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Ben Stein's Diary

Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom

By on 11.14.12 @ 7:51AM

The Petraeus/Holder/Obama super scandal just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Tuesday
There is an unbelievably great song by the black blues man John Lee Hooker called simply, “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom,” as in “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Gonna shoot you right down….”. It plays an important part in the super great new James Bond movie, Skyfall, which you must see right now. I mean immediately. Wifey and I saw it twice over the weekend even though we had to sit in row 2 on the aisle.

This is a perfect movie. Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever. Javier Bardem is a villain for the ages. This movie does not have as incredibly great an opening chase scene as Casino Royale, which is the best chase scene of all time. But it has Bardem, and man, oh, man, is he good.

I keep thinking about that “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom,” song because of the Petraeus/Holder/Obama super scandal that is sweeping the nation’s capital. And the nation. “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom,” it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

“Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom,” the DCI has been telling big time lies by omission, has been doing spycraft Internet games with his mistress, using Gmail, again, which my computer pals tell me a ten year old can hack, leaving sexually explicit messages for her in a draft file that they can both access. And we are supposed to believe he’s known her for eight years and this affair just started a year ago? When they were together in Kabul for long periods away from her hubby and his loyal wife? Are you kidding me? And ended a few months ago voluntarily? Are you really sure we are that stupid?

“Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom,” and we are supposed to believe that Barry Obama did not know about it? And that AG Holder didn’t know about it? The FBI knew for months that the DCI was using an illegal Internet connection to carry on an affair with a beautiful blabbermouth and Holder did not know? And that he didn’t tell the President?

If that’s true, I guarantee you that the Russians knew about it. They are pretty good at hacking, and the Chinese make the Russians look like kittens.

“Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom,” did you read about Paula telling an audience that the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was really a CIA prison for captured terrorists? Where do you think she got that idea? How about this: someone high up in Obamaland says, “Hey, we’ll say that place in Benghazi was a CIA operation. Then, we’ll brief Romney and say that if you, Governor, are a patriot, you’ll lay off this Benghazi thing because it was a CIA operation.”

So, Mr. Romney, like a patriot, like his father before him, gets brainwashed and ducks the whole Benghazi issue in debate 3. And Obama has suckered him in and wins the election with an elaborate trick and Paula somehow gets into the loop, too. Maybe she’s just lying in bed with a certain someone and hears the conversation. I’m just saying.…

I’m just saying that this is what Mr. Nixon tried to do with Watergate — get the FBI off the trail be telling them that Watergate was a CIA thing. It worked for a while, too. Maybe Mr. Obama’s far cleverer trick worked well, too.

Meanwhile, again, who the heck is this Jill Kelley? Porn e-mails from the top U.S. general in Afghanistan? Flirting with General Petraeus? Runs some kind of questionable charity ? Who the heck is she? Getting sex pictures from an FBI man who helps “catch” Paula? She’s an interesting girl. “Bad girl, bad girl, such a dirty bad girl, beep, beep,” as Donna Summer sang. She’s really interesting.

Then there’s that four-star General Ward, one of the highest ranking African-American generals ever, basically stealing money to furnish his house, take his wife and him on lavish shopping trips, roaring through town in a motorcade — and he doesn’t even get fired. He gets retired as a three star. Hmm. Let’s see what might account for the difference in treatment….Why isn’t he prosecuted for embezzlement or theft?

Then there’s a one star who’s going to prison for forcing female officers to perform oral sex on him.

What the heck is happening to this country? Is this the “hope and change” we asked for? I guess it’s hope, anyway.

Meanwhile, I love President Obama saying he has a mandate to raise taxes because he won the election. I fully agree taxes have to be raised. But does he really think he won for any other reason than that he got a huge nonwhite turnout and majority and he was running against a weak campaign? Surely he knows why he won. He has to. To now claim it had anything to do with taxation issues is comical.  I don’t know. Maybe he really thinks he got 95% of the African American vote because of fiscal policy issues.

“Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom.”

Meanwhile, again, please do not allow me to leave the impression that I am any better than Gen. Petraeus or Gen. Allen or Paula and Jill. I’m not. I am a lot worse. I am a sinner, not a saint. But I’m giving you the straight scoop here because it takes one to know one. The MSM won’t tell you what’s happening here. I just did.

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 (73) |

Stormzeye| 11.14.12 @ 8:05AM

Great piece Ben. It sounds like you finally awoke from your continual napping and generally lolling about your various homes. I think you nailed it when you pointed out how Romney was probably co-opted by Obama..........are they really that good? Frightening!

Jack in Wi| 11.14.12 @ 8:11AM

Fooey on you and more taxes Ben. Just send the government a check and leave me and the rest of us out of it. You are so gung ho for the military and their operations all over the world. Well this is what war breeds, death, destruction, infidelity, and suicide. These people are from their families for years on end and now we have all kinds of women and gays in the ranks to service the troops. It is a good story about all these rich groupies who chase after big shot generals and other bureaucrats. As your old pal Kissinger used to say. " Power is a great aphrodesiac. " These babes remind me of all the girls I used to see at the ballpark at the clubhouse door. That was when I used to be a major league groundskeeper 50 years ago. I have to say I saw most of the great ballplayers in the National league and NFL closeup and personal. It was a great experience for a teenager.

R Martin| 11.14.12 @ 8:16AM

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that Mr. Stein's one every week or so pieces have become daily now that sex is in the news? Perhaps that explains his infatuation with "astonishingly beautiful" women everywhere he goes. Or is the explanation in his last paragraph?

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 9:21AM

I'm thinking that, for one reason or another, our Boy - Ben - might be sporting one of those Charlie Sheen type Ankle Monitors. I can't even begin to imagine what Mr. Square Peg might've done, and I don't wanna know.

What do we know about this Situation, and what should all of us be Taking Away from it - Lesson-wise?

How about this - "Men shall know you, by the company you keep."

Or this - "When you lie down with Dogs. You get up with Fleas."

How about something having to do with Making a Deal with The Devil?

Why would any GOOD, PATRIOTIC, FLAG OFFICER, who Loves this Country, serve One Day under this America Hating, American Military Hating THING, in our White House?

For the Money? For the Love of Money? For the feeling that one gets from a Position of Power and Authority? Is this what was meant in Milton's Classic Masterpiece - Paradise Lost - "Better to Reign in Hell, than Serve in Heaven."?

Was Machiavelli right?

Were Yoda's words, even more Precient, than what we believed when we first heard them? "Strong is the Power of The Dark Side."

And, why do men (Supposed Christian Men) still refuse to heed CHRIST'S admonition - "What does it profit a Man, to Gain the whole World, and Lose his Immortal Soul"?

This man spent an Entire Lifetime, unblemished by Scandel, and Degredation. An Entire Lifetime of Selfless, Honourable Service to his Country, right up to the day that he joined THE BEAST.

And, now look at him.

He's covered with Fleas.

SUBVET| 11.14.12 @ 9:48AM

Good one Brother Tim......

I see it's 45 and sun today when are we switching from leaf blowers to snow blowers ?

R Martin| 11.14.12 @ 10:09AM

What you've got to like about the guy, TLP, is you get Milton, Machiavelli, Yoda and Charlie Sheen all in one little blurb.

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 10:21AM

You forgot - JESUS.

Occam's Tool| 11.14.12 @ 12:04PM

And Vladimir Jabotinsky, as well, my hero, with TLP.

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 4:01PM

Isn't he The Heavyweight Champion?

I like him, too.

Occam's Tool| 11.14.12 @ 12:04PM

Remeber that up to election day, Romney was getting regular CIA briefings as per procedure (so did Obama and McCain during that race). Yeah, I believe he knew something.

WaffenSS| 11.18.12 @ 7:18AM

What he is covered with is nosey scum. Before you take the speck out of my eye, take the beam out of your own eye. Get your fooking nose out of his bedroom and mine. Your worse than the government

Dodd2| 11.14.12 @ 8:28AM

Let's face it. Our country's leadership is decadent to the core.

This is the result of abandoning our Judeo-Christian heritage; our sorry state is the bitter fruit of human secularism and moral relativism.

Even religious organizations are corrupt.

vtwin| 11.14.12 @ 8:53AM

"But does he really think he won for any other reason than that he got a huge nonwhite turnout."
Ben, do you think “nonwhites” Americans should be prohibited from voting in future Presidential Elections because they voted for a black man? How about Jews? Obama won the majority of the Jewish vote to. Do you think we should allow Jews to vote?

squalis| 11.14.12 @ 9:28AM

Before this, I can't think of a single post of yours with which I agreed. I also cringed when I read that.

So we don't get too chummy, I will add we definitely need voter photo ID cards for all! Whether or not the election results were influenced, there is clear evidence of voter fraud 11/6/2012.

Tom Kyba| 11.14.12 @ 10:46AM

Yeah, that's what he thinks. Perhaps you could be a little more infantile in your stereotyping next time.

handsoff| 11.15.12 @ 1:59AM

You forgot the hispanic vote.

CJW| 11.14.12 @ 9:14AM

What is happening is the Bubba-zation of our culture. If the Commander in Chief (pres for you Dems) can serially harass subordinates, lie under oath, suborn perjury, get disbarred, and sell pardons to fugitives like Marc Rich for one million dollars, then why are you surprised about a general getting oral sex or fixing his house with taxpayer funds.

handsoff| 11.15.12 @ 1:57AM

Not sure about your other examples, but he did NOT get disbarred. There was no disbarment hearing started, there was no accusation that could lead to a hearing, that could lead to disbarment, and as far as I can tell, he never practiced law that could lead to a complaint that could lead to a hearing that could lead to disbarment all of which would be noticed on the public record. Since he never practiced law for the last 20 years at least, it would be stupid to continue the rigorous continuing education and fees required to keep a license active. The record shows he retired the license upon application to do so as required and allowed by Illinois law.
Clinton, however, had to relinquish his license to avoid a public hearing and disbarment, also allowed under the rules of the state(s) he was licensed.
BO has lied repeatedly, about almost everything. In addition, like Kennedy, he was involved with the Chicago political machine and various socialist/communist organizations which propelled him through his brief political career to the Pres, for which he is monumentally unprepared and uncredentialed.

gene| 11.14.12 @ 9:31AM

People have not changed in 5000 years. Their nature is the same. Many are going to try and get away with doing wrong. Bill Clinton's famous statement when all the dust around him finally settled down? - "I did it because I could do it".
The great tragedy is not just that these people are breaking the law and being immoral, it is that a compliant MS media is ignoring all of it. This could have happened and has happened throughout the history of this country and other governments. The problem is that these people think they are "BULLET PROOF" because they think they can do anything and the "Ends justify the Means". They will continue until the Main Stream Media and their blind followers decide that they have had enough.
Sadly I do not see that happening. I do not see a Chris Matthews suddenly waking up and saying "NO MAS".

Medbob| 11.14.12 @ 10:46AM

Ben,
You have said numerous times that Taxes need to increase. I'm kinda baffled at that observation.
Is it not true that we have a spending problem? Is it not true cuts would make a much larger impact than tax increases?
I'm not completely familiar with our total tax burden figures, but I believe that it has been determined that an 18% tax rate provides the maximal revenue stream. Given that most tax brackets are above this 18%, how will an increase provide more revenue?

IMHO, we need a much smaller government, one that lives within it's means. Perhaps you are just being pragmatic to get over a threshold?

I am humbled by your conservative and economic credentials, and am merely trying to put your opinions within a context that I can understand and evaluate. Thanks for all you do... (and you deserve those naps!!! ;-)

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 4:04PM

If he's pushing for Higher Taxes, NOW?

How does he have any Conservative and Economics Credentials?

Medbob| 11.15.12 @ 5:28PM

I have a huge amount of respect for Ben Stein. I really want to understand what his perspective is. If he thinks Taxes need to go up, I would like to know the details, his rationalization for that opinion, and how he'd like to see that happen.
IMHO, if we need to raise revenues, it makes more sense to take a little from everyone rather than a lot from a few.

Gr0w1er601| 11.14.12 @ 10:50AM

The only good thing about this piece is the YouTube clip of the great John Lee Hooker (RIP). The fact that everybody's talking about the Petraeus/Allen disaster and NOT Benghazi speaks volumes. Talk about your ole' 'bait & switch' game...

gene| 11.14.12 @ 11:56AM

There is One name missing in all these scandals and the fact that it is NOT being mentioned should scare the fornicating scatology out of everyone, Conservative and Liberal.
The Name? Vice President Joseph Biden.
President Nixon supposedly stated that no one would impeach him because no one would want Spiro Agnew as President. Well, some people lowered the boom on Agnew. Gerald Ford was acceptable to both parties and President Nixon resigned in disgrace. The words
"President Joseph Biden"
should terrify America and the World.
And if he is not involved in these scandals?
And he assumes the Presidency? I have to go change my undies just typing this. If it becomes a reality, I do not know what will happen.

Nancy in NC| 11.14.12 @ 1:33PM

And exactly how would it be worse? Biden is a moron, but he doesn't hate the country the way obama does.

gene| 11.14.12 @ 2:32PM

Yes he does hate this country the way Obama does. President Obama just has been "out front" a tad more and the Vice President can hide in the background. But he DOES INDEED believe in, and follow the same policies as the president.

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 4:05PM

Agreed.

handsoff| 11.15.12 @ 1:42AM

You have insulted morons.

JP| 11.14.12 @ 12:04PM

There is another scandal. But it only involves USAF NCOs. A number of Air Force DIs (Training Instructors is what the Air Force calls them) who've been seducing the female recruits under their charge. Other than standard operating procedures (Court Martials for the NCOs, re-assignment or retirement of the COs) the whole thing got little press.

And for good reason. The Social Engineers have been quite busy the last several years. Any normal American would have warned the USAF that putting male TIs in charge of dozens of young female recruits in such intimate settings is probably a recipe for disaster. But, the Social Engineers have been given a free hand at transform genders. And Surprise! Suprise! Surprise! Male testosterone wins out! It turns out that these weren't NCOs overseeing boot camp, but Modern Day Pirapus servicing thier chattel!

And then there is General Sinclair and his harem of female officers. And it goes on and on and on. In the long run, nature takes over. If our servicemen cannot control themselves, what will happen if they ever face an equally well armed and determined enemy?

Drunken Sailor| 11.14.12 @ 3:37PM

JP, just wait. It's only a matter of time before Co-ed submarines become Love U-Boats.

Hampstead| 11.14.12 @ 12:12PM

Cut to the chase Stein - you want to see the president go down for all this. Why not own up to it?
PS: American Spectator's N.B...."Please be respectful..." suggestion regarding comments is usually ignored which I'm sure the owners of this website do not mind at all.

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 4:09PM

Why shouldn't he GO DOWN?

I thought that he said that "THE BUCK STOPS WITH ME"?

Obviously, you don't agree with that Long Held Principle, where your Boy is concerned.

gene| 11.14.12 @ 12:16PM

Social Engineers? The Military operates BEST when there is PERSONAL Accountability. That is how for years the Military has addressed problems like substance abuse, DUI's and so many other problems. Sexual Abuse and Rape has become almost epidemic because once again you have to deal with PERSONAL Responsibility.
What works? Go after a rapist, get the evidence. AND go after EVERY SINGLE PERSON that covered for that rapist as accessories either before, during, or after the fact. AND if they are convicted, send them to Leavenworth for a MAXIMUM sentence of hard labor. I guarantee you that in a VERY short time, the coverups will cease, the criminals will be prosecuted and PERSONAL Accountability will once again rise as it should.
These are very simple solutions.
The "recipe for disaster" has never been mixing male and female recruits. It has been not holding people accountable for their actions.

Third Army| 11.14.12 @ 12:20PM

You are wrong, Ben. The greatest chase scene is in "To Live and Die in LA."

Bill8472| 11.14.12 @ 12:31PM

Best auto chase scene of all time is Mustang vs. Dodge Charger in "Bullitt."

Cobalt| 11.14.12 @ 1:44PM

The "Bullitt" chase scene was great, and so was the one in "The French Connection."

If they were casting the characters for The French Connection today, Ben Stein would probably win the role of Alain Charnier. However, Mr. Stein is no Fernando Rey.

Cobalt| 11.14.12 @ 2:07PM

......or perhaps he could play Pierre Nicoli, the hitman.

Bill8472| 11.14.12 @ 2:09PM

French Connection, forgot about that one. It WAS great, all right. Loved the part with the lady and the baby carriage.

Bill8472| 11.14.12 @ 2:16PM

But we must remember, the French Connection chase was car vs. subway.

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 4:11PM

You guys have GOT TO GO TO THE CONTEST on Friday.

It'll be on Monday's Story on Europe's Jerry Sandusky.

Join us on Friday.

You won't be sorry.

Stormzeye| 11.14.12 @ 3:14PM

I agree. The best auto chase scene is "To Live and Die in LA" but by far, the best foot chase is, as Ben says, Casino Royale's opening scene.

Bill8472| 11.14.12 @ 12:30PM

Another "Boom Boom" song that seems apropos in the Petraeus context is Little Walter's "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)."

ezeques| 11.14.12 @ 12:40PM

I’m just loven it watching this aristocracy bite the dust. I suffered their incompetence and abuse for 4 years.
Paetraous and Allen are just more egocentric, abusive, self-indulgent, incompetent US military officers.

“Until this weekend, Petraeus had been incredibly successful in making the public think he was a man of great integrity and honor, among other things. Most of the stories written about him fall under what we hacks in the media like to call “a blow job." Vanity Fair. The New Yorker. The New York Times. The Washington Post. Time. Newsweek. In total, all the profiles, stage-managed and controlled by the Pentagon’s multimillion dollar public relations apparatus, built up an unrealistic and superhuman myth around the general that, in the end, did not do Petraeus or the public any favors. Ironically, despite all the media fellating, our esteemed and sex-obsessed press somehow missed the actual blow job.”
- Michael Hastings

-USMC/USN Vietnam, I-Corps, 1966-70

Commander Kelly | 11.14.12 @ 12:48PM

I love Ben Stein! I also loved Skyfall which I reviewed here...http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

See why Skyfall helps explain the election result with my post "Full Reverse".

solidground| 11.14.12 @ 12:53PM

Yeah, all this stuff is enough to bring down an administration. Except it's 2012, Barry won the election and his zombie army, all hyped up for the avalanche of free stuff they're about to enjoy, couldn't care less--that is, if their MSM bothered to inform them. If anything, all of the principal scoundrels will emerge as rock stars. It's the story of present-day America, as it runs aground and prepares to capsize.

Samantha N. Brown| 11.14.12 @ 12:56PM

Ben Stein:
You should be ashamed of yourself.....
"wifey"...how disrespectful.

SNB

Nancy in NC| 11.14.12 @ 1:42PM

I'm flabberghasted at some of the moral outrage about Petraeus. How exactly is he different than about 75% of the population? We would like to hold our leaders to a different standard, but in truth they are a direct representation of our society. People are inherently evil. It's a real effort and struggle to do the right thing. Contrary to the left, most people on the right acknowledge this fact, and know that's the problem with this Utopia the left thinks they can instigate. We are truly all sinners, to one degree or another.

And with a culture so decadent and vile, what the heck do you expect? With a culture who routinuely kill the innocent unborn but feel compassion for the vilest terrorist when he gets waterboarded. Women (and men and children) are often protrayed in a sexual manner, and even the advertisements can make one uncomfortable in mixed company. The culture celebrates the lowest form of depravity...think Michael Jackson and the Sandusky cover up.

It boils down to we get the kind of government we deserve. American people, we need to clean up our act.

gene| 11.14.12 @ 1:48PM

Nancy. You are right up to a certain point. However, when we take an oath and put on a uniform? We voluntarily surrender certain rights, and we can indeed be prosecuted by the Military for Adultery or actions that are "Conduct unbecoming to an Officer" That is why Officers have been court marshaled for Adultery. And this case also includes mismanagement and misdirection of CLASSIFIED Material.

Bill8472| 11.14.12 @ 2:13PM

Don't forget: we must allow the vilest, most disgusting and dangerous murderers to remain alive, but killing innocent unborn children is just fine.

Women are in charge of their bodies, but if they CHOOSE to have sex with you according an increasingly complicated permission ritual, and then they, exercising their personal responsibility over their bodies without regard to your wishes, CHOOSE to bear a child conceived from sex with you, you will have to pay child support.

gene| 11.14.12 @ 2:45PM

I am not arguing any of this. I am simply stating that when you are an Officer in uniform, you are held to another standard. There are no surprises. You know ahead of time that you can face military prosecution for certain behaviors and they include Adultery or any behaviors that are considered "Conduct Unbecoming an Officer.

Messa Dave| 11.14.12 @ 4:13PM

Nancy, I am offended by your 75% remark. Maybe the crowd you run with treats their marriage vows with little or no respect but a large majority of my associates respect their vows. I do have one rule that has served me well both in business and in life generally. Never trust someone who cheats on their spouse! They are neither dependable nor trustworthy in their dealings with others.

Appleby| 11.15.12 @ 7:28AM

Agree with Messa Dave. The men I know do NOT behave like dogs in heat and shrug and tell their wives to get over it. You need to cultivate a better class of people.

WhiteBikerTrash| 11.14.12 @ 1:52PM

Ben, lets play a little game. Answer quickly!! Which would you prefer 70% of one dollar or 10% of ten dollars. You have said in the past that you see no proof of lower tax rates increasing revenue. So let's just ignore the "Laffer curve" and look instead at a profit curve. Can you see where lowering final cost while increasing production and sales, profits goes up! Government at this point is selling a ten dollar product at one hundred dollars, and no one is buying. This equals zero profit! But to offer the same product at eleven dollars and make the easy sale of 100 units equals the profit that you want! We need to increase revenue not rates, and decrease cost in multiplication.

Ronsch| 11.14.12 @ 2:04PM

Ben,

You just have at it...NerObama can raise your taxes all he wants...heck, just write the check now for everything you own, go collect Medicare and SS, and live on food stamps...See how long that work for ya' without your lavish trips you and your dear wifey and good girl take...

Appleby| 11.15.12 @ 7:30AM

Liberal Guilt ... I saw it for years among my young British friends who felt very guilty about their advantages (provided by their parents) but not guilty enough to give them up -- only guilty enough to demand that the rest of us give them up on their behalf. Write the cheque Ben, and then come and live with the rest of us on social security.

obadiah| 11.14.12 @ 3:05PM

Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom
Benghazi, Lewinsky, Lewinsky, Benghazi
Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom
Let's go to the movies!

Messa Dave| 11.14.12 @ 3:56PM

Answers the question as to why Romney did not go for the throat over Benghazi. By the way Ben, it looks like you are going to get that opportunity to pay the higher taxes you favor!

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 4:14PM

Careful what you wish for, eh Messa Dave?

Contest on Friday.

Observerette| 11.14.12 @ 4:43PM

The tune running through my head as the Petraeus/Broadwell/Allen/Kelley menage developed was not Mr. Hooker's but part of a ditty written by Larry Hart - 'I Wish I Were In Love Again', particularly the parts about 'congeal' and 'performing seals'--the 'self-deception' and 'pair of heels' are a bonus!:

The furtive sigh, the blackened eye
The words, 'I'll love you 'till the day I die
The self deception that believes the lie
I wish I were in love again

When love congeals it soon reveals
The faint aroma of performing seals
The double-crossing of a pair of heels
I wish I were in love again

Oh Ben, we need growth to get us out of this employment mess...and I can't see raising taxes getting us there, particularly when all the Chicago crowd wants to do is destroy this country that they hate so. The denigration of our military leaders, after Zero wrapped himself in the flag for the past year, is just another bit of the strategy.

TLP| 11.14.12 @ 6:21PM

Contest on Friday at Monday's Story on Europe's Jerry Sandusky.

Join Us.

I've got a good feeling about you.

PRIZES!

steve baker| 11.14.12 @ 5:07PM

To say nothing of Pat Travers' "BOOM BOOM BOOM Out go the lights"

never felt this mad before
When I just found out she don't want me no more
If I get her in my sight
Boom boom! COME ON! Out go the lights!

Pat_Riot| 11.14.12 @ 5:18PM

Remember the following quote from MacArthur's farewell address? " "Duty, Honor, Country" — those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn." " - Just what the heck are they teaching at West Point in the 21st Century??? " "Do Me, Say Anything to Advance Me, Celebrity" is the new standard I guess... Seems that these days all of our leaders are of the "Do as I Say, Not as I Do" variety.

Bill8472| 11.15.12 @ 10:00AM

In the same speech, MacArthur told the story of his desire to go to USMA, his love for the Corps, and the story of the Old Soldier, who just faded away: "...and like the old soldier, I close my military career, and just...fade away."

Petraeus should have thought of that one.

Together with another MacArthur speech, that he gave at USMA, where he said his last thoughts at the time of his death would be of "the Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps." Petraeus would have been well-advised to remember that speech too.

George666| 11.14.12 @ 5:31PM

Reagan was correct: "The problem is not that the government taxes too little; it is that it spends too much." Cut the budget. Take a meat cleaver to it.

Ralph Novy| 11.18.12 @ 11:46AM

Reagan did indeed say that -- in various forms -- but he didn't believe it. Look at his record.

Rhoetus| 11.14.12 @ 11:41PM

Rules for Conservatives @
http://www.saveamericanow.us.com

Pete Esq| 11.15.12 @ 12:21AM

You column today is an embarrassment Ben. You are discrediting conservatives with your unfounded accusations and conspiracy theory style thought. It is a load.

drmaddogs| 11.15.12 @ 8:56AM

Thanks Ben, I've been in conflit with a number of your general views before, but the issue of co-opting is accurate, AND, a major part of inducing those below oneself in D.C. politics.

As far as taxes, one of the 'sub-factors' you, as said by yourself that you have some knowledge of economics/fiat supply, might want to explain how taxes not only benifit the budget, but removes M1 supply overall, raising interest rates as the supply(M1) shrinks. This helps those with Money Market Fund interests.
I believe while the Primaries(Banks) are occupied with 90% dirivitive trading and only 10% traditional lending(essentially closing out participation for many to other market sector participating ((for main street investures/investors)), the low-by the last few decades/certain tax structures, has kept the Banks in charge of benifits from both current tax rates and the carry trade and capitol gains rates.

While I believe S-Corp/250K arguements that affect 20% of all buisness owners are being avoided, I believe much of the reason is the aforementioned 'principle' that seems to exist where the Primaries hold sway via that same tax rate.
Essentially, since the primaries avoid taxation quite well, there is little motivation to lend, and main street is coopted into believing they are the 'tax answer', not the controlling Banks.

Rhoetus| 11.15.12 @ 8:16PM

Ben Stein is the last honest liberal.

Ralph Novy| 11.18.12 @ 11:44AM

... on a planet where Timothy O'Leary was the last honest conservative, perhaps.

Doc_Ollie| 11.16.12 @ 9:05AM

If not John Kerry, why not ATB Jane Fonda? Unlike Kerry, she never wore a uniform; unless you count the NVA outfit she wore on one of her treasonous trips to Hanoi. Both Kerry and Fonda despise the US military and either would make a fine SecDef under a president that despises the American system. This entire administration has been one long, tortuous ordeal for all of us veterans. And the moochers and looters have re-elected him! Nex Ad Omnis Tyrannis

WaffenSS| 11.18.12 @ 7:24AM

Reply to drmaddog; derrivative trading is a main reason the financial markets are buggered. The jew has weaseled his userpation into the very fabric of world markets. Financial smoke and mirrors.

Ralph Novy| 11.18.12 @ 11:41AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11.....d=fb-share

Boom.

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