There are times over the past few years that we have heard the bull is back, then the market is turning bearish, then it's a Goldilocks market -- not too hot, not to cold -- just right. What the heck is going on... absolutely nothing! And at the same time we are also told we are entering periods of potential earth shattering events!

If we made a list of all the reasons for negative sentiment in the market it would be a long one. Interest rates have been rising consistently for several years. The housing market is cooling off (I'm not a bubble believer). Our trade deficit and national debt have been rising unabated. The dollar has been weak. We are at war in Iraq and in conflict with a half dozen countries, the scariest being Iran. Some of our "allies" set new records for backstabbing and limp support of what should be our common interests. Israel/Lebanon are again in direct conflict. Hurricanes hit hard and global warming has become a hot topic (sorry, couldn't resist). And did I mention what seems like the staggering prices for fuel and basic commodities like steel, and concrete and, and... that's enough. You would think on the surface of it this would be enough to sink the market. However, give or take a few percentage points the stock market seems to be OK.