Blogcritics Comments on Addiction.gov

Comment by Eric Olsen on Addiction.gov

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 15:57:57 EST

no one said you can't or shouldn't, Ron ]]>

Comment by Ron S. on Addiction.gov

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 15:49:47 EST

Olsen, I too am a "generalist," and as a veteran I've paid the price to voice my opinion - in spite of your superior intellect and ego. ]]>

Comment by sapere aude on Addiction.gov

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 06:03:27 EST

Probablity has nothing to do with my stupidity. I know what my odds are, but it's the rush, the emotions. Sometimes, I forget I bought a ticket and miss the announcement of the winning ticket. ]]>

Comment by Throttlehog on Addiction.gov

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 02:34:09 EST

Cynicism/pessimism... ]]>

Comment by Throttlehog on Addiction.gov

Mon, 21 Feb 2005 02:31:45 EST

Jealousy, selfishness ]]>

Comment by RJ on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 23:29:56 EST

"Is it necessary to impose your so-called expertise on every single comment? The only other former disc jockey I can think of who pretends to be such a know-it-all on so many varied topics is blowhard Rush Limbaugh." Is this Mac Diva? ]]>

Comment by HW Saxton on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 19:49:32 EST

I'd have to add overeatintg/gluttony or however you wish to phrase that. ]]>

Comment by alienboy on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 18:51:27 EST

the seven most deadly natural human weaknesses? how about Killing Bullying Lying Dogmatism Betrayal Rape Robbery any other candidates anybody? ]]>

Comment by Angela Chen Shui on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 18:11:20 EST

.. that wasn't spaced right... A game open only to those with 'large amounts of disposable income'. Has anyone ever told you that you're a modern day Robin Hood? ;-) ]]>

Comment by Angela Chen Shui on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 18:09:02 EST

Thanks, David. A game open only to those with 'large amounts of disposable income'. Has anyone ever told you that you're a modern day Robin Hood? ;-) ]]>

Comment by Margaret Romao Toigo on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 18:05:05 EST

One needn't be religious to appreciate that if we do not keep our seven most deadly natural human weaknesses -- pride, wrath, greed, covetousness, lust, gluttony and sloth -- in check that we will probably come to no good end right here in this life on this Earth. Wastefulness, which is a byproduct of sloth, is contrary to the virtue of thrift, which is born of the natural human strengths, prudence and temperance. This might seem to be a religious assertion -- especially coming from someone who has quoted Biblical wisdom on many occasions -- but all of these terms have temporal as well as spiritual relevance. BTW, the more I think about it, the more it bothers me that my state government is running a gambling operation -- though I do not think that there is much that can be done about it because the Florida lottery, which we've had since 1986, is extremely popular. ]]>

Comment by Eric Olsen on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 17:22:01 EST

thanks Pat, you are very supportive. By way of context, I note from Ron's commenting history that he takes a decidedly rather broadly anti-Eric stance - you can't please everyone. ]]>

Comment by Eric Olsen on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 17:16:23 EST

oh, and don't forget the title that allows me to do this in the first place: blogger. ]]>

Comment by Eric Olsen on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 17:06:49 EST

I claim no particular expertise on anything, Ron. I'm a generalist, and the best part about being a generalist is you can give your opinion on anything, which I am generally quite pleased to do. You might also pose your question about "former" industrial janitors, forklift drivers, house painters, authors, TV personalities, journalists, essayists, critics, entrepreneurs, bar tenders, and record producers, since I have done those things too. ]]>

Comment by DrPat on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 17:05:10 EST

Ron, a clue: Eric Olsen is one of BlogCritics' managing editors, founders, owners - however you put it, his opinions are part of what drives the site. Check the Leaderboard for further evidence. Expertise is where you find it. Eric is willing to put his opinions out in the open, in his own posts as well as in Comments, where all can debate them, pick holes, sling mud, etc. as desired. ]]>

Comment by Ron S. on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 16:51:02 EST

Eric, Is it necessary to impose your so-called expertise on every single comment? The only other former disc jockey I can think of who pretends to be such a know-it-all on so many varied topics is blowhard Rush Limbaugh. ]]>

Comment by DrPat on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:38:45 EST

Besides, anything we give the government power to control, we get more of (see: War on Drugs, taxes, etc.). The last thing we need is more gambling. ]]>

Comment by Eric Olsen on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:10:51 EST

exceptionally put Margaret - excluding the religious foundation of "vice" and "morality," which I believe is at the foundation of Margaret's perspective here, gambling is a waste of time and money, both of which could be put to better use in virtually any other non-criminal way and as such I am deeply against the state luring the greedy, stupid and unsuspecting into this endeavor for its own benefit (revenue). I don't want to criminalize gambling for some of the same reason I don't want to criminalize drugs, but I don't want my government actively encouraging the practice either. ]]>

Comment by Margaret Romao Toigo on Addiction.gov

Sun, 20 Feb 2005 11:47:37 EST

What makes some people sensitive about the use of the word immoral to describe vice is how that word has been subjectively used as a political weapon by judgemental people who have certain temporal agendas. Gambling is an immoral practice because of its connection to the deadly sin of greed. Anything whose enjoyment relies upon natural human weaknesses can be described as a vice. But that does not mean that indulgence is wrong and should always be avoided. Vices, enjoyed in moderation, are usually relatively harmless as long as we understand the consequences of immoderation and practice temperance as most people do. However, this does not discount humanity's inherent potential for intemperance and excess with regard to vice. It is this human potential that makes vices immoral. The immorality of vice is merely a warning to exercise self-control and to guard against excess because the potential for immoderation is always there, even if it is only triggered on rare occasions. ]]>

Comment by alienboy on Addiction.gov

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 06:10:58 EST

Margaret, you are too deeply subjective; Gambling is simply a practice, morality has nothing to do with it. Shame on you for being so judgemental. Doesn't your ideology say something about glass houses and stones? ]]>

Comment by Margaret Romao Toigo on Addiction.gov

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 17:55:41 EST

Gambling is an immoral practice, even if it is not a moral crime. Of course it would be prideful to submit that people who gamble are generally immoral because our vices are a part of what makes us human. None of us are free of vice. I would be very suspicious of anyone who claimed that he or she is. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23 ]]>

Comment by Eric Olsen on Addiction.gov

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 09:09:58 EST

sounds like gambling to me ]]>

Comment by alienboy on Addiction.gov

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 07:15:26 EST

Margaret, whilst re-thinking your "position with regard to the government actually running a vice business" perhaps you could also meditate upon the word "vice". Here's a starter: vice n. An evil, degrading, or immoral practice or habit. A serious moral failing. Wicked or evil conduct or habits; corruption. Sexual immorality, especially prostitution. ]]>

Comment by RJ on Addiction.gov

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 01:48:49 EST

Look. If you spend your entire paycheck on scratch-offs, you need a sign (thank you, Jeff Foxworthy). But what's the big deal about a non-impoverished person buying a few tickets a month? Look, if you LOSE, the state gets a little more cash to fund "education" or whatever. And if you WIN, well, you win! So, I don;t have much of a problem with gambling, whether it's state-run or privately-run. As long as there is some regulating force to ensure it's all on the up-and-up, I'm cool with it... ]]>

Comment by Eric Olsen on Addiction.gov

Thu, 17 Feb 2005 22:18:19 EST

very open-minded of you Margaret, I commend you and appreciate the attitude ]]>