The Man of Virtues Has a Vice (Bill Bennett gambles)

Newsweek ^ | 1/2/03 | Jonathan Alter and Joshua Green

[Callahan]

May 2 — In his best-selling anthology, “The Book of Virtues,” William J. Bennett writes: “We should know that too much of anything, even a good thing, may prove to be our undoing…[We] need to set definite boundaries on our appetites.”

DOES BENNETT? The popular author, lecturer and Republican Party activist speaks out, often indignantly, about almost every moral issue except one-gambling. It’s not hard to see why. According to casino documents, Bennett is a “preferred customer” in at least four venues in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, betting millions of dollars over the last decade. His games of choice: video poker and slot machines, some at $500 a pull. With a revolving line of credit of at least $200,000 at each casino, Bennett, former drug czar and Secretary of Education under Presidents Reagan and Bush, doesn’t have to bring money when he shows up at a casino.

(link for full article)

[discostu]

Given that he likes the slots maybe he just digs the noise and the lights, slots provide a lot more of those than chance to actually make any money. People are just way too uptight.

[The Wizard]

get a life, judge not that ye be not judged

[discostu]

I would take those bets but many here would condemn me as immoral for doing so.

[TC Rider]

And if this happened 25 years ago (or before), the guy's carcass would either be sitting on the bottom of Lake Tahoe with a 500 lb weight attached to his ankles or out roasting in the middle of the Nevada desert somewhere.

No doubt. Could still happen.

[Uncle Hal]

I am truly sorry to hear this. Bill is a very articulate spokesmen for the conservative side. Gambling can be very addictive. Obviously its his money and he can do what ever he wants but this is not a good sign and does not make for a good roll model. I fully understand no body is perfect. If true I hope he can break the habit.

[hchutch]

Precisely.

But there are no fun allowed elements, both ont he left and right.

In fact, didn't Jim Robinson say that we were supposed to have fun?

[CA Conservative]

What if you're a coke or heroin addict? If you're still able to support your family, and it's not causing you any financial trouble, what's the fuss? Well, Bennett would find quite a fuss in that.

Nice straw man argument. You must be a libertarian. You compare a legal pasttime, that has no health implications, to an activity that is illegal and can cause many health problems, including death. Using this false analogy, you try to justify the activity with real legal and moral implications. But it doesn't wash.

[The Wizard]

it's his money to do with as he pleases.....not to spend in a way you want him too

[mabelkitty]

Damn! You beat me to it.

[mabelkitty]

LMAO!!

[Porterville]

It is too much money for a person who puts themselves on a higher moral plane... money contains an inherent power in this world; to squander that power in such a manner while claiming to care about the well being of this world is hypocritical at best.... oppurtunistic at least...and not appropriate behavior at all.

I'm a slob, I accept that... but I will not do one thing, while telling others how sinnly they are behaving...couldn't do it...

Ask yourself, "Would I behave this way in his position??"

[willieroe]

Is there a biblical prohibition on gambling or sex before marriage?

I read this, at first, as "gambling on sex before marriage."

[mabelkitty]

Actually, you have a point.

How would this be a story then?

[TC Rider]

Who wants to bet they checked every whore house and escort service in Vegas trying to find chicks or dudes??

You give them too much credit. I'm betting on a low level clerk with access to too much information. Thought they would be a hero on DU and dropped a dime on Bill.

Somewhat like the barmaid who squealed on the Bush Twins for drinking.

[Warhead W-88]

GIVE ME SOME OF THAT SWEET ACTION!!!

[Capt. Tom]

I'm glad you liked it. A few years back a friend of mine made up a plaque of my saying "Anythng done in moderation shows a lack of interest' and he mailed it to me.

It hangs on my bedroom wall and I see it each morning.

I'm older now and I can tell I am losing interest in things since I have slipped into moderation on just about everything. - Tom

[The Wizard]

who are you to say he has problems....do you know him, have you ever talked to him

[tiki]

I like to gamble too.

[discostu]

That's why I always wear a party hat while on FReep, how could I not have fun!

[mabelkitty]

And they are correct.

I gamble, but I don't want it here in my state.

I'm good at math. I know what the end game is.