Difference between revisions of "Ben Stein"

Revision as of 17:55, May 2, 2008

Benjamin Jeremy Stein (born November 25, 1944 in Washington, DC) is a conservative writer, speaker and social activist. Stein earned a law degree from Yale. Having been a speech writer and lawyer for former United States Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford as well as a publisher of conservative thought in newspapers, Stein unexpectedly turned up with a new career on television after getting his start in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off as the most boring high school teacher on the planet due to his monotone voice. Most of the scene was unscripted. In a sense Ben showed a key knowledge for understated humor.

TV

A man of considerable intellect, Stein starred in his own gameshow, Win Ben Stein's Money, which would culminate in Stein taking on the winning contestant in a ten-question round to see who could answer more of the questions correctly. Most of the time Stein would emerge victorious. Stein had a subtle form of comedy playing the mostly straight man to Jimmy Kimbell as the joking cohost.

Stein went on to host his own talk show Turn Ben Stein On.

Today Stein can still be seen on television with his "dry humor" such as in the "dry eyes" commercial.

Stein has never lost his conservative roots or his desire to engage in intelligent dialogue. He has appeared many times on Fox News discussing politics and finance. Ben Stein also writes his "Diary" in every issue of The American Spectator, and is a regular weekly contributor to the Business Section of the New York Times.

Intelligent Design

Stein co-wrote and appears as the narrator^[1] in a movie (Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed), released in the US in April 2008 which portrays "Big Science" as suppressing Intelligent design from being discussed and considered in academic settings.

Quotes

"I'm a rebel to my core ... and happy to be in an uphill struggle, as long as the cause is right."^[2]

"…Love of God and compassion and empathy leads you to a very glorious place, and science leads you to killing people." ^[3]

This statement was part of an interview with Paul Crouch, Jr. on the Trinity Broadcast Network in April 2008:

Stein: When we just saw that man, I think it was Mr. Myers [i.e. biologist P.Z. Myers], talking about how great scientists were, I was thinking to myself the last time any of my relatives saw scientists telling them what to do they were telling them to go to the showers to get gassed … that was horrifying beyond words, and that’s where science — in my opinion, this is just an opinion — that’s where science leads you.

Crouch: That’s right.

Stein: …Love of God and compassion and empathy leads you to a very glorious place, and science leads you to killing people.

Crouch: Good word, good word.

Internet Fame

A number of Ben Stein's writings are passed along from person to person through Email. One of his most famous is his defense of publicly recognizing Christmas in the United States in common culture without it being offensive to non-Christians. Stein is Jewish.^[4]

Works

Voice-overs

Dukeman
Fairly Odd Parents
Loony Toon

Movies

The Mask
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Expelled (due for release in April 2008)

Books

Yes, You Can Become a Successful Income Investor!
The Gift Of Peace: Guideposts on the Road to Serenity
How to Ruin Your Life
How to Ruin Your Love Life
How to Ruin Your Financial Life

Articles

American Spectator:

Yahoo! Finance:

CBS Sunday Morning Commentary:

New York Times

"Dear Watchdogs: Rein In Wall Street"

References

↑ IMDB listing for Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
↑ Intelligent Design foes no match for Stein in 'Expelled'
↑ [1]Paul Crouch, Jr. Interview with Ben Stein on Trinity Broadcasting Network
↑ http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/benstein2.asp

[1] IMDB listing for Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

[2] Intelligent Design foes no match for Stein in 'Expelled'

[3] [1]Paul Crouch, Jr. Interview with Ben Stein on Trinity Broadcasting Network

[4] ttp://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/benstein2.asp

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 == Quotes ==
 :"I'm a rebel to my core ... and happy to be in an uphill struggle, as long as the cause is right."<ref>[http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?id=27761 Intelligent Design foes no match for Stein in 'Expelled'  ] </ref>
+:"…Love of God and compassion and empathy leads you to a very glorious place, and science leads you to killing people." <ref>[http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWRmOTU2YzZlN2RhMzhjNzEwNzQ3MzFiZDE2NjM3NWE=]Paul Crouch, Jr. Interview with Ben Stein on Trinity Broadcasting Network</ref>
+::''This statement was part of an interview with Paul Crouch, Jr. on the Trinity Broadcast Network in April 2008:
+::: Stein:   When we just saw that man, I think it was Mr. Myers [i.e. biologist P.Z. Myers], talking about how great scientists were, I was thinking to myself the last time any of my relatives saw scientists telling them what to do they were telling them to go to the showers to get gassed … that was horrifying beyond words, and that’s where science — in my opinion, this is just an opinion — that’s where science leads you.
+::: Crouch:   That’s right.
+::: Stein:   …Love of God and compassion and empathy leads you to a very glorious place, and science leads you to killing people.
+::: Crouch:   Good word, good word.''
 == Internet Fame ==