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8:30 AM EST, Tuesday, November 13, 2007: There is no way to time the stockmarket. Only a fool would try. That said, I'm now trying. I believe now is the time to go to cash. Now is NOT the time to be heavily invested in equities (unless you're shorting or buying puts). All the internal market statistics -- from stocks making new lows, to the depth and breadth of the market, to indiscriminate fear-based selling, to breaking through trendlines, to the lousy internal "technicals" of the market, to weaknesses in every sector -- are pointing to a lousy upcoming (i.e. weak, declining) stockmarket. These indications (for want of a better word) happened before -- in 2000 and 2002.

These weekly chart are instructive. I drew in the trendline. Notice how we've broken through support.

This is the longer picture. It could look ominous, depending on your bent. It sort of says ": Enough for now."

Do not be fooled by bear market bounces, which are often violent, and short-lived.

Having cash -- as I've advocated before -- is a good thing. It will allow us to pounce on bargains. Just know: they're aren't yet here.

Patience is today's big virtue.

Dell's brilliant new sales pitch. Dell will sell you a computer or laptop without all the "demoware" and "craplets" that so often gum up a new computer, often causing it to lock right out of the box.

I've had this weird theory that computer companies now make more money on craplets and demoware than they make selling the hardware. The PC world is that competitive. I bet other companies will sell you a PC with Windows XP and without all the craplets and demoware if you insist. And I bet they won't even charge extra.

File this under Count Your Blessings.

From the BBC July 26, 2003

Equatorial Guinea's "God" President Teodoro Obiang Nguema is serving a third seven-year term

State radio in the tiny west African state of Equatorial Guinea has hailed the nation's leader as "the country's God". In a programme called Bidze-Nduan (Bury the fire) which deals with "peace, tranquillity and the order reigning in the country" the radio declared that President Teodoro Obiang Nguema was "in permanent contact with the Almighty".

It said that the president was "like God in heaven" who has "all power over men and things".

The BBC's reporter in Malabo, Rodrigo Angue Nguema, says a large proportion of the national population listens to state radio and that there are no newspapers in the country.

President Nguema won the 2002 presidential elections by almost 100% to serve a third, seven-year term.

"He can decide to kill without anyone calling him to account and without going to hell because it is God himself, with whom he is in permanent contact, and who gives him this strength," a presidential aide announced on the show.

The radio show, which claims to "inform and mobilise the masses on issues of national interest", has warned against any attempt to disrupt the peace and order which, it said, had reigned since President Obiang, 61, took power in a coup 23 years ago.

The remarks were made in a weekly programme presented by the presidential aide and broadcast in Fang, the language used by the majority ethnic group, which makes up 80% of the population of about 500,000.

From the BBC October 20, 2007

Country profile: Equatorial Guinea

Since independence in 1968, Equatorial Guinea has been ruled by two men - from the same family - who have been described by a variety of human rights organisations as among the worst abusers of human rights in Africa.

In recent years the former Spanish colony has become one of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest oil producers.

Large oil and gas deposits were discovered off Bioko in the mid-1990s and their exploitation has driven spectacular growth. In 2004 Equatorial Guinea had the world's fastest-growing economy.

But few people have benefited from the oil riches and the country ranks near the bottom of a UN human development index. ... The corruption watchdog Transparency International has put Equatorial Guinea in the top 10 of its list of corrupt states. Despite calls for more transparency in the sector, President Obiang has said oil revenues are a state secret.

In 1996 Equatorial Guinea's first multi-party presidential election was held amid reports of widespread fraud and irregularities, returning President Obiang Nguema with 99% of the vote.

His government has been accused of widespread human rights abuses and of suppressing political opposition. A government-in-exile has been formed by opposition leaders living in exile in Spain; President Obiang accused its leader of sponsoring a failed coup in 2004.

In the 1970s it became notorious when the widespread human rights abuses of President Francisco Nguema caused a third of the population to flee.

Mr Obiang Nguema overthrew his uncle, President Francisco Nguema, in 1979. The former leader was tried and executed. The new president proclaimed an amnesty for refugees and released some 5,000 political prisoners, but kept the absolute control he had inherited.

Officials said President Obiang Nguema won more than 97% of the vote in the country's most-recent presidential elections, in December 2002. Opposition candidates had withdrawn from the poll, citing fraud and irregularities.

"What's that big brass gong?" one of the guests asked.

"It's not a gong. It's a talking clock," the drunk replied.

"A talking clock? Seriously?" asked his astonished friend.

"Yup," replied the drunk.

"How's it work?" the friend asked, squinting at it.

"Watch," the drunk replied. He picked up the mallet, gave the gong an ear-shattering pound, and stepped back.

The three stood looking at one another for a moment.......

Suddenly, someone on the other side of the wall screamed, "You asshole..it's three-fifteen in the morning!"

This column is about my personal search for the perfect investment. I don't give investment advice. For that you have to be registered with regulatory authorities, which I am not. I am a reporter and an investor. I make my daily column -- Monday through Friday -- freely available for three reasons: Writing is good for sorting things out in my brain. Second, the column is research for a book I'm writing called "In Search of the Perfect Investment." Third, I encourage my readers to send me their ideas, concerns and experiences. That way we can all learn together. My email address is . You can't click on my email address. You have to re-type it . This protects me from software scanning the Internet for email addresses to spam. I have no role in choosing the Google ads on this site. Thus I cannot endorse, though some look interesting. If you click on a link, Google may send me money. Please note I'm not suggesting you do. That money, if there is any, may help pay Michael's business school tuition. Read more about Google AdSense, click here and here.
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