An L.A. Dad Discovers Idaho Fatherhood (Enjoy)

The American Enterprise Online ^ | 6/14/06 | Ben Stein

[Old Student]

"California is one of the most beautiful states of the nation, and Southern California has arguably the best weather in America. There is a reason the real estate is so high, despite all the social ills of congestion."

I left there over 30 years ago because it was already getting pretty badly fouled up. Admittedly, some areas are still pretty nice, but they are also so very, very, crowded. Methinks I like it here in Oklahoma better, where there are only about 6,000,000 of us. I can drive for 20 minutes in any direction, and be in the boonies.

[fish hawk]

Great story. I really like Ben Stein also. Thanks for the ping.

[ccmay]

Dad's, it's our job to remain in control in uncontrollable situations.

If -- by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

[EternalVigilance]

;) I'm moving to northern Idaho in 9 days. (Don't worry, I'm not a lib)

Whew! If you do talk to any libs, make sure you tell 'em that North Idaho is full! ;-)

[EternalVigilance]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ben Stein at the 2000 Republican convention. He's exactly like the image he projects on the screen.

Ben's a good man.

[TChad]

Whew! If you do talk to any libs, make sure you tell 'em that North Idaho is full! ;-)

Won't work. Libs love "full" -- look at New York, San Francisco etc.

The proper technique to dissuade a male liberal from moving anywhere rural is to put a very concerned expression on your face, and ask the lib if he has seen the film Deliverance. Then say, "I heard that the true story behind that film took place in (the rural area.)"

If he has not seen the film, loan him a copy. It is the best anti-rural propaganda film ever made.

[Valin]

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs...You've probably found someone else to blame. :-)

[RedBeaconNY]

They've got Ithaca and Seattle; they can go there for the scenery.

[fish hawk]

EV, good to hear from you. Hope all is well with you in your travels. Aloha

[EternalVigilance]

Thanks fish hawk! Aloha!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Thanks for the ping. That was a great article! I had that kind of childhood, too. My Grandpa was THE BEST FISHERMAN IN THE WORLD. He was infinately patient with me while I was learning, and he was thrilled when I'd catch more fish than he did (once in a very great while, LOL!)

I love Ben Stein. He's the one "famous" person in this world that I would really like to meet.

Saw him on "Your World" on FOX this morning after chores and he said we all need to stop worrying about our money for a few moments tomorrow and say a prayer for all the Dads that are away from home in Iraq (and elsewhere) that are away from their sons and daughters and wives and parents and siblings.

Ben Rocks! My husband and son are going fishing tomorrow to celebrate Fathers' Day. :)