Ben Stein Defends His Impeccable Honor Against Those Who Would Quote the Things That He Says

Ben Stein has finally responded to the laughable assumption that when — after "survey[ing] the ranks of those who are unemployed" — he stated that "the people who have been laid off and cannot find work are generally people with poor work habits and poor personalities" he had intended to imply that the people who have been laid off and cannot find work are generally people with poor work habits and poor personalities.

What an incredibly illogical conclusion to come to…

"I said that of the unemployed I know, many have poor work habits and difficult personalities. I made no claim to have made any scientific study of unemployment generally and indeed have not done so. It is a fact that in my experience, the people who have the worst work habits get laid off first…

"I do know a number of unemployed persons with fine work habits and personalities but — in my experience — they are a bit rare."

All I know is that, of the Ben Steins that I know of, they tend to be distasteful elitists with questionable ethics who are utterly full of bullshit. But I make no claim to have made any scientific study of Ben Steins generally and have indeed not done so.

Tags: Ben Stein, Unemployment

Ben Stein's Vast Research into Unemployment Crisis Reveals Lazy Rabble with "Unpleasant Personalities"

Here is a thing that Ben Stein — former Nixon speechwriter and current liar for Creation Science — sat down to write, presumably proofread at least once and then about which said to himself, "This is an acceptable thing on which to attach my name"…

"The people who have been laid off and cannot find work are generally people with poor work habits and poor personalities. I say "generally" because there are exceptions."

Way to remain prudent, Ben Stein. Wouldn't want anyone to accuse you of speaking out of turn…

"But in general, as I survey the ranks of those who are unemployed, I see people who have overbearing and unpleasant personalities and/or who do not know how to do a day’s work. They are people who create either little utility or negative utility on the job. Again, there are powerful exceptions and I know some, but when employers are looking to lay off, they lay off the least productive or the most negative. To assure that a worker is not one of them, he should learn how to work and how to get along — not always easy."

BEN STEIN: Honey, I'm off. Back in a little while.

BEN STEIN'S WIFE: Where are you going, dear?

BEN STEIN: Going out to survey the ranks of those who are unemployed. Gather up some data. Maybe collect enough material to write a thoughtful and sober article on the current unemployment crisis. Someone simply must make some useful observations about that lot.

BEN STEIN'S WIFE: Have fun, but do be careful. You know how those jobless people all have such overbearing and unpleasant personalities.

BEN STEIN: Honey, please! That's offensive. When saying things like that, you really do need to use the word "generally."

(via Think Progress)

Tags: Ben Stein, Richard Nixon, Science & Technology, Unemployment

Stephen Colbert on the Violation of BP's Cash-titutional Rights

It's really heartwarming to see so many of Joe Barton's friends — like Laura Ingraham, Rush Limbaugh, Ben Stein and Rep. Michele Bachmann — lining up alongside Barton and BP and opposing the American government they've all been speaking out against for so these years…

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Tags: Animals, Barack Obama, Ben Stein, Bill of Rights, BP, Constitution, Energy & Oil, Guantanamo Bay, House of Representatives, Joe Barton, Laura Ingraham, Michele Bachmann, Rush Limbaugh, Stephen Colbert, Texas, The Colbert Report, Tony Hayward

From the Pork Barrel: The Existential Nausea of Anarchy Bear

* I think Anarachy Bear's dilemma might be moot. I mean, have you been paying attention what's been going on with Dittohead Bear?

* The New York Times fires columnist Ben Stein for questioning evolution, believing in God and being critical of Barack Obama… Oh, and also maybe a little bit for engaging in consumer fraud. But just a little.

* Who will Barack Obama's Death Panel vote off of this island we call life? He's not here to make friends.

* It looks like Kim Jong Il will live to pretend to be healthy another day.

* New poll: 7% of New Jerseyans involved in human organ harvesting operation with their local mayor.

Tags: Atheists, Barack Obama, Ben Stein, Corruption, Evolution, Health Care, Kim Jong Il, New Jersey, New York Times, North Korea, Polls, Pork Barrel, Religion, Science & Technology