[lbo-talk] How to pick a date and the wine you choose to go with the meal

[James Nichols]

I've read LBO for a while now--trying to 'learn me' some economics--and 
i've never posted before but I happened upon a question I thought might 
best be answered here.  I found a critique 
(http://www.poorandstupid.com/2003_12_21_chronArchive.asp#10720429423960995
8) of Krugmans latest article in the nation: "The Death of Horatio 
Alger."  His main point seemed to be Krugman selectively used the data by 
choosing a year bad year to begin at.  My first question is, is there 
anything to this attack?  My second question is about the fact that you 
obviously have to choose some date to begin analysis so what is the common 
consensus (I know there probably isn't any) economist have come to about 
dates to use?  Is it simply a matter of all economist massaging data to 
back up their assumptions?  Any thoughts on the matter would be 
appreciated.

Jim
http://www.JimN4.blogspot.com