Krugman Needs a Cold One

According to this Hardblogger post, Paul “What Me Reified?” Krugman gave a big thumbs down on Hardball to the Anheuser-Busch patriotic Super Bowl ad, which has been a popular favorite:

KRUGMAN: We all support the troops. But this is exploitation. And it’s part of the basic lack of seriousness about a lot of what’s going on in this country.

Really? I don’t believe Krugman at all. I don’t think in his heart-of-hearts he supports the troops even one jot. I’ve never seen any evidence of it. He’s just paying lip service to a conventional piety. But, hey, that’s my opinion, just as it’s Paul’s that Anheuser-Busch was just trying to sell beer. Krugman’s real problem is that he can’t face that he may have been on the wrong side of history — the reactionary side. The emotion that ad engendered in so many viewers is indication of that.

UPDATE: Nelson synthesizes brilliantly here. This is one of the most interesting essays I have read in some time and really should have its own post. A must read!