Subject: File No. S7-08-09
From: Thomas A Closson

May 5, 2009

I strongly favor the proposed uptick rule, not the proposed modified uptick rule. I was not personally harmed by the bear raids, but it was sickening to watch companies being driven to the brink of ruin by them. I also strongly support having circuit breakers in place. I believe the stock market originated as a mechanism to give enterprises a way to seek public capital. If we allow it to become a hunting ground for hedge funds, our financial system will be severely damaged.