The Rocky Mountain Collegian

The Great Issues Committee won't be getting coal in its stocking this Christmas, since neither Saint Louis University students nor Santa Claus himself can deny that it is giving the students what they want: Ben Stein.

Stein, a respected political pundit, former speechwriter and comedian, was the students' top choice of four offered in the Great Issues Committee's poll. The poll offered students four equally formidable options, including unconventional legal hero Erin Brockovich, professional-wrestler-turned-politician Jesse Ventura and "Late Late Show" host Craig Kilborn.

The committee should be commended for doing exactly what any group charged with spending such a large chunk of the students' money should: It offered students four great options, conducted a poll to find out which speaker the students would like to have on campus and made it happen. Other student groups, namely the Student Activities Board, should take note.

Stein's talk promises to appeal to a large and varied audience, blending humor and current events. The event could draw as many individuals from the SLU community as former Attorney General Janet Reno, who spoke last spring on "International Aspects of American Justice." This predicted turn-out speaks to Stein's popularity--and the quality of the committee's choice.

A former Nixon speechwriter, Stein is arguably more famous for his roles in numerous television shows and films, including a role as a doctor in "The Mask" and Ferris' astoundingly monotone economics teacher in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Some of his television credits include "Turn Ben Stein On" and "Win Ben Stein's Money," a Comedy Central game show that he starred in and produced on the show, he offered contestants a chance to test his supreme intelligence.

The Great Issues Committee is off to a good start for the coming semester with their decision to bring Stein to campus. School spirit, which many consider SLU to be lacking, is always raised when a big name speaker like Stein comes to our University.

The Great Issues Committee did exactly what an organization should do when looking to invest the students' money in bringing a speaker to campus.

It asked students what they wanted and is making it happen, and its members should be commended for taking the initiative to poll students and bring in such a renowned and popular speaker.

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