CNN - Jeffrey Myron - "senior lecturer in economics at Harvard University" - Fraud

I saw this commentary in CNN by Jeffrey Myron opposing any effort to help homeowners in foreclosure. What struck me was the logical inconsistency in the article such as saying on the one hand that if the economically efficient outcome is to renegotiate or mortgage, then there is no need for government intervention, then noting that due to bundling, it is difficult for borrowers to engage in such negotiations. Then, I was struck by how much of Mr. Myron's points seemed to be lifted from the standard right wing talking points, with general propositions offered instead of analysis.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/02/miron.housing.bailout/index.html

Of course, I was interested by the fact that the article notes that Myron is a "senior lecturer in economics at Harvard University," but in looking at his curriculum vitae, there was not much macro-economic research or articles. I then checked out the Harvard economics department website, and it notes that he is not a professor. Rather, he was a "lecturer." What the heck is a lecturer? Is it more prestegious than a professor or is it some thing less? If so, why is CNN bothering giving a lecturer who does not specialize in macroeconomics a platform to opine on issues like the bailout or the mortgage crisis. Miron lists his research topics, "Financial Crises, Global Warming, Alcohol and Drug Policy, Crime," which do not exactly appear to be a cohesive area of study.

http://www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/directory/faculty/M/O

In short, is Mr. Myron just another media slut who is getting air time because he has a connection to harvard, and because he is willing to give right wing talking points some legitimacy. Afterall, given how large Harvard's economic department is, you would think that CNN could find a real professor who actually has done some notable research on macroeconomic issues and regulations.

Usually applies to folks who are considered experts based on a body of work or some such. They are not Ph.D.s and therefore can't hold the professor title. In many cases, it's fine. Obama was a lecturer at one point.

He has a Ph.D, yet hear my question: Why him? Why does CNN feature Myren as an economic commentator even though his actual area of research appears to be focused on drug regulation?

http://www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/miron/cv/CV_Miron.pdf

You raise a good point about Obama, and I certainly would not rely on him as an expert on macroeconomic policy and credit markets. Same thing goes for Miron. He is a lecturer, yet his CV mainly lists a bunch of Op-Ed pieces. Heck, Miron's CV does not even list any work in the financial industry, mortgage industry or regulatory industry. At least Obama was a practicing attorney, a state legislator, and a Senator, which would give him more working experience dealing with policy issues than Miron.

In other words, it strikes me that Miron seems to be getting published merely because he provides some credibility to right wing view points, even though he does not add anything in his analysis.

I mean, Harvard! Talk about instant credibility.

expert in the field and usually a masters of some sort

MFA programs are full of lecturers, but that's for valid reasons

Usually economics departments don't