Buffett/Berkshire - general news

[John Hjorth]

It's certainly an entertaining read.

[ValueMaven]

This is interesting

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/under-buffetts-wing-us-fuel-retailer-pilot-leaps-into-oil-trading-eyes-refining-2021-11-01/

[gfp]

Warren did finally comment on the two new board member appointments in his local (no longer owned) newspaper -

https://omaha.com/business/local/warren-buffett-says-adding-daughter-to-board-will-help-preserve-berkshires-culture/article_380cbffa-3d85-11ec-9ae5-7bba9b76c4a8.html

[Parsad]

6 hours ago, gfp said:

Warren did finally comment on the two new board member appointments in his local (no longer owned) newspaper -

https://omaha.com/business/local/warren-buffett-says-adding-daughter-to-board-will-help-preserve-berkshires-culture/article_380cbffa-3d85-11ec-9ae5-7bba9b76c4a8.html

 

I've always felt that Susan should have been the first Buffett child sitting on the board...ahead of Howard.  She's definitely her father's daughter, and has been fully involved with Berkshire, its meetings, engaging its shareholders, etc for quite some time.  She has her mother's keen understanding for giving, and her father's instincts on responsibility.  Cheers!

[MCR]

On 11/10/2021 at 7:51 PM, Parsad said:

 

I've always felt that Susan should have been the first Buffett child sitting on the board...ahead of Howard.  She's definitely her father's daughter, and has been fully involved with Berkshire, its meetings, engaging its shareholders, etc for quite some time.  She has her mother's keen understanding for giving, and her father's instincts on responsibility.  Cheers!

In Fall 2011, I took Bob Miles' course "The Genius of Warren Buffett" at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. One of the highlights (apart from a class lunch with WEB) was having Susan Buffett speak to our class about her father. It was clear she was very knowledgeable about BRK, her father's approach, and the culture of the company. Seeing Susan and her father interact during lunch was also a treat.

[JGBRK]

Looks like Howie made some news.

 

https://foxillinois.com/newsletter-daily/director-fired-after-improper-law-certificate-given-to-donor

[ValueMaven]

Apple has been on a total tear recently -- up about 18% since 10/4 - while BRKB is down 1% ... lol

[Parsad]

On 11/18/2021 at 9:59 AM, JGBRK said:

Looks like Howie made some news.

 

https://foxillinois.com/newsletter-daily/director-fired-after-improper-law-certificate-given-to-donor

 

He fired Sokol after almost a similar matter of semantics...is he going to remove Howard from the board?  Cheers!

[Spekulatius]

11 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

He fired Sokol after almost a similar matter of semantics...is he going to remove Howard from the board?  Cheers!

I would hope so,  but unfortunately that’s unlikely.

 

What was a bit differently is that Sokol’s offense was directly related to his position at Berkshire while Howard’s is unrelated. Howard’s matter is more in line with Monish Pabrai’s Harvard MBA disaster.

 

[Gregmal]

7 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

I would hope so,  but unfortunately that’s unlikely.

 

What was a bit differently is that Sokol’s offense was directly related to his position at Berkshire while Howard’s is unrelated. Howard’s matter is more in line with Monish Pabrai’s Harvard MBA disaster.

 

LOL The MBA fiasco! I totally forgot about that! Everyone fussing over whether its real or not....meanwhile in my head I'm like "wait, it says more to me in terms of his approach, that this guy thinks having an MBA is even worth bragging about in the first place!" Oh man. 

[John Hjorth]

@Spekulatius & @Gregmal,

 

A bit off topic, but anyway: What is this thingy Mr. Pabrai and a Harward MBA? I have tried to do search. I hope somebody will bring me out of my darkness here.

[Gregmal]

@John Hjorth He basically lied/misrepresented/something-along-those-lines his having achieved such a silly qualification...

 

 

[John Hjorth]

Thanks, @Gregmal,

 

Much appreciated!

[John Hjorth]

On 11/18/2021 at 6:59 PM, JGBRK said:

Looks like Howie made some news.

 

https://foxillinois.com/newsletter-daily/director-fired-after-improper-law-certificate-given-to-donor

 

Thank you for sharing, @JGBRK,

 

@Spekulatius& @Parsad have commented on this case in this topic. Honestly, it's really bugging me, after reading the primary source [, linked to in the article linked to by @JGBRK].

 

Any other commments by my fellow CoBF members? - Thanks in advance,

[LC]

Howard seems to me like a bit of a weirdo to be frank

 

And actually on 2nd thought I would prefer he never has any link to Berkshire. 

Edited November 24, 2021 by LC

[Gregmal]

Am I misremembering or was Howard speculated to be part of some horseback riding border patrol group a few years back? Vaguely remember reading something about a wealthy guy and his buddies roaming around with night vision goggles and guns in Arizona or something like that. 

[Spekulatius]

10 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Am I misremembering or was Howard speculated to be part of some horseback riding border patrol group a few years back? Vaguely remember reading something about a wealthy guy and his buddies roaming around with night vision goggles and guns in Arizona or something like that. 

Yep, Howie likes to play Sheriff. Will be great seeing how he guards the culture at Berkshire:

[LC]

 

[fareastwarriors]

12 minutes ago, LC said:

 

At least they look trained! Never have your finger on the trigger unless you're ready to shoot!

[Gregmal]

Lifestyles of the rich and famous eh? Could be worse. How many stories do we have to hear of these billionaire finance guys who abuse or beat the shit out of hookers in penthouse dungeons or secret mansions? Howie likes to play cops and robbers…to each their own lol 

[Spekulatius]

10 minutes ago, fareastwarriors said:

At least they look trained! Never have your finger on the trigger unless you're ready to shoot!

Looks like a new season of Westworld. Guest stars Howie Buffett and Kyle Rittenhouse play a father/ son team of iron willed farm boys taking back the park all by themselves. 

[fareastwarriors]

We all need some hobbies.

 

[JGBRK]

The true test of character is what a person does when no one is looking.  Howie dipped into petty cash and donated land and money and shortly thereafter received a certificate that takes months of training to receive.  Don't get me wrong, Howie most likely possesses the skills to be in law enforcement but he should put away the checkbook and conduct the training.  When you're dealing with an individual's civil rights you better be trained.  The real question is; are there other ethical, integrity or character lapses with Howie.  Most likely not, but on the other hand we weren't looking.

[boilermaker75]

10 hours ago, Gregmal said:

Am I misremembering or was Howard speculated to be part of some horseback riding border patrol group a few years back? Vaguely remember reading something about a wealthy guy and his buddies roaming around with night vision goggles and guns in Arizona or something like that. 

 

Yes, https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/howard-buffetts-warren-buffet-son-border-war-cochise-county-11103225

[Dynamic]

Charlie Munger (along with Tim Harford, Undercover Economist and author) are in discussion with Stephen Pinker in the latest episode of the new BBC Radio 4 podcast Think With Pinker (direct MP3 link, 28MB) entitled Methinks It Is A Weasel.