Today Is This Great Forum's 1st Anniversary!

[MediumTex]

It's been a great pleasure to have such informative and civil discussions with so many smart and well-informed people.

Thanks to all who participate for making this forum (as a supplement to and commentary on Harry Browne's books and other writings) easily the best permanent portfolio resource out there.

[dualstow]

Thank *you* MediumTex, for all the interesting and informative posts, and for helping to run the forum.
I wish Harry were still alive so that he could chime in here once in a while. I'd think he'd be proud to see Craig continuing his efforts to get the word out.

[moda0306]

Thanks for all your input MT.  You and Craig are certainly doing an amazing job carrying on the HB torch.  I'm not a religious guy, but if a human spirit can interprety 1's and 0's, then there's a libertarian tear of joy being shed as more and more people are exposed to HB's philosophy and insights in such unsure times.  It's interesting to see this portfolio and HB's philosophies work their ways not only from investing to macroeconomics, but to other topics from disaster inventories to child-raising to the value of an education.  In a desert of mindless political and opinionated bs discouraging me about the future of discourse and my own ability to seek out honest, well-informed perspectives, this forum is an oasis.  Not to sell HB short, but I don't think the quality of this forum would have manifested itself naturally simply given HB's philosophies.  I feel like the initial calm, informed insights of Craig & MT attracted the best minds and left the overzealous baffoons that populate so many forums feeling like they 1) are totally out of place and therefore leave, or 2) that they can change their ways and that it's worth it to have more cool discussions.

Also to all the other contributors out there.  Lone Wolf, TBV, and LifestyleFreedom with their libertarian perspectives, Adam1226 and Storm with coming from the other side (to some degree) with some much-appreciated skepticism of libertarianism, Wonk with all his trend charts I can rarely bring myself to read through and Devil's Advocate type perspectives to some of our market assumptions.  And everyone else, probably not as memorable to me due to lack of several "arguments" (read: discussions) I've had with ones specifically mentioned above, and especially some of the newer members who ask new questions about the PP, or old questions in new ways that make us rethink something or remember something we've forgotten, not to mention seeing their "aha" moments happen as they did for all of us at one time regarding some of the nuances of the PP and HB's philosophies.  There's literally nobody I can think of that doesn't contribute to the debate/discussion here, even if all their doing is trying to poke holes in the PP or asking "simple" questions that stimulate further discussion and bring old thoughts back to the surface.

PS, Put me in the camp that feels like I've been part of this forum for years, not the "it feels like just yesterday" crowd.

[Lone Wolf]

Ah, very nice!  Congratulations, all.

Thanks to everyone here for creating such a great atmosphere.  I'm not precisely sure how you assemble such a smart, rational bunch of people, but I'm glad it happened.

And I especially have to thank MediumTex and craigr for creating such a fine spot and filling it with so much excellent content of their own.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your time.

[moda0306]

I dread the day Mrs. Tex has another Little Tex and the rest of us attempt to take on MT's poetic style and wise insights in his absence.  Clive may be able to give us a graphical representation of the downward "epiphany quotient" trend of the forum members accross said period.  Surely TBV will blame the tax subsidies given to childbirth and blame the govt.

I kid.

[Roy]

This board is the most visible example of erudite, gentlemanly, and long-sustained leadership by Tex and Craig.  It's been a privilege to have been part of discussions such as these. I have learned much, especially about myself in this continuing process.

[l82start]

congratulations to the forum and all who run it, participate, and read what is posted here...

[Wonk]

Hear, hear!  Congrats and many thanks to all contributors, with special thanks to Medium Tex and Craig for their selfless devotion to helping others and spreading goodwill.  HB would have been proud to see his PP legacy live on.

[craigr]

The forum wouldn't be great if it wasn't for the excellent posters. Thanks to all for contributing.

[Liz L.]

This really is an extraordinary group, thanks for being here.

[6 Iron]

This forum has been a joy to read and take part in. I learn from you all, and always look forward to your wisdom and humor. Happy anniversary.

[KevinW]

It truly is a great resource.

Prior to Craig and Tex' efforts the PP had a minimal internet presence and was on track to become a lost art.  Thanks for carrying Browne's torch into the Web 2.0 age.

I've been pleased with the consistently civil, congenial atmosphere, even in the midst of spirited debates.

[BRESLOW]

Thanks for all the great information. I am a PP convert.

[Coffee]

Salud!

[Reub]

I am honored to be is such great company!

[melveyr]

Hmm. This is interesting but I created my PP about a year ago as well! Funny coincidence. It's been a good year for PP investors, eh?

When you think about Egypt, Libya and Japan, our portfolios basically shrugged. This is nice because we can worry more about the human nature of these events, rather than be distracted by money!

[gizmo_rat]

Indeed, this forum reminds me of Usenet C. 1993, a haven of civility and knowledge.