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Ben Stein's Diary
Jobs for Graduates
That’s what San Diego’s National University is providing.
(Page 2 of 2)
But at National University, they teach what America needs its students to know: the skills we need to keep America running.
Again, these are not whiners and moaners at National University. These are the people who will keep us competitive and will keep themselves alive without a handout. Many of these students were single parents and worked at a job (maybe two jobs) while they studied. This is motivation indeed and motivation is everything.
I looked out at the men and women in the room — white, black, Asian, Hispanic, men, women, old and young, all learning how to keep the engine of America and the engine of their personalities running. I kept thinking, “I have seen the future of education and it works.”
Governor Brown should put the trustees of National University in charge of the University of California. Fewer courses in subversion. More classes in subjects that really matter and get graduates jobs.
Many of the people in room had a military background and cheered as I lauded our military. I just loved these people.
Then the speech was over and we pooh-bahs went back to the robing room. I was sad to say good-bye to President Potter and Chancellor-Emeritus Lee. I was sad to say good-bye to all of them. The salt of the earth.
This has been an encouraging day and I don’t have a lot of them.
On the way home, I met my pal Joe for dinner in Del Mar. He is as hard-working a man as I know of. And he has the success to prove it. The absolutely best anti-poverty program there is: work. They know it at National University. If we are smart about it, the future will be what schools like National make it.
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.
Frank Drackman| 5.16.12 @ 6:56AM
No hot Belorussian Blondes??
Did I miss a page?
Frank
Anthony| 5.16.12 @ 9:08AM
Frank, Ben's been told by his doctor (and his mommy) to lay off the shiksa for a while, lest he truly go blind, which is not a good thing for a guy who hawks clear eyes.
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 5:12PM
Yeah. Where's the Hungarian Hotties, Ben? Frank Drackman is Right!
Alan Brooks| 5.16.12 @ 8:45PM
Wish this insult-to-the-Judaic faith Ben Stein would please stick with economics.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 5.16.12 @ 7:07AM
I agree. Where were the good looking women? I know they are out there because like Ben I have Sex-Ray vision and see those babes from a mile away. They never notice me but that's not the point.
On another note, Ben, I've never eaten at Burger King and wonder what kind of snack they have there that would tempt your palette. When you refer to snacks at Burger King please be more specific. You could actually help lift the economy somewhat as many trek to Burger King for a "Ben Stein" experience. There's one not far from me on Viers Mill Road in Silver Spring, Md. and I'm sure they would appreciate the plug.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 5.16.12 @ 12:42PM
"I'm sure they would appreciate the plug"
They just got it, and I was thinking similar product placement fee thoughts as I read the article.
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 5:15PM
Bill: they are always talking to Ben. As a very hot blonde who wanted me to do her (I was married and said no) once told me: "Women are primarily concerned with two things about a man: the size of a man's wallet and the size of his....(primarily the wallet).
Hence, Ben.
By the way, Bill: BK's hamburgers are OK. I prefer Wendy's but they are a cut above the arches.
Bob K.| 5.16.12 @ 10:42PM
They made a hell of a "Whopper" when it cost only 35 cents!
Bob K.| 5.16.12 @ 10:45PM
Anyway, when I was in Silver Spring, a few years after Ben graduated from Montgomery Blair HS there, I much preferred Little Tavern burgers.
Jack in Wi.| 5.16.12 @ 7:18AM
Ben here, reminds me of my late father in law. He would regale me with endless recitations of what he had to eat all day. I used to get quite a kick out of keeping him going, to the endless groans of everyone else.
Cobalt| 5.16.12 @ 8:00AM
Apparently, National University does not send its graduates out into the world to claim "victim status".
These graduates will probably raise their children to have a good work ethic, and not see themselves as victims who are owed something from society.
Someday, some of the graduates of National University may even create jobs for other people, in the private sector.
How could the government let this happen?
Denver todd| 5.16.12 @ 8:06AM
Ben should go to McDonald's for their strawberry creme pie. Whoever came up with that is brilliant.
Frank Drackman| 5.16.12 @ 8:14AM
Really,
is College needed to learn how to drive a Truck, unclog a drain, execute a Mob Hit?
Seriously, despite AlGores Internets, some of us Old Fogies still like the Old-Fashioned Porn, the kind you can hold in your hand and take with you to the Men's Room.
And how does My "Screw" I mean "Penthouse" Magazine get to my hot little hands?
Not from Jug-Dish in Bangalore, with his PhD in IT, its some smelly guy named "Leon" with tatoos and maybe even a prison record.
Who delivers it to my local convenience store, run by Jug-Dishes more ambitious brother.
Thats the problem with America, too many Jug-Dishes, not enough Leons.
Frank
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 2:14PM
Frank,
you is so rights. Yeh. Dose boys doing Mob Hits from Jasper, Alabama are always busy doing the work that keeps America goin'.
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 2:18PM
From the Wiki:
"According to America's Most Wanted, Walker County, Alabama is the #1 place in America to hire a hitman."
Now, I lived for seven years in Cullman, Alabama, a hop, skip, and jump away from Walker County and Jasper, AL. I knew about this well before I did the Wiki. And I was one of the only psychiatrists there.
I simply mention this for all the stupid bastards that keep taunting the Psychiatrist for the Alabama Chain Gang. Like I said, I never threaten anybody.
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 2:24PM
I, of course, am kidding about being concerned about the "taunts." Honestly, taunt away, morons.
However, insult Alabama and I will NOT intercede with the Walker County residents I know to protect you. You will be on your own.
Frank Drackman| 5.16.12 @ 4:23PM
does anyone remember last time the BCS champion wasn't:
A: from the State of Alabama
B: from Alabama/Florida
C: from Alabama/Florida/Louisiana
Frank
Tom Byrne| 5.16.12 @ 8:50AM
I wish Ben Stein had made the commencement speech at RPI in 1986 instead of Gary Trudeau.
Kilgore Trout| 5.19.12 @ 8:53AM
By RPI, I assume you meant Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute which you shortened to RPI because you couldn't spell Rensselaer.
Anthony| 5.16.12 @ 8:58AM
If National University had a law school, they'd kick the shit out of Ben's Yale bulldogs.
hardcard| 5.16.12 @ 9:46AM
Benny,
You must be exhausted ! Take a nap.
AhiaGuy| 5.16.12 @ 9:52AM
...Awaiting Mr. Alan Brooks' next troll post where he makes some insulting racial or ethnic slur and thereby impresses himself at how clever he is to stir up the commentators.
Crassus| 5.16.12 @ 10:52AM
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........
Joellen| 5.17.12 @ 5:44PM
Thanks Crassus - got my chuckle for the day.
solidground| 5.16.12 @ 10:55AM
Be careful of all that junk food, Mr. Stein. You know where it can lead.
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 2:12PM
TCU taught me Biology, which helped me get into medical school. I didn't learn subversion.
I think the problem is that most English, PoliSci, and History Majors, hell, most pre-law types, have the brains of untrainable fleas, regardless of their SATs.
Despite Ben's 1600s, it's obvious he wouldn't have had the chops for Medical School.
somnolence| 5.16.12 @ 3:21PM
Medical billing is a very competitive field these days(I did it in the Air Force and then for awhile after I got out in a Houston hospital over 30 years ago), and not all graduates are immediately going to be placed in it. Also depending on where you are you just might make enough to pay your rent, maybe. It paid a pittance in 1977, barely above minimum wage in some hospitals and insurance agencies. We have conflicting arguments these days about young people going home again to live with mom and pop, and experts saying go for minimum wage jobs if you have to etc. at the same time a weakened economy has property values plummeting, auto dealerships having a difficult time of it, and multitudes holding on to what money they can save, foregoing impulsive buying. Glad you solved all our problems, Ben.
DrRisk| 5.16.12 @ 4:29PM
I taught an MBA course for National University once, about 15 years ago. The students were not at all serious─they merely wanted the credit for their degree. Four of the 15 students EARNED and "F" in the course, which they received. Their final exams were all cross-populated and generally indecipherable.
They made an appeal to the Dean, who, without consulting me or reviewing their work or final exams, unilaterally changed their grade to "A".
National University is a diploma mill.
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 5:08PM
Frank: TCU (my Alma Mater) finished number 2 behind Alabama after BEATING THE WISCONSIN PUSSWADS (Wisconsin and Pusswad is, of course, a redundancy) in the 2011 Rose Bowl. As they went undefeated that year, a case could have been made for a share of the BCS NC.
I do love your stuff, Frank. Particularly the very poor taste stuff. :-)
cuban pete| 5.16.12 @ 8:28PM
O.T.,
I first learned of TCU in 1955 when Jim Swink's picture was on the cover of Street & Smith's college football preview. He was an All American halfback and like you went on to a career in medicine. When I get the opportunity to talk with TCU grads they invariably enjoy my recollection of Dr. Swink.
All the best,
cp
Occam's Tool| 5.16.12 @ 5:09PM
Yes, Jack, every low blow is fun. :-)
Mike| 5.16.12 @ 7:47PM
Ben, Good stuff! I really enjoy reading your columns.
PCP Smoker| 5.16.12 @ 9:52PM
My mom received her MS from there in 87. North County, San Diego, in the mid and late 1980s was about as close to paradise as I've ever felt.
DANSHANTEAL| 5.18.12 @ 5:31PM
Do me a favor and go to Huffpost and read Bob Reich's ungiven speech to graduates. Now there's a whiner. Ben has the right attitude.