Pubdate: Tue, 06 May 2003
Source: New York Daily News (NY)
Copyright: 2003 Daily News, L.P.
Contact:  http://www.nydailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/295
Author:  Bill Hutchinson

BENNETT VOWS TO SQUASH HIS GAMBLING BUG

Moral crusader William Bennett knows better than to bet against the house - 
especially his own. A day after his wife declared that he had played his 
last slot machine, the Brooklyn-reared poster boy for family values said 
it's time to cash in his chips and fix his own moral compass.

"My gambling days are over," Bennett said in a statement released by his 
Empower America conservative think tank, which opposes the proliferation of 
casino gambling.

"It is true that I have gambled large sums of money," said Bennett, who 
served as former President Ronald Reagan's education secretary and 
ex-President George Bush's drug czar. He also was one of former President 
Bill Clinton's chief critics in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

The 60-year-old author of "The Book of Virtues" insists his big-bucks 
wagering has never caused him to break the law or bet his kids' milk money. 
"Nevertheless, I have done too much gambling. ... This is not an example I 
wish to set," he said.

As he reevaluates his behavior, Bennett might want to reread the chapter in 
his best-selling book titled "Self-Discipline."

"In self-discipline one makes a 'disciple' of oneself," Bennett wrote. "One 
is one's own teacher, trainer, coach and 'disciplinarian.' It is an odd 
relationship ... and many of us don't handle it very well."

$8m In Losses

Bennett's mea culpa was prompted by reports that revealed the man behind 
the slogan "Just Say No" had a tough time following his own advice, losing 
a whopping $8 million playing high-stakes slots in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Stunned friends were shocked to learn that his $50,000 speaking fees fed 
his trips to the sin cities.

"We were disappointed to learn that our longtime friend Dr. Bill Bennett is 
dealing with what appears to be a gambling addiction," said James Dobson, 
founder of Focus on the Family.

"One of the reasons Focus on the Family continues to be strongly opposed to 
any form of gambling is because it has the power to ensnare and wound not 
only its victims, but also those closest to them."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth