[dfwgator]

I agree the William Bennett has the right to gamble if he wants. But this is a guy who has made TONS of money from talking about virtue. Well, just as with the Dixie Chicks, you have a right to do as you please, but you are not immune from the consequences. Bennett's days of making money off of virtue are over.

[Mr. Mojo]

I agree, the hyprocrisy stinks to hell. His lectures about the "sins" of sex outside of marriage and smoking a joint in the privacy of one's own home will ring a big more hollow now. ....If that's indeed possible :)

[borkrules]

What a shame.

Who do you propose to replace Bill Bennett, or shall all of us sinners simply sit down and STFU about virtue, since we all are guilty of something?

[Mr. Bird]

In 1996 Margaret Carlson reported that Bennett won $60,000 in a single outing in Las Vegas. She was working for Newsweek. Newsweek "broke" this story in May '03. Any questions? It's a hatchet job. If we found out Bennett liked a triple stack of pancakes with a shot of bourbon, would people be incensed, or just confused?

This is a double whammy for Newsweek, because not only did he gamble, he did so with such large sums of money. What an inconsiderate, rich white guy. He could have donated that money to the local food kitchen, rather than use it to entertain himself.

Because it is entertainment, isn't it? In Las Vegas, dropping money in a slot machine has all the moral or amoral equivalence of watching a UNLV basketball game, or the National Finals Rodeo.

And lastly, when are we going to arrest the SCOTUS justices for their weekly poker game????

[Mamzelle]

Bennett's embarrassed, and should be, for behaving like a profligate Hollywood thrill-seeker. Throwing away millions (if the stories are accurate as to amounts) for the rush of a moment's risk speaks directly to his judgement. Keep in mind, this guy makes more than most people earn in a year by giving one speech, and that speech is about "values, moderation, tradition."

Gambling is legal, the way he gambles. You can argue that gambling is not immoral, with some success. But there are many out there disappointed that Bill Bennett is so *silly* and frivolous with the great resources at his disposal. And no matter how rich he is, eight million in losses (once again, if true) just might point to someone out of control.

Those who claim that we're "eating our own" are overreacting. I think most conservatives expressing disapproval are appalled at the wasteful behavior, and that's as far as it goes. Bennett may find himself taken less seriously than he has been previously--it's not like he's being hauled to the pillory and caned. Bennett's no crybaby. He'll probably turn the whole "scandal" into an object lesson.

And, once again, we grassroots must endure a spectacle of leaders we trust being seduced by the trappings of celebrity and wealth. Dance with the one what brung ya, and you might stay out of trouble, Bill.

[Ga Rob]

What is so "un-virtuous" about gambling??? Oh I know, it says in the bible not to do it, that's right. He has the money to lose let him lose it. By the way, there will be no consequences for this. The liberals have never bought a Bill Bennett book...as for the people who now hate him because he gambles...who cares.

[steve-b]

I agree the William Bennett has the right to gamble if he wants. But this is a guy who has made TONS of money from talking about virtue. Well, just as with the Dixie Chicks, you have a right to do as you please, but you are not immune from the consequences. Bennett's days of making money off of virtue are over.

***DING DING DING*** No more calls; we have a winner.