In Which We Question the Logic of Anti-Gambling Laws and Iowa Republicans

Front-page article in today's Times discusses the byzantine world of online sports betting.  Such betting is mostly illegal in the United States, except in Las Vegas, because sports betting is perfectly fine as long as it's conducted in a desert atmosphere.  When people outside of Vegas bet on sports, they are engaging in an illegal activity, and so must navigate the shadowy realms of the internet and, apparently, Fifth Avenue.  It's all rather confusing to me.  Mainly because sports betting--and gambling in general--is one of those mostly victimless crimes like personal marijuana use and, I don't know, arson, that people should be allowed to engage in, free from government interference.  The very fact that sports books are legal in Vegas--and other forms of gambling are legal virtually everywhere across the country--is an indication that maybe the federal government could find better things to do with its time.  In the meantime, though, I will just reiterate that people should be allowed to do whatever they want with their own money.  Except bet on the Knicks--that's a clear sign of a dangerous mental deficiency.

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People are drawn to Ben Carson because he is "calm."  Makes sense.  It's a trait that appeals to classic Republican values.  Like Teddy Roosevelt said, "Speak softly and be an idiot."