Wednesday, October 07, 2009

heard Ben Stein speak


Last night Eric and I attended the Washington Policy Center's annual dinner. His boss bought a table for the event. I wasn't looking forward to it since I don't really follow politics, unless the Daily Show counts, and because I didn't know what to wear. I know, as if it were all about me. But it actually was a fascinating event. There were about 1100 attendees at the downtown Sheraton. We ate a scrumptious surf-n-turf dinner (just like something served on Top Chef!) and listened to a few talks, Ben Stein being the keynote speaker.

The Wall Street Journal's Steve Moore ended his remarks with something like, each generation has a gift to give America. There was the generation that won world war 1, there was the greatest generation, he said a couple of others and then said he hopes the history books in 100 years will say of our generation that we saved America from Socialism. He was so fired up, so passionate about his words. And the crowd was right with him.

He started his remarks with a couple of jokes. One of them wasn't one you'd repeat at the church pulpit. The crowd's reaction paved the way for Ben Stein's jokes. He got a read of the crowd and just kept going. I think he told 4 before he got into the meat of his talk. He kept saying, I'll just tell one more, or 15. Hilarious. And his voice was so distinct, a deep, scratchy pinched tone. He said a lot but I remember the end the best. He lives near the rich and famous in Malibu and he said that they're nice people, they've done some good movies and such, but the real stars are our nations military and their wives. Stein lives half the time in DC and goes to the VA hospital and talks with the recovering soldiers and their families. He walks to Arlington and he talked of moments like this that he sees every time he is there.

I felt like I grew up a bit because of this dinner. Discourses made me want to at least try to understand more about what is going on in our country. I just let everything happen around me. I can't see that I'll ever campaign for anyone (except my husband), I hate watching the news shows. They are all spun one way or another and there isn't a personality that I can take for more than a few minutes, but I can read right? Link me to your favorite political blogs. And God bless America.

5 comments:

Satoko said...

Wow, it seems like you had an eye opening experience! I am not politically involved either...(since I don't have a right to vote in this country) but you made me want to get more involved.

Shannon said...

This was an inspiring post, Paige. I tend to tune out anything that involves politics, partly because - as you say - "they are all spun one way or another", and partly because I hate contention. But I should invest more energy in staying current in honor of the freedoms I have.
And hurray for surf, turf & stimulating conversation!

Torrie said...

bethany should be able to hook you up with some political sites. she is very involved.
and good for you, we all should care more, it just seems to be one of those things that just passes by me, like a lot of other things.

and yea for a night out with your husband, that can be a nice thing.
and good food cooked by someone else is ALWAYS a welcome thing in my book!

Paige said...

But I think Bethany wouldn't have appreciated this meeting. I think she's on the other side of politics than most of the people at this event. But that's true, she is involved.

-::bee::- said...

Ha - true, I am a leftie. However, with regards to websites, http://www.slate.com is an excellent site for politics (they have lots of other content as well). It's very informative about the issues without being right or left. I also look to NPR and PBS for unbiased political news.

And, to be honest, I do get most of my news from the Daily Show as well. :)