Mark Steyn: Santorum, Bennett controversies much ado about nothing

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 05/11/03 | Mark Steyn

[Pokey78]

[Cincinatus]

When your average moviegoer leaves the theater, he shrugs and says, ''Let's go eat.'' That's not an option available to Roger Ebert, who has to string it out for a few more paragraphs.

And a few more courses, apparently.

[KeyWest]

Good morning!

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Brian Allen]

<< When your average moviegoer leaves the theater, he shrugs and says, ''Let's go eat.'' That's not an option available to Roger Ebert, who has to string it out for a few more paragraphs.

And a few more courses, apparently. >>

That passage?

As any passing Antipodean might be inclined to observe:

"Whadda Beeaudey!!"

[American in Israel]

That being so, why shouldn't Santorum say what he said? More to the point, wouldn't it be worse if he felt he couldn't say what he said? It would surely be an odd comment on American democracy if the views of half the American people on a particular subject could not be expressed by a member of the United States Congress.

A pretty sad comment on the late Great United States. Freedom of speech is not freedom from speech.

[nicmarlo]

why shouldn't Santorum say what he said? More to the point, wouldn't it be worse if he felt he couldn't say what he said? It would surely be an odd comment on American democracy if the views of half the American people on a particular subject could not be expressed by a member of the United States Congress.

Agreed; besides, Santorum is being attacked because he believes in moral absolutes, a mirror to which the democRats and gays don't hold up for themselves to see---if they did, then they might be less debase in their behaviors: voter fraud, lying, KKK membership, philandering, rape, drunken driving leading to death (of a woman in Chappequa), promiscuity, sex with underage children (boys and girls), immodest to the point of revulsion ("gay pride parades"), gerbel use, ad infinitum.

I do know that it's very odd to see an Internet jailbait-chaser still being passed off as an expert analyst on world affairs while a wealthy man is excoriated for a lawful if mildly pathetic habit. When Bennett's caught in a public toilet, then we can start pulping The Book Of Virtues: Scandal-wise, a flush beats a full house.

Agreed; sorry, but he who is without sin may cast the first stone. Point number 1: Bennett's slot-machine gambling is not illegal; he broke NO laws. If this is his only vice, then all it proves is something I already knew: he's not God (I never thought he was). Point number 2: I think he's a good man who probably has areas in his life he must improve. God bless him as he seeks help to do so. Point number 3: I have several areas to improve, but that doesn't negate my instructing my children (or even others) to do "what is right." I would be remiss in my duties as parent and friend if I did otherwise.

Point number 4: I don't recall Bill Bennett ever claiming to be a perfect soul, Jesus Christ, or the Reverend Jesse Jackson (as pure and honest as they come). And we'd be the fools had we believed Bennett had he ever said he does no "evil."

I'll listen to Bill Bennett any day over the "Reverend."

[Valin]

Santorum, Bennett controversies much ado about nothing

Exactly! They are B.R.O.W.s Bad Republicans Of the Week

[LarryM]

When Bennett's caught in a public toilet, then we can start pulping The Book Of Virtues: Scandal-wise, a flush beats a full house.

Is this guy good or what?

[fporretto]

It is becoming imperative that we find a way to clone Mark Steyn. Yes, I know he's young and healthy, but still, it's wise to be prepared. This man is the best and wittiest pundit of our day.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[maryz]

of a woman in Chappequa

I know it's hard to keep the Dem scandals straight, but the Kennedy "incident" was in Chappaquiddick, MA. The Chappequa woman is something else entirely!

[nicmarlo]

Chappaquiddick

Yes, sorry; obviously, that's what I meant! : )

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL !

I wouldn't vote for a state sodomy law, and some of the sex acts proscribed in the more broadly drawn anti-sodomy legislation I still dream fondly of getting to try one day, if I ever find anyone willing to have sex with me.

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL !

Layne may be on to something. There are some activities which, regardless of their legal status or any criminal record arising therefrom, leave a man diminished. When George Michael attacks Bush and Blair, I'm not interested in getting lessons in foreign policy from a guy who solicits sex in public toilets. Sorry about that, it doesn't mean he's incapable of making a cute video, but the men's-room sex pretty much rules him out of the geopolitical commentary game. Likewise, given Scott Ritter's run-ins with law enforcement apropos his fondness for teenage girls, I'm not inclined to listen to his views on Iraq. Every time he's on CNN huffing about the Bush administration, I picture him sitting in Burger King across the table from some pigtailed schoolgirl sharing a chocolate shake with two straws. Sorry, big boy, it's over.

ALBANY - Former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter was secretly prosecuted in Albany County in 2001 after he was snared in an Internet sex sting operation, law enforcement sources told the Daily News .

< snip >

He was arrested by Colonie Police in June 2001 on a misdemeanor charge after he allegedly had a sexual discussion on the Internet with an undercover investigator he thought was an underage girl, law enforcement sources disclosed on condition of anonymity.

---

Scott Ritter:
Show me tha money !

Scott Ritter was paid for his interest in a movie - $400,000. Some discussion on this article here on FR...

Also this FR article...

Scott Ritter in Pro-Iraq Movie Deal

[aristeides]

How did the leftist journos get actual figures for Bennett's gambling? Was it Terry Lenzner's secret police? Are the gangsters in Las Vegas going to see to it that the people responsible sleep with the fishes? Are they going to stop supporting RAT politicians like Harry Reid?

[arthurus]

RE: Point 2- There is no suggestion anywhere that Bennett's gambling caused anyone in his family or social circle to be malnourished or to go about in rags. Gambling is not a sin unless it is done to "excess"-your children go hungry and have no shoes.There is here no reason to chide Mr. Bennett on any score other than the imputed psychological characteristic of aloneness. It is, for a rich man, no different from obsessive solitaire.

[nicmarlo]

is not a sin unless it is done to "excess"-your children go hungry and have no shoes.There is here no reason to chide Mr. Bennett on any score other than the imputed psychological characteristic of aloneness.

Agreed; however, I have read on a couple threads, and heard in the news, the greatest criticism concerning Mr. Bennett's alleged "addiction;" and if that be the case, which certain individuals believe to be, then he should not be suggesting or advising others on virtuous behavior.

[arthurus]

We shall see. He said he will stop. If he stops there is and there was not even a picture of any hypocrisy. If he stops then there was no addiction. If he does not stop there is still no hypocrisy. Gambling is not illegal and is, in fact, heavily promoted by most of our state governments.It is not immoral any more than eating chocolate is immoral. I don't like gambling. I don't like fishing, either. I don't accuse fishermen or gamblers of hypocrisy if they counsel prudence and fair dealing. Bennett's gambling, considering his capabilities, is no more excessive than is having a second beer.

[nicmarlo]

This is nothing more than a witch hunting, IMHO. What about KKK Bird? What about Slick Willie, lying under oath, before a Grand Jury? What about the Progressive Caucus being a front name for their true aspirations and ambitions: making America a Socialist state, contrary to our Constitution, contrary to their oaths of office? What about their mocking the death of a man by holding a Funerally? What about Slick Willy providing technical info./equipment to the Chinese/N. Koreans? What about Billy the Pig bombing an aspirin factory but not taking OBL when he could have, four different times, which would have prevented thousands dying? What about Hitlery calling the conservatives a VRWC when we didn't like what the Commander in Sinks was doing, yet, she rabidly attacks the Bush Administration? I don't, myself, don't approve of gambling as a routine, only because I think that it can easily lead to addiction or financial problems; however, so does drinking, smoking, drugs, etc. None are worse nor better than the other (well, alcohol and drugs are for me, but there's reasons why---family history....I don't want to "catch it" : ).