Gambling Czar Craps Out!

By Rick Biesada

Snake eyes came up for former Democrat turned Republican Party utilty player and morals guru; Doctor Bill Bennett.

Oh Ma-ma; as the incorrigible Bill Clinton would say;" dey caught me wit my virtues down; ha,ha,ha!

Now Bill Bennett is pulling a Trent Lott weasel act, running around apologizing and making acts of contrition about gambling; NO MORE!

That's okay Bill, you don't have to apologize to me. I gamble myself once in a while when I can afford to.

I just feel sorry for your mother for raising two losers as sons. Brother Bob pawned his copy of The Book Of Virtues, when he danced with the devil to defend Slick Willy, then wound up getting stiffed on his fees in the process. Now you Bill, you are guilty of stupidity , but that's okay, there is no law against being stupid; it's legal just like gambling.

It's in vogue these days, even our charming, baby faced Governor of Illinois, wants to get in on the action with a socialist notion about government owned gambling franchises.

Unlike the spineless Trent Lott or for that Matter, Senator Rick Santorum, Bill Bennett is getting a lot of support from Republican's who are bending over backwards to defend this moral leader who wrote 5,437 books on Virtue since he was age three; I've been told.

The burning question is if Doctor Bennett is a hypocrite or not. I hear a lot of babble but nothing of substance, so I'll try to decipher this question with the logic of a sinner; who sometimes sees the light from a different perspective.

Gambling is a legal sport, as long as our government gets it's cut, and Doctor Bennett disclosed the fact that he likes to gamble. No problem, I could care less what a person does in this overly regulated country of ours and besides; I don't contribute my money to "Empower America," the political action committee, that Doctor Bennett is Co-Director of.

If I were a member of "Empower America" and if I heard that my co-director was throwing a lot of money around in the gambling casinos, I might be a little concerned. A million here, a million there adds up to be a lot of money for a person that considers himself above the morals of mortal man.

As former Secretary Of Education one wonders why he didn't use a little due diligence and stay away from situations that smack of impropriety. We know Doctor Bennett has some good ideas to benefit mankind but sometimes these do gooders get so wrapped up in their work and pompous views that they think that our values or natural laws do not apply to them in their quest to create the perfect world.

I viewed one of Bill Bennett’s articles off of the home page of Empower America, entitled A Call To Dignity; where Mr. Bennett cites, "President Bush said that our new ethic and creed is "Lets Roll." So I suppose the good doctor decided to take that new credo to a higher level on the dice tables. To the tune of eight million dollars, wow, that's a lot of jack! He also cites in the same article that, " the era of if it feels good, do it, is over; and that "action," has replaced apathy. Action? I'll say, and that kind of action can cause serious problems along the way to addiction. That's why they formed Gamblers Anonymous and when a guy tells me," so what if I gamble, I've got lots of money," I'd have to question his fervor.

Most people betting this kind of money are hooked. They are known as degenerate gamblers with an addiction to gambling no different from an addiction to alcohol or sniffing glue.

What would happen if in the heat of the excitement, when a guy gets all caught up in the moment and bets more than he can afford, then loses. Two three hundred pound gorillas show up on his door step with Louisville sluggers and tell him, " pay up fat boy or you ain't goin’ home. Where is he going to get the money from, off of his Banco Popular Card?

Some shrewd investigators auditing the books at Empower America, for a problem that could have been avoided if Doctor Bennett didn't misinterpret the meaning of " Lets Roll," may be inclined to make a case off of the contributors list which ranges from $25.00 for an associate member, to a $25,000 ticket to sit on the advisory board.

Putting a fine organization like Empower America, under a cloud of suspicion for a little self gratification is not a virtuous act.

Ask Lefty Rosenthal, he'll sum up a gambler in one word;" sucker." Lefty's a professional gambler and eight million dollars is probably chump change to him. He uses money as a tool that he plies to his trade.

I admire Lefty, he came out of my Northwest side Chicago neighborhood and went to Steinmetz High School. He didn't preach virtue and had no pretenses, he gambled for a living and probably still does. He was a risk taker - my kind of guy. Would I pursue his life style? No way!

Lefty has the uncanny ability to pick winners and gamble through the seasoned wily art of concentration, street savvy, and cunning wizardry. As a young odds maker he was sought after by the gambling industry to fine-tune the casinos because of his masterly finesse.

His fictional life story was portrayed in the movie, Casino, with DiNiro playing the part of his character; Ace.

Ask Lefty what he thinks about beating the odds and betting against the house. He'll tell you flat out;" slim to none, and none is out of town.

Is Bill Bennett a hypocrite or a fool? I couldn't pass judgment on him, the people of Empower America have to make that decision to see if they want to follow this moral guru.

What is hypocritical is the fervid defense of Bill Bennett by the aristocrats of the Republican Party, while they leave Senator Rick Santorum, hanging out to dry for some justifiable remark about a repugnant Supreme Court decision that could have an impact on our definition of deviance.

The administration comes to the aid of a guy that writes words about virtue but lets a guy that lives by and exemplifies virtue, fending for himself, exposing false doctrine.

The irony here is, that this administration that wants to push a unconstitutional faith based initiative on the tax payers to fund every newly constructed mosque or store front MB Church down the block, will not stick up for a good Christian leader like Senator Santorum.

This constant pandering to deviates, perverts, and radical activists, without any consideration for the party base who espouse Christian values is appalling and smells of hypocrisy.

If I were a part of this administration, I wouldn't gamble on losing the next election. I'd want the odds in my favor and not lose by default for alienation of the Christian voters.

So as you tally up your tote board for Christian support; I'd seriously consider taking Lefty Rosenthal's advice; "your chances of winning are slim to none; and Slim is packing his bag!”

Federal Observer contributing columnist Rick Biesada can be heard on The Angry White Minute can be heard each Tuesday at 8:00AM over radio station WJJG 1530 AM, Chicago's Home Town Station. If you've got a story about a public official violating the public trust, and would like to...share it, send Rick an email. While you're at it - Visit his Web-site and you'll have a little fun.