The Nobel Prize Committee's decision to award the economics honors on left-wing New York Times Paul Krugman is right in line with the organization's tradition of honoring conservative-bashing writers and scientists, according to Business & Media Institute Vice President Dan Gainor.
"They've given Al Gore, they've given Jimmy Carter, they've given the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change," Gainor told Fox News Channel's "Your World" host Neil Cavuto Oct. 13. "The last three literary awards have gone to left and lefter writers and according to this paper called The New York Times there's a lot of critics who are questioning whether the committee is actually making decisions based on reasons other than best literary reasons."
"Maybe that's keeping with how they're making all their decisions," Gainor said.
He pointed to an array of over-the-top statements Krugman has made in his New York Times column, for which even the paper's public editor has levied serious criticism of the Princeton professor - the kinds of things monitored every day by Times Watch.
"He's been consistent in being over the top so much so that he's been criticized by his own paper," Gainor said. "Daniel Okrent, the outgoing public editor for The New York Times, criticized him and said that he slices his facts and selectively cites them. Well I mean that's pretty bad when you're hearing it from your own public editor."
‘I guess the Nobel committee doesn't like reading his column very much," Gainor concluded.



















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
When the Nobel
October 13, 2008 - 17:29 ET by MidAmericaWhen the Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to Yasser Arafat that was the end for me. It's now a joke. A bad one. Consider this biography of Arafat. If you read clear to the end you'll see that it was the election of the 'Right Wing' Netanyahu in Israel that slowed down the Peace Process. If only events had not stopped the peace loving Arafat from bringing a true and lasting peace for all of the peoples of the Middle East.
Precisely
October 13, 2008 - 17:31 ET by Mike BrattonIn that single transaction the Nobel Committee vended its credibility.
Permanently.
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
Does anybody care who wins??
October 13, 2008 - 17:34 ET by misterbillDoes anybody care who wins??
Today's governors of both the Nobel and Pulitzer prizes have so diminished the worth of the awards by selecting totally unworthy candidates that, to me, the awards are so tarnished they are meaningless.
Bill, See my comment
October 13, 2008 - 17:41 ET by Chris NormanBill,
See my comment below. I am now in your brain and have begun to download not only your opinions but also account numbers and other valuable information.
McNotObama '08
»→ misterbill
October 13, 2008 - 17:38 ET by Cool ArrowWhere ya been?
Jimmy Carter and Yassir Arafat
'Nuff said.
Underdog & Pitbull 08
Aaaah but---
October 13, 2008 - 17:40 ET by misterbillAaaah but---Jimmuh Cahtuh was a special case. We had too long voted for intelligent people, it was time for a change.
Hmmmmm, that sounds like something I hear a lot lately.
As I said earlier, misterbill
October 13, 2008 - 17:44 ET by BlondeIt's now become the Nobel Clown prize.
Another great institution down the liberal toilet bowl.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Under the current
October 13, 2008 - 19:53 ET by BDUnder the current trajectory, next year the Nobel prize will be up for grabs between NAMBLA and Al Qeada.....
Man of the Year
October 13, 2008 - 21:39 ET by Secret ConservativeThe Nobel Prize is nothing more than the left-wing Man of the Year Award. What do you expect from a bunch of Swedes???
Actually, it was lost back
October 13, 2008 - 19:29 ET by Lord ElicaniActually, it was lost back in the seventies, when Le Duc Tho won a Peace Prize.
Innocent victims of merciless crimes
Fall prey to some madmen's impulsive designs
Dram Theater's Octavarium
In that case...
October 15, 2008 - 10:16 ET by Mike Bratton...at least he had the good taste not to accept it.
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
Winning the Nobel Prize: Worthless
October 13, 2008 - 17:35 ET by Chris NormanThe Nobel Prize has been so cheapened by the leftists they invariably select, that rather than confer honor on the recipients, the award itself is further tarnished each go around.
McNotObama '08
Chris,
October 13, 2008 - 19:26 ET by Indiana JoeIn my eyes, the award is so tarnished that I lose respect for anyone who wins it.
Assuming, that is, that anyone I respected would ever win.
Jesus Christ was crucified by "community organizers."
With a few notable exceptions, the Nobel Prize for...
October 13, 2008 - 17:40 ET by ThalpyWith a few notable exceptions, the Nobel Prize for anything but pure science has been awarded to some real duds: Gore, Carter, Annan, Arafat, TuTu, and now Krugman for economics. Paul Krugman need not worry about the tone from Republicans, very few of them have any cajones. However, its the Progressives who are vicious. Listen in on the Congressional Black Caucus loons sometime and any doubt you may have had about their derangement will be removed. The Rev. Wright has more hate than George Wallace ever had. George Wallace hated the government; Wright hates Whites, but he loves the money he receives for hating them.
I will stick with my previous comments
October 13, 2008 - 18:11 ET by Dr_LibertyIn a post below, I noted that the Krugman pick was surprising and unusual, though not totally out of the realm of possibility. There were at least a dozen other candidates that most people ranked as higher on the list of candidates. Here are my early points in bullet fashion:
* The Nobel committee bases awards on academic work that has stood the test of time for at least 15 - 20 years. Krugman did do earlier work on trade either with Dixit and Stiglitz or in parallel with them. Their Krugman-Dixit-Stiglitz trade model was a fairly decent innovation based on sectoral interests as compared to factor endowments (although I prefer Heckscher-Olin's model). So, Krugman is NOT being awarded for his writings in the NYT (with mild caveat below).
* The Krugman-Dixit-Stiglitz model of trade was not super duper pathbreaking as other economists were working on the same thing, but it was important. Stiglitz already won the Nobel for other stuff, but I wonder why Dixit (another Princeton economist) wasn't jointly awarded the prize. Also, I wonder why Heckscher and Olin weren't on the short list. (I don't know if either of them have already received it or if they are dead -- no Nobels for dead guys).
* As with the above point, it is unusual for one person to be awarded a Nobel if there are other people working on the same research at the same time. If Krugman got the award for his trade theory, why wasn't Dixit awarded the Nobel too? (Dixit has also had a greater impact in a wider sphere of economics than Krugman has.)
* Hree is my caveat and what makes me think that politics was somewhat involved: Although the Nobel committee awards on the basis of earlier scholarship, they cannot be totally oblivious to the fact that Krugman writes op-ed pieces now and that those op-ed pieces deviate from his earlier academic writings. The committee had to know that Krugman's pop op-eds would get as much attention as his earlier scholarship, if not more so. Thus, I see this in part as a partial endorsement of his op-ed pieces. Let me put it this way, if an economist came up with a path-breaking theorem that was Nobel-worthy, but then came out and publicly stated that he has been abducted by aliens from Neptune, his chances of getting the prize would probably go way down (unless the committee thinks aliens do live on Neptune and abduct professors).
* All told, I think this award was 60% for scholarship and 40% for political reasons.
Personally, I am waiting for the award to go to Albert Hirschman or Harold Demsetz.
Oh, and never get Vonage - it sucks.
<insert witty signature here>
A more pithy response
October 13, 2008 - 18:14 ET by Dr_LibertyI would say that the Krugman pick was "unusual" but not completely "outrageous."
Remember folks, there is a big difference between Krugman's early work on trade and the general op-ed advice he writes now.
<insert witty signature here>
Just looked at the
October 13, 2008 - 18:48 ET by Dave DJust looked at the Wikipedia link for
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckscher-Ohlin_model
Ohlin won the prize and both have been dead for decades.
Which explains
October 13, 2008 - 20:04 ET by Dr_Libertywhy I haven't heard much from then lately.
<insert witty signature here>
haters
October 13, 2008 - 17:59 ET by arkansaszippersWow, what a bunch of haters. I didn't know people had a problem with Nobel prize recepiants now. Why get angry about something like this?
ARKIE ZIP we were ANGRY about Gore, we accept this now
October 13, 2008 - 18:01 ET by JayTeeIt's the Nobel Business as usual in Literature . . but it ought to Piss off a Lot of Europeans, we accept it nowadays.
After all, he does work for the Shrinking NY Times . . who can't even Report a Hockey Puck drop, without exaggerating the Story and re-writing it.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
Been reading here long, azip?
October 13, 2008 - 18:10 ET by BlondeDidn't think so.
We value competence over politics, every bloody time.
But of course, you wouldn't grok that.
I understand why you so blithely pawn it off to "hate"....it's so convenient for someone with your uninformed world view.
Keep thrashing, tho. Just love that name calling in which you've engaged.....very telling.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
well
October 13, 2008 - 18:13 ET by arkansaszippersI'm not the one who's insulting people with different opinions every chance they get. And every time I come here, it just starts to feel like hating - just people talking ish about anything that any non-republican does. Do you really think that's totally off base?
Maybe not, but you are
October 13, 2008 - 18:17 ET by Clear thinkerMaybe not, but you are totally off base.
Why Obama Scares The Crap Out Of Me
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
?
October 13, 2008 - 18:20 ET by arkansaszippers...
You're confused again, huh?
October 13, 2008 - 18:23 ET by BlondeDavid Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Excuse me?
October 13, 2008 - 18:21 ET by BlondeYes, I think your comment is totally off base.
You were the one who threw out "haters" here...not I.
But carry on.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Here, let me
October 13, 2008 - 18:26 ET by arkansaszippersHere, let me explain...
hater:
A person that simply cannot be happy for another person's success. So rather than be happy they make a point of exposing a flaw in that person.
Ah.....
October 13, 2008 - 18:27 ET by BlondeSo being totally wrong, and inept, and rewarded for leftist politics never enters into anything in your worldview, yes?
Got it.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
You know what they say...
October 13, 2008 - 18:32 ET by arkansaszippersDon't hate the player, hate the game.
Another non-point
October 13, 2008 - 18:34 ET by BlondeTry again.
That was plain ignorant.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
See, that's what I'm talking about
October 13, 2008 - 18:43 ET by arkansaszippersGeez, lighten up. And c'mon, you walked right into that one.
And yes, refering to a nobel prize as the "nobel clown prize" because you don't agree with some of the recipiants would make someone a bit of a hater. But maybe next time they'll call you first to approve their choices...
zzzzz....
October 13, 2008 - 18:48 ET by BlondeThrash on, little zipper.
You have made not one little stab at a cogent argument. Mere talking points. And "phrases".....rather amusing for those of us who get the game, eh?
Keep it up though.....I'm in a bit of a mood tonite, would you care for the full take down treatment for annoying trolls?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
ahh
October 13, 2008 - 18:55 ET by arkansaszippersYes, threaten those who don't agree with you - as American as apple pie! And the troll thing is starting to get old. Really.
Well, I can see this is going nowhere, so I must get back to my dishes. Cheerio!
Threaten you?
October 13, 2008 - 18:59 ET by BlondeRun, zipper.....run!
Logic and truth obviously intimidate you.
But do have fun with your dishes.
A more inglorious retreat I've never witnessed here.....thanks!
Be sure to ask Ariana for better talking points, next time.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Be careful AZ
October 13, 2008 - 19:03 ET by cocodrieYou're throwing rocks at people who carry bricks
Seems AZ was being somewhat
October 13, 2008 - 19:40 ET by Dan The Man 2Seems AZ was being somewhat reasonable. Perhaps we should give him a bit of slack on the rope, the worst he can do is hang himself.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Oh, for Pete's sake, Zip,
October 13, 2008 - 19:40 ET by HockeyKidOh, for Pete's sake, Zip, get a dictionary, will you? Your spelling is like fingernails on a blackboard--chewing on tinfoil, even. If you're going to troll, at least TRY to sound competent. Please.
Nobel 'Peace' Prize?
October 13, 2008 - 20:04 ET by TailgunnerWhen a 'peace' prize is given to a mass-murdering Palestinian terrorist who orders the bombings of Israeli women and children, then the Nobel committee has justifiably forfeited its moral standing.
They absolutely have lost all credibility. They are a sick joke.
NOLI PUGNARE ME OCCIDERE
Tailgunner... I saw where
October 13, 2008 - 20:22 ET by bigtimerTailgunner...
I saw where MA has same sentiments...so do we here in this house-hold, we remember well the outrage we felt then to this day...
When I saw this about Krugman...I just shook my head and said it figures to my husband...the whole thing is an outrage.
The Nobel Peace Prize is nothing more than an embarrassment anymore...of course the msm adore this along with the leftists everywhere...anyone with a brain knows it is nothing but another political arm...it takes a Global village.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
So glad you cleared that up!
October 13, 2008 - 19:43 ET by Indiana Joe"Here, let me explain... "
Wow, guess I'm a "hater." I'm not happy about Ahmadinejad's "success." Or the "success" of the 9/11 terrorists. Or Kim Jong Il's "success" in enriching uranium or launching missles, or starving his people.
And I guess I really missed the boat for Hitler, Stalin, Mao and a lot of others who had some "success."
Is it too late to be happy for Fidel's "success?" </sarc>
Hey, genius, the Nobel prizes are a joke! Just like Krugman has become. Btw, how "happy" were you about George W. Bush's "success" in becoming President?
Huh. Guess you're a "hater" too... by your definition, at least.
That's what's known as being "hoist with your own petard*."
(*- Some prefer "by," not "with," but a petard is a small bomb. So I think "with" works better.)
Jesus Christ was crucified by "community organizers."
IJ
October 13, 2008 - 19:53 ET by BlondeAnd here I thought it was "hoist upon one's own petard".
i.e. strung up with one's own rope (argument).
Either way...it's all cool.
And poor little azip just boogied on out of town when "threatened".....I was just toying with him. Guess he doesn't want the full tilt blonde boogie, tonite.
Easiest troll I ever kicked to the curb...didn't even have to put on my boots. LOL.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
And every time I come here,
October 13, 2008 - 19:38 ET by Dan The Man 2And every time I come here, it just starts to feel like hating - AZ I think these last posts are the most reasoned you have made so far. We don't fear reasoned opinions and even arguments but some of the statements you have made in the past have seemed like Trolling.
If you prove yourself a troll then you get snark as we don't want to waste time with trolls.
BTW welcome to the world of reason.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Dan,
October 13, 2008 - 19:49 ET by Indiana JoeI'd keep that welcome mat rolled up a little while longer, were I you. I don't think Zippy has really crossed into the land of reasoned (or pointed) argument quite yet. Providing your own definitions of words to suit your own points doesn't qualify, IMO.
There may be potential, but it's not on display here.
Jesus Christ was crucified by "community organizers."
Blonde,
October 13, 2008 - 19:29 ET by Indiana Joe"Grok?"
So, I guess you did dust off the Heinlein, huh?
;^)
Jesus Christ was crucified by "community organizers."
Actually, Grok (similar to
October 13, 2008 - 19:45 ET by Free StinkerActually, Grok (similar to Waldoes and TANSTAAFL) has become part of the language.
Governor Palin - She is the Real Deal !
True, FS, but
October 13, 2008 - 19:53 ET by Indiana JoeBlonde and I were discussing Heinlein last week, so I naturally made the connection. Struck me as more than coincidence.
Also, when was the last time you actually heard someone use "grok?" I haven't heard it in years.
Jesus Christ was crucified by "community organizers."
All your fault, IJ
October 13, 2008 - 19:56 ET by BlondeYou & I had a small discussion about Heinlein...then another couple of posters weighed in. Someone else here used the word "grok"....and I just kind of picked it up and ran with it....it's a great word!
So thanks....and one of these days I'm going to dig out my old books and have at it.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde,
October 14, 2008 - 06:34 ET by Indiana Joe"One of these days...?" C'mon, I'm enough of a procrastinator to recognize that dodge. ;^)
If I knew where my Heinlein was (paperbacks, I hadn't discovered the joys of good hard-bound books back then) I think I'd be going over them now. But they're lost under about 30 years of pack-ratting. I think he had a lot to do with awakening my conservative attitudes in my long-ago youth, before I even realized what my political and social opinons were.
Wonder what else is in there that I missed?
Jesus Christ was crucified by "community organizers."
Cavuto was on a Roll today, chunking Spears at BHO's 95%
October 13, 2008 - 17:58 ET by JayTeeI think FOX was Great all day, they reported ACORN, they exposed some of BHO's Tax exaggerations with a heavy dose of Reality thinking, and closed with the Nobel Prize give away to a writer for the Failing NYT . . . after all, the NYT may not be around much longer.
An ACORN is going to Fall on BHO's head . . . . If the People of Ohio gets pissed off.
»→ Cavuto
October 13, 2008 - 18:00 ET by Cool ArrowCavuto is the MAN.
Underdog & Pitbull 08
JayTee
October 13, 2008 - 18:11 ET by BlondeDid you see/hear Cavuto call that talking head "Sparky"....
I almost fell off my chair.
Cavuto wasn't messing around today, he rocked!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
I remember - He only said it after he would'nt answer Questions
October 13, 2008 - 18:16 ET by JayTeeCavuto did NOT do the MSM "Suffer the idiots" sit quietly act.
off topic but ....
October 13, 2008 - 18:41 ET by wdhorningObama and company are a threat to the financial wealth of this country, so the wealthy better get together and pay for TV ads to show this man up for what he really is: "out to steal from the wealthy and out to destroy the US economy". There is ample proof of dozens of criminal and evil associations in the last 20 years to use for such a TV ad to scare the hell out of Americans.
yes, wd
October 13, 2008 - 18:45 ET by BlondeObama actually replied to a plumber today that, "yeah, you might have to pay more....you need to get out of the way for those behind you" Or somesuch.
Bambi's not socialist lite...he's a full tilt commie.
I am just floored by how stupid so may "smart" people are who support this flim-flam artist.
I keep shaking my head and not understanding the stupidity of my fellow Americans.
I swear, my tabby cat is smarter than the average Obama voter.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Hi Blonde, You took the
October 13, 2008 - 19:37 ET by msh1973Hi Blonde,
You took the words right out of my mouth....the problem is that the faithful followers just don't give a darn that he is left of socialism. They evidently approve of the message and the messenger.
I have actually been losing sleep over this crazy election.
msh
October 13, 2008 - 19:47 ET by BlondeI am still hopeful that there are enough sane people in the country to vote against the socialist.
He's beginning to show his stripes...now that he's confident he's going to win. I hope it is enough to turn off the electorate.
Time will tell....but I understand and share your unease.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde, Thanks for the
October 13, 2008 - 20:59 ET by msh1973Blonde,
Thanks for the words of wisdon. My hubby thinks I am losing it just a little. He doesn't pay attention, he hopes for the best and keeps moving forward.
msh,
October 13, 2008 - 21:05 ET by R D HelmMy hubby thinks I am losing it just a little.
LOL-Hell, just asking anybody in here. They know I'm losing it, and have been for some time. :-O
-Dave
Barrack Hussein Obama must be defeated.
One might think that the
October 13, 2008 - 19:04 ET by Clear thinkerOne might think that the Nobel committee would not have an agenda, but they would be wrong! Socialism seems to be the new NWO.
Why Obama Scares The Crap Out Of Me
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
"Enron a bigger turning point than 9/11"
October 13, 2008 - 19:21 ET by Gary HallKrugman said, ""Enron a bigger turning point than 9/11."
Fine Paul. Enron was a product of the Clinton bubble economy - the era of corporate and accounting fraud and greed. Bush came into office, turned down requests to extend the US Government loan guarantees given Enron by the Clinton administration; turned down approached by former Clinton treasury secretary Robert Rubin for help in upgrading Enron's commercial paper standing (which Rubin's company CitiCorp now held), and what happened? Enron folded. That's all that Bush did for Enron folks.
Even when Krugman puts the blame right back where it mostly belongs - the Clinton era - hardly a soul recognizes the damn mole when it's stuck right there on the end of their nose in plain sight.
Nathan, Gainor, Cavuto and
October 13, 2008 - 19:32 ET by bigtimerNathan, Gainor, Cavuto and Fox...
You have it all covered, nothing left to say, you all expressed it just the way it is.
I loved Cavuto's last line..."or they don't read at all"...
Bingo!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Recent winner: Al Gore,
October 13, 2008 - 21:34 ET by TN MomRecent winner: Al Gore, urging Civil Disobedience at coal plants.
‘I guess the Nobel committee doesn't like reading his column very much," Gainor concluded.
Gainor, You're not alone. MILLIONS of us stopped reading the New York Trash. Garbage In-Garbage Out!