Bill Bennett is an idiot with a mouth big enough to hold both feet

BigV · 09-30-2005, 02:18 PM

Bill Bennett very candidly reveals some reprehensible ideas. Even if he spoke in the ridiculous extreme, "If all people were dead, there would be no crime" the most generous characterization of his remarks would be "stupid", with apologies to all the stupid people out there. Here is the most context-full report of this story I could find. I don't want to hear whining dressed as spin parading as excuse that sounds like "but you're taking it out of context". Just shut up. From here.

Quote:

Media Matters exposes Bennett: "[Y]ou could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down"

Addressing a caller's suggestion that the "lost revenue from the people who have been aborted in the last 30 years" would be enough to preserve Social Security's solvency, radio host and former Reagan administration Secretary of Education Bill Bennett dismissed such "far-reaching, extensive extrapolations" by declaring that if "you wanted to reduce crime ... if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." Bennett conceded that aborting all African-American babies "would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do," then added again, "but the crime rate would go down."

Bennett's remark was apparently inspired by the claim that legalized abortion has reduced crime rates, which was posited in the book Freakonomics (William Morrow, May 2005) by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. But Levitt and Dubner argued that aborted fetuses would have been more likely to grow up poor and in single-parent or teenage-parent households and therefore more likely to commit crimes; they did not put forth Bennett's race-based argument.

From the September 28 broadcast of Salem Radio Network's Bill Bennett's Morning in America:

CALLER: I noticed the national media, you know, they talk a lot about the loss of revenue, or the inability of the government to fund Social Security, and I was curious, and I've read articles in recent months here, that the abortions that have happened since Roe v. Wade, the lost revenue from the people who have been aborted in the last 30-something years, could fund Social Security as we know it today. And the media just doesn't -- never touches this at all.

BENNETT: Assuming they're all productive citizens?

CALLER: Assuming that they are. Even if only a portion of them were, it would be an enormous amount of revenue.

BENNETT: Maybe, maybe, but we don't know what the costs would be, too. I think as -- abortion disproportionately occur among single women? No.

CALLER: I don't know the exact statistics, but quite a bit are, yeah.

BENNETT: All right, well, I mean, I just don't know. I would not argue for the pro-life position based on this, because you don't know. I mean, it cuts both -- you know, one of the arguments in this book Freakonomics that they make is that the declining crime rate, you know, they deal with this hypothesis, that one of the reasons crime is down is that abortion is up. Well --

CALLER: Well, I don't think that statistic is accurate.

BENNETT: Well, I don't think it is either, I don't think it is either, because first of all, there is just too much that you don't know. But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky.

Mother Fucker.

Elspode · 09-30-2005, 02:22 PM

Bill's a dumbshit alright, but mostly because he used a really stupid example to make a point. He revealed his underlying prejudices, or so many people think.

Example #197854 of why I would never be a politician...or a talk radio host.

Trilby · 09-30-2005, 02:23 PM

agrees with Els.

bigV and I will never hook up. Sad sigh.

BigV · 09-30-2005, 04:04 PM

GWB says the comment was "inappropriate". Bennett says critics are taking him out of context.

This is all so instructive.

dar512 · 09-30-2005, 04:17 PM

I assume this is William J. Bennet we're talking about?

Too bad it turns out he's a twit. I liked his "Children's Book of Virtues'. We read it with our kids when they were younger.

wolf · 10-01-2005, 01:16 AM

Everybody says something egregiously stupid at some point in their lives. Usually more than once.

He, unfortunately, happened to say it on the radio.

tw · 10-01-2005, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dar512

I assume this is William J. Bennet we're talking about?

Bill Bennet the drug Czar? Same guy who failed to stop the 'gateway drug' - coffee?

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-01-2005, 02:17 AM

Quote:

'gateway drug' - coffee?

News to me. And, I suspect, to most people who aren't tw.

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-01-2005, 02:25 AM

Well, BigV, those who are fairminded know the context of the remark and that Bill Bennet thinks this is reprehensible with a capital R. Those who do not believe in being fair to Republicans will continue to demand an apology for mentioning it, and rave, and posture, and carry on, and generally disgrace themselves. Instead of an apology, they should be issued a collective invitation to assemble, pantsless, on the National Mall before the Smithsonian or maybe the National Museum of Art, to pound hot sand up each other's... ratholes. The unfair ones merit nothing but contempt, both lofty and gut-cutting.

Tonchi · 10-01-2005, 02:40 AM

Why is abortion so much more offensive to these politicos than killing those babies after they reach 18 and can be sent to Iraq, or wherever else we are "liberating" at the moment?

I'm waiting for some (insert ethnic designation here) to announce the only reasoning behind the rabid no-abortions-for-any reason policies of this administration is their fear of not being able to maintain enough cannon fodder in the pipeline. I mean, it follows the same twisted logic as Mr. Bennet's formula for crime prevention, so why hasn't some rabble-rouser reached this conclusion yet? Item: The last dictator of Romania actually FORCED his people to have children by forbidding any form of contraception, including abortion, because the decline in population had the government alarmed. It worked, but it led to 50% of these children born to unwilling women to be "stillborn", abandoned to die, or dumped at the dismal and understaffed state orphanages. Later they decided to forbid adoptions outside Romania also, because it was bad publicity for the regime that so many people from Western nations were coming there and grabbing up these children which nobody in Romania wanted. So much for the politics of regulating births.

elSicomoro · 10-01-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

Those who do not believe in being fair to Republicans

I don't believe in being fair to Democrats or Republicans. They've had enough chances to get it right.

bluecuracao · 10-01-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

Well, BigV, those who are fairminded know the context of the remark and that Bill Bennet thinks this is reprehensible with a capital R. Those who do not believe in being fair to Republicans will continue to demand an apology for mentioning it, and rave, and posture, and carry on, and generally disgrace themselves. Instead of an apology, they should be issued a collective invitation to assemble, pantsless, on the National Mall before the Smithsonian or maybe the National Museum of Art, to pound hot sand up each other's... ratholes. The unfair ones merit nothing but contempt, both lofty and gut-cutting.

For someone to even think to "use the example" that Bill Bennett did is too revealing of his true opinions. And he just tried to cover his ass by saying it would be reprehensible.

Unfortunately, there's been too many Republicans who have made public remarks ranging from insensitive to outright racist. So when the GOP asks the public to be "fair" when it happens AGAIN, they think, "what would be the point?"

Griff · 10-01-2005, 03:55 PM

[notpc]Of course, back in the day, this was the reasoning behind legalizing abortion in the first place. The Margret Sangers of the world didn't want the underclass reproducing.[/notpc] Just thought I'd throw that in there among the righteous indignation. It is a reprehensible idea, but it is the left's reprehensible idea.

Tonchi · 10-01-2005, 05:44 PM

[JimmytheGreek]But....but, then where would all our basketball players come from???[/endGreek] DOH!

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-03-2005, 11:08 AM

Blue, I'm in the habit of being fair to Republicans. He put this out as a reprehensible, bad idea, and that's the only fair way to read it.

09-30-2005, 02:22 PM	#2
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	Bill's a dumbshit alright, but mostly because he used a really stupid example to make a point. He revealed his underlying prejudices, or so many people think. Example #197854 of why I would never be a politician...or a talk radio host. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

09-30-2005, 02:23 PM	#3
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	agrees with Els. bigV and I will never hook up. Sad sigh. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum Last edited by Trilby; 09-30-2005 at 02:25 PM. Reason: sad

09-30-2005, 04:04 PM	#4
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	GWB says the comment was "inappropriate". Bennett says critics are taking him out of context. This is all so instructive. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

09-30-2005, 04:17 PM	#5
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	I assume this is William J. Bennet we're talking about? Too bad it turns out he's a twit. I liked his "Children's Book of Virtues'. We read it with our kids when they were younger. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

10-01-2005, 01:16 AM	#6
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Everybody says something egregiously stupid at some point in their lives. Usually more than once. He, unfortunately, happened to say it on the radio. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

10-01-2005, 02:25 AM	#9
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Well, BigV, those who are fairminded know the context of the remark and that Bill Bennet thinks this is reprehensible with a capital R. Those who do not believe in being fair to Republicans will continue to demand an apology for mentioning it, and rave, and posture, and carry on, and generally disgrace themselves. Instead of an apology, they should be issued a collective invitation to assemble, pantsless, on the National Mall before the Smithsonian or maybe the National Museum of Art, to pound hot sand up each other's... ratholes. The unfair ones merit nothing but contempt, both lofty and gut-cutting. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

10-01-2005, 02:40 AM	#10
Tonchi Victim of gravity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding in plain sight Posts: 1,412	Why is abortion so much more offensive to these politicos than killing those babies after they reach 18 and can be sent to Iraq, or wherever else we are "liberating" at the moment? I'm waiting for some (insert ethnic designation here) to announce the only reasoning behind the rabid no-abortions-for-any reason policies of this administration is their fear of not being able to maintain enough cannon fodder in the pipeline. I mean, it follows the same twisted logic as Mr. Bennet's formula for crime prevention, so why hasn't some rabble-rouser reached this conclusion yet? Item: The last dictator of Romania actually FORCED his people to have children by forbidding any form of contraception, including abortion, because the decline in population had the government alarmed. It worked, but it led to 50% of these children born to unwilling women to be "stillborn", abandoned to die, or dumped at the dismal and understaffed state orphanages. Later they decided to forbid adoptions outside Romania also, because it was bad publicity for the regime that so many people from Western nations were coming there and grabbing up these children which nobody in Romania wanted. So much for the politics of regulating births. __________________ Everything you've ever heard about Fresno is true.

10-01-2005, 03:55 PM	#13
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	[notpc]Of course, back in the day, this was the reasoning behind legalizing abortion in the first place. The Margret Sangers of the world didn't want the underclass reproducing.[/notpc] Just thought I'd throw that in there among the righteous indignation. It is a reprehensible idea, but it is the left's reprehensible idea. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

10-01-2005, 05:44 PM	#14
Tonchi Victim of gravity Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hiding in plain sight Posts: 1,412	[JimmytheGreek]But....but, then where would all our basketball players come from???[/endGreek] DOH! __________________ Everything you've ever heard about Fresno is true.

10-03-2005, 11:08 AM	#15
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Blue, I'm in the habit of being fair to Republicans. He put this out as a reprehensible, bad idea, and that's the only fair way to read it. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

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