Why Do Conservatives So Quickly Abandon Their Own?

Cathryn Crawford

[Cathryn Crawford]

Isn't it true that a lot of the bashing of Bill Bennett is simply due to the fact that conservatives naturally rejoice in the misfortunes of their own? The ability of the conservative movement to abandon their own people when they are even slightly attacked by the liberal/media establishment is absolutely astounding.

Why are conservatives so quick to judge their own? Are we afraid? Are we so afraid of being tainted by a scandal that we will so easily turn away at the first sight of blood?

This is a serious and long-term issue among conservatives that deserves to be adressed.

[Mamzelle]

How is gambling bad?

A matter of perspective, judgement, moderation. Do you think we'd be taken aback (and that's what we are...nobody's got their pitchforks and torches out for Bennett) if we were talking about the guys getting together for poker, cigars, spitting, scratching, and swearing?

Millions of dollars in losses (if that's what it is) is surely lacking in moderation, and brings with it the taint of the swaggering Hollywood high-rollers who pay wads of cash for a brief thrill. Throwing that kind of money away is simply a contempt for hard work. Unseemly. Indiscreet. Tacky, tacky, tacky. "Waste not, want not."

Such glitter and excess is not the image that conservatives choose to ally themselves with. But he's hardly being lynched, you know, to have to listen to the annoyance and disapproval of his fellow conservatives. Bennett's a big boy.

I did not appreciate Jonah Goldberg's apologia--and I'm fond of Goldberg. Perhaps the elites ought to be aware of how they come across to us, the "rank and file" conservative, and take a few pains not to offend. Goldberg runs with the elites, perhaps, more than he's aware.

Bennett is a pundit. His fortune comes with a public.

[Scenic Sounds]

The hellish thing about what you just said is...shh, don't tell anyone...what he did was okay! There was nothing wrong with it! People CHOSE to make a big deal about it. It's just crap.

Well, the extent to which HE was talking about it (or conversely, attempting to conceal it) might be relevant to the issue of whether this activity was a problem for him. I don't know to what extent he was talking or writing about this "hobby" of his.

Generally, though, I tend to agree with your major premise that recreational gambling is usually no one else's business.

[habs4ever]

The money isn't relative because gambling is a vice that unless treated as a profession and done methodically, you will lose.When you stay in a losing game, you are irrational, and to blow $8mil is VERY stupid.He had no concept of the risk he was taking, and you bet smaller when you get on a losing streak, and yet the slots have a brutal %, and did he adjust his bets accordingly? Nope, he kept on sailing.

Plus, you aren't his financial advisor, lawyer or accountant, so how can you be in a postion to say he could afford to lose that amount? Do you know the state of his marriage, or his homelife and what toll his addiction has taken on those aspects of his life?You want to believe him, but me, all I see is a guy that pissed away a lot of money doing something very stupid,over and over and over, and that is a red flag waving which makes me doubt his judgment on any number of things.

[Scenic Sounds]

To an amateur, it could be so

Sure can. I'm sure both of us know people who have sat in front of computer terminals playing OEX futures, etc. in a fashion that can only be described as gambling. LOL

But certainly you're right that most investing/trading is readily distinguishable from video poker.

[fml]

By reading your post, it sounds like you know the guy personally and he's poured out his inner thoughts to you. How do you know the lies he tells himself? How do you know his urge is uncontrollable, are you a family friend.

No where does it say he lost 8 million, it says he bought the chips, he said he broke even. I can't agree he's automatically an addict because he did something you would do differently.

[habs4ever]

An addict doesn't change his bet size or take the money off the table.Did he leave it on account with the casino to use as collateral for a binge? To stay up until dawn, pulling the slots, isn't the sign of a healthy gambler, chum.

[Cathryn Crawford]

So, do you think my opinions are elitist?

(Martin, this one's for you!)

[Cathryn Crawford]

How do you know he had no concept of what he's doing? The questions you ask me apply to your opinions, too.

[TLBSHOW]

Conservatives are more intellectually honest...but overreact a lot to keep from being tainted by the stain of scandal.
......
And this is one more nothing issue as the Trent Lott issue was.

[John Lenin]

I agree, a conservative will cut off his nose to spite his face. This is why the demoRATS get away with the double standard that they enjoy. It's time to force the RATS to put up or shutup.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Thank you...did you enjoy the MW ping?

[Cathryn Crawford]

I know it, and you know it, but do they know it?

[HitmanLV]

I think to an extent, conservatives have integrity and are basically unwilling to defend the undefendable.

As far as Bennett goes, its not much of an issue.

[Scenic Sounds]

Sure did, thanks.

And you keep up the good work!!

[Cathryn Crawford]

Gracias, amigo...keep agreeing with me! :-) LOL

[TLBSHOW]

I know it, and you know it, but do they know it?

Good evening Cathryn and the answer is no they don't.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Good evening, Todd, and I think a lot of times...you're right!

[John Lenin]

Big deal Bennet gambles, it's not like he coaches a baseball team and is betting against his own team.