Ben Stein: Scared at 60

The American Spectator ^ | 3/1/2005 | Ben Stein

[SiliconValleyGuy]

I would LOVE to see you debate Stein on anything, but especially kids and parenting. Thanks, Joanie.

[Choose Ye This Day]

Great post, well-said. I agree with you 100%. I love Ben Stein's work as well--writing, films, game show, etc. But the greatest work we will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes. No worldly success can compensate for failure in the home.

I am not saying this one incident makes Ben a failure. Far from it. But it is indisputable that Ben failed in his response to this one incident.

[over3Owithabrain]

Hey, even our beloved Ronald Reagan helped create the Ronnie Jr. that we are saddled with today.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[denydenydeny]

Those of us who have been reading Stein's diary for years knew this was coming. I love Ben, but he relentlessly spoiled Tommy at every turn.

Oh, and I have an excuse to post Lara Logan pictures:

[over3Owithabrain]

Yowza - I'd put up with her Iraq-war bashing for a little bit too if I could look across the table at that face ;)

[Vision]

I love this guy

[Sarah]

Good job,
I agree with everything you've written. It would really do Ben Stein good to read this thread. I disagree with militarychick, constructive criticism is what he needs here, not more enabling star-worshipping from his fans.
Best, Sarah

[Yaelle]

I too wondered always what he had to prove by going over the physical attributes of his lunch dates. I too give him credit for his honesty, but a real husband doesn't dish publicly about other women, no matter how secure his wife may be, because it's unseemly. It's... O'Reillyesque.

I am appalled at his desperate need for love from his son, so desperate that he is hurting his son by abdicating all parenting. My children come FIRST for me, so much so that I won't be their best buddy, sadly, because they can get one elsewhere, but their mommy is irreplaceable.

Mr. Stein, your son will keep on seeing how far he can push you. That's his job. Stop making him go too far. It hurts you both. Show some parental spine and get something new and almost better than love from your boy: RESPECT.

[b9]

Ben adored his Dad and followed in his footsteps.
It's probably the only thing he knows.

Ben seems to identify himself more as his father's son
than his son's father.

Too bad for Tommy.

"We admit that money doesn't buy happiness,
but we're always willing to give it a second chance."
author unknown

[cricket]

"Good morning...well, I tend to think Mr. Steyn does do this tongue in cheek. Why else would you keep a diary and constantly put things in there that are uncomplimentary to your son whom you love very much?"

Why would an honest man; a writer; whose appeal is in his authenticity as a 'man' - ie a 'humble' man (one who realizes he is not perfect nor is life. . .nor his son, for that matter. . .) make 'tongue in cheek' in his diary or just 'lie' - and for the sake of what. . .pretending he has a son who has yet to learn or accept. . .a more mature level of responsibility. . .so that he can 'pretend' parental angst??

No. . .I would suggest that people take this offering for what it is. . .

No one HAS to like it. . .or like Ben or his writing for that matter. . .but there is little sense is trying to 'make it something - it is not'; to make it fit more easily in one's own scheme of things.

Ben is honest about everybody/everything. . .which is why is just 'tells it like it is'; whether his life or Tommy's. . .whether he writes abut his Mother/Father. ...his marriage. . .his friends; his latest commercial. . .job; his failure/success. . .it is genuine - from the heart.

Could be that Ben feels safer in 'print'. . .writing; many gentle writers do. . .might be his best way to communicate with Tommy.

Either enjoy it or not!

[cricket]

"Good job, I agree with everything you've written. It would really do Ben Stein good to read this thread. I disagree with militarychick, constructive criticism is what he needs here, not more enabling star-worshipping from his fans. "

Ben has been talking to his therapist for years - sure; plenty of constructive criticism here - offered a bit myself; but he did not write this for 'advice'; think he has had plenty over the years.

In fact, 'warnings' many. . .everytime he wrote a column disclosing his own inability to not 'spoil' Tommy. . .by the choices he made.

Think we just have to accept Ben. . .on his own imperfect, parenting terms; and that is actually a good thing; he at least provides a mirror whereby others might see themselves and thus be able to learn from his mistakes.

. . .while having the great pleasure of just reading 'Ben Stein'. . .

And Tommy, bless his little spoiled soul. . .will grow up sooner. . .or later; I am sure and realize his own life's blessings by way of his Father.

[Sarah]

huh?
kid is putting others'lives in danger with his father's little helping hand... this is a cry for help, can't you hear anything?

[Sarah]

huh?
kid is putting others'lives in danger with his father's little helping hand... this is a cry for help, can't you hear anything?

[cubreporter]

That's what I say. Enjoy it or not. It's not our business anyway. It's the man and his son.

[cricket]

"kid is putting others'lives in danger with his father's little helping hand... this is a cry for help, can't you hear anything?"

. . .I can hear. . .but the message is not for me.

And our 'realying' it to Ben. . .well; he can only hear; what he can hear.

[cricket]

yikes. . .'realying' - as in . . . ' 'relaying' . .

[cricket]

Agree . . .and maybe his therapist . . .

[cubreporter]

Maybe...don't know.

[cricket]

"Maybe...don't know"

Me neither really. . .but Ben always mentiions his 'therapist'. . .so figured maybe. . .

but of course, botttom line; Ben is to be appreciated and enjoyed and he is one of my favorites.