Pat Schwind Presents: Strategic Edge Thursday, 09/25/2008

Randall Holmes of the Az. Advocacy Network, re: “Election Fraud 2008 — How Bad Can It Be?!”

Minutes of 09/11/2008

1. Attended 09/11/2008 : Frank Rickey, Mark Sorhdal, Ed Stroup, Pat Schwind, Olga Strickland, Russ & Margo Wittenberg, Bill Searle, Powell Gammill, Michael Jordan Jr., Kevin Johnston, Mike Ross, Jim Shabazian, Henry Geist, Mary McPherson, Rich Woods, our speaker, Barbara Blewster, along with her husband Bill, & grand-daughter Debra Wadsworth.

2. Barbara Blewster gave a great presentation re: The Real Origins of Nursery Rhymes & the Cultural Implications. I'm sorry I don't have space to "do justice" to the wonderful job she did. I must instead clarify statements I made in the last 'minutes'; (see V). Barb gave real historical meaning to many nursery rhymes, which were recited by the 'common folk' unable to criticize the Church, various monarchies & political figures. We hope to bring Barb back next spring, when we have a major debate at the S/E: "Do Gay Folks Choose to be Gay, or are they simply Born Gay?"

3. Our next meeting is this Thursday, 09/25/2008

   Please arrive before 7:30 AM at “JIM’s CONEY ISLAND CAFE”, 1750 No. Scottsdale Rd., Tempe, at the southwest corner of Scottsdale & Cavalier, Click Here for a map, 1 block south of McKellips, ~ 1 mile north of the 202 Freeway.

   Our speaker will be Randall Holmes of the Az. Advocacy Network, re: “Election Fraud 2008 — How Bad Can It Be?!”

   Bring Guests!

4. Future Speakers
   • 10/09- Local Progressive Radio talk show host, Cynthia Black, re: "Election Preview".
   • 10/23- Open Forum for candidates; Committed so far: Russell Pearce, John Thrasher, Mike Shoen & Powell Gammill.
   • 11/6- Local Investor & "Political Junkie" Jack Gregson, re: Real Estate & the Coming Economic Collapse.
   • 11/20- Election Wrap-up: What happened & Why! Dem, GOP & Libertarian "Honcho" speakers TBA.
   • 12/4- Fight Fascism Locally!! CameraFraud.Com: Fight Photo-Radar.
   • 12/18- Libertarian Congressional Candidate, Powell Gammill re: Bio-Terrorism: Relevant Threat or Outright Hoax?

5. Publisher's Note: In the minutes of our 8/28 meeting, I stated that I agreed with our speaker, Buster Quist, & his advice to be "fully invested" at this time, in stocks, real estate & commodities, based on his contention that before the "Big Kahuna" (economic collapse), we may have 2 to 5+ years in which the U.S. Gov't, & specifically the FED, will do anything, including debase our currency further, via inflation, to "simply 'keep the economy humming', ... I was predicting the "Big Kahuna" 2 decades ago; I was just way 'ahead of my time'. After "sluggin' it out in the trenches of capitalism" for most of the last 3 decades, I'd say that Buster's "right on time"."

   This was not 100% honest: I don't doubt the gov't will 'ruin the dollar', via inflation, & this could raise commodity & real estate prices significantly. This could be quite profitable for folks currently buying real estate at 25%+ 'discounts' (off the 'peak'), & precious metals, which have 'backed-off' their recent highs, by 20 - 25%. But regarding (broad common) stocks, (& mutual funds), I have not been 'bullish' for many years, & over the past 2, Marie & I rebalanced our portfolio significantly, so that as of 8-11-8, 90% of our portfolio was in Cash, 'Fixed' (GICs: Guaranteed Insurance Contracts), & Gold funds. We also have lots of equity in our home, but no other R/E at this time. I felt comfortable praising Buster's advice, since I've "zigged when I shoulda zagged" so much of my (investing) life, the FED did 'bail-out' Bear-Stearns, & I do believe buying almost any investment at '20 - 25% off' with a 'long term hold' strategy, often pays off handsomely. Have stocks, commodities & R/E 'bottomed-out'? Who knows! If I did, I'd be drinking fancy cocktails on some posh beach, instead of schlepping mortgage money!

   I do know that for most folks, trying to 'catch the peaks & troughs' in any market is fruitless; most investors must "buy on the way down & sell on the way up", to capture anything better than 'market averages'. Marie & I plan to make some major shifts into deeply discounted R/E & stocks, in the next few years; but is now the time? Again, WHO KNOWS! I don't give specific investment advice professionally. Once in a while I really 'get it right', e.g. a few years ago when I suggested my friends & fans buy gold at $435, or 8-11-8, when I moved a huge chuck of our portfolio out of stock mutual funds. I think Buster's one of the smartest 'business brains' in the U.S. today, & I suggest you read his book, "The Aftermath of Greed". But please don't think any one opinion, (especially mine!), on economic matters 'is gospel'! Please, do your own homework! If you need a good financial advisor, call me; I know some you should consult. Good Luck.

Sincerely, Pat Schwind, MBA