Hypocrite
posted in General |HYPOCRITE
The Michael Kinsleys of the world are having a field day over the disclosure that Bill Bennett is (was) a big time casino gambler. Bennett, of course, is the conservatives voice of high moral behavior and family values. He has authored a whole string of books including The Book of Virtues, Moral Compass, The Educated Child, Vice and Virtue, etc., etc. Among his devastating themes are the effect of single parenthood on children, the high rate of out-of-wedlock births, the decline of marriage as an institution, the high divorce rate, alcoholism, the collapse of our public education system, the prevalence of drugs, etc. He was secretary of Education under Ronald Reagan and Drug Czar under Prez Bush I. His credentials are most impressive, and he frequently appears on TV news/talk shows.
Bill has confessed to losing millions of dollars in casinos in recent years. Frankly, I was very disappointed to learn of that side of him. But he has acknowledged the fault and renounced it. It has been pointed that while he lost a lot of money, he could afford it and he did not harm anyone else – family or otherwise. But Kinsley et al immediately pounced upon him as being a hypocrite — i.e., preaching moral behavior while gambling for big stakes. Plausible argument. But from his critics, I could buy the downside argument (gambling) if they would accept the positive side of his thoughts and actions.But that is too much of a stretch. They prefer to beat up on Bill Bennet without conceding the value of his thoughts and works.
Bill Bennett is a big boy — literally and figuratively – and it will take a lot more than Michael Kinsley to keep him quiet. As the years go by, his observations receive more and more credence. His books continue to sell, and he remains a hot item on the lecture tour. Don't expect to see much of him on CBS with Dan – better to try Fox.
He is not perfect, but hypocrite goes a step too far.