Krugman: Lessons in Civility

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/10/opinion/10KRUG.html

It's the season of the angry liberal. Books like Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them," Joe Conason's "Big Lies" and Molly Ivins's "Bushwhacked" have become best sellers. (Yes, I've got one out there, too.) But conservatives are distressed because those liberals are so angry and rude. O.K., they admit, they themselves were a bit rude during the Clinton years — that seven-year, $70 million investigation of a tiny money-losing land deal, all that fuss about the president's private life — but they're sorry, and now it's time for everyone to be civil.

Indeed, angry liberals can take some lessons in civility from today's right.

Consider, for example, Fox News's genteel response to Christiane Amanpour, the CNN correspondent. Ms. Amanpour recently expressed some regret over CNN's prewar reporting: "Perhaps, to a certain extent, my station was intimidated by the administration and its foot soldiers at Fox News." A Fox spokeswoman replied, "It's better to be viewed as a foot soldier for Bush than as a spokeswoman for Al Qaeda."

And liberal pundits who may be tempted to cast personal aspersions can take lessons in courtesy from conservatives like Charles Krauthammer, who last December reminded TV viewers of his previous career as a psychiatrist, then said of Al Gore, "He could use a little help."

[Dudley_DUright]

1. Thanks

I always look forward to my Krugman fix. :-)

[Jack Rabbit]

2. The truth hurts

In the months after 9/11, a shocked nation wanted to believe the best of its leader, and Mr. Bush was treated with reverence. But he abused the trust placed in him, pushing a partisan agenda that has left the nation weakened and divided. Yes, I know that's a rude thing to say. But it's also the truth.

[CarlBallard]

3. He was on my local NPR this morning

Just thought I'd fire up the link for anyone who wanted a listen. I don't know that I'd heard his voice before. http://www.kuow.org/Weekday.asp#10

[BlueEyedSon]

4. Love this 'graf:

Still, some would say that criticism should focus only on Mr. Bush's policies, not on his person. But no administration in memory has made paeans to the president's character — his "honor and integrity" — so central to its political strategy. Nor has any previous administration been so determined to portray the president as a hero, going so far as to pose him in line with the heads on Mount Rushmore, or arrange that landing on the aircraft carrier. Surely, then, Mr. Bush's critics have the right to point out that the life story of the man inside the flight suit isn't particularly heroic — that he has never taken a risk or made a sacrifice for the sake of his country, and that his business career is a story of murky deals and insider privilege.

[realFedUp]

5. Loved this one.

Thanks Paul. :-)

[dennis4868]

6. Krugman was on....

Bil Maher's show and was awesome. Then he went on CNN and after they interviewed him the anchor of the show asked him, "do you have anything good to say about Bush?" What in the hell is there good to say about Bush. A person cannot objectively name one good thing about Bush....not one.

[Wetzelbill]

7. Krugman is undeniably the most important columnist on Earth right now

Both because he is good -probably not the best writer but up there- and for the sheer populace volume that read the NY Times. Plus, he hammers Bush with a near obsession. I get the impression Paul hates people who constantly lie, especially about economics. He seems like he was angry about the fiscal lies and just has stayed pissed for 3 years now, haha.

[wellst0nev0ter]

8. Just Adding To The "Civil Dialogue"

Since Krugman is Jewish, anyone who disagrees with him is antisemitic :evilgrin: