F/head,I like to think that the dudes I'm debating with here are...

F/head,

I like to think that the dudes I'm debating with here are educated individuals, not relying on 'hope' to make some money. Hope isn't a viable investment strategy.

The idea that there's a worldwide conspiracy to defraud the goldbugs is so looney that those that believe in it need to take a long hard look at themselves.

It's well known that in the goldbug community paranoia is rife, it's always someone elses fault.

Anyway, I certainly wouldn't be 'backing the truck up' at the moment because gold's $70 away from a major fall.

Yes, I'm an optimist myself, shares have been a lousy punt for 10 years, and gold's been a good punt for some reason I can't fathom. The world won't descend into chaos, believe me, despite what you may have read here for the last few years. It just hasn't happened.

Shares (except gold) are a good punt ATM.

Cheers