There is a ridiculous story about a hunter named Ned who bet another hunter named Fred that he could leave the cabin, go out into the woods and come back within the hour with a bearskin. They bet $10, and Ned went off into the forest. The hour passed quickly. No Ned. Two hours went by ” nothing. Three hours later, a loud pounding on the door of the cabin was heard. Fred opened the door, and there was an enormous brown bear standing there. "Your name Fred?" asked the bear. "Why . . . yes," stammered the surprised hunter. "You know a guy named Ned?" "Yes I do," answered Fred. "Well," said the bear, "he owes you $10."

(1) I don't know if that is a story about the dangers of gambling or the dangers of messing with bears. I do know, however, that some forms of gambling can be hazardous to your…