Uccmal

I thought the book was quite good. I also thought that the descriptions of some of the earlier business transcations were the best yet - i.e. Dempster, Sanborn Map, the Rockwood Deal. The descriptions of Susan's life were fine. Buffett needs to realize that we are all human and many will identify with his/her experiences rather than be critical. I for one did not think any less of him or his family due to the book. For someone so worried about his reputation I am surprised he gave up editiorial control in the first place. He could have easily written up a contract with Alice asking her to leave some of the stuff out. Basically, he got the type of biography that would have been written about him after he was dead, while he was still alive. And all it shows is that he and his family are basically decent people.

dfcanuck, I have brought my FFH Leaps holdings down by about 30% and converted a 3 leaps over after Christmas to catch the dividend. The reasoning for this was to reduce overweightedness in general (I no longer have hedging on my FFH leaps - used to have a few puts), and to catch the value on some Jan 2010 Leaps (260s). The 260 Leaps were selling at around 80 when I sold them with the stock at 310 US. For any number of reasons the 260 (2010) number may not hold its value through the year. If it gets cheap again I will buy 2011 Leaps if they are reasonably priced. In an indirect way I also cut down on my FFH holding by the NB takeover. I replaced the stock with other cheaper holdings, especially in the RRSPs. My position is still close to 50% which is okay for now. At 1.5 times Dec. 31, 2009 book I will reassess if it is still a deal. This company remains one of the best ways for crisis investing. That bank deal is another wonderful example of FFHs skill. I love it. I love this board. I actually didn't lose this post when I toggled to another window. It's great man. Jeez, I sound drunk. Noobie... [/color]

Perhaps they need some retro-cessional re-insurance from ORH? My, my, how the tables turn: - FFH could loan Swiss Re some money - surely a better risk than ABH - Elliot Spitzer no longer around to prosecute by media. - FFH holds CDS on Swiss Re. - naked short sellers facing possible legal actions and certain civil actions And Swiss Re gets the higher ratings? All in 3 years.

Figure that the level was closer to 70% during the November lows. GNP doesn't change enough to make a difference to that chart. GNP is down maybe 2-3%. Interesting isn't it? ...noobie

Those results are dismal. It looks like they took a hit on actual sales of investments as well. I dont get this comment: These guys hold FFH and invest beside them from time to time: Alan I. Kirshner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "At this time last year, it would have been almost impossible to predict the significant deterioration in general economic conditions and considerable dislocation of the global financial markets that we have experienced in 2008.

Noob - I had to look it up which sort of proves your case Numquam. ;D. What's a Grand Dragon? http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=noob Hi FlyingArrow, the poster formerly known as STD. The other one that comes to mind is the poster known as SD (Sharper Dingaan).

I have a request to provide a little continuity. If you have changed your moniker, could you finish your posts with your old moniker. Thanks, Al.

Thanks again, Sanj. A masterful job! :-\