Thursday, May 21, 2009

Megan McArdle, Econo-Fascist of the Week!!!

The Atlantic Magazine blogger Megan McArdle has just received a new, one time only award from this blog:

ECONO-FASCIST OF THE WEEK!!!

What has Ms. McArdle done to deserve this prestigious award? Her capping achievement is a blatant attempt to smear the wife of Edmund L. Andrews, a New York Times writer who has written a book, as well as an NYT Sunday Magazine article, regarding his financial troubles. McArdle basically uses his wife's financial history, which includes two bankruptcies, one apparently connected to a divorce,. to imply that Andrews, and her, are getting what they deserve, and that we should ignore calls for financial reform.

Such coldheartedness is characteristic of McArdle, who has opposed bailouts of California, the auto industry, and just about everyone except Wall Street. Charity does not seem to play much of a part in her vision of life and the world.

(Note: Yesterday, I printed a rather inflammatory comment about some of McArdle's friends, who died in 9 / 11. I apologize for this, both to Ms. McArdle and my readers. Although I stand by the feelings that provoked it, I should not have stooped to McArdle's level.)

6 comments:

logatex said...

Mr Andrews writes an article - and sells a whole book - claiming to give an honest account of his and his wife's financial troubles, don't you think her bankruptcies are an issue?

As for who 'established the standard of dragging in people's associates' - again, it was Mr Andrew himself who wrote about his wife, and was photographed with her for the article. Did you even read it?

Squid said...

Given that Mr. Andrews story will become part of the arsenal that reformists will use to push their reform agenda, I think it's quite fair for journalists to point out that the story is not all it seems. Even if one supports reform of some sort, it seems only reasonable that the debate should be based on an honest and accurate assessment of the factors necessitating such reforms.

And if I may be so bold: for somebody who proudly proclaims himself a "Reality-Based Intellectualist," you seem like the sort of person who should appreciate clear-eyed analysis. In the case at hand, it seems likely that those who act responsibly will be forced to pay for those who act irresponsibly, yet here you are trying to paint those who'd make that observation as being heartless fascists.

Madeleine Elster said...

Not seeing how she's an econo-fascist for pointing out that this alleged financial tell-all isn't. The appeal of the Andrews book is anchored in his honesty about where he and his wife went wrong and made bad decisions; leaving out something as major as the wife's two bankruptcies casts doubt on that whole aspect of the book. If you're going to spill your guts, spill them; if you're engaging in an exercise in spin, don't try to pass it off as something else.

Also, your dead 9/11 jerks comment? Classy. Are we five years old?

The Expatriate said...

Actually, I agree with S's final comment, and will be removing the final statement. I have also e-mailed an apology to Ms. McArdle. That said, I think she established the standard that brought it about.

However, I stand by my other statements. I do not feel that his wife's bankruptcies matter. Indeed, one of them took place before they even married. They may have acted irresponsibly, but they do not deserve what Ms. McArdle is doing. I stand by that, and will continue to defend Andrews.

Jonathan Ghitis said...

Expat,

Moral Clarity. Look it up. You lack it.

Please stop patting yourself on the back. Your not a better person than those who take offense at the shamelessness of the Andrews. That Mr. Andrews engaged in deception is clear

Gringo Bush Pilot said...

I applaud Megan’s reportage. If for no other reason, it’s part of the American experience and a prerogative and duty of the Forth Estate.

Also, it goes without saying that the Andrews’ were the authors of their own dollar demise.

My problem is that many posters seem to regale in the Andrews family’s financial failure. There’s a German word that expresses this cruel and selfish disposition, “Shadenfreude.” Since I know most Americans are monolingual, you’re going to have to look it up.

I say, let him who is without financial sin cast the first phony Federal Reserve note. I say we are all to blame – cumulative guilt…so to speak.

DR – An American in Bangkok