puts on aapl and goog, if you're brave.

AAPL yes.

GOOG: that's not brave, that's roulette.

I recently purchased some SIRI, Sirius Satellite Radio. Howard Stern will be there in a few weeks, and I would think there would be a surge, at least temporarily. I would think that many people will invest in getting the service installed, sending their revenues way upward, resulting in high rating.

Don't think it will last forever though, as they are into Howard for 500 million.

Best,

I'm glad to see that my one foray into "value" investing (i.e. Porsche stock) has returned a whopping .07%. May I interest you all in a new Cayman? :D

The oil thing is flat short term. Long term still looks like the place to be. I'm going a bit defensive with more Gold (IAU). The market looks weak for at least the first half of 2006.
Any other advice for an a economy facing higher energy costs, higher interest rates, flat or falling home prices, continued over spending by our government?
Oh, my choices were BR, XOM, CVX and IAU. Sold the oil, bought more Gold.

Two of my favorite questions: Who has money? Where are they going to spend it?

In times of greater perceived risk, go with safer investments. I-bonds for one year, CDs, MM, and if you have a sizeable equity position, one could hedge with an inverse/bear market mutual fund. After all, when you see see storm clouds, it's best to slow down and preserve what you've got.

That's easy.
Question 1:Federal government
Question 2:iRaq (just like eBay).