Costas Testimony

[Blue Avenger]

Thanks, Wiz for posting the link to Bob Costas' anti-gambling testimony.

Mr. Costas shared his story of how his family was shaken up by a father who was a compulsive gambler.

I feel for him, honestly. But Bob Costas needs to explain something to me: "I exhibit no compulsive behavior. So why should I not be allowed to gamble?"

I'm sorry, Bob. But MY father died 25 years before his time from a heart attack, because his body couldn't process fats properly. He knew it, but didn't exercise, and kept right on eating greasy meals.

I exercise and moderate my fat intake. But you don't see me pushing for a ban on red meat. Nor do I think the U.S. should re-establish Prohibition to protect alcoholics.

If you can't bet responsibly, don't bet at all. But don't tell responsible people to give up their liberties on your account.

Bob, that's the way of the world. A man's got to take a certain level of responsibility for his actions. If you can't handle something, don't do it. If you need help, get it. If you don't, you pay the consequences.

The world cannot be child-proofed, and the sooner we accept that, the better off we'll all be.

[tim]

Very well said, B.A. I was disappointed to hear about Costas' testimony because I've been a fan of his for years. He is well-rounded, well-read, and quite intelligent. His celebrity interviews on the old "Later" program on NBC are legend. I, for one, would certainly be watching a lot less of him, if I wasn't gambling on the events that he broadcasts. Not everyone has such a pure love of sports as Mr. Costas has. People need to respect other people's perspectives as well as there own. If my Dad were an alcoholic and it ruined our family, should I be promoting a ban of alcohol sales??

[oddswiz]

I think it's interesting for Costas to take this stance all of a sudden.

With all due respect to his fathers problem,I can vividly recall watching Costas on the NBC pregame shows years ago,with hardly a show ever going by without him making some reference to a pointspread.Wasn't he in fact contributing to the "problem"?

Costas however,didn't make nearly as many references as ABC's Al Michales currently does.....

[brihood]

Bringing in these celebrities to tell their
sad story is just another way to get their point across LOUDER than what is necessary. Just like meryl streep when we had the huge apple poisen scare. keep hollywood and high
profile people the hell out of this type of thing. Costas looks no worse for wear. he is doing fine.the effect could not have been that great. do we bring in "foster brooks" and tell everybody about the evils of drinking? do we stop that?
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS.
take the approach of teaching the downside
of gambling to people. don't take it away
who have control over it. it does not work
ie: prohibition

http://www.bettorsworld.com/ubb/frown.gif
bg

[Hartley]

If gambling on the NFL was truly illegal - Vegas and everywhere, Bob
Costas wouldn't have a job because football wouldn't be nearly as
popular as it is.

[PaulieDV]

The person that should have spoke to the National Gambling Study Panel (or whatever the hell they call it) is Al Michaels. Mr. Michaels is an avid horse racing fan and he never lets a pointspread comment go by. For example this game is really OVER now!!!!

[Underdog7]

Let me add PaulieDV....That kicked was way left and UNDER.....

[WhiteShoes]

Bob's father would have found someway
to lose all his money regarless of
whether or not las vegas takes sports
wagers. Either he would have become
a total horse nut, card player, or
casino gambler. Better yet, he would
have found an illegal bookie to make
all his sports bets. Blaming legalized
sports-betting for anyone's addiction
is scapegoating. I think Bob might be
harboring a slight bias because 1) he
feels he owes it to his dad, and 2) he'd
like to see sportsbetting be banished
so people might actually tune in "just
to hear his splendid comments". What
a misrepresention of the truth!!!