As some of you know, I had a famous father, the economist, wit, and writer, Herbert Stein. I write about him a great deal, especially in these inflationary times, I write about his epigram: “If something cannot go on forever,…
Sunday I am just a few hours back from speaking to the kindest, smartest, best-looking people on this earth, the men and women of St. Barnabas Charities of Pittsburgh. Day by day, here in Los Angeles and on the road…
Easter I am pretty darned old by now. Seriously old. 78. I often feel pretty bad about it. I am weaker. I have less endurance of any kind. Cruelly enough, food does not taste as delicious as it used to…
In one of the great scenes of the greatest play of all time, Hamlet, the prince of Denmark is introduced to a troupe of traveling actors who are visiting Elsinore, his family castle. His minister tells Hamlet that he will…
This is a letter I composed to the recent high school graduate son of a very close relative. My dear boy, I am about to tell you some advice that could save your life. In this world, the best thing…
On June 30, 1976, I moved from New York City to Los Angeles to do various tasks in Hollywood. I had in 1973–74 been a speechwriter for President Richard Nixon and had become friends with him in a small way…
A few notes on the Ukraine War, the bloody part of Cold War II. My wife and I watched a DVD of Dr. Strangelove last night. It’s a 1964 version, about a rogue SAC commander who has a nervous breakdown…
Long ago and far away, through the miracle of my parents’ friendship with the immortal columnist and speechwriter Bill Safire, I met a young executive at Warner Bros. TV named Steve Greene. I had pitched an idea to a wonderful…
Saturday I had a disastrous night last night. The woman who is the closest to me of any human on earth had a wild panic attack while watching Perry Mason. It was terrifying. She was shaking like a leaf in…
Sunday My slightly late 2023 New Year’s resolutions, starting with deep gratitude that I am an American… My wife is my link to the heavens and to God. If she exists, all is well. No matter what she does, I…