links for 2009-11-04

• Underreported: The Best Defense is a Good Offence
  Observers of Egyptian politics had predicted the annual convention of the ruling National Democratic Party would address the issue of "succession."
  What most NDP officials did in their speeches, however, was wage scathing attacks on the opposition, with the popular Muslim Brotherhood receiving the lion's share.
  The NDP's recent escalation against the Muslim Brothers seems to be driven by anxiety about the prospects of ensuring a smooth power transition from Hosni Mubarak to his son as much as by the Islamists' weak leadership. The plan misses two critical aspects about Egyptian politics, however. First, the Muslim Brothers will continue to remain the most potent and popular political force in Egypt for the foreseeable future, thanks in no small measure to the services they provide to the populace. Second, Mubarak and his son are profoundly resented by Egyptians who are exasperated with their ever-declining living standards, and diminishing political freedoms.
  (tags: egypt politics mubarak gamalmubarak NDP elections poverty)
• Buffett's firm to buy Burlington Northern – Nov. 3, 2009
  Bravo Mr Buffet. I agree. US must extract itself from highway-connected, car-dependent transport network. It will have to rely on upgrading its inter and intra city rail systems. As must the rest of the world. It is as necessary for US national security as it is for the global environment.

  - "Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway said Tuesday it will buy railroad operator Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $44 billion.
  - "Widely regarded as both one of the world's richest men and the investment community's more brilliant minds, Buffett called his firm's investment an "all-in wager on the economic future of the United States."

  "Our country's future prosperity depends on its having an efficient and well-maintained rail system," Buffett said in a statement. "

  (tags: united-states finance WarrenBuffet transport energy environment)