Posted on 07/20/2011 12:01:05 PM PDT by mandaladon
Matt Lewis flags this must-see moment from MSNBC, admittedly a phrase heard only slightly more often than “the good judgment of Anthony Weiner.” Contessa Brewer gets into an argument over economic policy with Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), and tries to talk him down by snidely asking him whether he has a degree in economics … which, to Brewer’s embarrassment, Brooks does: Brooks actually has three degrees: political science, economics, and law. As a lawyer, Brooks would have been experienced enough not to make Brewer’s mistake in a cross-examination, which is to ask a question without first knowing the answer. Not only that, but Brewer was being flat-out rude as well as foolish; MSNBC invited Brooks to appear to get his perspective on the issues. If their hosts respond by belittling them (whether it backfires or not), what does that say about MSNBC, its management, and the kind of invitations they make?
Since Brewer made an issue out of having an economics degree before engaging in economics debates, she must have a doctorate in the subject herself, right? Not exactly. According to her Wikipedia entry, Brewer has a baccalaureate in broadcast journalism (magna cum laude). Apparently they didn’t teach interviewing skills at Syracuse, or logic either, as a requisite for the degree.
As it happens, I don’t have a degree in economics (or journalism), either. I think that it’s entirely possible that the 2008 collapse could have triggered a deflationary spiral that would have created a depression instead of a sharp recession absent the interventions in the fall of that year; it’s at least an arguable point. I don’t have an issue with Brewer discussing economics without a degree, except that she doesn’t seem sharp enough to grasp the issues on her own —
(Excerpt) Read more at hotair.com ...
I beg to differ.
Sewage plant maintenance requires ability.
>> “She’s a contessa.” <<
.
Does that mean she can count?
No TV news is beyond seeking affirmative action employees. She is simply eye candy.
Who's the bigger fool - her or the idiots that go on the network.
>> “Pretty much the same as a degree in sewage plant maintenance” <<
.
That would be a mechanical engineer, most likely.
A sewage treatment plant is a technological masterpice these days, and managing one usually pays about $300,000 or more per year.
>> “She is simply eye candy.” <<
.
More like “Eye Codliver Oil” in my book.
From he picture it is clear that her qualifications are not B and are certainly not A either.
I bet that she would never ask Al Gore about his formal education on climate change.
If those big yellow things were brains... She would be a genius!!!
Jeez, the guy is from ALABAMA - how smart can he be?
Everyone who’s anyone in the CNN newsroom in New York City knows that. Get with the program
I wonder if Contessa secretly likes getting b!#ch-slapped while on the air. LOL! That one’s gonna hurt.
In my view, she doesn’t count for much, and ought to be considered a no-account.
yes it does, but this is a classic example of liberal narcissism. The idiot girl assumed that, since she had no education or training in the field, surely no one else does either.
Why yes, as a matter of fact, I *AM* a rocket scientist.
What? All science is based on theory. Some able to predict better than others. The fact that it’s hard to predict is a demonstration of how much is not known. There’s nothing wrong with trying to classify, organize, and to some extent understand the things that we CAN know about it. But this is really about macroeconomics. I think microeconomic (personal) understanding is better. But then you have to switch over to psychology, another science with a great deal of unknowables, to attempt to classify, organize and understand what can be known about human behavior.
Just never take an economists word as gospel - they would probably be the first to tell you not to do so. This points back at the media, which butchers economic reporting like they do all sciences. A scientist publishes something, a very specific, highly qualified finding like say, a new medication reduces tumor size in 62% of mice, and the media will take that and publish in banner headlines “MIRACLE CURE FOR CANCER!?!?!?!?”
“Science” is based on theory, as proven by being able to make predictions better than 1% of point. Engineering is theory able to make predictions better than 10% of of point. Anything less is shamanism. Macro-Economics is shamanism.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.