I never, in a million years, would expect to read this in the Boston Globe – a front-page article about the growing movement rising up against casinos. Several weeks ago, I wrote an email to Matt Viser, after he wrote another one of the Globe’s casinos-are-wonderful front page “news” articles, asking when he was going to write something that didn’t cast casinos in anything but a positive light. Well, he did. Today. Go read it.
It’s mainly about CasinoFreeMass, an organization I’ve become very ingrained in. Over at Ryan’s Take, I wrote about how I was asked to be a featured speaker at their first community forum, held in New Bedford. I’ve been helping them plan future events ever since. It’s perhaps the most diverse group I’ve ever seen, representing some of the most progressive, liberal people out there – as well as people I’ve fiercely battled in other fights in the past. None of us seem to be willing to let our differences get in the way – it’s all about blocking casinos.
So, to see some of our hard effort pay off – noticeably, in today’s front-page news, is astounding. We’ve still yet to see serious investigative pieces examining the numbers on both sides, but today is such a step in the right direction that I’m positive we’ll get there. It’s important that everyone in this state have access to serious news and analysis on how casinos will actually impact Massachusetts, both economically and in our communities. It’s about time we have an adult conversation on all the revenue problems we’ve been having in this state, as opposed to pretending casinos will cure all ills. Here’s to reading about that in Viser’s next casino article.
howardjp says
Has had, until recently, a Puritanical attitude toward casinos. Now, they’ve expressed their concerns but have moved on beyond outright opposition, which makes sense.
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p>I would be more concerned about casinos if the Governor didn’t have a policy on life sciences, wasn’t committed to build housing that working families can afford and ignored the plight of our cities and towns. If this was the centerpiece of the Patrick Admninistration, I’d be concerned too, but it’s not. What does concern me is the inaction of the Gov’s colleagues on so many of the important issues facing our state.
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p>Massachusetts is not going to thrive with 3 casinos, nor is it going to fall prey to the minions of Satan (check with Dana Carvey on that though). So let’s move forward, prudently, then maybe we can repeal Prohibition next. (Oh, we did that already? Shocking!)
charley-on-the-mta says
about the Governor’s housing policy ideas. I’m genuinely curious, and I don’t remember much from the papers. But I miss things. (I don’t mean to hijack this thread … maybe start a new diary?)
howardjp says
http://www.iberkshires.com/sto…
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p>It contains a commitment to a number of existing programs, Housing Innovations Fund, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, etc, but most important, supports the maintenance of our current state public housing stock, which has suffered from many years of neglect. Be nice to see some new wrinkles, but you have to start somewhere, they also may not be evident from the press story,in fairness.
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p>In terms of casinos bringing the ruination of communities, could you please cite some examples Ryan? I’ve been to casinos in Las Vegas, one of the fastest growing commnunitis in the US (for better or for worse), in Green Bay, in Detroit, which didn’t have much to begin with, and in Eastern Connecticut. I’ve gone by rural casinos in Fla and Arizona. I have never been to Atlantic City, but Massachusetts is not considering such a community.
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p>Again, public policy should not be focused on casinos as a priority, but nor should we be spooked by them. Question, can this be put on a ballot or as a “revenue” issue, is it prohibited from going before the people? Thanks to anyone who can clarify.
ryepower12 says
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p>2. We need to have an adult conversation here. Casinos are a gimmicky issue that’s preventing us from tackling the real issues. I’m very happy to see Governor Patrick create many good proposals. Perhaps, if he focused on them instead of casinos, we could get some of them to pass instead of all of them either being killed on sight or watered down to oblivion. Furthermore, just because Governor Patrick has a few good proposals, doesn’t mean we ought to give him slack when he creates an egregious one such as casinos.
lasthorseman says
the minions of Satan are very real but people today fail to recognize them. They walk freely among us. In fact many of them are “leading” us.