Operation Spamalot: protecting the tragically gullible

The Securities and Exchange Commission has launched "Operation Spamalot," an initiative to shut down those annoying "hot stock" investment spammers, who profit when they manage to drive up the price of some cheap stock with investment tip spam. (WP)

"Shareholders lost tens of millions of dollars in the past year by biting on fraudulent Internet offers to 'ride the bull' or win 'fast money' by buying thinly traded stocks, agency officials said."

Whoa, Nelly--Tens of millions of dollars? Who on earth are these people? These people who get an unsolicited e-mail from some stranger, like the one below, and think, "hey, not a bad idea?" This is why we need the nanny state.