tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post5342052871174455754..comments2023-10-11T09:36:37.977-04:00Comments on Almost There: Ben Stein's Final Columnbobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00658103343742852411noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-83627982310501879092009-07-10T22:48:52.815-04:002009-07-10T22:48:52.815-04:00These comments are much more interesting to me tha...These comments are much more interesting to me than the original post since I never even heard of Ben Stein. I have internet access but not TV and never read this man's column. But he sounds like a jerk. Someplace I think I mentioned that when I'm down I sing John Lennon's Imagine or Dona Nobis Pacem. When things are really bad I recite a Buddist chant: nam myo ho renn gay hyo. I'm not much into stars and heroes but always am on the lookout for enlightened beingskarinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18168012252053900809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-37461255636187391512009-07-10T20:56:30.046-04:002009-07-10T20:56:30.046-04:00I agree with Ben Stein's column. I've alw...I agree with Ben Stein's column. I've always thought our culture was seriously flawed in holding up the rich, famous, and good looking people as stars...worth big bucks.<br />His column basically said that. I watch CBS Sunday Morning [TV show] and he is often on it with commentary that I agree with. And there you have it!! Thanks for sharing the column.Marehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10392772375911488097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-45939946981463663612009-07-10T14:38:33.954-04:002009-07-10T14:38:33.954-04:00Very well put, Celeste.
Unfortunately, I don't...Very well put, Celeste.<br />Unfortunately, I don't think he has left public life. We will continue to see more of him.<br />I do agree with all of you, but still contend that the public's adoration of the celebrity is tragically misplaced. When I say "celebrity" I am not referring to the true actor, but to the "star" who frequently in today's world is all splash and no particular talent, and certainly not a hero in my eyes.bobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00658103343742852411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-81593418713606150002009-07-10T14:20:17.375-04:002009-07-10T14:20:17.375-04:00Ben Stein has been a lot of things, and his commen...Ben Stein has been a lot of things, and his comments have been provocative and interesting. But his dichotomy of heroes between movie stars and soldiers is ludicrous. It is a comparison that would occur to only someone with thier nose buried in a steak in Mortons. Movie stars are put through their paces over and over in front of the camera until they get a version of a scene that the director wants. Soldiers are thrust into impossibile life-threatening situations by political leaders far away making decisions based on calculations that the soldier never dreams of. <br /><br />I wish Ben Stein well as he sums up his life on how he has been as a son, husband and father, but that is his private reckoning. I, for one, am happy to see him out of public life.Celeste Maiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08683512170853367791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-10476587036197626752009-07-10T12:25:07.397-04:002009-07-10T12:25:07.397-04:00I agree with Dianne and Daryl, it is a wake up pos...I agree with Dianne and Daryl, it is a wake up post, but I can't deal with Ben Stein -- never could, and he does indeed need to back up his remarks with his own actions.Sylvia Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05484577678585907669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-6003574475419263132009-07-10T09:29:06.451-04:002009-07-10T09:29:06.451-04:00As always Bobbie a wake up call post ... but I do ...As always Bobbie a wake up call post ... but I do have to agree with Dianne, Mr Stein needs to back up his remarks with his own actionsDarylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08241795455748298624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-16246666373552985802009-07-10T09:11:01.293-04:002009-07-10T09:11:01.293-04:00This is true, Dianne. He was never one of my favor...This is true, Dianne. He was never one of my favorite people. But I love this piece, and others I have read or heard from him. <br />Even in this, I have to say I am not a great fan of the military in general. But he cites specifics in which these kids, most of whom probably shouldn't have been there to begin with, saw a need and did what he or she had to because of the persons they were. That's what makes a hero. The performers and sports personalities we celebrate can't measure up to that.bobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00658103343742852411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2618685271512418876.post-13338252634360777092009-07-10T07:41:53.882-04:002009-07-10T07:41:53.882-04:00he certainly has a point about who we regard as he...he certainly has a point about who we regard as heroes and role models but I have to say that Ben Stein has often said some of the most ridiculous and spiteful things as he went from entertaining to GOP shill<br /><br />one of my most favorite moments was when he was on Craig Ferguson's show spouting off about how stars didn't do enough for the soldiers and Craig asked him if he had done a USO tour himself - Craig had done 2, and has since done more - of course the answer was No and Stein tried to blame the USO for not responding. Craig offered to take him on his next tour or arrange with the USO for him.<br /><br />To the best of my knowledge Ben has not put his body where his mouth is.Diannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02946500110072411468noreply@blogger.com