Dear Ben Stein: ...?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>Does anyone else fail to see the logic in [url=<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/23/business/yourmoney/23every.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=9a4efbdf117d51c8&ex=1131426000%5Dthese%5B/url"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/23/business/yourmoney/23every.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=9a4efbdf117d51c8&ex=1131426000]these[/url&lt;/a&gt;] [url=<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/business/yourmoney/06every.html?oref=login%5Dtwo%5B/url"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/business/yourmoney/06every.html?oref=login]two[/url&lt;/a&gt;] New York Times articles?</p>

<p>First he talks about how he loves Yale. Then he accuses Yale of being an investment bank. Then, in the second article, he switches tack and talks about how he gives alumni donations because he has such fond memories of the place.</p>

<p>But his historical reasons for giving money to Yale have nothing to do with his original question of whether or not the present Yale is a money-grubber.</p>

<p>Did someone press him to back down? Or did he just get weak-kneed at the last moment about criticizing his alma mater? In any case, it sort of dims my admiration of the place to think that a valedictorian of Yale's law school (although, as he repeatedly emphasizes, not because of his grades!) could earnestly write "I love Yale, and I am deeply grateful to Yale. It is a star in my sky every day and night."</p>

2

<p>That was the worst-written article I've read in a long time. I cannot believe Ben Stein is a Yale Law alum, or that he writes for the New York Times. And I especially can't believe he calls himself an economist.</p>

3

<p>After reading the second article, it's apparent Stein got bashed for criticizing David Swenson. And it's obvious he doesn't know what he's talking about. So when so many readers were outraged by his ill-formed thoughts, he did a 360.</p>

4

<p>Not only does he have a degree from Yale Law, the top-rated law school in the country, he was the class VALEDICTORIAN. Really makes you wonder about law education!</p>

<p>Yes, that bachelor degree in Economics didn't do him any good either.</p>

<p>By the way, his alma mater is Columbia, not Yale.</p>

5

<p>well valedictorian back then was not based on grades, it was voted upon by the class (as he states)</p>

6

<p>Yes, they LIKED this self-important don't-know-what-he-is-talking-about cretin.</p>

7

<p>He was in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, so frankly, he's the greatest living Yale alum... But he was completely off target with his original oped, and his recant is an obvious bow to the yale alumni who berated him for his criticism.</p>

8

<p>just a note... if someone does a 360, they don't actually change direction. perhaps a 180 :)</p>