Bill would ban military slot machines

[SKKY]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A bill in Congress seeks to eliminate military slot machines overseas that take in $130 million a year, mostly from soldiers.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tennessee, named the bill after Army Warrant Officer Aaron Walsh, a decorated Apache helicopter pilot who became addicted to gambling on military slot machines.

Walsh eventually was discharged from the Army. He committed suicide after several failed attempts to break his addiction.

The Defense Department uses slot machine revenues to pay a small portion of its morale, welfare and recreation programs.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/15/military.gambling/index.html

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This is a very good thing. I've seen the bad that can come from this, and it just isn't worth it.

[JDPriestly]

1. Used to be the military addicted people to tobacco.

Now it is gambling. What a shame! Gambling is really a much more serious problem in our society than people realize.

[DS1]

2. I remember back when I was a teenager and was visiting England

where I was born, on a regular trip there. One day my mother took me and a few local friends to (I think) Blackpool, which was basically the equivalent of the Jersey Shore. I started to gamble, and immediately got hooked on it, and was finally dragged away. It was when I put up a fight about not playing anymore that I realized I had to stop. I can see how gambling can be addictive, just like any other drug.

I'd rather see our servicemen play spades for money, at least it builds up teams.

[Mojorabbit]

3. When my ex husband was stationed

in Japan twenty something years ago it was one of the most fun things to do. What a shame they are going to end it. I know that some people have a problem with this but most do not and can play them for fun and entertainment. I used to spend hours happily playing a nickle machine at total cost of five bucks or so.

[SKKY]

4. And if everyone could exercise the same self control as you obvously did....

...this would be a non-issue. But it's becoming much more serious than that. And it's not just service members. I remember a guy who had to send his wife back to Japan (Where she was originally from) because she basically bankrupted their family playing slots. I personally know of 5 people who, in the past year, have had to be "helped" because of their gambling issues.

[orleans]

5. protecting the military from slot machines as we throw the military at

this bullshit war.

fucking crazy.

this is important, but arming the soldiers isn't.

:crazy:

[kickysnana]

6. Where is the bill to ban CIA drug planes? n/t

[Android3.14]

7. Life is too short

This is a slippery slope, and you can see the sweet-intentioned dogooders ready to toss us into a police state in no time.
Didn't anybody read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? It may be some schlock pop fiction, but even the most jaded reader recognizes that Delores Umbridge is dangerous with her simpering thought control.

I cannot but wonder how many of the bleeding hearts upthread think we should legalize drugs, or that internet porn should remain legal, or that folks should be able to buy brands of beer other than non-alcoholic Buckler, or that the government should stay out of any number of potentially addictive activities.

Nothing annoys me more than somebody stepping in to take something away for my own good.

The last 8 years have taught us nothing.

[Mojorabbit]

8. Great post! eom

[BearSquirrel2]

10. Agreed ...

I do not like the gambling industry. My only desire is to find the maximum level of taxation that allows them to sustain their activities legitimately so it doesn't go underground and add power to organized crime.

[aquart]

9. We're stealing their pitiful paychecks with slot machines?

You mean there's nothing in our bloated military budget for"morale, welfare and recreation programs"???

Unfuckingbelievable.

[davsand]

11. We trust their intelligence when they sign up for the military.

Hell, we regularly hand them equipment that cost millions and is capable of mass destruction, and we can't trust them to decide how much to plug into a slot machine on base?

I dunno, seems like if we trust those guys to die fighting whatever political dog and pony show Congress signs them up for, maybe we can let them decide how to spend the money they make.




Laura

[SKKY]

12. Here's the problem...

Yes, the military will give you every ample opportunity to throw away your money, but they do very, very little in the way of "educating" sailors, airman, marines, and soldiers on the pitfalls of such things. Then, if you get into trouble and are unable to help yourself, they'll demote you, penalize you, revoke your security clearance, or kick you out. If they're not going to provide an adequate safety net, which they obviously have no intentions of doing, I'm fine with them getting rid of the source all together.