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ARCHIVED DISCUSSION FROM 9/27/2006 All times are U.S. Mountain Time (Yesterday's Discussion.) Peculium Aurum (9/27/06; 23:55:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 147876) WHO PUT GOLD TO SLEEP $$$$577.7$$$IN 1965 THE PRICE OF A WELL WORN COMON DOUBLE EAGLE WAS $55 ACORDING TO THE RED BOOK, TODAY ITS IN THE HIGH 600',THE DJIA WAS IN THE LOW 900'S TODAY 11700,GAS WAS AROUND 25 CENTS A GAL, TODAY $2.76 WHERE I LIVE.A LOAF OF BREAD WHO KNOWS. SO WAKE UP DAVE RAMSEY GOLD IS A SOLID INVESTMENT THAT HAS NEVER GONE BANKRUPT. NOW WHO PUT TO SLEEP. THE SHORT TERM TRADER DID, YOU KNOW THE SAME PEOPLE THAT BAILED OUT OF THE STOCK MARKET, THE SAME PEOPLE THAT FLIP A HOUSE FOR QUICK PROFIT. THE SAME PEOPLE YOU SEE WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH A DAZED LOOK IN THERE EYES SAYING, WHAT HAPPEND AKA THE SHORT TERM TRADER, THATS WHO PUT GOLD TO SLEEP, WHEN THEY BAILED OUT OF THEIR PAPER GOLD INVESTMENTS.SO WHATS GOING TO WAKE UP GOLD, I THINK THE GRAND DADDYOF ALL SLEEPING GIANTS, CHINA, YES CHINA WHEN THEY DUMPALL THEIR RESERVES DOLLARS BACK IN OUR LAP. THE US GOVERMENT HAS GIVEN US ALL A CHOICE, US GOLD COINS OR FUNNY MONEY. Smeagol (9/27/06; 21:53:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 147875) Kings o' the hill... http://www.safehaven.com/article-5986.htm Ach, the night-breeze is pleasant enough tonight, eh, Ssir Drywasher?....Ssir Drywasher?....sss...musst be ssleeping...Men tend to do tha tat night. (grin)P.S. have you all sseen Clive's rant? O my! Gandalf the White (9/27/06; 21:41:08MT - usagold.com msg#: 147874) Thanks Sir Balzak --- AND whould you care to guess the date that SIR MK called me about starting a POG CONTEST ?YEP <;-) balzac (9/27/06; 21:35:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 147873) GOLD CONTEST AND NOW MY GUESS:$$$$$$$ 606.5 $$$$$$$ balzac (9/27/06; 21:33:10MT - usagold.com msg#: 147872) GOLD CONTEST LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:In my humble opinion, I suggest that commodity price downdraftsparticularly in oil and other metals have affected the price of gold,in the adage of " a low tide drops all ships" was the reason for the low of $571 on Sept. 19th.However, constant and increasing world wide pressure on the US$ will eventually awaken the price of gold.Balzacad Demosthenes (9/27/06; 21:18:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 147871) $$$$ 635.0 $$$$ I'm not one for conspiracies and the like, so I'll offer an alternative explanation. People just got bored with gold. Few people wake up in the morning and say "ohhh... gold is down today... I should buy some while its cheap." A few big sellers and no buyers equals a big price drop. Simple (okay not so simple, the math can get real complicated) economics. What will rejuvenate it? Cyclic economics. People who want gold first acquire money and then buy gold. Then they have no money and must acquire it again. Plus fewer big sellers (they already sold) equals a price rise. Gandalf the White (9/27/06; 21:17:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 147870) "KINGS" of the Hill Report --- TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!! Settlement of December COMEX contract GCZ6 on Wednesday 9.27.06 was $603.3===THEREFORE, the "KINGS of the Hill" WERE (at the time of the Close):A TIE between Sir Smeagol and Sir DryWasher !!!==*** FRN606.7 *** Smeagol (9/23/06; 01:57:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 147687)$$$$ $599.9 $$$$ DryWasher (9/24/06; 15:10:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 147742)No fighting on the top of the Hill, you two ! <;-) Ten Bears (9/27/06; 18:16:11MT - usagold.com msg#: 147869) rants Two good anti-central bank rants…nothing that hasn't been said before, but said exceptionally well…. From Ceri Shepherd and Richard Daughtyhttp://www.321gold.com/editorials/shepherd/shepherd092706.htmlhttp://www.321gold.com/editorials/daughty/daughty092706.html R Powell (9/27/06; 18:08:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 147868) Goldilox Sorry friend, I've already put in my 25+ years of pouring foundations. It's work for the young, strong bucks. Now I just pour + finish flatwork. Will a solid floor of @ $580-600 do? Ge...thanks for the update on that dry Baltic rate. I view it as a solid, honest indicator. Goldilox (9/27/06; 17:40:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 147867) Dow: Record or Wreck? http://urbansurvival.com/week.htm snip:I wrote to you last week in some detail about how NOT to be conned into believing the stock market is at new all time highs. It may be worth rereading the reason why inflation since the previous all time high (ATH) in January of 2000 means an equivalent ATH today of 13,785 using the government's own - possibly understated - inflation figures and ignoring year-to-date inflation for 2006. A real all time high today - on a purchasing power basis - would be north of 14,200.Still, if you insist, let me compare January 2000 with today in a couple of indices besides the Dow, then you tell me if the economy is really in record territory. Ready? The NASDAQ Composite was at 4,064. As of last week's close (I only deal with weekly numbers, having sworn off day trading), the NASDAQ was at 2,218.93. In other words, the NASDAQ is at 54.6% of its Y2K price - and that's before inflation, yada, yada, yada. If you want a small number to twiddle around, it has lost 45.4% of its value. "Unfair!" you protest? Hows about we call up the S&P? 1,465 the week of 1/14/200 and last week 1,314.78. Marvelous: The S&P has regained 89.7% of its Y2K pricing, or more politely, the S&P is down only about 10.3% if you're brazen enough not to include inflation impacts in your thinking. "Uh...that's unfair!" you protest. "Try another broad index like the Russell 3000, would you?" Fair Enough: 795.53 then and 759.77 last week - retaining 95.5% of its value or down only 4 1/2% in...uh...5.7 years of risk.With numbers like these, it's hard to make a reasonable case for an upside breakout, unless you happen to believe in Dow Theory which suggests that as go the transports, so too goes the world. The transports are screaming more optimistically than a Seahawks football fan. In the same week of Y2K, the Dow Transports were at 2891.63. Last Friday they were at 4452.72. That's a 54% gain and more than enough to make up for the impact of inflation and slap a fat capital gain onto your tax return - Hallelujah!The folks over at Contrary Investor ("When everyone thinks alike, there isn't much thinking taking place.") have been eyeing the same problem and me - and they've done a masterful job of pulling all the pieces of the 'message from the transports' question into a detailed report which you owe it to yourself to read.My present take on it (subject to change on a moments notice if the Russell and the Wilshire zoom to inflation-corrected new all time highs ) is that the Transports we see today aren't the same index we were dealing with in January 2000. Airlines, a key transport component then have been changed out, bankrupted, and pensioned down. Trucking and the FedEx and UPS type services have been great - but these reflect longer social trends: The increasing number of "knowledge workers" like us who have fled the big city in advance of The Troubles, and fueled also by America's insatiable thirst for goods from Asia which get around most of the country by truck and train.As you may notice by looking at our Aggregate Index Chart, it bears a very similar look to Microsoft's long term performance, which lately, I think it a pretty darned good proxy for the US economy overall. It used to be "As goes GM, so goes the market" but I think we're in a new time when "As goes Microsoft, so goes the world..." At least, looking at the charts, I sure hope so.-GoldiloxBut, of course,"inflation" only counts when they say "it counts". By George's numbers, which I happen to think aren't bad, PoG has gained more in the last few years from pure monetary inflation that we give credit for. That must mean the bull has yet to really run. USAGOLD Daily Market Report (9/27/06; 15:56:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 147866) Page Update! http://www.usagold.com/DailyQuotes.htmlThe Daily Gold Market Report has been updated.If you are considering investments in gold we invite you to request our free introductory information packet detailing the products and services offered by USAGOLD ~ Centennial Precious Metals. We welcome your inquiry and look forward to working with you.WEDNESDAY Market ExcerptsGold climbs over $600September 27 (from MarketWatch) -- Gold futures closed Wednesday above $600 an ounce for the first time in more than two weeks, extending strength from the previous session with support from strong overseas demand, firmer oil prices and the recent conclusion to European central bank sales of the precious metal."The catalyst for this move has been the convergence of two primary factors: the cessation...of the central bank disposals and the emergence of positive demand reports from key consuming countries," said Kitco's Jon Nadler.Gold sales for this year, under the central bank gold sales agreement -- a handshake pact among central banks that set limits on each year's sales of the metal from sovereign vaults, concluded on Tuesday.Against this backdrop, the COMEX December gold contract closed up $6.20 at $603.30.It climbed as high as $604.80, the contract's strongest level since Sept. 11.Gold "continues to find strong support from physical traders in India as wholesalers and retailers attempt to keep up with the recent surge in demand," said James Moore, analyst at TheBullionDesk."The magnitude of jewelry demand from the region is not something the market can ignore, and is in fact far more powerful than the perception of what the official sector may or may not do," said Nadler."This is the real gold market, populated by real physical buyers."---(see url for full news, 24-hr newswire)--- GOLD FINGER (9/27/06; 15:02:31MT - usagold.com msg#: 147865) Oh..lovely~ Thanks....Sir TC! I want to add a few more items and when JK is back in office I will call him...I still want to add more....luscious GOLD!GF Sierra Madre (9/27/06; 14:55:37MT - usagold.com msg#: 147864) Simple enough to turn the DINAR into gold money... Turning the gold Dinar into money requires one small step.The step is one small step for a State, but a giant step for mankind. Where did I hear that before?All that is required is a) for the CB to quote a value for the Dinar in Ringgits, including a small percentage to cover day to day fluctuations.b) to raise the value of the Dinar accordingly, if gold goes up, andc) to refrain from ever lowering the quote if the value of gold goes down.This turns the Dinar into money.Very simple. As simple as A,B,C!When will they learn?SIERRA TownCrier (9/27/06; 14:53:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 147863) GOLD FINGER suggestion http://www.usagold.com/gold/coins/britkings.html What's next?? You can't go wrong with sovereigns among your foundational items.R. Sierra Madre (9/27/06; 14:46:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 147862) Sauce for the goose.... I read below (from an earlier post today):""We have observed instances in which firms appeared to gain a significant degree of control over highly sought after Treasury issues and seemed to use that market power to their advantage," Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary James Clouse said in remarks prepared for delivery to the Bond Market Association in New York."In the process, prices in the cash, repo and futures markets appear to have been distorted to varying degrees," he said."And Murphy at GATA is saying the same thing; just change a couple of words." We have observed instances in which central banks appeared to gain a significant degree of control over highly sought after GOLD and seemed to use that market power to their advantage," said Bill Murphy, President of the Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee."In the process, prices of GOLD in the cash, and futures markets appear to have been (severely) distorted to varying degrees," he said.Sauce for the gander!SIERRA GOLD FINGER (9/27/06; 14:35:35MT - usagold.com msg#: 147861) HAPPY HURRAY.....Tomorrow my new buffalo's will be arriving! Now, I think I should pick up some.....??? Any suggestions??Have a great day....gold is upGF Goldilox (9/27/06; 14:10:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 147860) E*trade servers down at the market close.How quaint! This certainly underscores the extra risk of owning virtual assets represented by bits and bytes in NYC.Hold your stash close, kiddies. Goldilox (9/27/06; 14:03:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 147859) Derivatively yours . . . @ Mikal,What a great setup for the replacement of the US $ with the Amero!Hey, your shopping cart full of greenbacks is worthless, can I interest you in some multi-colored, multi-lingual paper? Topaz (9/27/06; 13:55:34MT - usagold.com msg#: 147858) Monthly roll-over. http://www.nymex.com/media/delivery.pdf A nice little end-of-month flurry saw Ag put in the big ones today giving a healthy 5000odd deliveries for Sept (so far).This has been the penultimate delivery window for '06 Ag and we might still get a fist full tomorrow. Focus now turns to Oct Gold and given the reluctance of the WAG Banks to pony up Metal, don't be too surprised to see strong delivery numbers out of Comex.Could and should be spectacular! mikal (9/27/06; 13:53:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 147857) Derivatively yours... http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?dist=newsfinder&siteid=mktw&guid=%7B63087831%2D5F18%2D4339%2D9E49%2D0071DBEA18F1%7D&link=&keyword=derivative SOPHISTICATED INVESTORDerivative dangerSomebody should be worried as loosely regulated market soarsThomas Kostigen, MarketWatchLast Update: 4:20 PM ET Sep 26, 2006"This update of a column published Sept. 25 corrects the amount of reserves held by the Securities Investor Protection Corp."SANTA MONICA, Calif. (MarketWatch) - Excerpts: "The derivatives market has soared, reaching nearly $300 trillion in value. Considering the total value of the stock and bond markets combined amounts to only $65 trillion, it's worth wondering how so much extra value can be squeezed out of instruments that are essentially fake.Derivatives are priced according to their "notional value" not their "actual value" because their value is based on the performance of an underlying financial asset, index or other investment -- in other words, stocks and bonds. You would think regulators would be concerned about what's effectively a hedge of the capital market as a whole. But they aren't. Indeed, new rules loosen the strictures for pension funds and large institutions to invest in the derivatives market. Any misstep or stumble in the capital market could be a recipe for disaster -- far more than what we have seen in the past. The capital market is hedged now more than ever. The notional value of derivatives has almost tripled overt the last five years, growing from $98 trillion in 2000 to $270 trillion in 2005, according to Wall Street research firm TowerGroup. This year derivatives are on path to grow even more." Mikal- I derivative, you derivative, we can ALL derivative- NOT!"Yet, it wouldn't take all that much to create a domino effect of market mishap. And there is no net. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation, which insures brokerage accounts in the event of a brokerage-firm failure, recently announced its reserves. It has about $1.38 billion. That may sound like a lot. Compared with half a quadrillion, it's a pittance. Scary but true."Mikal- "Thomas, we get the distinct impression you are uncomfortable about something. Let's talk about. Can you meet us for lunch? Say, in a couple months?" Goldilox (9/27/06; 13:14:44MT - usagold.com msg#: 147856) $600 breached http://www.netdania.com/ChartApplet.asp?symbol=XAUUSDOZ%7Ccomstock_lite Good news. Can we put in a floor?Hey, Rich, how about some concrete foundation? ge (9/27/06; 13:07:05MT - usagold.com msg#: 147855) @ Flatliner -Kelanten Gold Dinar http://www.cointalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=13260& Image from:http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?s=013991215257970f084c3de4f5cb0938&t=17736&highlight=dinar mikal (9/27/06; 12:47:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 147854) Snacks to replace "free lunches"? http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=governmentFilingsNews&storyID=2006-09-27T163313Z_01_WBT006018_RTRIDST_0_ECONOMY-TREASURIES-URGENT.XML US Treasury Warns on Bond Market PracticesWed Sep 27, 2006WASHINGTON, Sept 27 (Reuters) - U.S. financial regulators are concerned by an increase in instances of firms trying to profit from controlling a particular Treasury security, a Treasury official told a bond market group on Wednesday."We have observed instances in which firms appeared to gain a significant degree of control over highly sought after Treasury issues and seemed to use that market power to their advantage," Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary James Clouse said in remarks prepared for delivery to the Bond Market Association in New York."In the process, prices in the cash, repo and futures markets appear to have been distorted to varying degrees," he said.Clouse's remarks are the latest in warnings issued by Treasury officials this year that traders' efforts to manipulate markets may push up costs and drive away investors in Treasury security markets."[What about savers and the paltry 1% savings account interest? Rates seem to have a lot of room to run.]"Clouse said the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Federal Reserve Bank, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are conducting regular market surveillance of Treasury cash, repurchase and futures markets."If the situation warrants, cases may be forwarded to the appropriate agency for enforcement action or criminal investigation," Clouse warned.Clouse said regulators would keep a close watch on firms with large positions in specific issues. Regulators will also be alert for abnormally high profits on a security issue of which a firm holds a significant position, he said."There are generally no free lunches in a highly competitive and efficient financial market," Clouse said."["Generally", there are TOO MANY "free lunches" in the rigged and inefficient financial market!] Titan (9/27/06; 12:30:56MT - usagold.com msg#: 147853) $$$$ $ 605.0 $$$$ I wish I could be more optimistic in the figure I'm using, but I don't think it's going to soar by December.I generally subscribe to the theory that gold is being suppressed by the central banks of the world, led by the US FRB. But supply and demand also have a growing role, as more individuals realize gold's inherent value and buy coins, bullion, or jewelry as a way to hold on to the value of their money. I think the revival of the bull will be gradual and not as quick as others are speculating. (However, I'll happily ride that bull if it decides to take off without warning!) Flatliner (9/27/06; 12:21:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 147852) @Gold Dinar This may definitely be a collector's dream. We all know that 50 to 100 ounces will not threaten any fiat currency system. We have all watched as hundreds of tonnes have been sold to India every year yet the system continues just like yesterday. The people of India don't really care if the gold takes the form of coin or jewelry, in either case it represents wealth. Jewelry, to this nation, seems to have more function. The wording in the articles, that I reviewed, seemed to hint that the officials wanted to make it very clear that it was not an official currency, but, it is more like all other government sponsored programs. The US mints coins but they are blackballed from the financial system. It appears that these coins will take on the same status. Overall, this is good. It shows that another country has an official coinage that will provide a measurable instrument for international trade. Does anyone know if there is a picture available on the net yet? We should welcome this newborn. Goldilox (9/27/06; 11:09:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 147851) Gold Dinar @ Flatliner,While the offer is certainly small, it offers a couple inducements. If it catches on in the Islamic world, it presents a potential threat to the debt-based FIAT printers.If not, owning a coin of such tiny mintage would be a collector's dream. Flatliner (9/27/06; 10:12:33MT - usagold.com msg#: 147850) @While no one was looking Bringing the article home so as to see the wording. This article it much different then what Google shows as the only hit.Snip:Kelantan mints govt coinsKOTA BARU: The Federal Government should stop subscribing to the international monetary system where the US Dollar is the major factor in determining the value of other currencies."Kelantan wants Malaysia and other Islamic nations countries to revert to the old monetary system where gold and silver are used instead," said Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat."We cannot allow one or two nations to dominate our currency value and our lives. We must utilise the foundations of Islamic economy where gold and silver were accepted as legal tender," he said.Kelantan yesterday became the first state in the country to launch its own-minted gold dinar and silver dirham coins based on the Islamic financial system.Although there is no legal tender value, the state wants residents to invest in the dinar and dirham, the returns would be based on the trading value of gold and silver in the commodities market.Saying it was the Islamic legal tender since the days of Prophet Muhammad, Nik Aziz wants Bank Negara to better market the dinar and dirham.On the dinar and dirham usage here, Nik Abdul Aziz said the state would first generate awareness about its value and benefits.Then, it would try to standardise the value so that gold and silver could be used for monetary transaction in marriage dowry, haj pilgrimage and zakat payments, he said.Earlier, state finance planning committee chairman Datuk Husam Musa said PAS would invite former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a keynote speaker in a seminar on the use of the dinar and dirham.Dr Mahathir was a proponent of the system so it was only fitting to invite him, Husam said.He announced that since the launch, the manager of the scheme had sold some RM20,000 worth of dinar and dirham coins here.Flatliner – now we Google to see if there is more information (http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ie=UTF-8&q=Gold+Dinar+coin) Google shows this:http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=219551&cat=etKOTA BAHARU, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- Kelantan will introduce its gold dinar to the public on Sept 20, but only to be used as savings, dowry (mas kahwin), zakat and gifts.State Executive Councillor Datuk Husam Musa said the dinar is not the official currency of Kelantan as alleged by some quarters.The usage of the dinar is merely for the Kelantan people to understand the history of the dinar and its usage, he said at the pre-launching of the dinar, here Wednesday.Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat will officially launch the dinar and the Pas-led state government through Permodalan Kelantan Berhad has booked three kilogrammes of gold worth RM240,000 in the form of dinar to be sold to the people.He said the state government also bought dinar worth RM100,000 for the purpose of savings....Flatliner – This article is clear that it is not an official currency. The tone in both articles is quite different. By the way, if RM means Malaysia Ringgits, a net provided currency converter shows 100,000 of those units equal to 27,167 US. In a relative world, this offering is for ants. It is but 50 -100 ounces. ge (9/27/06; 09:31:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 147849) Why is Baltic Dry Index rising? http://alzahr.blogspot.com/search/label/Commodities "The Baltic Dry Index has in the past been helpful to assessing global economic activity. It is, after all, a reflection of real prices paid to ship production inputs across the globe. Since March this year the index has been on a tear, rising 70%, or 1,750 points."http://www.rubbernet.com.sg/baltic_indices.htm mikal (9/27/06; 09:23:47MT - usagold.com msg#: 147848) @Goldilox Is Euro the forward looking index of the day?I think so. Goldilox (9/27/06; 09:11:24MT - usagold.com msg#: 147847) USDX http://charts-d.quote.com:443/1002980432830?User=demo&Pswd=demo&DataType=GIF&Symbol=DX00Y&Interval=10&Ht=600&Wd=800&Display=2&Study=MA&Param1=13&Param2=0&Param3=&FontSize=10 The Euro may be "off to the races", but the Yen is tanking, so the USDX is fairly flat. Goldilox (9/27/06; 09:08:41MT - usagold.com msg#: 147846) Japan seeks imminent China talks http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5383856.stm snip:Shinzo Abe has taken over as PM from Junichiro KoizumiJapan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is keen to hold talks with China as soon as next month, new foreign minister Taro Aso has said.Mr Aso told reporters the new leader wanted talks with China in October, and was ready to travel to Beijing.Outgoing Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had a rocky relationship with neighbouring countries, mainly over his visits to a controversial war shrine.There is hope that a change of leader might bring about a rapprochement.Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has already pledged "relentless efforts" to improve ties, and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun called for relations to develop in a "future-oriented" way.But Mr Abe has so far refused to comment on whether he will continue to visit the controversial Yasukuni war shrine. YASUKUNI SHRINEBuilt in 1869 to honour victims of the Boshin Civil WarNow venerates the souls of 2.5m of Japan's war deadThose enshrined include 14 Class A war criminalsJapan's controversial shrinePress gives verdict on AbeBoth South Korea and China are angry at official Japanese visits to the Yasukuni shrine, which honours war criminals alongside Japan's war dead.The two countries say the shrine glorifies Japan's past militarism, particularly during World War II.China's official media warned on Wednesday that Mr Abe had not yet done enough to resolve the issue, and called on him to state clearly that he would not visit the shrine."Abe has been adopting 'vague tactics', has avoided making a clear stand on whether he will visit the Yasukuni Shrine," the People's Daily said.Ongoing disputes"Now that the prime minister has been replaced, we want to hold a summit somewhere with China in October," Mr Aso told Japanese media."We must consider many things including the option of a visit to China by the prime minister. The change in the premiership came at a good time," he added.Earlier, the new Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said that meetings with top-level officials from Japan's neighbouring countries should take place as soon as possible."I think there is an increasing feeling on both sides to further improve Japan-China and Japan-South Korea relations," Mr Shiozaki said.Chinese President Hu Jintao has refused to meet Mr Koizumi because of his visits to the Yasukuni shrine.The shrine visits are not the only issue on which Japan has clashed with China.The two Asian giants have argued over territorial disputes, gas deposits and the wording of Japanese history textbooks.-Goldilox"the wording in textbooks" - like who were the "bad guys"?Gotta suspect the concerns over energy rights lead the motivation for talks. Goldilox (9/27/06; 08:53:48MT - usagold.com msg#: 147845) Euro http://www.netdania.com/ChartApplet.asp?symbol=EURUSD Off to the races - did you lend them the hounds, Gandalf? Gandalf the White (9/27/06; 08:12:58MT - usagold.com msg#: 147844) OOPS -- Revised Listing of POG Contest ENTRIES ! <;-) $$$ $8,752.0 $$$ The Invisible Hand (9/23/06; 14:30:09MT - usagold.com msg#: 147701)$$$$ $650.0 $$$$ Sundeck (9/22/06; 22:41:10MT - usagold.com msg#: 147683)### $643.0 ### Topaz (9/23/06; 04:57:44MT - usagold.com msg#: 147694)**** $626.2 **** Goldilox (9/23/06; 01:24:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 147686)$$$$ $620.0 $$$$ Clink! (9/22/06; 21:09:58MT - usagold.com msg#: 147681)*** FRN606.7 *** Smeagol (9/23/06; 01:57:50MT - usagold.com msg#: 147687)$$$$ $599.9 $$$$ DryWasher (9/24/06; 15:10:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 147742)$$$$ $595.5 $$$$ Federal_Reserves (9/25/06; 19:01:55MT - usagold.com msg#: 147777)**** $590.3 **** arbyh (9/26/06; 09:30:45MT - usagold.com msg#: 147809)$$$$ $545.0 $$$$ Thoreauly (9/24/06; 10:22:14MT - usagold.com msg#: 147738)===Lots of OPEN SPACE !!The Early Bird will get the GOLD this time, so jump in NOW><;-) Gandalf the White (9/27/06; 08:08:04MT - usagold.com msg#: 147842) TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAA, TAA TAA TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A "PRICE of GOLD" GUESSING CONTEST!! $$$$$$$$$$$$We shall have a price guessing contest on the closing (Settlement price) of gold for the December COMEX contract (GCZ6) on Thursday, October 5, 2006, ---BUT all entries must be posted to the TableRound before Midnight on Monday, October 2nd, AND ALL ENTRIES must answer THE QUESTION !!The POG Contest winner -- the closest price guess to the actual Settlement Price -- will receive a "Dutch Treat" -- No, No, No ! I mean one of these four different types of The Netherlands 10 Guilders gold coinage. IT (<== See that Sir Smeagol ?) could be a: "King Willem", (Minted 1875 - 1889, Fineness: 0.900 and Actual Gold Content: 0.1947 troy ounce; or a "Young Queen Wilhelmina" (Minted 1892 - 1897, Fineness: 0.900 and Actual Gold Content: 0.1947 troy ounce); or a "Queen Wilhemina", (Minted 1911 - 1917. Fineness: 0.900 and Actual Gold Content: 0.1947 troy ounce); or an "Elder Queen Wilhelmina", Minted 1925 - 1933, Fineness: 0.900 and Actual Gold Content: 0.1947 troy ounce) !!!! IT just depends which one SIR MK finds first when he goes down into the dungeon. <;-)Please go to the USAGOLD link at: http://www.usagold.com/gold-coins.html to view these coins.There will be also be two runners-up prizes for the next closest prognostications --- each winning an one ounce pure Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coin. ( <=== See that Sir Rich ?)The QUESTION -- (Put on your THINKING HATS !) -- is: "Who or what put gold to sleep, and who or what is going to wake it up?"Answers should be in 30 words or more.===THE RULES -- (We MUST have RULES !!) --- PLEASE READ !!1) The Winner is the poster with the Price Guess closest to the Settlement price of the COMEX (most active) December 2006 Gold Contract (GCZ6) on the date of Thursday, October 5th, 2006. 2) Price "Guesses" shall be stated in Dollars and tenths !(Such as $ 666.6) 3) "Guesses" shall be SHOWN in the SUBJECT BOX location AND enclosed in markers of "Dollar Signs" so as to be OFFICIAL !(Such as $$$$$ $ 666.6 $$$$$$$ )4) 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".5) HOWEVER, All "Guesses" MUST be posted before the clock in Denver strikes MIDNIGHT (24:00) on Monday, October 2nd, 2006.6) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (as this part MUST accompany your Price prognostication)--- In order for your entry to be valid, YOU will need to answer "THE QUESTION", in 30 words or more.---LET the CONTEST continue !!<;-) Goldilox (9/27/06; 07:01:18MT - usagold.com msg#: 147841) India's gold appetite to continue http://www.mineweb.net/gold_silver/215962.htm snip:JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) --India looks set to retain its position as the world's biggest gold consumer in tonnage terms for many years to come, says the World Gold Council in a new report. Last year India accounted for no less than 22% of global gold jewellery demand and 35% of all net retail investment through gold coins and bars. It is estimated that around 15,000 tons of gold, or 10% of the world's entire above ground gold stocks, are situated in India. -GoldiloxWhy not? They have the jobs to support it. Goldilox (9/27/06; 05:52:40MT - usagold.com msg#: 147840) Spot turned back from 600 in London http://www.netdania.com/ChartApplet.asp?symbol=XAUUSDOZ%7Ccomstock_lite Click the time scale for a zoomed-in view. ViewYesterday's Discussion.
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