Our Daily Bread…

06/26/2006

Paul Munnis

The thing that has struck me over the years about Warren Buffet is the way the man listens to his own common sense and then acts on it. That is how he amassed a fortune and that is why he is giving it away.

You can’t take it with you so you might as well use it to accomplish something worthwhile while you can.

In giving it to the Gates’ to manage, he has turned it over to two who have demonstrated their management competence. It is again common sense.

Another move we have followed is the Angelina Jolie story. She and Brad Pittman are using their fame and notoriety to accomplish something good for the saddest people in the world, those in Africa who are abandoned orphaned children. We won’t cover the plight of African children here except to say it is dire and that we admire Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitman for championing their cause.

The world is a sad place today, full of political death and killing. Much of it is blasphemy since its being done in God’s name. In other cases its pure exploitation and genocide.

Eventually these wars wear people out and they cease. Then rebuilding begins. When it does there are big challenges to be met and a shortage of resources. It is children and the elderly who suffer the most because they cannot speak for themselves and are often under-represented.

Maybe the new philanthropists can focus resources on these people. The African continent is a sad place right now and while money won’t cure all of their problems, investments in education and the nurturing of children may be the needed investment for a brighter tomorrow. There is a whole continent there for he taking for those who can lead properly.

Around the world men and women of good heart are waiting to be led by non-politicians who have crafted sound programs that will be carefully managed and supervised. Gates and Buffet may have created the magic that is needed. Let’s hope so.