Ben Stein Shunned by Academy

And by "academy" I mean THE academy.

Comedian, economist, speechwriter and game show host Ben Stein withdrew as speaker at the University of Vermont's spring commencement ceremonies Monday after concerns arose about his opinions on evolutionary theory, intelligent design and the role of science in the Holocaust.

UVM President Dan Fogel said people on and off campus were unhappy with the university giving Stein an honorary degree and when Fogel expressed those concerns to Stein, he immediately declined the invitation to speak.

source

The most important part of this story is the following: It turns out that Stein's speaking fee was to be $7,500. That makes him pretty small time for a guy who's been in so many films. He'd already lost his grip. Now, he's losing his status.

Good bye, ben:

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That video made me laugh!

I think it's because they all look like "Grad Student Greg" from the photos in the sidebar.

They pay people to give them honorary degrees? Where do I sign up!

And by "academy" I mean THE academy.

I had no idea that the University of Vermont is so definitive.

By Pierce R. Butler (not verified) on 04 Feb 2009 #permalink

I think Ben Stein is going to be shunned by that other academy as well.

By Virgil Samms (not verified) on 05 Feb 2009 #permalink