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Ben Stein's Diary
Suddenly Last August
Back in L.A., achingly missing Sandpoint America.
Labor Day Monday
There
was a day last week in Sandpoint, Idaho, when I realized I was in
Paradise. I had gotten back from a bike ride through the City Beach
Park. There were few people at the park. But one family was a
little group of two sisters and a mother and father from Alberta.
The two sisters were pretending they were estheticians and were
giving each other massages with mud from the beach.
The parents were grilling me about whether they should buy a home in Sandpoint. They were amazingly friendly people, as most Western Canadians are. The very friendliest people I met all summer were from Calgary. They had seen the movie, Expelled, in which I play a part. The mother and father and the children were amazingly polite. There was a stunningly beautiful 14-year-old daughter who kept asking me if I needed help parking my bicycle. These were religious, God-fearing people and I loved them a lot.
Anyway, after my ride through the park, I got into my car and drove to Vanderford’s Book Store, where I bought the Wall Street Journal and the Bonner County Daily Bee. Then I went home and took a nap.
The lake glittered outside my window. A dozen or more sailboats were arranging themselves in a circle for a race.
My wife and I read some prayers, and then we met Tim and Penny Farmin on the dock for a run out to Hope to eat at Ivano’s.
There was a freshening southwest wind, and we hit too much chop. The boat bounced too much. My wife went into the cabin to feel safe.
Then we got to Ivano’s Del Lago. Dana Martin’s pier area was sheltered and I parked the boat with ease. Then we clambered up to the eating platform. We had pasta and salad and chicken while we watched the sun set.
Sandpoint has many great restaurants — Ivano’s in town, the Trinity at the City Beach, the Loading Dock. But the one that caught my soul this summer was Ivano’s Del Lago. It has a simply perfect setting sun view, and an open, uncluttered table layout.
The sun sets early at this time of year and it was dim by the time our dessert came. There are only about fifteen tables out on the deck but the diners are friendly at all of them. We all talk among ourselves and laugh. Most of us have gray hair or white hair, but we still laugh. The air is a bit chilly but very pleasant. The water is hypnotic. The food is perfect and the service is miraculous.
If there is a better place to eat on this earth than Ivano’s Del Lago, I don’t know what it is (although Hill’s is just as good). If heaven were as good as Ivano’s, it would be good enough. I stood inside the restaurant lit by lamps by the bar, flaring out into the friendly air, looking out at the darkling water. As we left, almost everyone on the dining deck said, “Good-bye,” and one kind man shouted out, “We love you, Ben!” This is superb. I love being loved.
On the way back, the lake air was distinctly cold. Alex huddled in the cabin under a Pendleton wool blanket. Penny and Tim sat above board, Tim wearing only shorts and a sweat shirt, Penny wrapped up in layers.
It was dark and I got home only by Tim’s fine guidance across the waves. I could not make out the peninsulas and islands in the lake. Their forms, once clearer to me, tonight were indistinct. Still, with Tim’s guidance, I was safe.
But what feeling it is to travel at speed across open water in the dark, racing towards the lights of my dock. Boating is exhilarating at any time. Boating under countless stars on a clear late August night with the wind whipping into my face is close to nirvana. If the general population realized how much glory was in motor boating, these lakes would be much more crowded.
From about ten miles, we would see the lights of our condo, The Seasons, and we raced to port. Alex was being buffeted by waves, and Tim signaled to slow down. That made the view of the crescent moon and the stars even more spectacular.
When we got to our dock, Tim buttoned her up with my fumbling help. I couldn’t do much in North Idaho without Tim’s help. He is beyond a friend, beyond help. He’s absolutely necessary. Then, we all stared up from the dock at the stars painted on the Idaho Panhandle sky, and then Tim and Penny went home, and Alex and I walked into our building.
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 (67) | Leave a comment
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Herb| 9.6.11 @ 6:22AM
Thank you, Ben, for once more taking us, your humble readers, aloft on wings of prose and poetry of the lovely life you live and the lovely people that surround you in Edenic splendor, enabling the rest of us to forget for just a little while, our utterly drab and wretched lives.
The grey dawn beckons and I must shuffle off to my job at the jute mill, hoping that my aging lungs will last through another dreary smog filled day. Ah, well.
Vern Crisler | 9.6.11 @ 11:53AM
With all due respect, Ben has been writing about his life, both good and bad, ever since the 80s at least. That's what he does. If you don't like that fact that he writes about himself and his life as an actor, public speaker, and so forth, why do you continue to read his writings?
anita| 9.6.11 @ 2:02PM
THANK YOU VERN.....I am soooooooo tired of people bagging on Ben. I think the mean spirited bums that intrude on this site should leave if they can't appreciate Ben for the gentle soul that he is. As my mom used to say, "If you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all."
Junius| 9.6.11 @ 3:24PM
And my mom said if you can write something funny about a self important elistist by all means write away. Try looking at things from the humorous side, Anita, it is quite refreshing. I for one throughly enjoy Mr. Stein's banal observations of his pampered life and especially the funny responses it provokes from the readers. They see right through his pompous posturing. And no I don't envy his success just his hypocritical bellowing about giving an out of control oppressive government more money through tax increases.
Herb| 9.6.11 @ 3:25PM
Washington doyenne Clare Booth Luce had a sofa pillow embroidered thus:
"If you can't say anything nice about someone, then come here and sit with me."
I think Ben will yet survive the slings and arrows fired at him from this site. Since when is a public figure immune to criticism, or even my mild harmless joshing of which I would be amazed if he heard about it?
Jack in Wi.| 9.6.11 @ 6:28PM
I am sorry, but it wasn't Clare Booth Luce who had that pillow. It was Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Teddy's oldest daughter. She had quite a reputation as a gossip and backbitter.
Herb| 9.6.11 @ 8:32PM
I stand corrected. Both Mrs. Luce and Mrs. Longworth were two very witty, interesting and accomplished women whom I would have deemed it an honor to have personally met.
I do recall reading in Esquire how when Clare Boothe Luce criticized FDR for some reason (as a member of Congress) the Democrats called her "Clare Wilkes Booth". Ironic since her family had added the `e' to their surname to distance themselves from the assassin of Lincoln.
POST American| 9.6.11 @ 6:27AM
---Great piece.
NOW, how about a few words about the Fukishima
fallout that's mixing with the HAARP enabling
CHEM-trails (--that DON'T exist) raining down across
Caifornia and all North America and
northern hemisphere.
KyMouse| 9.6.11 @ 7:57AM
When there is low humidity, condensation trails are very short, or not visible from the ground.
The more humidity there is, the longer it will take for the trails to evaporate, and so they linger longer across the sky.
When condensation trails start appearing in greater numbers, it can be an indication that rain is on the way, because humidity is increasing aloft. I've often found that to be a useful "barometer."
Dan Mathewson| 9.7.11 @ 12:52AM
KyMouse, I agree. But POST American is one of the loony conspiracy types. Always post blather about the Bilderbergers, CRF, Tavistock Institute.
PA once posted about a, get this, tunnel being built connecting British Columbia to Asia. Unlike the rest of the people who post PA posts on here but doesn't get involved in conversation.
Stormzeye| 9.6.11 @ 6:55AM
Ben, the way you always end your vapid and vacuous collection of childish insights, that have all the substance of cotton candy, reminds me of the vaudevillians who ended their act with the display of the American flag in the hope of getting at least polite applause and at best to prevent themselves from getting booed.
I say this with all due respect.
al| 9.6.11 @ 8:10AM
I could be wrong, but I think people are starting to get very tired of Stein-schtick.
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 8:31AM
Ugh. Shoudn't there be some kind of legislation against this swill? After all, the human liver simply cannot metabolize this crap.
Ben, shut up and give your money to the government, which you claim is your dream.
Then register as a blogger with the Huffington Post, which is where you belong - a bloated liberal sinking under the waves of reality.
Get OUT.
gearjammer| 9.6.11 @ 8:35AM
He is Oprah. Every word and moment of his life so profound. He's gonna start describing the majesty of a BM at Sanspoint next. But, he's ok.
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 8:56AM
He's worse than Oprah.
He's obnoxious as hell, a shamelessly mawkish writer and, worst of all, he's a closet Keynesian liberal who disgorges treacly, sugar-coated, molasses-infused pablum like this on a regular basis while lamenting that government doesn't take more of his money away from him.
Yet, isn't it strange that I never hear that he's paying more to the IRS than what he legally owes? Come on, Ben: Why not give it all to government and then live on $50k a year like most working stiffs who don't have cushy sinecures on Fox News spewing nonsense over and over again?
But it isn't about Ben ponying up his fair share and rendering unto Ceasar. It's about Ben's desire to spend a few of his discretionary dollars to purchase the decadent, delicious luxury of absolution for his capitalist sins.
According to Ben, there's no fiscal problem in this country that can't be solved by collecting more revenue. So he's happy to prop up the nanny state, accept accolades for his phony generosity and stand by as the insatiable Leviathan looks past him (and Warren Buffet and those other limousine liberals for whom buying redemption comes relatively cheap) toward the middle class, which can't so easily afford exotic goodies like absolution, and licks its greedy chops.
Occam's Tool| 9.6.11 @ 1:30PM
His views on economics are worthless. I'm glad he like Idaho. Otherwise, he's fairly worthless. I read him like I trace a cavity with my tongue, usually.
Seek| 9.6.11 @ 7:20PM
Ah, culture war -- ever and always the first cousin of class struggle. Envy really is the great unifier of malcontents, Right and Left.
Kilgore Trout| 9.6.11 @ 10:07AM
Ben certainly aint no conservative but this column had no goofy politics, just a sweet pean to the end of another summer and that place he loves so much,
Pan his politics if you will but leave his revery alone
AND
May I suggest, if you DONT like him, DONT READ HIM!
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 10:28AM
I didn't.
I stopped reading him about a year ago; my doctor told me I was at risk of insulin shock if I read another word of Stein's, and I heeded his advice. I'm happy to say that, since I've been Stein-free, my blood sugar levels have stabilized.
I'm simply trying to do my part to stem the deluge of molasses from overrunning this web site.
You call yourself Kilgore Trout, an allusion to a truly clever, sardonic writer, and yet you appreciate Stein's nauseating schmaltz?
Maybe if you'd read 3,000 of these gooey paeans, you, too, would tire of his relentless sentimentality.
But please enjoy. Just don't be surprised of you are diagnosed with diabetes a few weeks hence.
Wally| 9.6.11 @ 10:51AM
I agree, Kilgore; I enjoy his columns. Not wild about his economics, but there is none of that here.
So much covetousness bleeding through the comments.
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 11:04AM
Covetousness?
Okie dokie.
This is a conservative web site - covetousness of other people's wealth is not typical of free market conservatives.
I don't begrudge Stein his wealth - as a matter of fact, I think he should keep it, not throw it into Big Government's maw in the name of vanity.
If it's covetousness of his writing talent to which you refer, that's risible on its face. I'm sorry, I've read about 200 too many of his syrupy odes.
Wally| 9.6.11 @ 1:42PM
Grzmlyk-
...then live on $50k a year like most working stiffs who don't have cushy sinecures on Fox News ...
Sounds like a little greenis envy to me...
PS - You'll have to do a 180 to get to the right of me.
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 3:29PM
I'm sorry if you don't undersand the gist of my posts.
Ben's insistence that he be taxed more - not enough to change his lifestyle, but just enough to assuage his guilt - is sheer vanity. His stance that wealthy people ought to all pay more in taxes is WRONG on many levels; we don't have a revenue problem in this country, we have a spending problem. Giving the government more of his money is just giving a drunk another drink.
Ergo, as I've said, I think he should keep MORE of his money. Can you wrap your mind around that concept?
The real money in this country is not with the wealthy few like Ben - it's with the far larger middle class. The government isn't that interested in the "millionaires and billionaires" Obama and his minions rail against - many of the super-rich are on Obama's side, after all; the true aim of Obama's government is to go after the middle class, because that's the critical mass in this country who want freedom.
As Lenin said, if you want to destroy the bourgeoisie, grind them between the millstones of inflation and taxation, which is EXACTLY what the government is doing.
My point is that Ben Stein, in order to make himself feel better - but not actually downgrade his lifestyle one iota - is a) merely flapping his gums and not actually giving the government significantly more of his money, so that qualifies as hypocrisy; and if he DOES choose to pay slightly more to the government, he's not helping to solve our fiscal problems, he's simply buying peace of mind for himself.
If he really believes in coercive redistribution - and that is what we are talking about here - then he should set a real example and live on $50k a year and give the rest to the government; after all, the redistributionist argument is always, "how much does that person really need to live on?" Well, you can certainly live a subsistence-level life on $50k, and, if Ben gave the rest of his wealth away, then I'd take him seriously. Right now he's simply purchasing what is, for him, an inexpensive trinket, a warm and fuzzy blanket to wrap himself in.
And if he does accede to a higher tax rate for himself (and I'm guessing his current investment portfolio MINIMIZES his exposure to taxes) he is simply empowering more profligate spending. Why does this ostensible conservative have such faith in government?
I'm sorry, but if you don't understand that, perhaps you ought to go back and study economics.
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 3:53PM
By the way, the only reason I begrudge Stein's stint on Fox News is because he's always preaching the same lame crap - as most of the shills on the "business block" are; they spout nonsense on a fairly regular basis based not on economic reality but on their desire to keep kicking the can down the road, since most of them own investment shops and therefore have a vested interest in bull markets.
I do not appreciate that kind of irresponsibility regardless of whether it comes from an onstensibly "conservative" network.
Incidentally, I also think O'Reilly is overpaid because he's an obnoxious, pandering schmuck with no real ideological compass. I understand, however, that there is a demand for his show and, well, I accept market economics. I don't sit around fuming about O'Reilly's income even if I, personally, don't think he's worth it.
Similarly, I think Jay Cutler isn't worth what the Bears paid him a while back. Doesn't mean I think government should intervene to force him to give up most of his pay, or that there should be a more draconian salary cap in the NFL (I don't believe in the salary cap in the first place), it just means that, as P.T. Barnum said, there's a sucker born every minute.
You can think someone is overpaid and still believe in the free market. I mean, Lady Gaga earned $90 million last year. Do I think she's worth it? Not to me. But if she's worth it to someone who's willing to fork over that kind of money, I have no objection to her making it.
Occam's Tool| 9.6.11 @ 10:23PM
Correct Mr. G, especially about Jay "Clutch Time" Cutler.
Taxes should be used to pay for necessary government services. They should NEVER be used for the purposes of social engineering, unless we are talking about extra DEDUCTIONS, not extra levies. That's my rule of thumb, and Ben is way, way off.
Anthony| 9.6.11 @ 10:25AM
Dear Ben, You need to be careful where you ride your bike these days. At the American Thinker site last week, there was an article about a new game played by black urban youths called "Knockout".
The game's purpose is to find soft targets of white men, approach from behind, and see if they can knock the man down with one punch. It gets a bit more ugly once the man is on the ground.
Apparently, hiding in wait along city bike paths, where traditionally "white folks bike", is another popular form of entertainment.
It seems short, soft, fat, and nebbish white guys are a favorite target.
Now I know Stein would not be confused for the above profile type, but still, I wouldn't want to see Ben Stein end up like one of those wack-a-moles in his commercials.
See, your Steiniacs, I care for Stein, and I've come to save him!!!
Don't forget to wear your helmet, Ben. Oh, and take along some cash to "redistribute"to those who have far less than you, it's only right.
Then again,a 9mm will do the trick as well.
Happy biking!!!!
Seek| 9.6.11 @ 7:22PM
The knockout game, I understand from those in the know, is especially popular among blacks in St. Louis, where I grew up. I'm kind of glad I got out years ago.
Don'tTazeMeBro| 9.6.11 @ 10:51AM
Sandpoint, Idaho may be a paradise, but I wonder if the people living there ever worry that it won't stay that way if Ben Stein keeps talking it up every other column and entices more people to live there (especially liberals). As someone who has lived in Oregon almost all of my fifty years, I've witnessed this process firsthand.
JeffB| 9.6.11 @ 11:20AM
I miss my home state of New Hampshire for all the same reasons but it has been gradually infested with Massachusetts liberals from the south. Best to enjoy it and keep quiet about it.
And as for all the commentors that hate Ben; why are you here reading it if it offends you so much?
Dan Young | 9.6.11 @ 12:00PM
Ben's article made smile. Some of the comments made laugh. Honestly, Grizmelick, make up your mind. You stopped reading Ben's writing over a year ago (but you read this one). You have read 3,00o of his relentlessly sentimental posts but tired? That's like eating 3,000 Girl Scout cookies and claiming that you don't like thin mints. You have read 200 too many of his .... Well, it makes sense that you are one of those anonymous keyboard cowb0ys. Y'know the ones that want people to read and applaud every clever word you write. The truth is that lots of us want the sugar, the syrup, and the molasses. Ben may not deserve a Pulitzer Prize for his musings but he should be dipped in milk chocolate and coated with a thin candy shell. He is not my steady diet but he is a delicious reward. Lighten up. Life's too short.
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 12:58PM
What makes me a "keyboard cowboy" looking for applause? because I happen to put a bit of thought into my postings? Or is it because I disagree with you?
I offered my opinion - you offered yours. And, unlike you, I'm not lashing out with ad hominem attacks on those who disagree with me. Who is it who should lighten up here?
Sorry, Ben Stein is the equivalent of a Thomas Kinkaide painting, and I don't like him for the same reason.
Occam's Tool| 9.6.11 @ 1:31PM
Kinkaide is a wild man personally, incidentally. So was Ben.
Grzmlyk| 9.6.11 @ 2:07PM
I did not know that. I don't know much about Kinkaide except that he runs his shop like a corporation, complete with shares for sale.
I know many people like Kinkaide's paintings - and Ben Stein's writing. That's fine; some folks like Harlequin romances and Elvis-on-velvet paintings.
But stuff that is so blatantly designed to tug at your heartstrings - well, I find it cliche, manipulative and hackneyed.
And, I'm sorry, I find it difficult to separate Stein's straining for metaphysical immortality a little unseemly when he spends the rest of his public utterances assuaging his own considerable moral vanity.
Occam's Tool| 9.6.11 @ 10:26PM
From the Wiki on Kincaide [this is not where I originally found this data, but it an useful compilation. References on Wiki. OT] : The Los Angeles Times has reported that some of Kinkade's former colleagues, employees, and even collectors of his work say that he has a long history of cursing and heckling other artists and performers. The Times further reported that he openly groped a woman's breasts at a South Bend, Indiana, sales event, and mentioned his proclivity for ritual territory marking through urination, once relieving himself on a Winnie the Pooh figure at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim while saying "This one’s for you, Walt."[24][25] In a letter to licensed gallery owners acknowledging he may have behaved badly during a stressful time when he overindulged in food and drink, Kinkade said accounts of the alcohol-related incidents included "exaggerated, and in some cases outright fabricated personal accusations." The letter did not address any incident specifically. [25]
In 2006 John Dandois, Media Arts Group executive, recounted a story that on one occasion ("about six years ago") Kinkade became drunk at a Siegfried & Roy magic show in Las Vegas and began shouting "Codpiece! Codpiece!" at the performers. Eventually he was calmed by his mother.[24] Dandois also said of Kinkade, "Thom would be fine, he would be drinking, and then all of a sudden, you couldn't tell where the boundary was, and then he became very incoherent, and he would start cussing and doing a lot of weird stuff."[24] On 11 June 2010, Kinkade was arrested in Carmel, California on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol.[26]"
I have a friend who's a prominent artist who hates Kinkaide for many reasons.
Stormzeye| 9.6.11 @ 2:36PM
The reason I enjoy Ben's columns: I love the comments. They're almost worth plowing through the mawkish treacle that pass for his insights.
^00^| 9.6.11 @ 4:22PM
Not this time. The comments in his post last week were hilarious, especially the thread about the rock 'n' roll music, but the contributors of those amusing posts are not posting this time.
Dull.
Junius| 9.6.11 @ 3:16PM
All I can say is thank God he didn't write about his bed time snack.
shipley130| 9.6.11 @ 4:04PM
Move to Sandpoint and stop whining.
Jack in Wi.| 9.6.11 @ 6:15PM
The best part of reading Ben Stein's blog is the responses. Ben has been saying the same things for a long time, but the responses seem a lot less loving then they used to be.
anita| 9.9.11 @ 11:59AM
I agree......the cynical responses reflect envy, some malice, and the hardening of the arteries of their cold dead beating hearts.....I like that Ben appreciates the little things in life and tries to live in the moment....that is what makes life wonderful......so many of us get swept up daily with the "to do lists" that never shorten and never go away...... Sometimes it takes someone like Ben to point out how much we have in our lives that we can be thankful for......we are all so blessed, but we can become ungrateful and uncivil if we are not careful.
anita| 9.9.11 @ 11:59AM
I agree......the cynical responses reflect envy, some malice, and the hardening of the arteries of their cold dead beating hearts.....I like that Ben appreciates the little things in life and tries to live in the moment....that is what makes life wonderful......so many of us get swept up daily with the "to do lists" that never shorten and never go away...... Sometimes it takes someone like Ben to point out how much we have in our lives that we can be thankful for......we are all so blessed, but we can become ungrateful and uncivil if we are not careful.
anita| 9.9.11 @ 11:59AM
I agree......the cynical responses reflect envy, some malice, and the hardening of the arteries of their cold dead beating hearts.....I like that Ben appreciates the little things in life and tries to live in the moment....that is what makes life wonderful......so many of us get swept up daily with the "to do lists" that never shorten and never go away...... Sometimes it takes someone like Ben to point out how much we have in our lives that we can be thankful for......we are all so blessed, but we can become ungrateful and uncivil if we are not careful.
Joanne Heaviland | 9.6.11 @ 7:48PM
Ben, I lived in Sandpoint for two of the most wonderful years of my life. 2007-2009. I actually remember seeing you riding your bike from City Beach with your signature suit jacket and tennis shoes (love it by the way) Sandpoint is where I found my passion in photography. It's where I found I could create rather than react to my surroundings. It's where I learned what my mission in life is. I was able to breath, think, and enjoy the nature. I felt alive again.. free again and home at last. We are now back in San Diego - which is not a bad place but when you compare it to Heaven on earth (Sandpoint) there is no comparison. I miss those wonderful people, I miss what it's really like to live. Sandpoint will always have a very special place in my heart and for that I am so grateful. Thanks for sharing this article and "Far away from the Panic". When I read these..it brings tears to my eyes and a a warming to my heart! Love to you and your family. Joanne
Christine | 9.6.11 @ 8:26PM
And we can't wait to have you back! I was one of the "girls" at the beach that said "hi" back in Sandpoint this summer. After living 40 years, born and raised in Chicago, and now living 6 years in Sandpoint, I appreciate every observation you make about living here. There is nothing that compares. Life is simpler and indescribably different than the rest of America. Those that are critical of your content would never understand until they visited. 1 day here and your blood pressure drops instantly.
Occam's Tool| 9.6.11 @ 10:28PM
I'm sure Sandpoint is fine, Christine.
But Ben's views on taxes are not fine, especially in a recession. That's from whence the anger flows. I live in a small town that I love deeply, as well.
Occam's Tool| 9.6.11 @ 10:30PM
Ben, with regards to your earlier complaint about food prices--- high taxes on food are caused by high taxes on gas and gas producers. Don't you support higher taxes, Ben?
We in the Great White North appreciate you trying to make it harder for us to live.
Jesse| 9.6.11 @ 10:48PM
She had quite a reputation as a gossip and backbitter.
http://www.winter-brands.com
http://www.wholesalesunglassesbrands.com
Tool| 9.6.11 @ 10:49PM
Kinkaide is a wild man personally, incidentally. So was Ben.
http://www.wholehatsshop.com
http://www.topbrandsbags.com
MarkR| 9.7.11 @ 1:26AM
Oh I am in rapture! Such a life, such a family, such a man! Such Bullshi-! "I have my pool and my warm aquamarine water and my palms trees and I am a happy guy. No one deserves all I have."---Except Obama and the guvment (philanthropy begins at the IRS for all of us now! It will lead to jobs just like Nancy says- she also lives sublimely!)! Oh they deserve it so! They are our guardians dont you "little ones" know! You out there with puny lives of puny expectations! I live so humbly amidst such amassed undeserved wealth- I AM humble dont you know? Oh sure you know! I'll be back next week with a little more tempting stories about ME!
MarkR| 9.7.11 @ 2:07AM
To all of you making the comments of "If you hate what Ben writes why do you read it and comment on it?" I would like to respond. ---Ben Stein opens himself to this ridicule. Here is a man who abounds with wealth and he like Buffett seems guilt ridden and in great need of expressing some sort of morose sense needed to give himself some standing with his readers. He then offers up ridiculous notions about how him and others like him giving more taxes to the government will somehow make the deficit and the present financial meltdown better. He says these things which dont work and never have and has an expectation that this sentiment somehow alleviates the guilt he morosely expresses. The fact is if we taxed the rich 100% of their income we would run the government for a few months at best- not to mention the fact that people are paying in taxes much more in other areas than the personal income tax which Ben refuses to mention or acknowledge. An expanding tax base gives more tax revenue (its always been this way) and no one gets jobs from poor people. So Ben's high and mighty need to say the rich need to pay more is nothing more than a self serving diatribe to make himself look better. Then you come here to the Spectator and read this drivel about how he doesnt deserve what he has- in reality he is saying "look at me I realize I dont deserve what I have!" The widows mite in the Bible which was a voluntary gift (God loveth a cheerful giver) is where Ben's soul could glow- and WE neednt be the wiser of it! Now that would alleviate his guilt complex.
Bob K.| 10.8.11 @ 9:33AM
Ben's wealth comes from his father, Herbert Stein, an Economist and follower of the Chicago School. He was Nixon and Ford's Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors. He was not wealthy at first. I remember Ben writing that his father had to wait on tables in Frat Houses at Williams College to help pay for his bills there.
Nevertheless Herbert Stein eventually became a classic Washington DC insider and because of this was able to acquire some wealth, unlike most of the readers here who do not have connections in high government places who can advise one on what and where to invest one's money.
Herbert Stein had no problems with big governmental regulatory agencies and advised the politicians he worked for, like Nixon and Ford, of this.
Them that has, gets more of it. Especially if one has cronies high in government circles who control the economy through government agencies.
Ben has managed his inheritance well and now writes about how much he enjoys the life style he is able to afford from it.
beebop| 9.7.11 @ 6:53AM
If Ralph Lauren is ever looking to add a facile, flabby, and flaccid againg self indulgent to his advertising cast, I could not think of a better candidate than J Benjamin Stein.
Miz Kat| 9.7.11 @ 9:35AM
MarkR, so you think that all people who show their humanness .... deserve to be mistreated? Huh. What an interesting concept. To me, such a person has no character, as my mother would say.
Really now... what's wrong with Ben just being himself, and writing truthfully about how he feels? I take naps, Ben takes naps. I love my pets, Ben loves his pets. I love good food, Ben loves good food. I'm happy with what God gave me, ditto for my friend Ben.
He's got trains and trees and water where he lives, so do I. I think mine are as good as his, even if they are in eastern Kentucky.
God bless him.
MarkR| 9.7.11 @ 2:10PM
So you are the moral police? This is a comment section Miz Kat- not a social club.
MarkR| 9.7.11 @ 2:36PM
There is nothing wrong with ben being himself. However this is a political website and Ben has been here and on TV spouting his views. Are other views intolerable and is he NOT TO BE criticized ? Is this a travel log only? And if so should comments be restricted to "only" a travel log view of his sermonette? Please clarify, as I must have missed something. As far as character goes- you speak as though you know me personally- and of course I dont know you. So your little shaming comment is irrelevant in that context. Next time I would advise disagreeing and moving on. As far as Ben goes- he's a public figure on a political website inviting comments- I think he can handle it. Ben speaks of the tax code which effects us all and then pontificates about his desire to be taxed more and more and others of his income (In Obama's world 250K is a billionaire or millionaire) and then the jobs come from whom? Ben speaks of his not deserving what he has while he encourages policies that would further inpede those with mush less - so it is relevant. ---Here's an idea: Perhaps Ben should write this stuff for Sunset magazine- then he wouldnt be challenged eh?
Colin Foy| 9.8.11 @ 2:23PM
Maybe Ben should read what former Obama butt boy liberal and fellow hebrew Mort Zuckerman has been writing lately about our beloved leader and his administrations economic policies. Whew, talk about a woman, err I mean, New York liberal scorned!
cj| 9.7.11 @ 12:25PM
I don't understand why people read things that upset them and then think it is their duty to blather on about how much they dislike what they read. My suggestion is simple, don't read the article. Of course that old saying fits here "Opinions are like ******** we all have one".
MarkR| 9.7.11 @ 2:11PM
See above.
Taylor| 9.7.11 @ 6:17PM
reading this makes me miss my home town :[ i wish we never had to move. sandpoint is just as beautiful as you said it is. next summer i'm heading back up that way so i can see my family, and so they can meet the newest member of the family, my daughter :]
Ross Capawana| 9.7.11 @ 6:52PM
Dear Ben, As a residence of Sandpoint I understand your feelings. Although I've never had the pleasure of meeting you, I've followed your rightings the best I could. I am a friend of Ted Farmin and do business at Alpine. I hope to meet you next year
Sara| 9.7.11 @ 7:19PM
Wow, what a nice thing to write about this little place not very many can call home:) This last weekend made me appreciate Sandpoint in the way you describe. After Biking, Boating, Flying, Fishing, Sailing, skinny dippin', Mtn Beer Fest, BBQ'in, enjoying friends from outta town, the hardest decision I had was whether to make it up to Schweitzer Mtn for live music at Beer Fest or go out on the beautiful lake! I am a lucky one of the few to call this place home.....:)
Scrapette Jones| 9.8.11 @ 1:13PM
All of you Benaysayers wouldn't know a good essay on life if it bit you. Carry on, Ben, and keep 'em coming! It's so refreshing to read the words of someone who is grateful for living, breathing, and being an American.
Colin Foy| 9.8.11 @ 2:12PM
I must admit I don't enjoy BS as much as I used to. Saw him on Fox Faux Conservative news a few weeks back and he was blathering on about embracing more government revenue and higher taxes, blah blah blah. A true Nixon republocrat if ever there was one.Harder and harder to watch Fox Faux Conservative news anymore now that they're giving more and more air time to grotesqueries like Bob Beckle, Carl Rove and Dick Morris. Just reinforces my theory that “They’re all in it together,” and that republocrats, (In D.C. and on TV), exist to give us the illusion that there actually is an opposition party, or any opposition, to what's being done to this country.I wish the repubs would replace the doleful, droopy eyed, sad sack, democrat water boy Mitch McConnell with a true patriot and loyal constitutionalist. Someone who could actually make “Whorehouse” Harry Reid spit with anger. Oh well, on and on it goes.
H. Jennings | 9.9.11 @ 3:55PM
Dear Mr. Stein, my husband and I own Nectar of Life Coffee company, a small coffee roaster located just south of Sandpoint, and sold in the Sandpoint Yokes store (they have a marvelous wine section when you come up next summer). Anyway, I am going to shamelessly plug our coffee company so that you can get a tiny piece of Idaho with every morning cup. We are also the only roaster in the area that is Kosher certified. So please, look for the hummingbird logo, and go to http://www.nectaroflife.com to pick up some local coffee. Oh, and we will see you next summer, maybe.
Leah Goodman| 9.9.11 @ 11:44PM
Dear Ben,
I love Sandpoint. I love North Idaho. I love this country. I was born in, obviously, all three. You're obviously smart, you're obviously eloquent. But maybe you could take some time to listen to those who were there 10 years ago Sunday, to those people who were afraid for their lives, who were afraid to lose their homes, take the train home, afraid to never see home. Maybe you could listen a little more and preach a little less.
Sharon| 9.11.11 @ 6:42PM
Wow, that is how I felt growing up in Sandpoint. My mom always said I was the luckiest girl in the world to live one block from town and one block from the beach. Only I knew Penny and Tim and little kids, I knew Ward's dad and many of the restraurants weren't there yet. I loved eating a hamburger at Don's Drive In or the Pastime Cafe and going to EVERY movie that was on at the Panida theater. Thanks for the memories.