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Saturday, June 27, 2009
M.I.N.E. Part III
“It’s a ploy to keep going to get what they’re looking for, until they’re finally going
to get their full-blown casino. Even my friends who come over tell me they would never live here.” - Hal Perry,
neighbor to Twin Rivers Casino in RI. His father was a contruction worker who first built the Lincoln
Downs (now Twin Rivers) racetrack.
More is never enough. One generation later and the town has changed. The whole thing
has drawn the ire of those who have to put up with a casino in their town. It just gets worse and worse. Horse track to dog track to racino to 24 hr slots to all slots then
full blown casino. And the neighbors hate it. Of course, this was not what was advertised. It never is.
Mr. Perry knows. "Its a ploy." Casino lobbyists, track owners, casino
developers and investers know what they want and it is only your cash. The blazes with the host community or the losers
patrons.
“I am considering moving,” said Mr. Baglini, a 20-year resident. “Lincoln is no longer
the Lincoln it was. This was rural country with historic homes. It is being irreversibly changed.”
And this what some want for Massachusetts. Bring casinos or slots or any such thing and MA
will NEVER be the same again. Learn from other's mistakes for a change.
Friday, June 19, 2009
M. I. N. E. Part II
''If the Legislature sent [a table games bill] to me, and it was the will of the Legislature,
I would consider it.'' - Pennsyvania Governor Ed Rendell
Gee, only a few years ago PA brought in slot machines to bring in added revenue and the magical pot
of gold at the end of the gambling rainbow didn't bring in the revenue to stem off state revenue short falls. But, as
always More Is Never Enough. "Let's bring table games." Of course, who has his sticky fat fingers in the mess is Sheldon Adelson. Is there a state that he doesn't throw his wallet around? At least Rendell admits bringing them will not solve
PA's budget problems.
PA seems so full of corruption, can we continue to wish slots or casinos for us, the other Commonwealth?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Slots for Who?
Maura Carney, 45, of Brockton, former Brockton Sgt. Lon Elliott, 47, of Abington and Lilly Rempel,
28, of Taunton, a German citizen who worked at the Raynham dog track, were arrested Wednesday on a federal
indictment charging conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and entering into a marriage to evade immigration laws.
Carney, general manager of the Brockton Fair and daughter of Raynham dog track owner George
Carney, is accused of recruiting Elliott to marry Rempel in 2007 so the German woman — who was in the United States
on visa — could stay in the country.
Elliott had been in charge of the Brockton Police Department detail office until January 2007,
when he was replaced. One of his duties included arranging the paid details for the Brockton Fair.
Elliott was fired from the department earlier this year in connection with the arrest of a man who
owed money to the Raynham track.
Jose Semedo, a black businessman, told police he was falsely arrested and then called a racial slur
when he protested.
Semedo, who owed the Raynham dog track $5,200, was picked up on a warrant that had been cleared up
a day earlier. He also said he was kept locked up even after Elliott was told the warrant was no good.
Feds watching for cases of marriage fraud
Can we expect more of this? What is this family about anyway? Breaking the law of the land
for favors and the false arrests of people who owe the company. George Carney wants slots at his dying track, whose
life support plug will be pulled in 7 months. What more corruption would we get if he, his family or anyone
else are allowed to get into the predatory gambling business? NO Casino, NO Racino and NO Slots.
Hat tip to Blogger Shark. You really bite.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Breaking News
Resolution Opposing Predatory Gambling Wins at Mass. State Democrat Convention in Springfield
Today, at the Democrat Platform Convention in Sprigfield, the delegates voted to add to the democrat
platform a resolution to oppose slot machines and predatory gambling. The delegates passed the resolution. This
good news in that it would mean that pro-casino politicians would be bucking against their own party platform if they support
slots at the tracks. Delegates as a rule do not like their candidates running contrary to the official party platform.
This makes it even more difficult for expanded gambling to pass in MA. The full text of the resolution:
Whereas the Democratic Party has a long and proud tradition of advocating for social justice, working
for policies that promote the public health, and fighting to protect citizens from exploitive and predatory business practices
And whereas modern slot machines use neuroscience-informed technology to mesmerize and entrap gamblers and to keep them playing
until they have exhausted their resources ("playing to extinction And whereas medical research has documented the highly addictive
nature of the brain's chemical reactions to slot machine stimulation; And whereas licensing and promoting such addictive,
predatory gambling technology for the purpose of raising State revenues goes against the aforementioned values and principles
for which the Democratic Party has long stood, and is at odds with the ideals that underlie our Party's honorable and consistent
struggle to end the deceptive and predatory lending, marketing, and pricing practices that have pushed so many families to
the brink; And whereas legalizing slot machines would erode participation in the Lottery and siphon away from local small
businesses the discretionary spending on goods and services that they depend on; And whereas the development of slot machine
parlors would neither create significant new jobs, nor increase tourism in Massachusetts; And whereas evidence from other
states indicates that the long-term costs of gambling addiction -- increased substance abuse, increased crime, increased family
discord and dysfunction -- outweigh the short term benefits of licenses and gambling revenues; Now, therefore, be it resolved
that the Massachusetts Democratic Party, as a matter of both principle and policy, opposes the legalization of slot machines
and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling as a means of raising public revenues.
Today Casino Free Philly Beat the House
"Its pretty awesome to see security scrambling around the
casino like lovesick puppy dogs after us. They have no idea what to do!"
Numerous anti-casino organizations lead by Casino Free Philly met today to peacefully protest the predatory gambling industry at Harrah's Casino in Chester Pennsylvania. Around
50 protesters sporadically entered the casino and proceeded to "play" the slot machines. They put in their money and
sat there. They didn't hit "spin". Apparently you have to lose your money to be considered playing. They
had wonderful conversations with workers and patrons alike. It was management that like them there. As they were
escorted out the activists took off their outer shirts to reveal t-shirts that read, "You Won't Prey On Us". Two thumbs
up to Casino Free Philly.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Casino Flu and Slot Syndrome
Nevada, gambling capital of America, has also long been the country’s problem gambling capital.
The only significant statewide study on the topic, in 2002, showed that about 6.4 percent of the state’s
adults were either problem or pathological gamblers — almost one in 15 Nevadans. And Gamblers Anonymous has more active chapters
in the Las Vegas Valley than in any other metropolitan area in the world.
Yet before 2005, Nevada officials barely acknowledged the problem, or that myriad social costs were
associated with it.
Las Vegas Sun June 1, 2009
Wow! Can you imagine that? It is estimated that over 110,000 adults in Nevada have got
Casno Flu. Now that is an epidemic. Just imagine if Massachsetts gets casinos and slots. That's over 277,000
adults. Our state leaders are betting that these addicted and problem gamblers are going to save the Commonwealth.
Just what the doctor ordered.
And this:
“I am quite disappointed some of my fellow Democrats would even consider action like this (slots
at the race tracks). Democrats are supposed to be the part that advocates for jobs — not against them.” -
Raynham Selectman Chairman Joseph R. Pacheco
Apparently boy Pacheco, the guy with the same last name as but not related to Slot State Senator
Marc Pacheco, has slot syndrome and is enraged so much that all the democtrats are not going ga ga for predatory gambling also.
He will be trying to infect the delegates at the state convention in Springfield this week end. Come on down Joey.
Casino Free Mass has a booth there with vaccine waiting for your arrival.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Take Every Last Penny
"We can’t fault the tribe for deciding against a Big Brother tracking operation that targets
problem gamblers with free meals and other incentives to throw more of their income away." - The News Tribune Editorial
Staff
“a grossly short-sighted business decision” that
“ignores the fact that 20 percent of the customers yield 80 percent of the profits.”
A players club card would give them the ability to track their suckers patrons every move,
thus marketing to them specifically to squeeze every penny from them. Now THAT is how to run a casino. Play to extinction the 20% and reap the cash. I'm glad to see the industry admits it is predatory.
“Most indicated they believed they would lose their job if it were discovered they spoke up –
and others even indicated they were just afraid of what could happen. A number of employees asked to be interviewed away from
the casino and then only with a guarantee of anonymity.”
Everyone needs to be happy and smiling as they ask the patron filled with free drinks if
he "wants in" one more time. They have to take their money's worth with a clear conscience. Its bad for business
if the employees feel intimidated or sad. You can't take every penny with a frown.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Politics of M. I. N. E.
More
Is
Never
Enough
This has
been one of the many anti-tax slogans conveyed across the country last month during the under reported Tea Party rallies. Obama’s new puppy has gotten more press than hundreds of thousands of people that
showed up all across the country to protest over taxation and wasteful government spending.
How does giving to advocacy groups like ACORN $4 billion dollars stimulate the economy and create jobs?
What constitutes as stimulating to a tax and spend government should never be taken as economic common sense to anyone
with a full cranium. Raising the sales tax spurs business growth? Raising the gas tax helps consumer spending positively? It
spurs the government to consume more of yours and my hard earned cash. That is
what it does.
This same
faulty logic is used in the casino debate here in the Commonwealth and across the nation.
More is never enough. Delaware and other states with already casinos are looking to sports betting. U. S. Congressman Barney Frank is sponsoring an internet gambling bill. RI wants to expand Twin Rivers into a full casino (because MA is a looming threat) and Twin River
owners wanted to but were denied being able to dump the not profitable hounds. Won’t Ourway Realty want to do that eventually to harness racing at Plainridge, if they get slots? It is bad enough that we have
the Lottery here where 80% of the tickets are bought by only 20% of the players. We
know the history of the Lottery. It started as a 4 number game played once a
week and is now so large that State Treasurer Timothy Cahill is having issues. The money taken in is spent not solely for education
spending to relieve the real estate tax burden of home owners as originally advertised, but on anything the state government
sees fit. Is that not the same reason Governor Deval Patrick gave to expand gambling
with his failed 3 casino resort deal?
That was
when the economy was good. Now that we are in a recession, the cry is to bring
in more revenue & jobs with casinos, racinos and/or slots. You mean we are
going to replace jobs lost in the financial, technology and professional services sectors with temporary construction workers,
black jack dealers, janitors and hotel maids and expect a positive net increase in tax revenues? What is very interesting about this economic downturn is that 47 out of the 50 states are experiencing state budget shortfalls. Even curiously noted is Pennsylvania, the darling of many Mass. pro-casino types, is projected to have an almost 17% shortfall in 2010 on top of this year’s 7% drop
from the year before. PA is only
3 years old in the slot arena and I thought that by putting in slots NEW revenue
was supposed to be flowing in like milk & honey. With gambling addiction on the rise in this recession, is it any wonder of it all that the only ones gaining revenues are the slots and casino owners
and not the states, the surrounding communities nor the patrons foolish enough to think they can survive financially from
elusive gambling winnings?
And this
from CasinosNo!:
Hollywood Slots hasn't worked. We no longer have to speculate about the economic impact of a casino. We've got one right in
downtown Bangor, and it hasn't lived up to its promises. Remember
their claims? A "racino" in Bangor would revive harness racing in Maine. It would create jobs and economic development. Crime would not increase. So what's
happened? The yearly handle for live racing (which reflects the number of people betting on harness racing) continues to fall,
from $7 million in 2005 (the year Hollywood Slots opened) to $4.7 million last year, according
the Maine Harness Racing Commission. Unemployment in Bangor
has grown from 4.6% in 2005 to 7.5% today, and downtown restaurants are closing (the ones that have stayed
open say they've seen no effect from the casino). Retail sales are down, crime is up (of course the casino and its supporters
say the casino isn't to blame, but crime is down in every other non-casino city in Maine and hey, they promised no increase
in crime). So the next time someone tries to tell you casinos bring jobs and economic development, ask them how come it hasn't
worked in Bangor?
It doesn’t
seem to be working much anywhere, but then again More Is Never Enough.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Naive - deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment
“It was not the defendant’s idea; it was the result of the defendant’s naďveté as opposed to
criminal intent.” - Marshall’s attorney, Paul F. Markham
- Raped a woman in 1980.
- Lied to Congress in 2004 about his service in Vietnam trying to get the Mashpee tribe recognized.
- Schmoozes tribal leaders to become chief, but settles for tribal council chairman.
- Orchestrated the shunning of tribal members who questioned tribal finances.
- Uses money from the Mashpee Fisherman's Fund as a personal piggy bank to use on vacations,
food, tuition for his daughter and home upgrades and bling.
- Funnels money to multiple political campaigns from the same fund through other tribal members
to gain attention from politcal leaders to gain support for recognition.
- Stands before a Middlborough audience and proclaims opposition as "racists".
- After proclaiming the the "tribe is coming anyway", convinces a truly
ignorant naive Middleborough
BOS and an almost 2/3rds of the July 2007 town meeting to sign the Inter-Government Agreement for a casino "or else."
- Filed fraudulent tax returns.
- And, claimed social security he was not owed.
Calling him a "pawn" was far from reality. Of course, before the judge on Thursday during sentencing Marshall states:
"It was so much for me to be hit with at one time, I didn't really fathom half of the stuff that
they were talking about. I was under a lot of stress."
 The judge didn't buy it. Answering questions with a hot lamp beaming on you is the only "stress" he was feeling.
Yeah, he sure looked stressed signing the IGA waiting under a cool tent while some town citizens were being treated for heat
exhaustion. I hope Glenn likes his orange jump suit. He won't have the stress of ruining running the tribe
for the next 3 1/2 years.
Question! If Glenn Marshall was just a "pawn" of casino investors, then was all
the work throwing money around for recognition for real recognition?
Sunday, April 26, 2009
How Bad Can It Get?
"It's something that could potentially become very big, and we're only seeing, potentially, the
very beginning of a widespread outbreak." - Dr. Jason Eberhart-Phillips, Kansas health officer
___________________________________________________________
COMMENTS:
I overheard a group of women this morning who were talking about Markoff. This is the gist of what
I'm hearing:
"He had everything going for him. What a shame he was a gambling addict."
The people I am hearing comment on this case are seeing this as the Foxwoods' Killer (who happened
to use Craigslist) and not faulting Craigslist.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Its All An Illusion
This is the game plan I have seen played out here in Massachusetts. First it was the inevitable
Mashpee Wampanoag Resort Casino to come to Middleborough. Ever since their magical appearance in the spring of 2007
saying they were "coming home" (I thought home was Mashpee?), it was all, "they are coming anyway". But that is dead
now. The tribe and the town officials who have put all their eggs in this one basket are in denial and are still "moving
forward." It can't come now as I have previously explained. Word is, the tribe will gracefully bow out in the
fall, just before having to give the next annual payment to the town.
Now that State Senator Therese Murray and Rep. Robert Deleo, Treasurer Timothy Cahill and Gov. Deval
Patrick are now licking their chomps again for casinos, racinos or slot parlors, the inevitability train rides again.
Devalue's 3 resort casino plan died a quick death last year. Some form of new gambling has been introduced almost
every year on Beacon Hill for as long as I can remember and they have all died.  All these failures do not seem to stop the predatory gambling interests from pressing forward. With a recession continuing
and tax revenues falling, many pols are drooling at the possibility to get more of someone's hard earned cash supplied to
them by a lucrative predatory industry (Why should our state representatives have a conscience?) so they can spend the money
as they seem fit. Which is usually wasted on hacks, special interests and campaign contributors. Don't kill
the job or at least create new jobs (A new Gambling Commission) is their motto. Do they care if local businesses close
or municipalities get stuck with the big bills to maintain the casino crowds or the increase in social ills? Noooooo.
As long as they have money coming into their campaigns, have plenty of sign holders and more hack jobs for friends & relatives
or payback lobby jobs for themselves, forget about the rest of us hard working citizens.
This is how the illusion is played. Tell everyone it is coming anyway. Tell them you
can't fight it or the the opposition is too small and ram it though with little fight. That is their plan. But,
since we ae aware of the plan, we will fight. We will not let our way of life be changed or controlled by predatory
gambling interests. For our children's and our grand children's sake, we continue on and expose the snake oil salesman
that industry is. The illusion is made known. It is not a done deal. History has proven this so.
8:13 pm est
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