Why in the world would Ben Stein call Ron Paul an "antisemite"—a sickening slander—and therefore try to destroy him? Perhaps because Ben is a warmongering Keynesian and Republican conservative. Perhaps because Ben has long been upset at Ron's success against the holy Fed. And certainly because Stein sought to discredit Ron for delving into the causes of terrorism (basically, they're over here because we're over there), and for opposing  perpetual war on the Muslims, which for some reason they don't like. The whole incident reminded me of the time during the last campaign when the Repcon Christian Values Voters Summit booed Ron for saying he worshipped the Prince of Peace. Instead, Repcons want us to offer more victims to the Demon of War.

N.B. By tossing this mudball of hate at the greatest gentleman you would ever hope to meet, Ben Stein has done himself some harm. He is not the first to learn this lesson, ha ha (as my niece puts it).

UPDATE: Will Ben apologize? I predict he will be forced into it, though it will probably be a non-apology apology. (Thanks to Steve Vance)

UPDATE: "Repcon" is short for Republican conservative, not reptilian conservative, though come to think of it...

UPDATE from George:

To answer your question, Dr. Paul, unlike Rep. Lee, who was simply a shill for the Obama administration, was challenging the rationale of the so-called war on terror. Rather than giving a substantive response to Dr. Paul, Stein employed the standard neocon tactic of labeling his opponent an "anti-Semite". It essentially was a silly and cowardly dodge, but I am confident that those with more than half a brain were able to see through this trick. BTW, Stein is a real jerk on the economy too. If you look at his recent economic writings, he was talking up the Fed and the Bush administration and the Obama stimulus all the way to the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression--and like you I do not think the downturn is over.