cubsfan

Nice clip. McCain certainly understood Putin, unlike Obama. Putin’s philosophy: People who are weak, deserve to be exploited

Yeah, terrible news. Seems the first victory in a while for Russia. I’d be surprised if Russia ever rebuilds anything in Ukraine. I think Chechnya is pretty much a wasteland. Not sure about Georgia? If Ukraine is able to remove the Russians for good, the costs of rebuilding the country are going to be astronomical.

Trust in Ajit. Wasn’t the deal we could have a max loss at $15B, but make $7B? Talk about high stakes betting. Pretty cool if you ask me… I wonder where Berkshire falls in the line of liabilities? After who pays out, etc?

Sam was quite the guy here in Chicago. Told it like it is...never knew he was a lawyer. He was a real down to earth guy.

Well said. No doubt.

yup - looking real good and really fit!

Hilarious

Funny boy. Still can’t explain those dramatic increases in longevity and health care - can you??? Yeah - colonialism certainly was not done for noble reasons, as it exploited the natives for natural resources, etc. But the positives of better lives has long outlived the exploitations.

Att the same time you despise the British Empire in Africa, you can thank them for the dramatic rise in living standards for Africa. Namely, health care, hospitals, education and largely eliminating practices like child/slave human sacrifice replaced by Christianity. Africa still has a ways to go because of tribalism - but the increases in longevity are real.

Well I think that’s exactly right. Europe suffered terribly during WWII - the US suffered not at all in terms of catastrophic civilian deaths. So there has been plenty of sacrifice on both sides. The British fought the entire war in both the European and Pacific theaters paying a massive price. Europe and the US need each other if we’re to counter Russian and Chinese aggression. Let’s hope there is a renewed understanding for both.

My take: Eastern Ukraine stays a smoking pile of rubble and Russia retains Crimea. A DMZ is established in Ukraine. The damage is done, Putin’s expansion is stopped for good, since the Europeans wake up for good for the benefit of the rest of Europe. it’s a real tragedy that didn’t have to happen, but that’s how I see it. I hope I’m wrong

I don’t totally follow your logic but that’s ok. I believe in deterrence as a military strategy. The Russia is indeed an aggressive neighbor that wishes to rebuild the great Soviet empire of the past - is perhaps where we differ. I don’t think it’s any secret that Putin has always been furious about the dismantling of the empire by Gorbachev. Sovereign nations have a right to defend themselves. That former satellite nations, once under the control of the Soviets, wish to protect themselves from Putin , by joining NATO- makes total sense. Putin doesn’t fool anyone. It’s never been about the defense of Russia. That’s just an excuse. It’s always been about rebuilding Russia’s former greatness.

Very nice. I think Castanza’s point about the “failure” of NATO are in line with the failed leadership you describe. Keeping a military alliance together takes constant hard work - and NATO is no different.

Europe led by France (hope my French wife doesn’t read this) and Germany - the extremely weak leaders of Europe since they are total pacifists and hypocrites- are now waking up to their failures of letting Putin run wild. And of course, with their buddy Obama - largely created this disaster. Unfortunately, this conflict is uniting the allies- but the damage is largely already done. So @Castanza, you, John and I are not quite as far apart as you might think. Weak leaders got us into this mess by giving Vlad the green light. But the solution is NOT to destroy NATO - it’s to make NATO much stronger - and get rid of those weak leaders not serious about this alliance. I’ll apologize for any insults.

Oh yeah @Castanza, I’m totally with YOU on the issue of the US funding NATO. Unfortunately that’s the price we pay to keep peace in Europe, while the Europeans jump on for the free ride. There is no better ally in the world for the US than a united Europe. You and I can hope that they will take this alliance much more seriously and contribute meaningfully unlike the past. You are correct- we have large problems at home we ignore by being the world’s policeman. It’s very unfortunate Europe trashes the shit out of us, while at the same time having their hands out. that’s the price we pay for some level of world peace. It’s sucks big time.

Ha, good one! If my boy Trump was running the show, your buddy Vlad would have never made his move. Putin, of course has not one ounce of fear in Joe HidenBiden or Obama. I can’t prove that of course and it’s just my opinion… But the FACT is, the TRUTH is, NATO provided a very effective deterrent to the Russians for 70 years. That fact is not up for debate regardless of how you try and spin it. You’re a very smart guy and will figure it out one of these days. That we may be on the precipice of war with the Russians is NOT the fault of NATO, but squarely in the lap of Putin.

^^^ Oh so it’s really zero. Appreciate your honesty. Looks like quite an admirable record.

Try and weasel out all you like. The foundation issue is how many NATO countries have been attacked by the Soviets? If you continue to dodge the question, you’ll be unable to understand the truth: NATO has been a remarkable success. it’s not personal, it’s about what is true.

^^^^ When you have to resort to 55 hyperlinks to debate the merits, I rest my case. And in the history of a warring Europe for centuries on end - NATO accomplished something remarkable. But just for fun - specifically tell me how many NATO members have been attacked by the Soviets since the formation of NATO?

Nice rant - but your whole premise is based on the notion that the NATO alliance has been a failure. And of course, that is where you are wrong. At what point in the history of Europe has there been a 70 year stretch of virtually no European wars? As imperfect as NATO is - it’s been a remarkable defensive alliance against the Soviets. There is a very simple reason that other countries wish to join NATO. The alliance works.

^^^ Well , you hit the nail on the head. This is a long duration asset for him.

^^^ There ya' go. I think the point is, Charlie has studied the decline in different oil fields, drilling technology, etc - has plenty of engineering friends and oil contacts. He knows a lot more than people think. Then Warren differs to Charlie on oil - probably tells you a lot. Charlie loves OXY plenty.

Seems right on. He and Munger know OXY inside out if you listen to their comments. Right in Charlie's backyard - and he's followed oil for years. Maybe you heard the comment Warren made about Munger family still getting royalties from one of his oil partnership unit purchases - still paying 70K per year for something he spent a tiny fraction on.

yeah, great comment- sitting here I’m really enjoying Ajit when he talks. Very specific and no fluff or platitudes. He’s great.

None taken Xerxes. You said it yourself - continuous European wars came to an end largely after WW2. These alliances take real work and aren’t perfect, nor easy to maintain. Weak leaders threaten them. And, yeah, I don’t have an answer for proxy wars in far away lands. The USA has had plenty of disasters- and doesn’t seem to learn. But containment of Russia & China from destroying/swallowing their neighbors is possible - and desirable. that’s all I’m saying