Ben Stein: Why Should I Care?

Sunday Morning Commentator Says The Doings Of Drunken Celebrities Are Less Important In Today's World

(CBS)  Sunday Morning correspondent Ben Stein asks, should the soap opera of Paris Hilton's life really be news to him, when there are weightier issues at play in the world?

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Can some kindly soul please take pity on little me and explain why it's important that I know about celebrities who get sent to jail, get to leave, and then get sent back again?

Can someone explain why I should care about whether a plastered movie star goes to jail in the first place?

This is a world in which the United States is engaged in a defense and foreign policy nightmare in Iraq and another one in Afghanistan. The same people who killed 3,000 Americans on 9/11 are hurting us badly in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are resurgent all over the Middle East. They threaten to make the Arab-Israeli situation far worse than it already is.

In such a world, who cares what Hollywood stars are drinking or whether they're in jail?

Iran is about to get nuclear weapons, or so it would seem. The North Koreans have nuclear weapons and have breached a deal with the U.S. to stop making them. This is serious business. Why, in times as dangerous as these, do we care about what movie star is dating which other movie star or how many swimming pools their rehabs have?

Why do we spend so much of our day agonizing about movie stars, and big busted blondes, alive and dead? Is it to escape thinking about the real problems we have? If so, it's a mistake. Not too many real problems go away by being ignored.

Is it because we're too stupid to know what's important? When the barbarians were at the gates of Rome, did the Romans gossip about Roman actresses?

Our enemies are serious about beating us. Except for the men and women in uniform, not too many of us seem serious about beating them.

Time to pay a lot more attention to the real stars … the ones in our military wearing battle dress uniforms over body armor in Iraq and Afghanistan … and a lot less about how much time Paris Hilton spends in jail.

[janguffey]

Concerning this broadcast..........
I love you, and can I have your children?

[robinwi]

You're absolutely right....why should we care? Why do we care? WE DON"T.....but yet, there she is, on Sunday Morning. Can we give it a rest please...there are endless numbers of us out here that really don't give a ......

[gstreaty]

All I can say is "AMEN" to Ben Stein's commentary today, "Why Should I Care?". Ben Stein hit the nail on the head so hard, he knocked the whold house down. He said what I think the mass majority of Americans have been thinking and feeling for months! WHO FRIGGIN CARES about celebrities in Hollywood when our young men and women are dying overseas to give all of us, including those pampered, whiny spoiled, over-indulged celebrities freedom and security. The only thing missing from Ben Stein's commentary today was a solid gold pulpit and the glorious sound of a chorus of angels proclaiming "Halleljuah! Preach, Ben! Preach!" Let America say "AMEN!"

[hull7376]

Bravo, again, Ben!! Network news ought to shame their counterparts . . . e.g., MSNBC . . . which, this week, went fro being the all Anna Nicole all the time network to the all Paris all the time network. The National Enquirer by National Broadcasting Company! On the day the Chairman of the JtCOS is being replaced by SecDef in the middle of a war, I saw 15 minutes at most coverage of this hard news but at least 8 hours of aerial footage of Paris Hilton being taken into custody (I work on a trade floor with TV's going all the time on all stations). Get real, folks . . . or, perhaps, reflect on what Ben said about Romans & Barbarians the gates - just maybe, Ben, the Romans did spend time gossiping about the latest star chariot racer or gladiator. After all, their civilization fell of its own self indulgence just as our seems determined to do in the face of enemies which have clearly evinced their intent to kill us and bring us to heel at their totalitarian version of religious intolerance.

[bridsonb]

Totally agree. But please do the same rant substituting all sports coverage for celebrity coverage. Why should I care about millionaires chasing little white balls in parks? Or through the woods with clubs? As you say, there are far more important things we should be paying attention to.

[commo_dio]

This is what I've been saying everyday... People must be so tired of hearing about war on their precious TVs that the media captures their attention with "eye-popping" stories such as Paris going to jail. Here's the question: What do I care? Why should anyone have to feel the shame of feeling more shock at Anna Nicole Smith's death than that of a U.S. soldier, ten, or even fifty? Why are we more concerned about this celebrity gossip than what really matters? How much has the news reporting changed since the era of Cronkite, and why for the worse?

[wrensis1]

Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11
Repeat after me. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11

[jbhilgers]

Although I wholeheartedly support your thoughts about the unimportance of the Celebraty fray over almost anything compared to really important news, it seems a bit hypocritical of you to be part of the media that promotes the same. You might think about holding up a mirror while talking about what you in the media "feed" to us as listeners. We can certainly turn off our sets, but it would only mean we wouldn't be watching, not that it wouldn't be saliciously protrade by your station!

[peeples5]

The people that write the news for the news broadcasts should have to listen to Ben Stein's commentary every day before starting to work! A comment from Fort Bragg, NC.

[elisanphilip]

Thank you again, Ben!
Friday while at lunch with a group of co-workers we sat and chatted about how our world seemed to be insane with celebrity craziness and we noticed a tv in the corner, tuned to one of the 24-hr so-called news channels with BREAKING NEWS splashed all over the screen - crowds, reporters, police all gathered outside Paris's mansion waiting to take her to court. The entire hour we sat at lunch that was the only scene - BREAKING NEWS. We all just sat there wondering how this could be. That's the only important thing going on in the world?
While my husband and our friends serve in Iraq, and young men and women put their lives on the line THIS is BREAKING NEWS?? The only breaking news I want to hear is that my husband is coming home, I couldn't care less where Paris spends her time.

[nelsonml2]

Ben, you have glossed over the real reason for public attention to Paris Hilton's incarceration issue. The public is outraged and rightfully so - the celebrities who think their fame, wealth and notoriety earn them a get out of jail free card need to be slapped back to reality - otherwise, why should anybody serve a jail term for similar charges? So much for the credibility of a judge's sentence and the whole premise of our judicial system. What happened with Paris is legally, morally and ethically wrong and the American public should focus on it and resolve it.

[cathompson5]

Wow Ben Stein completly missed the boat on the significance of the Paris Hilton story. There are in fact other issues of importance in America outside of the war in Iraq. One of them being the widening gap between the rich and poor. Is addressing the massive double standard in treatment of people with means versus people without means insignificant?

[rkandik]

Thanks to Ben Stein for a provocative commentary on the state of oblivion that, seemingly, most Americans are living in at this time. The "all about ME" attitude of so many people we know says it all. The daunting state of affairs in the world today is so overwhelming to the average citizen that the daily news is mentally "turned off" and lighter topics prevail. Thus, *** movie stars whose own self-indulgence brings them down seem to gain our fleeting attention. Isn't there some way the media professionals can find the balance that you conveyed, Ben Stein, and help us with the GLOBAL picture-whether we like it or not? We need a reality check!

[cathompson5]

Wow Ben Stein completly missed the boat on the significance of the Paris Hilton story. There are in fact other issues of importance in America outside of the war in Iraq. One of them being the widening gap between the rich and poor. Is addressing the massive double standard in treatment of people with means versus people without means insignificant?

[mee323]

Excuse me???? Ben said "The VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO ATTACKED US " when he was referring to the war in Iraq. And this from an otherwise intelligent and erudite journalist. He ought to have his mouth washed out with soap and apologize.

I think you ought to ask Ben Stein, "Is it ever OK to lie?"

I think his superficial comments about Paris Hilton were all a ploy to be able to broadcast the BIG LIE linking 9/11 with the war in Iraq.

I've been a fan of CBS Sunday Morning since Kuralt, but I'm over you now, bigtime. You're turning into Fox.

[mee323]

Excuse me???? Ben said "The VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO ATTACKED US " when he was referring to the war in Iraq. And this from an otherwise intelligent and erudite journalist. He ought to have his mouth washed out with soap and apologize.

I think you ought to ask Ben Stein, "Is it ever OK to lie?"

I think his superficial comments about Paris Hilton were all a ploy to be able to broadcast the BIG LIE linking 9/11 with the war in Iraq.

I've been a fan of CBS Sunday Morning since Kuralt, but I'm over you now, bigtime. You're turning into Fox.

[mee323]

Excuse me???? Ben said "The VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO ATTACKED US " when he was referring to the war in Iraq. And this from an otherwise intelligent and erudite journalist. He ought to have his mouth washed out with soap and apologize.

I think you ought to ask Ben Stein, "Is it ever OK to lie?"

I think his superficial comments about Paris Hilton were all a ploy to be able to broadcast the BIG LIE linking 9/11 with the war in Iraq.

I've been a fan of CBS Sunday Morning since Kuralt, but I'm over you now, bigtime. You're turning into Fox.

[rcastanet]

Ben, this morning I watched you on CBS News Sunday Morning in disbelief essentially lecturing Americans to wake up from our obsession with celebrities and not paying enough attention to more serious matters of state and of world events as if we, the viewers, were the ones in the studios producing this trivial pursuit. I will point out that Americans must tolerate this inane parade of celebrities to glean any meaningful news from the average broadcast. If your concerns were truly sincere why don%u2019t you suggest to CBS producers that they produce nothing but material on Iraq and other important world events that affect us all? Or would that be more than Americans could bear? The media commenting about the follies of the media as if they weren%u2019t a part of it is colossal hypocrisy.

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news, and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this the lecture, for it is the MEDIA that decides what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers provide us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status when reporting. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this nonsense, and what can "we" do about the media frenzy that takes place regarding celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur,international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, they are sandwiched between less significant stories and commercials! t
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media.

[gwbradley]

I couldn'agree more! The celeb/entertainer news does not qualify as news at all in my opinion. I have been saying fundamentally the same thing for years. Good job Ben. G.W.Bradley

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news, and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture, for it is the MEDIA that decides what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers provide us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status when reporting. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this nonsense, and what can "we" do about the media frenzy that takes place regarding celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, waht can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and boradcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news, and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture, for it is the MEDIA that decides what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers provide us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status when reporting. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this nonsense, and what can "we" do about the media frenzy that takes place regarding celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, waht can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and boradcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[CheekyDee]

Here we go with holier and smarter than thou talking heads yelling about what we should be paying attention guilt trip. Ahh yeah compare one day's coverage of Paris to tons of coverage of a war most of us do not want, do not want to see one more solider killed, and according to most polls no one gives a *** about our opinions most esp. the president. Take any subject be it the cost of gas, terrorism, nuclear arms..yes we can do the old let me write my congressman but would would you have me as an indivual do seriously..most things are not in our hands..thus at times you are tired of even hearing it. Take for instance the strange and helpless feeling after 911 to see the terror alert elevated to a high point and what are we told to do.. well be aware they tell us.. of what? i say..? It would be nice if we knew what we might possibly be in danger of? Noooo..we can't do a *** thing..so if a day's coverage of a spoiled rich brat of any of it all ..gives us a little comic relief..so what??? *** if i had to watch what you'd have me i'd really need some mood altering drugs as i'd be ready to jump out the window. Oh and yes..let's watch the debates over and over that they are showing as my gosh..we only have almost 2 years to still hear all those windbags lying about what they will do..and don't. And lastly if i did as you say Ben i might look as dead, depressed and droll as you. Maybe you should watch some reruns of your stupid game show instead of blowing hot air Ben.

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news, and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture, for it is the MEDIA that decides what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers provide us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status when reporting. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this nonsense, and what can "we" do about the media frenzy that takes place regarding celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, waht can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and boradcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[sherry25705]

You, who have a voice that will be heard, finally said what many of us in the silent minority have been thinking. Who the hell cares about a spoiled blond. It is a mystery to me why anyone would be interested in learning more about her. There is not one simple answer to that question. America elected a president, our vote was overturned by a state bureaucratic official and the Supreme Court upheld the decision. We were all interested in that event. Since then and especially because of that result, I can%u2019t stand to watch the news anymore. There is nothing reported but the inane celebrity news about people I don%u2019t even know; or I am listening to the insane outcomes of unimaginably stupid decisions that our present administration has made, and I no impact in those decisions. The news just reinforces the hopelessness I feel over what America and the world have become. Your editorial gave me hope that others may feel the same way I am feeling. But here is the question. Will the opinion you so eloquently editorialized raise ratings? That is the bottom line which drives everything on television. When you can change that, then maybe there is the possibility that the current situation will change. Only when our news correspondence are allowed to INVESTIGATE and REPORT news the way it truly is, will people become interested in news again. Real news is reporting history before it becomes known as history. It should not have to PAY it%u2019s way, let alone make a profit!

[dthompson98239]

Holy Cow! Thank you Ben. You said what we have been thinking. We need to start voting with our feet - walking away from the tv and finding something worthwhile to do beside watch this rubbish. As a military member I'm sick of watching the news just to hear "Hilton did this, Lohan did that and oh by the wa six more Americans died in Iraq." Unfortunately the newcasters have sold their souls. Would the greats like Walter Cronkite report "news" that two so-called celebrities where seen drunk and not wearing any underwear? I think not. A avid news watcher - I quit watching. It's not news anymore.

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news, and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture, for it is the MEDIA that decides what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers provide us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status when reporting. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this nonsense, and what can "we" do about the media frenzy that takes place regarding celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, waht can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and boradcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[yesult]

Why do Americans care? Because Americans are shallow human beings!

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture. It is the MEDIA that controls what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers blast us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this, and what can "we" do about the media's focus on celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, what can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and broadcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[lyvbh]

It appears that the irony of following Ben Stein%u2019s commentary (Why Should I Care?) by rerunning the story of opulent parties (Get Ready To Party %u2014 And Spend Some Money) was lost on your producers. I recall the first-time that you aired the piece about extravagant weddings, religious ceremonies and birthdays. It was upsetting to me then and continued to evoke even stronger feelings this time. I do agree with Mr. Stein that our interest and focus is misdirected. Instead of focusing on as he stated, %u201CThe true stars%u201D %u2013 the men and women who are fighting to defend our freedom the media fills the airwaves with the minutiae of the misdeeds, relationships, and unrestrained behavior of actors. How sad a commentary is it that the extreme materialism and self-absorption of individuals exemplified in the segment on parties almost appeared to glorify their behavior. One could only imagine if the money wasted on these %u201Cevents%u201D were directed to enrich the safety and lives of our military personnel or those less fortunate.

[CheekyDee]

These posts are all a lot of bull..what do any of you all do but sit in your living room chairs and have your rightious opinions. The only ones DOING anything are the soliders who are putting their lives on the line for a war they shouldn't even be fighting the President misled everyone. I've just heard on a program following the morning show that the prez is actually considering bombing IRAN now.. well isn't that nice just what we need another middle east war and more body bags. We do care..yes and it's hard to take.

[yomark50]

Get off your high horse, Ben! Was there anything MORE frivolous than "Win Ben Stein's Money"? And would you even HAVE a career if it weren't for "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"?
The logic of your position is that none of us should enjoy ANY kind of entertainment ANY time, so long as there's some tragedy or suffering in the world, somewhere. How limited, simple, one-track-minded and unable to hold more than one idea in their heads do you think people are?
No, I don't insist you must follow the progress of Paris Hilton's dilemma, but you do seem to have missed the point: that this seemed to be another outrageous example (not unlike OJ Simpson) of a rich and celebrated person receiving better treatment from the authorities than I, or any other Joe Paycheck could ever hope to expect.

[mkrealestate-2009]

Thanks. Where is the "beef"? I turn on CNN and get Nancy Grace.... Where is indepth news? Whether I agree or not with you and others, in this time of multimillion channels, we should be able to get "real" news. If they want Paris and anna nicole, they should turn to Entertainment tonight, not CBS, ABC, NBC and CNN. PLEASE give us news like the weather channel gives us weather. Thanks.

[fesdon-2009]

"We" don't care about drunken celebrities, but when the Evening News starts off with how many Americans were killed in the Middle East, then a bit of nonsense is good for the soul. The only people who seem to care about Paris Hilton is the news media. If not for them, we won't know nor care that the spoiled rich girl has to spend 45 days in jail. We all know that she will not be in the general inmate population and if her lawyer has any say she will be out before the week is over. Conrad Hilton is probably rolling in his grave.

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture. It is the MEDIA that controls what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers blast us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this, and what can "we" do about the media's focus on celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, what can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and broadcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[ksaundby]

Once again, Mr Stein has proved how out of touch he is with the worries and concerns of ordinary Americans who, unlike him, have to go out every day and fight 'the man' for a buck to try to support their families as well as themselves, and the working poor in particular.

As a social worker in a rural Food Stamp/Medicaid office, the last thing I want at the end of yet another day of my clients' woes is to have to pay attention to yet more grim news about the war in Iraq, the state of the world in general and the U.S. in particular.

If Mr Stein were to sit in my office for one week and listen to the stories of the working poor, the chronically ill and the elderly he might gain a better understanding of their fascination with the media hijinks of rock and movie stars and the rich in general. Paris Hilton's fall from grace and Anna Nicole's baby are therapeutic, distractions from their increasingly grimmer daily lives and the tabloids are serving the same purpose as the movie theaters during the Great Depression.

Mr Stein's CBS Sunday Morning diatribe against this type of reporting was not only offbase, it was actually insulting to the folks like me who enjoy it because of his implication that we don't care about the 'real' issues when nothing could be further from the truth.

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture. It is the MEDIA that controls what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers blast us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status. I would like to not be asked "Are we stupid?" but rather ask how long do "we" have to put up with this, and what can "we" do about the media's focus on celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, what can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and broadcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[carybriel]

Tell me how you CAN'T feel sorry for this sad face??... http://parishilton.snagapic.com
Blame it on her parents. Don't feel sorry because the kid broke the law. Feel sorry for her for the parents that she has!!!

[mee323]

Excuse me???? Ben said "The VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO ATTACKED US " when he was referring to the war in Iraq. And this from an otherwise intelligent and erudite journalist. He ought to have his mouth washed out with soap and apologize.

I think you ought to ask Ben Stein, "Is it ever OK to lie?"

I think his superficial comments about Paris Hilton were all a ploy to be able to broadcast the BIGGEST LIE which is the one that links 9/11 with the war in Iraq.

[sqa37]

During the Viet Nam war the Super Bowl was instituted. Does Ben Stein think that was inappropriate? Similarly, during WWII games and entertainment continued, including the premier of "Oklahoma."

After the 9/11 attacks Dubya told us we should go about our lives as normal or "the terrorists would win." Part of that is watching celebrities. Bush has not really asked for any sacrifice except from people in the military, and of our civil liberties.

Even when we do pay attention to the war the president shows little interest in listening to people who disagree with him. I am sure some of the powers that be actually like the celebrity obsession since it distracts us from looking at what they are doing on Wall Street and in Washington.

[livt]

After listening to Ben Stein's admonition regarding what "we" are interested in regarding the news and how "we" should be paying attention to news regarding nuclear weapons and the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, I became outraged.
The MEDIA needs this lecture, not the CBS Sunday Morning viewer. It is the MEDIA that controls what we will hear and learn. The news on TV and the newspapers blast us with top news stories on celebrities, and it is the MEDIA that gives international and defense news a secondary status. I would prefer to not be asked by Ben Stein, "Are we stupid?" but rather how long do "we" have to put up with this, and what can "we" do about the media's focus on celebrities and their problems. What can "we" do to make sure that our top news is news about the war in the middle east, the dying in Darfur, and international nuclear capabilities. And when these stories are reported, what can "we" do about how they are sandwiched between insignificant stories and commercials!
The finger that Ben Stein points out to "us" should be redirected and pointed right back at the news media and broadcast companies that are in control. "We" may be making the mistake of watching, listening, or reading the newspapers.

[mountainmick]

Bravo to Bad Ben, in his signature deadpan manner he manages to hit the nail on the head. Yes, the "media" is what feeds us this Paris pandering pablum, but they also give us what we will accept. We are becoming increasingly vacuous and shallow, so that our value system reflects a fixation with the superficial and banal. Is Ben right that the "enemy" is out there seriously gunning for us? Well, just look back to the 90's and the Clinton days when they were at war with us and we were clueless--First Trade Center attack, Kaobe Towers, The Cole attack, our embassies...maybe they didn't attack us in Iraq, but we have been under attack for at least ten fifteen years now and it doesn't look to be getting any better. Wake up America. Thanks Ben for the parental lecture.

[anneg_sv]

Ben Stein goes on CBS and gives credence to the LIE that Iraq was behind 9/11. And then he has the gaul to wonder why Americans tune into the regular news only for celebrity gossip.

You know what? I'm also sick and tired of hearing about Paris Hilton. You know what I'm even more sick of?

Being LIED to.

When you LIE, Ben, people don't trust you about important things. Which is why it's getting to the point that Paris Hilton is the only story people will listen to.

Note that the LIAR (Ben) oh-so-carefully phrased it so that it wasn't completely inaccurate - yes, maybe there are a few Al Qaeda fighters in Iraq - at least, there are now, scattered among the thousands of insurgents who are hurting the US. They are there because the US opened the door for them. They weren't in Iraq on 9/11/2001 and Iraq didn't attack us.

The fact that he took so much care to disguise his LIE with a veneer of reality he could hide behind doesn't make him less of a LIAR.

It only makes him a sneakier one.

[g20011005]

Thanks Ben for keeping your perspective in such a time as we live in . All of us feel the same re: Paris Hilton & I am grateful for your commentary as usual ( Brilliant ). I really wish our media would keep up with the American people, and not tie the weight around our necks that our countries' enemies would have us held down by.