James Dobson: Flaming Liberal

The Fountain of Truth ^ | July 29, 2002 | Douglas F. Newman

[Moby Grape]

Well said....and doesn't it always seem to be the case here at FR, and other sites, that those who are the most ignorant use the most words to prove it.

[Diverdogz]

Any idiot who can't figure out that casino odds are stacked against him isn't going to hang on to his money very long anyway. If casinos don't get it - pawn shops, time-share salesmen, TV preachers, tobacco companies, prostitutes or any number of other scam artists will take it from them.

[realpatriot71]

Morning Ap! I hope this post finds you well :-)

When exactly are we supposed to let individuals make their own moral choices outside of some sort of stated dictated mandate? We're always going to have screw-ups. Does that now mean that responsible citizens cannot now enganage in an activity for which they find entertainment because some people cannot "keep it together"?

[AppyPappy]

That depends on whether fraud should be allowed. If you are going to sell a risky product, you should inform people of the risk. Especially if you are going to give them alcohol to facilitate the transaction.

[realpatriot71]

So, your position is that people are not informed enough by these institutions to make reasonable choices about gabling? If I'm off here, let me know.

[AppyPappy]

If you are going to sell a risky product, inform people of the risk. If you are going to sell a product or service while giving them alcohol, give them a period where they can change their decision when they sober up.

[biblewonk]

Gambling is legalized theft...fraud.

So are 30 year mortgages.

[realpatriot71]

What would you propose be done with gambling?

[BibChr]

I knew SOMEONE would miss the obvious; I just didn't know it would be you.

Force has nothing to do with it. The point is Luther is quoted as saying (in effect) that it would be silly to outloaw women because some men have some problems with them. From this it is reasoned that all overtly-morally-based laws are pointless.

That makes just as much sense as reasoning that laws against rape are pointless.

Did you follow, that time? I did type a little slower. (c;

Dan

[BibChr]

Thanks, I'd like to. In fact, I tried, a number of years ago, but the timing was bad (just switching editors, and my submissions, I think, got lost).

Dan

[AppyPappy]

1. Make the risks known to everyone just like the lottery.
2. If they are going to serve liquor, allow the gamblers to get their money back after 24 hours(a cooling off period). This is generally true of any large transaction where alcohol is served.

[BibChr]

...those who are the most ignorant use the most words to prove it

That's well-put. There does seem to be a stable of The Usual Suspects here at FR, always on the spot to vent the same cliches over and over and over again, never gaining one millimeter in their understanding, never letting go of one cherished misconception, piece of ignorance, or outright falsehood, doesn't there?

Dan

[BikerNYC]

I think it is...theft by deception.

They are fleecing the foolish who are clueless about how the whole thing really works...exploiting base human greed and avarice.

Oh, give me a break. And selling one's labor is exploitation, right? Nice liberal mantra.

When you go to a casino, you are paying for a good time: the entertainment, the shows, the food, the drinks. You are also paying for their electricity, their taxes and every other expense they incur. What you get out of it is fun and a chance, just a chance, of winning something.

Gambling is no more theft than buying a pair of jeans is theft. (Pssst...I don't want to break your bubble, but retail sales are rigged too...the house [if it's working right] always brings in more than it gives out in product.)

[realpatriot71]

You don't think that people are familiar enough with the "evils" associated with alcohol to make these kinds of decisions themselves? I think I might set a limit, such as a breathalyzer of .1-.15 (have guys at the door) that's when you begin to get pretty stupid depending on tolerance and body size.

[BikerNYC]

If they are going to serve liquor, allow the gamblers to get their money back after 24 hours(a cooling off period).

Have you ever been to an auction at Sotheby's or Christie's? They serve wine during previews and before some auctions. What do you think that does? It makes people more amenable to putting bids in for merchandise. Very effective sales tool. You think you are getting pampered and it makes you feel better about bidding on merchandise. Do you think you can go back after you bought the Matisse and claim you had a little too much to drink? Good luck.

Are all retailers supposed to now check your blood alcohol level before you buy their product?

[sonserae]

I agree with this guy. Christianity has been warped into a control thing. There was sin all around Jesus. Did he become a political figure and try and change laws to steer people towards Christianity? Nonsense. Christianity is based on the fact that when one changes one's heart toward Christ, as they become closer to Him, the desire for evil things diminishes. Never has laws changed a person's heart. Paul even mentions in the New Testament that the laws actually cause him to sin.

"When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced sinful deeds, resulting in death." Romans 7:5

We cannot force people to become Christians or not gamble or drink or take drugs. That is the person's responsibility. If one makes bad choices, one must suffer the consequences for those choices. Unfortunately, this world is now becoming the land of the scapegoats.

[AppyPappy]

Do you think you can go back after you bought the Matisse and claim you had a little too much to drink? Good luck.

Can or should?

[BikerNYC]

"Can" -- forgetaboutit.

"Should" -- You're a big boy...forgetaboutit. (Be careful. The coffee at McDonald's is very hot.)

[AppyPappy]

You don't think that people are familiar enough with the "evils" associated with alcohol to make these kinds of decisions themselves?

Never assume anything. People are smart enough to stay out of the way of charging bulls but they do it anyway.

The problem is not that you got drunk. The problem is when people knowingly take advantage of you while you are in that state.

[dubyagee]

If you are going to sell a product or service while giving them alcohol, give them a period where they can change their decision when they sober up.

They don't have to buy the product or service and they certainly don't have to drink the alcohol. What about the man/woman that goes to a bar, gets drunk, and proceeds to commit adultery and possible AIDS. Should they, too, be allowed to change their decision once they sober up? Oops! I forgot. Can't happen.