Mister Buffet's Agenda

Superman · 08-02-2007, 10:49 AM

Perhaps this was discussed here and I missed it. You all know the story. Warren Buffet is vigorously building a "news" empire. He just bought the Wall Street Journal. The centerpiece of his empire. His capture of a substantial portion of the American news media is getting some attention. Part of the reason why this is getting so much attention is because of his track record. He twists the news for the purpose of improving his financial position. Even when every attempt is made to insulate his news acquisitions from his deliberate and self-serving influence, those attempts fail.

Is Warren Buffet a US Citizen? I think he hails from Australia. Is it appropriate for one American to essentially control the information received by most Americans? Would it also be appropriate if a non-citizen were able to control the American media? Is it best if the media is used to inform people.......or is it best if we use the media to influence people so that a few rich guys get richer and become able to control our public policy making system (our government)?

VINMAN · 08-02-2007, 10:52 AM

Whew... ! thought you where gonna start bad mouthing Jimmy for a second!

Nostril Cheese · 08-02-2007, 10:52 AM

I thought it was Rupert Murdoch that just bought the WSJ?

Superman · 08-02-2007, 11:01 AM

Oops. Murdock.

lendaddy · 08-02-2007, 11:02 AM

I think enlightened government folk should decide who owns what.

legion · 08-02-2007, 11:07 AM

I think there should be a limit one what percentage of the U.S. media market a single company can own...say no more than 20% of broadcast television, cable television, newspapers, or radio--by number of stations/newspapers. Not by number of viewer/listeners/subscribers. (I don't want to punish successful operations, but I do want there to be alternatives.)

slakjaw · 08-02-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

Is Warren Buffet a US Citizen?

He has a very very small home in Omaha.

M.D. Holloway · 08-02-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Whew... ! thought you where gonna start bad mouthing Jimmy for a second!

I thought he was talk'n bout TABS for a second!

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

I thought it was Rupert Murdoch that just bought the WSJ?

Maybe we can have a "Do-Over" fort his thread.

Rupert Murdoch sucks.

MRM · 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

I thought he was talk'n bout TABS for a second!

Right! We all know that Mr. Buffet is intent on world domination. It's just a matter of time before he achieves it or Mother finally breaks down and gives it to him as a birthday present.

tabs · 08-02-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRM

Right! We all know that Mr. Buffett is intent on world domination. It's just a matter of time before he achieves it or Mother finally breaks down and gives it to him as a birthday present.

Thats why I am a member of the SCWDP...

sammyg2 · 08-02-2007, 11:33 AM

Murdoch and buffett are about as opposite as two people can possibly be except for the money of course.

Buffett is a quiet, efficient, honest, smart successful businessman. IMO, Murdoch is a weasel who will do anything for a buck.

LakeCleElum · 08-02-2007, 11:35 AM

The title talked about Mister Buffet......I thought it was gonna be all about TABS!!!!!!!

legion · 08-02-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

The title talked about Mister Buffet......I thought it was gonna be all about TABS!!!!!!!

I did as well.

I thought this thread was going to be about Supe calling out Tabs for trolling...

legion · 08-02-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Murdoch and buffett are about as opposite as two people can possibly be except for the money of course.

Buffett is a quiet, efficient, honest, smart successful businessman. IMO, Murdoch is a weasel who will do anything for a buck.

Buffett's got some wacky ideas...and he's starting more and more to sound like the "guilty rich".

sammyg2 · 08-02-2007, 11:52 AM

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Buffett has lots O'power, and he's still reasonably sane.

If had his money and power I would truly be a danger to the world and to mankind.
Based solely on his self-control I'd say he has to be a good guy.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by slakjaw

He has a very very small home in Omaha.

YA he does. Didn't even dress it up for last year's holidays. I snapped some pics of the place.

He's also drives FoMoCo products.

rjp

Moses · 08-02-2007, 12:26 PM

So Supe, you felt better when Ted Turner was trying to become America's news icon?

Superman · 08-02-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

So Supe, you felt better when Ted Turner was trying to become America's news icon?

Nope. I didn't like it then, either. But....he has been fairly benign. TMC is a good old movie channel. Ted Turner is not in Mr. Murdock's league, in several ways.

Murdock could afford to buy Turner just to discard him. But the big difference is Murdoch's track record. Nobody believes he will behave himself. He will, just as surely as the Sun rises in the East, manipulate the Wall Street Journal to his satisfaction. That's interesting. He could control presidential elections, for example. Some say he already has.

And of course, some of our contributors here are still in the development stage I recall being in during most of my thirties. That stage is characterized by idolization of commercial success, and a belief that a Winner Take All economic system is a good idea. Might makes right, in other words. I am wondering if those folks will come right out and say they are comfortable with a single person basically controlling America, as long as he's really, truly, obscenely, rich.

legion · 08-02-2007, 01:07 PM

Supe, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" doesn't work. I ask you, which economic system has lasted for 200 years, and which tends to collapse around year 50? Your smarmy elitism betrays your overconfidence in your supreme truthiness.