I was listening to syndicated sports radio personality Gary Radnich yesterday. Usually, I enjoy his fairly entertaining program, more for side characters “P-Con” and Dan Dibley than for the host himself, who is an aging curmudgeon who only stays abreast of current trends by utilizing talented youthful underlings. (And for this, I do have to give the man credit.)
The guy has something against gamblers and, I suspect, indulgence in general. I’ve heard him remark negatively more than once on the subject, and it always ruffles my feathers because it seems to me that his opinion comes from a place of complete ignorance. (He played basketball at UNLV, but claims he avoided the casinos almost completely.)
Yesterday, however, his fatuousness and lack of knowledge reached a real zenith. He remarked on his show, “There’s no such thing as a happy gambler,” or something very, very close.
It always fascinates me when someone rails against an activity they never took part in. I dislike golf; but that’s because I’ve tried the sport and found myself to be really terrible at it. Being competitive, I don’t like things I’m bad at, so I can’t stand playing golf, though I admire it as a spectator sport. But somehow, Radnich thinks it’s his place to remark on the personal joy experienced by a whole group of people he obviously looks down upon from his lofty perch atop the intellectually sophisticated world of sports radio. It’s frustrating and insulting to hear this halfwit posit opinions on subjects he has – admittedly – little or no authority to comment upon.
I’ve got news for you, sir: millions of people in the world enjoy gambling. Along with other obvious examples, it is one of the oldest leisure activities known to humanity. It is an exciting pastime which can test and illuminate the quality and makeup of an individual’s intelligence, daring and – believe it or not – character. It enhances meaning by creating a personal stake in events that would otherwise be completely lacking in importance. Just ask your friends at the NFL.
As with almost anything else in life, when taken too far, gambling can create problems. And yes, there are unhappy people in the world in almost every endeavor, including gambling. But don’t further insult those of us who have passion for the activity by broadcasting the notion that we’re all miserable. Just so you are on notice: I’m a gambler as well as a happy person. You really don’t know what you’re talking about.
The guy has something against gamblers and, I suspect, indulgence in general. I’ve heard him remark negatively more than once on the subject, and it always ruffles my feathers because it seems to me that his opinion comes from a place of complete ignorance. (He played basketball at UNLV, but claims he avoided the casinos almost completely.)
Yesterday, however, his fatuousness and lack of knowledge reached a real zenith. He remarked on his show, “There’s no such thing as a happy gambler,” or something very, very close.
It always fascinates me when someone rails against an activity they never took part in. I dislike golf; but that’s because I’ve tried the sport and found myself to be really terrible at it. Being competitive, I don’t like things I’m bad at, so I can’t stand playing golf, though I admire it as a spectator sport. But somehow, Radnich thinks it’s his place to remark on the personal joy experienced by a whole group of people he obviously looks down upon from his lofty perch atop the intellectually sophisticated world of sports radio. It’s frustrating and insulting to hear this halfwit posit opinions on subjects he has – admittedly – little or no authority to comment upon.
I’ve got news for you, sir: millions of people in the world enjoy gambling. Along with other obvious examples, it is one of the oldest leisure activities known to humanity. It is an exciting pastime which can test and illuminate the quality and makeup of an individual’s intelligence, daring and – believe it or not – character. It enhances meaning by creating a personal stake in events that would otherwise be completely lacking in importance. Just ask your friends at the NFL.
As with almost anything else in life, when taken too far, gambling can create problems. And yes, there are unhappy people in the world in almost every endeavor, including gambling. But don’t further insult those of us who have passion for the activity by broadcasting the notion that we’re all miserable. Just so you are on notice: I’m a gambler as well as a happy person. You really don’t know what you’re talking about.
