In what can only be described as an effort to divide Americans in a way that is ruthless, heartless, and without just cause, Paul Krugman went a bridge too far in his column today.
When describing the EPA's decision to regulate mercury, Mr. Krugman used the stereotypical example of the mad hatter. Just because people didn't have the knowledge base to understand the dangers of mercury, more than a hundred years ago, it doesn't give Mr. Krugman the right to say this!
Hat makers no longer use mercury (and who wears hats these days?), but a lot of mercury gets into the atmosphere from old coal-burning power plants that lack modern pollution controls.
Well, Dr. smarty Princeton Professor, I've worn a hat since I was a teenager, and sit down and get educated about the company I prefer to keep!
Well, who does wear a hat?
Here are some rather debonair hat wearers of today.
1) Justin Timberlake
2) Hugh Jackman
3) Johnny Depp
4) Jake Gyllenhaal
5) Brad Pitt
6) Ashton Kutcher
7) David Beckham
8) Jared Leto
Hat wearing has been a long tradition and many people from the past have participated.
Almost ALL the U.S. Presidents, prior to Richard Nixon who should have worn a hat, wore hats.
Albert Einstein
Arthur Conan Doyle
Napoleon Bonaparte
Cleopatra
Indiana Jones
Darth Vader
Batman
Al Capone
Fred Astaire
Yosemite Sam
Dr. Suess's cat
And look at all the religions of the world that use hats as part of their ceremonies. The Pope has several exceptional hats.
And how about the professions that wear hats? Baseball, Police, Train engineers, Fast food servers, Chefs, surgeons...
So before you decide that you will give up your day job as an economist, and become the decider of present and future fashion trends, I suggest you take a close look in the mirror Dr. Krugman!
snark, snark, snark.