Subject: Re: The Bill Gates Problem
Peter Flaherty is an idiot.

Anyone who thinks he is a reasonable voice is an idiot.

People who use words like "woke" and "CRT" when describing their opponent's views should be laughed at, not respected. His words on gender are utterly ridiculous and ignore the fact that the real world is much, much more complicated than he pretends it is. Idiot is being generous because I am pretty sure he knows better and is just playing to an audience.

Here are words of advice that are genuinely meant to be helpful. If anyone finds themselves nodding along or agreeing with what Peter Flaherty said, then you really need to get better sources of information. The ones you are using are making you look dumb and are making the word worse place. People who agree with Peter Flaherty are literally one of the biggest problems in the world. We need a better educated populace. One that can tell the difference between reality and nuttery.

As for Bill Gates, no Buffett and Berkshire do not have a Bill Gates problem. There is literally zero evidence that Bill Gates did anything wrong. Yes, Bill Gates met with Jeffery Epstein. Lots of wealthy and powerful people meant with Jeffery Epstein (including two former presidents, one from each party). That was what Jeffery Epstein did. He met with lots and lots of people, even after he was convicted (actually plea bargained, look into the details if you actually want to be outraged at a miscarriage of justice). I am sure lots and lots of people who met with Jeffery Epstein are now regretting it even though it requires 20/20 hindsight to regret. It literally would not surprise me if somewhere out in the world there is a picture of Buffett and Jeffery Epstein together. Not because they shared the same views or hobbies, but simply because they knew a lot of the same people and hung out at a lot of the same places.

However, just because a person met with Jeffery Epstein doesn't mean they slept with underage girls.

Until someone comes up with actual evidence that Bill Gates did anything wrong*** I will give him the same benefit of the doubt that everyone else gets. Bill Gates has done a lot of good in the world. Probably more than anyone else alive. I am not saying he is prefect because he isn't but slimy hit pieces from a POS like Peter Flaherty are agenda driven and not factual driven.

Warren Buffett knows Bill AND Melinda Gates far more intimately than any of us. He has had extensive and private conversations with each of them. If Buffett does not think Berkshire has a Bill Gates problem then I don't think Berkshire has a Bill Gates problem. Until there is evidence to think otherwise, I think Buffett has a much better handle on this than anyone else.

*** Yes, I know Bill Gates cheated on his wife. I am disappointed that he did so and I am quite sure he is not proud of that. However, if marital infidelity meant being excommunicated from society then there would be a lot less people participating in the public square. Heck, it is statistically likely that at least a couple of members of this forum have cheated on their spouses. Heck, even Warren Buffett doesn't have a history of what many would consider to be wholesome marriages. The fact that Bill Gates cheated on his wife does not change all of the good he has done in the world. While he might not be the best person to consult with about keeping a marriage going, it is clear he is very knowledgeable about many other things in the world.

I for one am quite glad he (and Melinda) are out there trying to make a positive difference in the world.