By Chad Hemenway, PropertyCasualty360.com Berkshire Hathaway’s insurance group reported a 30.5 percent drop in pre-tax earnings in 2011, driven mainly by $2.6 billion in pre-tax losses from catastrophe events. Year-end earnings at the insurance gr… more »

Cr Edit note: This price increase, as noted below, had little if anything to do with a drought in a couple of states, although that answer might sound good, to some few. The real problem is the inflationary tends from current US monetary policies, as p… more »

  24/7 Wall St Each year, 24/7 Wall St. regularly compiles a list of brands that are going to disappear in the near-term.  Last year’s list proved to be prescient in many instances, predicting the demise of T-Mobile among others. In late May, AT&a… more »

Conservative Refocus more »

Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — American Airlines' parent company is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it seeks to unload massive debt built up by years of accelerating jet fuel prices and labor struggles. The nation's third larges… more »