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)

[what's up]

I have no problem with gambling...it can be fun.

However, slots and video poker have terrible odds. He would do better with blackjack.

[Fizzie]

It appears that the casinos in question released confidential player tracking information to the press. Big no-no. Bennett might have a case against those casinos... and he definitely ought to take his business elsewhere. Double whammy on them!

And I'm in agreement with most of the posters. It's Bennett's money, he can afford it, so it's a form of entertainment for him.

[CA Conservative]

Well I think Bennet has made comments in regards to gambling when discussing the overall moral decay in this country.

Read the article. It states very clearly that he has not made any moral statements concerning gambling, although Empower America, the group with whom he is associated, has come out against states using gambling as a source of revenue.

[MattinNJ]

If you like gambling occasionally, I don't see it as being a vice. On the other hand if it becomes an obssession and you lose your shirt along with the stakes, that's a whole 'nother story.

I agree that it's another story and a tragic one at that. I just don't think it's a vice. If Bennet makes big bucks and likes to blow it at the slots while getting drunk that's his choice.(No, I'm not a libertarian).

[goodnesswins]

Now wait a minute....the DEMS love gamblers....they rake in tax dollars in so many states....and the Indians LOVE gamblers too....Mr. Bennett, if this is true, is one who can AFFORD to gamble....so many of the DEMS constituents who DO gamble, cannot afford to. They cannot have it BOTH ways.

[TennTuxedo]

Get off of your soapbox and stop judging the man.Gambling is legal in several states. It is his right to use his own money in the form he wishes to use it as long as he doesn't break the law.

[P.O.E.]

At least the government isn't involved in this sort of activity. /sarc

I don't find anything wrong with a few rounds of cards every once in a while. I admit video poker isn't as much fun as the real thing.

[hchutch]

I'll admit I find crpas and roulette interesting as well - never hit a casino before. Might want to check one out. Poker and baccarat also sound like fun.

[zoyd]

It's not causing him any financial trouble, and he is still able to support his family. What's the fuss?

Because THAT logic would fail the Bennett morals test.

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.

Your desire to stay out of Bennett's personal business is anathema to Bennett's raison d'etre, which is to chide people based on their MORAL decisions.

And if gambling weren't 'immoral', why is it illegal in so many states? Because of the 'addictive' nature of gambling.

For pure moralists like Bennett, it doesn't matter whether or not you're CURRENTLY hurting those around you. The 'evil' or immorality will catch up with you in the long run, so you have to avoid those moral pitfalls ON PRINCIPLE, not based upon your ability to weather the immoral storm because you've got lots of moral bucks in your pocket.

[jlogajan]

I'm somewhat surprised the casios ratted him out. That's not going to make their other high roller customers too happy about their privacy.

[Morgan in Denver]

Mine was just a knee-jerk response to the babble Newsweek prints. I honestly have not read a Newsweek in years. Nor Time or U.S. World & News Report, for that matter.

Besides, I'm blessed with Freepers and the Media Research Center alerting everyone as to what these biased so-called journalists are saying.

[Warhead W-88]

Good point.

And the hypocrisy issue is stupid, anyway. The only people (apart from Jesus) not guilty of moral hypocrisy are those admitted moral reprobates who happily confess to having no moral code whatsoever. (Note that Bill Clinton was NOT honest enough to admit this; thus he is a moral hypocrite as well.)

I say: Lying is bad. People should not lie.

And yet-- I lie.

Am I a hypocrite?

Yes, because I am a flawed human being. But what is the alternative? I cannot give up lying, being a flawed human being. So to avoid being a hypocrite, I'd have to give up having a code against lying.

[discostu]

Gambling is only chance if you're bad at it. Good gamblers are less beholden to random chance than stock market traders.

[Capt. Tom]

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.”

Contrast his statement with mine "Anything done in moderation shows a lack of interest"

At least he is interested in something that is legal. -Tom

[bedolido]

"You seem to be assuming it is an addiction for him. This article does not indicate that. While it is hard for us to imagine losing millions of dollars over the years to gambling, unless it was a sickness, that has more to do with the fact that we don't HAVE millions of dollars to lose. According to this article, there is no indication that he ever gambled more than he could afford to lose, and hes family has never been deprived of anything because of this. I personally think it is a waste of money, but it is his money to waste. One of the benefits of the free-enterprise system!"

True. But I read his "Book of Virtue" and it's just hard to see such a great man throw away so much on slots (dumb). It's stupid and he needs help.

[Search4Truth]

It seems we all have our vices. Mr. Bennett would do well to remember that, and practice a little more humility, when casting stones from his glass house.

[CA Conservative]

My approach to personal morality is to ask myself "If everybody behaved like me, what would the world look like and would I want to live in it?" Bennett fails on this count.

So you are saying that if everyone in the world behaved like you, Bill Bennet would not want to live in it? Because otherwise, your statement makes no sense. Personal morality is just that, personal. There are no scriptural prohibitions to gambling, so it is not base on Christian or Jewish theology. If you personally would not behave in the same manner, great! I salute you. But don't condemn another man who fails to follow YOUR personal morality. If it is not illegal, immoral or unethical, then Bill Bennet has nothing for which to apologize.

[mabelkitty]

Me thinks Vegas may not be on my schedule for a long long time. "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" my ass.

What union thug went through his info and spread it around.

I thought gambling was legal.

[mabelkitty]

Wrong-O, babe.

Read one of his books.

It's like drinking - if you can't handle it, don't do it.

He obviously hasn't lost his job, wife, family, or lifestyle, so I'd say he can handle it.

I'd also surmise this is a smear by the homosexual agenda folks.

[mombonn]

Bennett is doing nothing immoral, illegal, or wrong.

In other words, he's exercising his right to choose.