The end of 2011 was a rough one for the financial markets. It began in early August when concerns over the inability of the American government to cut a deal on the debt ceiling sparked a massive sell-off. It continued through the fall as concerns about the safety of European sovereign debt roiled markets even further. The combination of concerns over political gridlock and troubled European countries helped hold down stock prices. However one man remained calm and tried to use the panic of others as a buying opportunity. Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK-A) Warren Buffett bought up over $15 billion in equities in ...