Ben Stein on gun control

[ghitch75]

the anti's need to watch this....

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7418644n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

 

[Hunterdad]

Short and sweet....I liked it.

 

[Deus Machina]

And I just respect Ben Stein more and more.
Edit: At least in most political regards.

 

[fatcat4620]

Can I get a synopsis, I am at work.

 

[Pilot]

Spot on. It is such an emotional issue for antis that they can't even see or think straight. Ban crazy people!

 

[303tom]

Spot on, bring back the death penalty...........Murder should can carry the death penalty !

 

[Snag]

Can I get a synopsis, I am at work.

He pretty much said that "There is nothing easy or simple between the relationship of gun control and crime". In other words strict gun control doesn't equal low crime or murder rates.

 

[jman74]

Short, sweet, and well said.

 

[Sam1911]

He pretty much said that "There is nothing easy or simple between the relationship of gun control and crime". In other words strict gun control doesn't equal low crime or murder rates.

What is Ben Stein's background on the subject from which to comment?

I mean it is nice to be supported by a public figure, but we all know how annoying it is when some movie-dood stands up and says that guns are evil and should be banned -- we're all so quick to jump on how ignorant his statements are and how he should stick to what (little) he knows and go make movies or whatever -- but what qualifies Ben to do the same thing on our behalf?

(Not denigrating him, just curious.)

 

[CoRoMo]

IIRC, he served in the Nixon administration. I don't know for sure, but I think that might be the extent of his public service. I don't guess that would qualify him and I don't think he has a background on the subject.

 

[Snag]

(Not denigrating him, just curious.)

According to the Wiki page, I know some people don't like Wiki, Stein majored in econ at Columbia University's Columbia College, graduated with honors before attending Yale which he graduated in 1970. Then he was a trial lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission. He moved on to a political career as a speechwriter and lawyer for President Richard Nixon, and later for Gerald Ford.

On May 3, 1976, Time magazine speculated on the possibility of Stein having actually been Deep Throat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Stein

 

[primalmu]

Yale Law School (1970)
He's taught law throughout his career
Served under Nixon AND Ford

Honestly, he has far more credentials than most public figures. It's always nice to have someone who can use logic on your side...

 

[rodregier]

Rather similar sentiment to this:

There is always a well-known solution to every human problem--neat, plausible, and wrong.
- H. L. Mencken, Prejudices: Second Series, 1920

 

[A strange person]

I loved his documentary about persecution against education workers who don't believe in evolution, now I respect him even more. Not just for agreeing with me, that is, but for admitting that things just aren't simple. The idea that there even exists a viable solution for all social ills, to say nothing of whether or not man can determine what those solutions might be, is a childish delusion.

 

[MrDig]

A Link to Steins official Web page gives a truncated bio. http://www.benstein.com/bio.html
He does have credentials far greater than his Hollywood career suggest. I do have great respect for him.

 

[Rob G]

What is Ben Stein's background on the subject from which to comment?

I don't know Ben Stein's exact background in regards to 2A issues and so far as his professional career goes I think others have covered that pretty well. What I do know is this though, I have watched documentaries that he's made and heard him debate and lecture on a variety of things. Although I can't always agree with him I have seen that his opinions are the result of a great deal of research, rational thought, and common sense. In short they're not based on emotional whim, current fads, or half truths like the opinions of many other public figures.

My personal opinion, having Ben Stein on our side is a great thing. He's a great speaker and it's very hard to win a debate against him.

 

[Snag]

What sucks is most people when and if they see something like this will say "Hey that's the guy from Ferris Bueller's Day Off!" not "Hey that's the guy that was a lawyer for two presidents and who at one time was speculated to be Deep Throat!".

 

[JERRY]

i dont know his true stance on the 2nd Amendment but this video of his shows he is at least a logical man.

 

[fanchisimo]

I agree with Jerry's synopsis of this video. Ben Stein doesn't declare a side on gun control but says that there is no easy solution. I think he would take a side but as it is a complex issue where both sides' argument has merit, it becomes difficult.

 

[PT92]

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? (sorry I couldn't help myself ).

Stein is a brilliant intellect and academic and others have alluded to his law credentials as well. But he is also a financial guru and all-around multi-faceted kind of guy. The fact that he is one of the few 'out-of-the-closet' Hollywood conservatives who is now on the record as a supporter of the Second Amendment is nothing short of great!

 

[Spats McGee]

I agree with several of the others that this is "short, sweet, and well said."

I have only limited knowledge of Mr. Stein's credentials, but I have known for a long time that he was a lawyer.

 

[wow6599]

He would make a fine president for the NRA.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have a few of his books. He is great, and I love him, but there is also a downside. He says he did so much cocaine during the 80's he nearly solved the drug problem himself. Drew Pinsky asked him once why he didn't run for office, he said; "You don't understand. Everyone thinks they have a past, I REALLY have a past, it's not going to happen." He said he was wasted during all of the Ferris Bueller filming.

I was surprised to hear him come out as strongly as he did. He was the valedictorian of H.R, Clinton's Yale Law class, and he DESPISES her.

 

[JustinJ]

Its been a while since i saw his documentary but by Ben Stein's logic a biology professor should be allowed to teach physiology of unicorns.

I don't really see his comments as Pro 2A. All he's saying is that it is a complicated issue and fails to take a position one way or the other.

 

[mljdeckard]

That was just his closing. He pointed out that states with lax firearms laws do not show more crime, and that states with tight laws do not see a decrease in crime.