The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Opinion columnists are constrained by space, which means it's only fair to give them some allowance for reducing fairly complicated arguments to shorthand. It's simply a requirement of the trade. The worst among them, however, use the format to dismiss serious arguments with a glib rejoinder. Consider this, from the newest column by the Washington Post's Eugene Robinson (a man who, after six years as a columnist, still hasn't written a single thought-provoking piece):
...In the final analysis, as Alan Greenspan noted Sunday on "Meet the Press," the United States "can pay any debt it has because we can always print money to do that."
I know this kind of talk is horrifying to Ron Paul and others who believe we should be walking around with our pockets full of doubloons, but most of us find paper money more convenient.
And this is not selective editing. This is the entirety of what Robinson has to say about inflation before moving on to attacks on S&P and the Tea Party. Perhaps, then, I'm underestimating his talents as a writer -- I've never seen anyone so artfully weave together a non-sequitur and a straw man.
Contra Robinson, the concern with the currency is not portability (I assume he's smart enough to know that). It's that a fiat dollar, when willfully inflated to paper over fiscal shortfalls, amounts to a de facto tax on everyone who holds it. It wreaks havoc on those who save and those on a fixed income. It was called "taxation without legislation" by Milton Friedman and "the best way to destroy the capitalist system" by Lenin (as attributed by Keynes). In short, it is gravely serious and important -- two things we can't say about Eugene Robinson.
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Apr '11
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
To put it mildly, many people on the left just don't think things through very well. From what I've seen of Robinson, I honestly don't think he's capable of understanding the issues beyond the superficial and the emotional. It amazing to me that he has garnered awards for his writing which seems common and a bit hackneyed.
Mar '11
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
But doesn't he perfectly represent the view of a vast majority on the left? He is the confirmation bias.
Sep '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Someone should ask Eugene how much he thinks Ron Paul's gold doubloons have increased in (dollar) price over the last ten years. I wonder if he even has a clue.
And Greenspan should just go away forever.
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Most of the time, Robinson is no more than a partisan, making whatever argument might suit his side. He is not, however, the worst of that sort. He is not even the worst such columnist at The Washington Post.
Nov '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Troy Senik -
The worst among them, however, use the format to dismiss serious arguments with a glib rejoinder.
Mocking instead of thoughtful discourse. It makes people who use it feel funny and hip, and it completely absolves them from actually thinking about the complexities of the problem. It's extremely common on the left to use mockery as a rhetorical technique to win a squabble without making any intelligent arguments, or event really understanding the issue.
Ever seen a conservative on The Daily Show? Same formula: Jon Stewart asks a serious-sounding question. The conservative gives a thoughtful, serious reply. Stewart makes some mean, entirely vacuous mocking statement. The audience howls. And Jon Stewart has come off looking like the winner of the exchange.
Jun '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Troy, you omit his title "Pulitzer Prize Winning Columnist" Eugene Robinson.
Mr. Robinson received the 2009 award in the "Commentary" category ... for his eloquent columns on the 2008 presidential campaign that focus on the election of the first African-American president, showcasing graceful writing and grasp of the larger historic picture."
I guess there aren't Pulitzer categories for "Cheerleading" and "Puff Pieces"
Edited on Aug 9, 2011 at 12:54pmFeb '11
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Mr Robinson needs to read about the experiences of Rudolf von Havenstein: an architect of hyperinflation
Jul '11
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
An empty cab pulled up to the post and Mr Robinson emerged from it.
Jan '11
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Don't be surprised that Eugene Robinson won a Pulitzer for commentary in 2009.
Isn't that the year that Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize?
Jun '11
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
I think my favorite part about it is that depending on how one defines convenient, it isn't even true.
I have $87 in my wallet right now: 4 twenties, 1 five, and 2 ones. That is 7 bills, and (according to multiple sources on the internet) bills weigh about a gram apiece. That is 7 grams of cash.
Today, gold finished at $1782
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-briefly-hits-1750-ahead-of-fed-2011-08-08?dist=afterbell
For me to carry around $87 worth of gold, I would only need .0488 oz, or a mere 1.38 grams of gold. Only 19% of what the bills weigh. I'd rather carry that gold around than lug all those heavy bills...
Clearly, this point doesn't actually matter; this isn't what one necessarily means by convenient and the results change depending on the market value of gold and the number and denominations of bills, but cut me some slack, I only put a Eugene Robinson level of thoughtfulness and work into this comment.
Dec '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Of course, inflation will most effect the poor, down trodden, and less fortunate, the specific demographics Robinson purports to champion.
Oct '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
You are making a good point, but with a wry smirk I'm ready to burst forth: "My friend, if that amazes you I think we've been living on different planets! As prosaic as Robinson's thoughts might be, what's even more common is that he would be rewarded for them as though they emanated from an oracle. Why, he speaks Truth to Power, don’t you know!?! Frankly, why anyone reads him is the only mystery worth contemplating here.
Dec '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
No, sadly.
Like most modern Leftists, he speaks Power to Truth.
Aug '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
You're forgetting that this has to be one happy guy . He is perfectly matched with his employer's job requirements. It's perfect serendipity.
Plus his product is perfectly labeled, and it allows us to not waste a second in the lift or the scan.
Feb '11
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
As Paul Rahe pointed out, Robinson is far from the worst of his sort...occasionally, he even comes across as a human being rather than a robot.
What Robinson wrote here is pretty bad, but there are entire levels of demonology which are much lower.
Sep '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
So there was no paper money under the gold standard? Interesting. I guess you just took your nuggets to the store and the cashier filed off your change.
Does Mr Robinson understand that if the Fed prints more money, that doesn't mean the Washington Post will print more paychecks?
Sep '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
In the final analysis, as Alan Greenspan noted Sunday on "Meet the Press," the United States "can pay any debt it has because we can always print money to do that."
I have been thinking of an analogy for this and what I have come up with is a homeowner who decides that it is better to burn down his house than default on his mortgage.
It is technically true, that this is an option, but if everyone did it where would we be.
All of us who are stupid enough to have saved for our retirement are "out of luck" (code of conduct). Mr. Greenspan's plan is worthy perhaps of Greece but we are better than that.
Aug '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
There's a lady who writes for the New York Times, Gail something or other. She'd give him a run for his money.
Jul '10
Re: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
I have $87 in my wallet right now: 4 twenties, 1 five, and 2 ones. That is 7 bills, and (according to multiple sources on the internet) bills weigh about a gram apiece. That is 7 grams of cash.
Today, gold finished at $1782
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-briefly-hits-1750-ahead-of-fed-2011-08-08?dist=afterbell
For me to carry around $87 worth of gold, I would only need .0488 oz, or a mere 1.38 grams of gold. Only 19% of what the bills weigh. I'd rather carry that gold around than lug all those heavy bills...
You forgot that gold is bought and sold by the Troy ounce, which weighs about 10% more than the avoirdupois ounce. Your point probably remains, though, That difference is the basis for a great trick question: "Which weighs more, an ounce of lead or an ounce of gold?"
Edited on Aug 9, 2011 at 5:03pmRe: The Utter Uselessness of Eugene Robinson
Starve the Beast
Troy Senik -
The worst among them, however, use the format to dismiss serious arguments with a glib rejoinder.
Mocking instead of thoughtful discourse. It makes people who use it feel funny and hip, and it completely absolves them from actually thinking about the complexities of the problem. It's extremely common on the left to use mockery as a rhetorical technique to win a squabble without making any intelligent arguments, or event really understanding the issue.
Ever seen a conservative on The Daily Show? Same formula: Jon Stewart asks a serious-sounding question. The conservative gives a thoughtful, serious reply. Stewart makes some mean, entirely vacuous mocking statement. The audience howls. And Jon Stewart has come off looking like the winner of the exchange. · Aug 9 at 12:49pm
Not when he was up against John Yoo.