Posted on 03/03/2005 10:54:41 PM PST by Former Military Chick
I'm glad to see that there are two posters with their heads screwed on straight. This whole thread is full of apologists.
As I mentioned on the thread I do not have children, we hope one day to adopt but I have had the opportunity to be around children and during my young years worked as a nanny in Washington, DC.
I have to agree, keeping a diary/journal is one of the most wonderful things you can pass down to your children. I started keeping mine when I was 14 and have kept them for almost the last 30 years and hope one day to pass them down if not to our children then to a friends children.
I have written of my UP's/downs, my love's my losses, high school, college, marriage, death, divorce, remarriage, cancer, happiness, sorrow, Germany, Keeshounds, Washington, DC, Missouri, Illinois, United States Air Force, my Mom, my dad the lists goes on. It is the record of my life.
I do not write professionally but I do agree that one day Ben's writings I have no doubt will be treasured by Tommy.
I encourage all that read this thread to consider keeping a journal or at the very least write a letter of your hopes/dreams for your children/grandchildren and find a moment and give it to them, it will help them on their road to life and happiness.
I just wanted to agree that jocon307 was refreshing and honest. Which as I have said is one of the reasons I love Free Republic, that we can exchange thoughts and learn from one another. Even when we do not always agree with one another.
Our greatest accomplishes are indeed what is done inside the walls of our own homes. That we instill in our young people the tools to live honest, healthy and loving lives.
I guess this will happen after we get that oil pipeline built.... But I guess there is some progress here - Logan didn't mention Haliburton even once!
Ben is a fine writer. Perhaps he should not have detailed his life with his son, but, perhaps he was hoping that we might learn from his experiences or more importantly see ourselves in his relationship with his son.
Teens are a tough crowd. I may have earned the respect from my parents but I can assure being a teen wasn't the easiest time of my life, I cannot even imagine if either of my folks were to write about it in a column. One day Tommy will take the time to read his dad's words. It may not be until he is a dad but I have no doubt he will see himself as a father and learn from his dad.
Frankly, I think if Mr. Stein were to read this thread he would learn a great deal from his fellow conservatives and fans. So, I commend you on your observations and I am proud to call you friends and fellow Freepers.
Agree. A journal allows those who come after us to live and know all about our lives through our writings. Can't beat it. Happy writing. :)
Thanks for the comment, I can atest to one thing, there are many years of writing that I could perhaps go up against the best doc's and their prescription writing, I have a tough time reading the words.
Sorry for the late reply, but I think you nailed this one. Stein spends a great deal of time moving amongst the Hollywoids and I suspect that this behavior is fairly normal for them. The kid is drowning in affluence, IMHO.
Ha,ha...maybe you should have them all transcribed into a book for your children and their familes. Wouldn't that be neat?
ping
Stein has to get his son healthy and functional into adulthood. It isn't easy to do in L.A. if you have money, unless you sharply curtail your youngster's freedom.
Teens are hard to raise and I've only had one for a few months. But I was one! In L.A! So I know a little bit about their behavior. I hope we never hear about Tommy in the news.
Ben Stein is one of the coolest cats to ever walk the planet.
Absolutely adore him !
Thanks for posting.
Ben Stein's article is more revealing than many would realize at first glance.
It's a intimate story told in everyday incidents about his concerns for the world, his family, and the questions that plague a mature person, "Did I do right? Did I do enough? Do I see things correctly and have them in proper perspective?"
A younger person does not ponder these things so deeply.
>>>
Im pretty young and I know exactly what he was talking about.
Im very annoyed by other freepers bagging on Ben.
He is a very decent swell guy !
I will never forget him visiting St Patrick's after 9/11 and praying.
A lot of heart.
FMC,
I gotta come back to this thread to congratulate you for starting a true discussion here. All the controversy in this article, I'm sure Ben Stein knew it was there when he wrote it. And as a devoted visitor to Spectator.org I was interested to see what letters they'd publish about it. To date, not a one. Unless I missed 'em, if so, I'd crave a correction.
You hosted the dialogue about this column here, and even the publishing site avoided it. I'm pretty sure "they got letters!" about this piece.
Good job! It's stuff like this that makes FR truly the best place in all of cyberspace!
I agree, to be able to debate, sometimes heated, we as a group can agree to disagree and there is nothing wrong with that all.
It is wonderful to be able to have this avenue. It would not surprise me if you were right that this would have the intended affect that it had. I thought perhaps some saw themselves as they read it and lashed out at the messenger rather than themselves. Of course I have concrete evidence but it is an opinion.
I am kind of shocked that the Spectator did not print any letter's as it pertained to Ben's article. With the discussion we have on Free Republic, no telling the free reign on another site -- it could get ugly. Maybe we should send a note to them sharing your observations, letting them know they missed a golden opportunity. Just a thought.
We sure did have a dialogue and that is what I feel FR is all about. I look forward to reading your future comments.
Again thank you so very much.
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