The American Spectator : End of Summer

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End of Summer

By Ben Stein on 8.31.11 @ 6:08AM

Sandpoint is emptying, like my account.

Monday
Another insanely late day getting up. This time I was awakened by a real estate agent ringing my door bell up here in Sandpoint to slip some papers under the door. Why did he need to ring the bell?

Then a punch to the gut. I called my broker at a large firm and asked him how much money I had in my account there after the recent corrections. Uh-oh. Less than I had thought. I am not looking for sympathy. It was my own fault for not paying closer attention. I just feel better when I have more money. That's probably stupid of me. No, wait, it's not stupid at all. It's sensible.

I mentally changed the subject. I sat down and wrote a book review of a truly fabulous book about how oil had changed Alaska. The book is called Crude Awakening by Amanda Coyne and Tony Hopfinger and it's must reading.

Then a hearty breakfast and then off on my bicycle to City Beach Park. But what a shock! The beach was nearly deserted. Yet school is not in session here. The weather is perfect. It feels like that great Don Henley song, "Nobody on the street, nobody on the beach. I feel it in the air, summer's out of reach."

Then there is that great song by the Bell Notes: "Summer's over, on the corner, the day I knew I was a goner." By some guys from Brooklyn, maybe. But a genuinely great song. "I've Had It." I think I'll order it from Amazon right now.

Then, back home and then out on the boat for a run over the Ivano's Del Lago. There was a strong southwest wind and powerful waves, but with the boat's great navigation tools and our pal Tim Farmin's firm guidance, Alex, Tim and I cruised into port unharmed.

That place, too, was deserted. Never mind. The sky was clear and there was a perfect breeze and the waitresses were their usual cheery selves. I was tired, so I went to a deserted table and put my head down like a kindergartener resting -- which is, I guess, what I am. A lovely hostess named Keely brought me ice water. I fell asleep and when I awoke, I was in paradise: Hope, Idaho. On the lake. My wife and Tim nearby. Fresh chowder waiting for me at my table.

The terrace rapidly filled up with cheery diners who called out kind words to me. Why doesn't anyone ever do that in L.A.? Only my bankers from First Credit Bank, who happen to eat lunch at Nonna, as I do, in West Hollywood, ever bother to talk to me. Otherwise, after thirty-five years there, I might as well be a stranger.

As we left, a lot of diners said, "Good bye, Ben. We love you." It reminded me of my great college fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi. Oh, the times we had there, 1963-66. The black tie parties, the pool, the drinking, the brothers. I will never have that many friends again.

Earlier, at Ivano's, after describing my insane extravagance to Tim Farmin, I said, "I hope you'll still be my friend when I'm broke." He said, "I'll always be your friend," and I was deeply touched.

The ride back on the water in the semi-darkness was perfect. The temperature was about 75. There was a mild breeze coming up the lake, and there were none of the usual insects that torment me at dusk. It was great. I did almost crash into the dock, but then I often do that.

When we got to the magnificent dock here at The Seasons, Alex and I sat in the dark letting the breeze blow over us for a long time. Just sitting in deck chairs looking at the dark lake.

Dana Martin and I buried dear Peter Feierabend's ashes out there. By now, it's probably fourteen years ago. I think of him every day and how much I miss him. He once told me he would take a bullet for me. Instead, he died. He drowned on a rafting trip. He was an Olympic swimmer. What happened?

At home, Alex went on the computer to try to do some charity work, but she could not find the documents she wanted and got very frustrated. No good deed goes unpunished.

I napped and then read the Wall Street Journal. Discouraging. Almost insane. Yet I will say it again: In my tiny world, my tiny, infinitesimal world, I cannot name one person, not one, who is well qualified, will take any job, has good work skills, and a good appearance and a flexible personality, who cannot get work.

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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 (97) | Leave a comment

Shamus| 8.31.11 @ 7:17AM

Ben may be a nice man, but he's rather ignorant.

I saw him advocate a federal wealth tax recently, saying that if you have savings or property that the federal government should be allowed to simply attach a portion of it.

This would make leftists really happy, but there is a clause of the Constitution specifically forbidding this kind of tax.

If Ben wants to run his mouth about taxes he ought to learn something about the subject. My opinion is that it's best to ignore his ideas on any economic subject, as he clearly has no idea what he's talking about. This is kind of sad because his father was a noted economist.

Dru from Hope, Idaho| 8.31.11 @ 10:56AM

"As we left, a lot of diners said, 'Good bye, Ben. We love you.'"

Ben is too modest to describe his emotional exit in detail, so I will do it for him.

I was sitting two tables from Ben, his wife, and Tim, and when they stood to leave the restaurant, the love and respect fellow diners have for Ben was almost palpable.

The entire restaurant--every man, woman, and child--stood at their tables and gave Ben and his family a stirring standing ovation. One of the diners could be heard above the clapping calling, "Ben, you're a national treasure!" And there were cries of "God bless you, Ben" from all over.

My own husband picked the napkin off the table to wipe tears from his eyes, and my bottom lip was trembling because I was trying so hard to control my emotions. That man has the most powerful, loving charisma! You'd have to be in Ben's presence to feel it. He has this loving aura about him.

God blesses those of us who deserve his blessings. Yes, we are outrageously successful and rich, and I am sorry that most of you posters are not successful and rich.

You, perhaps, live in low-rent apartments or rural trailer parks. This would explain your jealousy and hostility to our beloved Ben. I can't think of anything else that would cause you to write such hateful comments.

God bless you, Ben. We out here in Idaho love you! Adore you! And wish you a long healthy life full of more achivements and riches.

Anthony| 8.31.11 @ 11:40AM

Dear Dru, You and your husband are invited to have dinner with me and my wife at our CT trailer.
Please bring your own napkins to cry in after you experience our warm hospitality, oh, and we even have indoor plumbing, just like your beloved Stein has. So what's there for us to be jealous about???

Anthony| 8.31.11 @ 12:38PM

P.S. Dear Dru, Please forgive my boasting in having mentioned our indoor plumbing. It was so insenitive and boorish of me, given that our neighbors have been quite envious of us for some time now.
Did I mention Litt'le Abner dropped by to use the facilities the other day? We had quite the conversation about investment strategies and shorting pork bellies.
That said, my wife and I were commenting the other day on how pleased we are with our designer bathroom scheme, oh, did I mention it was a special designer touch from none other than Mr. J.C. Penny himself? We find the matching pink towels just over the top!!!
Oh well, it's time to take my Metamusil and nap with my teenage daughter.

Peter McGrath| 8.31.11 @ 12:02PM

You and the other patrons may have been overawed, somewhat, at the presence of a celebrity. Ben's a good writer, seemingly decent enough bloke, but not what I'd call an expert at anything (certainly not economics). To refer to his "powerful, loving charisma" and "this loving aura about him" (?!) suggests that you were in the presence of some sort of angelic being, not the cheerful curmudgeon, Ben Stein.

Ace of Diamonds| 8.31.11 @ 12:27PM

Dru, you are correct when you say "God blesses those of us who deserve his blessings."

I've seen it over and over: Rich, successful people have been blessed by God because God is rewarding them for their hard work and good behavior.

Poor people, on the other hand, do not deserve God's blessings because of the stupid choices they make and the careless lives they live.

A harsh truth, but it's time poor people come to grips with why God favors certain people above them.

Margie| 8.31.11 @ 2:20PM

"God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." 1 Cor. 1:28 & 29.

I take my lot with the low and despised. If I didn't, I'd still be as haughty and arrogant as you.

But by the Grace of God, I am what I am.
If I weren't a sinner, I wouldn't need a Saviour. How about you? Or are you too good for Him?

Elizabeth| 8.31.11 @ 4:50PM

You said it, Margie! Amen!

Occam's Tool| 9.1.11 @ 6:58PM

You know, I've had solid money and also been quite poor. Work ethic is very important. But I hope none of you clowns in Hope get a long debilitating illness that keeps you from enjoying your wealth.

We believe that Ben's views of taxation are idiotic. We think his namedropping of places he has stayed to be pompous and boring (I've stayed in many of those same places).

And, while I believe that people should be allowed to make and enjoy their wealth, Dru, it is fairly obvious that you are a shallow moron. Ever see an 18 month old kid whose brain is full of pus because his stepdad kicked him down some stairs? Or tried to feed a cocaine withdrawal newborn who was born preemie with no decent suck reflex? I have.

You do the best you can. You obey G-d's Laws aas best you can, and work as hard as you can. But never forget that the Blessings come form G-d, and there are people who are handed horrific breaks that are not their own fault.

My son, for example, was born with only one functional ear. He is the sweetest boy in the world. But the ear situation is not something he "deserved."

As for why people are not nice in LA, Ben---it's because it is filled with every Thespian asshole from high school. Self-centered dickheads, Ben.

Occam's Tool| 9.1.11 @ 7:09PM

Ace,

I know many good poor people and many shit-headed rich people. The people who do maid service for my house are people I would take over Ben or Dru in a New York Minute.

Incidentally, I dumped the daughter of the VEEP of the New Jersey Nets when I was a Resident in Psychiatry (About the girl---She wouldn't follow me to my first stop in rural Alabama, where I paid off all of my student loans in 18 months through very hard work.). I'm an UCLA grad. I could have had a Beverly Hills Practice. But I choose to work in Minnesota helping Indigenous peoples as an inpatient psychiatrist (hint---making more money net than I would in LA). No sour grapes here. I'm just not a shallow asshole like Ben.

As for the fabulously rich couple in Idaho---I favor low taxes on wealthy people, as they invest, Dru. But your pompous attitude will disappear the first time your Doc tells you that one of you has cancer or advanced heart disease, and then I expect you both will be cursing G-d, as your philosophy reveal you to be shallow bastards. My wife has had two Cancers, both in remission, in different glands, and I was worked up for Cardiac Ischemia 12 years ago. We both praise G-d.

Dru, you and Ben are fools.

Junius| 8.31.11 @ 12:52PM

C'mon Dru fess up. Ben must have picked up your dinner tab but I'll bet he'll use it as a tax write off. You sound just like an Obama worshipper!

Miss Alabama| 8.31.11 @ 5:01PM

Ben, after reading some of these comments, my heart is aching for you. People can be so cruel. But you know that I will always love you; you will always have a friend in me, darling.

Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you, my friend, will see
You've got a friend in me

Ben, you're always running here and there
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's one thing you should know
You've got a place to go

I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"

Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben

Nora| 8.31.11 @ 5:03PM

Miss Alabama,

Your beautiful poem made me cry. Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming to Ben's defence.

Seems like so many of our readers are rejecting him.

emilio lizardo, PhD| 8.31.11 @ 5:23PM

My god. That was a Michael Jackson about a friggin RAT

Nora| 8.31.11 @ 5:42PM

Well it was still kind of Miss Alabama to post the poem. She did not claim she wrote it. It was me who thought she did.

But I do wonder about Miss Alabama's relationship with Ben, a married man. Any comments from anyone?

beebop| 8.31.11 @ 7:04PM

Seriously?

Thank goodness you said "married" and not "monogamous!"

Occam's Tool| 9.4.11 @ 11:40PM

Miss Alabama is a wonderful lady. The song about a murderous rat was just perfect. I, personally, found the love of my life in Alabama---she's still with after 16 years of marital bliss (this Tuesday).

Miss Alabama knows the high esteem I hold for her, and the other Flowers of The South.

Junius| 8.31.11 @ 10:49PM

Earth to Miss Alabama, Earth to Miss Alabama come in please, come in please. You are losing contact with reality. Come in please.

emilio lizardo, PhD| 8.31.11 @ 1:09PM

and I'll bet youre not a native

Dagan| 9.1.11 @ 1:32AM

I don't know which was more comical...
Ben's article or the letters about it....
Keep up the good work, y'all...

David C| 8.31.11 @ 12:41PM

Ben, it's "ain't nobody on the road, ain't nobody on the beach"

Also, the Dow is going to 4,100. We are following the demographic demand pattern in Japan which occurred the last 20 years and will certainly enter a depression with 20% real unemployment and negative GDP growth. Sell you stocks and buy back below 5,000 after 2012 election into 2013. There that was easy and now you can relax.

Deflation will commence once the fed is contained, so your cash will be king in 2013.
Learn to live with less and you will be happier.

MarkR| 8.31.11 @ 10:38PM

Ben lives in the bubble of his past. He and other "RINOS" lose touch with real people and rub shoulders with leftists and then exclaim- "Why such angst with the average man-woman?" I mean he worked for Nixon and not Reagan. Reagan related to the average man and was a true outsider. Ben is a fraud. He did have a cute and funny show in the 90's- but I will take Sowell and Williams in a heartbeat.

Cosmo| 9.1.11 @ 1:33AM

Ben, you're a schmo, but we love you...

Westie| 8.31.11 @ 8:02AM

I'm not sure what Ben Stein's expertise is but I'm convinced that he has absolutely no claim to being knowledgeable about anything dealing with Economics. He reminds me of the dead eyed Keynesian Econ Professors I suffered through almost 40 years ago.

99 1/2 Won't Do| 8.31.11 @ 12:38PM

You posters who attack Ben amuse me.

To Ben, you are nothing but "little people," the kind of people who don't count in his world. He deliberately and condescendingly flaunts his wealth and fame in front of you to anger you, to make you envious.

All of his diary entries are ironic. His purpose is to rub your nose in his wealth and success, and you, too dense to recognize his purpose, fume at his superiority by writing nasty little comments.

Ben Stein and the readers of the putrid little AmSpec, I've got a message for you: You deserve each other!

Anthony| 8.31.11 @ 3:22PM

So Ace, are you really suggesting God has purposefully rewarded folks like Joe Kennedy Sr., Ted Kennedy, Jerimiah Wright, Bill Clinton, Algore, Nancy Pelosi, Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, Al Capone, Joe Stalin, Fidel Castro, Putin and Mao, all mega millionaires, over poor honest folks??
If this is not a joke, you are one sick F.
On the other hand, I am rich and successful, so maybe God, like Democrats and broken clocks, gets a few right once in a while.
I sure hope He was wrong with you.

Ace of Diamonds| 8.31.11 @ 4:28PM

It's called Prosperity Gospel, and it's gaining ground.

Elizabeth| 8.31.11 @ 4:47PM

"Prosperity Gospel" is an insult to Christ's teachings. I know some of these prosperity "Christians" personally, and I find them repulsive.

They drive Mercedes, live in a gated community, and talk about how " the Lord has blessed them with prosperity."

Christ is not going to bless anyone with luxuries. The idea is ludicrous! Christ was a champion of the poor!

This "Prosperity Gospel" movement is just one more example of how crackpot some of these modern Christian ideas are. Lord help us all if this is what Christianity is coming to.

Margie| 9.1.11 @ 2:28PM

So true, Elizabeth. I hope these fantasy land teachers wake up.
Jesus doesn't despise those who are wealthy, (just to make it clear to anyone who may think that)~ He just warns us about not putting our hope in them.

He says that it isn't easy for the rich to enter into Heaven~ not because they are bad, but because of the temptation of riches replacing our hope in Him.

After all, when you're very rich, human nature says~ "what need do I have for God?"

He wants us to look to Him for all our needs.. and being rich causes us to forget that.
All flesh is alike.

As to the article, and Ben Stein, I see him as someone who doesn't forget God, and I like that about him.

Margie| 9.1.11 @ 2:31PM

"Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the LORD." Jer. 9:23 & 24.

JP| 8.31.11 @ 8:31AM

But Ben, there are millions of people doing the kind of work you never considered. There are die makers working as cooks at McDonalds; plumbers stocking shelves at Wal Mart; and electronic techs holding down part-time work at Best Buy and Radio Shack.

Steve A| 8.31.11 @ 8:59AM

Ben, Just instruct your broker to cut a check from your account to the US Treasury so you can pay "your fair share." You will feel much better.

Wayne | 8.31.11 @ 11:21AM

And he can target that check to benefit retired veterans. We know the government will honor that condition.

Tired Taxpayer PRM| 8.31.11 @ 9:00AM

I know! I know! Ben, Ben, send more money to the government. The economy will rebound (this is the step where the magic happens) and your wealth will multiply. No more worries. Sarcasm stops here.

Ben does not know anyone who cannot find a job who really wants one. I suggest he move to Michigan. I could introduce him to a few.

Also, having Ben Stein’s connections and contacts would help a tremendous amount when looking for a job. Perhaps this is why Ben does not know any long term unemployed people.

Joan Wayne| 8.31.11 @ 9:01AM

I'm tired of Ben Stein. He lives in a world not known to a lot of us and pretends he's "one of us". Get real Ben. You do not know anything about economics yet pontificate a lot about what others should do. I saw that bit about the fed gov't attaching other people's wealth. I almost choked.
Where does he come off telling people what to do? He has NADA credentials!!

Truth to Power| 8.31.11 @ 9:25AM

Get out of Idaho, Ben. This is just a frivolous expenditure of money that is typical of the rich. Give your money to government and stay home. There are people suffering and you are taking a vacation. Your life as written on these pages sounds like a vacation. It is time to have an authentic experience, slacker.

Chalkdust| 8.31.11 @ 9:28AM

Once a man, twice a child. There, there Ben...lay your head on the table and take a nappy. When you awake someone will bring you an awesome bowl of porridge. Bye the way, make the check out to the US Treasure...you'll feel better and It'll make Obama's day.

KyMouse| 8.31.11 @ 9:39AM

I've had enough of reading about Ben Stein's "tiny, unrepresentative world."

If my days were filled with oceanfront and lakefront living, boat excursions, fancy restaurants, and bankers who say kind things, I would think it unseemly to tell the world about my hard times--especially when I'm getting money to do so.

scythe| 8.31.11 @ 7:17PM

I think Ben may be channeling one of the Gabor sisters.

Dustoff| 8.31.11 @ 9:56AM

Sorry Ben. Your idea that the rich should pay even more is a major fail. Like it or not, they already do What about the 40% who don't pay at all. Remember that O-bummer saying. (We all should have some skin in the game) Spending is the problem, taking more will only let these fools spend even more. Then what, we play this same game again.

Indiana Alex| 8.31.11 @ 10:08AM

I'm pretty sure the lyric is "Nobody on the ROAD, nobody on the beach"

emilio lizardo, PhD| 8.31.11 @ 10:09AM

Sigh. Another clueless dispatch from Ben's tidy and pampered gourmand's world. Wonder how all the crystal meth heads in Sand Point and people in Clark Fork struggling to get by selling elk jerky feel about the expatriate Malibu elite living large on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille

Seek| 8.31.11 @ 12:35PM

I'm not a fan of meth heads. They are a vile lot.

KaribooKidd| 8.31.11 @ 10:18PM

Mr. Lizardo, you forgot to mention all of the patchouli-reeking pot heads from Priest River.

I live in Sandpoint and my job exposes me to the complete cross-section of its residents.

I could care less about meth and pot heads. They are losers and leeches and they have chosen their lot in life. Whatever happened to the Judeo-Christian concept of free will?

Money is tight here and jobs are scarce just like the rest of this obamanation. Yet there are help wanted signs at lots of businesses. The elk jerky entrepreneurs you mention do that by choice. Good for them.

A lot of these comments are really nasty. Some of you people sound like bitter leftists. Mr. Stein came by his money the old-fashioned way - he EARNED it. What he does with it is HIS business.

I must admit that his comment about the rich giving more to the feral gubbmint was one of the most bone-headed things I have ever heard. I hope he regrets it. He is old enough to understand when he has said something dumb.

I LOVE living in Sandpoint. It is a peaceful place and still a pristine example of the beauty of God's mountain forest and lake country. Mr. Stein is welcome to my town any time. So are the rest of you. Please leave your nasty attitudes at home.

Anthony| 8.31.11 @ 10:24AM

Wow, so where are the Steiniacs defending their champion of the banal, the superficial, and the self absorbed?
Gee Ben, if only you were hobnobbing with those other world class hypocrites,Warren (the hobbit) Buffet and Jeff Immelt at G.E., your portfolio would be brimming with loot stolen from the taxpayers given away to Obozo's crony capitalists.
Ben ole boy, you need more than just fiber to unplug you pal.

Sonny Butterbuns| 8.31.11 @ 5:51PM

Bueller ...

Too Many Tims| 8.31.11 @ 10:25AM

Sorry Ben, but you sound like the kind of employee who bitches endlessly and calls out sick weekly. Be glad you're wealthy because you'd never cut it working for a living.

MATT M.| 8.31.11 @ 10:33AM

I cannot understand why this guy commands a berth on a Conservative blog.
He would do better serving his master, BHO.

Junius| 8.31.11 @ 10:54AM

Stein needs to go work for the Travel Channel on cable where the fantasy utopia of his dreams exists eternally. How dare he even presume to pass judgement on Americans who have been out of work and desperate for a job all the while trotting out the familiar canard that "illegals do the jobs that Americans will not perform". Try getting out into the real world Stein. You are in for a very rude awakening. What a pompous arrogant elitist!

Maddox| 8.31.11 @ 11:12AM

I understand Ben now. He suffers from guilt and an over abundance of self importance, like many liberals. If only he could see those of us who live in the real world do not share his guilt. We have earned our livelihoods and experience the joys of family and friends rather than hoping for a doting public.

Wayne | 8.31.11 @ 11:28AM

If Stein really wanted those college kids to get work he would be pitching for allowing them to work for less than minimum wage. You see those Illegal Immigrants can and not even pay payroll taxes on the earnings.
I see people with advanced degrees working here at the call center for $10 per hour. I see the Feds grant money to companies, who go to China and create jobs. Stein may be traveling, but still lives in his bubble. Come to Central Oregon and get a job putting out fires or clearing brush in the National Forest. I hear some of these jobs pay $10 dollars per hour (if you are an alien that is).

OLDRAY| 8.31.11 @ 12:23PM

Ben is getting to be a real pain in the ass . By now we all know Ben is a wonderful guy in Ben's view. He hasn't a clue how most people live and work. In New Hampshire there are plenty of good smart recent college graduates doing $10 per hour jobs gardening, waiting tables ,etc. WAKE UP BEN. As an economist he has been terrible.

Jeamar37| 8.31.11 @ 11:32PM

Ben has been a pain since I came across AS about twenty years ago. He must have some financial hold over the magazine. His TV show and ads are just as boring. He speaks as though it is an effort just to open his mouth.

Bill| 8.31.11 @ 1:13PM

The Bell Notes:

"When I saw her on the corner,
Then I knew I was a goner,
I've had it, well-l, I've had it.

When you say that we have a date
Then you show up two hours late,
I've had it, well-l, I've had it.

La la la la
La la la
La la la la
La la la..."

Bill| 8.31.11 @ 1:22PM

"When you say you love me, honey,
When you really mean my money,
I've had it, well-l, I've had it."

I think the song is on one of the Ace CDs Legends of American Rock 'n' Roll.

Bill| 8.31.11 @ 1:26PM

Not "Legends," but The Golden Age of American Rock 'n' Roll. Ace is right.

Bill| 8.31.11 @ 1:31PM

Volume 2 has the Bell Tones' I've Had It.

Don't forget Kenny Dino's Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night.

Freddy| 8.31.11 @ 6:03PM

And don't forget old Toto Canker's

Saw her in her panties
And my heart stood still
Placed my hand on her ass
And gave it a good feel

Trojan C.| 8.31.11 @ 7:54PM

Those lyrics are not Toto Canker's. If I recall correctly, these words were penned by Bobby Rydell--they're from the only song he ever wrote.

I can hear it now

Saw her in my panties and my heart . . .

L:ove it!

Trojan C.| 8.31.11 @ 7:57PM

Make that

Saw her in her panties

Or was it Fabian who sang this? Anybody out there know who wrote these words and who sang them?

Trojan C.| 8.31.11 @ 7:58PM

Am while I'm at it, did Fabian and Annette Fumicello ever get it on?

Freddie| 8.31.11 @ 7:59PM

Idiot!

Are you in assisted living?

Louisa| 8.31.11 @ 8:00PM

Gracious! The insults are flying.

Can't we be more kind?

"Kindness doesn't cost a pinney."

Louisa| 8.31.11 @ 8:00PM

I meant penney.

Louisa| 8.31.11 @ 8:01PM

Fool! Get the hell off this thread.

Freddie| 8.31.11 @ 8:04PM

That last "Louisa" remark is from me. I was so exasperated with her, that I mistakenly typed her name instead of mind.

Freddie| 8.31.11 @ 8:05PM

I mean mine.

Louisa| 8.31.11 @ 9:58PM

God help us all!

Bill| 9.1.11 @ 3:06PM

Good Lord, what did I start? I was only trying to point out that Ben was provably mistaken in the lyrics of that old tune.

sinanju| 8.31.11 @ 1:32PM

It's official, campers. Ben has jumped the shark. His musings belong on the Travel Channel or, better yet, the Wealth Channel. He does not walk on the same dirt as the rest of us. A quarter-century of well-heeled celebrity will deleteriously affect anyone and Ben is no exception.

He has become a perfect example of life in the bubble. When not in Beverly Hills, Malibu, or at his vacation hideaway where he and his friends are beloved of the common folk because they ARE the local economy, he is swanning about first class or riding a limo and being waited on hand-and-foot and being endlessly charmed by assorted flunkies, handlers, assistant producers, ticket agents, waitresses, etc. and interacting strictly with gushing fans or people whose livelihoods depend on keeping him happy or at least getting his autograph.

I certainly don't hold his own success against him. He has had a remarkable, many-faceted career. As an economist, however, it seems he is most-recently famous for having spent all of 2007 and most of 2008 vehemently denying that there was trouble brewing. Furthermore, when a man has seven fiction and twenty-one non-fiction book titles to his credit, I cannot but get suspicious as to how many of them he has actually written.

As for "Crude Awakening", I have read a number of books that touch on Alaska's oil saga and I will take Ben's advice and read it, as soon as us peasants can get our hands on it at the bookstore or library.

emilio lizardo, PhD| 8.31.11 @ 2:37PM

Word. Ben's increasingly irrelevant musings from the lap of luxury belong in Mother Jones, or perhaps at the convocation address at Patrice Lumumba University.

Missy Grammar Misdemeanor| 8.31.11 @ 7:51PM

sinangju,

You should have written "as soon as we peasants." We, not us.

aware| 8.31.11 @ 4:14PM

He's an "economist" and he has a "broker"? I actually feel sorry for anybody this stupid. Even a vapid narcissist like Ben. You don't need a broker to chase nickels in front of a steamroller which is what the "market" is now.

He "likes it better when he has more money...." I never would have guessed! I think you are going to be very not liking it soon. In fact, I think it's safe to sat you are positively going to hate it.

Jack in Wi.| 8.31.11 @ 5:59PM

I used to love reading Ben Stein's column's and looked forward to them. I think he hasn't had a new idea in 20 years. It just seems to recycled pitter patter of a rather boring and senseless life. Too much money and too much celebraty have made him into not a very intresting or nice person.

Freddy| 8.31.11 @ 6:04PM

Sour grapes.

beebop| 8.31.11 @ 7:09PM

Thank goodness there was a lovely picture of the beach versus the one that accompanied the last column .... he needs to push away from the table a bit, neh?

Ed McCabe| 8.31.11 @ 7:11PM

I recall most fondly my many stays in Sandpoint, where I represented members of the Huguenin family and the ski area they once owned. A wonderful place. You and I are blessed to have known of it, to have been a part of it.

tn| 8.31.11 @ 9:16PM

Well why doncha go back to it?

MarkR| 8.31.11 @ 10:45PM

Oh how wonderful! I am enthralled.

swan song| 8.31.11 @ 9:25PM

Dru seems to lack the perfected soul possessed by the Gentle Ben. What kind of mind deduces from the fact that people find Stein tedious, they must be low rent trailer trash?

Ever since Ben Stein had that angioplasty he has become maudlin. Before that, he was merely annoyingly superficial- an elderly man (Get that Ben? Elderly. Not middle-aged, unless you plan to live to 120) approaching Medicare age clinging to his youth - - any youth. The coat-check girl, the flight attendant, the waitress, the fluttery autograph seeker.And telling us about them, along with what he ate and where.

It happens to all men, Ben. Poor Benny Goodman, seated on a plane, sought to strike up a conversation with his seat mate. Said, "Maybe you know who I am - - Benny Goodman," No spark of recognition. She looks puzzled. Benny prompts her with "King of Swing?" She asks, "What's Swing?" Game over.

Cheer up, Ben. For too many years, you have been singing that children's song, "All I want for Christmas is more, more, more. More than I ever, ever had before. . ."

Three years ago someone offered me $900,000 for my fairly ordinary town house. I had no interest in selling. Today, it is appraised at $585,000. I don't feel I have lost $400,000. It's the same house it was 3 years ago. It is mine. It has no mortgage and I don't have 6 other homes to fret about. Also, if you don't have a bulging portfolio in the first place, you don't have to watch it shrink. I do not envy you, Ben. And I do not pity you. I find you a bore. Why do I occasionally read you? To see if you have come off your pity party, And you have not.

Look up the word, "needy" in the dicitonary. There you will see Ben Stein with that perpetually sad expression. Money can't buy all the adulation he needs. Reminds me of Gloria Swanson in Sunset Bouelevard.

Bobby Sox| 8.31.11 @ 9:53PM

Well that wasn't very nice, Swan Song.

MarkR| 8.31.11 @ 10:46PM

Oh but so true!

Herb| 8.31.11 @ 10:39PM

"Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard"

Ooooo.... low blow, since his earliest but still relevant work about lefties in Hollywood was "The View from Sunset Boulevard". Back in 1978?

Oh well, better to age as a Gloria Swanson than as a Joan Crawford, I guess. Maybe Ben won't turn out as despicably as a producer who tearfully admitted to him how a slew of impoverished actresses cooked for and serviced him daily in return for financial support. Said producer then exclaimed, "Oh G-d, Ben, why am I such a crook!!?"

In contrast, Ben no doubt turns down the legion advances of improvident females in similar circumstances and then retires to polish his halo, thence to remind us that great wealth does not always preclude saintliness. Thus are we blessed.

Occam's Tool| 9.4.11 @ 11:45PM

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts can cause cognitive changes.

**order 2 coming up**| 8.31.11 @ 9:57PM

If you had seen how Ben looked in that photo last week, you would know he is not long for this world.

Show a little pity for an overweight man (practically morbidly obese) who is entering his doddering senescence and showing it.

And . . . I sense just a touch of dementia in Ben. Just a slight touch.

Junius| 8.31.11 @ 11:02PM

Good Lord if Mr. Stein's yawnly trite columns continue to generate the type of comments as above, which are funnier than any comedy routine I have seen in some time and in addition are better written then Butterball Ben's scribblings, then by all means let's hope The Spectator continues to give top billing to his increasingly out of touch ramblings.

Kilgore Trout| 8.31.11 @ 11:58PM

I'm with Junius!

Zeek| 9.1.11 @ 1:33PM

Bueller.

Bueller?

lauren (heron sweet shoppe)| 9.1.11 @ 7:52PM

I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure to meet you. We hope to to see you around and come grab some homemade pb cookies.:)

William James Ward| 9.1.11 @ 9:21PM

Thank's Ben, you lift me up with your viewpoint
and experience, my accounts are shrinking also,
amongst other things but life goes on. May
all of us see good and better days.............William

DANSHANTEAL| 9.4.11 @ 2:44PM

Looks like we have a bunchof old farts having fun at Ben's expense. Let's keep it lite.

Occam's Tool| 9.4.11 @ 11:44PM

I just wish he would get off that damfool nonsense about the wealthy being undertaxed. Nixon was a blithering idiot economically---price controls, for goodness sakes!

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