Soccer Dad

Bennett's odd past

Bill Bennett, the former Secretary of Education and national drug czar had an interesting past. (He had an interesting present a few years ago, when it was revealed that he enjoyed - and lost quite a bit of money - gambling.) Back when he was a graduate student at the University of Texas he had a blind date with - Janis Joplin. Time Magazine put it like this

Many of Bennett's themes resonate with boomer parents who were '60s liberals but now seek an antidote to the antisocial, materialist messages their children are absorbing from popular culture. And as someone who himself played guitar in a rock band, had a date with Janis Joplin, opposed the Vietnam War and campaigned for civil rights in Mississippi, Bennett demonstrates through his personal journey how far America has moved during the past three decades on cultural issues.

Now we learn something else of his past: he gave Charles Schumer a "B"

Schumer was a senior at Harvard in 1971 when he wrote the paper about building a more effective Congress -- and furious when he received a B. His instructor? Conservative commentator Bill Bennett, a Harvard law student who was teaching the undergraduate social studies course. "He went nuts," said Bennett, who was unmoved when Schumer lobbied for a higher grade.

Bennett said the senator still reminds him of the beef every time they meet. "He says, 'I don't know if you remember this . . .' and I say, 'Stop with the grade-grubbing.' "

Of course back then, Bennett probably wasn't nearly as conservative as he was later in the 70's, so the grade can't necessarily be chalked up to different philosphies either.

But still bringing this up 36 years later?

Blogdigger tags: Bill Bennett, Janis Joplin, Charles Schumer.