Originally Posted by CDSmith

Giving advice in an official capacity like a broker is one thing (and I'm quite sure most of them have some sort of clause in their broker-client agreements that at least protect them to a degree), but some non-broker posting his OPINION on a public message board about stocks and investing isn't the same at all.

In fact it's not even close.

The original poster in this thread is clueless if he thinks people shouldn't be allowed to post their opinions, about investing or anything else. If someone chooses to act on that advice or opinion and loses money it's their own fault.