A-Tisket A- Tasket
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I’m trying to think of something clever to say regarding “The New York Times columnist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman”, but I can’t.

The substance and the mold that I have to work with are so vacuous, my brain enters a stage of aphasia which I cannot shake. It’s like trying to say something of substance about Maureen Dowd, but if you start with a zero, there’s not much you can say.

Still, I’ll attempt a ‘mot’ or two.

Whatever one might say about the BBC, it is light-years more sophisticated than CNN. Some of you may find that hard to swallow, but believe me, from my foreign aerie where I usually dwell, this is patently clear.

One of the BBC’s best programs is called “HARD TALK” in which the BBC host asks relatively tough questions of its guests. I don’t know if you can get it in the States – I imagine you can if you have the right “software”, but it’s good.

Couple of months back, I turned it on and guess who the guest was. Paul Krugman. I didn’t know whether to turn the TV off, go get a stiff drink or write a letter of complaint. I settled for watching the entire half hour program.

Now, honestly, I can’t say I remember what was discussed. Something about the “economy” no doubt.

But what sticks in my mind is “The New York Times columnist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman” and his shoes.

The man was sitting crossed legged on his stool and for the entire program, HE WAS PICKING AT HIS SHOES with his right-hand fingers. I don’t mean the top of the shoes or the shoe laces. No. He was picking at the SOLES of his shoe. You know, the bottom part . Picking and picking away like a 2 year old trying to get some gum unstuck or like someone desperately picking his nose.

Not once or twice, but constantly.

Even the host noticed this ludicrous psychological tick and was sort of smiling to himself, no doubt hugely embarrassed for P.K.

At the end of the program, the two men shook hands and guess which hand Krugman extended to the host. Poor host. I hope he had a bottle of germ-killer liquid around.

In addition, Krugman’s demeanor reflected beautifully this sort of silly pose that appears to have become popular in the last couple of years with public figures: that is, trying to imitate the gestures, facial expressions and hairdo of a 13 year old boy.

I call it the Peter Pan Syndrome – it’s quite popular among “Film critics”, but others have now taken it up. It also very often affects their verbal delivery…a kind of superficial “stream of consciousness” and innocence that might be beguiling in a 13 year old but which is risible in anyone like Krugman….way past puberty and approaching senility.

(By the way, when I get back to the US in the summer, I usually visit my local Barnes and Noble store, though I’m somewhat ashamed to admit it. Still…….

Well, one of the first tomes I ran across this summer, staring me right in the face was M. Dowd’s “Are Men Necessary?” of a few years back. It’s still on the shelves although now priced at around $6.00. {It should have been priced at 6 cents when it first came out}.

Krugman and Dowd ! What a way to start a summer.