Food for thought from Ben Stein

[DisneyPhD]

I don't normally post things like this, but my SIL forwarded it to me and I thought it was very interesting.


Verified as True on Snopes.com....


If they know of him at all, many folks think Ben Stein is just a quirky actor/comedian who talks in a monotone. He's also a very intelligent attorney who knows how to put ideas and words together in such a way as to sway juries and make people think clearly.


The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, Sunday, 12/18/05.


Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?


I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.


Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.


If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.


Next confession:


I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.


It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.


I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.


Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.


But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.


Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)


Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.


And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"


In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.


Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.


Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.


Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.


Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."


Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.


Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.


Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.


Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.


Are you laughing?

Edited to change italics for parts I do not belive Ben Stein wrote, but I don't know who did.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Awesome insights. Ben rocks.

 

[chobie]

 

[Galahad]

Ben Stein has lead an extraordinary life. His Father was fascinating as well. Real Renascence men. And a fine writer.

 

[DawnCt1]

I honestly don't understand your response. If there is something in the piece that you have trouble with or disagree with, it might be more useful to discuss that rather than roll your eyes at the entire thing. You may disagree with his conclusions of the "unintended consequence" but frankly, I think that they are hard to dispute.

 

[escape]

If my memory serves me correctly, wasn't Ben Stein a speech writer for Nixon and Ford? I like and agree with a lot that he says but sometimes his politics get in the way.

 

[DawnCt1]

If my memory serves me correctly, wasn't Ben Stein a speech writer for Nixon and Ford? I like and agree with a lot that he says but sometimes his politics get in the way.

Ben Stein is a conservative.

 

[MosMom]

Verified True by Snopes but that the internet version contains some errors in the transcript....

-----

However, the version widely circulated via e-mail includes some transcription errors and modifications that were not part of the piece as originally aired. Here is the full version as broadcast, taken from a CBS News transcript of the program:
CHARLES OSGOOD, host: We all have our own thoughts about the holidays. Here's Ben Stein with his.

BEN STEIN: Here at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart. I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are.

(Footage of People magazine; Us magazine)

STEIN: I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I'm buying my dog biscuits. I still don't know. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores who they are. They don't know who Nick and Jessica are, either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they've broken up? Why are they so darned important?

(Footage of People magazine)

STEIN: I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I don't care at all about Tom Cruise's baby.

(Vintage footage of congressional hearing)

STEIN: Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I'm a subversive? Maybe. But I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. Is this what it means to be no longer young? Hm, not so bad.

Next confession: I am a Jew and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish, and it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautifully lit-up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees.

(Footage of Christmas trees)

STEIN: I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are — Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they're slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. I shows that we're all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.

It doesn't bother me one bit that there's a manger scene on display at a key intersection at my beach house in Malibu.

(Footage of manger scene; menorah)

STEIN: If people want a creche, fine. The menorah a few hundred yards away is fine, too. I do not like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way. Where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and aren't allowed to worship God as we understand him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we used to know went to.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Gotta love Ben!

Thanks for posting!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks for the post mosmom. I just posted the email I was sent.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

That was a really good read. Thanks for sharing

 

[MosMom]

Np, I think the basic idea was the same anyway but there was a bunch of stuff added to the end so I figured I'd post the snopes article.

 

[escape]

Ben Stein is a conservative.

Yeah, I know. I guess what I said didn't make a lot of sense. I'm not thinking too clearly tonight. It's been a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddd day.

 

[m&m's mom]

Wow! Someone using commom sense. What else is next? Some peace and tranquility in this world maybe?

 

[Holly]

I don't normally post things like this, but my SIL forwarded it to me and I thought it was very interesting.


Verified as True on Snopes.com....


If they know of him at all, many folks think Ben Stein is just a quirky actor/comedian who talks in a monotone. He's also a very intelligent attorney who knows how to put ideas and words together in such a way as to sway juries and make people think clearly.


The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary, Sunday, 12/18/05.


Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?


I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.


Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.


If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.


Next confession:


I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.


It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.


I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.


Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?


I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.


But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.


In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.


Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)


Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.


And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"


In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.


Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.


Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.


Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.


Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."


Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.


Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.


Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.


Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.


Are you laughing?

Yes. Yes I am.

I just wanted to comment on Stein's use of Madeleine Murray O'Hare as the face of atheism. Equating O'Hare as such is like equating Jerry Falwelll as the face of Christianity, when in truth he merely represents a small, misguided minority of Christians.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Am I the only one who use to watch "Win Ben Stein's Money" on the Comedy Central? Very funny (and smart) man.

Just in part his accomplishments:
In 1973 and 1974, he was a speech writer and lawyer for Richard Nixon at The White House and then for Gerald Ford. (He did NOT write the line, "I am not a crook.") He has been a columnist and editorial writer for The Wall Street Journal, a syndicated columnist for The Los Angeles Herald Examiner (R.I.P.) and King Features Syndicate, and a frequent contributor to Barrons, where his articles about the ethics of management buyouts and issues of fraud in the Milken Drexel junk bond scheme drew major national attention. He has been a regular columnist for Los Angeles Magazine, New York Magazine, E! Online, and most of all, has written a lengthy diary for ten years for The American Spectator. He also writes frequently for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, op. ed. and almost every other imaginable magazine.


From:
http://www.benstein.com/bio.html

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Yes. Yes I am.

I just wanted to comment on Stein's use of Madeleine Murray O'Hare as the face of atheism. Equating O'Hare as such is like equating Jerry Falwelll as the face of Christianity, when in truth he merely represents a small, misguided minority of Christians.

Ben Stein didn't say it.

As I read the OP, I got to thinking "Ben Stein would never say something this dumb!" right around the part where he is quoted as saying that God sent Katrina down to punish heathen New Orleans residents. I watched his game show and have seen him interviewed. Sure enough, the OP was off (and has been edited to reflect this ).

I don't know who Nick & Jessica are, either (I'm fine with that). But I see them at the grocery store, too. And I never cared much what Dr. Spock thought I should do with the kids, either.

It doesn't matter how many Jews come out and say they have no problem with Christmas. All the Jewish leaders said years ago that they had no problem with Christmas, don't pin this on them, thank you very much.

The people who DO have a problem with Christmas will continue to pretend they do it on behalf of offended Jews and not have the courage of their convictions (or lack of, as the case may be.)

 

[Holly]

Ben Stein didn't say it.

As I read the OP, I got to thinking "Ben Stein would never say something this dumb!" right around the part where he is quoted as saying that sent Katrina down to punish heathen New Orleans residents. I watched his game show and have seen him interviewed. Sure enough, the OP was off (and maybe should edit).

I don't know who Nick & Jessica are, either (I'm fine with that). But I see them at the grocery store, too. And I never cared much what Dr. Spock thought I should do with the kids, either.

It doesn't matter how many Jews come out and say they have no problem with Christmas. All the Jewish leaders said years ago that they had no problem with Christmas, don't pin this on them, thank you very much.

The people who DO have a problem with Christmas will continue to pretend they do it on behalf of offended Jews and not have the courage of their convictions (or lack of, as the case may be.)

Who's saying it's because of the Jews?

I've heard many debates on this topic, and I don't think I've ever before heard and athiest claim they are against Christmas because Jews may be offended. Many other reasons, but not that.

I definitely agree about Dr. Spock! He is one nutty guy.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Who's saying it's because of the Jews?

I've heard many debates on this topic, and I don't think I've ever before heard and athiest claim they are against Christmas because Jews may be offended. Many other reasons, but not that.

I definitely agree about Dr. Spock! He is one nutty guy.

Lots of people claim that they think the word "Christmas" should not be used because it is offensive to Jews. That's why the Jewish leaders made the statements they did. It is why Ben Stein made the statement he did.

If people don't like Christians, or Christmas, they should just say so and say why. I really don't know why people blame the Jews. All I know is that they're covering up whatever their true motives are.

I never said it was athiests. Most the athiests I know don't give a hoot about doing away with Christmas and its symbols. Heck, most of the ones I know celebrate it in their own way.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ben Stein didn't say it.

As I read the OP, I got to thinking "Ben Stein would never say something this dumb!" right around the part where he is quoted as saying that God sent Katrina down to punish heathen New Orleans residents. I watched his game show and have seen him interviewed. Sure enough, the OP was off (and maybe should edit).

I edited it, and then saw this post. Mo's Mom also posted the actual article from snoops that has what Ben said (and more insight into what was seen with it during the boardcast.)