The American Spectator

home
ADVERTISEMENT
Ben Stein's Diary
Print Email
Text Size

Ben Stein's Diary

Dallas Week

By on 4.23.12 @ 6:08AM

It ended perfectly in Little Rock.

Tuesday
 Dallas, Texas. What a day this has been. I flew into DFW with my gorgeous wifey. I slept the whole way, as I always do. At DFW, a car and driver took us to the nearby Gaylord Resort. It is an immense hotel. A convention of steel fabricators is taking place here and I am speaking to them. Two very polite young women checked us in and we went to our rooms and slept more.

Then, to answering e-mails. My favorites were from L., the 17-year-old daughter of a close friend, who is in Poland visiting death camps as part of a mostly Jewish project called “March of the Living.” L’s grandmother was a 16-year-old girl in a town outside Frankfurt when she was sent of to be a slave laborer at several different horror camps, culminating in five excruciating years at Auschwitz. She saw all of her friends die. When she was liberated, she went “home” to find that all of her family except her aunt were dead… murdered by the Nazis.

Now, her daughter’s daughter is visiting these death camps as a proud, healthy, lovely U.S. citizen. God bless America.

The only funny part of the story is that two nights before she was at Auschwitz, L. was at the immense Coachella Rock Festival listening to rock music in the sun east of Indio. From Coachella to Auschwitz. Truly unbelievable.

Then an e-mail from one of the most beautiful women in the world. She has a project. She is going to make seltzer water at home with a machine that carbonates water. She is addicted to Pellegrino and she figures this will save her well over $100 per month. I cautioned her that Pellegrino has a uniquely delicious flavor and she might not get the same taste from her carbonated tap water. She was undeterred. “I am going to make money and help the environment at the same time,” she said.

Both admirable goals, to be sure.

Then, taking my fiber while I watch the horrible selection available on TV in my hotel room. Grim. Do Americans really care that much about storage lockers and weight loss? I guess they do.

Wednesday
 A speech to the steel fabricators. The event was on the exhibition hall floor where many entities were showing off their steel fabrication machines. The room was as noisy as can be, but the audience was great — thoughtful, solid-looking men and women. Our sponsor is a maker of ultra-strong, durable, computer-driven steel-cutting machines by the name of Peddinghaus. Founded long ago in Germany, now based in Illinois. The owner and his extremely lovely wife were there and could not have been more pleasant.

After the speech, I talked for a long time with a man whose family had come from Serbia. He told me heart-rending stories of what his family had gone through under the Nazis and then under Tito. What brave people his ancestors were and are.

Then I lay in my bed and watched airplanes gliding in for landing at DFW. Much closer to my room, hawks soared on thermals. These were extremely large hawks. In fact, I have never seen such immense hawks.

Later, I went to a nighttime event at a nearby venue. The first entertainment was some dancing and cheering by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. I am bound to say that in my whole life, I have never seen more beautiful women. It is almost unbelievable that humans could be that beautiful.

After the cheerleaders, Dana Carvey came out and did the single funniest show I have ever seen. This man is whatever the next step is beyond genius. Impressions. Jokes. Singing. Guitar playing. The imitation that Carvey did of Al Gore was so funny. I thought I would choke from laughing.

The brilliance and energy of this man is supernatural.

Then, back to my room and a late supper with my wife and then to sleep.

Thursday
 Up, dressed, and downstairs here at the Gaylord. My lucky fate this day is to moderate a panel composed of my old marching companion, Pat Buchanan, and “The Ragin’ Cajun,” James Carville. Again, it was on the exhibit floor and noisy as can be, but Pat and James were brilliant and lively and entertaining. I have a tough time making out what Carville is saying, but when I do “get it,” he’s often quite brilliant. I disagree with most of what he says, but he’s passionate and likeable. Pat is also brilliant and although I find him wanting on a number of historical points, he’s also passionate and likeable.

Page: 1 2  

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 (48) |

Jack in Wi.| 4.23.12 @ 9:08AM

Awhile back someone put up a link to an Israeli film about Jewish kids from Israel going to the death camps in Poland. It also had a lot about Abe Foxman and anti semitism and his constant harping on the subject. The film was about 0ne and half hours long. I wish I could remember the name. Several things stand out in my memory. One: That old Abe had a hell of a time finding much anti-semitism for this guy to use in his film. The other was how those kids from Israel reacted to this so called horror show. The kids were terrified that Hitler was coming to get them. They all expresed hate for gentiles and fear. This propagada is nothing but an effort to scare young people to come to Israel, or to stay there. It was a disgusting film and well made by the director. I think he was trying to show that this kind of stuff is self defeating. I remember one girl saying that she wanted to kill all the Germans. The film was very good. I highly recommend it, if I could remember the name or the guy who made it's name.

Vern Crisler| 4.23.12 @ 12:17PM

Perhaps such things are trying to warn about anti-semitism, and how easy it is to forget about it.

Jack in Wi.| 4.23.12 @ 12:28PM

More likely to keep scaring ther kids into staying in Israel when so many are leaving and many more in the dispora are not buying the myths any more and are staying right where they are. The only place, in the world, not safe for Jews is the self walled ghetto stolen in Palistine.

Occam's Tool| 4.23.12 @ 2:31PM

Yeah,Paris is real safe.

The Poles no longer hate Jews because all the Jews in Poland are dead or gone, Jack. What you and Dimitri know about Jews I could fit on an electron.

Todd S| 4.23.12 @ 5:29PM

The nerve of them to remember the Holocaust and wanting to have a homeland of their own. You are a despicable piece of garbage, go have fun with your Palestinian Jew-hating friends.

Occam's Tool| 4.23.12 @ 7:38PM

Palestine, you illiterate piece of sub-human filth.

RCV| 4.23.12 @ 5:29PM

Thank God, Jack, that those young people keep going to Auschwitz. It's the memory of the Shoah that keeps them, and all us, able to recognize what dangerous scum people like you are.

Alan Brooks| 4.23.12 @ 6:12PM

When Jews treat blacks better, then you can criticize Jack's attitude towards Israel.

Alan Brooks| 4.23.12 @ 6:14PM

...which means never, Jews will *always* think of blacks as 'schwatzers'.
It takes two to tango but nobody wants to make the first step onto the dance floor.

Todd S| 4.23.12 @ 6:51PM

What was the percentage of Jews that voted for Obama you moron? Stupidly I think but shut up with your racist bs.

Alan Brooks| 4.23.12 @ 7:23PM

The percentage was only as high as blacks who sincerely voted for Lieberman!
Stop picking on Jack- he doesn't HAVE to like Israel and Jews anymore than you have to like blacks and Obama. When you guys refund to the taxpayers all the $ you poured down the drain during the last decade in the Mideast, then I'll take seriously your "moron", "racist" comments.

Jack in Wi.| 4.23.12 @ 9:52PM

I don't dislike Jews Alan. I lived in heavily Jewish neighborhood for many years and found most to be sane and honest neighbors. My kids were on sports teams with many Jewish kids and Muslims too. they all went to the prom together. I have the picture. I also did a lot of business with Jews. I found most of them to be honest and a couple did me some big favors. The lunatics who come here are not representative of most Jews that I know.

Alan Brooks| 4.24.12 @ 1:57AM

No one says even you have to like Jews; but neither do blacks have to like Jews-- and these Rubes From Hell can't comprehend this.

Alan Brooks| 4.24.12 @ 2:01AM

Tell these ...gentlemen.. Jack, that regardless of any real or imagined benefit to continuing the war(s), we probably cannot afford to do so fiscally, and depending on the Chinese to underwrite the continuation of the war is PROBABLY not a good idea.

Occam's Tool| 4.23.12 @ 7:32PM

Jews died for Blacks' rights to vote.

Alan Brooks| 4.23.12 @ 8:25PM

You pick on Islam; why can't Jack pick on Israel? you know very well the majority of Islamics are not Wahhabiists.

Here's an idea:
since the Cheney-Rove administration's war effort has now been revealed as an abortion, levy a special assessment on the GOP for having voted in the bunglers-- twice-- to refund the trillions spent on the war(s) to the taxpayers who threw good money after bad.

RCV| 4.24.12 @ 12:03PM

Occam, one of the most moving moments of the recent trip my wife and I took to Mississippi was visiting the place where Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were murdered, along with James Chaney, for the crime of working for the right of Blacks in the South to vote.

hardcard| 4.23.12 @ 10:08AM

Dear Benny,
Those weren't hawks, they were turkey vultures. Take a nap.

Trish Trotter| 4.23.12 @ 11:28AM

I would like to recommend a great book to all of you readers:

The Sweet Puppies of Summerrest Farm
by Penelope Prune.

Ms. Prune is an old woman, and she has a fuzzy old dog named Swanzy--a chocolate (oh how I love chocolate!) lab who has a litter of six puppies.

Ms. Prune has photographed the sweet little puppies in the most adorable situations:

You see photos of them romping in the pasture near the curious cows; taking naps in front of a roaring fireplace; chasing each other around the farmyard; wrestling, and much more.

A cat named Rufus is the villain in the story. Sometimes he likes to sneak up on one of the puppies and give it a slap with his paw. A real meany!

If you love puppies, you've just got to get this book. It's on Amazon, or you can buy it at Barnes & Noble.

Drucilla Andronikof| 4.23.12 @ 4:23PM

I've read it, Trish, and I, too, loved it. Such a heart-warming, feel-good amusement.

Those puppies are a hoot! Bobo, the little mischivous one, is my favorite!

Trish Trotter| 4.23.12 @ 4:28PM

Bobo! That naughty little pooch steals your heart away.

Thanks for commenting, Drucilla.

I posted three comments this morning, and only one remains. In one of my comments, I politely asked Mr. Stein to share a photo of his dog and tell a story about it. That post has disappeared!

Something diabolical is going on here.

Howard W.| 4.23.12 @ 4:31PM

Trish,

I always enjoy your posts, and thanks for the book recommendation. I'm going to Amazon right now to look it up.

Occam's Tool| 4.23.12 @ 7:36PM

Trish: they got rid of my offer to give you my Black Lab, 'Bama. You may contact me through Ken or Con Chef to arrange for this.

Jeez, I call Clint a Terrorist Catamite and tell Jack that he swallows terrorist semen all day long and twice on Sundays (possibly true for both, but certainly vulgar), but an offer to find an annoying Black Lab a home with a dog lover---that gets DELETED? WTF?

You note, Trish, that I have included cruel vulgar political name calling in this post to increase its chance of survival. Not towards you, dear.

Alan Brooks| 4.23.12 @ 6:16PM

Schwartzers, that's what Ben Stein thinks blacks are. Even if he has black friends, he is merely being condescending.

Trish Trotter| 4.23.12 @ 7:29PM

Mr Brooks,

Don't you mean Schnauzer instead of Schwartzer?

We're talking about dogs here. Does Ben have a Schnauzer? I love Schnauzers. Mrs. Portland down the block has one, and sometimes she lets me play with him.

emilio lizardo, PhD| 4.23.12 @ 10:46AM

Finally some amusement to be found amidst the maudlin reminiscences. Jeezis Ben, for a Hollywood guy, havent you seen any Westerns? Those "immense hawks" were buzzards for chrissake. Living the life of a swell on the plush, wonder how much else youre getting wrong these days

jerry| 4.24.12 @ 1:08PM

i live in dallas and we have some pretty large hawks as well.

Joellen| 4.23.12 @ 10:55AM

My problem with Ben Stein and the Jewish people who keep going BACK to Hitler, they always forget to mention that millions of Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses and those who opposed the Nazi Regime were also executed. Those who believe and refuse to deny CHRIST have been slayed in the past and are being slayed even now. When my Christian friends get together, we NEVER pray just for Christians; we include the whole human race because we reconize that all have been brutally wronged at some time in history and are even now. We must all remember what happened in the past, else history will repeat itself; but right now there is a evil force that is persecuting Christians and Jews that needs to be addressed. Yet once again I read from Mr. Stein about the Nazis. Mr. Stein can you talk about Radical Islamic persecutions that are taking place right now? How many Christians are on a death watch because they refuse to deny Christ? People in Isreal are under the threat of attack from, NOT HITLER, but EXTREMIST ISLAMIC. TAS readers, am venting now, but ask yourselves how many more movies will Hollywood make about Hitler, yet NOTHING ever about the evil atrocities of Joseph Stalin, Fidel Castro, Bin Laden, Hussain, etc., etc. Where are the factual movies in regards to the events of September 11th. Where are the A list actors portraying our brave men & women in the miltary, fighting now to keep evil down and bring freedom to many? Why hasnt one movie been made about these hero's who bring clean water; schools; hospitals and true HOPE to those in the middle east? Finally, I must address this to Mr. Stein, your persistence in trying to convince the readers of TAS of how "likeable" folks like Carvell, (two weeks ago, Obama, etc. etc.) are. Carvell who still advocates the Clintons, Obama, etc; knowing the fundamental change these Marxist are striving to bring to our country. Pray tell, why do you find that "likeable"? I can tell you we out here, who feel the effects of their "fundamental" changes, NOT SO MUCH! I am sorry, but I just cant figure out why Ben Stein has become so vapid in the past year or so. I pray he understands that many, many people today feel like many, many people felt during those Horrific days of Hitler's Nazi Germany or Joseph Stalin's Russian Communist mudererous reign. Live in the present Mr. Stein - it's time to address the evil of today.

Seek| 4.23.12 @ 2:26PM

Fact-based pro-American movies about 9/11? Try "United 93" (2006), directed by Paul Greengrass, a truly great flick. A full-length recent Hollywood movie denouncing the evils of the Soviet labor camps? Rent "The Way Home" (2011), directed by Peter Weir.

Enough already with the anti-Hollywood meme. Films are stories, not two-hour Red State political infomercials. Do some research instead.

Occam's Tool| 4.23.12 @ 2:38PM

We also care about the non-Jews killed. Joellen, it was 1/3 of all the Jews in the world at the time, and we have not made it up. And now we have assholes like Dimitri, Jack, and Clint who want to see another 6 million killed.

By the way, Atlas Shrugged, a Jewish run website, and FrontPage.Com, another Jewish run website, also feature intensive review of Christian persecution in Muslim lands, as does Debbie Schlussel's (an orthodox Jew)website. Weasel Zippers website also details this every day, as does the Religion of Peace website.

In short, Joellen, Ben doesn't tend to cover this stuff, but a lot of Jews and Jew supporters do. Ron Paul, on the other hand, supports CAIR and allies.

D| 4.23.12 @ 11:46AM

Joellen,
Among those "who were also executed" were homosexuals, gypsies, people with physical and mental disabilities. Very telling that you chose not to mention these groups.

Joellen| 4.23.12 @ 12:10PM

D, very telling of what? I find it telling that you cant even spell your name out? D, you are PART Of THE PROBLEM. There is evil out there - and perhaps, as a good student of Saul Alinksy, you try and change the narrative. Wont work here D. EVIL IS EVIL - MURDER IS MURDER and there is no denying that what these THUGS perpetuated, whether it was against Jews, Christians, homosexuals, handicapp people, ETC is EVIL. It happened then and it is happening now. So focus D and find it in your heart to open your eyes, ears, heart and soul and pray for ALL, not just for your "agenda".

Joellen| 4.23.12 @ 12:46PM

By the way D, when we pray to end abortion (which is MURDER), we dont pray for it to end just for whites or blacks, or hispanics or chinese. We pray for it to end for ALL. Get it D.

Fontessa| 4.23.12 @ 2:53PM

Ben, it is always a pleasure to read your kind comments about middle America. There are good, kind people everywhere, but I think they are easier to find in the middle of the country.

Re: beautiful women. My son, who traveled all over the world while he was in the U.S. Navy, used to say that even if all the signs were removed, and he was deaf, he'd still know when he'd landed in Dallas.

Re: those great big birds. Not hawks, probably turkey vultures. They are gorgeous in flight, soaring for the longest time without flapping their wings again. Alas, they are considerably less handsome up close, but they are a vital part of the ecology where I live in the Texas Hill Country. They CAN be a nuisance, and will sometimes move into town and take over a park, or school play ground (which is bit unsettling). I have often wondered what is their favorite road-kill. "Ohh--Look! A deer!." "No no, over here . It's a raccoon!"

Bassboat| 4.23.12 @ 3:04PM

Who says that you have to write a scathing, hard hitting article to be interesting? Ben has his feet on the ground. He will not drown in a hard rain. If only he could understand why the rich should not be taxed at such absurd rates (I'm solidly middle class in income)..........

messup| 4.23.12 @ 4:00PM

It defies explanation why a "nice" article such as this appears in this column. This author expounds on venues, travel and America's excellence including Armed Force's, all generations of Americans, who made America what it is today...while denigrating and belittling everything American.

This author has opinions, statements , discourse and ideas totally anathema to everything America...more in tune to Fabian Socialism.

This is the quintessential "fox in sheep's clothing,"
touted as America's iconic economist. Stein is not too much different than another collegue of his...John Kenneth Galbrith (countervailing powers, whatever those are...windmills?) God Bless America. Amen.

The Bob| 4.23.12 @ 4:02PM

" .... Two very polite young women checked us in and we went to our rooms and slept more. ...."

Ben, shame on you.

The Bob| 4.23.12 @ 4:10PM

PS: I always enjoy your writing.

aesaac | 4.23.12 @ 5:16PM

Mr. Stein you are indeed civil, civil to the point of being charming. Along the way we have lost our civility and substituted it with a meanness and a an acidic blindness of indifference. I had a farm in the Midwest once, boys road tractors, you waved as you passed someone. America is still America -only its in the center of the country-it is not on the coasts. I am far from the coast and live high in the mountains outside of Rio. Its like 1950 America here, small stores, courteous hello's, cars letting other cars in. Rio is not like that. The hope of man is in the slow subtle wit of Twain, of Will Rogers, not the razor of Mort Sahl, may he rest in peace. Thanks, for the image of American kindness that your writing so thoughtfully gives. For it is this great civility that was lost in the '60s and for 40 years we have wandered in the wilderness of Self. Do good, be kind, and thanks for being such an exemplar of American Civility. From high in the Atlantic rain forest,
Alan Sklar

PolishKnight| 4.23.12 @ 6:08PM

It sounds like Ben didn't appreciate the show "Storage Wars". It's one of my favorites and follows a line of working class shows: Pawn Stars, Dirty Jobs, and of course, Deadliest Catch.

To Ben, fighting to win a locker full of old laundry and counting your blessings if you find a $1000 antique bed may seem tawdry. I agree with him about all the obsession with weight loss shows.

Peppermint Tea| 4.23.12 @ 9:18PM

I thought Dana Carvey's attempt at prime time in the 1990s was split-a-gut hilarious. Too bad he made fun of Clinton's sexcapades, and the network dropped him like a lead balloon.

George | 4.23.12 @ 10:06PM

Babbling Ben Stein...obviously more Americans want to watch "Storage Wars", than your corny game show or your Murine commercials.

Delores Smith| 4.24.12 @ 12:43AM

BEN STEIN,
Terrific article...as usual. You taught me another thing again. I really don't like James Carville, but I never understand him. I will listen closely next time. I might be the problem. I really like you!
Delores Smith
Delores109@cox.net

Kilgore Trout| 4.24.12 @ 9:47AM

Just understand this, Miss Delores, Carville is a vile, repulsive snake. He is known far and wide as "serpenthead and NOT just because his head looks like a serpent's. He LOVES the degenerate Klinktons and will be working in PIAPS's behalf to put her in the W.H.

Gary B| 4.24.12 @ 6:22AM

"Now, her daughter's daughter is visiting these death camps as a proud, healthy, lovely U.S. citizen. God bless America."

National Socialism... aided and abetted by the TSA and NSA, coming to an American town near you. May God have mercy on our suicidal souls.

jerry| 4.24.12 @ 1:14PM

It seems like Ben just enjoys life (and beautiful women). Can't say that I disagree.

Mike S| 4.25.12 @ 11:34AM

Your articles are always great, positive and make me smile and laugh. I am sitting at the Apple Store waiting to have my computer fixed and your article reminds me of how talented a writer you are and more importantly how great life is.

CherylA| 5.8.12 @ 10:45AM

I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay in Little Rock! The next time you come to town, be sure to stop by Maduro Cigar Lounge. It's one block east of the Capital Hotel and is the happiest place in Little Rock. Great place to just hang out for a while, have a nice cigar (walk in humidor on site) and a nice scotch, glass of wine, or port. Hope to see you there sometime!

More Articles by Ben Stein

More Articles From Ben Stein's Diary

Missing So Many

April 19, 2013 | Ben Stein

No End to This Cruelty

April 16, 2013 | Ben Stein

On Losing Freedom

April 11, 2013 | Ben Stein

Death of a Goddess

April 3, 2013 | Ben Stein

The Economics of Love

April 1, 2013 | Ben Stein

http://spectator.org/archives/2012/04/23/dallas-week

ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Headlines

We Will Remember

Roger Kaplan|27 comments

Real Immigration Reform Requires Free Markets

Ross Kaminsky|80 comments

Enough With the Bipartisanship

Matt Purple|45 comments

The United States of El Norte

Larry Thornberry|60 comments

Vodka = Vodka = Vodka

Daniel J. Flynn|94 comments

Laying Down My Pen

Quin Hillyer

Tornado Chasers

Claire Healey|35 comments

The Chinese Waltz

George H. Wittman|2 comments

The Spectacle Blog

The #FreeKate Narrative Melts Down: Lies Exposed in Florida Teen Sex Case

Robert Stacy McCain | 5.25.13

Jimmy Wray, R.I.P.

Aaron Goldstein | 5.25.13

The Spectator’s Spectacular: May 18-May 25

Patrick Ryan | 5.25.13

Updated: NBC News: Holder Personally Approved Fox Reporter Warrant

Ross Kaminsky | 5.24.13

Felonious Attorney General?

Kaylin Bugos | 5.24.13

Did the Boy Scouts Cave to Pressure?

Claire Healey | 5.24.13

BBC World Survey Ranks Israel Near Bottom in Global Popularity

Aaron Goldstein | 5.24.13

Obamacare is a Big and Growing Problem for Democrats

Ross Kaminsky | 5.24.13

SPONSORED LINKS

FLASHBACK TO: 1995

Clip of the Day

H/T to National Review Online

ADVERTISEMENT

Home |About |Contributors |Advertise |Donate |Privacy Policy |Contact

The American Spectator Foundation is the 501(c)(3) organization responsible for publishing The American Spectator magazine and training aspiring journalists who espouse traditional American values. Your contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Each donor receives a year-end summary of their giving for tax purposes.

Copyright 2013, The American Spectator. All rights reserved.