Warren Buffett donated over $1.1 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to family foundations this Thanksgiving, continuing his tradition of philanthropy. He also detailed succession plans for distributing his remaining $147.4 billion fortune after his death, designating successors for his children to ensure continued charitable giving. This decision acknowledges the potential for his children to predecease him, while reaffirming his commitment to avoiding dynastic wealth. Buffett’s giving has favored the Gates Foundation, but will shift to his children’s foundations after his death. He encourages open communication about estate plans, highlighting the importance of family harmony after inheritance.
Read More
Federal prosecutors dismissed the two criminal cases against Donald Trump, citing Justice Department policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president. This decision, spurred by Trump’s election victory, effectively ends the years-long legal battles initiated by Special Counsel Jack Smith. While the cases against Trump’s co-defendants may continue, the dismissal highlights Trump’s successful strategy of leveraging his presidential campaign to avoid prosecution. The decision was met with celebratory statements from Trump’s team, who cited the “political weaponization” of the justice system.
Read More
A Harris Poll reveals that two-thirds of Americans believe Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs will increase consumer prices, a concern shared across party lines. The majority anticipate companies passing tariff costs onto consumers, leading to higher prices for goods and impacting household budgets. Many are already preemptively adjusting their spending habits in anticipation of these price increases. This widespread apprehension casts doubt on the popularity of Trump’s tariff policy platform, despite his claims that tariffs are economically beneficial.
Read More
In a Kyiv interview, Major General Christian Freuding revealed Germany’s assessment that Russia plans to bolster its military capabilities by 2029, posing a potential threat to NATO, including Germany’s eastern neighbors. Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine highlights this threat, which Freuding emphasized as the greatest to Europe. Germany is responding by supplying additional military aid, including two more IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine by the end of 2024, and anticipates further high-level discussions regarding Ukraine’s defense in December. This underscores Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and countering the escalating Russian threat.
Read More
Germany recently charged four individuals for establishing Hamas weapons depots across Europe. This raises several critical questions, not the least of which is why Hamas felt the need to establish these caches in the first place. The suggestion that these depots were intended for attacks against Jewish institutions across Europe is a serious allegation, highlighting a potential threat to security.
The prosecution’s statement that these storage sites were maintained by operatives holding European residence permits, ready for immediate deployment, underscores the sophistication and planning involved. The identification of potential targets such as the Israeli embassy in Berlin, the US Air Base in Ramstein, and Tempelhof Airport highlights the gravity of the situation and the potential for significant damage.… Continue reading
In short, President-elect Trump’s proposed mass deportation plan threatens to severely disrupt the U.S. food supply chain, as nearly half of the nation’s farmworkers are undocumented. This labor shortage could significantly increase consumer food prices and decrease the GDP. While some suggest a solution like prioritizing long-term, law-abiding immigrants, the existing H-2A visa program faces significant accessibility challenges. The potential economic consequences, coupled with past enforcement actions targeting agricultural workers, raise serious concerns within the farming community.
Read More
Homan’s declaration that he “guarantees” federal funds will be cut from states uncooperative with deportation efforts is a bold statement, brimming with potential consequences. The immediate reaction centers on the inherent irony: many of the states most likely to resist these policies are also the largest contributors to the federal treasury. This suggests a potential scenario where the federal government, by punishing these states financially, could be shooting itself in the foot economically.
This threat of financial punishment raises significant questions about the federal government’s relationship with individual states. The idea of “states’ rights,” often championed by the same political factions proposing these cuts, seems to be conveniently forgotten when it suits their agenda.… Continue reading
Pumping groundwater has significantly altered Earth’s rotation, causing a 31.5-inch tilt in less than two decades due to the redistribution of approximately 2,150 gigatons of water. This movement of water, primarily from mid-latitudes like western North America and northwestern India, contributes substantially to sea-level rise, adding 0.24 inches. The study confirms groundwater redistribution as the largest climate-related cause of this rotational pole drift. This new understanding of groundwater’s impact on Earth’s tilt and sea levels can inform strategies to mitigate future climate change effects.
Read More
Ukraine launched a significant attack on a Russian airfield in Kursk, utilizing U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles for the first confirmed time on Russian soil. This strike, targeting Russian air power and potentially weakening their defenses, involved approximately eight missiles, with some reportedly intercepted. The limited supply of these advanced, costly missiles suggests their use is strategically reserved for high-value targets to maximize impact. The successful strike highlights Ukraine’s evolving military capabilities and the ongoing strategic tension of the conflict.
Read More
Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican advocating for women’s safety, employs Sean Brislin, whose past includes an arrest for unlawfully entering a woman’s apartment while intoxicated. This incident, which left the victim feeling unsafe, contrasts sharply with Mace’s public stance. Mace’s recent proposal of bathroom bans targeting transgender women, including Delaware Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, is based on unfounded claims of increased safety risks, despite research showing no such correlation. The juxtaposition of Mace’s actions and her public pronouncements highlights a significant inconsistency.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood