You are correct in your assessment, and what many traders

You are correct in your assessment, and what many traders do not realize is the depth of deceit that some of those message board haters will go to

This is an early thesis written by a stock promoter that did not get a contract with WOLV. I think his motives will become clear now

The Method of Operation of the Professional Basher

Monday, October 7, 2002
by Hal Engel

Mr. John Doe or Mr. Anonymous, do you really think you are fooling everyone with your hypocrisy? You write suggestive messaging to have a subliminal effect on your readers. Don't you know Mr. JD or Mr. A through education the reader understands you are just doing your jobs? The intelligent and educated poster understands you are professionals. If they don’t they will after reading this article. You will be known in this article as the "Suggester" not as the "Basher".

Words to Understand:

Hypocrisy: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; esp: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion. Source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Example: claiming to stand for truth and honesty and attempt to hold someone accountable for every scintilla that comes along, while at the same time telling blatant lies and making unfounded false accusations against innocent people, and showing gross disrespect to those individuals that would hold the claimant accountable himself. Source: an anonymous friend

Subliminal: 1: inadequate to produce a sensation or perception 2: existing or functioning outside the area of conscious awareness <the mind><technics in advertising>-subliminally\adv Source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

Example: The use of subliminal messages to discourage unwanted behavior. The use of subliminal messages on post boards is used to counter the possessiveness that exists in the mind in regards to an investment. This is a masking medium used in suggestiveness posting working on the subconscious minds of the readers.

Suggest: 1 a obsolete: to seek to influence: seduce b: to call forth :evoke c : to mention or imply as a possibility <suggested that he might bring his family> d : to propose as desirable or fitting <suggest a stroll> e : to offer for consideration or as a hypothesis <suggest a solution to a problem>
2 a : to call to mind by thought or association <the explosion... suggested sabotage -- F. L. Paxson> b : to serve as a motive or inspiration for <a play suggested by a historic incident>

Suggester: synonyms - SUGGEST, IMPLY, HINT, INTIMATE, INSINUATE, mean to convey an idea indirectly. SUGGEST may stress putting into the mind by association of ideas, awakening of a desire, or initiating a train of thought <a film title that suggests its subject matter>, IMPLY is close to SUGGEST: but may indicate a more definite or logical relation of the unexpressed idea to the expressed <measures implying that bankruptcy was imminent>. HINT implies the use of slight or remote suggestion with a minimum of overt statement <hinted that she might have a job lined up>. INTIMATE stresses delicacy of suggestion without connoting any lack of candor <intimates that there is more to the situation than meets the eye>. INSINUATE applies to the conveying of a usually unpleasant idea in a sly underhanded manner <insinuated that there were shady dealings>. Source: Merriam-Webster OnLine Dictionary

Questions

I had a good friend recently email asking me a few questions in regards to "bashers". Here are a few of his questions. I don’t think he is the only one that asks these questions. I hope what I have written might help answering his questions and educate others.

1. "Why to bashers posting on a board all day>Being negative>bad investment this and that> blah blah...WHY do they spend all day talking about something they hate?"
2. "Are they bored?"
3. "Are they just mad at something?"
4. "Are they paid?"

Types of Bashers/Suggesters

Basher/Suggesters are their own select breeds, most claim to be individuals with merit. Readers read they are here to help or they only want facts known so others don’t lose their money. They want the reader to think they have all the facts wanting to be the savior for everyone. Readers tend to follow the strong writer on a post board. Not many professional bashers/suggesters are weak individuals. Dominance with factual content is a key to the successful basher/suggester. Also basher/suggesters are accused of various relationships with the company or the stock. Below are ten examples why someone might be posting as the basher/suggester on a public post board. Not all fall in the category of the "Professional Basher" but they do have a motive to see a company’s stock price fluctuate.

1. They are employees that are not currently happy with the company.
2. They are x-employees that have quit or maybe fired
3. They are previous employees or employees of a company that is in some form of reorganization
4. They are competitors in some form
5. They have lost money in regards to the investment in company stock
6. They have friends that have lost money investing in the company stock
7. They are short sellers on this particular stock
8. They are related to some type of Market Making firm
9. They are paid by some unknown firm or individual to ruin the image of the company for various reasons
10. They are swing trading the moves of the stock-pumping up and bashing down
11. They are self proclaimed scam busters

The Methods

1. Compiling Data

The suggester begins by compiling a list of data prior to beginning their suggestive bashing efforts. The suggester begins the informational gathering process by searching the company’s 10K and 10QSB’ reports. This is easy for them do to through sites like Free Edgar. Within the 10K & 10QSB companies’ list all financial data pertaining to past and current situations that have affected or will effect the company’s ability to operate in the future such as current pending lawsuits. The professional suggester makes sure they have enough information to answer all questions therefore they are able to create debate style rebuttals.

Here is a normal disclaimer an abnormal disclaimer and a legal disclaimer copied out of a two different 10QSB that profession suggesters use all the time.

1. GENERAL The statements contained in this Form 10-QSB, if not historical, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results, financial or otherwise, or other expectations described in such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement or statements speak only as of the date on which such statements were made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statements are made or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Therefore, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as prediction of actual future results.
2. This Annual Report on Form 10-KSB includes forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Forward Looking Statements"). All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report are Forward Looking Statements. In the normal course of its business, the Company, in an effort to help keep its shareholders and the public informed about the Company's operations, may from time-to-time issue certain statements, either in writing or orally, that contain or may contain Forward-Looking Statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such Forward Looking Statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of such plans or strategies, past and possible future, of acquisitions and projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions made by or to be made by the Company, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings, levels of capital expenditures or other aspects of operating results. All phases of the Company operations are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are outside the control of the Company and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect the results of the Company's proposed operations and whether Forward Looking Statements made by the Company ultimately prove to be accurate. Such important factors ("Important Factors") and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in this report. All prior and subsequent written and oral Forward Looking Statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Important Factors described below that could cause actual results to differ materially
3. The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial statements of the Company.

2. Suggestive Posting

Once all data is complied suggestive posting begins. Now that the suggester is armed for battle with all the data he can possible find they begin posting using approximately 25% fact and 75% suggestive posting. In this suggestive method of posting there are messages that subliminally effect the mind of the reader by planting doubt. The normal method of suggestive posting is to refer back to SEC registrations such as quarterly statements, earnings and lawsuits while cutting and pasting the parts the reader will find troublesome. The facts they pull from SEC records will lend credibility to their suggestions. However, they never set out a thesis. A common tactic is to highlight in bold a section and attempt to hold that you the reader must explain the highlighted section. Follow this example: Mary had a little lamb. So where’s the lamb now? They never write about the forward progress of a company this might interfere with their mission. The suggester keys in on the weakest unskilled posters that are not capable of combating their data facts. The facts a suggester uses are coordinated facts that will even bring the most intelligent posters down to his level.

3. Religious Posting

Recently a new suggester has entered the arena suggesting they are posting in the name of God to save investors from loss. This is the more pathetic suggester that uses God, holiness and sin to create doubt in investor confidence while trying to add credence to their distasteful persona.  Here are a few examples taken of a Raging Bull message board posted by Mary Cummings, "...You are a sinner", "Your souls are doomed for lying, cheating and stealing.", ".it's a sin",  "By: mistress__mmmary.Mary, mother of god."  In this post the suggester Mary uses another alias, mrs_mmmary, referring herself to Mother Theresa  while she complains to the Raging Bull TOS department about losing aliases she continued to make after her suspension, "They seem to count the number of tos reports and not look at the content."Mother Theresa getting kicked by 50 slimey stock promoters and she makes one complaint? 50 slimey stock promoters making 50 complaints about a saint in their presence? Kick the saint out=less work."

Things are changing when the suggester starts to refer to themselves as a saint or a Godly individual such as Mother Theresa.

4. Multiple Alias Posting

The suggester will develop multiple aliases, possible using more then one ISP or computers to try to hide his location. They have been known to go to Libraries or Internet Coffee Shops to use computers while running their bashing onslaught on a particular company. They don’t start out with a full frontal assault on the company or it’s shareholders. This full attack is counter-productive and hurts the image the suggester needs for their credibility. Therefore they methodically work their assault into high gear. Through the multiple alias usage the suggester will stimulate discussion to build supportive rapport with the reader. During this discussion with others the suggester will joke and play on a post board with others trying to win their following. All this slowly builds the credibility of the aliases. Once the suggesters have built the rapport with the posters of a board they start their premeditated onslaught of planting doubt with suggestive posting. This normally takes place by four or five aliases dominating a board wearing down the longs. They will also use multiple aliases posting to each other building each alias up trying to show the reader they are knowledgeable about the subject supporting each other’s views. At this point many longs that are easily influenced fall right into the trap set by the basher.

5. Planting Doubt

One thing that is very important is suggesters are not there to create a fast plunge in the stock price. By planting subliminal suggestive doubt about the ability of the company to make a profit day after day the share price declines gradually. The suggester does not want a fast plunge in share price because this might focus outright intent to damage the company and could be used in a potential future lawsuit by the company. Many companies are currently filing lawsuits and the main reason is share price decline that they blame on basher/suggesters posts on message boards. Suggesting a reverse spilt in high authorized and outstanding share count companies is also a method the suggester uses to plant doubt. Many investors have witnessed companies do reverse splits when issued shares reach the authorized allowance. Many of the small companies need capitalization and issue shares for working capital or to pay down debt. The suggester will always play on the reverse split issue. This is a given for the professional basher.

The reader will also witness the use of all caps in wording. This is especially true when reading post headings. The heading of a message is the first to catch the eye of the reader. The reader does not even have to enter the post to read the entire suggestive message. The heading has already subliminally had an effect on the reader. A few examples of this method of posting are headings such as: "SELL NOW BEFORE IT IS TO LATE!", "THE CEO IS A FRAUD!", ""THIS DOG IS DEAD!", "HEADED FOR THE PINKS!", "ABOUT TO GET DELISTED!", "SELL! SELL ! SELL!", "INSIDERS ARE SELLING!", "WHO IS DOING ALL THE SELLING?!", "SOMEONE IS SELLING, WHO?". THIS STOCK WILL TANK TOMORROW!", SELL THIS DOG NOW!"

These are just a few headings you might have read while visiting your favorite stocks post board.

6. Long PR Suggestions

The suggester discourages the longs about taking the companies word on any forward projection. If the company’s forward projection history and PR's are not completed the suggester brings this subject up constantly pointing towards the inability of the company to follow through with completion of announcements contained in PRs. Then they encourage the long to call the company and question the validity of PR projection and why they are never completed. Many of these PRs contain acquisitions intents or other forward projections. The suggester also encourages the long to ask about other issues such as reverse splits. If the company is questionable the suggester will post company phone numbers until longs are habitually bombarding the company with calls about PRs and why there is no follow through on other announcements. The basher knows many longs will not call a company and will just sell after others report in post what they are told or what they were not told.

7. Use Hypesters for Fuel

All post boards have the hypester present just like all boards have the suggester present. The suggester looks for the hypesters on a board. They zero in and target these types of posters. They understand the enthusiasm of the hypester and when confronted they know the hypester will return posting. This allows the suggester to keep the flow of posts moving and use the hypester to their advantage. These debate style posts play right into the suggester’s needs to create a debate atmosphere on a board. This allows the suggester to post some of his factual data while he proves the hypster is mostly all hype. Remember most suggesters are very professional and you should not consider them ordinary posters. Very seldom do you read a professional suggester calling a hypester or a poster names or using profanity in their posts. But the hypester loses credibility because 100% of the time he attacks the suggester with name-calling. This name-calling by the hypester adds to the credibility of the suggester.

8. Knows When Identified

The suggesters know when a board has them identified and they need to back off. They will put up a brief fight then back off very quickly. The suggester does not leave for long. After a short hiatus, maybe an hour they are right back to posting. The poster that makes them back off the quickest is a poster that does not argue or try to do battle with the suggester. This poster will confront the suggester with logic and facts. This type of poster is easy for the suggester to identify. Under normal circumstances the basher does not even attempt to answer this type of poster. The suggester realizes this poster would only damage what he just took hours, days or weeks to accomplish while building rapport with reader.

9. Share Price

When a stock price is moving up the suggester takes his time suggesting and covering all the bad points of the company. The suggester understands the share price will hesitate as it moves up. The suggester is a professional and well versed with the understandings of market momentum and meanings such as overbought and oversold. At each hesitation point the suggester will pick up posting until the share price is considered to high to buy by longs or an overbought condition is apparent. Once the suggester thinks a turn in price to the downside starts, posting picks up again. It is common for a basher to bash a stock heavier as they move down. Every time the suggester is able to plant a little more doubt someone sells and perpetuates the selling pushing the stock price lower. Once the suggester has that down trend established he knows he has won. At every level the stock price hesitates while moving down the bashers posting frequency picks up. Also at this time the long only becomes frightened because of there loses are increasing each step of the move down. Once the oversold condition is apparent the suggester will back off and allow the longs to move a price up again. This is very true for suggesters that are playing the rolls in a stock, trading in and out of their positions. When considering share price we need to remember I wrote ten types of basher/suggesters. Not all of them want to see a company close its doors.

To summarize the above we read ten reasons why a basher/suggester would spend day after day posting on an Internet post board. The reasons consist of a very wide range from hatred towards the company to trading the company’s stock in the open market. No matter which of the ten categories the poster falls in he is still grouped into the category of the "Basher". The use of the above sub topics, Compiling Data, Suggestive Posting, Religious Posting, Multiple Alias Posting, Planting Doubt, Long Shareholder Suggestions, Use Hypesters for Fuel, Knows When Identified and Share Price listed under heading Methods gives the methods the professional will use to fulfill their objective. Once they have entered into this elite profession they have graduated from basher entering the elite classification known as the "Professional Basher".

Written by,
Hal Engel