Subject: File No. S7-25-06
From: Lowell D. Girod

February 24, 2007

I am a qualified investor, by either set of your rules. But I believe if you qualify by either standard, you should be savy enough to figure out investing and be allowed to invest in hedge funds or other limited funds and stocks.

I think the average investor should be allowed all the advantages of a more wealthy investor. How much more risk could be involved than that involved in option trading.

Respectfully,

L. D. Girod