-
From the Obama Ministry of Truth
May 21, 2013 | 56 comments
-
Alan Abelson, RIP
May 10, 2013 | 20 comments
-
South Carolina on My Mind
April 30, 2013 | 31 comments
-
Dream Sequences
April 26, 2013 | 62 comments
-
Just Like a Woman
April 25, 2013 | 35 comments
Ben Stein's Diary
He’s the Biggest Celebrity in the World
But is he ready to lead?
Wednesday morning, I listened to CSPAN radio, a true national treasure, to the very civilized Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings on Gun Violence, and they started my poor old brain thinking.
Let’s start with the obvious: the recent mass killings of young pupils in Newtown, Connecticut, were horrific beyond words. No sane person can doubt that. But in the aftermath of that tragedy, I have noticed a certain willful avoidance of some basic truths about guns and deaths in this, our beloved America.
First of all, the figure of roughly 30,000 gun deaths per year was endlessly tossed about after Newtown and in the recent Senate hearings about gun violence. Thirty thousand is a huge number. But I didn’t hear anyone say that two-thirds of those gun deaths were suicides – self-inflicted gun deaths.
These are sad, no doubt, often unbearably sad, but very different from gun deaths caused by a madman with an AR-180 at a school, shooting six year olds with .223 ammunition designed to be used against the Vietcong. Those latter are spectacularly horrific, but extremely rare — not rare enough, alas.
Now, even after subtracting the sad suicides, something else is going on: deaths by firearms are wildly heavily concentrated in the African-American population of this country. The rate of firearms deaths per 100,000 population is about four times higher in the black population than in the white population.
Gang-related killings account for much of this difference. In large cities with mostly black populations — such as Newark, Detroit, New Orleans — the rate of firearms deaths is almost unbelievably high compared with the rate in the mostly white suburbs.
In any given week, on any given weekend, dozens of black youths are gunned down by other blacks in America’s cities. This is a horror show happening in real life. The total number of deaths from this ongoing disaster far outpaces the deaths in mass killings in Aurora or Newtown.
Now, in no way should either of these grim phenomena be used to minimize the other. But it amazes me that the whole country, the whole world, goes berserk about the killings in a charming town in Connecticut, as we should — while the daily slaughter of black youths by other black youths is just part of the wallpaper of modern life.
Obviously, we would like to stop as much gun homicide in any area as we can. But I have not seen any proposal from the White House that would make it a national priority to seriously crack down on gang activity, drug sales turf activity, just plain macho g-thing activity and to take the Glocks out of the inner city.
President Obama is the biggest celebrity in the world, as a 2008 GOP ad said. But is he ready to lead? In particular, is he ready to use his star power to speak in and walk the streets of gang territory and tell his brothers that gun violence is distinctly uncool and even horrible. Is he ready to do what Dr. Dre did, and tell young blacks that their gangs are killing far more blacks than the Klan ever did?
Nor have I seen the national media go wild about the rap culture that often — not always — celebrates being drunk or high and going on a killing spree as a gang initiation or as marks of cool manhood.
Guns don’t kill people. People kill people. And we pay very little attention to it when the people on both ends of the barrel are black. The national shame of gun violence is not coming from gun shows or guns that look like military weapons. It’s not coming from Idaho or Montana or Wyoming or the duck blinds of Talbot County, Maryland. It’s coming from people who live in a culture of violence and death that we as a nation sometimes worship and more often ignore. Something’s very wrong here.
“He’s the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?” It sure doesn’t look like it so far.
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 (65) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Ben Stein
More Articles From Ben Stein's Diary
http://spectator.org/archives/2013/02/01/hes-the-biggest-celebrity-in-t
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Hardcard| 2.1.13 @ 8:12AM
Is he ready to lead? king O is leading the way in destoying this country, ignoring the Constitution, transfering our wealth, demoralizing the military, and creating a socialist state. Is that what you were refering to benny boy?
R Martin| 2.1.13 @ 8:23AM
Go ahead, Mr. Stein, you can say it. The black poppulation of which you speak is infused with a culture of lawlessness. And what has our "leader" done about it? He's given them cell phones.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 8:56AM
In his article on The Biggest Celebrity in the World, the Biggest Non-Celebrity in the World has just pointed out the Very Same Things that got me BANNED.
The Black Community, and its "Managed Socio-Economic and Cultural Decline".
Let one guy who is HALF White, kill a Black Guy, IN SELF DEFENCE, and there's a Race to the Microphones to Admonish every White Person whose ever lived, and who's living in the Present, for being COMPLICIT in this Crime of the Century.
Meanwhile, back in every Hood in this Country, Blacks are Killing other Blacks, like it was an Olympic Event, and nobody says a word.
How many Blacks have been SHOT DEAD in Chicago, Every Weekend of Every Month, of Every Year, for the last 10 Years?
You don't need to answer, cause it doesn't matter. NO POLITICIAN GIVES A RAT'S ASS.
Black Crime in this Country is like Carbon Monoxide. It's a Silent Killer. A Silent Rapist. A Silent Robber.
The FBI's Crime Statistics CLEARLY Show that, year after year, 56% of all of the Violent Crimes committed in this Country, are Silently Committed by the 12% of the Population that gets a FREE PASS from The Press, the Media, Liberal Judges, and Politicians from both Parties. The Democrats, because they want their Votes. And, the Republicans, because they're COWARDS.
The same holds true right here, at TAS.
God help ya if you TELL AN UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH, because Anna from Emory U is watching.
C'mon Man!| 2.1.13 @ 12:40PM
Yeah, and my liberal friend says I, conservatives, hate blacks. Looks like he is the pot calling the kettle, you know....
Job| 2.1.13 @ 1:05PM
So maybe they could put that in the X games a biathalon competition where you ski then shoot at a silohuette with a 9mm cocked sideways and then ski jump over 6 bubbletop chevies.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 3:13PM
Contest at Mr. Bowman's Tuesday Column.
Rhoetus| 2.2.13 @ 2:15PM
TLP: These are the results of LBJ's "War on Poverty" only Doris Kearns Goodwin, Maria Shriver and other so-called Liberals are too brain dead to see it.
C. Vernon Crisler | 2.1.13 @ 9:21AM
Yes, black culture is to blame for the immediate killings, but the current state of black culture is a direct result of liberalism. Of course, most liberals are safe in their white enclaves so don't have to face up to the daily horrors unleashed by their political philosophy.
CJW| 2.1.13 @ 9:52AM
O has been president for four long years, and Ben asks "Is he ready to lead?" You have to be kidding. If he had lead you would not ask this question.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 3:14PM
We're waiting for you at Mr. Bowman's Tuesday Column.
Anthony| 2.1.13 @ 11:25AM
HEY!! Lay off our dear leader Obozo, the biggest celeb on earth.
So what if a suicide bomber killed two Americans at the embassy in Ankora?
As Hillary would say; "What difference does it make"!!!
You know, under Obozo, Hillary, and now Kerry, our embassies are becoming real dangerous, we need to send more Democrat senators over as embassadors.
We can start with Sen. Menendez, he likes underaged Dominican girls, a one man hands on kinda guy, you know, like Bill Clinton.
Job| 2.1.13 @ 1:17PM
hmm good logic,, "what difference does it make," I like that, kind of resonates, a great all purpose response to BS from the President on down to the trolls on this site. Everyone should practice saying this daily right up until 2016. I seem to recall the taunt "Chappaequiddick" haunting another Senator once upon a time.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 3:17PM
And: "Bill Clinton Raped Me" being thrown at another Democrat Politician, not that long ago.
With the same results.
SILENCE!
RCV| 2.1.13 @ 7:35PM
Silence? We heard nothing but for the entire last year of Clinton's presidency, and it was mostly trumped up lies.
Don't you have a bingo game or some other contest to preside over?
Pecos Pete| 2.2.13 @ 7:09AM
RCV: "...mostly trumped up lies." That means that you believe and understand that there is truth to some of the allegations.
philippic| 2.3.13 @ 12:00PM
what? you mean something like lying to a Fed Grand Jury? no way!!!! He did not have sexual relations with that woman!
Occam's Tool| 2.2.13 @ 2:20AM
Again, the partial and commonsensical solution to a lot of these school shootings is loosening the involuntary outpatient medication laws. Only the ACLU would oppose that. NAMI would support it, the States would, the APA (both groups) would. But on this I hear nothing.
Again, the attempts to deal with the problem will be a "tale told by an idiot; full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."
As for Clinton and Obama, I'm putting money into silver: PF 70s.
Occam's Tool| 2.2.13 @ 2:23AM
As for gun control controlling this, dream on. Remember, the CT shooter was denied a gun sale. Peeople will find a way to kill if they wish. But we should be lowering the numbers of PSYCHOTIC killers (which the AZ, CO, and CT shooters all fit under). The way to do THAT is with antipsychotics.
Jack in Wi| 2.1.13 @ 8:24AM
Obama follows whatever his handlers tell him to ddo when he gets to the office in the morning.
Maxwell| 2.1.13 @ 8:47AM
Mr. Stein, with all due respect, I think there are a few errors with your posting. First, we used 5.56 against the VC & not the Remington 223. While the 5.56 is available to civi's most use 223. (I know, for the most part it is 223 & the PWS AR-15 uses the 5.56),
Second, if my memory serves me correctly, the AR-180 was made by Bushmaster as a less expensive version of the AR-15 but the M-16 was used in Nam. I don't remember if the 180 was issued back in '67.
Lastly, I do recall that MSNBC issued a correction that the AR-15 was NOT used in the Newtown Conn. killings.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 9:00AM
Ben Stein's Facts? Ben Stein's Facts?
Has anyone seen Ben Stein's Facts?
Does anyone know where Ben Stein's Facts are?
I'm looking for Ben Stein's Facts?
Are Ben Stein's Facts here?
Pathetic.
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 2:05PM
The AR-180 was manufactured by a company known as Costa Mesa, another Japanese company, Howa, and a third company that I don't remember, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Bushmaster.
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 2:12PM
As I think about it, the third company was probably Armalite.
Rhoetus| 2.1.13 @ 8:07PM
You would be correct is was Armalite, sadly I sold mine way back in the 1970's :-(
Bill8472| 2.2.13 @ 3:10PM
I did a little looking: Armalite manufactured them at its Costa Mesa, CA factory, Howa manufactured them in Japan, and they were also made by Sterling in Great Britain.
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 2:21PM
The 5.56 round and the .223 round are interchangeable as far as fitting a rifle chambered for either is concerned. There are differences such as the thickness of the cartridge casing that distinguish the military 5.56 mm. round from the .223 round, but the most critical difference is that the 5.56 mm. round is designed to produce much higher chamber pressures than the .223, so that conventional wisdom discourages using 5.56 rounds in a firearm designed to fire .223.
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 2:22PM
But that's pretty esoteric and Ben Stein can hardly be faulted for that error.
Butch| 2.1.13 @ 5:16PM
Bill, if you come back, how do I know if my AR-15 was designed to fire .223? I have some of both, but recently acquired 200 rounds of 5.56. Haven't fired any yet.
Maxwell| 2.1.13 @ 6:30PM
Butch, what model AR-15 do you have?
Bill8472| 2.2.13 @ 3:12PM
Sorry Butch, I don't know the answer to that one.
Pecos Pete| 2.2.13 @ 7:15AM
Maxwell: Can you dig up any links related to the Ar-15 not being used in the killings? I've looked for all links and can't find anything but confusion. Including any report about the autopsies and ammunition found.
Personally, I suspect only pistols were used as a rifle would be too unwieldy.
Louis Jenkins| 2.1.13 @ 8:52AM
He dis'd me. He copped some of my scag. He may have even taken my parking place. At last, from your ivory tower, Mr. Stein, you see the problem. Guns will be removed from law abiding citizens, to be read, white people. Blacks will continue to acquire their firearms on the black market. Once that happens the public will cry out for even greater security, and eventually we will be in mini-prisons. The blacks will continue to create mayhem, death, and even rape? Why not. We will be at the mercy of them. Just what Obama desires. Call me racist, and you're correct, more blacks have been killed by blacks than by the Klan. I'll never willingly give up, even the sling shot.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 9:03AM
We got a thingy going on at Mr. Bowman's House (His Tuesday Column) and you sound like our kinda guy. Come on bye, and set a spell.
We have PRIZES.
OregonBuzz| 2.1.13 @ 9:15AM
Mr. Stein, there is no such weapon in civilian or military hands as an AR-180. If you are going to discuss firearms, please, please get yourself informed. The path to enlightenment begins with calling things by their proper names.
Secondly, the Traitor in Chief is not a "celebrity" he is a sad testament to the dissolution of our society. Although, I must admit, the citizens of this once great country have no one to blame but themselves. Once they found out they could vote themselves largesse from the public coffers it was only a matter of time.
OregonBuzz| 2.1.13 @ 9:23AM
Pardon me, Mr. Stein I was wrong. There is such a rifle as an AR-180. However Lanza supposedly had an AR-15. Similar but different. Also several news reports on that day and the next day or two stated that the AR was in his vehicle. Quien sabe?
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 2:01PM
I know for a fact that there is indeed such a thing as an AR-180. It was never adopted by the U.S. military because it was designed for sale to Asian armies. Its military designation was AR-18.
I also know for a fact that there are AR-180s in civilian hands, and probably in military hands. Just as a side matter for your information, remember the "I'll be back" scene in The Terminator? Arnie wields an AR-180 when he shoots up the police station.
Please get yourself informed.
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 2:25PM
Although to be strictly accurate, Arnie's character was probably supposed to be using an AR-18, since he was firing full auto, something the AR-180 was not designed to do.
doramin| 2.13.13 @ 1:31PM
I remember a 1984 interview with the young James Cameron by Soldier of Fortune magazine when the movie came out. This was long before he joined the liberal aristocracy. He said he filmed a scene where the Terminator is in his hideout expertly modifying his stolen AR-180 and civilian Uzi to fire full-auto but that he had to ditch it in the name of brevity.
cicero| 2.1.13 @ 9:25AM
Ben seems to be of the belief that Obama really gives a rat's a## about the black community, or any other community for that matter. He cares about enriching himself and those who put him where he is. It is all about his ability to plunder the treasury. The free phone idiots are only a means to an end. Start a riot in the neighorhoods, and while everyone is looking on and wringiong their hands about the "childwren" , O and the boys are stuffing the loot in their sacks.
When all of this is over, those who left government with hundreds of millions will live comfortabley on their swag that is worth about 1/2 of its former value. In the meantime, the fools who gave them the wheel of the ship will be eating grass, and their own children. Works out that way every time.
CJW| 2.1.13 @ 12:48PM
cicero
WSJ had an article on Detroit. Population is at 700,000, down from 2 million. City is bankrupt and refused a deal from the state to run Belle Isle to make money for the city. I understand the city has demolished many houses and buildings, and the city now has lots of open areas.
Anthony| 2.1.13 @ 10:11AM
Benny baby, why do you think the Muslim Marxist escaped from Chicago in the first place to become president?
Hell, Chicago is one huge live 3D shooting gallery. You don't need video games if you live in Chicago. Obozo skipped town to prevent being casualty #520, and that would have occured on January 15th of the year.
The prima donna ballerina mayor just stays on his toes in order to avoid getting a one way ticket to the city morgue.
The only safe place in Chicago is Obozo's favorite hangout, Swanky Gents Bath House. There, getting "shot" from behind gives the boys a jolt of pleasure.
Michele San Pietro| 2.1.13 @ 10:40AM
Yes, the matter is much more complex than availabity of guns.
Cuffs| 2.1.13 @ 11:42AM
Ready to lead? Obama has no intention of
leading. He doesn't give a rat's behind about
the black population in this country. He has
a lock on them regardless of what he does,
they love him because he is black.
If someone would bring out the horrific
crime level among blacks, they would
be called racists. So the only thing left
it to leave them to their gansta culture,
murder rate and unemployment and
blame Bush.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 3:23PM
He leads all the time. He "Leads" from behind.
That explains his proposal to build the Economy from "The Bottom, Up."
Which is axiomatic as to why our Unemployment Rate just went UP, while our Economy just SHRUNK.
Surprised?
doramin| 2.13.13 @ 1:40PM
I can only imagine the depth of contempt with which The One holds the bruthas. He decided as a teen that he had to identify with them to be somebody, then make their cause his own in order to advance scholastically, then professionally, maritally, and finally politically. He decided he had to identify with them, cozy up to them, go to one of their churches and marry a local harridan in order to establish a political base.
Con men reserve their deepest contempt for the suckers who are easiest to fool.
Al Adab| 2.1.13 @ 11:45AM
This is what we have become. Actors and singers proclaim themselves experts on every aspect of our political life and we slavishly follow their lead. Popularity becomes knowledge and exposure means wisdom. Little could be further from the truth. Either we rediscover the wisdom of 2500 years of Western Civ or we doom ourselves to a new dark age.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 3:25PM
Or, we could just Lip Sync our way through this, like he, and his Friends do.
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 1:56PM
Congratulations for doing your homework on the AR-180, one of the most overlooked firearms in the panoply of military firearms. Designed to be an inexpensive variant of the M-16, and designed specifically for sale to our allies in Southeast Asia, sadly the AR-180 missed the boat.
It is now a collector's item. At least the originals are. They're making them anew, now with magazine wells that will catch an M-16/M-4/AR-15 magazine.
Bill8472| 2.1.13 @ 2:07PM
The original AR-180s have their magazine catch on the opposite side from the M-16, so you can't put an M-16 mag into an AR-180 and have it remain in place.
Brian Leak| 2.1.13 @ 3:12PM
Hi Ben! No AR-15 rifle was used in the Newtown shooting. It was left in the trunk of his mom's car.
Keep up the good work.
TLP| 2.1.13 @ 3:26PM
Exactly.
Contest at Mr. Bowman's Tuesday Column.
Join us.
You won't be disappointed.
Anthony| 2.1.13 @ 3:32PM
Yes Ben, do keep up the good work, and do keep us posted as to the porn sites you frequent. Curious minds want to know.
Michael| 2.1.13 @ 3:41PM
Wasn't he "ready to lead" four years ago, with all those "shovel ready jobs". (Use your own joke.)
WhiteBikerTrash| 2.1.13 @ 4:17PM
Since you brought it up. 6% of all firearms related murders last year were Black on Black murders within the city limits of Chicago. 4% of all firearms murders in the USA were committed with any type of rifle. "Assault Rifles" being a much smaller portion of this. Banning guns from Chicago has not helped in any way. Is there anything else that could be banned from Chicago that could cut firearms murders by 6% ?
Bob Grant| 2.1.13 @ 6:37PM
I'm shocked, SHOCKED, Ben didn't try to sneak a Skyfall reference or anecdote about the ridiculously cute gal who waited on him while reading tragic articles about black-on-black gun violence as he sipped an exceptionally delicious cup of coffee at La Madeline's this morning.
He took no absurd positions, and at no point did I want to throw up in my mouth while reading it.
What gives?
J.C.Eaton| 2.1.13 @ 9:39PM
Three words and that's what it took to remind me why I can't read this guy.
Rhoetus| 2.1.13 @ 11:31PM
This reminds me of the Tom T Hall song: The Monkey Who Became President.
Occam's Tool| 2.2.13 @ 2:24AM
Obama is an imbecile economically. Socialism and Communism don't work. Ever.
Biff| 2.2.13 @ 10:00AM
Not to split hairs, Ben, but the AR-180 was not "designed to fire .233 ammunition at the Vietcong."
The AR-180 is not a military weapon, but a civilian-market, semi-automatic copy of a fully automatic military weapon, the AR-18, both of which fire a 5.56x45 round.
Although not totally interchangeable, any weapon chambered for the NATO round should handle a .223 Remington round.
Finally, according to the CT police chief, the weapon Lanza used was the Bushmaster AR-15, and not an Armalite AR-180.
The reason I mention this is that too many people use terms such as "assault rifle" or "military" or AR-15" for weapons that function no differently than a deer rifle. I have yet to see reference to any mass shooting where a bayonet was attached.
But not to lose sight of your point, the biggest factor in US gun homicides is inner-city gangs and /or drugs. And while we hear a lot of mention of young blacks dying at the hands of a somewhat glorified gang culture, the Latino gangs are certainly doing their part.
Bill8472| 2.2.13 @ 3:16PM
Yes, quite right. The best definition for "assault rifle" includes the fact that "assault rifles," whatever they are, are made to fire as full-auto firearms, and the politicos are defining "assault rifles" as semi-automatic replicas of military firearms.
In fact, since "assault rifles" are typically designed to fire an intermediate-power cartridge, they are not especially good for civilian hunting, although I think the 7.62 x 39 round is powerful enough for game that's deer-size.
Rhoetus| 2.2.13 @ 2:17PM
Rules for Conservatives @
http://www.saveamericanow.us.com
Let's rumble| 2.2.13 @ 7:32PM
Wow, almost a column that I could stomach. How about a conclusion? It's ok to call a spade a spade here Ben.
Rhoetus| 2.2.13 @ 9:37PM
I thought that it was a damn appropriate conclusion.
N8tivTxn| 2.3.13 @ 12:36AM
A ghost writer Benny?
For shame...
brunnegd| 2.5.13 @ 1:22PM
Obama does not know how to lead. His management skills go back to his days as community organizer. And he has done little or nothing for the Black community, except make them more dependent on welfare. Nothing on education, or breaking the cycle of broken Black families that are one of the roots of the issues.