A Bloggingstocks reader recently scolded me for mentioning General Electric (NYSE:GE) too often. The reader claims that if I mention the stock it will drop in value again. The reader called it a jinx but I know it's not me, so of course being the loud mouth I am, here I go again. You may file this under "Being told to sit down and shut up never worked for me."

I myself have noticed (though not documented) the enigmatic traveling of General Electric share value. GE makes an advancement... share value declines. GE acquires a profit center... share value declines. GE appoints a stellar performer to an important position... share value declines. Market analysts or writers tout the stock... share value declines. Even after lemming leader Jim Cramer took a positive spin on GE, the inevitable value decline occurred.

By applying that portion of my brain in which resides a bit of healthy paranoia and by analyzing the present situation surrounding GE share value movements, my little experiment has led to one undeniable conclusion. There's an unexplainable dynamic at work here. Yes, the markets do often operate in ways that defy logic, but we've opened GE for discussion often enough that even if we can't find logic we can now assess the deeper patterns. I guess my training in police sciences may pay off after all...

So here's the game plan all you statisticians: Get your pencils out and get your brains in gear. What is the hidden force that is controlling GE share value here? I sure can't figure it out. Who's doing the buying and selling? Who is setting the share price? What insider transactions are taking place? Why are institutional investors so light in this stock? Why are investors so shy of this red hot bargain??? I'll entertain any and all theories on this situation. Conspiracy theories or cold hard calculations are welcome. Either way, over the last 60 days GE stock has been terribly battered without any good reason which I can find.

It's time for someone to explain why this stock is under $40.

Apple's case against PowerPage and AppleInsider has now been dropped. The original case stemmed from Apple's suing the two news sites for publishing "trade secrets" regarding an upcoming product code-named "Asteroid" and requesting the identity of their sources. The trial judge ruled in Apple's favor citing that when "trade secrets" are published by a journalist, the source's first amendment rights are nullified.

The case was appealed, and on May 26, 2006 the State of California Court of Appeal 6th Appellate District ruled in favor of the journalists, citing that indeed the sources' are indeed protected by the First Amendment.

The news today is that Apple has dropped further appeals on this case, and the EFF confirmed that Apple filed documents that it would not pursue the case further.

Apple's case against ThinkSecret is still pending as is the legal battle between the Beatles' Apple Corps and Apple.