by Mac a'Bhaird

Created on: February 22, 2010

I am assuming the company or companies we are talking about are publicly held companies that have shareholders. It (the company) now has more liabilities than assets; the short sellers have moved in and have made a bundle as the stock tanked to next to nothing. It’s like an Apache massacre.  Now the only value to the stock is the purchasing of the shares to cover the short sellers. That amounts to what is called a dead cat bounce. So now other speculators are moving in, taking positions, hoping the Lone Ranger and Tonto will turn this thing around. Meanwhile, loyal stockholders have lost their britches, they are hunkered down waiting for a miracle. Rumor has it that a masked man and his Indian friend know how to stop the massacre and turn the tide.

First of all, the sheriff that was sleeping on the job and allowed the Apaches to surround the town deserves nothing. If he gets a bonus then the share holders need to revolt. Take his badge from him, lynch him, tar and feather him, or run him out of town.

But now, if, pray tell, the Lone Ranger gets this company out from underneath this Apache slaughter, should he get a bonus?

For one thing, why would any decent law abiding Lone Ranger be interested in putting his life and reputation on the line for this despicable little Western town if he didn’t have some incentive? If he can pick those redskins off while riding full speed on his horse, other Western towns that are about to be surrounded by Apaches or robbed by Black Bart need him too. And don’t think for a minute he’s not going to go where the money is. What do you take him for, a dummy? I am sorry, but that’s not how the Old West works.

Remember Big Red that used to put out the oil well fires? They say that if you had to ask him how much he charged, you couldn’t afford him. But if MILLIONS of dollars of oil was going up in smoke and you wanted your FIRE OUT, he’s the one that could do it. How does anyone think the Lone Ranger doesn’t work the same way?

Quite frankly, that’s the American way. Any West Texas town that is facing a threat from cattle rustlers or Apaches or Black Bart himself and wants the Lone Ranger to come and fix their troubles better be ready to pony up.

Learn more about this author, Mac a'Bhaird.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.