainly the effects noted in Becker's "The body Electric" give you some idea of what is being suppressed. But then those who belive in electro acupuncture according to Reinhard Voll are "away with the faeries" as one (ignorant) physician put it; medicine is the quintessential empirical science (or was until about 1920 or so).

As to general relativity, David Hilbert panned the idea back in 1905 or so saying cryptically "thermodynamics is screwed" (my translation). Later, in 1934 or so, Emily Noether basically demonstrated Hilbert's objections by pointing out that flat spacetime is concomitant with conservation of energy, ergo riemanian spacetime is a violation of energy conservation.

Enough! I give you the dictum of DeLoria: an expert outside his area of study is no more knowledgeable than a well read amateur. What I know of the subject I keep to myself; as to the writings of mortals, you may amuse yourself with these hard math titles if "Energy from the Vacuume" tickles your funny bone, since either Queen Elizabeth found Evan's work intriguing, else she decided to appoint him as the royal mathematical fool.


http://blog.mises.org/archives/004655.asp

(yes, sir MK, there is an economic side to this) Derivatives 101 for the trading floor, Derivatives 202 for the hedgies and a special class in Derivatives 404 for the powers that be. Gold will win because all our problems are moral ones at root.
melda laure
(05/27/2006; 22:54:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144712)
Welcome back Usul
This odd chatter must be some sort of lull in the bull market- a buying signal of sorts. The posts are thin, the philosophers chatter.
monTROZ
(05/27/2006; 23:34:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144713)
No Rhodium here
ge (5/27/06; 05:13:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 144696)
"I remember the comment you made at the time Portugal was selling 30 tons of gold, with respect (03/03/03; 12:35:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 98787, see the link). Are you still holding the rhodium? It was a great buy!"

Wow, you remember that, years ago? I can barely remember what I was drinking last night when I went nuts with the keyboard. I'm honored that you recall. Um, no on the rhodium, the comment was satire for the contest.

The recent Mandelbrot comment was directed more at his analysis of financial data than the Mandelbrot set. Referring to his research that fractal models produces a better representation of market behavior than a standard statistical (bell curve, or Gaussian) model. This leads to the conclusions that extreme market behavior, (what Gold Finger was asking about) although infrequent is highly probable. And the extreme events tend to cluster in time (now), and can at times overwhelm all the smaller events, (look out).

Yes Gold Finger you're right Gold is a no-brainer these days. Just buy some, it's easy, ask MK.

spotlight
(05/28/2006; 01:24:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144714)
Question
Sight master:
Do you happen to know where I could find a good gold sight without the church sermons and the small talk?
GOLD FINGER
(05/28/2006; 01:40:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144715)
God and Gold

If you believe in a supreme being then it will be safe to figure that when he makes a visit to this earth he will need LOTS of GOLD to set his castle's FOUNDATION on.

Notice the word FOUNDATION. This is ultimately what I do actually FEEL about gold.

It's the actual foundation on which all wealth is governed upon. It's been with us for a zillion years and will continue to be.

I noticed gold's trading year after year to be somewhat predictable. UNTIL....just the beginning of this year did we see things become a little more spiced up.

You can show me every graph in town and I will tell you not one of them is what finally convinced me to actually buy gold. I manage my personal affaires in a somewhat more unconventional way.

I actually had a dream that GOLD would rise at levels that have never been seen before. It was interesting and I thought about it that entire day. I will share the details of it later.

Funny thing was I had completely forgotten about what was going on and after talking it over with one of my friends he mentioned some of the "market" conditions that seemed to POINT towards the buying of gold.

SO I DID!

Sure enough I caught it just prior to the big gains it had made and it paid off. Odd? Coincidental? I am not sure. I do think that the GOLD mystique RULES the earth.

Now with this KIND of energy who could go WRONG?

Happy BUYING!
Toolie
(05/28/2006; 02:17:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144716)
Transcript: Nightly Business Report � Friday
http://www.pbs.org/nbr/site/onair/transcripts/060526e/Snip:
LEIBOVIT: $75 a barrel makes easy doings, as far as I`m concerned, $80, $85.
KANGAS: Gold has been the talk of the town for months now. Let`s have a look at your forecast for that. That looks much higher also.
LEIBOVIT: We`ve been bullish for four years on gold. My big picture target is about $2700 an ounce believe it or not, so we have a long way to go. This year up, and the next several years up, I think we`re in a 20- year up move in natural resources and the precious metals in particular, so stick with it.
.....
LEIBOVIT: I`ll just pull back a little bit, but I`m looking for another 20 points to the upside of this as gold continues to break out. Hopefully if gold reaches $1,000 an ounce this year.... (end snip)

Joe 6 pack gets a heads-up from NBR (on US public broadcast television). Yet Another call for $1,000/oz THIS YEAR.
AuVenger
(05/28/2006; 05:41:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144717)
Predictions
LEIBOVIT: I`ll just pull back a little bit, but I`m looking for another 20 points to the upside of this as gold continues to break out. Hopefully if gold reaches $1,000 an ounce this year.... (end snip)

Joe 6 pack gets a heads-up from NBR (on US public broadcast television). Yet Another call for $1,000/oz THIS YEAR.



Be interesting to see a collated list of what the 'expert analysts' say!

I'm hearing more rumblings on other forums about the possibility of an Iran attack following a false flag attack at the World Cup - (Larouche, whethere you think he is a whack job or not, has issued a detailed press release) - I never discount these rumours as sometimes they do contain truths - who would ever have thought the USA would stand down its armed forces, switch off NORAD!!! whilst war games were going on involving, gulp, an attack on the WTCs, that the Prez would read to kids about goats whilst his country was under attack, that his Secret Service detail would *actually* let him do this instead of rushing him to safety, that a rag-tag bunch of Aye-Rabs could fly like Top Guns, pulling the most amazing series of impossible flying feats, that three steel cored buildings could implode PERFECTLY into their own footprints, with the 3rd building (WTC7 'pulled' on the orders of its owner - Silevrstein) coming down perfectly without any prior damage other than one or two small and easily contained fires - we live in strange times, Chinese times, and frankly anything can and will probably happen.
Goldilox
(05/28/2006; 09:45:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144718)
Gold output down
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,19285373%255E664,00.htmlsnip:

AUSTRALIAN gold production fell nearly 10 per cent in the March quarter compared with the corresponding period last year, as tropical storms battered key production areas.

Production was also down 8 per cent on the previous quarter, according to a report released yesterday by Melbourne-based mining consultants Surbiton Associates.
Heavy rains from six tropical cyclones and a tropical low in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern Queensland all conspired to affect gold operations, the consulting firm's latest Australian Gold Quarterly Review said.

"March quarter gold production is always at risk from tropical cyclones and wet weather but this year was particularly bad," Surbiton Associates managing director Sandra Close said.

"We can blame tropical cyclones Clare, Darryl, Jim, Emma, Kate and Glenda, plus a tropical low thrown in for good measure,"

Dr Close said that Western Australia accounted for about 75 per cent of the nation's gold production and those areas had been particularly hard hit this season.

"Despite the poor start to the year, with luck and with the new projects coming on stream over the next few quarters, 2006 output should still at least match the 264 tonnes produced in 2005," she said. "At current prices, every tonne of gold is worth around $27 million and annual output is worth around $7 billion."

-Goldilox

Six cyclones even "trumps" FL, although no major cities involved in New Orleans fashion. ANyway, for those who still think in terms of supply vs. demand . . .
Goldilox
(05/28/2006; 09:55:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144719)
Chavez spreads his oil wealth in Bolivia
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/26/AR2006052600982.htmlsnip:

SHINAHOTA, Bolivia (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pledged $1.5 billion in energy investments in impoverished Bolivia on Friday, receiving a hero's welcome from coca farmers who applauded his anti-U.S. message.

Shouts of "Viva Venezuela!" rang out as Chavez, clad in an Andean-style red poncho and wool hat, spoke in Shinahota, a dusty town in the coca-growing Chapare region some 370 miles southeast of La Paz.

Chavez's investment promises marked his latest effort to spread his oil largess -- Venezuela is the world's fifth largest crude exporter -- and boost his political influence across Latin America with moves that have included offering neighbors cut-rate oil deals and offers to buy their debt.

Chavez addressed the crowd flanked by leftist allies Bolivian President Evo Morales and Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage and used the occasion to denounce President Bush, saying he had "given the green light to conspire against the Bolivian democracy."

Bush said earlier this week he was concerned about "the erosion of democracy" in both Bolivia and Venezuela.

Morales, a former coca farmer, has formed close ties with Chavez since being elected in December.

"Bolivia has found its path because the Bolivian people have found the leader they were lacking," said Chavez, congratulating Morales on his May 1 decision to put Bolivia's energy industry in state hands.

Venezuelan Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said his country's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, was investing in exploration and production projects in Bolivia, South America's poorest country.

Later in the city of La Paz, Ramirez signed deals with Bolivia's state-owned energy company YPFB that include building two gas-processing plants as well as exploring for new natural gas reserves.

-Goldilox

Shots across the US oil admin's bow.
Goldilox
(05/28/2006; 09:59:30 MDT - Msg ID: 144720)
Cannes Premiere Gets Standing Ovation
http://www.thelastoutpost.com/site/842/default.aspxsnip:

CANNES, FRANCE � Aaron Russo's incendiary political documentary which exposes many of the governmental organizations and entities that have abridged the freedoms of U.S. citizens had its international premiere at Cannes and won a standing ovation. The event, which was held on the beach and filled to capacity, was open to the public and drew a crowd of people who stood along the boardwalk to watch the film.

- Goldilox

The controversial film, which began as expose on the IRS, has evolved into another "shot across the bow" to TPTB. Fits well into the Web Bot category of "secrets revealed".
Goldilox
(05/28/2006; 10:26:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144721)
Mines open on gold bonanza: Price tipped to hit $US1000 an ounce
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,19279238%255E951,00.htmlsnip:

In the past 12 months, gold has shot from $US415 an ounce to more than $US720 two weeks ago, settling in New York on Friday at just over $US650. Not since the heady days of the 1980s has there been such a scramble by investors to cash in on the precious metal.

Yet the gold boom has not led to a rush of new applications or to dust off old mines that are now economically viable. With a gold price of $US415 an ounce 12 months ago, the Tanami mine might not have been viable. Its prospectus was based on a gold price of $US450 an ounce. A gold price above $US650 an ounce provides a huge incentive to dig deeper.

But there is one small hitch, an acute skills shortage caused by a boom in other commodities. With iron, nickel and copper already in record demand, there are not enough resources or skilled staff to go around. Gold is simply going to have to wait its turn, according to WA Mining and Resources Minister John Bowler.

"We haven't seen as many (new mine applications) as we expected," he said at Reed Resources' Sand Queen mine opening on Thursday.

"My take on that is you need two things: You need money and you need people.

"Everything else is booming so magnificently � iron ore, nickel, copper, alumina.

"Every metal is in a boom and has been in a boom for some time. I don't know if there's that much money, and particularly that many people, left over.

"If someone had said to me five or six years ago, `how do you think Kalgoorlie would be if gold was at $A850 an ounce?' I would have said they'd be hanging out of the trees � you wouldn't be able to get a parking space in Hannan St.

"It hasn't happened. There has been an increase (in new mine applications), but it's nowhere near what you'd expect."

That may be partly due to the volatile nature of gold prices in the past two months.

"I think the market's also waiting for the gold price to stabilise, which is good," Mr Bowler said.

"The word `boom' usually means `bust', so hopefully what we'll have is this more mature market that will see a gradual growing, rather than a sudden rush that can often lead to a sudden drop-off."

But according to miners themselves there is a more fundamental reason why the gold price hasn't translated into a rush for mines.

"I see the gold price going to $US1000," Reed Resources chairman David Reed said.

"I think by Christmas we'll see it at $US1000. Just because the price of gold is up doesn't mean it's any easier to find.

-Goldilox

On the other side of the coin . . .
mikal
(05/28/2006; 11:12:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144722)
Fghting for basic rights
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12888600/site/newsweekYour basic right to own gold stands alongside your
right to vote. Or has it gone the way of so many others? Levy makes a case that traceable paper ballots and honest elections may be coming back.
Will Your Vote Count in 2006? | Newsweek Technology | Steven Levy | May 29, 2006
Druid
(05/28/2006; 12:31:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144723)
(No Subject)
http://www.netcastdaily.com/fsnewshour.htm
Druid: Listen to the May 13, 2006 interview with Aaron Russo. More volatility ahead.
Smeagol
(05/28/2006; 13:26:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144725)
He's telling the truth here
"This is only the beginning," Bush said. "The message has spread from Damascus to Tehran that the future belongs to freedom, and we will not rest until the promise of liberty reaches every people in every nation."

O yess, precious... they won't resst until liberty in every nation is replaced by PROMISES of liberty. >8-(

S.
AuVenger
(05/28/2006; 14:22:59 MDT - Msg ID: 144726)
the message that was removed is
related to gold

constant war = political and monetary turmoil

i fail to see why bush's speech to the class of 2006 was removed

explanation?
GOLD FINGER
(05/28/2006; 15:47:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144727)
I LIKE THEM ALL!!

I DO LIKE TO READ AND EVEN SPEED READ ALL OF THE POSTS HERE TO THIS FORUM.

I MAY NOT AGREE. I DO THINK ALL INPUT IS IMPORTANT!

UNLESS IT IS USELESS SPAM.
Clink!
(05/28/2006; 16:13:02 MDT - Msg ID: 144728)
@ Sir Spotlight
Now let me see - you're asking TC to cite a site ?
C!
Ten Bears
(05/28/2006; 16:39:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144729)
THE WAGES OF NEO-LIBERALISM PART 3 By Henry C K Liu
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/HE27Cb01.htmlSnippets:
China today exhibits all the symptoms of a 19th-century boom economy in the age of industrial revolution as described by Charles Dickens, with urban slums, migrant workers, working poor and sweatshops at the foot of shiny new skyscrapers. Income and wealth disparity is rampant, while most of the social-welfare network built through the early decades of the socialist revolution lies in ruins.

Mundell won the 1999 Nobel Prize, states that in international finance, a government has the choice among (1) stable exchange rates, (2) international capital mobility and (3) domestic policy autonomy (full employment, interest-rate policies, counter-cyclical fiscal spending, etc). With unregulated global financial markets, a government can have only two of the three options. Through dollar hegemony, the United States is the only country that can defy the Mundell-Fleming thesis,

Chinese commercial banks, in joining the game of international competition under WTO rules, will be forced to participate in the credit derivatives markets, which are time bombs of massive systemic financial destruction.

Titan
(05/28/2006; 17:01:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144730)
Re: Gold output down
Goldilox posted earlier about production down in Australia. I've been wondering how much it really matters to the price of gold how much gold is being mined. If some mining company finds a huge field of gold under the ground and is somehow able to get it out and on the market in record time (all hypothetical, I know), would that have a big effect on the price of gold? One would think that with lots of gold newly available, the price would go down. But would that really happen?

I tend to think of there being only so much gold in the world and that new gold coming from mines is just a trickle in the overall amount available. But is it prudent to watch how much new gold the companies are making available and factor that in to whether or not I buy more, and when?
contrarian
(05/28/2006; 17:54:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144731)
AuVenger--Gold Price
AuVenger, I could not agree with you more--nice, accurate sumup of the situation. It certainly isn't business as usual!

I also agree gold at minimum $1000 by end of year if not sooner. Like Russell says, this is just the bull trying to kick you off its back.
Ten Bears
(05/28/2006; 17:58:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144732)
MONETARY versus NON-MONETARY COMMODITIES by Antal E. Fekete
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/fekete/2006/0525.htmlSnippets:
The willingness to accept promise in lieu of the monetary metal itself evaporates if a commodity exchange goes into liquidation-only mode, meaning that the shorts are exempted from their obligation to deliver the monetary metal as contracted, and the longs can realize their gains only through cash settlement.

In January, 1980,� COMEX had just declared "liquidation-only" on its silver contract. This had the immediate effect around the world that banks, traditionally accepting each others� promise to deliver, refused to honor them and went into cash-and-carry mode.

The big unknown is how the crisis will be resolved when it happens again. In 1980 the longs� knee-jerk reaction of "cut and run" resolved it quickly. Had they stayed the course, the outcome could have been different,

For a monetary commodity a breakdown cannot be localized. It triggers a domino-effect. Trading of the monetary commodity at all other exchanges will also come to a screeching halt. Banks go into cash-and-carry mode without delay. No statistics are available showing the volume of credit instruments in use involving a monetary metal but, in view of the derivatives, it must be enormous. All this credit freezes up at the same time, with incalculable consequences as far as world finance is concerned.

The entire derivatives Tower of Babel is in danger of toppling. Why? because gold and silver, whether demonetizing governments like it or not, are still part of the foundation of credit.

In other words, you can earn a return on your gold in gold. It accrues as you sell gold forward at a premium price and buy it back at the lower spot price at maturity. Most significantly, this has absolutely nothing to do with the dollar price of gold which can gyrate up or down in the meantime. Your return in gold is guaranteed. For this reason, the smartest of the smart will discard the dollar as numeraire and adopt a gold unit to gauge wealth.

Mainstream economists disingenuously refer to the interest rate on gold loans as the lease rate. Let the "useful fools" fall for the obfuscation. But a yield is a yield, by whatever name you may call it. You can't overthrow economic law by tinkering with terminology.

Bulls in bear's skin are practitioners of this black art. They keep writing covered options. Here is how it works. They buy gold whenever the gold price dips. They write covered out-of-the-money call options (nearest maturity) on their holdings whenever the gold price rallies. They set up stop-buy orders at every point where the option is called, should the gold price fall. (If they control a gold mine as well, then they reduce the stop-buy order by output). Then the bear puts his market position on auto-pilot and goes into hibernation. No sweat, no fret. He always buys into weakness and sells into strength.
GOLD FINGER
(05/28/2006; 18:00:57 MDT - Msg ID: 144733)
gold mines
http://www.zealllc.com/2006/goldtwo3.htmTitan,

I FOUND THIS TO BE SOME GOOD READING FOR THE OVER ALL RATIONAL OF GOLD.

"These bulls last for over a decade because that is how long it takes for global supplies to gradually be grown to meet global demand. Building new mines is a long, slow process that cannot be rushed."


SEE LINK FOR CREDIT

MY INTUITION SAYS TO STOCK UP NOW!!
Ned
(05/28/2006; 18:41:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144734)
@ Clink!
I was wondering the same thing?

WTH?
Ned
(05/28/2006; 18:42:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144735)
Hey spotlight !!?
Are you frozen in the headlights Man?

slingshot
(05/28/2006; 20:51:48 MDT - Msg ID: 144736)
Search for the Renaissance
The two sat for some time as the contents of Gandalf's pipe was now a fine ash. Tobias again reached through the bars and motioned for more paper. His hand jestures depicted an urgency to communicate. Gandalf handed him more paper and the wolfling began to write at a fast pace.
Tobias handed his next descriptions to Gandalf. Broken words and sentences filled the page but the picture of the fall of Hammerton was becoming clear.
They came as merchants and commerce flourished. Contracts signed and wares exchanged. Inns were full and banquets filled the halls. Tankards of the best spirits clanked in the night and minstriels played their songs till morning light. It seemed it would go on forever.
Dark deeds are done under cover of night and so it happened. These merchants became soldiers and seized the gates letting the flow of the Dark Army enter Hammerton. They had surrounded the town capturing all who ventured there. Using their wares to bargin with the unsuspecting merchants of Hammerton. The townspeople were taken to the field where Therroth was entombed and watched as Cyrus raise him. The stones were removed and Cyrus spoke his incantations. Lightning flashed acrossed the night sky striking the ground. The earth began to break and a hand suddenly protruded. Then a head and was not long before Therroth stood up from his grave. He stood and roared at the townspeople and they cowared in fear only to hear the cheer of the Dark Army that held them captive.
Then began the dismemberment of Hammerton. One by one, each building was torn down and a great arena constructed.
Reaching from wall to wall, having seating for thousands with a large open area.
Six days later the Dark Army filled the makeshift stadium bringing with them the posessions of the capture. The townspeople, herded into the arena to see their lives brokened and scattered. The sounds of broken glass and wood was mixed with laughter and cheers of excitement as the Dark Army took revenge.
When they had finished it began. The Changing. An evil ceremony. Tobias could not bring himself to fully describe this event,but Gandalf knew full well what had taken place after reading from his book.
Tobias finished his message with a question. "What will you do with me?"
Gandalf motioned for Tobias to give him the remaining writing material.
"All I can do my friend", he answered.
Slingshot---------<>
spotlight
(05/28/2006; 21:58:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144737)
Let's stay on the subject of gold.
Slingshot
can you please explain the relevance of your #144736 post to gold?

On another subject, like gold:
What would happen during a monetary crises where gold demand explodes and the gold exchange funds can't get the tons of gold they need to satisfy their clients purchases of shares, promised to be backed by an equal amount of gold?
spikedog
(05/28/2006; 23:09:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144738)
Sir Spotlight
If this forum does not rise to your expectations, I wish you good fortune in your quest for one that does.
spikedog
(05/28/2006; 23:28:16 MDT - Msg ID: 144739)
Memorial Day and Gold
I would like to take a moment to honor those who serve in our armed forces. Though many may disagree with the current uses of our military, most armed services personnel do serve with honor and dignity.

The military has been called upon to defend the "American Way of Life" throughout our history; and many of the causes have been worthy. Now, it seems that the military is being used to perpetuate empire and the people currently serving are caught between a rock and a hard place: to serve and "keep their jobs" or to leave and return to the "booming economy".

So what does this have to do with gold? It is a matter of messed up priorities. When we used our military for noble and just causes, our country prospered. When our money was based on gold, our country prospered. Collectively, we seem to have lost our way. Individually, however, as evidenced by contributors to this forum, the TRAIL is well-illuminated.

Thank you to those who serve with honor and those honorable enough to share their insight and wisdom.

spikedog
Titan
(05/29/2006; 00:06:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144740)
How did it go down in 1933?
Happy Memorial Day!

When we hear about how the gov't confiscated all gold in 1933 (except less than 5 oz. or collectible coins etc.), did agents go door-to-door and search houses for it? If not, and it became illegal to own gold, why wouldn't people have just hidden it? Maybe they turned it iin because they couldn't otherwise get value from it. I'm just trying to imagine how that scenario would play in the 21st Century. Some of you all do seem to be concerned about it.

Goldilox
(05/29/2006; 00:48:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144741)
Slingshot's prose
@ sir spotlight,

Sir Slingshot's narrative fiction is a long-time addition to the forum and contributes much to the entertainment of all who have participated here in last few years.

Not sure if it's been archived into a single reference collection, but if so, it would make fine leisure reading for anyone new to the forum.

Most of us anticipate every "chapter".
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 01:10:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144742)
Mining is a very dirty business...

Claim: Petition addresses environmental issues associated with the
Pascua-Lama mining operation in Chile.
Judge for yourself if you want to take action. In the Valle de San
Felix, the purest water in Chile runs from 2 rivers, fed by 2 glaciers.
Water is a most precious resource, and wars will be fought for it.

Indigenous farmers use the water, there is no unemployment, and they
provide the second largest source of income for the area. Under the
glaciers has been found a huge deposit of gold, silver and other
minerals. To get at these, it would be necessary to break, to destroy
the glaciers - something never conceived of in the history of the world
- and to make 2 huge holes, each as big as a whole mountain, one for
extraction and one for the mine's rubbish tip.

The project is called PASCUA LAMA. The company is called Barrick Gold.
The operation is planned by a multi-national company, one of whose
members is George Bush Senior (what a surprise eh?). The Chilean
Government has approved the project to start this year, 2006. The only
reason it hasn't started yet is because the farmers have got a temporary
stay of execution. If they destroy the glaciers, they will not just
destroy the source of specially pure water, but they will permanently
contaminate the 2 rivers so they will never again be fit for human or
animal consumption because of the use of cyanide and sulfuric acid in
the extraction process. Every last gram of gold will go abroad to the
multinational company and not one will be left with the people whose
land it is. They will only be left with the poisoned water and the
resulting illnesses.

The farmers have been fighting a long time for their land, but have been
forbidden to make a TV appeal by a ban from the Ministry of the
Interior. Their only hope now of putting brakes on this project is to
get help from international justice. The world must know what is
happening in Chile. The only place to start changing the world is from
here.

We ask you to circulate this message amongst your friends in the
following way. Please copy this text, paste it into a new email adding
your signature and send it to everyone in your address book. Please will
the 100th person to receive and sign the petition send it to
noapascualama@yahoo.ca to be forwarded to the Chilean government.

No to Pascua Lama Open-cast mine in the Andean Cordillera on the
Chilean-Argentine frontier.

We ask the Chilean Government not to authorize the Pascua Lama project
to protect the whole of 3 glaciers, the purity of the water of the San
Felix Valley and El Transito, the quality of the agricultural land of
the region of Atacama, the quality of life of the Diaguita people and of
the whole population of the region.

Ponter.

P.S. George Bush Sr is an Adviser for Barrick.The former Canadian Prime
Minister, Brian Mulroney, is on the board of directors. Barrick Gold is
based in Toronto, Ontario and was established by Peter Munk.
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 01:12:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144743)
The gangsters...
Barrick's is a pretty evil gang. Adnan Khashoggi, the shadowy character
and arms billionaire that Daddy Bush (Poppy) pardoned for a bunch of
felony convictions, on his last day in office, landed the Sr Bush a
cushy high paying seat on the board of directors at Barrick's upon his
departing the White House. I don't think Poppy needs the job anymore,
since junior got the wars going and the Carlyle Group is now in clover,
but you can rest assured that Barrick's has the full protection of the
US government behind whatever they do. Footnote: Barrick's, a Canadian
company, was the largest single contributor to junior's election in
2000.

These are dangerous people who buy entire governments. People who stand
in their way usually do note fare well. Barrick's is desperate to
acquire enough cheap gold to cover their forward sold gold hedge book.
It is in the billions of dollars underwater at the moment. These are the
crooks that facilitated the rigging of the precious metals market for
years.

Those who go up against this bunch will have the full services of the US
intelligence community breathing down their necks. You will have spooks
and assassins everywhere. Discernment and caution are the keywords for
survival.

These people care only about profits. The environment is just something
they wipe their feet on and plunder. Human life has no value to them at
all... except as cheap labor.
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 01:17:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144744)
@Contrarian - cheers
contrarian (5/28/06; 17:54:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144731)
AuVenger--Gold Price
AuVenger, I could not agree with you more--nice, accurate sumup of the situation. It certainly isn't business as usual!

I also agree gold at minimum $1000 by end of year if not sooner. Like Russell says, this is just the bull trying to kick you off its back.



Bush speech to the class of 2006 West Point cadets was ominous - he basically stated, regarding wars of aggression - 'We've only just begun...'

THAT is why the speech is so important, because it outlines US foreign policy for the forseeable future - the implications for gold/silver are obvious, supreme volatility, planned TPTB shakeouts IMHO...

Anything can happen...

If I get some free time I'm tempted to compile a predictions of POG list ... Sinclair currently looking at $1650 in 2007...
Goldilox
(05/29/2006; 02:23:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144745)
UAE gold sales up 10% in Q1
http://www.ameinfo.com/87301.htmlsnip:

The value of gold sales in the UAE rose by 10% in Q1, compared to the same period last year, with $571m worth of gold sold. There was a drop of 17% in the weight, or tonnage, of gold sold in this period, as 28 tonnes were bought in Q1 2006, as opposed to 33 tonnes last year. This is mainly due to the increased prices of the yellow metal.

-Goldilox

interesting comparison of sales by value vs. volume.
contrarian
(05/29/2006; 02:59:56 MDT - Msg ID: 144746)
AuVenger
AuVenger--the trick is, you have to make the lie BIG enough, and then everyone will believe it, because it will be too difficult to believe otherwise! I think Goebbels said this.

But gold doesn't lie! God==Good==Gold. How similar these are!
spotlight
(05/29/2006; 03:20:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144747)
International Discussion of Gold and Economics
Spikedog

There is much value that I have gained over the years from this site.

Although I have noticed that many of the posters that contributed valuable information, no longer post here.

I also notice that so far no one is interested in a very pertinate gold question that I brought up...

Most of the gold discussion groups are now a combination of social discusssions regarding many subjects, including religion.

I call your attention to the heading of this Gold Discussion Group.

"International Discussion of Gold and Economics."

It is a shame that I am invited by any one in this group to look elsewhere for gold information.
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 03:53:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144748)
@Contrarian - whoppers
contrarian (5/29/06; 02:59:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 144746)
AuVenger
AuVenger--the trick is, you have to make the lie BIG enough, and then everyone will believe it, because it will be too difficult to believe otherwise! I think Goebbels said this.

But gold doesn't lie! God==Good==Gold. How similar these are!



Yes indeed! Very similar :O)))

Adolf Hitler and Goebbels, you are correct, but Hitler I think takes the cake:


"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."



Hitler wrote in his 1925 autobiography Mein Kampf (James Murphy translation, page 134):

"All this was inspired by the principle - which is quite true in itself - that in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously. Even though the facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. These people know only too well how to use falsehood for the basest purposes."
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 04:12:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144750)
A portent of things to come? This one got my attention...
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17145188%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=the-great-drain-robbery--name_page.htmlTHE GREAT DRAIN ROBBERY
Gang leave gaping holes in road
By James Glover

THIEVES are ripping up manhole covers and railings to sell for scrap as the price of metal soars.

Police believe a single group - dubbed the Great Drain Robbers - may be behind a �50,000 spate of night-time raids that have left gaping holes across Cambridgeshire Sussex and Surrey.

Jim Harker, from the Local Government Association, said: "It is disgusting that mindless thieves are stooping this low for scrap metal.

"This thoughtless criminal act is not only selfish but could lead to serious accidents."

Sixty drain covers were stolen from Cobham and Stoke D'Abernon in Surrey over two days this month, while 30 have been taken from across West Sussex.

Cambridgeshire County Council has been hardest hit, with 165 covers stolen in the past year.

Railings by a stream in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, have also vanished. Council bosses say they are working round the clock to replace the missing covers but fear pedestrians or cyclists could fall into one of the holes and be seriously injured.

Gill Warrington, 48, was hurt when she fell into an uncovered drain near her home in Crawley, West Sussex.

She said: "I hurt my wrist and leg but any little kid could have had an even worse accident."

Sussex police branded the thefts irresponsible, adding: "If anyone sees grids or railings being removed, we'd like to hear about it."

Developing countries' growing appetite for metals have sent prices to new heights on the London Metals Exchange where traders think they represent a better investment than stocks or bonds.

AuVenger - No Kidding!
Sundeck
(05/29/2006; 05:41:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144751)
Metal prices
@AuVenger #144750

Your snip didn't disclose, but perhaps the manhole covers are made from copper alloy, either bronze (copper and tin) or brass (copper and zinc). A large manhole cover might weigh in the vicinity of 200 pounds, worth approximately US$600 a pop. If you can get half a dozen per night ($3,600) it is probably better than busting a gut in some sweatshop.

Base-metal prices (like gold) may still have further to run as supply tightens, demand strengthens and the dollar weakens...so your snip is a timely warning to all to keep an eye on any metal fittings you have around your home or business...and watch your step!

:-0
Sundeck
(05/29/2006; 06:06:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144752)
Servicing debt and interest rates
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/29/opinion/29mon3.html?th&emc=thYet again another warning, this time in the NYT. (I wonder how many times this has to be said before it sinks in?)

Snip:

"...
Reliance on foreign lenders poses current dangers, as well. A shift in investor sentiment, away from dollar-based investments and into other countries' assets, could be very destabilizing, forcing a drop in the dollar, higher interest rates and higher prices. Such shifts can be sudden, as in the Asian financial crisis in 1998.
..."

Sundeck: Well, yes...if you are going to rely upon foreign "investors" to keep buying treasury debt when sentiment is becoming sour then the yield on those treasuries will need to rise...with the concommittent flow-on to interest rates for the US citizen-borrower.

But, what if the Fed surreptitiously (hidden M3) monetises the government debt? No need for foreigners to buy the stuff, so really no need for bond yields or interest rates to rise either. So no threat to the economy from rampant interest rates either...

The only problem is that it represents inflation in its purest form...prices eventually will rise and wages eventually will follow and present holders of US treasuries will be dudded all the way to the bank and back...

Now if the holders were to surreptiously swap some of their US-dollar bonds for gold before all this really starts gathering momentum then...mmmmm...

:-)
Thoreauly
(05/29/2006; 07:13:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144753)
My "favorite" Hitler quote
@ AuVenger & Contrarian

"What luck for rulers that people do not think."

What luck indeed.

Buy gold and beware.
slingshot
(05/29/2006; 07:27:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144754)
Spotlight and Goldilox
I figured you would have got around to it sooner or later ;0) I see Goldilox filled you in on the story.
Had a storm come in yesterday and had downed trees. Plus the power went out for a few hours. This was a small storm and can not wait till the hurricanes hit. Yeah Right!So a late reply to your question.
Spotlight, I can tell you this forum has a way of policing itself. Just leave a little room for other things and you will find all the gold news you can read.
Slingshot--------<>
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 07:39:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144755)
Whoa - I had no idea...
Sundeck (5/29/06; 05:41:52MT - usagold.com msg#: 144751)
Metal prices
@AuVenger #144750

Your snip didn't disclose, but perhaps the manhole covers are made from copper alloy, either bronze (copper and tin) or brass (copper and zinc). A large manhole cover might weigh in the vicinity of 200 pounds, worth approximately US$600 a pop. If you can get half a dozen per night ($3,600) it is probably better than busting a gut in some sweatshop.


Yeah I can sur see that - I guess stealing lead from roof guttering has been a long held black art in the UK - the article mentions 255 missing manholes, at $100,000, which is almost $400 a pop, so your $600 is quite likely ~ !! ... the last sentence from the London Metal Exchange got my attention too! LOL, but as a daily cyclist (and recovering from a broken arm) I will be very careful at night in future...
24karat
(05/29/2006; 09:42:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144757)
Manhole covers made of copper alloy?
@ Sundeck

I don't think they make manhole covers in brass or bronze. Here in the US, I'm sure they're made of cast iron. Maybe it's different in the Old World.
Goldilox
(05/29/2006; 10:20:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144758)
http://real-wealth-society.blogspot.com/2006/05/debt-based-hedonism-by-sb-kayser.html
snip:

Depressed? Bear in mind that you're not alone: around mid-May, Zimbabwe's prices had risen 900%, turning staples into luxuries... and what will happen do you think when a country like America deals with 87TN dollar debt - all liabilities included? Do the math for yourself. Let me give one advice, stop believing in "free will astrology" today.

I came across a 1999 issue of progessive.org giving a shot to J.K. Galbraith and his "The Economics of Innocent Fraud" ... the verdict is utterly appalling, you/we are being conned legally. The problem is that no one is going to rescue you, just know that the high ranked hypocrites won't stop lauding "Master Galbraith" for many decades to come. Does Oblivion has a rock-bottom? What is the price of the Empire would you ask?


America's borrower-industrial complex is a bouncing dead cat aimed at nuking your own wallet. Please hold your breath no matter what - as long as you can - and get prepared to help yourself/ves. Reinventing *brotherhood* should be an immediate objective of y/ours.


Luckily there is some light at the end of the tunnel though: a film titled "In Debt We Trust" is being made. Yes, it is being made. Thanks to Danny Schechter for helping save the world despite itself.

-Goldilox

Some rather stern insights into "debt economy".
Goldilox
(05/29/2006; 10:51:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144759)
Thoughts on Memorial Day
Remember when . . .

1) A mortgage was something you paid off diligently (or early) so you could own your own home free and clear?

2) Taxes were a manageable portion of your income/assets forked over for local and national services the public could actually benefit from?

3) SSI was considered a "safety net", in addition to pensions, savings and personal "retirement income", instead of a "war chest" for foreign adventures?

4) School systems actually tried to prepare students for the adult after-life, rather than just baby sit and lock up the kids "off the street"? Some of the better ones were actually called Preparatory Schools, until "preppie" became a bad word.

5) Local police patrolled a beat as "members of a community", rather than using electronic means to spy on their constituency, and "checkpoints" and "ticket quotas" as revenue tools?

6) Welfare was a starvation stopgap for the down and out, instead of a tax shield for mega-billion dollar corporations?

7) Going to Canada or Mexico for the day was "fun", and only required a drivers' licence, car insurance, and a ten minute border check?

8) The National Guard was made up of your friends and co-workers who took off a couple weeks in the summer or a weekend a month, to be trained and ready for local protection and assistance in emergencies?

9) Flying for business was a "perc" instead of a security ordeal?

10) Citizens who ran for public office were held in high esteem for their financial sacrifice and dedication to the public good?

11) Soldiers who returned from battle were afforded decent jobs in a peacetime economy, and those who were shipped home in posthumously received public honor, instead of news blackouts?

12) Even government officials used the phase "As good as Gold" and meant it?


Seems like last Century . . . Happy Memorial Day, America!
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 11:24:11 MDT - Msg ID: 144760)
Same in the UK, if not worse...
Goldilox (5/29/06; 10:51:38MT - usagold.com msg#: 144759)
Thoughts on Memorial Day
Remember when . . .

Today is a UK 'Bank' holiday ... depressing reading, but it is exactly the same here - the UK and USA are in lockstep in so many ways, we are the most CCTV surveilled nation on earth, never see PC Plod on the beat, our 'money' is wasted on unecessary and unwinnable false wars, Blair and his cabal of war criminals are an international disgrace - the list is endless. The more I study all the macroeconomics and especially geopolitics, the more sure I am that owning physical gold is the only way to go...
Ten Bears
(05/29/2006; 11:30:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144761)
Memorial day.
Goldilox msg#: 144759
Good points, it is hard to believe so much has changed.

And on Memorial Day, a salute to our fallen comrades, and to the veterans who post here: Our active duty may be behind us, but thanks to this forum we may exchange ideas and pass on information. The pen (internet) may prove to be more powerful than all the arms of war. A salute also to individual freedom and the Bill of Rights for which we served and still vigorously support:
Clink!
(05/29/2006; 16:45:47 MDT - Msg ID: 144762)
@ Spotlight
OK, your question is a good one, and deserves a better response than the gentle ribbing that you have received.

There was a great deal of discussion at the Forum and at other gold places on the web when GLD and its equivalent in other countries (Australia was the first, as I recall, followed by the UK). You might want to go back in the archives to see what was written at that time. I would also say that the same subject is dealt with in the Gold Trail (see URL on this page) although it deals with the same eventuality on the Comex.

FOA was of the opinion that "all paper will burn" eventually, with the value of the Comex contract falling as the exchange approches physical default. Personally, I don't see this happening, as it would be an admission of misconduct on the part of the big financial entities who are short all that gold. If you look at their annual reports, you will see quite stupendous sums taken as reserves because of their dubious practices - take the example of Enron with the multi-billion settlements. For them, it is merely a hit to their bottom line. Take the hit, but NEVER admit to wrong-doing. Rather, the rules would be changed so that all liquidation would be on a cash-only basis (as with silver in the '80s). With GLD, this is already written into the rules, as physical delivery is only available in large bars, so the average investor is never going to be able to demand physical delivery.

So no-one will lose any money when the manure reaches the propeller. The question is how much that money will be able to buy (of anything) at that point.

C!

PS. I'm sure normal service will be resuming after the holiday weekend. It is a shame that some of the illustrious posters of yore no longer visit (except sometimes at contest time !). Unfortunately, once you have posted something once, anything further is just repetition. That's my excuse anyway !

Clink!
(05/29/2006; 17:08:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144763)
Pilfering of metal
In addition to the manhole story here, George Ure at urbansurvival.com has also mentioned the "removal" of copper wiring in the US.

Back in the "Good Old Days" (pre- dot.com bust), I worked designing DSL modems. One of the reasons that wireless was so much more favored than DSL in emerging countries was that it was much easier to assure the security of the infrastructure because a wireless station is more defensible than the long miles of vulnerable telephone cable.

Communication is one thing, and there are long-range options available in the US and elsewhere (my Chinese colleague has it, for instance), but power is another. It's going to be difficult to maintain living standards when thieves start helping themselves to the grid.

C!
AuVenger
(05/29/2006; 18:00:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144764)
@GR
Many thanks for that link, I am half way through and finding the thread fascinating. Reminds me of my Y2K days ... excellent stuff, thank you.
pacificgold
(05/29/2006; 18:06:04 MDT - Msg ID: 144765)
China's goldmine
The following piece is very informative and insightful on various global economic trends and current china affairs:

Financial Sense NewsHour: Asking the Expert -- George Zhibin Gu, PhD,

Book Author:

"China's Global Reach ~ Markets, Multinationals, Globalization"

George Gu gives us a fascinating insight into China's past and future. Most authors on this subject have little direct experience, or if they do, they don��t have the intellectual and global knowledge to make true sense of it. China��s Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, Globalization gives you an insider��s look at key issues from a veteran commentator and business professional on the ground in China. Our world stands at a critical point; this book comprehensively details global economic, business, and political trends with particular focus on how to shape a better future for all nations.

JIM PUPLAVA: My guest this week is George Gu. George obtained his education at Nanjing University in China and Vanderbilt University and the University of Michigan in the United States, he holds two MS degrees and a PhD from the University of Michigan. Since 1990 he��s been an investment banker and a business consultant. He��s also worked for the last 15 years in the investment world with a focus on China. His work focuses on helping international businesses to invest in China and Chinese companies expand overseas. He��s got experience working with Prudential Securities, Lazard and State Street Bank. He��s also written several books, one Made In China: Players and Challenges in the 21st Century, and his current book is called China��s Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals and Globalization.

George, you grew up in China during a very difficult time, especially during the Cultural Revolution. How has this impacted your thinking today in terms of how you view China?

GEORGE ZHIBIN GU, PHD: Well, while I was growing up in China, China experienced a cultural revolution, as well as people��s communes in the countryside. It was chaotic, it was characterized by abusive government power which was expanding into everybody��s lives. What is more, it was an entirely closed society. In other words, every citizen had to work for the government to make a living. So the government exactly demanded the servitude of citizens, but today everything has changed fundamentally. So, in my mind two things are most crucial for modern society and progress, that is, having an open society is a must; secondly, private initiatives �C people must rely upon their own efforts for progress and prosperity. That is exactly what has been happening for the last 25 years. This makes all the difference. The third one is that international participation in any country��s development is a necessity, otherwise development slows down tremendously. So, the situation in China and India shows [this is] the case. [3:05]

JIM: You know that was one of the points that you made in your book, that the grand lesson of China is that no nation can truly develop without making itself open to the rest of the world.

GEORGE: That is very true. 500 years ago, Europe became an open society expanding globally. Especially the US, it depended on talents, capital, and technology from the rest of the world. That��s why the US has become a dominating power globally for the last 100 years. Today, China is doing the same thing, relying upon all the resources from around the globe. [3:46]

...
http://www.financialsense.com/transcriptions/2006/0114Gu.html
Sundeck
(05/29/2006; 19:05:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144766)
Drain robbers go global
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/montreal/story.html?id=bbefbfbd-cc8b-4f2b-880b-13829a0f8447@AuVenger, 24karat, Clink! et al.,

Uhh-oh, looks like it is becoming a global fad...this from Montreal...

Snip:

"...
Scrap metal has become a lucrative trade in recent years as world metal prices have soared. Scavengers sell scrap to local metal recyclers, who weigh it, sort it and sell it in bulk to foundries.

Steel is currently selling for eight to 10 cents a pound, said Mitch Golberg, of Mitch's Iron and Metal Ltd., a scrap metal recycler in St. Laurent.

At that price, the sewer grilles could sell for about $16.50 each, or all 60 of them for $990.

But it will cost the borough more than $20,000 to replace the missing grilles, Lalonde said.

Each new grille costs about $223, plus the borough must pay for the labour to install them and for any damage claims.

..."


Sundeck: OK...sixteen and a half loonies per cover ain't nothing special, but it appears to be keeping some Canadians in spare change....

;-)
Sundeck
(05/29/2006; 19:58:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144767)
Foreign exchange controls ineffective
http://www.moneyweb.co.za/economy/soapbox/448628.htm
This may help to get forum discussion out of the gutter before we get a grilling from Townie... ;-)

Snip:

"...
Not only did the action fail to prevent local people from moving their wealth offshore, it did exactly the opposite and greatly exacerbated capital �flight�. Former Reserve Bank Governor, Gerhard de Kock, lamented that it works when you don't need it and doesn't when you do. He said he was sorry that he did not remove the controls during his term of office because they probably kept more money �out� than �in�. Throughout its ignominious history, this tool of tyranny has failed to achieve its intended objectives wherever it has been tried.
..."

Sundeck: Interesting discussion on the lack of effectiveness of FX controls in general, and as applied to South Africa in particular.

:-)
Beer Man
(05/29/2006; 20:14:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144768)
Drains, fence & walls .... Mexico
The drain story sounds like a thought I have had about the ( WALL ) to keep people out ..... my guess is people will steal parts of it to sell for scrap ... as fast as they build it ????? Not long ago they sunk an aircraft carrier ..... I guess they took out all the Gold , Silver & copper first ... but that is one hell of a lot of scrap steel ..... I thought it had nuclear power so it may be too HOT ?????? I would think they could use Some of it ??
Beer Man
(05/29/2006; 20:14:46 MDT - Msg ID: 144769)
Drains, fence & walls .... Mexico
The drain story sounds like a thought I have had about the ( WALL ) to keep people out ..... my guess is people will steal parts of it to sell for scrap ... as fast as they build it ????? Not long ago they sunk an aircraft carrier ..... I guess they took out all the Gold , Silver & copper first ... but that is one hell of a lot of scrap steel ..... I thought it had nuclear power so it may be too HOT ?????? I would think they could use Some of it ??
Clink!
(05/29/2006; 20:32:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144770)
Manholes
Rampant manhole theft in China
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/this-is-valuable--in-china/2006/02/08/1139074238163.html

First manhole covers disappear, and now this. (Mozambique)
http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11317595-previous.htm

10,000 manhole covers vanish (India)
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040907/asp/calcutta/story_3724114.asp

Hmm. Never thought I'd be talking about manhole covers at this forum (Heck, I can remember when I was chided for mentioning the melt value of old cents here ! (Now currently around 2.5 cents) But this is the kicker. Remember I mentioned the theft of power line copper ? Well ....

Chinese powerline theft hits snag, 80,000 lose power
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1393177.htm

Sometimes I am in awe of the connected nature of the world in the Internet Age.

C!
The Invisible Hand
(05/29/2006; 20:34:03 MDT - Msg ID: 144771)
How does one build fences and walls around islands?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5028506.stmSNIP
Nine EU nations have pledged to provide aircraft and patrol boats to support Spain in its effort to stem the flood of illegal migrants from Africa.
Spain says it needs additional five patrol boats, five helicopters and a surveillance plane to track refugees arriving to the Canary Islands.
+
Madrid has recently launched a diplomatic offensive, trying to persuade African governments to sign deals making it easier to deport migrants

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_Islands
SNIP
The Canary Islands/Islas Canarias (28� 06'N, 15� 24'W) are an archipelago of the Kingdom of Spain consisting of seven islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. They are located off the northwestern coast of Africa (Morocco and the Western Sahara). They form an autonomous community of Spain.
Clink!
(05/29/2006; 20:36:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144772)
@ Beer Man
Hey, guy ! Lookss lliikkee yyoouu hhaavvee tthhee ssaammee pprroobblleemm aass mmee wwhheenn yyoouu ppaarrttaakkee !!!!!!
Clink!
(05/29/2006; 20:40:28 MDT - Msg ID: 144773)
Did I really say that ?
"Sometimes I am in awe of the connected nature of the world in the Internet Age."

That must have been before those thieves got to my

Sundeck
(05/29/2006; 20:55:22 MDT - Msg ID: 144774)
Sir Clink! takes gold in the scrap metal stakes!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200506/s1393177.htmHa ha ha ha...love that one Sir Clink! There's a powerful message in there somewhere...

I hope they weren't delivering internet connectivity over the power lines like happens in some places...

:-)
Goldilox
(05/29/2006; 22:24:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144775)
The Constant Gardener
Watched the movie tonight of the LeCarre novel of the same name.

Gotta wonder if this is the harbinger of "Avian Flu" and billion dollar' wonder drug, Tamiflu?

Powerful movie- way too strong to garner public attention.

I gotta get the book!
Liberty Head
(05/30/2006; 00:27:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144776)
Manhole ETF opens next week

Guess the closing price for July and win a free manhole cover.

Best Wishes
AuVenger
(05/30/2006; 01:53:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144778)
@timbervision
seems like a con to me! but if true, of course it turns everything upside down completely...
AuVenger
(05/30/2006; 01:55:58 MDT - Msg ID: 144779)
$8000
I'm afraid I don't have a URL for this on:

MONDAY, MAY 29, 2006

Yes, $8,000 an Ounce
Interview with James Turk, Founder, Goldmoney.com
By SANDRA WARD
NOT ONLY DID HE PINPOINT THE BEGINNING of the current bull market in gold in these pages in September 2002, but he has been spot-on in continuing to assess the direction of the metal and the drivers behind its move. Turk, a longtime authority on gold and other precious metals, is the founder of Goldmoney.com, a company that enables online cross-border commercial transactions using gold as a currency. He is also a co-author of The Coming Collapse of the Dollar, published in 2004 by Doubleday. As you might surmise from the title of the book, Turk sees plenty of room for gold to climb higher. Here's a glimpse into his thinking.
Barron's: You've been right on the price of gold all the way up.
Turk: The theme has been correct. There are problems with the dollar, and that's being reflected in a higher gold price. So, truth be told, it's not that gold is going higher -- it's that the dollar is going lower. An ounce of gold still purchases as much crude oil, essentially as it did 50 years ago, but that can't be said about dollars.
One of your gold indicators, the "fear index," is based on M-3 numbers, but the government has stopped reporting M-3.
Yes, it's really unfortunate. They said the motivation for doing that was to save the time of reporting it, and they're also going to save a million dollars in the cost of compiling that data. I find it quite shocking they would stop reporting M-3, because it is the most important component of money, revealing the total quantity of dollars in circulation. My guess is they want to try to hide the amount of inflation that's in the pipeline. When they stopped reporting M-3, it was growing at well over 8% per year, and the annual growth trends were increasing. So I think it was all part of this policy to control inflationary expectations. But it is a major misstep because it will end up heightening people's concerns about the dollar. And that's going to make gold go up.
You thought we would have had a dollar crisis by now.
Yes, but one could argue we have a dollar crisis. If you look at where the dollar has come in the past few years in terms of loss of purchasing power, we haven't reached a panic point yet. But I still fear we are going to see a panic in the dollar at some point in the future.
Let's talk about the pressures on the dollar.
They are taking on a bit more urgency. One of the things I picked up on a recent trip outside the States was a much greater level of concern about the prospects for the dollar than had previously been the case.
Concerns among whom?
Among sophisticated investors -- wealthy individuals as well as some money managers. That's been linked to two specific events. First, Chinese National Offshore Oil Co., or Cnooc, was not permitted to purchase Unocal. Most people at the time shrugged it off as just a one-off event. But when the Dubai Ports deal was blocked, that really changed people's perceptions, because it made clear holders of dollars outside the United States are not going to be permitted to exchange those dollars for things of tangible value. There's an increasing desire to convert dollars into, say, commodities, which dollars can still buy. The boom in commodities to a large extent is the result of people exiting dollars. People are looking for alternatives to the U.S. dollar, and the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency is being questioned seriously now. The Russian finance minister raised the issue in the recent G-7 meetings. This questioning is a critical development. Financing the growing federal budget deficit and trade deficit requires that a large amount of dollars be created. These dollars are being created as demand for the dollar is declining.

Turk: The gold standard's greatest attribute was forcing discipline on the creation of national currencies.
How do you measure that?
You can't really measure it. We talk about M-3, which is the supply of dollars, but we don't really focus on the demand for dollars. There is an above-ground stock of gold and an above-ground stock of dollars, and my fear index measures the relative demand between the two. The fear index is rising, indicating demand for dollars is declining. But, anecdotally, the central banks are diversifying out of the dollar, as are individuals and corporations. So we know demand for the dollar is falling. The monetary system is broken.
What's broken about it?
There's no discipline on U.S. dollar creation. The gold standard's greatest attribute was forcing discipline on the creation of national currencies; if too much national currency was being created, gold would flow from one country to another and eliminate and minimize the impact of the boom- and-bust cycles. The huge trade imbalances we are seeing now between China and the U.S., and the U.S. and other countries, never could have existed under the gold standard. Ultimately, I see capital controls coming to the U.S. as a way for the government to attempt to deal with these huge trade and international capital-flow imbalances. Instead of limiting the amount of dollars in circulation and trying to get us back to some kind of a disciplined basis, we are probably going to move toward capital controls as the next step.
Any sign of that trend?
Yes, the fact that the Dubai and Unocal deals were rejected. Protectionism and capital controls are very closely related.
Do you have a new gold-price target?
It is going much higher, and the $8,000 [per ounce] I mentioned a couple of years ago is probably as good a target as any.
Some reports say $2,000 is reasonable.
I don't rule that out as a near-term spike. There are two aspects to what's driving the gold price: First, there is strong physical demand around the world. When gold crossed the $500-an-ounce level, people started buying gold in anticipation of monetary problems. Second, the physical demand for gold is causing a huge problem for the gold shorts. There has been a large gold carry trade in place. It is very possible gold could have a massive spike in the next six to 12 months to as high as $2,000, driven by these factors.
Are there any signs of this trouble yet?
Central banks loaned a lot of gold from their reserves. It was borrowed by various banks and others for the carry trade. You borrow gold at very low interest rates and sell it at the spot price. Then you invest the proceeds in higher-yielding dollars and other currencies. As long as the gold price doesn't rise, you are going to make a lot of money on the spread. But in a rising gold-price environment, you are stuck. You have to buy that gold back or suffer the consequences of ultimately having to deliver the gold at a much higher price than what you are earning from your assets. The bullion banks and others who borrowed it are short. What's happening in gold is probably even worse in silver, in the sense that the short position in silver looks even bigger than gold's. Recently, silver has risen more rapidly than gold.
Can this go on indefinitely?
A lot of people got out of the gold market, expecting a correction, as often occurs at the beginning of major bull markets. In December, when gold went over $500 an ounce, I said gold is never going back below $500, ever. Now we have to think about the possibility that gold is never going to go back below $600, ever.
It is too cheap and undervalued. I like to draw comparisons to the 1970s when gold went through $50 and never looked back. After Nixon closed the gold window in August 1971, gold went from $40 to $120 an ounce in the next two years. Adjusting for inflation, you could argue $500 today is like $42 in 1971. Multiply $120 by 11 times in order to get the inflation-adjusted dollar equivalent, and you get a potential target of more than $1,300 an ounce.
What's the relationship between the yield curve and gold?
The most important thing that affects gold in terms of interest rates is real interest rates, or rates adjusted for inflation. I measure this as the fed-funds rate less the CPI [consumer-price index]. Even though interest rates have risen, real interest rates remain close to zero, or are negative. John Williams, an economist, has an interesting Website called Shadowstats.com. He looks at the CPI and what level it would be at were it not for all the adjustments in the past 30 years. If the CPI were still calculated today as it was in the 1970s, the inflation rate would be about 8%. Depending on how you measure inflation, real interest rates are no better than zero and probably are negative. That is very inflationary. What will be negative for gold is when real interest rates go to 4% or 5%. It took Paul Volcker bringing real interest rates up to 6%, 7%, 8% in a short period of time before the market was convinced he was going to save the dollar and it was time to move out of tangible assets into financial assets.
Isn't the government in a bit of a box?
It is trying to fund the federal budget deficits without destroying the dollar, and trying to raise interest rates to save the dollar without destroying the economy. I don't think they can do it. The dollar will continue to lose purchasing power.
Are you recommending any gold stocks? Gold stocks are still relatively cheap. In the past several months, even as the gold price has gone up, the stocks have been reluctantly following rather than leading, which is contrary to what normally happens. If I'm correct that the price of gold eventually goes to four digits, the earnings of gold companies will be significantly higher. As a consequence, gold stocks are still cheap.
What do you say when people wonder if your views are self-serving because your company, GoldMoney.com, promotes gold as a currency for transactions?
My views on the markets are completely separate from my company. I started the company anticipating that more people would turn to gold, and I recognized the opportunity from a commercial as well as an investment point of view.
For gold investors, is there much difference between Bernanke and Greenspan?
Yes. Bernanke is very different. Greenspan clearly understood gold, and in his Fed testimony he used to talk about the "automaticity" of the gold standard. If you go back to Greenspan's testimonies, you will see him using that word from time to time. Bernanke doesn't have the deep understanding that Greenspan had about gold and perhaps about markets in general. Greenspan came up from the business world, Bernanke came up through academics. That makes a difference in terms of one's outlook and levels of experiences.
What has Bernanke said or not said that gives you the sense that he is not fully appreciative of gold?
It is a combination of what he has written in the past and what he said prior to his appointment as Fed chairman. He has been pretty cautious. He has only been chairman for about four months, but he seems to be focused on the deflation in the 1930s, and this is quite alarming. What we don't need today is a greater supply of dollars. What we need is a greater demand for dollars. The way you improve demand for dollars is to take those steps that will give people confidence in the dollar and its purchasing power for a long period of time.
Such as?
Raising interest rates, just as Volcker did, at a pace that is not measured, but rapid.
Wouldn't that come with a lot of pain?
When you take away the punch bowl, you are left with the hangover. We have to recognize we've far exceeded our ability to live at the level at which this country has been living for the past couple of decades. There is going to be some pain and adjustment. But if the dollar's purchasing power is destroyed, as a consequence of not taking strong action the pain is going to be much greater.
In what sense?
When Volcker raised interest rates, we had a severe recession, but eventually the adjustments led to a period of economic growth, and we continued to create new wealth from economic activity. When you create too many dollars in an environment where the demand for the dollar is declining, it could lead to a situation similar to Argentina a few years ago or to one that resembles Weimar Germany -- one deflationary and one inflationary. In Argentina, the supply of pesos declined by one-third from peak to trough, but the purchasing power of the peso lost 50%. In Germany, demand for the Reichsmark was falling and the central bank tried to offset that by putting more Reichsmarks into circulation. Both situations ended badly, and the net result was severe economic dislocations.

Gold and Black Gold: Throughout the past 60 years, the price of crude oil in grams of gold has remained essentially unchanged. The dollar price of crude has broken out of a 30-year range, suggesting either that oil is relatively overvalued or that gold is extremely undervalued. In Turk's view, gold is undervalued and oil is properly valued. As oil goes higher in dollar terms, he argues, so will gold.
The problem is the dollar is the world's reserve currency. What happens when you have a flight from the world's reserve currency? This is the point of my book, The Coming Collapse of the Dollar. The flight from the dollar is going to accelerate. The dollar has only 5% of the purchasing power it did maybe 50 years ago.
What is the impact of oil on all this?
Oil is interesting because you have two dynamics. The oil producers seemingly are less and less willing to take dollars, because dollars are being depreciated.
Where is the evidence of that?
The Russians are questioning the dollar's role as the reserve currency. And in Venezuela, when President Hugo Chavez takes a swipe at the U.S., he is taking a swipe at our ability to create dollars out of thin air. And as Charles de Gaulle used to say, "deficits without tears." That's what he finds unacceptable.
And the other dynamic?
The second dynamic is Matt Simmon's argument that we are running out of easy-to-produce light, sweet crude. If the supply of easily refinable crude oil is diminishing, all the more reason for the price of crude oil to rise. So, we have a weakening dollar and a declining supply of the best-quality crude.
And that translates into...?
...$100-a-barrel crude oil before too long.
And in terms of gold?
There is a close historical relationship between crude oil and gold. Normally it takes about 2.2 grams of gold to buy one barrel of crude oil. Now it takes about 3.4 grams to purchase one barrel of crude oil. Either oil is relatively overvalued or gold is very undervalued. My view is gold is undervalued and that oil is properly valued. So as oil goes higher in dollar terms, gold is going to continue to go higher, as well.
Are exchange-traded funds a positive for gold or a complicating factor?
They are positive in the sense that people are looking at gold and coming up with new products. But I do not recommend people buy the ETF [streetTracks Gold Shares, or GLD]. If you want to speculate on the gold price, the ETF is one way to do that. Futures contracts are another way. But owning the physical metal in your own name is something entirely different. There are too many parties between you and the gold in the ETF. And they don't audit the gold to prove it really exists. This is the only type of fund the SEC has ever approved for the retail level that isn't required to audit the assets supposedly backing the fund. It is a great way to speculate on gold's spot price, just as futures contracts are a great way to speculate on gold's future price. But neither should be viewed as an alternative to owning the physical metal.
Thanks, James.
AuVenger
(05/30/2006; 02:13:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144780)
Le Carre
Interesting about Bird Flu and Tamiflu - of course Rumsfield has made a fortune in Tamiflu, Hmmmmmmm.....

But I have heard rumblings that Tamiflu is ineffective, not absoultely sure on that one...

I found the book VERY heavy going and repetitive, far too many flashbacks and no real sense of urgency or danger - as a thriller it failed IMHO, and I say that as a huge Le Carre fan, read most of his books - just felt he was trying too hard on this one - the film, excellent...
spotlight
(05/30/2006; 02:15:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144781)
Reply to question
Clink
Thank you for the courtesy of an educated response to my question.

Your answer is, I believe, precisely correct. The gold exchange fund GLD, will pay off in dollars no matter how little the dollars may purchase at the time.

I presume that all those who read the question and dismissed it, have already purchased enough gold long ago to cover their liabilities and living expenses far into the future.

I recall ANOTHER and FOA. I miss the valuable insight they allowed us to share.
AuVenger
(05/30/2006; 02:24:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144782)
ANOTHER and FOA. I miss the valuable insight they allowed us to share
Me too. Always inspiring reading, and I learned a hell of a lot.

I often wonder who they were/are - were they a clever fiction, even the same person? An Arab prince? A European central banker?

I have no idea.
Sundeck
(05/30/2006; 06:22:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144783)
Energy shortage
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/30/opinion/30tue2.html?_r=1&th&emc=th∨ef=sloginSnip:

"...
Sherwood Boehlert, the moderate Republican who will retire this fall, observed on the floor of the House last week that despite polls showing conservation as the "preferred option" among Americans worried about high gas prices and oil dependency, "this Congress has not voted on a single conservation measure since gasoline hit $3 a gallon." At which point his colleagues voted (yet again) to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling in the misguided but apparently unshakable belief that a nation that uses one-quarter of the world's oil while possessing 3 percent of its reserves can drill its way to lower prices.
..."

Sundeck: In spite of miracle cures, like that highlighted in the link to timbervision's post #144777, it seems that there is a significant ground-swell of concern in America towards more practical solutions to the burgeoning energy problem.

Will mild-mannered George Bush seek redemption (yet again) and morph into a born-again energy greenie...and truly put America back on a path of technological and social leadership?...towards energy sufficiency of the USA...perhaps the greatest issue of the age...

I won't be holding my breath...but it might happen...after all, he has nothing to lose but his unpopularity...

:-)
Chris Powell
(05/30/2006; 06:42:33 MDT - Msg ID: 144784)
Goldman Sachs chief to be Treasury secretary, WSJournal says
Bush Favors Goldman's Paulson
To Succeed Snow at Treasury

By John Harwood
The Wall Street Journal
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

President Bush is expected to announce the choice of
Henry M. Paulson, chairman and chief executive of
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., to succeed Treasury
Secretary John Snow, a senior White House official
said Tuesday.

Mr. Bush is expected to make the announcement at 9:15
a.m. EDT.

After months of speculation that Mr. Snow was to be
replaced, people close to the administration said last
week that he has decided to resign and leave office
after attending the Group of Eight Finance Ministers
meeting June 9 and 10.

Mr. Paulson and other high-profile Wall Street
executives are thought to have topped the list of
possible new treasury secretaries but showed little
interest in taking the job. And last week, Donald L.
Evans, a Texas oilman and close associate of the
president who served as Mr. Bush's first commerce
secretary, was reported to be the front-runner to
succeed Mr. Snow.

That seems to have changed, but it wasn't immediately
clear that Mr. Paulson would take the job if it was
offered. One reason Mr. Snow is believed to have
stayed as long as he has is that the White House had
trouble identifying desired replacements.

Mr. Evans was frequently mentioned as a successor to
Mr. Snow because he was seen as someone who can help
the administration do a better job of selling its
economic policy. As commerce secretary, Mr. Evans was
viewed as a more-effective policy salesman in Congress
than his Treasury counterparts. He helped Mr. Bush to
get many of his tax cuts implemented and also was
credited with pushing trade liberalization. Treasury
Secretary Snow, meanwhile, has been criticized for
failing to get Mr. Bush enough credit for economic
progress.

While the economy is relatively strong, the next
Treasury secretary will face challenges, in part
because many Americans don't seem to feel that their
economic situation is improving. A recent Wall Street
Journal/NBC News poll found that 77% of respondents
call themselves uneasy about the state of the economy
rather than confident, even as data shows strong
economic growth. Rising gas prices and concerns about
Iraq continue to overshadow strong economic gains.

Mr. Paulson has been the sole chief executive at
Goldman since May 1999, and shared the job from June
1998 to May 1999. He served as chief operating officer
from December 1994 to June 1998. Mr. Paulson isn't on
the board of any public company other than Goldman
Sachs, according to the biography on the company's Web
site.

He is currently chairman of the Financial Services
Forum, a Washington trade group of which Mr. Evans is
the director.

Mr. Bush's previous appointees to the Treasury post --
Paul O'Neill and Mr. Snow -- were corporate executives
with little Wall Street experience. Mr. Paulson, in
contrast, has spent his career on Wall Street, as did
Robert Rubin, who served as Treasury secretary in the
Clinton administration.

Another Goldman CEO, Stephen Friedman served as
chairman of the National Economic Council in the Bush
White House earlier in the president's term.

Mr. Paulson is also a member of the Board of Directors
of Catalyst, which promotes the advancement of women
in American corporate hierarchies. An advocate for
environment issues that have sometimes brought him and
his firm criticism, Mr. Paulson is chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Nature Conservancy,
Co-Chairman of the Asia/Pacific Council of the Nature
Conservancy and Chairman Emeritus of the Peregrine
Fund, Inc.
Black Blade
(05/30/2006; 08:19:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144785)
Re: timbervision msg#: 144777 - Oil Shale

Two trillion bbl of oil locked up in "oil shale" sounds nice on paper but in reality there is little chance of much if any "oil" (actually it's kerogen) being produced from the shales. Exxon and Shell have run pilot plants for decades in studies to find a cost effective way to exploit oil shale without much luck. Exxon gave up years ago and Shell has run their pilot program on a shoestring budget after years of failure. The USGS has made similar claims in regard to oil that there are trillions of bbls of "undiscovered" oil in the world. I still have to figure out what they mean by "undiscovered" oil and how they come to that conclusion given that the "low hanging fruit" has already been discovered and has peaked. There are economic constraints to extracting oil so that most oil will never ever be exploited. Regardless of what many people think, oil is not found in "pools" or "rivers" underground. It is generally found in "pore space" or "fissures" in rock.

Oil prices would have to remain at much higher prices for years and the feedstock fuels such as natural gas and coal priced lower (not a likely prospect). There are also other geologic constraints to consider. Grade and quality of the host rock vary providing another problem for determining just how much kerogen can be economically extracted at a reasonable cost. Not that "oil shale" is not an eventual possible energy source. The costs of finding, mining, processing and distribution are considerable: First, there is an energy requirement to heat the share under pressure to drive the kerogen out of the rock for further processing. This requires a substantial amount of coal or natural gas. Secondly, a nearby water source is necessary for the process. One possibility would be the shales in the area near the Green River in Utah. Thirdly, there must be a place to discard the huge amount of clinker (burnt shale refuse) that expands when heated. There are possibilities of dumping the refuse in nearby canyons but that might create a few problems with environmentalist and conservationist groups.

In my opinion the odds are much better for processing the nearby tarsands in Utah and Wyoming, and mining the huge uranium deposits. Utah and Wyoming have huge deposits of coal and uranium (as do parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado). The Region along the Rocky Mountain Front also hosts enough natural gas to power the country for decades from both conventional and nonconventional sources. Obviously the other energy minerals have a clear competitive edge over the oil shales for the foreseeable future in my opinion. That is not to say that there won't be some slick promoters trying to mine investors though. ;)

- Black Blade
Titan
(05/30/2006; 08:36:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144786)
Back to nuts and bolts
As a newcomer to this forum (I just discovered it this month) and to investing in gold (just bought my first bullion, also this month), I've been devouring and enjoying all the good information being posted here. Thanks to all for sharing your time and knowledge!

Given the problems with the dollar, the Fed, and the world, it's pretty obvious to me that having one's assets in a precious commodity like gold is the smart thing to do. But the consensus of opinion among those of you on this forum seems to be NOT to buy more gold coins (bullion), but instead to buy shares in gold mining companies or the like. Is that correct?

Maybe I have a limited view of things, but other than the possibility of someone confiscating my physical gold (which no one responded to when I asked the other day just HOW that could happen these days--so maybe it's not really a probability), I don't understand why it isn't preferable to be holding my own gold as opposed to letting/trusting someone else to do so.

If you're one of those who prefers not to have gold in his or her possession, could you please share your preferred way to be invested in it? I'm ready to divert some capital from traditional retirement accounts, but don't know where to put it. Our financial advisor isn't very savvy in PM so I don't know who else to ask.

Thanks much! (You may now continue your manhole cover discussion. :-)
timbervision
(05/30/2006; 08:41:44 MDT - Msg ID: 144787)
Black Blade
Thank you for your insights on my question. I suppose the link, coming in the form of a "get rich quick" spam, hints at its "too good to be true" nature. On another point, if the US or anywhere in the world was able to find such a huge quantity of untapped oil, I wonder if we might as well kiss the environment and the health of the world good bye. The last thing we need is cheap oil.
Titan
(05/30/2006; 08:43:51 MDT - Msg ID: 144788)
Re: Back to nuts and bolts
I just read the big box at the top of this forum page and realized I haven't talked much with the folks running this forum. Looks like they would have answers to some of my questions. I'm going to give them a call!

(So no one needs to remind me to do that if you're going to respond to my previous post. :-)
The Hoople
(05/30/2006; 08:48:35 MDT - Msg ID: 144789)
Liberty Head
Manhole ETF....that's really funny! Maybe the Merc can start trading beer keg options too, although as a short seller it would give all new meaning to "he who sells what isn't his'n, often wind up going to prison." I think I'd do a long keg/short beer spread- bullish on the container but bearish on the contents.

Somebody is going to start making replica plastic manholes to replace the real ones. That way they won't even know they got pilfered.

Goldilox
(05/30/2006; 09:16:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144790)
Consensus?
@ Titan,

"But the consensus of opinion among those of you on this forum seems to be NOT to buy more gold coins (bullion), but instead to buy shares in gold mining companies or the like. Is that correct?

Maybe I have a limited view of things, but other than the possibility of someone confiscating my physical gold (which no one responded to when I asked the other day just HOW that could happen these days--so maybe it's not really a probability), I don't understand why it isn't preferable to be holding my own gold as opposed to letting/trusting someone else to do so."


If there is any "consensus" here at the forum, I think that is it is IN FAVOR of personal control of one's bullion savings, with perhaps some PM shares or ETFs for the more liquid (read: risk) portion of one's portfolio. The flavor of the mix is entirely personal choice.

As to your confiscation question, the forum archives hold many discussions of this scenario. Whether or not a question gets addressed is determined by whether anyone else reading that day wants to discuss the topic, and some days a number of them get left unanswered.

Calling the experts at the host's office is a good idea, as they are a strong resource for obtaining bullion and collectables, and quite knowledgeable of the gold history, as well.
Goldilox
(05/30/2006; 09:18:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144791)
Dollar dumping
http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y∬erval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10Was watching the beginnings of this last night before bed. Look out below!
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/30/2006; 10:04:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144792)
A proper treasure NEVER goes out of style...
http://www.usagold.com/ProductsPage.html

Golden Goal




"Treasure chests throughout history
have been filled with gold, and not by idle choice."

-- R. Strauss

Flatliner
(05/30/2006; 10:06:34 MDT - Msg ID: 144793)
@nuts and bolts
Hi Titan, I do hope that gold brings confidence and prosperity to you in the coming years. Welcome to the forum.

I am curious how you came to conclusion: �the consensus of opinion among those of you on this forum seems to be NOT to buy more gold coins (bullion), but instead to buy shares in gold mining companies or the like.� I would have come to just the opposite conclusion.

I believe it's all a mater of personal confidence in the financial systems in which you operate. Any time I hear of someone investing in a gold ETF, I ask them why. In almost every case, they mention that it's so they can get the security of gold while the dollar is unstable. In every case, the person has changed their mind after a short conversation about gold confiscation. If the phooey hits the fan, where do you think governments will find the gold they need to support the next system? Will they go door to door or just make a single stop somewhere? What is a bigger target then an ETF?

Likewise, if there is gold in the ground, it only comes out based on laws of the land. Who writes and manages those laws? You guessed it, our finely elected officials. If mining companies start making huge profits based on a natural resource, the people of that region of the world will only stand for it for a short period of time.

I must also ask, if you had a few million dollars, would you trust your broker with it? You broker's goal is to turn the account and make at least 1% every year. The only way they can do this is by getting you out of the physical market into a paper market. They want to �hold� your assets so they can keep turning it for their 1%.

Physical gold holding gives you one thing that all other forms of paper investment don't � that is that it puts the property in your hand. You get to choose how you use it. You get to choose how to store it. You get to choose where it goes and what it does. You get to give it away. You get to build your own source of security.

Does it make sense that your financial advisor doesn't have much experience with precious metals? That advisor has no financial incentive to get you into metals.

I have both savings and investments and I make it a point to keep them separate. Right now, my savings is in physical allocated gold. It doesn't pay, at this time, to hold currency. The political environment is inflationary which degrades the value of paper and enhances the value of metal. If you look at the gold/dow ratio, you'll also see that the stock market is in a well established down trend. If you look at the house/gold ratio, you'll also see that housing is also in a down trend. If you look at the bond/real-inflation situations, you'll see that bonds are generating a negative return. Thus, unless your investment can beat these clearly defined down trends, you may find that the effort you put into participating in the market of your choice will not pay off with the value that you would expect.

With regards to investments, I've found that investing in myself is the best return on investment at this time. Funnel a little cash into securing the pantry. Funnel a little more into personal economic education, but more importantly time. Then, with whatever is left over that you plan to invest, set yourself in a frame of mind that whatever is invested my be lost 100%. Then, the most exciting part is finding something that actually returns a positive (inflation beating) return.

Good luck.
Golden Lionheart
(05/30/2006; 10:07:24 MDT - Msg ID: 144794)
Gold Manhold Covers
It won't be long before someone brings out a gold coin designed like a manhole cover! But in these days of political correctness in our language maybe they should be known as "personhole" covers.......just a thought!

Clink!
(05/30/2006; 10:47:52 MDT - Msg ID: 144795)
@ Sir Titan
Actually, I think the vast majority of posters here would say that the essential thing is to first get a solid foundation of physical (tastes in this vary) and then go for paper plays (again, tastes vary) with the objective of being able to add to the physical due to the leverage possible. What's the right ratio ? Again, tastes vary ...

As I said to Spotlight yesterday, sometimes the long-time posters neglect to reiterate what they have already said a number of times. As Aristotle (who hasn't posted in a long while) used to finish every post :- Gold, get you some !

C!
Clink!
(05/30/2006; 10:55:00 MDT - Msg ID: 144796)
Gold manhole cover
www.austria.org/ nov04/gold%20coin.shtmlThey already exist !!
C!
Clink!
(05/30/2006; 10:59:09 MDT - Msg ID: 144797)
Oops !
http://www.austria.org/nov04/gold%20coin.shtmlSorry about that.
Goldilox
(05/30/2006; 11:33:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144798)
Large Philharmonic
@ Clink,

Must be an old description, as it details 1000 oz. at $418K.

we're about 55% above that now.
Knallgold
(05/30/2006; 11:41:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144799)
Paulson
Wallstreet/Goldman Sachs has now a direct hand on the US Gold.Looks like Another sign of the end of the $.
Clink!
(05/30/2006; 12:04:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144800)
@ Goldilox
Yes, I noticed that too. How sooooo 2005 !
C!
PH in LA
(05/30/2006; 12:47:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144801)
Peak Oil?
http://www.vialls.com/wecontrolamerica/peakoil.htmlHi Black Blade,

Always enjoy your politically correct screeds that take such opportune advantage of "inside the box" thinking. Any updates for us on the old Enron-generated situation with respect to California's "grasshoppers" (as you always enjoyed calling them)? I remember that you used to tell us that the sky was falling. Has it fallen yet? Or is that something we can still look forward to here in California?

And BTW, what truth is there (if any) to the cited URL's allegations of Russian discoveries of deep oil drilling technologies?
Thoreauly
(05/30/2006; 12:55:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144802)
Oil shale
@ Black Blade and timbervision

Here is what Dan Amoss of Strategic Investments has to say on the subject:

[Colleague] Dan Denning wrote about his trip to Colorado to tour Shell's Mahogany Ridge project in the October and November 2005 issues of SI. He concluded that there is a massive amount of oil that may be extracted from the Green River geological formation; yet he declined to issue an investment recommendation related to oil shale development.

The reasons for doing so are practical. Oil shale commercialization, if it ever satisfies the environmental and regulatory requirements, must surpass the R&D stage before an investment recommendation can be made. I agree with Dan that the odds favor a meaningful percentage of U.S. crude production -- over the very long term -- originating from oil shale. But when it comes to investment implications, as you'd expect, timing is everything.

An August 2005 RAND Corp. study confirms Dan's research, estimating the amount of technically recoverable oil at 500 billion-1.1 trillion barrels (James Bartis, "Oil Shale Development in the United States").

The commercialization picture becomes clouded when the issue of scalability is considered. Shell's pilot project is still in the testing phase and not even mentioned in the company's 2005 annual report. Despite its promise over a multidecade time horizon, the RAND Corp. report casts doubt on the near-term prospects of ramping oil shale production and refining:

"Currently, no organization with the management, technical, and financial wherewithal to develop oil shale resources has announced its intent to build commercial-scale production facilities. A firm decision to commit funds to such a venture is at least six years away [emphasis added] because that is the minimum length of time for scale-up and process confirmation work needed to obtain the technical and environmental data required for the design and permitting of a first-of-a-kind commercial operation."

The RAND Corp. report includes a chapter detailing Shell's in-situ conversion process (ICP). While this is widely considered the most cost-effective and environmentally sound method of oil shale commercialization, the capital, permitting, and logistics required to construct a multimillion-barrel-per-day production facility are formidable. These are reasons enough for Shell to display caution before diving headlong into Colorado:

"Given that industry is unlikely to reach the production growth phase until 12-16 years after the decision to pursue process scale-up and confirmation and that this initial decision has not yet occurred, an oil shale production level of 1 million barrels per day is probably more than 20 years in the future, and 3 million barrels per day is probably more than 30 years in the future."

2036 is well past the point of even the most optimistic estimates of Peak Oil. Three of the highest-producing oil fields, Ghawar, Burgan, and Cantarell, will be producing a fraction of their current multimillion-barrel-per-day rate. Three million barrels per day from oil shale in 2036 (or sooner, if development becomes a national priority) will not cause a crash in the price of oil, but merely offset rapid declines of well-aged, elephant-sized oil fields producing like champs today.

The key question you must consider in thinking about future unconventional oil production, whether it's oil shale or tar sands, is how much it will offset declines in conventional production. Demand continues to grow at current prices, and conventional oil production is largely derived from very mature fields in hostile countries.

It will be necessary to discover fields where new production can be ramped up as quickly as the production from older fields is declining. Imagine a runner on a treadmill. In this image, oil demand is the speed of the treadmill, while oil supply is the runner. The runner must run fast to hold his position, let alone gain ground. Oh, and by the way, the runner is 57 years old and overweight. The runner's aging process will accelerate when the elephant fields pass their peak production rates. He's rapidly approaching the point of having to slow down just when Chinese and Indian oil demand is aggressively pushing the "+" button on the speed control!

My review of Shell's capital commitments over the next few years leads me to conclude that commercialization of its pilot project in Colorado is far down its list of investment priorities. The company is still working to repair its image in the eyes of investors after its negative reserve revision in early 2004.

Conventional oil and natural gas projects around the globe remain attractive and highly profitable uses of Shell shareholders' capital for now. However, crude oil supply conditions could always worsen to the point where government sponsorship on the scale of the Manhattan Project accelerates the slow development timetable. The reasons behind this may very well be geopolitical in nature.
Titan
(05/30/2006; 13:10:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144803)
To Clink!, Flatliner, Goldilox & any others
Thank you for correcting me on my assumption that owning physical gold may not be the way to go--or that the consensus here is not to do that, in favor of owning shares of mining companies or letting others hold your gold for you. I've obviously not really read this forum enough to be able to say what consensus there is! But your responses were most helpful, and I think I'll delve more into the archives before I ask questions that have been abundantly dealt with before.

By the way, has there been any discussion here of the type of software Centennial is using for this forum? The daily archiving of content and the difficulty in finding messages from the past makes me wonder if there isn't some better system possible.
Goldilox
(05/30/2006; 14:13:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144804)
Web questions
@ titan,

Questions about the site are best directed to TownCrier, the web site guru and administrator at:

sitemaster@usagold.com
timbervision
(05/30/2006; 15:58:45 MDT - Msg ID: 144805)
Thoreauly
Thank you for posting that article. Both your post and Black Blade's help to put that potential source of oil into perspective.
Boilermaker
(05/30/2006; 16:21:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144806)
Oil and Gold Production, Marginal Costs
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL33359.pdfThere has been a long-time relationship between the price of oil and gold, 15 bbls oil to 1 oz gold. There is also a geological relationship that suggests that the "cheap and easy" finds are found and produced first. The cost of finding and producing each new barrel barrel of oil continues to go higher despite the fact that the cost of lifting oil from old reservoirs may be just a few dollars. This explains the huge profits of the oil companies. If these same oil companies used cost of replacement for each barrel produced, the profits would be much lower.

Its a matter of inventory valuation, FIFO or LIFO. FIFO, first in first out, creates a cost of sales that reflects the original cost of a product and LIFO, last in first out, creates a cost of sales that reflects the current replacement cost of a product. For instance, in the housing market, the sale of a house purchased in 1980 at $60,000 and sold today at $200,000 would yield a profit of $140,000 using FIFO. However, if the seller needed/wanted to buy an equivalent replacement home he would have to pay $200,000 and the deal would have no profit using LIFO inventory valuation.

The same situation controls the extraction of gold. The cost of gold extracted from deposits and mines developed in the past are substantially lower than will be the finding, permitting, construction and extraction of gold from new sources. Incremental new production, whether oil or gas, will require continuing increases in the prices of both commodities.

The URL above is required reading for those who may want to understand oil shale (kerogen) potential.
TownCrier
(05/30/2006; 17:02:08 MDT - Msg ID: 144807)
On the theft of manhole covers and other metallic infrastructure
It sure seems odd, doesn't it?

For decades, we might even as well call it centuries, for the most part the metallic bones of our infrastructure (pipes, covers, wires and rails) collectively laid in quiet repose, dutifully doing their boring duty as the industrious and felonious peoples of the world alike paid them no heed as they went about their various daily businesses; riding the trains or robbing the contents therein, driving to make deposits at the bank or speeding off in getaway cars while others cabled the constable for help.

How many folks remember that rascally Yogi Bear? Along with his reluctant sidekick, Boo-boo, he kept Mr. Ranger on active duty, trying without much success to keep the peace in the park as Yogi was busy pilfering picnic baskets from the visitors.

That silly bear. I wonder if he has kept up with the times. Would it be proper to assume in a modern broadcasting of his cartoonish exploits that he's modified (should we say IMPROVED(??)) his method of exploit and is now stealing the park's previously forlorn manhole covers by the dim light of the moon, fencing them for cash at the border, and then using his wallet, fat with ill-gotten gains, to buy a superior assortment of lunches and dinners at the park commissary during the full light of day?

What's going on here? Have the thieves of base-metal infrastructure suddenly woken up and found themselves to be more clever than their thieving ancestral predecessors who preyed upon more immediately glamourous and fulfilling targets, or is this an indication that something new is afoot in this modern period and is greatly amiss?

Are we to believe that manhole covers have transcended their historical record -- ever the "also rans" among the fine articles of ironmongery -- to a new permanently high plateau, forevermore to be held superior in value relative to all the juicy picnic baskets of the world?

OR (and this represents my view) what we're seeing is merely a temporary, transitional phenomenon with respect to relative valuation, something which ultimately suggests that massive inflation is now fundamentally IN THE PIPELINE. That is to say, price inflation is now expressing itself primarily at the ROOT level of basic commodities (such as base metals and oil, from which all greater things spring) and that this price inflation shall eventually be translated correspondingly into much higher prices for all things such that simple manhole covers (even at their current high price) will someday soon be appropriately deemed lowly again in the overall price ranking of things.

Although most people, plenty busy in their daily lives, don't have the rigorous background of economic philosophy to grasp it, it doesn't alter the underlying fact that gold is certainly (blessedly) NOT among the previously mentioned assortment of base commodities principally forming the building blocks of all higher order economic goods and services. None the less, paradoxically though it might seem, gold, elemental and simple as it is, finds its proper economic valuation almost a world apart as it resides at a lofty pinnacle developed upon the hierarchy of all economic activity, the oftentimes subtle or unrecognized (subconscious) goal (i.e., wealth-accumulation) of each and every underlying economic decision.

BOTTOM LINE: the higher price levels for base commodities, expressing themselves especially as abnormally high valuations RELATIVE to higher-order goods, are the front-line warnings that initial adjustments are now in the works wherein the rational PHYSICAL economy is wrenching itself free of the longtime influence (some might say stranglehold) that the paper (financial) economy has wreathed in its own mist and wrought itself so heavily down upon it.

The takeaway from this is that, in a balanced, maturely adjusted economy, manhole covers truly are lowly. And the fact that people are burdening themselves toward their theft is an indication of how far out of balance things currently are, and how very far the consequential relative adjustments have yet to go.

In other words, show me a world in which manhole covers are ever upon a time in favor, and I'll show you a world in which, in due course and without question, gold reigns supreme.

Randy
Goldendome
(05/30/2006; 17:08:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144808)
Oil shale is not the answer - yet.
More energy is contained in a pound of Captain Cruch Cerial than in a pound of oil shale!

BTW, Oil production probably peaked in Saudi Arabia in the early '80's at some 9 million Brls/day. Currently, they produce about 5 mil. Saudi's say they could ramp it up at most anytime as they have in the past...but, possibly with the result of fatally damaging the still productive fields.
Gawar, their largest field, has been in constant production since 1951, and at well over a million/day since about 1970...sometimes as high as 5 million/day when needed. Twilight in the desert may be upon us.

mikal
(05/30/2006; 18:48:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144809)
LME broadens trade
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=arSOmCNT8Tl0&refer=europe London Metals Exchange Extends Trading to Capture Asian Day - Bloomberg - May 30, 2006
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/30/2006; 19:03:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144810)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

TUESDAY Market Excerpts

Gold builds onto its $11 pre-holiday gains; new Treasury Secretary tapped

May 30 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures closed at their highest levels in a week Tuesday, as weakness in the U.S. dollar steered investment demand toward the precious metals.

Calling the dollar "terminally ill," Peter Grandich, editor of the Grandich Letter, said the currency is headed for a long-term retreat. "This in turn should be most beneficial to gold's long-term path -- up," he said.

The COMEX June gold contract rose $2.90 to close at $653.90 after trading as high as $664.50, while August gold, which is trading on higher volume, tacked on $3.10 to close at $660.50 following a high of $671.50. Both contracts chalked up intraday highs and closed at levels they haven't seen since May 23.

"After being assured by the president (just last week) that Treasury Secretary John Snow was doing 'a fine job' and that the economy was doing also doing fine thanks to his efforts, the public [was] told today that Mr. Snow is resigning," said Kitco's Jon Nadler, an investment products analyst.

"What little confidence there may have been left in the dollar is now going to be tested again and again," he said.

The dollar remained lower against major currencies Tuesday but was off the lows of the day, after the White House's announcement that Henry Paulson, Goldman Sachs' chief executive, will become the next Treasury secretary.

Overall, "the crowded exit door of the administration is making for some rather nervous global investors when it comes to the prospects of the dollar and the U.S. equity markets," said Nadler.

He added that "the ones who seem to sleep a little better these days are the holders of (some) gold."

From here, the "question is whether the entire precious metals complex will settle into a nice consolidation range or will it find a way to rally to new highs," said Dale Doelling, chief market technician at Trends In Commodities, adding that he's "betting on a consolidation at this point which could last a couple of weeks."

"The final outcome will be a breakout to new all-time highs in the gold market -- although it may take some time for that to materialize," he said.

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
Sundeck
(05/30/2006; 19:11:01 MDT - Msg ID: 144811)
Manhole cover haiku
Cover go missing,
Dollar disappear down hole,
Gold goes to the Moon!

;-)
TownCrier
(05/30/2006; 19:12:25 MDT - Msg ID: 144812)
OVERSEAS HEADLINE: Former Nixon aide to head US treasury
http://business.scotsman.com/banking.cfm?id=801382006The Scotsman; May 31, 2006 -- HENRY "Hank" Paulson, the chairman of investment bank Goldman Sachs, has been nominated to succeed US treasury secretary John Snow, who is resigning after three years in the job.

Paulson has been chairman and chief executive of Goldman Sachs since May 1999, when the bank went public. He previously worked for the White House as a member of the domestic council as staff assistant to President Nixon in 1972.

^---(from url)---^

Classic. I take a personal delight in the new Treasury Secretary's connection to Nixon, who, to this day, remains (in)famous for his history-making gold-related manuevers.

Will lightning strike twice?

R.
MK
(05/30/2006; 19:43:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144813)
Paulson and the weak dollar policy
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/aa0f01e2-efc8-11da-b80e-0000779e2340.htmlSnip Financial Times article linked above:

"China has not taken kindly to pounding the pulpit and speakers who seem to convey an antagonistic approach," said Michael Woolfolk, senior currency strategist at Bank of New York. "Mr Paulson has considerable experience in China and is well regarded over there. He could reinvigorate the discussions over currency policy."

He added: "Paulson represents a window of opportunity to accomplish a soft landing to a rapidly growing global imbalances problem. If anyone is capable of carrying this off, he is one of the best placed. The �strong dollar� policy may quite quickly have an epitaph written for it: �rest in peace�."

______________

The policy of the United States government is to devalue the dollar -- come hell or high water. All policy, administrative and personnel decisions point in the same direction. We will either have rapid (possibly massive) inflation on an international scale, or we will have an internationally (G-8) self-imposed correction of the currencies against the dollar. There is no in-between; no third way. The Bush administration is sending a message.

Though there is a question whether or not China and Japan are listening, there is little doubt the message for the independent investor: Act now. All currencies are suspect. Get some gold and get it while you can. The fact that gold is appreciating against all the major currencies is not something that has occurred in a vacuum.
Sundeck
(05/30/2006; 20:19:37 MDT - Msg ID: 144814)
The trend...a brief summary
Pre 1934: Dollar generally redeemable for 1/21 oz gold.

1935 - 1971: US citizens cannot own gold. Foreigners can redeem dollar for 1/35 oz gold.

1975 - 2005: Everyone can own gold. Everyone can own dollars. Dollar redeemable by everybody for all things world-wide, including gold...at market prices.

2005 - 20??: US citizens may redeem dollars for all things in America. Foreigners and Americans may continue to redeem dollars to buy things around the world (if they like, while they are able, at market prices), but only Americans (and favoured foreign nationals) may buy tangible American-owned assets. They may also continue buying dollar promises...if they like. (The CNOOC winds blow...they melt the Snow).

20?? - 20??: No one is able to redeem dollars for things outside of America...especially gold. US citizens and visitors may still buy things in America, including dollar promises...and gold, at market prices. Zero foreign demand for US dollar promises.


:-(
PRITCHO
(05/30/2006; 21:00:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144815)
@PH in LA -- Re Peak Oil @ www vialls (msg#: 144801)
http://www.vialls.com/Hi PH - good to catch your posts.
I read this article a long time ago & it sounds at least plausable the way it is written.However after reading
"other" articles he's written I've come to the conclusing that he's an out & out nut case of the worst kind.

For example Vialls wrote an article on the first Bali bombing claiming it was a Jewish conspiricy & that a special type of nuclear weapon had been used.The article was complete with photos & diagrams that puported to show that the crater from the explosion could not have been caused by conventional explosives.

Check out his web site (above) for all the crap he's written (as an expert) on just about everything under the sun. Talk about loopy!
Goldilox
(05/31/2006; 00:05:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144816)
Conspiracy advocates
@ pritcho,

Mel Gibson's movie raised the interesting hypothesis that even the most overzealous conspriacy advocates are "right" sometimes. The question is, "which times?"
Goldilox
(05/31/2006; 00:10:19 MDT - Msg ID: 144817)
Gold Demand Falls in Kingdom
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=6§ion=0&article=83028&d=31&m=5&y=2006snip:

JEDDAH, 31 May 2006 � Demand for gold in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Gulf has marked a decline in the first quarter of 2006.

This is attributed to volatile prices of the precious metal and also the stock market crash.

There has, however, been a big increase in demand from institutional investors, according to the Q1 report issued by the Dubai-based regional office of the World Gold Council (WGC) yesterday.

Sustained interest of different groups of institutional investment drove the gold price to a new 26-year high during the quarter. This resulted in an increase in demand for institutional investment and decrease in demand for gold jewelry.

"In Saudi Arabia, demand fell by 30 percent due to high and volatile world gold prices as well as the stock market crash since February-end, which highly affected both consumer sentiments and the purchasing power of individuals," the WGC stated.

- Goldilox

A quiet reminder of the risks inherent to playing the paper markets to fund gold purchases for just a little "too long".
Black Blade
(05/31/2006; 05:46:10 MDT - Msg ID: 144818)
Re: Thoreauly, timbervision, Boilermaker, PH and Goldendome � Oil
http://www.gasbuddy.com/
Thanks for all the thoughts guys. Some interesting comments on energy and oil as well. Just a couple of points concerning the "peak oil" discussion:

Peak Oil:

First of all, "Peak oil" does not mean when half the oil is gone. That is absurd of course and is often interpreted that way by uneducated journalists. "Peak Oil" refers to when the ability to extract oil (or natural gas) from a producing field/region reaches its maximum potential without irreparably damaging the hydrocarbon reservoir (as happened in Kirkuk, Iraq). That may mean "peak oil" production has been reached when maybe 20% of the oil has been extracted, or 40%, or 60%, etc. So even as some organizations may refer to there being 4 or more trillion barrels of oil left in the ground, it is very unlikely that much of that oil will ever see the light of day. Simply put - it is a very big stretch to assume that even a quarter of that oil will ever be economically exploited or that it can be extracted without a severe net energy loss.

A good read on the subject of peak oil of course is Matthew Simmons "Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy". There are other good books and articles on the subject as well. Recently in 2002 it was announced that the North Sea Field production had "peaked" (actually hit a production plateau"). Other "Super Giants" such as China's Daqing Oil Field, Kuwait's Burgan Field and Mexico's Cantarell Field have all recently gone into declining production after reaching "peak" production last year. The big problem is Saudi Arabia's Ghawar Filed that has presumably hit "peak" production. The Saudis are not very transparent when it comes to oil production records, however, there are no longer any vertical production wells (all are now horizontal) and water cuts are rising, both situations very suggestive of a dying oil field. No new "Super Giants" have been discovered since Cantarell in 1976 and all the easy to find and easy to produce oil has been discovered and put into production (called "the low hanging fruit"). The concept of "cheap oil" no longer exists, as more costly oil will take over due to smaller fields, more costly exploration and exploitation methods, and more challenging geological and geographical locales. In short � get used to higher energy costs.

Abiotic Oil:

Some still contend that there are ultra-deep "pools" of oil even to the point of making claims that the Earth's core is made of oil. Of course that is ridiculous. There are two competing camps that support the abiotic oil theory. In the west Thomas Gold an astrophysicist of Cornell University, and a small minority of Russian geologists made claims that natural processes in the Earth's magma produce oil. Of course this defies logic as the increased temperatures and pressure ("Geothermal Gradient") break down oil ("cracking"). The generation of petroleum from a source rock is controlled by temperature. This special environment is called the "oil window." In areas of higher than normal geothermal gradient (increase in temperature with depth), the oil window exists at shallower depths in younger sediments but is narrower (Oil window 60�C- 120�C and the Gas window 120�C-220�C). Maximum oil generation occurs from depths of 2,000 to 2,900 meters. Below 2,900 meters primarily wet gas, a type of gas containing liquid hydrocarbons known as natural gas.

Thomas Gold had convinced the Swedish government to finance an ultra-deep drilling project on the Siljan Peninsula to test out the theory. Of course the Swedes were desperate after the public voted to shut down nuclear power plants after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. The area near Siljan Lake was a meteorite impact site of fractured intrusive rock. After drilling more than 7 km the results were disappointing and the project abandoned as drill bits began to melt. The Russians did a similar ultra-deep drill project on the Kola Peninsula though a bit deeper the results were similarly disappointing. Both claimed to show some hydrocarbon in the returns but that was determined to be from the drilling mud and also apparently had discernable biomarkers.

Energy Prices:

Depending on where one resides they can use mass transportation if available. However, few will use mass transit as it is rarely reliable and does not necessarily go to the desired destination. As a result masses of commuters are condemned to hours of sitting in gridlock idling engines to remain comfortable. Some areas of the country always have much higher energy costs because they refuse to take the necessary steps to bring costs down � such as streamline regulatory requirements for fuel standards, refuse to allow exploration and production of petroleum and energy minerals, impose high taxes, and restrict refinery, pipeline and electrical grid expansion. Obviously, while some regions of the US are condemned to progressively higher prices over time; some regions are well positioned to take advantage of regional petroleum and energy minerals production and refining for local use.

I see that on the west coast and east coast the cost of regular unleaded gasoline continues to rise on strong demand. For example I live in a part of the US where I currently pay $2.34/gal gasoline (was $2.19/gal last week), non-member $2.56/gal. Of course I am a member of the local Cenex farmers coop and we buy as a group in bulk ahead of time. Recently Wyoming oil went for about $32/bbl and NatGas for $5.09 Mcf. Of course we produce more oil, NatGas, uranium and coal than we can possibly use although we have insufficient pipeline capacity to export the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon to eastern and western markets. We do however have a good number of refineries and a fair amount of production from Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and Western Canada.


Meanwhile, cutting costs and living within my means is just my personal financial philosophy. As always, get out of debt and stay out of debt, stash enough cash for several months household expenses, accumulate Gold and Silver as "portfolio insurance", and start a storage program of several months� worth of nonperishable food and basic necessities.

- Black Blade

To check gasoline prices in your area (see link)

Sundeck
(05/31/2006; 05:47:21 MDT - Msg ID: 144819)
Liquidity contraction feeds bloodbath
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/HE27Dj01.htmlSnip:

"...
A global asset market correction has begun. This correction has been inordinately brutal on what were once the world's highest-flying stock and bond markets. The sudden downdraft in global asset markets appears to have been triggered by higher-than-expected US inflation.

However, rapidly contracting global liquidity is the real culprit. The contraction of global liquidity will accelerate over the next six months, which could push currently favored markets down a further 25-35% - at least.

...

There's more potential bad news, though. A sharp decline in US stocks and bonds may begin to shake foreign investors, who hold over US$6 trillion worth of these assets. Foreign capital flight from the US, which has probably already begun, could prompt the devaluation of the dollar and a prolonged period of global economic weakness. With liquidity fast tightening in the world's largest economies, emerging market assets could well be poised for their worst performance in more than a decade.
..."

Sundeck: Not a pretty prognosis by Jephraim P Gundzik. There is a good chance he is correct.

BOJ made a massive repo injection recently when it realised liquidity was overly tight...they may reconsider their recently-signalled intentions to tighten liquidity, since domestic spending is still slow...and I suppose they are also concerned about a herd stampede response, rather than an orderly unwinding of the yen carry trade.

Falls in both the dollar and on Wall St would have a doubling effect on the desire of the (foreign) herd to exit. The PPT are probably having a few restless nights...

Neither China nor Japan will want to see a big down-draft in either the dollar or on Wall St. Replacing Snow with a more China-wise Paulson is probably a shrewd move by Bush and his buddies...if it is not too late. China, Japan and the US are the three main pieces of the present problem IMO...

I suspect things could get a little gut-wrenching going forward...

:-{
Clink!
(05/31/2006; 07:24:18 MDT - Msg ID: 144820)
Where do I start on this one ?
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/may2006/nf20060523_2210.htm?campaign_id=rss_dailyI must admit that words fail me. This has the words "CONFLICT OF INTEREST" written, tattooed and otherwise indelibly marked all over it. But you decide :-

President George W. Bush has bestowed on his intelligence czar, John Negroponte, broad authority, in the name of national security, to excuse publicly traded companies from their usual accounting and securities-disclosure obligations. Notice of the development came in a brief entry in the Federal Register, dated May 5, 2006, that was opaque to the untrained eye.

Unbeknownst to almost all of Washington and the financial world, Bush and every other President since Jimmy Carter have had the authority to exempt companies working on certain top-secret defense projects from portions of the 1934 Securities Exchange Act. Administration officials told BusinessWeek that they believe this is the first time a President has ever delegated the authority to someone outside the Oval Office. It couldn't be immediately determined whether any company has received a waiver under this provision.

The timing of Bush's move is intriguing. On the same day the President signed the memo, Porter Goss resigned as director of the Central Intelligence Agency amid criticism of ineffectiveness and poor morale at the agency. Only six days later, on May 11, USA Today reported that the National Security Agency had obtained millions of calling records of ordinary citizens provided by three major U.S. phone companies. Negroponte oversees both the CIA and NSA in his role as the administration's top intelligence official.

End snip.

Now the question is, who gets to decide what can officially, legally be overlooked ? Domestic spying ? Nah, can't be because that part of the telecoms company doesn't exist. See ? You don't see it listed in their accounts. And Enron (as suggested by George Ure) ? Carlyle, can't say 'cos Poppy was doing something there. Can you say Haliburton ? etc, etc.

OK, I'm just getting older and crankier (always happens when my birthday approaches), and this power has been around for several decades. But I just don't believe in coincidences.

C!

PS. Kudos for the nice piece of real investigative journalism, though.
Goldilox
(05/31/2006; 08:22:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144821)
National Security non-reporting
@ Clink,

Or, perhaps prepare for a derivative meltdown. If there is likely gonna be another LTCM event, why not suppress the "repair" as a national security issue, just as FDR labeled gold confiscation a "national security" issue in terms of his day.

Might also be useful in the auditing of New Orelans reconstruction projects that are using bussed in immigrant labor to finally break the construction unions.

As it is rumored that the $400M Bush-Clinton charity fund has never been allocated to any victims, it could also be used to hide that money in the books of some coalition defense contractors or dummy contstruction firms.

After all, who wouldn't go ballistic, learning that their charity dollars were allocated to building a new casino for the Donald, right at a time when the New Orleans refugees are being cut from the FEMA relief roles?

There are just so many useful purposes for hiding transactions from the public and regulators. With prostitution and drug running rampant activities at Langley, it wouldn't due for the public to see how these guys actually launder their cash windfalls.
TownCrier
(05/31/2006; 09:28:14 MDT - Msg ID: 144822)
A notice to opportunists...
http://www.usagold.com/gold-price.htmlThe � 500/oz level continues to offer nice support against any downdrafts. So, at the risk of simplification, unless you anticipate the dollar to somehow appreciate significantly, this area may provide you with a confident accumulation point.

Additionally, the end of June signals the Eurosystem's next quarterly mark-to-market period for its reserves, which, for the greater part of the new millennium has proven to be a happy experience.

R.
TownCrier
(05/31/2006; 09:45:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144824)
Gold Fields CEO says bullion could hit $1,000
http://za.today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-05-31T143257Z_01_ALL152321_RTRIDST_0_OZABS-MARKETS-GOLD-GOLDFIELDS-20060531.XMLJOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The gold price could hit $1,000 per ounce over the next few years, partly fuelled by hefty investment demand from oil producers with excess cash, the chief executive of South Africa's Gold Fields said on Wednesday.

He was clarifying comments made to a strategy presentation on Tuesday, when he said prices could move down to around $500 per ounce.

"I see the price continuing from these levels and moving higher, and in fact could move significantly higher over the next couple of years. I would not be surprised to see it going up into four figures in dollar terms, that's a very real possibility," he said in an interview.

..."A longer term equilibrium price is closer to $500, if one looks at the fundamental level, but I don't see us being in any danger of getting to that level in the short-term, I see that as much longer term. I see the prices going higher from here not lower, and then going back (down)."

..."No market goes up forever and neither does it go down forever, but when it does ultimately pull back, we don't see it going back below the $500 mark, that's for sure."

...A main driver of the current gold price, similar to 1980 when prices touched $850 per ounce, was from oil producing nations seeking a home for a windfall in revenues, he said.

"Excess petro dollars sloshing around in the Middle East was one of the principal drivers of the gold price back in the 1980s and over the last 12-18 months we've seen an increase in petro dollars in the Middle East," he said.

Many analysts see a correlation between a rising oil price, which can fuel inflation, and the price of gold, which is often seen as a hedge against inflation.

The price of gold has risen 160 percent since touching lows in 1999 while Brent crude futures have shot up 265 percent.

"Gold, despite having a fairly healthy run since 2001, is still incredibly cheap on the gold-oil ratio and I think there's still lots of upside potential just taking that into account."

Long-term investors such as pension funds were also now investing in gold, which should give the market healthy support if short-term speculators decide to liquidate, he added.

"The recent run-up in the dollar price was very rapid, a little bit quicker than I had anticipated, so I wasn't surprised to see this pull back."

^---(from url)---^

Hmmm... regarding his $500 comments, in the same long term, does he see the various pesos and even the Turkish lira returning in like fashion to strength such that only 500 of those currency units can again enjoy the purchase of gold?

In other words, beyond the current support it enjoys with its international reserve status, what is it that he imagines would be continuing to give the dollar such remarkable and unprecedented staying power well into the future? History shows the clear track record of the purchasing power of currencies; and once it's gone, baby, it's gone!

Choose gold.

R.
Goldilox
(05/31/2006; 10:01:39 MDT - Msg ID: 144825)
GF CEO
@ TC,

I totally agree with your analysis of the GF CEO's statement. I see his $500 remark as a "standard" disclaimer to protect his job from angry stockholders if his predictions are thwarted by high-level malfeasance.
Clink!
(05/31/2006; 10:13:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144826)
Hmm. Now what is this signalling ?
Over the last few days, we have seen the POG rising, but the mining shares folding (usually after a good morning start). Today, we see almost $20 knockewd off the POG from its morning highs and half the shares are in the green ! Is someone covering shorts before the next wave up, I wonder ? (Must be all those folks who saw TC's post earlier !!)
C!
TownCrier
(05/31/2006; 10:19:05 MDT - Msg ID: 144827)
HEADLINE: When sizing up the economy, gold isn't the only standard
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/31/business/gold.phpThe New York Times
MAY 31, 2006 -- Just a few years ago, you could still walk into the Michael Fina store on Madison Avenue in New York and get a good deal on flatware. The Italian-made line of Barocco flatware - two forks, two spoons and a knife - sold for less than $200.

That five-piece set now costs $260, after the price of silver surged over the past year. "The flatware world," said Jeffrey Fina, a vice president at the store, "has taken a very big hit."

The same thing has happened to the store's gold and platinum rings. With gold prices rising almost 50 percent over the past year, this summer's brides and grooms are looking at a much more expensive wedding than last summer's.

But to a cadre of economists who use the price of gold as their crystal ball, those brides and grooms should not be the main object of our sympathy...

The boom in gold and silver, these economists say, is a sign that the United States is finally going to pay for years of easy money, mounting debt, cheap Asian imports and trillion-dollar budget deficits.

Gold and silver have provided a reality check for profligate governments as far back as ancient Rome...

Ever since, gold has been a refuge for investors worried about a country's economic policy. Other than adornment, in fact, this is one of gold's only uses. A government can issue all the currency it wants, driving down the value of the money already in circulation, but it cannot conjure gold out of thin air.

"We have gold," President Herbert Hoover of the United States wrote, "because we cannot trust governments."

...An increase in the value of gold is really the same thing as a decrease in the value of a dollar, relative to the oldest, most solid benchmark of all. And there are plenty of reasons dollars should be losing value. Americans have been sending billions of them overseas to buy other countries' products, causing the world to be awash in dollars. The federal government has been spending much more money than it takes in, and the Federal Reserve pumped the economy full of cash a few years ago to avoid a deep recession.

There are legitimate reasons, in other words, to wonder whether the gold surge is the start of the crisis that economists have long feared.

[But]...because commodity prices fell from the late 1980s to 2002, the recent surge has in part been making up for lost ground. The price of gold still has not risen as much, in percentage terms, as the price of milk over the past 20 years.

Like Bernstein, most economists are reluctant to read too much into gold's big rally. "If you simply look at a graph of the price of gold, it sure looks like the world is going down the tube," he said. "But if you look at it this other way, it gives you entirely another feeling."

The U.S. trade deficit and budget deficit are real problems, Bernstein acknowledges. "All the necessary conditions for a mess are there," he said. The mess itself, however, doesn't seem to have arrived.

^---(from url)---^

Just the tip of the iceberg, this article represents exactly what I was recently telling someone to expect regarding a program of public grooming that would soon commence globally such that its inevitable and singularly relentless rise (in ALL currencies) will not be isolatedand focused in public perception as a sort of economic panic alarm.

That is to say, to rebalance the international financial and monetary playing field, gold must singularly rise to unprecedented heights, and there's no good reason that it should cause panic or crisis of confidence along the way (except, that is, for dollar holders, whose purchasing power is in for a much wider tumble upon the trimming of reserve status.)

R.
otish mountain
(05/31/2006; 10:51:07 MDT - Msg ID: 144828)
Demand falls? re: 144817
I try to read all postings here but have little time to post myself, although I must comment on a thought that one could report a decrease in gold demand by weight and then report an increase in gold demand by $ price and both would be correct.

otish
mikal
(05/31/2006; 11:01:53 MDT - Msg ID: 144829)
News nuggets
On Approach to Last Call at the Gold Bar - MK, TownCrier
The Risk Bubble - Roach, Morgan Stanley
Paulson's First Hurdle May Be Restoring Treasury's Policy Clout - Bloomberg
Treasury choice faces cooling U.S. economy - IHT
Fed's Geithner: "Neutral" rates are elusive - Reuters
Foreclosures: '80s vs. '06 - Dallas MN
Errors double in derivatives trading - FT
Asian Stocks Have Worst Month Since September 2002 - Bloomberg China Says to Start Withdrawing From Currency Market - Bloomberg
Ch�vez's call for oil-output cut reflects Venezuelan paradox - IHT
Eurozone loans data add to rates pressure - FT
China banks 'vulnerable' to slowdown - FT
Not even Paulson can save the dollar - Reuters
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc.
(05/31/2006; 11:04:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144830)
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Thoreauly
(05/31/2006; 11:10:41 MDT - Msg ID: 144831)
@ Towncrier
http://www.321gold.com/editorials/orlandini/orlandini050906.html"...there's no good reason that it should cause panic or crisis of confidence along the way (except, that is, for dollar holders..."

It seems to me that this is precisely why a panic cannot be avoided. For once it's obvious to all that the dollar is toast and that the government isn't going to (can't) do anything about it, there will be nothing to stop the stampede.

That is, I don't foresee an "orderly devaluation" and would agree instead with Enrico Orlandini (see link) when he says:

"Asian central banks, who in fact are the bankers of last resort for the United States government, have managed an orderly devaluation of the dollar, so far. As we approach the critical historical low of 80.00 with respect to the US Dollar Index, I suspect that there will be a rush for the door and order will be thrown to the wind."
Goldilox
(05/31/2006; 11:32:15 MDT - Msg ID: 144832)
Hoover's remark
"We have gold," President Herbert Hoover of the United States wrote, "because we cannot trust governments."

His successor sure highlighted this remark for the US citizenry. Turn your gold in, as the banksters and speculators need your meager assets to save their mansions in the Hamptons, while you languish in soup lines.

When governments get into financial trouble, their only two options seem to be increase borrowing to fund a war of acquisition, or grab property assets from their constituents.

As TSHTF, I have "full faith and confidence" that the current administration is highly engaged in both. All the BS about tax rate decreases aside, they make up every penny and more with AMT and covert inflation.

Remember, along with higher gasoline prices come higher tax revenues on fuel. RE booms increase property tax revenues disproportionately, and sales taxes rise with retail prices. You need a "Friend of CONgress" "loophole" to wade through the current tax burdens.

Even gold "gains" (actually just losses of US dollar value) are taxed as collectables, at the short-term capital gains rate, so 30-40% of the gain is recaptured. That means they tax $ losses as gold gains.
TownCrier
(05/31/2006; 12:25:50 MDT - Msg ID: 144833)
On orderly transitions... right up until they're not.
Throeauly,

While not intending to make light of the certain currency-related social mayhem associated with the 1997 Asian contangion, post Soviet woes, and the Argentine peg fracture, Orlandini has it about right. We HAVE managed an orderly transition... SO FAR.

And insofar as we can agree that national institutions and international "summitry" exist with any barest modicum of raison d'�tre, it shouldn't be difficult to conclude that the INTENT is to conduct the progress of the transition as far along as is humanly possible before that last final *SNAP* inevitably occurs in the adjustment process.

In geologic plate tectonics, we see that a lot of significant strain, distortion, and movement can occur without any serious consequences, but then suddenly, a relatively small *snap* can reduce a city to rubble by quake or wash away a coastline by tsunami.

That definitely isn't to suggest that we need hope that the financial transition occurs as SLOW as possible (because mere delay carries with it the ongoing problems of the current imbalances), but rather we are to hope that success is acheived in making the transition as SMOOTH as possible for the greater portion of the adjustment, and the sooner done, the better.

I'm reminded of a fatalist who, upon falling down some stairs, picked himself up and brushed himself off, saying, "Whew! I'm glad THAT's over with!"

R.
Henri
(05/31/2006; 12:44:36 MDT - Msg ID: 144834)
@Towncrier
From your post yesterday:
SNIP
"...BOTTOM LINE: the higher price levels for base commodities, expressing themselves especially as abnormally high valuations RELATIVE to higher-order goods, are the front-line warnings that initial adjustments are now in the works wherein the rational PHYSICAL economy is wrenching itself free of the longtime influence (some might say stranglehold) that the paper (financial) economy has wreathed in its own mist and wrought itself so heavily down upon it. ..."
UNSNIP

Randy, you have said a mouthful here. When I read this it confirmed a thought rambling thru my party-worn residue of
what used to be my brain and nervous system...

The current volatility and unexpected price movements in formerly interrelated asset structures are reflective of the fragility of the "business as usual" relationships modeled so well by black box programming that are coming unglued and that the overrlying derivative positions will be liquidated rather than suffer continued setbacks. It is only fitting that the world of paper (dreams), having been erected upon a pedestal of basic commodity price management schemes, should fall victim to the inability of commodities to exist in unlimited quantities like their paper representations. It is in effect, it is the power of the "free market" weilding its incredible power to break free of the chains (derivative trade) that bind it.
Henri
(05/31/2006; 12:50:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144835)
Wow!
look at that reversal in spot platinum prices
Thoreauly
(05/31/2006; 13:25:06 MDT - Msg ID: 144836)
The prudent fatalist
@ TownCrier

"I'm glad THAT's over with," said he, "and gladder still that I own gold!"

Which is to say that we all dread the fall; it's a question of who will be able to get up afterwards.
AuVenger
(05/31/2006; 13:56:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144837)
Only $1000??? LOL
GF CEO
@ TC,

I totally agree with your analysis of the GF CEO's statement. I see his $500 remark as a "standard" disclaimer to protect his job from angry stockholders if his predictions are thwarted by high-level malfeasance.



Yup his comments are pathetic IMHO. He is covering his ***.
AuVenger
(05/31/2006; 14:05:27 MDT - Msg ID: 144838)
ETF LOL
Somebody is going to start making replica plastic manholes to replace the real ones. That way they won't even know they got pilfered.

Carbon Fibre? Light and v v strong...
AuVenger
(05/31/2006; 14:21:42 MDT - Msg ID: 144839)
Peak Oil
Goldendome (5/30/06; 17:08:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 144808)
Oil shale is not the answer - yet.
More energy is contained in a pound of Captain Cruch Cerial than in a pound of oil shale!

BTW, Oil production probably peaked in Saudi Arabia in the early '80's at some 9 million Brls/day. Currently, they produce about 5 mil. Saudi's say they could ramp it up at most anytime as they have in the past...but, possibly with the result of fatally damaging the still productive fields.
Gawar, their largest field, has been in constant production since 1951, and at well over a million/day since about 1970...sometimes as high as 5 million/day when needed. Twilight in the desert may be upon us.


Hmmmmm, I'm not at all sure we are in a peak oil situation, though many folks with agendas would love to have the world economy believe that is the case. I am not an expert, just read tid bits over the years - but I do believe the Russians are masters at deep drilling, and can do it economically - so adapt Russian deep drilling technology to fields worldwide and perhaps the situation/trend somewhat reverses?
AuVenger
(05/31/2006; 14:27:20 MDT - Msg ID: 144840)
Vialls
@PH in LA -- Re Peak Oil @ www vialls (msg#: 144801)
http://www.vialls.com/
Hi PH - good to catch your posts.
I read this article a long time ago & it sounds at least plausable the way it is written.However after reading
"other" articles he's written I've come to the conclusing that he's an out & out nut case of the worst kind.

For example Vialls wrote an article on the first Bali bombing claiming it was a Jewish conspiricy & that a special type of nuclear weapon had been used.The article was complete with photos & diagrams that puported to show that the crater from the explosion could not have been caused by conventional explosives.



I disagree completely - Vialls was a brilliant researcher and many of his ideas are bang on the money!!!

He was certainly no nut case.

RIP Joe Vialls, we need more folks like him to combat TPTB.

Check out his web site (above) for all the crap he's written (as an expert) on just about everything under the sun. Talk about loopy
USAGOLD Daily Market Report
(05/31/2006; 15:17:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144841)
Page Update!
http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.html
The Daily Gold Market Report has beenupdated.

If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our freeintroductory information packet detailing the products and services offeredby USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and lookforward to working with you.

WEDNESDAY Market Excerpts

Gold sags nearly $12 for both day and May

May 31 (from Reuters) -- U.S. gold futures tumbled 1.7 percent on Wednesday, while silver sank 4.7 percent, knocked by month-end selling due to seasonal weakness as well as unfavorable moves in the dollar and oil, dealers said.

The dollar rebounded broadly one day after a sharp fall, putting pressure on gold, an alternative to the greenback. The greenback benefited from remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who said the United States would join key European countries in talks with Iran if Tehran suspended its nuclear enrichment program. That marked a major policy shift and oil prices fell on the news.

Liquidation hit gold after choppy trading earlier in European hours, but dealers said that New York futures still appeared rangebound between $643-$640 and $675-$680. COMEX August gold futures closed down $11.50 at $649, after trading from $665.80 to $644 -- a one-week low.

Gold has been mired in a correction after reaching a 26-year high two weeks ago, although dealers said it was just entering a seasonally weak period for prices. COMEX futures got as high as $732 on May 12, lifted by economic and geopolitical uncertainty, before hefty profit-taking dragged it to as low as $636 last week.

Donald Doyle, head of New Orleans coin dealer Blanchard & Co., said that gold should go sideways or downward as it has during the summer in each of the last four years, but he expects a new high price later in 2006.

"Gold got a bit out in front of itself, going parabolic as all commodities began running upward over the last three months," he said in a report.

"All of the bullish trends are still in place, and we still expect great growth, especially considering that gold has been trading upwards with all commodities and is only just beginning to reassert itself as a monetary asset."

---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)---
Druid
(05/31/2006; 15:36:26 MDT - Msg ID: 144842)
Sundeck (5/31/06; 05:47:21MT - usagold.com msg#: 144819)
http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2005/20050606/Druid: Great read. I thought he was joking.



Remarks by Chairman Alan Greenspan
Central Bank panel discussion
To the International Monetary Conference, Beijing, People's Republic of China (via satellite)
June 6, 2005


"Whatever the underlying causes, low risk-free long-term rates worldwide seem to be one factor driving investors to reach for higher returns, thereby lowering the compensation for bearing credit risk and many other financial risks over recent years. The search for yield is particularly manifest in the massive inflows of funds to private equity firms and hedge funds. These entities have been able to raise significant resources from investors who are apparently seeking above-average risk-adjusted rates of return, which, of course, can be achieved by only a minority of investors. To meet this demand, hedge fund managers are devising increasingly more complex trading strategies to exploit perceived arbitrage opportunities, which are judged--in many cases erroneously--to offer excess rates of return. This effort is particularly evident in the pronounced growth and increasing complexity of collateralized debt obligations. Although collateralized debt obligations are a powerful tool for enhancing risk management by separating idiosyncratic risks from systematic risks, the models used to price and hedge these instruments are just beginning to be tested.

I have no doubt that many of the new hedge fund entrepreneurs are embracing a strategy of pinpointing temporary market inefficiencies, the exploitation of which is expected to yield above-average rates of return. For the time being, most of the low-hanging fruit of readily available profits has already been picked by the managers of the massive influx of hedge fund capital, leaving as a byproduct much-more-efficient markets and normal returns.

But continuing efforts to seek above-average returns could create risks for which compensation is inadequate. Significant numbers of trading strategies are already destined to prove disappointing, a point that recent data on the distribution of hedge fund returns seem to be confirming.

Consequently, after its recent very rapid advance, the hedge fund industry could temporarily shrink, and many wealthy fund managers and investors could become less wealthy. But so long as banks and other lenders to these ventures are managing their credit risks effectively, this necessary adjustment should not pose a threat to financial stability.

I trust such an episode would not induce us to lose sight of the very important contributions hedge funds and new financial products have made to financial stability by increasing market liquidity and spreading financial risk, and thereby enhancing economic flexibility and resilience."


I'm sure they thought so too....


Man heightens hedge fund fears
Flagship fund losses fuel fears for smaller players. Bolton warns correction could take months
By Andrew Dewson
Published: 25 May 2006
Man Group, the world's largest quoted hedge fund manager, fuelled fears yesterday that some of its smaller competitors may be in serious trouble after revealing that some of its futures funds have made substantial losses this month.

The disclosure prompted speculation in the market that some smaller hedge funds may be suffering even greater losses and could be forced to unwind highly leveraged positions, causing share prices to spiral lower.

Article Length: 588 words (approx.)

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article571737.ece

...and now, it might be catching throughout the world.



WORLD MARKETS ABOUT TO CRASH TOGETHER?
by Christopher Laird
PrudentSquirrel.com
May 31, 2006


Recent stock headlines include a collapsed India stock market, collapsed not just dropping. Collapsed Middle East stock markets on the order of 50%. Dropping European markets, and US markets. Very weak Japanese stocks, probably looking to crash like the Middle East and India markets because the Nikkei is/was up 50% in a year.

Very weak Chinese stocks, rapidly weakening �emerging� markets because of a slowing commodities bull. Weak Russian markets. � In short, the whole world is just about to fall into a synchronized stock cascade.

Here is a typical headline, one of many these last weeks:

European sell-off continues after U.S., Asia falls
Autos, miners among decliners following steep Wall Street fall

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- European markets dropped sharply Wednesday morning, extending the week's losses and taking their cue from a steep fall in the U.S. on the back of rising oil prices and falling consumer confidence.

I offered a theory in World Speculation Dominoes that the world financial markets are all synchronized and will crash together. It appears that we are very near such an event right now.

http://www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/laird/2006/0531.html
TownCrier
(05/31/2006; 15:44:55 MDT - Msg ID: 144843)
Fed buys Treasuries outright, providing support lately on an approximate pace of once per week
http://yahoo.reuters.com/investing/FinanceArticle.aspx?type=economicNews&storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20060531:MTFH43817_2006-05-31_14-44-44_N31217529Despite a well-behaved fed funds market, the Federal Reserve today in addition to adding$7.5 billion temporary liquidity to the banking system via overnight repos also intervened on a more permanent basis, to the tune of $1.208 billion in outright purchase of Treasury coupons, with empasis on maturities upon the yield curve from January - October 2010.

That follows previous permanent operations this month of $1.32 billion on May 23rd, another of $1.375 billion on May 19th, and $1.098 billion on May 11th.

And like a liberal application of fertilizer, so the money supply grows...

R.
goldquest
(05/31/2006; 16:58:40 MDT - Msg ID: 144844)
And eventually
to much fertilizer will kill the crop you are trying to grow!
Henri
(05/31/2006; 17:54:54 MDT - Msg ID: 144845)
Why would GS give a positive outlook on gold
while trying to cover heavy shorts of its own or its clients on Tocom/Comex???

They need to draw in more speculators to fleece.

They are buying back their own shorts (except now they are a tad soiled...but no more so than the shorts they are wearing).
mikal
(05/31/2006; 18:01:38 MDT - Msg ID: 144846)
Wisdom of the week
"Donald Doyle, head of Blanchard and Co. coin dealer, said gold should go sideways to downward through the summer
of 2006 as it has for each of the last four years, but should head higher..."
Truly definitive!
What infallible logic!
By this reasoning if I walk across the middle of the
freeway at 5PM rushour, June 21, 2002, and again
for the next three years with traffic
squealing to a dead stop before my carefree cadence,
it MUST happen in 2006!
And gold was only invented in 2002!
R Powell
(05/31/2006; 19:07:31 MDT - Msg ID: 144847)
Comments on silver survey
http://www.resourceinvestor.com/pebble.asp?relid=20057 And some numbers....also always suspect, I guess..
Sundeck
(05/31/2006; 20:18:43 MDT - Msg ID: 144848)
Beware "sidewinder " Summer gold...
@mikal #144846 and Blanchard comment on "sideways to downward" gold...

A quick appraisal of Spot's canterings over the last four years indicates an average increase of about US$7.75 over northern Summer months, June through August.

The average increase per 3-months (without regard to season) from Jun 01 to Jun 06 is about US$20.

So on this very small sample of four Summers, Spot does seem to be a little slow in northern Summer, but as you correctly intimate...not a very profound observation...nor very significant for prognostication...

Better to stick with the entrails of the Greater Albino Bat, imho...

:-)
Flatliner
(05/31/2006; 21:46:17 MDT - Msg ID: 144849)
Numbers are growing again
http://streettracksgoldshares.com/us/value/gb_value_usa.php#2Looks like the holdings in GLD are growing again � even if it's only a few ounces.

26 May 2006 343.29
30 May 2006 344.22
31 May 2006 347.31

Nymex shows 27,388 contracts for gold on the first day of June.

I wonder how the coins business has been?

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