>> It was you, not I, who equated venture capitalists pulling their money out of the internet as being the equivalent of commodity trading

... which they are. These are the same people, the very same people. It's what they do for a living, pure and simple. And yes, it is that simple.

And no, I'm not saying it's all that simple. I'm trying to keep the length of the posts down to less than a chapter of Anna Karenina, so the essential mechanics are understandable. And the essential mechanics are that understandable when you boil them down this far, But if you want a full blown out discussion of eceonomics and current landscape, including footnotes and attributes all over the place, hey, let me know.

>> it sounds almost as if you are saying people shouldn't do these things because, well, people shouldn't do these things, well, 'cause it's not right.

You gonna seriously tell me it is? I mean, please, by this moral slipperiness, we can just say, "Hey, c'mon, that guy in North Korea is just doing his job! Aint hurting me any!" You seem to wish to ignore the larger effects of the actions taken sometimes by speculators... especially those right now who are running up prices of things that have now become essentials -- and they're doing it... well, as you say, because they can. And somehow, even though it's causing world wide havoc, it's "okay" because it's just, y'know, what they do.

>> If you have any ideas, any at all that don't involve hauling a bunch of people into court to be tried for crimes against humanity, I'm listening.

And why not that as an option? Let's not just sweep their actions under the rug and say, "Okay, whatever, move on." Solely in the name of greed, these people -- and I use the term lightly -- have caused incredible harm worldwide. Look at the news, Don, and see what's going on outside your safe little neighbourhood. Eight people died in riots in Africa over rice. Rice. Who's gonna take responsibility for that? Anyone? Or do we just ignore them because they dont mean anything to us personally?

Tell me, where is the line between this kind of no-holds-barred capitalism and dictatorial rule? I'm curious to see where you put it.

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