Free Republic

The headlines scream doom. There are endless references to the economic situation being "the worst since The Great Depression." Immense names in finance have collapsed and sunk beneath the waves of the financial crisis. Please allow me to try to explain a bit of what's going on. First of all, all you have to do is look around you to see that in terms of daily life, we are not anywhere near The Great Depression. Unemployment is barely about six percent. It was 25 percent at the nadir of The Great Depression. Real per capita incomes adjusted for inflation are...

Okay, here's my Republican Convention story. After I did my little tiny bit of reporting work from St. Paul's Xcel Center on Wednesday, I got into a taxi to head back to my hotel. Of course we got stuck in traffic. I asked my driver, a rugged looking fellow, where he was from and how he was enjoying the convention. It was as if I had uncorked a bottle of champagne. "Have you ever heard of Ogaden?" he asked me. "Yes, it's part of Ethiopia," I said. "Lots of fighting there." "It is a huge area. Seven million people. Government...

I am sorry that John Edwards had an affair with a campaign worker. But I am not surprised. Men like to have affairs. Men like to have sex with new women. That's just how men are and always have been. I am not surprised that a major Presidential candidate and former V.P. nominee of a major party had an affair. Politicians are men and they have all of the yearnings and drives that other men have. They do not check their flaws and essential elements at the Capitol cloakroom. Nor is it a sign that Edwards might not have been...

Big Science has expelled smart new ideas from the classroom. What they forgot is that every generation has its rebel! Attacked by pro-evolution scientists and others, this film, Expelled exposed the prejudice leveled against scientists who reject Darwinian thinking, and took almost $8 million at the box office at around 700 theaters earlier this year, making it the 12th most successful documentary of all time.

Just started watching Larry King for a lark. There are no larks on the show, but the harridan, Joy Behar, is hostessing. Her guests are three liberals and one supposed conservative, Ben Stein. First question: How did Obama do on his Tour of Iraq? The question goes to Ben Stein who falls all over himself praising Obama, gushing how wonderful and masterful he is, and ending up drooling over how Obama is the best he has ever seen in his lifetime. Naturally, the panel of libs agreed immediately and offered Stein free membership in the club. With conservatives like these...

You can watch it here: R.C. Sproul interviews Ben Stein

Darwin critics know Ernst Haeckel as the German philosopher whose faked embryo drawings helped generations of clueless students accept Darwinism – "Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny" and all that. But there is still another problem with Haeckel, a darker one than mere fraud. Critics of the Ben Stein film, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," apparently do not know this. If they had, they would not have savaged Stein for daring to connect Adolf Hitler to Charles Darwin. In Scientific American, for instance, editor John Rennie describes this connection as "heavy-handed." In Reuters, Frank Scheck calls it "truly offensive." In reality, it is neither....

Stein turns the tables on Darwinists By Chris Weinkopf, Editorial Page Editor THERE'S a great piece of viral satire working its way around the Internet, an ad for Ben Stein's new movie, "Expelled." It's a music video featuring animated representations of prominent atheists rapping about their intellectual superiority over the majority of mankind that still has doubts about Darwinism as an all-purpose, infallible explanation for everything. The video is funny, but nowhere near as funny as some of the crusading atheists' responses to it. At the Web site of celebrity God-hater Richard Dawkins, both host and acolytes spent more than...

“Intelligent Design” is of no scientific value in determining the origins of life in the universe. A designer would have to be supernatural (i.e. not subject to the laws of physics) or natural and subject to those laws. If the designer is natural in origin, then it would have to have been designed by another designer –again supernatural or natural. Ultimately come to an original designer that either evolved from a lower state of matter, or was created by a supernatural being. You will note that this is back to where we started. Science does not deal with supernatural phenomena...

I like rebels, especially ones who go against type. Take Ben Stein in his latest film, Expelled, which comes out this Friday. Dressed in a sport coat, tie, and tennis shoes, he’s not who you expect — the deadpan, monotone-voiced but ever-likable teacher he portrays in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Wonder Years. Stein retains his characteristic deadpan affect, but this time he’s playing himself — a deceptively erudite and well-educated interviewer, who is passionately skeptical of evolutionary biology and its leading proponents. The film’s endeavor is to respond to one simple question: “Were we designed, or are we...

Anyone watching Larry King? The usual Libs vs. Republicans (believe me, there are no conservatives on this show). Representing Republicans are Ben Stein and some GOP Stategist chick and both of them are agreeing with practically everything the expert politcal analysis raving liberal team of Fran Drescher, Stephanie Miller (is anyone more annoying?), and that idiot from The West Wing are saying. So much for any stones on our side.

BASICALLY, a crossroads was passed in the Drexel/Milken scandals. Although hundreds and perhaps thousands of men and women were profiting from misconduct, only a few people, including Mr. Milken himself, went to prison. And even he emerged from prison a very rich man (and by what I see here in Los Angeles, a model citizen). Today, in the midst of the mortgage mess, we see people breaching their fiduciary duty and getting away with it. A few may lose their jobs and wander off to a wealthy retirement. But the ordinary stockholders of the banks and mortgage companies are staggered.

This will be interesting, a documentary movie by Ben Stein on the new wave of thought police and academic suppression in academia and science: Ben Stein, in the new film EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed His heroic and, at times, shocking journey confronting the world’s top scientists, educators and philosophers, regarding the persecution of the many by an elite few. In theatres near you, starting February 2008 Ben travels the world on his quest, and learns an awe-inspiring truth…that bewilders him, then angers him…and then spurs him to action! Ben realizes that he has been “Expelled,” and that educators and scientists...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Liberal Al Franken is good enough and smart enough to win some of conservative Ben Stein's money — and doggone it, Stein likes him. Stein, an actor, writer and economist, has contributed $2,000 to Franken's Minnesota Senate campaign. The two men have known each other for about 30 years. "I'm struck by what an incredibly capable, hard-working guy he is," Stein told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday. "He's a very smart liberal, he's a thoroughgoing patriot, and I would feel better with him in the Senate."

Currently there are about 44 million mortgages in the U.S., and less than 14 percent of them are subprime. And only about 13 percent of those are late on payments, with the majority of late payers working through their problems with the banks.

The former vice president’s new book is itself an assault on reason. The Assault on Reason, by Al Gore (Penguin Press, 320 pp., $25.95) The most surprising thing about The Assault on Reason, Al Gore’s current bestseller, is that for a little while it actually makes some sense. The first few dozen pages, while hyperpartisan, mainly excoriate a dumbed-down, trivia-and-celebrity-obsessed culture, and in the age of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan who could disagree? But Al Gore is like one of those guys at a party with whom, once you get a few drinks in him, you never know what’s...

And, finally, the most painful discovery of all. Ben Stein - $1,000. Legendary Ferris Beuhler actor, game show host, and brilliant conservative. Former speech writer for Richard Nixon and columnist for the American Spectator and Yahoo Finance, among other outlets. One of the finest writers around on politics, economics, and culture, as demonstrated in this listing. In particular, he's one the most articulate and persuasive speakers advocating the pro-life stance in the country. And he's giving money to Al Bleeping Franken? A guy who's never found a liberal position on abortion he didn't like (as shown by the $5,000 contribution...

The Lynching of the President By Ben Stein So there I was, lying in my bed in Malibu with my dogs, watching Mr. Bush's State of the Union speech. I thought it was darned good. Realistic, gracious, modest, sensible. I happen to think we should get out of Iraq yesterday, but I thought Mr Bush put forward his case well. And Congress responded graciously and generously on both sides of the aisle. Then, whaam, as soon as the speech was over, ABC was bashing him, telling us how pathetic he was, how irrelevant he was, how weak he was, how...

Here's a little story about modern life. I wish I were Bob Dylan so I could make it into a song. A few days ago, I was in New York doing some TV shows, web interviews, and print for National Retirement Preparedness Week. I was telling people in the boomer generation they absolutely had to save more for their retirement in stocks, mutual funds, index funds, variable annuities. After the sixth interview, I was down near the Museum of Jewish Heritage near Ground Zero. I went in there and saw a powerful exhibit about Jews who fought in the U.S....

If there were an Academy Award for Hypocrisy, the surefire favorite for 2006 would be the Democratic Party. Just two recent items make the decision a virtual certainty: The Representative Foley "scandal" is really worthy of a whole book on hypocrisy. On the one hand, we have a poor misguided Republican man who had a romantic thing for young boys. He sent them suggestive e-mail. I agree, that's not great. On the other hand, we have a Democratic party that worships ( not likes, WORSHIPS ) a man named Bill Clinton who did not send suggestive e-mails as far as...

Time passes incredibly fast. It's already almost one year since Hurricane Katrina wrought its devastation on the Gulf Coast. Few of us will ever forget the images of the horror inflicted upon the men, women, and children of New Orleans and Mississippi. Our hearts will also always go out to the brave firefighters, National Guardsmen, police officers, and just plain citizens who risked all to help the storm's victims. But, as I said, time has passed, and the moment has come for taking stock and learning lessons. No Assurance (or Insurance) One lesson comes to me via a slightly circuitous...

We are in real serious trouble, and I'll tell you how and why I know it: * Because the Hezbollah -- as has been well reported -- launches missiles at purely civilian targets in Israel as a matter of course, and no one in Europe or in the American left says "boo" about it. It's considered the Hezbollah's "right" to kill Israelis and when they do, they boast about it and promise to do more;

Friday, March 17, 2006 6:10 p.m. EST Ben Stein: Hollywood Snubbed Soldiers Ben Stein says the people who truly were snubbed on Oscar night weren't those who didn't win, but were the American military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Speaking Thursday at a Kent County Republican Party fundraising dinner, the conservative humorist, writer and political pundit said movie stars and film industry professionals failed to highlight the sacrifices of soldiers during the Academy Awards on March 5. "Not one prayer or moment of silence for those who have given their lives," said Stein, who also has acted ("Ferris Bueller's...

I've had a couple of bad experiences recently that sharpened my worry about what life will be like for retirees in the future -- I fear that a catastrophe of declining standards of life is heading our way. I'm thinking about how bad it has gotten in terms of how customers are treated. A few days ago, I called the saleswoman at an auto dealer who sold me my last car a few years ago. I asked her to come over and show me the newest model of my car and told her if I liked it, I would buy...

When You Send A Child To War by Tom Glennon On a day that saw a widely-linked piece that oh-so glibly advised us as to just why we should not support the troops, I'm privileged to present the antidote in this very personal piece from frequent guest contributor, Tom Glennon. -Sol WHEN YOU SEND A CHILD TO WAR by Tom Glennon I had long expected the call, but a chill went down me as I heard my youngest son Patrick's voice on the phone. "Dad, I got confirmation today. I have some weapons refresher and other location specific training in...

I love short ways of summing up huge issues in life. One of the best I ever heard came from a super smart guy named Ray Lucia a few years ago. Ray owns and heads up a national financial planning and services company. I often speak for him at his conferences and, yes, in the interest of full disclosure, I get paid for it. He had a stunning insight when I first met him about the basic dilemma of the middle class American: "You have an immense future liability, paying for your life when you retire. You have to create...

FORMER CPA OFFICIAL AND CONTRACTOR ARRESTED IN CASE INVOLVING FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING SCHEME IN IRAQ WASHINGTON, D.C. – A former Coalition Provisional Authority official and a contractor doing business in Iraq have been arrested on charges of conspiring to commit money laundering and wire fraud in connection with a bribery and fraud scheme, the Department of Justice announced today. Robert J. Stein, 50, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was arrested in Fayetteville on Nov. 14, 2005 and is currently in custody there. In 2003 and 2004, Stein was the Comptroller and Funding Officer for the Coalition Provisional Authority – South...

Fact: Katrina was a devastating storm. It left terrible damage to innocent people's lives and to property throughout the Gulf South. Fact: There have been other storms as damaging and some far more damaging. What, then, is different about this storm? Here are a few tentative thoughts. First, the incompetence of the local and state authorities in Louisiana and especially New Orleans was breathtaking. To issue a mandatory evacuation order without providing means of transport is almost criminally irresponsible. To take citizens to shelters where they would be beaten, robbed, and raped, and to provide no police protection for them...

A few truths, for those who have ears and eyes and care to know the truth: 1.) The hurricane that hit New Orleans and Mississippi and Alabama was an astonishing tragedy. The suffering and loss of life and peace of mind of the residents of those areas is acutely horrifying. 2.) George Bush did not cause the hurricane. Hurricanes have been happening for eons. George Bush did not create them or unleash this one. 3.) George Bush did not make this one worse than others. There have been far worse hurricanes than this before George Bush was born. 4.) There...

Ben Stein's Last Column... For many years Ben Stein has written a biweekly column for the online website called "Monday Night At Morton's." (Morton's is a famous chain of Steakhouses known to be frequented by movie stars and famous people from around the globe.) Now, Ben is terminating the column to move on to other things in his life. Reading his final column is worth a few minutes of your time. Ben Stein's Last Column... (read all of this or you will have missed the best). ============================================ How Can Someone Who Lives in Insane Luxury Be a Star in Today's...

As I begin to write this, I "slug" it, as we writers say, which means I put a heading on top of the document to identify it. This heading is "eonlineFINAL," and it gives me a shiver to write it. I have been doing this column for so long that I cannot even recall when I started. Lew Harris, who founded this great site, asked me to do it maybe seven or eight years ago, and I loved writing this column so much for so long I came to believe it would never end.But again, all things must pass, and...

Ben Stein's discussion of his new book "Can America Survive" will be repeated tonight at 9:30 eastern on C-Span2. Stein wrote the book to try to remind people of who the "bad guys" really are in the world today. He says they're certainly not Americans, and explores some of the mythology of poverty, racism, and sexism in the US. He also takes a look at the psyche of wild leftists, saying most of them are unhappy and envious people. Along the way Stein sprinkles his discussion with intriguing anecdotes - he says he became a Republican originally because all the...

Animal House: Michael Moore Gives Truth the Old College Try By: Aaron Stein Please send comments to astein@aasure.com In a sequence just before the opening credits of Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore uses the audience's power of imagery to illustrate the events of September 11, 2001. The shrewd director he is, he realizes that rolling the actual footage is gratuitous and serves no purpose but to alienate his audience. Instead we hear an audio segment played over a black screen. It starts with the sound of a loud explosion, followed by screams, another explosion and then more screams. The only visual...

BEVERLY HILLS -- I have followed elections pretty closely for many decades now, and I think I have a clue about why George W. Bush, for all of his problems in Iraq, still has a fine chance to win this election. For about ten years now, I have been going to North Idaho, a mountainous, heavily forested region in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, adjacent to Canada, to vacation, ride in my little motor boat, ride my bicycle by the lakes and rivers, and just to be in a beautiful setting far from the pitiless freeways and snarling traffic...

How Can Someone Who Lives in Insane Luxury Be a Star in Today's World? As I begin to write this, I "slug" it, as we writers say, which means I put a heading on top of the document to identify it. This heading is "eonlineFINAL," and it gives me a shiver to write it. I have been doing this column for so long that I cannot even recall when I started. I loved writing this column so much for so long I came to believe it would never end. Lew Harris, who founded this great site, asked me to do...

<p>Actor James Brolin, who starred in Sunday's CBS/Showtime movie "The Reagans," did a lousy job portraying former President Ronald Reagan. But then, Mr. Reagan is a hard act to get right -- as George W. Bush is now learning.</p> <p>Mr. Brolin's portrayal was limp from the beginning. President Bush's version started out stronger, as he pushed tax cuts, spoke of clear distinctions between good and evil, and championed a strong defense.</p>

There is a great scene in "Richard II" in which the imprisoned monarch paces in a cell. He has only one companion, a spider. He is thinking of how he got into that mess of getting deposed by Bolingbroke. He says he will do something like make his soul the mate to his brain and try to produce the thoughts that will answer his crisis. The reason I am thinking of this is that I am down in my office in my house in Malibu. I came out here late last night. As always happens at least once a year,...