Wednesday, NY Times columnist Paul Krugman announced on Twitter that he’d been hacked. Krugman doesn’t claim to fully understand what happened but according to his security service, someone used his IP to download child porn!
Well, you have to give Krugman points for consistency. By his own admission he doesn’t really understand what happened here and definitely doesn’t know who is responsible but he’s already blamed it on a right-wing conspiracy. I wonder if Sarah Palin’s targeting map played a role in the hack as well? A couple of hours later Krugman added that the NY Times was on the case:
The Times is now on the case.
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) January 8, 2020
What Krugman is describing here is a serious crime. He doesn’t say whether or not he’s reported this to the FBI but that’s who should be looking into it, not the newspaper where he works. That was pointed out by people on the right and the left:
This is a matter for the FBI, Paul.
— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) January 8, 2020
I believe in due process and presumption of innocence. That being said, the FBI, not the New York Times, should be on this case and conduct a thorough investigation based on the full facts and evidence. The idea of a newspaper conducting an investigation on this is preposterous.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) January 8, 2020
"The Times – Special Victim's Unit"? pic.twitter.com/YfXjLxY1do
— Tim Rulez (@TimNorthVan) January 8, 2020
Some recommended Krugman stop tweeting and consult legal counsel:
https://twitter.com/jaredforindiana/status/1215062167797534721
That publicist should be fired if he’s actually a victim. A victim should quietly work with a lawyer and law enforcement to catch who’s doing it.
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) January 8, 2020
As I was writing this post, Krugman did delete his original tweet:
Deleted original tweet. Times thinks it may have been a scam. Anyway, will have more security in future
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) January 9, 2020
Well, that’s great. I have absolutely no questions about this whatsoever. Seems completely normal. Happens all the time. Let’s all just move on. Nothing to see here.
https://twitter.com/PonyGirl_04/status/1215082551276187648
Unfortunately some people still have questions:
Paul, can you clarify exactly what "the case" is? There are still a lot of questions here about what you meant in your last tweet. And by "The Times" do you mean the paper's security team, or its reporters? So far, nobody has responded to calls for comment.
— Andy Campbell (@AndyBCampbell) January 8, 2020
As you can probably imagine, a lot of the responses to Krugman’s tweets were less about being helpful and more about the darkly humorous aspects of this:
Mmhmm… and what's next? You gonna try to convince us you lost weight eating Subway sandwiches?
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) January 8, 2020
Hey Paul.. Just for future reference.. The code name CARLOS DANGER.. has been compromised..
— Beth Gallagher (@BethGallagher19) January 9, 2020
Think Mrs. Krugman will buy it?
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) January 8, 2020
Just going to say it now: Paul Krugman didn’t kill himself
— Caleb Hull (I'm With the CCP Don't Ban Me) (@CalebJHull) January 8, 2020
When you hear the coughing from your jail cell, it means Hillary is coming
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/JesseKellyDC/status/1215015973784305667
Ok boomer.
— Jessica O’Donnell (@heckyessica) January 8, 2020
That’s harsh, but at least one person believed Krugman’s story and, really, she should know:
https://twitter.com/SharylAttkisson/status/1214992140155138049
