KRUGMAN: 8 LIES to watch for...

[nostamj]

doesn't this sound like the main thrust of that ABC memo that was leaked?

<snip>

By singling out Mr. Bush's lies and misrepresentations, am I saying that Mr. Kerry isn't equally at fault? Yes.

Mr. Kerry sometimes uses verbal shorthand that offers nitpickers things to complain about. He talks of 1.6 million lost jobs; that's the private-sector loss, partly offset by increased government employment. But the job record is indeed awful. He talks of the $200 billion cost of the Iraq war; actual spending is only $120 billion so far. But nobody doubts that the war will cost at least another $80 billion. The point is that Mr. Kerry can, at most, be accused of using loose language; the thrust of his statements is correct.

Mr. Bush's statements, on the other hand, are fundamentally dishonest. He is insisting that black is white, and that failure is success. Journalists who play it safe by spending equal time exposing his lies and parsing Mr. Kerry's choice of words are betraying their readers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/12/opinion/12krugman.html

[jpgray]

1. Our current system of "objectivity" gives the advantage to liars

The media doesn't want to appear biased, so one party can say utterly outrageous things and still be given the same dignity in the media as the other party to create a false parity between the parties. Presenting the two parties as the same when they aren't is the chief problem of our media.

[Gyre]

3. Good observation

and articulation of a basic problem with the media. Thanks for that.

Gyre

[Ravenseye]

6. Shape of Earth is Flat, Liberals lie about Shape: Bush says

Shape of Earth is Flat, Liberals lie about Shape: Bush says

Cleveland, OH FakeNews - Today stumping in Ohio, the president lofted allegations that the liberal media, and in particular his opponent John Kerry, have distorted the science behind the shape of the earth

"Liberals want you to believe that the earth is round. Like a ball or something. I don't see it do you?" said the President. "I see a flat earth. It's flat. Look at it. It's typical that this liberal Senator from Massachusetts wants to throw up this smokescreen of a round earth."

When asked about the allegations, the Kerry campaign quickly responded.

"Though we are aware that there are some scientists, if you can call them that, that claim that the earth is flat. We here at the Kerry campaign believe in science," said a Kerry aide.

Later in the day Bush responded.

"They say they're for science, then question what scientists say! It fits a pattern. We're for science, then we're against science!"

Though most scientists believe the earth is spherical, there is a small group that believe that the earth could be flat.

[librechik]

2. KERRY CAMPAIGN MUST READ!! "...betraying their readers"

and their country.

Great article as usual from the Professor.

[nostamj]

4. I strongly suspect that

SOMEONE in the Kerry camp is a regular Krugman reader! ;-)

and this will probably be repeated when Krugman appears on the Al Franken Show as well...

[Killarney]

5. Fantastic editorial!