Five for the Weekend #35

Busy week and I almost -- almost -- didn't get to post this installment of Five for the Weekend. But things worked out. So here we go.

• Doug French of the Mises Institute has an article on LewRockwell.com titled, "The Trouble with Warren Buffett." French thinks Buffett isn't enough like his dad, the late Howard Buffett, which I agree with (as far as politics and the like goes). But that Buffett isn't big on gold isn't all that big a deal. From my readings, John Templeton wasn't either. In all, French has a good piece here and as for me, I'm still working on the gold-bullion-as-insurance concept I've posted about before.

• Ambrose Evans-Pritchard writes in the Daily Telegraph that the G20 has moved the world "a step closer" to a global currency. Complete with a global central bank and "running monetary policy for all humanity." The late Howard Buffett is looking better all the time.

• Moving back to Howard Buffett's son, Warren's Berkshire Hathaway is back in the money on its Goldman Sachs warrants, according to this report from Bloomberg.

• Did you know that if you're a member of Congress and you actually vote for limited government, less taxes and try to cut spending, the US Chamber of Commerce labels you as "business unfriendly"? Timothy Carney provides the details in this excellent Washington Examiner column.

• Africa-Asia Confidential, sister publication of Africa Confidential, has an in-depth feature story on the global slowdown -- and how it is impact China's investment in Africa as well as African nations themselves.

Well, that's it for now. Barron's will be out tomorrow, which I always enjoy. Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week if not sooner.

Comments

[David]

Hi John,

Saw mention of that Buffett item on Mises in my Twitter stream, but didn't get around to reading it. Should be interesting if he compares and contrasts with Warren's old man. I think this is something we've talked about here in the past, and it's a point I've mentioned before at my blog as well.

P.S., speaking of Tim Carney and items found at Twitter, here's a new video (with a rather lengthy speaker introduction) featuring TC that I started earlier today:

http://www.heritage.org/press/events/ev040209a.cfm

[John]

David, thanks for the link. You consistently find gems, let me tell you. And we can be sure that if Howard Buffett was alive and in Congress today, the US Chamber of Commerce would deem him "business unfriendly." Good grief.

[David]

Thanks, John - right back at you!

You're probably right about the welcome Howard Buffett would receive today, sadly. That's a problem of living in a world of backwards "logic" and doublespeak - just look at what they say about Ron Paul (as pointed out in Tim's article).

PS, for anyone who wants to know more about Howard Buffett (Warren's father), Roger Lowenstein's book "Buffett" is a good place to start.

[John]

Thanks again!