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)

[BobS]

Bennett should try craps. Full odds. Definitely not boring.
But if you stick out like a sore thumb, you're at a disadvantage:(

[nutmeg]

Did you see the photo of President Bush and Bill Bennett that accompanies this article on the pMSNBC/Newsweak site? I don't think they could've possibly found a more unflattering photo of the two.

[jd777]

I think the point is you can sit at that machine and nobody knows or sees how much you're losing. When you're really into it maybe you want your "habit" between you and the one-armed bandit!

[jd777]

Coke and Heroin vs. Gambling? Are you kidding me with this? How about: Apples vs. Oranges

Good point. Nobody could take $300,000 worth of coke over a long weekend in Vegas.

[brneyedgirl]

Blowing $8 million dollars is harm in itself!

[stevem99]

If Bennett believes that gambling is not a problem, why does Empower America include gambling in its "Index of Leading Cultural Indicators." And it doesn't just address problem gamblers, but notes how much is spent, how many people gamble and so on.

Are we supposed to believe they included it because they felt it was a POSITIVE indicator?

[jporcus]

Point being; almost every player loses. Almost certainly almost every regular gambler loses.

Would you consider it losing if the casino charged you $100 to enter to "have fun," and then let you play the games with fake chips? If you play craps, you can easily play for a few hours very cheaply by playing the pass line and taking odds. It might cost you a few bucks. Yes, on average you will "lose" those dollars, but you've gotten some entertainment.

[kcvl]

WebEditors@newsweek.com

[goldstategop]

Gambling isn't really about "winning" or "losing" money; its about having fun. And in the casinos, you can enjoy schmoozing with others. Of course you would be happier if you did hit the jackpot but that's not why people flock to them. I tend to be a believer in the credo "avoid extremes and moderation in all things." As long as one doesn't bet one's house or life savings, one ought to consider gambling a harmless recreational pasttime. Bill Bennett would indeed be a moral hypocrite if he committed adultery or engaged in drug abuse, two topics he rails against in his moral tomes. But he doesn't mention gambling in them as far I know and he hasn't broken any law, harmed any one, or hurt his family. This is the best liberals can come up with? You know, what's really funny is how they take Bennett's gambling as a heinous offense but they were blase about Clinton's getting a blow job by a woman who was NOT even his wife. In the list of sins people commit, Bennett's is not even a big one and he's a private citizen engaged in a legal activity just like millions of his fellow Americans do. Do I think reckless gambling is wrong? Sure and I don't know of any one who defends it. But by the same measure most people see nothing wrong with placing an occasional bet every now and then on a good game or two. Its all about relaxing with your fellow men and women and having a good time.

[chasio649]

apparently i'm not....go ahead and defend him cause he says things you like to hear.

[Happy2BMe]

Awrite Bill - fess up - you've been

BUSTED!!

[Happy2BMe]

"I assume there's an inside-the-beltway reason this is coming out now...perhaps to keep him out of a W2 administration?"

Methinks ye be onto the trail of the monster, me lad.

My wife and I get sucked into the casino way to often - it's a hard habit to break.

But I wouldn't want to know it if Bill were out squandering big money in Vegas in his off time as the Sec of Ed. - it just wouldn't set right with me.

True it's his money.

You just can't depend on ANY gubberment (or for that matter anyone) public figure as a role model beyond reproach anymore. For that matter - reproach isn't even considered anymore in a morally deficient society, irregardless of what brand or label of political party one might wear.

[Happy2BMe]

"Blowing $8 million dollars is harm in itself!"

You can certainly say THAT again.

This is just another example of how NOT to idolize people - you just CAN'T do it and expect not to be let down.

I really like B.B. as a person, and his squandering million$ in the dregs of Vegas is most definitely a let down on his part.

It's an example of hypocrisy undesireable in a moral leader, pure and simple, regardless of how you feel about gambling on a personal level.

[Biblebelter]

William Bennett is a windbag. So is his buddy Jack Kemp. They may be conservative, but I cannot say that their efforts have helped the cause much recently, say in the last four or five years. I have never much liked Bill Bennett, I always thought this was a prejudice of mine, stemming from the fact that his brother was one of the lowest forms of life, that being a weasel, known as a Washington lawyer. I kinda like gambling myself, and I have some respect for real gamblers. However, I cannot say video poker and slot machines have much to do with gambling anymore that voyeurism has to do with sexual intercourse. As I said Bennett is just a windbag, who talks the talk, but I have no evidence that he has walked the walk, but that could be said of most the politicians and Washington talking heads. Poor Sean Hannity, he will probably find it necessary not only to defend Bill Bennett, but also defend that video poker is a form of gambling, and lots of real mean kick back playing video poker as a form of relaxation. Bill Bennett should retire to the more anonymous Washington life with the likes of Bob Livingston. If only Newt would follow suit also.

[mickie]

"William Bennett is a windbag. So is his buddy Jack Kemp"

I could not agree more with that statement.
Bennett has no control.....he has gained tons of weight in the last couple of years.
He is not a very nice person, and I feel sorry for his family!

[sinkspur]

Blowing $8 million dollars is harm in itself!

Not if you're worth $80 million.

[BobS]

I think the point is you can sit at that machine and nobody knows or sees how much you're losing.

I think he just wants to sit too much. He could stand around a crap table and make 15 friends at once on a hot streak. I took $4000 off the tables during the Holidays but there are a few rules. I want to get back, but just can't get around to it!

[toothseaquer]

Any money received by taking a chance is not good money. We have a dozen Indian casinos locally and mostly seniors on limited income and Indians/Mexicans go there and it is reversed ''Robin Hood''. Stealing from the poor to make Indians rich. Las Vegas is full of gamblers anonymous groups and the worst addicts are women. If you really think about it in a profound way, gambling is immoral. It attracts the dredges of society like prostitutes, drug dealers and the mafia and all other dark minded types. I will always believe that receiving money by chance is immoral.
To close my arguement, have you ever noticed the opulent casinos and wonder who paid for them?

[BobS]

Its all about relaxing with your fellow men and women and having a good time.

Exactly! I use it as an escape from LA and deliberately have fun. And sometimes get a phone number if I find the right lady and we are having fun (I'm not married).