Ben Stein is a Monster

A while ago, I published a post titled Ben Stein is an Ass. What I didn't realize at the time is that he is also a misogynistic monster. In response to the recent rape accusations against the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Ben Stein has written a horribly misguided and out-dated op-ed. It almost has to be read to be believed, but Stein trots out a long list of 'points' that run the gamut from old-school misogyny to just plain bizarre.

I don't know if I want Stein's words gracing the pages of my blog, so I think I'll just offer a quick summary of his points:

1.) Once a man reaches a certain age, if he hasn't yet been caught for a crime, he cannot possibly be now. It's like a statute of limitations, but for a man's age rather than the time since the crime.

2.) If no one with a particular subset of shared characteristics with the accused has ever been charged with a certain crime before, then the accused clearly should also not be charged with that crime, because that would make the accusation an anomaly, and what are the chances of that? That's about as likely as a bacterial flagellum evolving!

3.) Old fat men need a weapon to rape a woman. Other forms of physical or mental intimidation and coercion clearly don't exist.

4.) It's crazy to claim someone is a flight risk when he was arrested on a flight leaving the country if he happened to book the ticket months in advance.

5.) Rich, important men shouldn't have to be remanded if they graciously offer to put themselves up in more comfortable accommodations.

6.) How could we possibly take a maid's rape allegations seriously when Ben Stein has had maids in the past that have stolen some of his stuff?

7.) The media shouldn't rampantly speculate on ongoing high-profile cases. This is a point that surprisingly approaches legitimacy, but it should count extra because Ben Stein is friends with famous people.

8.) When rich people are accused of crimes, it's because poor people are jealous.