The American Spectator

Mark| 4.15.10 @ 6:54AM

After reading this, I head to look at the date it was written to make sure it wasn't written yesterday. Excellent work, Mr. Stein! And so true.

Eric Cartman| 4.15.10 @ 10:30AM

Mark-

You could write this letter a 1000 years from now and it will still be true. Liberals are the most sanctimonious, hate filled and smug people and will remain so forever. Its a DNA thing.

dave| 4.16.10 @ 3:05PM

Actually, Eric, I read blogs and comments from a number of different sites to keep up on what's what and to get some different perspectives on the issues of the day, and no one comes close to matching the bile in the letters I see from so-called conservatives. Even Stein's letter can't help but be preachy. It speaks in absolutes - all liberals, all the time, all hypocrisy, etc. - that make me shake my head. I've considered myself more or less a conservative for most of my adult life (at least as long as Stein) not because I think I'm morally superior to liberals (although I'm in a minority there, as Ben Stein's assault on the moral high ground well illustrates) but because I think I'm likelier to be right about matters affecting the public sphere by sticking to longstanding conservative principles. Somewhere around the early '80's the language of moral superiority came to dominate the conservative movement - I think it came from our bizarre alliance with the previously apolitical religious right - and although we enjoyed a golden moment in which conservatives came forward with a smart, challenging agenda, now we can't seem to say anything without being both enraged and outraged and little else. How about we go back to just being right - and civil? We start by accepting that differing opinions are not an invitation to jihad. This is where the language of absolutes eventually must go, and it is where demonizing your enemy has already arrived. This is why liberals mistrust us (and this should astound us, given that conservatives are supposed to be sensible, practical, thoughtful people) when we speak of God and our love of country. It's not that liberals can't also feel these things (I assume some if not many must) but that they've seen too often unthinking or even cynical conservatives try to use these profound feelings as a short cut for the reasoned discourse the Founders envisioned as the way to run the country. If the liberals came waving flags and carrying crosses, wouldn't we be suspicious? So why shouldn't they? For me, then, the conservative movement today is so far from where it was when I first encountered it, that I cannot believe that it is in fact the same movement. Crazy, irrational, uncivil people have hi-jacked a movement that once boasted the most civil, unifying figure in American politics in the last 50 years - Ronald Reagan. As my mom would say, if Reagan were alive today and could see what we've become he'd be spinning in his grave.

Tamarron| 4.16.10 @ 4:23PM

Wow. My hat off to you, sir, for a well thought out and honest comment.

Tom in Michigan| 4.16.10 @ 5:05PM

Sorry. I can't find anything that matches the viciousness of so-called "liberals" among the true Conservative movement. One particular episode sticks in my mind. I was listening to Randi Rhodes on Air America and heard her say, referring to G.W. Bush, "Somebody needs to come up behind this guy and 'phewwww!'" Sorry, that's the best imitation of a bullet ricochet I can come up with in print but, it was a clear advocacy of Presidential assassination.

What Conservative commentator has said something like this about a Democrat President?

I entered college in the 1960s and have witnessed since then the utterly despicable level of discourse that the Left has fostered in this country. They openly associate with known terrorists and murderers (our own President is friends with Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn and, speaking of the level of discourse; he has openly lied about it). Their heroes are criminals and murderers like Che Guevara. They have openly supported our nation’s enemies like Jane Fonda visiting Hanoi. The embrace the “fringe” elements like Saul Alinsky while we Conservatives utterly reject the right-wing militias, for example. Their violence has been seen lately in fingers bitten off and a black man in a wheel chair beaten by SEIU thugs. They are funded in large part by George Soros, an admitted Nazi collaborator.

Moreover, "liberals" so-called, are no longer a mere annoyance. They are a threat to the very nation. The extent of the damage they have done and continue to do to this country is nowhere more evident than it is here in Detroit. Come visit us here and see for yourself the devastation of this once-great city and its people at the hands of the Left. Our former Mayor and former President Pro Tem of the City Council are both convicted felons.

Simply compare the words and actions of a Jimmy Carter (a bitter little anti-Semite) and Bill Clinton (who has been accused of assault by a former staffer's wife) and the incredibly boorish behavior of Barack Obama who openly mocks the American People (he finds the Tea Parties "amusing." When I heard that, I was reminded of the joke often used in reference to the British Queen saying, "We are not amused.") and treats guests like P.M. Netanyahu in manner unbefitting any gentleman let alone the President to the tone and tenor of Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, G.H.W. and G.W. Bush.

Finally, I do not believe you are a conservative. Rather, your accusation of "Crazy, irrational, uncivil people" echoing the charges leveled by the Left against the peaceful Tea Party movement reveals you as a liberal agent provocateur attempting to discredit the conservative movement through this transparently contrived post.

Frank| 4.18.10 @ 9:26AM

Well said. As is your follow up at 6:40.

Tom in Michigan| 4.16.10 @ 6:40PM

Further to my point about the absolute and often puerile viciousness of the Left, here are a few quotes from just the Leftist comments on this one article. There was a reasonable commentary going on here (even between some people discussing religion without going for each others’ throats) until the Leftists showed up.

Here are some of their “civil” contributions:

Some are blatantly anti-Semitic or otherwise assail religion;

“Why doesn't Stein mention immigration? Opps (sic), I forgot. He is Jewish and therefore wants unlimited immigration into the United States, but supports Israel's strong border policiesl (sic)”
“What, no Holocaust comparisons? No "Liberalism leads you to killing people,..”
“Another conservative rant from the failed anti-evolutionist, religious fascist.”
“he soundsd (sic) like mono-manical (sic) praise freak.” (Referring to God).

Some are merely angry with name-calling or comprised of ad hominem attacks:

“foaming at the mouth hysteria”
“brain dead stupidity”
“you are an idiot.”
“Stein is stupid enough, but the comments are so stupid, they aren't even wrong.” (Not to mention risibly illogical at the same time it is an ad hominem).
“a Death Machine for suicidal self-ignorant monkeys” (would this have been an acceptable post if the author was black; say, if it was Thomas Sowell instead of Ben Stein?).
“his mealy little mind”
“a digusting (sic) excuse for a biped, never mind a human being.”

Others are mere accusations of lies with no substantiation of the charge:

“Rush is a lying, money grubber”
“Do you enjoy lying”
“That is a LIE!”
“you are lying”
“You lie easily don't you. (sic)”
“I suggest medication for you (sic) pathological lying.”
“Ben Stein is a lying mouthpiece”

Some are obscene or scatological:

“people who are educated are more intelligent, less religious, and more politically liberal that some dumb-f--k from rural Ohio.” (This one also insults people from a perfectly nice part of the country – unfortunately not apparently inhabited by the Leftist “educated class” though, according to the charmer who wrote this post).
“typical right wing Libertarian rant s--t.”
“This blog appears as if someone vomited words.”
“You guys are Corporate / Bussiness (sic) humpers (sic) quite willing to have others bend over and take it from private power.”

Some are merely childish (well, actually all of them are childish but, many of them are actually infantile):

“Ben Stein can just go hug a root.”

The Leftists’ posts are also riddled with misspellings and sophomoric grammar.

These are the “civil” people whom you would have us engage?

Bruce L| 4.18.10 @ 7:40AM

Tom, very accurate. However it seems your synopsis of the Liberals bucolic statements didn't go over so well with the leftist horde. These days I'm truly saddened by the lack of intellectual repartee provided by the Left. Seems they received their education from the Liberal school system that was more interested in the "touchy-feely" than the basics. The spelling is abysmal and the grammar, criminal.
Cheers

GaryM| 4.20.10 @ 9:19PM

Tom, thanks for backing up your points with proof--as conservatives so frequently do. You will note 'conservatives' like dave don't seem to mind the utter lack of civility and intellectual honesty spewed by liberals on virtually every "Comments" section online, this one no exception. He may be a conservative of sorts, but I suspect it's the Peggy Noonan/Christopher Buckley elitist brand--ashamed of us neanderthals who actually do know what our founders (and yes, dave, Ronald Reagan, who I have studied for many years, and whose close advisors I have personally interviewed) thought and believed, fought and died for. So to all the daves out there, you will be far more persuasive if you attempt a rigorous, reasoned, informed defense of your positions, one not based on dismissing the passionately held convictions of tens of millions of your fellow Americans who are fighting the same fight you claim to be. To the liberals out there--come back when you can learn to play nicely with others.

Rikki| 4.17.10 @ 12:04PM

Sir, you have written utter nonsense here. I hope that you will rearead your statements with an at least somewhat critical eye.

Tony Gioia| 4.17.10 @ 4:42PM

Thank you, Tom, for enumerating all of the vitriol that has been spewed by our Liberal (I'm always careful to capitalize this word, as "liberal" means something Liberals find anathema) friends.

Tom in Michigan| 4.18.10 @ 9:12AM

I didn't "write" anything. I merely repeated what the "liberals" stated. Your comment fits into the "no substantiation" category. Tell me what is nonsense instead of merely accusing.

Cynthia| 4.18.10 @ 5:47AM

Surely you jest, Eric. "If the liberals came waving flags and carrying crosses..." I would embrace them because I would know they have had a change of heart, moreover a change of mind. Which to me sums it all up. Liberals try to think with the heart and not the mind. But they fail. Noone can take care of the poor like the community of caring people whose money is not filtered through the government. I see it every day in my own church. And if given the entitlement tax money to spend on their own, they would and could do so much more. I am insulted by the comment that the conservative movement has been hijacked. I think Ronald Reagan, God rest his soul, would be so proud of the Tea Party movement and others who are finally standing, speaking, even shouting to fight against a vast government effort to control the average citizen in every way possible. Call me crazy if you will, but I am a proud flag waving Christian who refuses to be ashamed.

Bruce L| 4.18.10 @ 7:49AM

Cynthia, you are obviously a true Republican. I mean that in the sense that you believe what the founders intended for our republic. Davy Crockett was informed of his error in assigning government funds to the relief of fire victims by a constitutional scholar. Hopefully more people of your mind and mine will be able to ensure this message reaches our own representatives these many years later. The government cannot and should not engage in the relief of the people. That is what social organizations are based upon, that is if they actually implement their charters. Thanks you dear for feeling with your heart but speaking with your mind.
Cheers

Stephen| 4.18.10 @ 10:03AM

Dave, wrong. Somehow, I think you're being dishonest as well. Perhaps you should widen your reading material. Granted there is some overstatement and extreme anger to what the "President" is doing, but, generally speaking, you are just flat wrong about the hate factor.

Bloefeld| 4.29.10 @ 9:49PM

Dave,

I follow the Huffington Post and as a conservative I either do not get posted, or if I do I am subject to all manner of derision.

Certainly no one group has a monopoly on saying bad stuff about the other, but you miss Mr. Stein's point. The double standard of most liberals is indeed gauling. Shouting someone down who has an opinion different than yours does not constitute an arguement.

Go away now and read The Road to Serfdom by Frederick Hayek and understand that liberalism and populism always end up exactly the same.

Cheers,
Bloefeld

Stephen| 4.18.10 @ 9:51AM

Eric--Love your show!
I am beginning to think that Liberals are "born" too. They are impervious to logic and, or fact. Maybe not 100% inherent nature but surely a large part.

Tomas| 4.15.10 @ 8:06PM

Read Thomas Sowell's THE VISION OF THE ANNOINTED, published 15 years ago. The title says it all...

-

Stuart (Austin, TX)| 4.16.10 @ 12:25PM

"THE VISION OF THE ANNOINTED: Self Congratulation as a Basis for Public Policy" is the full title of the book, and it is a masterpiece. Dr. Sowell could be a brain surgeon the way he so accurately and comprehensively discerns and describes the workings of the liberal mind.

Jack Kinch(1uncle)| 4.16.10 @ 2:24PM

Mark. Yes This could be said right now. I have wanted ,even tried, to say this. It is so true.

Gary Patee| 4.18.10 @ 10:59AM

As the twig is bent, so grows the tree. -- Chinese proverb

I'm sure many of us can identify with that proverb. Lots of us are yet still trying to overcome the negative influences of our childhood and youth.

Alas, I fear President Obama is not.

President Obama was "bent" by anti-American Communist sympathizers, by Saul Alinsky's putrid screed, by so much that sullies the office of the President of the United states to a point Bill Clinton could only have dreamed, many of us are still in utter shock such a trainwreck of a man was ever voted for. That Obama has shown himself to be a serial liar, and that the rotting carcass of the old media so lovingly cradles him, has the un-zombified among us shaking our heads in disgust every single day. Compounding this, the outrages the Obama Administration blasts at the citizenry are in such rapidfire succession there scarce seems enough time to digest the most recent violation before a new one is vomited upon us. Indeed, its little wonder references to Cloward-Piven are being made with increasing frequency.

What terrifies citizens involved in the tea party movement is that they understand the arc of history far better than the typical consumer of the Administration's pablum; there is a predictable manner in which Marxists/Statists attack freedom and usher in dependence, deprivation and yes, tyranny; one merely needs the basic skill of extrapolation. I dare say not many eyebrows would be raised on the right--or even the center--if it was ever discovered that Obama has been receiving tactical advice from Hugo Chavez or Vladimir Putin. It has become that crystal clear this man does not love the American Revolution, but rather feels quite oppositely about it.

It is not us most Americans fear for. It is posterity. Speaking for myself, I can see why a non-vigilant citizenry would rightly deserve slavery. But the degradation and agony that awaits those kids I see laughing on the playground--black, white, red, brown--today keep me awake at night. If there be a God in heaven who cares about us, I hereby beg his forgiveness.

"Liberty is a harsh mistress. You cannot pick and choose what you like and dislike about her. Liberty will not change her principles for you, no matter how much you claim to love her. She will stand fast in her demands for total acceptance. If you can't receive her, she will recognize you as a false lover and leave you. And when you hear that door slam, it will take ever tear in your eye, every ounce of blood in your veins, and all the nerve in your heart to win her back." -- Bill Masters

"There is no more direct way to capture control of a nation than through its credit (money) system." -- Mr. Phillip A. Benson, President of the American Bankers Association, June 8, 1939

"The way to crush the middle class is to grind it between millstones of taxation and inflation." -- Vladimir Lenin, Communist despot and founder of the USSR

Bloefeld| 4.29.10 @ 9:52PM

Gary,

I wish I was as eloquent as you are. This is as near to perfect a description of what is happening in America today as any I have read.

Cheers,

Bloefeld

Darin| 4.15.10 @ 7:27AM

This could have been written today, possibly replacing Islam with Communism. Liberals haven't changed a bit. Clueless then, clueless now.

Howard| 4.15.10 @ 7:37AM

Totally agree with you. Norman Lear was an original "Limousine Liberal", phony, hypocrite.

WB| 4.15.10 @ 9:18AM

Yes, knowing Lear, he likely fired Mr. Stein after reading this cogent memo ...

Ted| 4.15.10 @ 9:47AM

Yes, I was wondering how long he kept his job after writing that... It was excellent.

Ohiolad| 4.15.10 @ 7:52AM

I suggest that this letter be published every year on Tax Day from now on because it will always be true and it would help to be reminded that liberalism as a secular religion does not change. The one thing that differs in degree from 34 years ago is the left’s toadying up to radical Islam.

Mike M| 4.15.10 @ 8:04AM

Once a liberal, always a liberal, I always say!

Ted| 4.15.10 @ 9:48AM

Oh, I don't know about that. I have met some reformed liberals..... There is hope for them.

Tom in Michigan| 4.16.10 @ 1:27PM

For the first time in my life (and, I'll bet I'm older than you and most posters here, that matter), I too am meeting former "liberals" (I use the term only to refer to the misguided ones - the truly vile ones are Leftists) who have been shocked into sensibility by what many fear is a totalitarian, however "soft" (notice how the term "soft" is slowly being added to the terms "dictatorship" and "totalitarianism?") takeover of what was once a representative republic. Some of the older ones, like my own brother have been shaken awake by the "health care" debacle as it becomes increasingly clear that increased costs and rationing are looming on the horizon. Most however, are just too far gone or made too ignorant by the rot in our educational system to ever regain consciousness.

It's an interesting thing to see, however. Every time I see a former "liberal" start to move away from the darkness into the light; I'm reminded of that scene in "Lord of the Rings" where the King of Rohan is loosed from Saruman's spell. They seem to come alive almost like that.

GaryM| 4.20.10 @ 9:29PM

Right again Tom--liberals become conservatives; conservatives do not become liberals. It's a one-way street. We need to keep in mind that today's foul-mouthed ignorant liberal may be tomorrow's David Horowitz.

Bruce L| 4.18.10 @ 7:53AM

A person must be a liberal in their youth, or they have no heart. They must become a conservative as they age, or they have no brain.
Cheers

Pat| 4.15.10 @ 6:32PM

Counter example : Ronald Reagan

GaryM| 4.20.10 @ 11:58PM

Not entirely. He was a registered Dem who switched parties, saying he didn't leave the Democratic party, it left him. In other words, his principles were largely unchanged--pro-American, pro-military, anti-Communist, and definitely Christian.

Jean F| 4.16.10 @ 11:59AM

There are a handful of very vocal reformed liberals around who lend credence to everything that conservatives talk about. Some examples are Tammy Bruce (former head of Los Angeles NOW), Bernard Goldberg (blew the whistle on CBS) and yes, even Michael Savage (former U.C. Berkeley student / teacher who became a victim of affirmative action.)

tinkabell| 4.16.10 @ 12:24PM

let's not forget Dennis Miller!

victor| 4.17.10 @ 3:13PM

Or David Horowitz
http://frontpagemag.com/

Ray| 4.15.10 @ 8:05AM

Thank you, Ben, for voicing what many of us believe. Your words are just as true today as they were the day they were written.

Jason B. Kane| 4.15.10 @ 8:06AM

Mr. Stein is always very eloquent and to the point. Not a word wasted, not a phrase unclear. Even radical leftists like those now running (ruining?) the US could see and understand their hypocrisy if only they would read Mr. Stein.

Stein in 2012!

Tim*| 4.15.10 @ 8:12AM

Bravo ! Author !

Tea Party Tax Day Rallies Today ,April 15th ,Across America !

We Walk The Talk !

Hey Ben ,we could use more conservative Jewish Americans .
See to that , thanks !

P.Smith| 4.15.10 @ 8:53AM

Stein says:“A sanctimoniousness runs in the liberal mind which is a direct descendant of the Calvinist assuredness of moral superiority.”

There is no way that a Modern Day Liberal can be compared to a Calvinist. The Libs today would compare to the tyrannical rulers of old who ruled by decree with no oversight, and a complete sense of entitlement. So here’s an example of how the quote should read:

“A sanctimoniousness runs in the liberal mind, which is a direct descendant of Stalin’s assuredness of moral superiority.”

Ryan| 4.15.10 @ 9:03AM

That was the one line that I had issues with - makes me wonder if he understands/understood Calvinism (though I have seen the attitude among HYPER-calvinists).

Lynn| 4.15.10 @ 10:09AM

I wondered about that statement too.

I grew up in a Presbyterian Church that I would not call hyper-Calvinist, but I do remember a kind of arrogance, not overt, very subtle, from the largely professional people there - elites if you will. The people were pious, at least in terms of the high-church nature of the services. However, they tended to be more liberal theologically and socially. They thought baptists, for instance, were Bible-thumping, intolerant Neanderthals - not in so many words, but I picked up the attitude as a child/young adult. I took me years to unlearn that attitude.

(Of course you can say that the hideous Westboro Baptist out of Kansas fits that description, but I think we would all question whether they are Christian in the first place.)

I've studied Reformed Theology and there are many Christians I respect that hold to that view. I agree with about 80% of it, but I can't quite go there because I still get this sense from them of, not moral superiority, but a theological one. That they are right and anyone who doesn't hold to the five points of Calvinism just isn't enlightened yet.

Anyway, I am curious, what do you think Stein based his statement on. Do you think the Calvinist churches at the time were drifting leftward into political liberalism? Or is he referring to a larger historical narrative? Any insights?

Ryan| 4.15.10 @ 10:53AM

There isn't enough in the article to pin Mr. Stein's motivations on, and I may have even overstated his misunderstanding.

Personally, I'm a Calvinist, though I hold TULIP to be a box that God doesn't quite fit into. It's a good description, but incomplete due to our finiteness.

I HAVE seen a certain aspect of theological elitism at times in the Calvinist side (though, I think it may pervade just about every religious bent) - that a specific view (ie Westminster Confession) has everything right.

"Calvinist" churches - typically associated with Presbyterianism (the PCUSA/PCA split) - were in a bit of a divide at the time, in any case, mostly over the issue of scriptural inerrancy (which manifested, at times, of the role of women ministers, but there were plenty of other issues - pastors not holding to scriptural inerrancy was the primary issue ).

When a hard divide happens, lines get drawn and people start holding to them. That was partly the case in the old PCUSA at the time, so the narrative may have been written then.

Lynn| 4.16.10 @ 12:41AM

Thanks for the reply.

rodeoamy| 4.15.10 @ 10:48AM

If one has truly considered all the implications of Calvinism, he should actually be very, very hubmled.

N. Stigator| 4.15.10 @ 12:08PM

Just as Michael Servetus.

Ryan| 4.15.10 @ 12:10PM

One blot doesn't disprove the notion or the theology. Servetus's murder was unjust; it doesn't disprove the theology.

N.stigator| 4.16.10 @ 9:57PM

No, free will does.

George| 4.17.10 @ 12:24PM

Theology seems to me generally deficient in that it presumes that mortal, error prone and largely ignorant humans can in fact know anything of a creature actually capable of creating all that is observable, or for that matter not observable, composing our reality.

My own opinion, and I stres that it is just my opinion as one who knows nothing of such a being and is quite certain of other equal ignorance, is that what the faithful percieve as god might be better described as a sort of imaginary regional manager of some sort of sales organization.

Margie| 4.17.10 @ 3:48PM

Want to know God? Never mind theology. Get into the Bible to know God's thoughts (if you care to), and then get on your knees and beg God's mercy and forgiveness of your sins. Everyone of us is headed for Hell apart from His forgiveness and there is only one Way, through Christ Jesus. "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me," Jn. 14:6.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jn. 3:16.
"..because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. or man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved." Rmns. 10: 9 & 10.

If it's straightforwardness that you want, real direction if you think you need it, go to the Bible itself. God's ways and thoughts are there.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the LORD." Is. 55:8.

Go now, to find Him while you can: ""Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while he is near.." Is. 55:6.

Ryan| 4.19.10 @ 9:58AM

Not debating you on anything but one statement; it's just that the "never mind theology" is a BAD idea.

It leads to BAD theology. It leads to the self-centered (rather than God-centered) non-Gospel espouted by Joel Osteen and similar megachurch preachers; it leads to a whole lot of works-based and law-based theology.

And, in fact, what you stated afterward IS theology. Everyone has it - even when they don't admit to it.

Ryan| 4.19.10 @ 9:58AM

References?

Heatpacker| 4.15.10 @ 11:40AM

He might also have said, "A sanctimoniousness runs in the liberal mind which is a direct descendent of the Spanish Inquisition's assuredness of moral superiority." The Left attacks its enemies with a primal ferocity which is similar to that demonstrated by the Catholic Church in the 16th century. This should not be surprising. The Church considered itself to be the defender of the faith. The leftist is defending his faith (Utopianist socialism) as well. To a leftist, all who oppose his belief system are heretics.

Tim*| 4.15.10 @ 12:43PM

DUUUHHH , Meatpacker Heatpacker !

The Left Attacks The Catholic Church Today !
Crawl back into your own hole .

Heatpacker| 4.15.10 @ 1:20PM

The Left attacks the Catholic Church today because the Church stands in the way of its nihilistic, amoral, progressive program. Catholicism is heretical to the True Believer Leftist. You obviously are incapable of understanding this point, Mr. Reitz. Now, please take your name-calling, immature, anti-Semite fingers away from the keyboard!

Tim*| 4.15.10 @ 2:37PM

I understood that you brought up The Spanish Inquisition ,which , if You had done your homework ,was orchestrated by The Spanish Monarchy , Not The Vatican , using Spanish Dominicans ,to carry out their Agenda .
Now , let's see ya make me take my fingers from the keyboard Anti-Catholic Twerp .

Soren| 4.15.10 @ 8:20PM

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition.

Tim*| 4.15.10 @ 9:22PM

And only an Anti-Catholic Jerk would bring up The Spanish Inquisition ,as a comparison .

Li'l Ol Me| 4.16.10 @ 12:35PM

"Bishop, bring the Comfy Chair!"

victor| 4.17.10 @ 2:55PM

*Tim*:
"orchestrated by The Spanish Monarchy , Not The Vatican"

Hey Tim,
I think you forgot the "Papal Inquisition", eh?
http://www.statemaster.com/enc.....nquisition
How do you explain that?

Lisa| 4.16.10 @ 2:05PM

Libs' sanctimoniousness self-righteousness comes, I suspect, from abolitionism: the abolitionists were convinced that, as God had made them the "clearly superior" being, He gave them a mandate to care for the "lesser creatures". Hence, the abolitionists didn't want to end slavery because they felt that blacks were their equal, but that keeping a "lesser creature" in chains was not how they should be cared for! This condescending attitude is at the heart of the violence and poverty that have crippled the inner-cities for decades, depite the trillions spent to relieve it!

Peter Espada| 4.15.10 @ 9:06AM

Absolutely amazing. I can't believe that this was written over 40 years ago, except that I was alive then and remember liberals and the way they were!! Nothing in the liberal mind has changed at all. They still pursue their dangerous dreams.

Ryan| 4.15.10 @ 9:06AM

"Liberals assume that any challenge to their position comes from impure motives,"

I would say that the modern version of this is to cry "racism."

There are PLENTY - at least among the outspoken - who seem to sincerely believe that they have it all intellectually "figured out," and that conservatives cannot have well-reasoned arguments.

They believe that they are so right, that any argument we form CANNOT be based on reason, but on some other motive, like racism.

pete| 4.16.10 @ 3:31PM

i suspect its not that they perceive an actual act of racism but that they've been coached into using it as a club of first resort due to its utility. consider the tactics of any leftist bunch, labor unions, slimey liberal politicians, race baiters, the press, etc. any method to achieve victory of the moment is just fine as the end justifies the means. if you happen to be in their way, well you just didn't move fast enough.

james| 4.15.10 @ 9:58AM

This could have been written today (although it would be unnecessary since these arguments are now legion) or in 1910. This totalitarian nightmare of hyposcrisy and destrtuction has been coming our way for at least that long. Now, finally, the battle is being engaged. We shall see how it ends, and it won't take all that long.

Forever Marine| 4.15.10 @ 10:12AM

But, you guys, liberalism IS communism.

Ted | 4.15.10 @ 4:30PM

NO! These are not liberals we are dealing with. They are leftists. And these leftists are, as you state, communists.

Michael| 4.15.10 @ 10:13AM

Liberal--Gold Card Socialist. However, I understand Ben Stein and Norman Lear are still friends, and that Lear appeared on the A&E "Biography" of Ben.

Guy| 4.15.10 @ 10:17AM

Unbelievable piece Mr Stein. You hit every nail right on the head.

davelnaf| 4.15.10 @ 10:28AM

Liberal ideas and notions are as entertaining for their lack of grounding in reality as they are ultimately disastrous to the country.

alli| 4.15.10 @ 11:06AM

" Liberals don't seem to understand that if they take a dollar from one person and give it to another, there is rarely any benefit."

That is patently false. Take a look at Finland. Best school system in the world;consistently highest scores. Finland transfers the most tax money to reduce inequality than any other nation.

Keep drinking the hater-ade.

Eric Cartman| 4.15.10 @ 11:09AM

Explain Detroit, dumbass.

Ray| 4.15.10 @ 11:37AM

Finland? That's your example of great education? What, exactly, has Finland's education system created? Did its students invent things like the Telephone, the Radio, the Television, the Washing Machine, the Microwave Oven, the Light Bulb, the X-Ray machine, the MRI, catheters, heart valve replacements, zippers, Airplanes, plumbing? indoor showers, a useful flushing toilet, ambulances, antibiotics, or, well, ANYTHING AT ALL? Just what do they have to show for their supposed superior education?

Ted| 4.15.10 @ 4:32PM

These was a really funny post, and right in every way.

Ted| 4.15.10 @ 4:39PM

Too bad I can't spell (or is it type?) today....

JP| 4.15.10 @ 1:40PM

Finland has always had a small, demographically stable population (until recently that is). They enjoyed an export driven economy which far exceeded what it imported in food stuffs. They also enjoyed the protections of the US Navy, Air Force and Army (helps when defense spending is no more than the post office). The Scandanavian nations have always been the nations of choice for the statists. It would be far better to use the UK, France, or Italy.

But all is not well in Scandanavia. Thier native birthrates are dangerously low; they have too many elderly and too few taxpayers; thier large Islamic minorities never assimilated. As a matter of fact, it is the Swedes, Danes, and Finns were are doing the assimilating. In another 3 decades, Scandanavia will essientially be the Arabia of the North.

Ted| 4.15.10 @ 4:35PM

JP,

You bring up an excellent point that most (well all, really) Americans who point to Europe's social democracy miss. It's easy to spend money on social programs when someone else is paying for your defense. U.S. protection from 1945 until essentially today has allowed European countries to spend lavishly on social programs and very little on their defense.

john| 4.16.10 @ 4:43PM

defense? against who?
*your* enemies?

Ryan| 4.19.10 @ 9:59AM

Ummm...remember the Cold War?

tonypal| 4.15.10 @ 1:49PM

Ok, I get it. We point out the characteristics of liberals and that qualifies as hate speech. So following that logic, if giving an accurate description of a liberal is hate speech, then surely the activities and views of liberals must be based in hate.

Tamarron| 4.16.10 @ 4:32PM

...I would love to comment, but it seems you have an excellent discussion going on in your head with your self, so I wouldn't want to interrupt.

Tom in Michigan| 4.16.10 @ 1:52PM

This is a perfect example of the Liberal mindset Ben is talking about - a faux intellectual sense of superiority, a single risible example put forth as proof against all contrary evidence (when indeed any fool knows there is always an exception to any circumstance) to support an absolutely silly contention - after all, if we would only model the US after Finland, we would certainly see how well Leftist theories work!

Just don't come here to Detroit or Michigan or virtually anyplace else run by the Left, for that matter.

Arguments like this are about as valid as saying, "How about that Schindler. What a nice guy, saving all those Jews. See. Nazis are nice people."

Tom in Michigan| 4.16.10 @ 2:12PM

Finland and the US are among the OECD countries expending the most per student. However, if you study US graduation statistics; you will find that most of the cities with the lowest high school graduation rates are dominated by Democrat/Leftists.

Only half of the high school students in the nation's 50 largest cities are graduating in four years, with a figure as low as 25% in Detroit. Among the bottom five cities for graduation rates; Columbus, Baltimore, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Detroit only one, Indianapolis has a Republican administration. Detroit, at the bottom of the list has not had a Republican city administration since 1962.

Again, a silly example.

Bruce L| 4.19.10 @ 12:03AM

Why, alli, you're so right. Just look at all of the Nobel Laureates in science that have come from Finland. Oh yeah, that would be one. Well, how about all of the rocket scientists of note. Oh yeah, zero.

Gosh, I guess all that "hater-ade" must have gone to my head. So you just keep drinking the Kool-Aid and maybe one day Jim Jones will spike it for you.

Most productive people that come from socialist countries to the U.S. don't promote socialism, they press for exactly the opposite. My guess is you are not a U.S. citizen and came from either a poor middle eastern country that was run by a totalitarian regime, be it religious or secular. Since you were forced to be productive at the point of a gun, you have no idea how to be productive for your own purposes. If you are productive and are compensated accordingly, you consume more, thus helping others to produce more and gain more. It's a simple system, join it or go to a country that already has a socialist/communist regime. No one is forcing you to stay.

Cheers

Mark| 4.15.10 @ 11:07AM

Oh my, and this, coming from a millionaire conservative, is just laughable. Ben Stein can just go hug a root.

Eric Cartman| 4.15.10 @ 11:10AM

Truth hurt?

Ryan| 4.15.10 @ 11:29AM

Where is he wrong?

tonypal| 4.15.10 @ 2:00PM

Mark, I think you miss the point. We as conservatives celebrate wealth and want everyone to pursue their dreams of financial independence. We don't spend a single minute wringing our hands over the fact that some have and some do not have. We encourage those on the bottom to work hard and play by the rules, as we've done. That's the formula for success.

Liberals on the other hand are more than happy to amass great wealth, but fret over the unfairness of it all. Liberalism does not seek to elevate those at the bottom, but looks to punish those that achieve. To the average liberal, wealth is not created, it is taken from others. It's a zero-sum game, where for every dollar gained by one person, another person loses a dollar.

Of course, liberals exempt themselves from any responsibility for their fellow man. Consider this: have you ever heard a liberal politician talk about the pay inequity between a movie star and the men and women who do the grunt work on the movie set? Ever heard of a liberal movie star voluntarily giving back a huge chunk of their salary when a movie tanks and a studio is forced to lay off workers because they can't afford to pay them?

Bob S| 4.15.10 @ 3:14PM

There is an excellent article (albeit VERY long) written by a Russian ex-pat on The People's Cube. He distills the motivation behind liberalism and communism to the only two of the Ten Commandments that are attitudes- envy (covetousnes). The conservative is happy with his/hers. The liberal wants it- by hook or crook.

Nancy| 4.15.10 @ 3:06PM

What part don't you understand? No wealth was produced, only moved from one hand to another. It's a rather simple concept for everyone to understand except a liberal.

Ted| 4.15.10 @ 4:37PM

Ah yes, but you know, he earned what he has. Through working. Would his words mean more if he were an unsuccessful conservative? Methinks you are attacking the man so as to avoid discussing the pertinent issues he has raised.

Petronius| 4.15.10 @ 11:08AM

'76: that was the year I picked up TAS for the first time after recovering from my awful case of liberalsim. The only truth behind liberalism was the hypocrisy of those in authority that spawned it.
The causes ,issues, and character assassinations were and are still just vehicles driven by liberals to gain more power, and to live off the wealth of the conquered middle class they view as a blight upon their ethos. Well liberal policies have destroyed the jobs and confiscated the earnings of those middle Americans they despise to the end of the universe. To the nut: for the past 50 years liberals have pitted Americans against each other in economic warfare. The objective is to accumulate enough wealth to insulate ones self and family from liberal social engineering. The Obamanation has now made that impossible short of a Powerball jackpot. And they are now 1 yard from the goal line. One more liberal victory in a general election will have Americans condemned to serfdom with no hope but open rebellion. "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."....

pstreitz| 4.15.10 @ 11:11AM

Why doesn't Stein mention immigration?

Opps, I forgot. He is Jewish and therefore wants unlimited immigration into the United States, but supports Israel's strong border policiesl.

Eric Cartman| 4.15.10 @ 11:19AM

If Jewish Europeans (or Israelis) want to come here, I say send planes! (While building a 50 foot cement wall with a mote and land mines on the Southern border). Got a problem with that, putz?

Heatpacker| 4.15.10 @ 11:50AM

I was waiting for an irrational Jew-hater to crawl out of his hole. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me that Israel is a small country, surrounded by murderous, implacable enemies who want all of the Jews dead. Given this reality, a strong border policy would appear to be quite rational. Unless, of course, you think that Israel should invite a 21st century Holocaust.

Nancy| 4.15.10 @ 3:10PM

The piece was written 34 years ago before immigration was such a huge problem. And to compare the US with Israel is a stretch. We would be fortunate to get some of the Israelis here, but that's unlikely as they love their Country, while so many here find so many ways to hate it, including our President.

Bruce L| 4.19.10 @ 12:17AM

Excellent point Nancy! I have worked in the Middle East for over 6 years. Predominantly in Iraq, Jordan, the UAE, and Afghanistan. I have heard all of the hate-speech coming from the Islamists first-hand. They actually think it is their mission in life to kill a Jew based on statements in the Quran and other Islamic texts.

Being a direct witness to this level of hate is rather unsettling. It has, however, provided me with a perspective that I never would've received staying inside the safe borders of the U.S.

These people want to wipe out all of the Jews and then either convert or kill the rest of us. It's their Allah-given mission to do so.

Please, don't anyone reply with with the "moderate Muslim" response. If the moderates truly disagreed with the radicals, they should make strong statements as such. Their silence indicates their support.

I fully support the Israeli right to exist and their right to protect themselves.

However, I must ask myself how this discussion degenerated into one on the merits of a religious belief system? Oh yeah, the Liberal started it. Big surprise.

Cheers

Ed| 4.15.10 @ 11:39AM

Thanks Ben, you should publish this letter every year.

However, you should recognize that the Calvinists (Dutch Reformed, French Reformed - Huguenots, English Reformed - Puritans and Congregationalists, German Reformed, and Scottish Reformed - Presbyterians) were among the first sects that pushed for civil rights for Jews, and welcomed them to the 13 Colonies.

Calvinists emphasize the Judaic roots of Christianity, and Jews owe them a debt for providing refuges in an often hostile world.

Adheeb| 4.15.10 @ 12:00PM

I like Ben.

Tony CLoutier| 4.15.10 @ 12:45PM

Brilliant! Thank you Mr. Stein.

Red Yankee| 4.15.10 @ 3:02PM

Simply amazing... 34 years have gone by and nothing has changed. If it wasn't for the Soviet reference, you'd think this was written today!

Nat X| 4.15.10 @ 4:30PM

I hate to quote a goofy radio talk show host, but there is only one explanation for comtemporary liberal thinking: Liberalism is a mental disorder.

Margie| 4.15.10 @ 5:04PM

Yes, it is a mental disorder. But is it genetic? I say yes, it is. I believe we are born Liberal. After all we come crying from our Mother's wombs crying, "Gimmee, gimmee." It's natural. It's in our human nature. Then, when you grow up you learn that life is more than just taking and you begin to think like an adult. Thus, a conversion is made to conservatism.
Those who don't have a conversion are destined to remain Liberals, and join the Democrat party and wreak all kinds of havoc on the country. Then they come here and post all sorts of nonsense, wherewith the conservatives take up arms against them.
All in a day's work.

Elle| 4.15.10 @ 7:11PM

There is definitely hope for liberals. My grandparents were poor imigrants from the USSR to America (Philadelphia PA.) The family voted the straight Democratic ticket. To them the Republicans were the party of the rich and the Democrats were the party of "the Little Guy". As early as the Nixon era I began to have doubts about the integrity of the Democrats. Even as a college educated person with a Masters degree about 5 years ago I started listening to Rush Limbaugh. Naturally, I disagreed with almost everything he said but he was entertaining so I kept listening. I am now a Tea Party partisan as I have watched my my party and, more importantly, my country slide down hill from Carter to Clinton to the despicable Obama. Many of my liberal friends have also sharply "right-shifted".
So you see, it is possible for even committed liberals to wake up. Now I work on family members to rouse them from wishful thinking. Parenthetically, my here-to-fore apolitical partner is a middle-aged blond blue-eyed Catholic college student in San Francisco. He has awakened to the constant propaganda of the classroom and is outspoken and charismatic enough that others are finding the courage to resist the classroom indoctrination. We live in dangerous times but we are not defeated.

Margie| 4.15.10 @ 7:25PM

Excellent testimonial, welcome to the Right side! I too come from an entire family of Democrats and they thought exactly like yours. When I became a Republican my Mom looked at me one day and asked, "how did we ever raise you to be a Republican?" To which I said, "you didn't." I wanted to tell her how I came to think the way that I did, but she wasn't interested. Decades later they still have the same mindset. Rush was also why I even got the slightest bit interested in things political. May he reign forever in the kingdom of E.I.B.! Ha, I know the Liberals will just hate that.

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 3:48PM

There are just two poluitical parties in the USA, Corporate Lite (Deomocrats) and Corporate (Republicans). Rush is a devout, lying bum boy of the Corporates. He lies and lies and lies. Just why should anyone take seriously anyone who with foaming at the mouth hysteria calls Obama a "Socialist" etc., Anyone who said that sort of brain dead stupidity should of course have been labelled either an idiot or a liar. The fact that people like you take such a person seriously only proves your not thinking. No doubt you were also the sort of person who during the Bush Jr. years saw no problems with the WMD lie, the doubling of the deficit, and the erosion of civil liberties but are now suddenly concerned about all three. People are like you are just not worth taking seriously.

Margie| 4.16.10 @ 5:03PM

Very well then why did you take so much time pointing that out?
Oh, never mind.
I know I couldn't possibly understand your sublime intellect.
But I will pray for you anyway.

Cynthia| 4.18.10 @ 6:04AM

Please point out in detail what Rush lies about? And have you listened with an open mind or are you just spouting what you have heard in the media? It's very popular to make statements like yours. Doesn't make the statements correct.

SocialismIsForLosers| 4.18.10 @ 1:57PM

Just as you see no problem at all with Zero's quadrupling of Shrub's deficits, Il Duce's lies that we'd close Guantanamo and be out of Iraq by now, and the erosion of civil liberties through the legal looting repeatedly enacted by the congressional Party for Parasites? Uh. Huh.

Right.

Where, exactly, did you learn your grammar -- the union hall? It shows.

Tom in Michigan| 4.18.10 @ 10:12AM

Your post made me think of something I've noticed about reasonable people who have been misguided liberals (I'm not talking about the Alinskyite/Marxist radicals who care only about power and nihilistic destruction of the country - I mean working and middle-class folks who perhaps have been brainwashed in their union halls [God bless the Working Man, though] or who have simply been otherwise misled) but are beginning to finally wake up. I have been openly critical of both Carter and Clinton over the years, not to mention other Democrats. But, I don't think either of them INTENDED to turn the US into a Leftist, one-party state. Carter was delusional for sure, particularly when it came to foreign policy but, his biggest problem was he at least THOUGHT he was doing the right thing ("good intentions...road to hell" and all that). Clinton actually oversaw some good things like welfare reform (even if whether he would have enacted this without pressure brought to bear by the Republican Congress is subject to debate).

But, over the last several years as I’ve watched the Democratic Party being taken over by the Alinskyites, I’ve shifted the theme of my discussions with liberal friends and family to “you don’t know who these people are. This is NOT Jefferson, Truman, Kennedy. These people are Leftists ” I think this is what has finally changed the way some perfectly reasonable people have begun to think about the “change” they see happening. It’s not what they expected.

Now, when I hear them decry what they’re seeing as a virtual Leftist coup de etat, my only comment is; “I fear the damage may be done.” Now, they’ve begun to fear for the future of the country even though accepting what they’re actually seeing with their own eyes forces them to form an entirely new world view. The cognitive dissonance associated with such a change though, is just too much for some people and, they’ll never change. We have to concentrate on the good and decent but misguided and quit wasting our time on the committed evil and ignorant if we are to turn this thing around.

RNB| 4.15.10 @ 9:04PM

Same situation with my life: All her relatives are coal-miner Democrats from Ohio. She was the first in her family to go to college. First to pursue a professional career. First Republican.

Her relatives think she's 'uppity.'

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 3:50PM

No doubt foaming at the mouth about what a "Socialist" (HAH!), Communist (HAH, HAH!!) Obama is right now.

RNB| 4.15.10 @ 9:05PM

Oops. 'Wife,' not 'life.'

Margie| 4.15.10 @ 10:00PM

Right, RNB~ They accuse you of being uppity because you dare say one word in disagreement to theirs. I know it well. LOL. Liberals ALWAYS know better than you do, and who do you think you are to "pretend" knowing better than they do? Harumph! Why, you're making us look bad by actually knowing what you're talking about! And especially since I am not highly educated through school, but self taught. Liberals may know a lot but what they know is so wrong. Conservatives know right from wrong, and practice it, that's what makes them smart. You can't make smart choices when you're a Liberal. You end up voting for Democrats who want to destroy the country!
Hope your Wife fares well.
God bless.

Joy| 4.16.10 @ 12:38AM

My daughter became a conservative at age 16 when she got her first paycheck.

"What? Wait, why is all this money taken out of my check, the money I earned!

Of course, it doesn't hurt that my kids are Rush Babies either. I started listening to Rush in my late twenties, because once I married and had children my perspective changed on a lot of things. I was a true bleeding- heart- liberal in my college days.

I've noticed that many of the liberals I know personally are childless by choice. Not sure what that has to do with anything, but it is curious.

Margie| 4.16.10 @ 11:05AM

Joy,
Your children are fortunate, you sound like a Proverbs 31 Mom. "Her children rise up and call her blessed."

I'd love to do a survey of conservatives just to see how many became same because of or with the good help of listening to the beloved el Rushbo!

I think generally Liberals are unhappy so that may be why less children. I always notice how Libs have no sense of humor generally, and the more to the Left they are, the less so. The ones that are Liberal naturally from birth and not taught it so are not as hard core, those you can get to laugh. If you can teach them before they hardened by the public schools and Universities, they can be "saved."
Look at Obama~ he's born Liberal and then taught by hardcore Marxists. Only the Lord can change him. The Hope of Ages, the Ancient of Ancients, the Great I Am.
God bless!

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 3:52PM

Haven't noticed that Rush is a lying, money grubber yet. It is not to late.

Marc Jeric| 4.16.10 @ 3:11AM

It is ironic for me, a refugee fro a communist hell, to see the marxism-leninism as personified by Abu Hussein from Kenya and his cohort of White House advisers (czars, or rather komissars) taking hold after 160 years have passed since the Marx's Communist Manifesto. The utter failure, poverty, terror, and some 200 million people murdered of Marxism-Leninism - and now it has arrived finally here. I am afraid that we have no hope - now 47% of people here are on the dole; and with the coming amnesty of illegal aliens that percentage will go irretrievably to 60% thus assuring our revolutionary marxists a permanent majority.

Margie| 4.16.10 @ 11:23AM

Mr. Jeric,
I speak the same words that you do about our present condition to my husband, and friends. I know there is no hope in this life anyway and that it is a complete fraud. Everything will pass away according to the Bible, and a new Heaven and a new Earth in which righteousness will dwell and Christ, on who's shoulders government will be will take its place. Mt. 24:25, Mk. 13:31, Lk. 21:33, Mt. 5:18, 2 Pe. 3:10, Rev. 3:12, 21:1 & 2, Mt. 13:52, Is. 9:6 &7. Get your Bible and look these verses up and let your heart be encouraged. Do you know how much God loves you? You are much beloved.

Till all of this comes to pass, we will fight the good fight in this life. You We're counting on you!

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God." Ps. 42:11.
God bless you.

NC| 4.17.10 @ 6:06AM

That is a good fight, though I doubt there will be much private property in that new Earth. Jesus was all about giving away one's possessions.

Margie| 4.17.10 @ 2:57PM

"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him," 1 Cor. 2:9.

I'll take what ever it is that He has to offer over this life, anytime!

Ryan| 4.19.10 @ 10:03AM

There was a specific reason.

Jesus was about getting rid of those things that got between you and God. For many, it may be possessions. It wasn't about just getting rid of them for austerity's sake.

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 3:55PM

Do you enjoy lying? That may explain the number of lies in your message. Obama WAS NOT BORN IN KENYA!! CASE CLOSED! Obama is not a Marxist. That is a LIE. He is in fact fairly conservative. I do however wonder if you could share with us why you feel the need to lie?

pete| 4.16.10 @ 4:02PM

in fact fairly conservative? compared to? marxist? actually his tactics are those of devout marxists and his policy pushes are to marxist goals. quack!

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 4:10PM

Obama is more conservative than many Canadian conservatives or European. As for Marxist goals and tactics. Well, how can I put this... you are lying. Those statements are lies and if you do not know that you are an idiot.

pete| 4.16.10 @ 4:18PM

lies you say. prove it. and since when is anything in canada remotely conservative? i'm thinking of a word. care to guess? never mind, it'll take you far too long to get it. clown! nice red shoes you have there.

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 4:26PM

You lie easily don't you. No doubt it is a congenital defect. Your the one who made the farout statement that Obama's goals and tactics are "Marxist" please prove that. Please show me Obama abolishing all political parties, please show me Obama supressing freedom of the press, please show me the opressive police state. P.S. I lived in the former USSR for a couple of months in the early 1980's so don't you lecture me about "Marxist" tactics and goals. I suggest medication for you pathological lying.

pete| 4.16.10 @ 4:20PM

and idiot. wow. that crushes my self esteem and makes me want to club a seal. try using the purple crayon next time.

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 4:28PM

Thank you for demonstrating yet again that you are an idiot.

Bruce L| 4.19.10 @ 12:31AM

Pacal, I've heard this same screaming rant of "lies, lies, lies" coming from the foaming mouth of a terrorist just before he blew himself up in the attempt to kill several of us. Just because he punctuated his sentence with an explosion doesn't mean what he said was true.

Please try to use more brain cells than it takes to push a button to blow one's self up when conversing in an intellectual exercise.

Pete, I think you wasted way too much time on this poor dolt. You made your point much earlier in the conversation. This clown is not worth any more impact on my keyboard.

Cheers

pete| 4.16.10 @ 4:03PM

very well said mr. jeric.

Karen| 4.16.10 @ 3:53AM

Love you, Ben...keep writing sanity for this insane world!!

Bilwick| 4.16.10 @ 10:13AM

What interested me most about this article is Mr. Stein's comparision of modern "liberalism"
with Calvinism. I had been thinking along similar lines just a few days ago when I read about an upsurge in Calvinism in Protestant churches. I thought: "How appropriate for the Age of Obama."
The masses are taught to feel helpless, guilty and ineffectual, and to rely on the God-chosen Elect to lead them.

pete| 4.16.10 @ 4:00PM

i think i read something about an upsurge is people quite intent on sending the 'god chosen elect' to the unemployment line at the first opportunity. tell you what. if nancy is still employed this time next year, we'll talk. if barry is still employed this time 4 years from now, we'll talk then too. until then? i think you have some sanctimony to polish.

Ryan| 4.19.10 @ 10:05AM

As a (more or less) Calvinist, your rhetoric appears to be mostly learned from rabid anti-Calvinists.

If you study the point from the other side, you may be surprised. I pretty much was.

PHands| 4.16.10 @ 12:51PM

Ben Stein : No intelligence evident.

Another conservative rant from the failed anti-evolutionist, religious fascist.

Rob| 4.16.10 @ 1:32PM

This blog appears as if someone vomited words. Stein is stupid enough, but the comments are so stupid, they aren't even wrong.

Margie| 4.16.10 @ 2:52PM

Seems you must've had an Ivy league edumacation. dude!

toth| 4.16.10 @ 1:35PM

What, no Holocaust comparisons? No "Liberalism leads you to killing people, while conservatism leads you to glorious things"? Benny, baby, you're losing your touch.

Rob| 4.16.10 @ 1:44PM

" Liberals ALWAYS know better than you do..."

That's true. It is because people who are educated are more intelligent, less religious, and more politically liberal that some dumb-fuck from rural Ohio.

Margie| 4.16.10 @ 2:53PM

You prove my point so perfectly!

Thom Burke| 4.16.10 @ 2:54PM

Rob, maybe you should consider getting tested for Dunning-Krueger, but most definately get tested for Tourettes. Your affliction must be very embarrassing for your friends, provided you have any of course.

Rob| 4.19.10 @ 6:52PM

Thom, you win the award for the wittiest comment.

Moron.

Jeff| 4.16.10 @ 1:55PM

Riddle me this, conservative (meaning "I got mine so screw everyone else") money-grubbers:

What's the opposite of Einstein?

Ben Stein!

Ben Stein, strange visitor from another universe who has no class whatsoever, as amply demonstrated in his recent hack job of a movie, where he smugly tries to dismiss all of biology by misrepresenting himself to those he interviewed: people with stature far beyond what his mealy little mind could comprehend, people like Richard Dawkins and P.Z. Myers, who were infuriated at the way they were dishonestly portrayed. P.Z. was actually not admitted to a showing of this abortion of a movie in Minneapolis after being recognized, and *he was in the movie*! What were the producers afraid of, I wonder - the truth, perhaps, that the scientists are correct and the movie is an obvious pile of steaming propaganda for ancient superstition, clumsily done and happily found out before it made any money?

Ben Stein is a lying mouthpiece for the most backward, exploitive and conscious-less segment of our society; his cliched characterizations of "liberals " are full of stereotypes and ad hominems with the occasional fact thrown in, probably by accident. He is a digusting excuse for a biped, never mind a human being.

Bilwick| 4.16.10 @ 2:24PM

Jeff, I'm a libertarian--you know, one of those weirdoes who believe that my life and property beong to myself, and not to you and your gang or your gang leader Obama (aka "Il Dufe") to dispose of at will--so your question is best handled by an actual conservative. I note with amusement your description of conservatism as "I got mine so screw everyone else." If the statistics I've seen are any indication, conservatives (motivated I suppose by religious convictions) tend to give more to charity than "liberals" (i.e., State-humpers), who prefer to give away other people's money. Conservatism might more accurately be characterized as "I've got mine, and I'll share some of mine--but keep your hands out of my pocket!" I guess your gang's motto, on the other hand would be, "I've got mine, and we want to take yours!"

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 4:03PM

You forgot to mention that most of the "Charitties" that Conservatives give to are Churches. The other stuff is just typical right wing Libertarian rant shit. You guys as per usual have no problem with private individuals screwing each other over, esspecially Corporations. You guys are Corporate / Bussiness humpers quite willing to have others bend over and take it from private power. Which of course is exactly what would happen if your ideas were taken seriously. With a few decades we would inevitably have a form of feudalism. I;ve known quite a few Libertarians in my time, however most of them oppose all forms of governement and governement like coercion, this includes corporations and business coercion. They would eliminate the abil;ity of private power to coerce anyone also. Ibn other words they are basically anarchists. You are just a tool for private power.

Bilwick| 4.16.10 @ 4:42PM

Hey, Pascal, thanks for taking the Mailed Fist of Der Staat out of your rectum long enough to sit down and share the Cult of the State's party-line with us, as well as your brilliant Aristotelian rebuttal to my post.

"I;ve known quite a few Libertarians in my time, however most of them oppose all forms of governement and governement like coercion, this includes corporations and business coercion. "

Yes, I would be one of those people.

pete| 4.16.10 @ 3:53PM

ah but there's something you left out in your critique of mr. stein. he's funny. very funny. and unfortunately for you, he's quite right. sorry, guess you have to go back to playing with your lincoln logs now?

pete| 4.16.10 @ 3:55PM

silly me, i left out a greeting to identify properly the desired recipient. jeff? did you get that? huh?

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 4:18PM

Ben Stein is right about what? His movie Expelled was a tissue of statements which were easily shown to be lies.

Tom in Michigan| 4.16.10 @ 5:56PM

Well, since that is the case; will you as a highly educated individual kindly please provide a brief summary of the lies in Ben's movie and your refutations to them?

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with the movie's points but, I'd like to be educated.

Tom in Michigan| 4.18.10 @ 11:07AM

I didn't think so.

Jarrod| 4.16.10 @ 2:04PM

Thinking themselves wise [intellectual] they became [foul-mouthed] fools . . . Brackets mine.

Rob| 4.16.10 @ 2:17PM

The Dunning-Krueger effect is readily apparent in Stein's words and the comments of his similarly challenged followers.

pete| 4.16.10 @ 3:46PM

a quick search of that named effect shows:

Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own level of skill.

pete| 4.16.10 @ 3:50PM

well, i guess i didn't anticipate the effect of embedded command characters in posts either...

to continue: Incompetent individuals tend to overestimate their own level of skill. - much as the whitehouse and congressional leadership provides the textbook example.

Incompetent individuals fail to recognize genuine skill in others. - but at least the incompetent annointed one gets to deem what's genuine.

Incompetent individuals fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy. - again, whitehouse anyone? anyone?

If they can be trained to substantially improve their own skill level, these individuals can recognize and acknowledge their own previous lack of skill. - which would involve growing up at some point in time. clearly contraindicated among lefties.

perhaps next time you lob about some obscure psychobabble term you'd think to pick one that doesn't reflect far better on your side?

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 4:13PM

You say:
"Incompetent individuals fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy. - again, whitehouse anyone? anyone?"

An accurate description of George Bush Jr.

Lee| 4.16.10 @ 2:35PM

Nice article, but this one made me wince a bit:

> "A sanctimoniousness runs in the liberal mind which is a direct descendant of the Calvinist assuredness of moral superiority."

Maybe there are a lot of morally snooty Calvinists, but it isn't because of the theology of Calvinism but would in fact be in defiance of it. Calvinism teaches that man is totally depraved -- "dead in sin" was Paul's characterization. The term "man" is all-encompassing, including Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike.

Of all Christians, Calvinists have the most reason to deny any goodness within themselves; we consider ourselves too depraved even to be able to choose good over evil, or God over the devil. That's why, to save us, the Lord must first awaken us to our own depravity before we can become disgusted with our feeble posturing and resolve, with the Lord's help, to do better.

Calvinists should be humble, whether they are or not. Jesus was humble, and of all who have ever lived, He had the most cause not to be. But humility is part of the divine outlook, and makes sense when you consider that the persons of the Holy Trinity -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- are always depicted in the Bible as deferring to each other. The Lord wants us to be the way He is. Paul said, if a man must boast in anything, let him boast in the Lord. How many religions have a humble God?

Pacal| 4.16.10 @ 4:07PM

just how is the God of the Christians, or at least many Christians, humble? With his constant demands for proper worship and his dire punishments on those who don't grovell sufficently to him he soundsd like mono-manical praise freak.

Margie| 4.16.10 @ 8:42PM

I bet you don't even know His "demands." Do you?

Lee| 4.17.10 @ 8:31AM

We were created to spend eternity with Him, but we have fallen; we can sometimes tell the difference between right and wrong, but have no ability on our own to choose the right. The Lord will not allow our human sinfulness in His presence, any more than you would welcome a feral dog into your house to demand your food, growl at your wife and kids and soil the Asian rug.

Everything we are, everything we have, every joy we experience is from the Lord. Praise for Him is a proper response. He doesn't need our praise; we are the ones who need it. If fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, gratitude comes shortly after. We are built for worship. If we don't worship Him, we find other far less worthy things. With liberals and many others, it's their own wisdom that makes them swoon. And look where that's gotten us.

Cynthia| 4.18.10 @ 6:13AM

Very well said - thank you, Lee.

Ryan| 4.19.10 @ 10:10AM

"But being in the very form of God, He did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but humbled Himself, even to death on a Cross."

Christ humbled Himself.

If the Christian God is Who He says He is, then shouldn't He have the right to be a "mono-maniacal praise freak." Who else would be deserving of any praise?

CS Shelton| 4.16.10 @ 4:25PM

Empirical facts and observation of reality back up progressives on almost every point they raise. For pure self-interest, be progressive. For interest in the survival of your offspring, in the environment you live in, in the advancement of science which improves your life. Conservative philosophy is a Death Machine for suicidal self-ignorant monkeys to drive this world into the grave.

Joe Heathen| 4.16.10 @ 8:49PM

Ben Stein sez: "What I don't like is the way rich liberals, who have made their money through the operations of the capitalist system and who would be miserable bureaucratic cogs in a socialist system, are nevertheless socialists."
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So, Ben, tell us how you feel about Don Blankenship and his exercise of capitalism by not funding mandated ventilation systems in Massey mines.
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I'm confident you'll identify that as not having any merit or bearing upon your commentary.
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You're full of shit, Ben. As well as a practicing hypocrite no less than your fellow tea baggers.

victor| 4.17.10 @ 3:53PM

Poor Joe "Biden"
11/02/2010 is Coming!
Better get Ready!

Margie| 4.17.10 @ 1:41PM

God's demands you say?

Jn. 13:34~ "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Please watch the video I posted and see what God wants us to be like.

http://www.bigtommovie.com/

mzk1| 4.17.10 @ 3:34PM

I like Ben Stein, but I have to object to this slander against us Pharisees. It was the Saducees who were wealthy; Josephus makes this quite clear.

The Pharisees were not Pharsaic, and the Philistines were not Philistine.

DB| 4.19.10 @ 2:26AM

Thank you, Margie. The video said it all.

Monica| 5.18.10 @ 10:25PM

Hey Dave, guess what? You're liar. I do not buy for a seond that you actually keep up with conservative blogs regularly. My guess is you only do so when you feel like being glib and showing us conservatives how dumb we are.
Why do you do that? Why do you want to hurt people? Does it make you feel big to come here and act like this is some kind of a place where hate and bigotry are fostered? Why is it that you think hate is fostered here? Because your beliefs aren't being endorsed?
And don't you dare try to tell me liberals don't get "preachy". You're talking to a 17 year old girl who was brought up in the public school system. My history teacher's idea of a lesson is telling my class how evil the Republican Party is.

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Mario| 12.20.10 @ 9:47AM

Mr. Stein, I agree with your portrayal of the "liberal" although I hate to refer to them as that. I think authoritarian or simply left wing is sufficient. There is nothing liberal about today's liberal. I thank you also for highlighting how so many of America's wealthy have become vocal supporters of socialism. I have found this to be the case for many years. Many followers of the left still believe that "their side" is populated with working class stiffs and blue collar martyrs. They refuse to even acknowledge that today Democrats are the party of the wealthy. Democrats out earn Republicans by 4:1. As Joshua Muravchik wrote in his brilliant book, "The Rise and Fall of Socialism" (written in 2002 before the re-rise of socialism in 2008)--the only people who have ever advocated for socialism are the super wealthy, mostly those with trust funds, including Che Guevara, Karl Marx and even Marxist-Islamacist Osama bin Laden. I was struck by the story of a Mexican immigrant to the United States. He was impoverished and came to the US seeking a better life. After many years working as a migrant farm worker, he devised a contraption to make his labor easier. He was able to market his idea, and as a result became a millionaire. What has he done since? He moved back to Mexico, used his millions to garner influence in a local election, and is now the governor of a Mexican state---as a socialist! He believes that socialism will save his people, yet it was capitalism that gave this man opportunity he never imagined. There is definitely a mind boggling level of arrogance of the left; it surprises me even they don't recognize at least some of it. There is nothing humanitarian about the left wing, never has been.