The American Spectator : Perspectives on Wealth

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Perspectives on Wealth

By Ben Stein on 11.18.10 @ 6:08AM

New York obscures them, but then a letter arrives from a military family.

Monday
Money, money, money. I am in New York City I had a nightmare at the Essex House last night trying to get a decent room. After all, I have only been staying there 20 years. Why should they give me a decent room? Finally, I got one and went to it and went to sleep.

Today at lunch I walked over to the Links Club, a highly exclusive entity on the east side, where I had lunch with my old pal Peter Flanigan. I had a little trouble with the young woman a the front desk over my tennis shoes, as she called them, and was banished to the library where, as she politely said, I wouldn’t make the club "look bad."

Lunch was fine. I could see behind my pal Peter the former Secretary of the Treasury, Robert M. Rubin. He looked very cheerful and why not? He was chair of Goldman Sachs, did extremely well there, did a spectacular job as SecTreas for Clinton, then emerged virtually unscathed from the meltdown as a high pooh-bah at Citi.

Peter and I talked about the current state of affairs. He must be in his mid-eighties, but he looks great and has all of his marbles, far more marbles than I have.

I walked back to my hotel and met my sister for a nice talk, and marveled, as I always do, at how sharp she is. We share few views on the world and she lives a much cleaner, neater, more sane life than I do, but we are very close anyway.

Then a nap, and then off to speak to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts at The Waldorf.

I have been a REIT investor forever. I love their dividends, their often low correlation with the S & P 500, and their ability to discount inflation. We all had a nice evening, but I was restless so I headed over to Milos, a restaurant on 55th street, intending to have a solitary late night snack. However, I ran into a group from NAREIT and we visited for a long time.

I had been with a bunch of very rich people all day and I was whining to myself about how poor I was by comparison until received the following letter in my e-mail. That put it all to bed. What the hell nerve do any of us have complaining about our lives when we witness the heroism and sacrifice of men and women like the Kelly family? What can we ever do for them that is enough?

To All:
Please share this with as many people as you can.

This is as real and as personal as it gets when you have a child serving overseas in a combat zone.

From: Kelly, Lt Gen John F.
Date: November 12, 2010 10:23:20 PM EST
Subject: My Boy

Family and Friends,

As I think you all know by now our Robert was killed in action protecting our country, its people, and its values from a terrible and relentless enemy, on 9 Nov, in Sangin, Afghanistan. He was leading his Grunts on a dismounted patrol when he was taken. They are shaken, but will recover quickly and already back at it. He went quickly and thank God he did not suffer. In combat that is as good as it gets, and we are thankful.

We are a broken hearted -- but proud family. He was a wonderful and precious boy living a meaningful life. He was in exactly the place he wanted to be, doing exactly what he wanted to do, surrounded by the best men on this earth -- his Marines and Navy Doc.

The nation he served has honored us with promoting him posthumously to First Lieutenant of Marines. We will bury our son, now 1st Lt Robert Michael Kelly USMC, in Arlington National Cemetery on 22 Nov. Services will commence at 1245 at Fort Myers. We will likely have a memorial receiving at a yet to be designated funeral home on 21 Nov. The coffin will be closed.

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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.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (39) | Leave a comment

Joedoc| 11.18.10 @ 6:39AM

Mr. Stein, Thank you for all off your comments concerning the military who so faithfully protect us at all times. Truly they are the heroes and need to be seen as such, even though in this country they don't seeem to get the attention they truly deserve. For all of the family members who have lost loved ones, thank you for the way you have raised children to love and honor country. When we think we have had a bad day, we need to remember all of the fallen soldiers to get some perspective on what is truly important in life.

Appleby| 11.18.10 @ 7:25AM

Dear Mr. Stein: My Mama taught me, as her Mama taught her, that people who talk constantly about money -- theirs and other peoples -- are vulgar mushrooms who should take a Great Books Course and a vacation. (Mama would have also added, *and pick up a mop and a bucket and clean up this kitchen while you flap your mouth*).

In the middle of a big recession, where the press is already wasting our time with the next Royal Wedding in all of its overpriced vulgarity, why would we want to be treated to a taunt from a rich man with a list of all the stuff he has that we do not?

Nice people do not talk about money. Act like you have been there before.

Paul D| 11.18.10 @ 11:45AM

Appleby,

Sometimes your posts are lucid, but by this one, methinks you forgot to take your medication this morning.

eburkedisciple| 11.18.10 @ 1:25PM

Jealous? Or just stupid. Did you miss the point that Mr. Stein was saying that money is not what matters or what makes us. It is our honor, our integrity, our character that make us. Without that you are nothing.

deejay| 11.18.10 @ 9:21PM

thank you for your succinct description of a thoughtlessly typed comment.

Appleby| 11.19.10 @ 6:39AM

If money does not matter, why brag about it in such detail before you bring that point up? And Then I Bought is not conversation. The story that follows the chronicle of what Ben spent is the story. It would have been the story without the prelude.

beebop| 11.19.10 @ 9:14AM

I'm so sorry that Ben didn't fashion this column exactly as you would have done. Perhaps you'd like to reconsider reading him? Or in the very least sharing your inane comments and excuses with the rest of us? I have a thought .... email this to the people who think just like you do with your cute comments and bore the heck out of them, because, seriously? You appear to have confused most of us with someone who actually gives a shot about your thinking?

Thanks so much!

TennesseeVolunteer| 11.18.10 @ 7:36AM

Appleby, you twit, this story is about the heroes in our midst! Who serve while we sleep! Who serve while we post on these sites to remind and support each other that we can defeat evil overseas and restore the freedom of a once proud nation on our shores.
Save your vitriol for another day. a her has died and we all mourn.
I will pray for First Lieutenant Kelly on Thanksgiving Day when we remember heroes at our Thanksgiving Day prayer.

TennesseeVolunteer | 11.18.10 @ 7:39AM

Sorry to the Kelly family. My third last line should have read "a hero has died"
I was so darned mad at Appleby I didn't proof it.

Bob K.| 11.18.10 @ 8:15AM

Mr. Stein,
Aren't you embarrassed a little bit?

Look at your third paragraph about Robert Rubin. He was the "CHAIR" of Goldman Sachs? Indeed! Have you, of all people, become infected with the virus of political correctness?

For shame, Sir!

Bob K.| 11.18.10 @ 8:22AM

And after chiding you with my tongue in cheek I want to thank you for your sympathetic and heartfelt article.

Melvin| 11.18.10 @ 8:42AM

Marines are about the most peculiar breed of human beings I have ever witnessed. They treat their service as if it was some kind of cult, plastering their emblem on almost everything they own, making themselves up to look like insane fanatics with haircuts to ungentlemanly lengths, worshiping their Commandant almost as if he was a god, and making weird noises like a band of savages. They’ll fight like rabid dogs at the drop of a hat just for the sake of a little action, and are the cockiest SOBs I have ever known. Most have the foulest mouths and drink well beyond man’s normal limits, but their high spirits and sense of brotherhood set them apart and, generally speaking, the United States Marines I’ve come in contact with are the most professional soldiers and the finest men I have had the pleasure to meet.
—Anonymous Canadian

I took this Canadian observation of United States Marines from another brother's website who served with 1st Battalion Third Marines. I think of it befitting for a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.

May ye rest in solemn peace skipper, for when my turn comes to cross into the Elysian Fields, I hope that you be there to guide me into the peace of Elysium.

REALLY OLD DOC| 11.18.10 @ 9:00PM

AS A NAVY CORPSMAN HAVING SURVIVED KOREA IN 1953 I CAN TELL YOU FIRST HAND THERE IS NO FINER, BRAVER, MORE LOYAL SOLDIER IN THE WORLD THAN MY COMPANY OF GRUNTS. HOW THEY UNSELFISHLY COVERED ME SO I COULD TAKE CARE OF ONE WOUNDED WAS REMARKABLE. THEIR CONCERN TOTALLY WIPED OUT ANY FEARS I HAD. I DOUBT THAT I WOULD BE HERE TODAY IF NOT FOR THEIR CONCERN. GOD HAS WELCOMED LT.KELLY AND BLESSED HIS FAMILY.

Denver Todd| 11.18.10 @ 8:56AM

When I get email that start with Please share this with as many people as you can, I just delete it.

Ken (Old Texican)| 11.18.10 @ 10:20AM

Denver,
What if you get that e-mail from a friend?

OH. No friends? I wonder why.

eburkedisciple| 11.18.10 @ 1:28PM

LOL!!!!

Career Soldier| 11.18.10 @ 9:01AM

Thank you Mr. Stein for reminding us again what true unselfish generosity looks like.

For a warrior like LTG Kelly to allow his own sons to follow him onto the battlefields, well that takes a patriotism, and sense of purpose that I did not have. I advised my own sons away from military service because of my own selfish desires to keep them safe. As much as I adore my homeland and it's ideals, enough to give my own life if required, I lacked the courage to accept the possibility of burying one of my boys for her. My heart bleeds for the Kelly's. They are truely American Royalty and we are blessed that they are ever faithful.

OldSeabee| 11.18.10 @ 11:29AM

My condolences to the Kelly family, who represent the 1% of our fellow citizens in the armed forces of our country. It is a terrible thing for a parent to bury a child, even with these circumstances. 1st LT. Kelly deserves our thanks and gratitude for his service to our country, and those who would denigrate him and his compadres are the real losers.

OLDRAY| 11.18.10 @ 11:35AM

A long ago Army soldier, Ihave always admired and respected the United States Marines. From WW2 to date ,no matter how tough the task, the USA could always count on The Marines. All sympathy to the fine ,patriotic Kelly family. Out of respect to their sons (and all members of this valient team) we should all resist current Defense Department efforts to cut back needed funding . The Marines, bless them, deserve this nation's full support.

Lupus Lou| 11.18.10 @ 12:36PM

The kid's still dead and you're still rich. So?

Allen Logue| 11.18.10 @ 3:04PM

What a callous ass you are.

I guess you didn't read the article. In polite society, that negates any prerogative to comment.

Gordon| 11.20.10 @ 7:04PM

And you are still an ASS !

RCV| 11.18.10 @ 12:44PM

Thanks again, Ben, for another gem reminding all of us about what is most important.

RacerJim| 11.18.10 @ 1:02PM

Dear Mr Stein, et al:
Here's a little something you can do to honor the heroism and sacrifice of men and women like the Kelly family.

Go to http://honorandremember.org, purchase one of their "Personalized 3' x 5' Hand-Stitched Appliqued 'Honor and Remember' " flags and have Honor and Remember arrange to have it presented to them in a proper ceremony. Time is off the essence for the Kelly family but Honor and Remember is based in Chesapeake, VA and might be able to present a flag to the Kelly family on the 22nd if you act NOW.

harlottesville VA and might be able to pres

RacerJim| 11.18.10 @ 1:11PM

Average salary after four years employment:

Military personnel = 23,000.00
Private sector = 50,000.00
Public sector = 75,000.00
Congress = 175,000.00

I see something terribly wrong with that picture,
like the salaries should be in reverse order!

Cap'n Rusty| 11.18.10 @ 5:15PM

Marines do not do what Marines do for the money. They are not mercenaries; they are patriots. Honor cannot be purchased.

RacerJim| 11.18.10 @ 6:29PM

As the son of a WWII & Korean Conflict Veteran and a Vietnam Veteran myself, I understand perfectly well that none of our Armed Forces do what they do for the money. Honor indeed cannot be purchased. I meant nothing of the sort.

Sarah| 11.18.10 @ 1:52PM

Agreed. This is why it is so shocking that your party consistently votes against funding for veterans.

Sarah| 11.18.10 @ 1:54PM

"those who would denigrate him and his compadres are the real losers."

You mean the politicians who vote against funding for veterans? google the history. The idea that opposition to decisions by politicians to make war equates to disrespect for the soldiers themselves is a tired canard. My dad's stories about WWII, from Sicily to the camps, are haunting.

C B Smith| 11.18.10 @ 2:19PM

As he has in numerous articles, Ben Stein brings himself and us back to the normal life of courage and tragedy after ruminating about the luxury of life around him.

Mr. Stein's cleverness and sense of humor always lead me back to his writings. My prayers for the Kelly family and Lt. Kelly.

James Baker| 11.18.10 @ 2:27PM

As a Soldier I would say "This we'll defend", the fallen Marine would have said "Semper Fi". Living and dead we would say, "We follow the flag of our fathers."
Another warrior of the Republic gone, long may Lady Liberty grant him rest under the watchful eyes of God

Mojo Risin| 11.18.10 @ 2:35PM

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” – General George S. Patton Jr.

MOTHER| 11.18.10 @ 5:49PM

AS A MOTHER OF A RETIRED MARINE , AND GRANDMOTHER OF AN ARMY MEDIC . I AGREE WITH THE ABOVE STATEMENT . “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” – General George S. Patton Jr. THANK GOD THEY LIVED .

Morris Bryant, MD| 11.18.10 @ 9:04PM

As the son-in-law of a Vietnam POW, a brother-in-law of a two tours in Iraq Army officer, nephew of 2 Vietnam vet uncles, I can only add my thanks to Ben for his succinctness in focusing us on what is important and what we should be thankful for.

jonesmilitarywife| 11.19.10 @ 12:14AM

Mr. Stein,
I am so proud to be a military wife, and my heart is aching for this family. To loose a son who is courageous, loyal, and compassionate is a tremendous loss to a family, and a loss to all of us who benefit from his sacrifice.
I always enjoy your perspective. God Bless.
And may this brave young man RIP.

sinanju| 11.19.10 @ 12:16AM

So Ben really DOES wear those sneakers with everything?

Gordon| 11.20.10 @ 10:10AM

As a Navy Vet. I do not believe enough credit is given to our hero's.
This is something that the Liberals, Socialist and Communist don't understand.
These people think there are no "rich" Democrats.

David Brown| 11.21.10 @ 12:17PM

Something about Ben. He does not hide how he got to where he is at. His tongue is somehow always out..seeking the arse of whomever is higher up on the status ladder. He is a master of his craft. What is it? The third oldest profession?

angee woodman| 11.23.10 @ 2:48PM

I find it funny that the majority of people who dont have money feel content and secure, while the ones who HAVE money, feel constantly insecure without a little bit more..

a point to ponder Mr.Stein