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Ben Stein's Diary
Escorting Nancy Reagan
My thrill of a lifetime at the Reagan Library.
Tuesday
Off with my
driver, Milkey Imtiaz, to the Reagan Library, in Simi Valley, north
westward, outside LA. I slept most of the way — my favorite venue
for sleep: a moving car. We stopped at a Carl’s Jr. near the
Library. I got a charcoal broiled barbecued chicken sandwich. It
was heavenly. Beyond heavenly. Perfect. Tasty, succulent, perfect.
You can and do pay forty dollars for chicken at a gourmet café that
isn’t close to as good. How do they do it over there at Carl’s
Jr.?
Then, off to the Library, a magnificent series of buildings with many great exhibits, especially the real Air Force One. How well I recall flying on it with Mr. Nixon long ago. That was a treat. We went to dedicate what was then the “new Grand Ole Opry.” Now there is a much newer one.
I was ushered to a “green room” to prepare my soul for my speech to many fine men and women. A man came in to tell me I was to meet up with and talk to Nancy Reagan, then escort her into the auditorium. Luckily for me, I had read up on her life and learned she was a child quite near where I grew up in suburban Maryland. She was in Bethesda, I in far more déclassé Silver Spring. I also read about her impressive acting career.
When she came in — looking as beautiful and elegant as I was expecting — we had a lovely talk about Bethesda and about her days at MGM. She was quite a star, although it’s not as well known as it should be.
She was a fine, down to earth, utterly unpretentious conversationalist about MGM and the star system and the MGM cafeteria status system. I am not sure I have ever met anyone who was more agreeable and interesting. She is not young, but she has all her marbles and perfect recall.
After a short while, we were called upon to walk into the auditorium, packed to the gills with friends of the Library. I was to take Mrs. Reagan’s arm and walk her in. I kept thinking to myself, “This cannot be happening to little me. This just cannot be happening.”
But it was and it did.
I got a fantastic introduction and then gave my speech to a superb response, and then got to walk Mrs. Reagan to dinner. (I owe my pal Barron Thomas, who had provided me with many fine suggestions for the speech.) On the walk over, Mrs. Reagan talked mostly about her first date with “Ronnie” and her love and devotion to him still are indelibly obvious.
At dinner with various close pals of the Reagans, we had to talk about boring old politics, but I got to ask her if she liked life as a Metro star or as a First Lady better. She said right away that she liked First Lady better, but as I said, “It has a lot of responsibility and a lot of critics. As a star, you have little of either.” She smiled cheerfully and nodded.
Really, she still is a star.
I left on a cloud. We stopped at the Albertson’s supermarket near the Carl’s Jr. so I could buy some bottled water. A cute young checker named Samantha added up my purchases. She reminded me of my pal from Sandpoint, the beautiful Vienna, but with no sense of humor.
I slept every second of the rest of the way home. I got to escort Nancy Reagan, as important a woman as America has ever had. Pretty exciting for little me.
Thursday
A very
different kind of day. I awakened feeling ill. I went downstairs to
use my computer. Someone with the screen name sow376@gmail.com
had not liked a commentary I had done for CBS News about my
bewilderment as to why my taxes were being raised if tax raises
were bad for the very weak economy.
SOW376@gmail’s incisive suggestion about the subject was as follows: “Shut up Jew Boy….You make me think Hitler was right about you filthy stinking Jews. Pay your taxes and shut the fuck up.”
I wrote back to him that to be fair, he probably thought Hitler was right before he had ever heard of me. No further response from him.
About the Author
Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes “Ben Stein’s Diary” for every issue of The American Spectator.
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Ben Stein Is A Hollywood Elite| 9.27.10 @ 6:27AM
Go to hell you old bag, and take your boring brag-a-thons with you.
drudge ette obama| 9.27.10 @ 6:56AM
I think that you made a mistake calling Stein an "old bag." What the heck is an old bag? Is it like a vintage purse? Something that you carried food home from the grocer's ten years ago? Your ancient body part?
Or is it what hangs under your eye?
I think you wrote bag because your were thinking about "brag-a-thons." Correct? Let me know real soon, o.k?
Ben Stein Is A Hollywood Elite| 9.27.10 @ 10:17AM
Sorry - I should have said "Old Gasbag".
Tina Trent | 9.28.10 @ 2:13PM
Of course Ben Stein is a Hollywood elite. Why does this make you angry? I'm sure he donates a much higher percentage of his wealth than sad frauds like Bono, whose charity was just revealed to lie somewhere south of cheesy 80's televangelism in terms of accountability.
Stein celebrates American entrepreneurial genius and ordinary American workers. If he did not already exist, John Updike would have lovingly invented him. And yet, his appreciation of people who work for a living seems to make you angry, too.
I have several extremely liberal friends, and they simply cannot seem to stop expressing resentment towards people who have more than they do. Yet they want a lot for themselves. Yet they express contempt towards people who have relatively little, who shop and work at Walmart, and eat fast food, and so on. Some of them are strangely rude to service workers. In contrast, Ben Stein praises grocery clerks and fast food workers. Do you think he's actually mocking these people? Why would you think that?
As someone who has cheerfully donned the nylon chicken cap and worked in a very upscale bakery, I can venture the persuasion of someone's voter ID by the way they treat counter clerks. At the upscale bakery, one memorable customer was this professor forcibly imported to our city along with half of a particular Ivy League French faculty. Coca Cola bought the Ivies, who could not desist whining about the absence of good bread and stimulating conversation, though they seemed to be neither good bakers nor good conversationalists. This professor would show up when the bakery was busy, order espresso, pour a drop of it onto the skin between his thumb and finger, and if it did not ball appropriately, he would make me make it over again. Sometimes two or three times, while others were waiting. Sometimes he was rude. Sometimes he just humored me, as if I were a barely educable idiot.
Which is French for idiot.
Compare this to Ben Stein's celebration of the fast food chicken sandwich and those who make it and serve it. There you go.
drudge ette obama| 9.28.10 @ 7:42PM
Tina Trent - you've done well in this response - I like the chicken sandwich concept continued. Excellent.
gearjammer| 9.27.10 @ 1:53PM
Good old Ben has Ben on quite a roll, and still going strong. He may even be a fry cook on Venus someday ! Anything is possible for Ben.
Alan Brooks| 9.27.10 @ 8:27PM
"Go to hell you old bag, and take your boring brag-a-thons with you."
But even Hunter Thompson knew that "Reagan was the last great American."
It's not uninteresting to hear about the Library, as when someone eventually writes about the two Bush Libraries, we'll have to point out to them what a tedious exercise it is.
Alan Brooks| 9.27.10 @ 9:02PM
... sorry to double post, but the reason that so many (the ones who aren't totally anti-American) don't appreciate Reagan is because they don't know of his role in terminating the Cold War. We take it for granted it came to such a good outcome, but we might have known FAR worse than the Velvet Revolution if Reagan hadn't been president; possibly even a big nuclear war.
Instead i hear: "Reagan was great and all you libtards are commiefags!"
Pat| 9.27.10 @ 10:18PM
Hmm. You can't possibly be a liberal, because liberals claim their highest ideals are toleration.
You can't be a Democrat, because Democrats love diversity and many Jews (in Hollywood and NY City) are Democrats. And, you can't be a Republican, since you obviously aren't a racist and ALL Republicans must be racists. So, I figured it out. You are a nobody! Your rants are puerile. You have no humanity. You do not know what compassion is. You have no heart. Let me guess who your father is? Heinrich Himmler? No? Hmm. How about Charles Manson? Yep. That's it. So, Mr. Manson, thanks for your scintillating insights into Mr. Stein. He may be an old bag, but Mr. Manson (is it Marilyn Manson) but your inane and pedantic polemic prove that you exist only in the mind of the mindless.....so you are no-one...a NO body, a NO-Where (no) man.
If you were not so ignorant in your arrogance, I'd spend more time illustrating your utter stupidity, buffoonishness, clown persona and hatred for wholeness, but you wouldn't understand.
Bye clown.
Alan Brooks| 9.28.10 @ 2:42PM
"I'd spend more time illustrating your utter stupidity, buffoonishness, clown persona and hatred for wholeness, but you wouldn't understand."
A buffoon... such as McCain?
Nobammy Bin Lyin| 10.1.10 @ 10:30PM
I think you secretly masturbate to repeated viewings of Ferris. Such is the love/hate intensity of your rants. Do former military men stir those same feelings of passion in your anus too? Just curious.
Brian| 9.28.10 @ 6:50PM
Pat
Thanks for the insight on alan brooks.
Some might accuse you of charactor assassination, but on second thought, that's an impossible exercise with someone like a brooks. He exposes himself, via his posts, as being devoid of any character to assassinate. It's obvious that he finds himself overwhelmed just standing in the shadow of someone - anyone - with character, and it leaves him stuttering and drooling in frustration. Venom then becomes his only retaliation in hopes of camouflaging his empty shell, possessing nothing of any significant value to contribute to society. What a shame.
Stephanie Little| 9.28.10 @ 1:26PM
Mr. Stein, I am not an intellect, such as yourself, but am a very big fan of yours. I love to read your stories, so deep and profound and lots of meaning, yet simple and to the point. Very poignant. I loved the one about a month ago about when you went to New York and you visit the hotel your dad used to take you to (was it the St. Regis?) Anyway, I already live like you suggested, I appreciate both my parents, whom I am very blessed to still have, both having been cancer survivors, and I try to call them every other day, and go see them on Sundays. I can tell it means alot to them, and as they get older, even more. When they sincerely thank me for calling them or visiting them, it is I who am blessed to spend time with them! Thanks for sharing that! Oh, and on today's post, the giant spider got me! I have serious arachnaphobia! I don't know how you managed sweet slumber afterward, but kudos to you! I love your words, keep up the greatness! God Bless!
Kelli| 9.28.10 @ 1:30PM
I still love Ben Stein!
Alan | 9.28.10 @ 1:46PM
It is apparent by your very articulate and pithy comment that you were raised in a very civil manner. Your testube and surrugate must be proud of your cultural development. Though, honestly I think you are wrong in your assessment. But it may be because you are an early riser with nothing else to do. I look forward to all your eriudite responses in the future
Kirbs| 9.28.10 @ 8:10PM
How is it possible that you think so little of Benny, and yet you read his articles? Further, that you are so stupid not to recognize that his positions favor working people trying to make the American Dream?
I am as redneck as it comes and I think he's got great advice and commentary.
Kim McKenzie| 9.28.10 @ 10:48PM
You have got to be kidding me? You are that lacking for things to do. It is refreshing to me to hear any morsel of positive said for anyone in the republican party. Nancy was a thoughtful, elegant first lady. Michelle O. has had gushings bragert babble bequothed upon her expensive, Spanish vaca-behind on our $. Not to forget their dog, Bo got a free ride on AirForce one all by his doggie self - now that's energy efficient! SO go get a hobbie or something . . .
beebop| 9.30.10 @ 7:55AM
sow376 ... is that you?
I'm going to share a little gem courtesy of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but they are not entitled to their own facts.
Maybe you're more comforatable with the rantings of the uber left? If so, stay there and don't foment and torment those of us here? just one woman's opinion ...
drudge ette obama| 9.27.10 @ 6:51AM
It's nice to know that Van Jones (a/k/a Ben Stein Is A Hollywood Elite) is over his pity-party and able to communicate via email.
What makes you think SOW376@gmail is a man? He doesn't sound like a man.
We don't have Carl, Jr.s in the South yet, but we sure have chicken. I wonder if SOW376@gmail has ever eaten chicken. I bet he has.
boksteve| 9.27.10 @ 12:21PM
I believe Carl Jr's is the west coast brand of Hardees or they are owned by the same parent company. Very similar logo and menu. Hardees has well known in the south.
Kirbs| 9.28.10 @ 8:14PM
for the record, Carl, Jr.s bought out Hardees, whom I deeply loved and truly miss, before Hardees, they used to be called Sandy's......
Gretchen| 9.27.10 @ 3:14PM
drudge ette obama
Good point! A SOW, after all, is a female pig.
SpecOpsMike| 9.27.10 @ 8:35AM
ben, you leave me in stitches!!!! mrs regan is class, for sure. speaking of spiders, i remember when i was a young paratrooper with the 82nd airborne, we would train in a place called "area j." i was stumbling along, droning from lack of sleep, when i bumped into a huge web that carried a black widow spider. the body itself was at least the size of a nickle. needless to say, i was instantly sober. take care.
becky| 9.27.10 @ 8:35AM
What a 'realistic' bit of your life that you have shared with us Mr. Stein. Perhaps it is this "human" side of you that drives those who write such filfthy remarks to pen such refuse.
While the liberal nabobs drool over every little minutae of narrative from their favorite elitist leader, you provide a down to earth story about life, and how it has affected you and how you look at life today.
Let those who condemn rant on as they are simply demonstrating their own lack of intelligence and hatred with their very words.
And to think they claim to be from the party with an "open mind"....interesting....ironic....hypocritical..... Then again, I would expect nothing less from the extremist left.
SpecOpsMike| 9.27.10 @ 9:22AM
miss becky, when i was a junior nco, us army, i invested in the paper copy of the american spectator. i could not wait for my copy and read "ben stein's diaries." it helped carry me through deployments, and his thoughtful insights of himself and everyday life was a delight to read. still is. a joke while you sip your favorite beverage: do you remember when we had President Regan, and were surrounded by entertainer's such as johnny cash and bob hope? now that we have President Obama, we got no hope and no cash!!! be well.
SEG| 9.28.10 @ 11:55AM
I love it! You made me laugh, thanks I needed it today!!!
Ben Snyder| 9.30.10 @ 4:53PM
I'm using that joke for myself! Great! Do I have to send you residuals??
SpecOpsMike| 10.4.10 @ 10:06AM
yes. keep the faith with humour, sir. you probably were the first to spread that great joke around anyways!! later folks.
Ed Elberson| 9.27.10 @ 10:17AM
Keep the stories comming, I enjoy every one of them and look forward to reading about stuff you do. As for the sick people out there they will always be there and there is not much to do about it. They are in the minority!
Spoonman| 9.27.10 @ 10:34AM
Hate mail - Ben, ask almost any person who comments on the various websites where conservatives find interesting conservative commentary; we all to frequently see "hate" filled responses to our comments. Its a liberal thing to attempt to tear down people who have a differing view from theirs. Even my liberal friends seem to have no problem telling me how stupid I am for being a conservative - and the names they called President Bush when he was in office were shocking. Even our friends that are school teachers said horrible things about the President at home in front of their children - and I suspect they did that when at work as well.
Vern Crisler| 9.27.10 @ 12:58PM
I went to the Reagan library a few months ago, and saw AirForce 1, too. The thing I noticed was the laptops. I was surprised they had laptops in Reagan's day but the guide assured me they existed back then.
My only disappointment was the grave. It was pretty minimalistic, with a vapid quotation from Reagan on the wall. Surely, a president of Reagan's importance and stature in history deserves better.
Also, Ben, don't let the anti-semites get you down. They're losers who have nothing better to do than tear others down.
Cutch| 9.28.10 @ 9:19PM
Our family drove from San Francisco while visiting Cal. and extended our trip a day just to get to the library. It was a Sunday following July 4 and because of traffic, we could not get there before it closed and everyone was gone, but they let us have the grounds essentially to ourselves. We were able to stand by the President's graveside, pray for America, and watch the sun set over the hills toward the Pacific. All while listening to Ray Charles sing "America the Beautiful" from the cd in our rented car parked within earshot. The trellises nearby leading to and from the site were in bloom. Worth everything.
Nobama| 9.27.10 @ 12:59PM
The far left are like Gollum, the middle earth character: Sniveling, envious, pathetic, devious, self loathing and corrupt. The worst traits of humanity. I have never understood the hatred for Jews. Stranger still is the hatred among some Jews for Judaism.
Seek| 9.27.10 @ 4:03PM
Has it occurred to you that the very words you use to describe the Left are those which for centuries have been used against Jews -- and long before there was any Left of which to speak? A little charity goes a long way.
Nate W.| 9.27.10 @ 7:58PM
"Seek", it's not the same . The difference between saying what he did about the Left, and saying the same about the Jews, is that you can't really be part of the Left without accepting, to some degree, things like, for example, [class]envy, and self loathing (especially if you're an American Leftist).
JShizzle| 9.27.10 @ 1:26PM
I love how the "Progressives" seem to have an affinity for racist and bigoted comments. Throwing stones whilst living in glass houses and such. I'm surprised there wasn't a witty Palin barb thrown in there for good measure. How Progressive.
HR Halderman| 9.27.10 @ 3:07PM
Now Ben, I didn't come all the back to earth just to read your thoughts concerning Reagan (BTW, he's doing fine. He just beat Tricky Dick at horseshoes). Admit to everyone that you are the real Deepthroat.
Jim O'Brien| 9.27.10 @ 3:17PM
The Reagan library is a masterpiece. As someone above said, the gravesite is simple, but it is elegant simplicity. Looking at the chunk of the Berlin wall on the grass, I could hear Reagan's voice, tearing down the Evil Empire, the USSR. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." The replica of the Oval Office is fascinating, especially for those of us who will never see the real thing. The film about Reagan is stirring; people were sobbing when I was there a month after he died. The new building housing Air Force One and Marine One (paid for by Boone Pickens -- thank you very much Mr. Pickens) is awesome. Seven presidents used that plane, but only one President in my view. The architecture and landscape remind me of stories I have read about Reagan's love for horseback riding on his California ranch -- a place for a man connected to the earth, yet transcending it -- a giant among men for eternity. Just as with the Founding Fathers, I think Reagan's role was Providential. He is a powerful inspiration.
PCC| 9.27.10 @ 7:00PM
Dear Mr. O'Brien,
No doubt Mr. Reagan was the greatest of the seven presidents who used that plane. However, I think you're being a little ungenerous towards several of them by suggesting that they were something less than a President. Just my two cents' worth.
Jim O'Brien| 9.27.10 @ 8:28PM
I understand your point of view. The 7 were Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush 1, Clinton, and Bush 2. Nixon had some strong points and he wrote an excellent book titled "No More Vietnams" (the title meaning, let's not get into a war lacking the will to win). I liked Nixon. Carter? Ugh. Clinton had at least "some" good ideas, but also ended in disgrace. I like the two Bushes, but they had major weaknesses. Reagan towers above them all. Reagan's Diary is really fascinating, if you have not already read it.
Impeach Don't Wait| 9.27.10 @ 8:49PM
Ben,
I enjoy your joy of escorting Mrs. Reagan. Consider yourself as having done it for the many of us who wish we could. Something about her elegantly shines above the rest. I'm glad she enjoys the admiration of both her fans and those of her husband. Maybe it IS better than MGM.
loulou| 9.27.10 @ 8:38PM
Nixon brought us affirmative action, OSHA, wage and price controls and other statist monstrosities.
He was not conservative. He was brilliant but he was not conservative.
Nixon was also villified by the press and they hounded him until he resigned. If Nixon had been a liberal Democrat, Watergate would have been a non-story.
chuck| 9.27.10 @ 9:40PM
Mrs. Reagan is truly a woman of great class. How I wish the current First Lady would take some lessons from her.
When I think of Nancy, I always remember her at the President's funeral. As she stood watching the Prseident's casket being placecd on the caisson, there was complete silence. Suddenly, from in the crowd, came a loud and clear "WE LOVE YOU, NANCY!" The place erupted! Nancy just turned, smiled, and waved.
Such class.
Ronald and Nancy, where are you when we REALLY need you!
(Mrs.) Dorothy Robbins | 9.28.10 @ 3:12PM
Dear "Where are you when we REALLY need you. It's true but you''ll get your turn if you follow THE leader. I'm waiting my turn and at 90 on 1-1-11 it can't be too long. Another Ben Stein fan!!!!! P.S. I's easy to spot the enemy: "Thy speech shall betray thee."
JmsA| 9.27.10 @ 9:43PM
Good post, loulou; though I believe Nixon's apparent conservative unorthodoxy a bit more complex. To wit, Nixon could have been the first to use triangulation, pleasing the left of center domestic interests, as you previously alluded to-yet quite stout as far as our geopolitical adversaries were concerned. North Viet-Nam the most challenging of such, along with increasing Soviet influence in Africa, Nixon managed as best he could, to extricate the country from Viet Nam, as he reached out to Red China. No doubt, except for the subsequent economic events vis-a-vis the U.S., a master stroke of diplomacy against the Soviets--as was his aiding Israel during the Yom Kipur war in 1973.
JmsA| 9.27.10 @ 9:47PM
Apologies: I meant to write Yom Kippur.
Rich Rostrom| 9.27.10 @ 10:54PM
"Nancy Reagan, as important a woman as America has ever had."
Mrs. Reagan is a wonderful person and was a great companion to Mr. Reagan, but "important"?
For good or ill, she is not comparable even to Hilary Clinton - who as First Lady was far more influential and interfering than Mrs. Reagan ever wanted to be, and has also been a U.S. Senator and Secretary of State.
Among other First Ladies: Mrs. Reagan never had the star power of Jackie Kennedy, nor the political weight of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Among other American women: Meg Whitman created not only an immense new business, but an an entire new way for millions of people to do business. Oprah Winfrey, by her own efforts, has won an enormous world-wide audience and become a multi-billionaire. Going back a ways: Mary Baker Eddy founded a major religion.
Mrs. Reagan is simply not in the same class.
drudge ette obama| 9.28.10 @ 7:12AM
Nancy Reagan is a film legend whose succeeded in a highly competitive environment because she had grit and talent. Perhaps you weren't alive or coherent when she was First Lady, but she dressed fabulously - and never would have worn some of those god-awful outfits you see on Hillary or Michelle. Hillary doesn't even wash her hair - and did you see that grooming clip she had on her head at the UN the other day? Poor grooming is a sign of mental illness.
You are right, Nancy Reagan is not in the same class as Oprah Winfrey or Hillary. She's miles higher.
(Mrs.) Dorothy Robbins | 9.28.10 @ 3:21PM
Being a lady, setting a good example, and supporting her husband as well as caring for him when he was ill is far superior to anything the others mentioned did. In fact, I'm mighty glad she didn't do a lot of the things they did and some are still doing! We'd be a better country now if they'd take some lessons from her.
allison aller | 9.28.10 @ 12:31AM
Don 't all these silly people know that you are the best most favorite mensch in the whole online commentary world?
Sending lots of happy appreciation your way to make up for those hateful loonies out there....
ari| 9.28.10 @ 12:54PM
thank you for sharing your time with us. I am so glad that Mrs Nancy Reagan is still loved and appreciated.
Sally| 9.28.10 @ 1:22PM
Ben, you are one of my favorite people. It's nice to read that Mrs. Regan in person was not stiff or formal. We need Carl Jrs. in more places, visiting CA recently, we discovered Carl Jr. and have missed it since returning to Ohio. Keep up the good work and ignore the haters;) You are a lovely man.
Bloefeld| 9.28.10 @ 1:48PM
Every one is entitled to an opinion. Even boorish ones.
I have come to conclude that you cannot game the bell curve. For every Ben Stein out there you will find a "Ben Stein is a Hollywood Elite" out there too.
So, bah too you "Elite" it may help you to have someone get you a dictionary and look up and explain the word "raconteur" to you several times. Ben's missives (oops too big a word) Ben's little stories are just meant to add color to our lives. He is not bragging so much as giving us insight (sorry with the big word again) a point of view from his experience.
If you find him tedious (geez again with the big word) not too much of interest for your taste then why read him?
My guess is that it is a result of that nasty old bell curve again. Once you are on the left side of it, there is no way out.
Cheers,
Bloefeld
BriBriVM| 9.28.10 @ 2:01PM
Thanks for brightening Saturday morning for me, Ben. You and Wayne Rogers are the voices of reason. Also, I think it's hilarious that you exposed the E Mail address of the scumbag!
EmptyH| 9.28.10 @ 2:07PM
Way back when I was in junior high, my Camp Fire group visited Sacramento. Governor Reagan was not there but Mrs. Reagan greeted us and gave us a tour of the Governor's office. She was as lovely and gracious as you describe, and treated a bunch of 12-year-olds so beautifully, that I remember it vividly to this day. Thank you so much for sharing your feelings at getting to escort this true LADY!
aBenfan| 9.28.10 @ 2:11PM
Ben,
Your story about Mrs. Reagan takes me back to better days. President Reagan was my Commander-In-Chief when I served and let me tell you, those of us in uniform believed in him, unlike what our brave armed forces are saddled with now. We knew that we might get that knock on the door at 3am, but if we were deploying we had the full weight of our CIC behind us. He was a real President and could never be accused of being in over his head, like some folks in DC now-a-days. By the way Ben, please ignore all of the liberal boneheads who leave the nasty comments. Its just their way of being inclusive...
Lt Col Robert Blair, USAF| 9.28.10 @ 2:28PM
Ben, you are like a satellite store in a mall. The rest of us just live our lives held in place and secure by your gravity. I appreciate you, my friend. Your intelligence is a welcome resource to all that is right with the USA.
Anthony| 9.28.10 @ 2:51PM
Ditto Lt. Colnel Blair. Thanks
Jorge| 9.28.10 @ 3:18PM
Ben, As usual always great! Those who continue to see you as anything other then Ben are blinded by more then hate! All but the intolerant love you!Keep going.
Tim| 9.28.10 @ 4:28PM
God made Abraham, the father of Jacob AND Ishmael, a promise. "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you".
Nazi Germany did try to eliminate the Jews from the earth. The result ?
1) 95% of the German men who were 23 years old at the beginning of WWII were either dead or missing at the end of WWII.
2) Up to 2 million (yes, 2 million) German women raped (mostly by the Russians).
Great Britain trained and equipped (and led?) the Arab Legion against the Jewish people in the 1948 War of Independence that resulted in the (re) founding of the State of Israel.
The result?
Great Britain pretty much lost its empire (India in 1948 and other countries followed).
God loves Arab and Jew equally as much. He desires both to live in peace. When Christ returns this will happen, however I am not holding my breath it will happen until then.
God bless you,
Tim
Jim| 9.28.10 @ 5:25PM
Ben is a national treasure. Not only is he incredibly witty (in a dry-self-deprecating-sort-of-way), but his commentary is to the point and understandable. His "automobile dozing", Carl's Jr stop and his star-struck account of escorting Nancy Reagan is priceless. I don't get it ... what does being Jewish have to do with any of this???
Frank G Campbell | 9.28.10 @ 8:10PM
To sow376@gmail.com
: September 28, 2010 8:02:38 PM
To: sow376@gmail.com
Hey Fuck-Head Jew Hater how bout me and the Texas Jewboys come on over to your place and perform a cicumcision with a potato peeler.You anti-semitic cunt.You probably dress up like Eva Braun and have your boyfriend who's dressed like Hitler or more probably Goring bugger you from behind.At each thrust,faggot,he says"Seig!" and when he pulls back you moan in a falsetto voice "Heil!"The trouble with Jew hating faggots like you is you're as queer as a three dollar bill and just can't admit it.Oh,by the way your neighbours asked me to tell you to wipe the spunk off your face before you go outside
Dandapani| 9.28.10 @ 9:04PM
To the gasbag accuser above: Have you ever met Mr. Stein? I have. He is a genuinely kind and friendly human being. If only we had more of them in the spheres Mr. Stein walks in. I read and cherish every word he writes. Thanks for your good thoughts, Mr. Stein. Have a nice nap.
Frank | 9.28.10 @ 9:12PM
Hey Dandapani,idiot.I was replying to the Jew Hater who insulted Stein.I sent it to the email address Mr Stein so graciously supplied.It was NOT addressed to Mr Stein you blithering sycophant idiot.Read before you criticise fool.
SpecOpsMike| 9.29.10 @ 9:37AM
frank, i believe you will surely live to a ripe old age. take care.
Old Oligarch| 9.28.10 @ 10:20PM
I am one of those who always read Ben's Diary first when The American Spectator comes in the mail. That smile on his face is irresistible. It's the smile of a friend who's about to share a really great story with me, and by golly he does! Keep going, Ben!
Patricia| 9.29.10 @ 3:43AM
We love you, Ben! Eat your veggies and keep smiling. Never mind the brickbats. Remember, the birds only pick at the best fruit!!
Tim| 9.29.10 @ 11:57AM
Dear Readers - sorry - the below is a correction:
God made Abraham, the father of Isaac AND Ishmael, a promise. "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you".
Originally stated that Abraham was father of Jacob - sorry again.
The best foreign policy initiative the U.S. can have is to Bless the State of Israel.
God bless you,
Tim
Vern| 9.29.10 @ 1:39PM
I love Ben's clubties and yellow or pink buttondowns with just the right collar roll. Where does he get them? Brooks Brothers are no good anymore.
sportnwoody| 9.29.10 @ 8:46PM
Ben Stein, You are a genius as well as an incredibly tolerant man that I have the highest respect for. Sick and envious people do not deserve the time of day. Keep up the good fight and god bless you and your family. From a disabled friend in upstate New York and a former Santa Monica homeowner.
george w. starch III| 9.30.10 @ 2:38PM
Ben, I just wish we lived closer to one another. I think we'de be good buds. Congrats on escourting Mrs.Reagan. Your little reminiscences honestly cost me a few teary eyes. Ronnie was the greatest.
Rowan91016| 9.30.10 @ 3:47PM
Thank you, Ben, for persevering in the face of ingrates and idiots. Your attitude of gratefulness and appreciation for the small things in life truly enriches us all. Your column is one of the highlights of my week.
Penny| 10.2.10 @ 4:04PM
First time reader today and now will go look for your other columns. Love your writing. Love how thrilled you are to have escorted the one true American lady in the public eye. The libtards who post here are just fulfilling their daily ration in order to get paid by Soros. Please keep going and ignore the envious idiots. Thank you!
Glenda| 10.2.10 @ 10:43PM
I just love you Ben Stein. I wish I could meet you one day. I am a Southern Belle and love conservative politics. You could think of me as a Tennessee Sarah Palin. Sending you a hug. Glenda, Spring Hill, TN
d rybarz| 10.3.10 @ 10:09AM
Ben to me you are the voice of reason and commonsense. I love hearing your commentaries and reading your articles, keep up the good work.
The good Ben| 10.11.10 @ 4:13PM
Ben Stein Said:
---"(I owe my pal Barron Thomas, who had provided me with many fine suggestions for the speech."
Might want to mention your "friend" was just indicted on a ponzi scheme
suz| 10.29.10 @ 6:01AM
Love you Ben & your column!!!
Rowan | 11.1.11 @ 6:59PM
Dear Mr. Stein: Allow me to apologize on behalf of that sick person who emailed you. The anonymity of the internet allows people to be quite vile -- without repercussion.
You are a complete gentleman; and, although I often disagree with you on Neil's Saturday morning show, I still admire your courtliness and courtesy. We need more of both. Thank you for being you.
Also, I agree with Glenn Beck that anti-Jewish sentiment is becoming more and more dangerous. Take care.