"I have no problems with casino gambling, but it doesn't take a genius to understand that Deval's plan is a bad idea. Leaving aside the debate about how much revenue it will bring in, the bigger question is, where is that revenue going to go? No one really believes it will help reduce property taxes. And no one seems to be talking about taking down the tolls on The Pike in exchange for these casinos. No. Any revenue generated by the casinos, no matter how small or big they are, will go to Beacon Hill to be spent on expanding programs, creating new ones, and fattening the wallets of legislators." - Matt Margolis, HubPolitics

http://www.devalpatrickwatch.com/archives/2007/10/deval_needs_a_c.php

“All I’ve heard is the emotional argument,” Governor Deval Patrick said of the public debate about his casino proposal. Casinos, he said, will not “jeopardize the character of the commonwealth.”

and... “I get it. It’s entertaining.”

http://www.telegram.com/article/20071130/NEWS/711300673

Devalue must be blind, deaf and can't read.  He has taken his mother to Foxwoods.  What did he do ignore the town when driving in?  He obviously won't or can't read the plethora of casino studies and pays no attention to legislators like DiMasi and Bosley.

Don't blame me, I voted for Christy.

"We have a real high elderly population, a poor population, and those are the ones most accepting of casinos, I would venture to say that if we gave the voters a choice between biotech and casino gambling, they would pick casino gambling." - Holyoke's mayor, Michael Sullivan, whose community has twice approved casinos in nonbinding ballot questions.

 

"Not since old Dr. Frankenstein got to stitching in his lab has there been a creature harder to kill than the idea that casino gambling belongs in Ohio." - Aaron Marshall, Plain Dealer Reporter on ballot initiative in Ohio to legalize casino gambling.

Boy, does this sound familar.  Here in Mass. this stuff comes up all the time as well.  The Kool-Aid is everywhere.  State Sen. "But-for" Pacheco and State Rep. "Chicken Little" Flynn must have relatives out there too.

"Once states become dependent on these (casino) revenues, it's almost impossible to wean them off of it."  - R. Shep Melnick, a public policy professor at Boston College

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071125/NEWS/711250337

And...

Slap on the Back to:

"From the onset of this debate we contemplated whether or not gambling on the SouthCoast is the answer to our troubles, but after some due diligence we discovered that being in the frying pan is safer than sitting in the fire itself.  We should invest in ourselves instead of sucking up promises made by casino developers..  Our position is that we shouldn't gamble with our future." - Editorial Staff of SoCo Magazine, November Issue

Outrageous Quote:

“We need the money. I think that if you build your economy based around casinos, no good will come of it. But if you make it a small piece and do it right and control it and make sure that it’s complementary to your economy, it makes all the sense in the world.”- New Bedford Mayor, Scott Lang

Since when have casinos ever been done right, been controlled by anything or anyone except the owners.  Instead, they control the economy, jobs, and the politics of the area and only bring ill to all they consume.  You know, I "need the money" too, but I'm not going to take it from my neighbor through a dishonest transaction, which is what gambling is.

Slap on the Back Quote:

"I think Lang is dreaming in thinking a New Bedford casino would bolster local businesses. A casino resort would suck people in and offer a range of options to keep them on the premises." - M. Charles Bakst is The Journal’s political columnist

http://www.projo.com/news/politics/content/BAKST_COLUMN_22_11-22-07_OV7F471_v17.2623103.ht ml

Outrageous Quote of the Day

“This is an economic engine for the region and it will bring other things that are more positive,”  - Middleborough Selectman, Wayne Perkins

http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/11/21/news/news/news18.txt

Sorry Wayne, resort casinos are like black holes sucking the life blood from people who enter along with eliminating competition of surrounding businesses.  Resort casinos have not brought economic prosperity to the communities surrounding Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Twin Rivers or anywhere else.

Super Outrageous Quote:

"Gambling and other forms of entertainment associated with resort casinos can also provide social benefits associated with increased social stimulation and reduction of isolation," Mass. Health and Human Services Secretary Judy Anne Bigby

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/01/officials_say_they_cant_predict_gambl ings_social_costs/

Don't make me laugh. Although laughter is the best source of medicine.

Here is great commentary from "Squaring the Globe".

http://squaringtheglobe.blogspot.com/search/label/casinos

"I just could not stop myself.  When I took the money the first time, nobody noticed. It seemed so easy. ... It was like a drug. I was addicted. I had to go to the casino." - Charlene Darby, sentenced to one year in prison by Manchester Superior Court Judge Elliot Prescott for pocketing deposits from a East Hartfort Dunkin' Donuts.

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ctehddarby1120.artnov20,0,1471889.story

Slap on the Back:

"Mr. Frank has the audacity to justify his position by saying that it is not the job of government to tell people what to do with their money! He cannot be serious.  By his line of reasoning, I should be able to spend my money any way I wish, laws be damned! Murder for hire? Prostitution? Mr. Frank would have no problem with any of these?  I guess we can add Barney Frank to the list of those who wish to sell Massachusetts to the casino interests." - JAMES WISHART, North Attleboro

http://www.projo.com/opinion/letters/content/LT_wishart_RDY_11-11-07_9O7JBJL_v6.35995f4.ht ml

"At a casino, gambling $1 at a time, your odds of winning $1,000 before losing $1,000 are 1 in 2 trillion." - Travis Jarvis, mathematics department chairman at Brigham Young University, who has researched casino odds.

http://www.projo.com/business/content/BZ_serra11_11-11-07_797OANL_v7.2f93dbe.html

Slap on the Back Quote

“The more time you put in and the more questions you ask, the more skeptical you become, the burden of proof is on the proponents to prove that Massachusetts should go down this road.” - State Senator Mark Montigny, New Bedford

 

Outrageous Quote

“I think New Bedford will get a tremendous benefit from legalized gambling in Massachusetts." - New Bedford Mayor, Scott Lang

Yeah, just like Atlantic City has.

http://www.projo.com/business/content/BZ_NEWBEDFORD_CASINO_11-18-07_FK7RQJS_v103.2471367.h tml

http://blogs.southcoasttoday.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=nb-casino&entry=30

"Historically, it has been financially self-serving, rife with corruption and inextricably bound to special interest groups concerned exclusively with dollars lining their pockets rather than the coffers of the city or town in which a casino is located. That being said, the burden is on the governor and casino proponents to prove my skepticism is misplaced. 

In reviewing any casino proposal, the best interest of New Bedford and the surrounding communities is and will be my foremost priority. I will never sacrifice the economic health and well-being of the city for the financial gain of casino developers." - Sen. Mark Montigny, Democrat, representing Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and New Bedford

Outrageous Quote of the Day

"Massachusetts should benefit from Massachusetts gambling dollars – not Connecticut or any other state for that matter." - Sen. Joan Menard, Democrat, representing Fall River, Freetown, Lakeville, Rochester, Somerset, Swansea and Westport

Let's see... and those benefits are higher taxes, higher crime, budget deficits, embezzlement's, personal bankruptcy's, small business closures, traffic, traffic and more traffic, OUI, etc.  What more benefits could we ask for?

“Why would anybody destroy the quality of life by building a casino?"  - Dan Kennedy

Yes, Dan, a gaming house would bring crime, traffic, over-development and corruption and “turn the town into a city,” 

Anti-casino group boasts of winning hand

By Alice C. Elwell, Enterprise Correspondent

MIDDLEBORO— Casino foes declared Thursday they are holding the winning hand in the attempt to bring casino gambling to the state.

“From where I'm sitting, you're winning this battle,” said keynote speaker Dan Kennedy, a media critic and Boston university professor, at Thursday's meeting of the anti-casino group CasinoFacts.org at the Fireside grille in Middleboro.

“There's been no casino, and we'll continue to make sure there's no casino,” said CasinoFacts President Richard Young.

Kennedy, a former Middleboro resident, recounted memories of growing up in the town and said his opposition to a casino there came from his gut.

“Why would anybody destroy the quality of life by building a casino?” he said.

A gaming house would bring crime, traffic, over-development and corruption and “turn the town into a city,” he said.

Kennedy told Thursday's crowd of more than 100 people that Gov. Deval L. Patrick's plan to bring three casinos to the state does not stand a chance in the House of Representatives, where its speaker, Salvatore F. Dimasi, D-North End, and his “lieutenant,” Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, are both staunch opponents of expanded gambling.

Kennedy also suggested an old-fashioned tactic.

“Write and call your legislators, urging them to keep up the fight,” he said.

Slap on the Back Quote:

"I acknowledge the project may have substantial economic benefits for Middleborough, but that proposal does not recognize any of the impacts which extend beyond Middleborough. That is the reason I cannot support the project in its current state. It's irresponsible." - State Rep. Thomas Calter, Kingston

Outrageous Quote #1

"He (Calter) was aware of what was going on in Middleborough, and he didn't make any attempt to contact us and saying it will harm the region is total fallacy. I think the deal will be an economic engine for the entire state." - Middleborough Selectman Wayne Perkins

Outrageous Quote #2

"There's plenty of water," - Middleborough Selectman Adam Bond

Oh, and the water bans this summer were just "fallacy".  One million gallons a day for the resort will suck even the water from neighboring wells, let alone the water on some flying monkey's brain.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/15/legislator_middleborough_at_odds_over _casino/?page=1

"Rhode Island got pantsed.  They led a charge to put daggers in our referendum and at the same time were feathering their bed for Massachusetts." - Matthew Thomas, Narragansett tribe's chief sachem referring to Sol Kerzner and Len Wolman.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071114/NEWS/711140308/-1/rss01

Folks, this is what it is.  These schisters are only in it for themselves and have a hand in every pocket.  Whether it is the Mashpees, MGM & Suffolk Downs or Twin Rivers in RI.  They are playing their cards and passing out the free drinks (Kool-Aid).

This is my accessment.  Kerzner & Wolman are using the Mashpee to get into Massachusetts.  If the tribe gets a casino, they win.  The State all of a sudden needs to get on the band wagon, but guess who is at the reigns?  If class III comes to this state, Kerzner & Wolman will in one form or another have a piece of the action, even if the Mashpees can't the land into trust, the schisters still win.  It is win win for them.

STOP CASINOS IN MASS NOW!

Slap on the back:

" 'Together we can' has somehow morphed into 'place your bets here,' as casino gambling now threatens to become Governor Deval Patrick's signature issue. One can understand why: The lure of hundreds of millions of new state dollars would make any free-spending pol salivate. Yet the whole thing is an illusion, a combination of wishful thinking and bad economics." - Tom Keane, a Boston-based freelance writer, contributes regularly to the Globe Magazine and former Boston City Councilor

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine//articles/2007/11/11/bad_bet/

“I know the state is addicted to the revenues from gambling.  You think they’re going to listen to the people of Lincoln?” - Ronald A. McKenna, Lincoln, RI Town Council member referring to other Rhode Island elected officials on the overwhelming voter opposition to expanding Twin Rivers to a 24 hr full casino.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/LINCOLN_COLOR_11-11-07_CJ7QQIR_v14.34b8b78.html

After drinking the Kool-Aid, Mass officails are already addicted and we don't even have casinos yet.

Outrageous Quote of the Day

"Why is gambling in a casino OK and gambling on the Internet is not?  He's making a big mistake." - U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, who is sponsoring federal legislation to license and regulate online gambling nationally criticizing Gov. Patrick's plan to illegalize internet betting, but legalize casinos.

No, he is doing us a favor.  As you go on to say Blarney...

"He's giving opponents an argument against him."

Which leads to the Back Slap Quote of the day.

"If you were cynical about it, you'd think that they're trying to set up a monopoly for the casinos," - David Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Follow the money David, follow the money.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/11/10/patrick_pushing_casinos _wants_to_make_internet_bets_illegal/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Massachusetts+news

http://blogs.southcoasttoday.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=nb-casino&entry=17

http://blogs.southcoasttoday.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?webtag=nb-casino&entry=26

Notable quotes:

Outrageous-

"My support for any expanded gaming legislation will be contingent on whether these factors are met and the impact, if any, on communities that derive revenue from existing gaming venues are taken into consideration and the communities are made whole." - Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, Democrat, representing Wareham, Marion, Middleboro, Carver, Raynham, Taunton, Berkley, Bridgewater and Dighton emphasis mine.

"If any"? 'But for', you have really done your homework...NOT!

Slap on the Back-

"I have stated my adamant opposition to the proposed Middleboro Wampanoag Casino as it stands. The agreement is ill-conceived with no regard to the negative impact it will have on neighboring towns, specifically of interest to me is the community of Carver, which I represent in addition to Wareham and three precincts in Bourne. To date, the constituent contact I have received in regard to this issue has been overwhelmingly in opposition to both casino proposals. I will continue to look to my constituents for their input as it is my duty to act on their behalf and according to their will."  - Rep. Susan Gifford, Republican, representing Wareham, Carver and parts of Bourne

"Please be assured that I have never been a proponent of any plan to allow for the legalization of slot machines and other gambling practices. Casino gambling does not create new wealth; rather it redirects existing dollars at the expense of existing industries. While I concur with the governor’s assessment that our state needs to explore new sources of potential revenue, I have seen no evidence that casino gambling is a net positive revenue generator. On the contrary, I fear that allowing casino gambling to occur within our borders would become a severe hindrance to true economic development. Once we go down the road of casino gambling, we will be left with a myopic vision that diverts interest and investment away from our greatest potential sources of revenue and job growth which are the life sciences, medical devices, biotechnology, and other knowledge based industries." Rep. Michael J. Rodrigues, Democrat, representing Westport, parts of Fall River

Outrageous Quote:

“I'm sick and tired of the pace it's been going.  And I don't believe that a casino can get into Middleboro for at least 10 or 12 years. I want to bridge the gap between the governor's five-year proposal for casinos by allowing slot machines at the four tracks. Without this, there's going to be nothing for five years.  Chapter 70 aid to education could suffer, irretrievably." - State Rep. David Flynn, D-Bridgewater
On filing legislation to add 2,500 slot machines in the state's dog & horse tracks.

http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/11/07/news/news/news18.txt

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!  Children are not going to get educated!  We can save the state's dying racetrack gaming industry, we have the technology.  Doctor get me slots now!  Save the racetracks, save the world.

What is the rush Rep. Chicken Flynn?  Since when does anything rush through on Beacon Hill?  I think you need to rush to the men's room and relieve yourself of all the Kool-Aid you've been drinking.

Slap on the Back Quote:

"It’s never been the bureau’s policy to refuse to make use of a scholarly source because of its author’s religious orientation. Indeed, in response to Mr. Barrow’s reported charge that Mr. Grinols’ findings “are tainted by his evangelical Christian values,” one might wonder whether Mr. Barrow’s own judgments might have been tainted by the support his research has indirectly received from the casino industry."- ROBERTA R. SCHAEFER, Executive Director The Research Bureau, Worcester

http://www.telegram.com/article/20071107/NEWS/711070341

On the legitimacy of The Research Bureau's report on casino gambling.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20071027/NEWS/710270371 & http://www.telegram.com/article/20071028/NEWS/710280464

 

Outrageous Quote:

''We need to get along with each other. We need to help each other because it shouldn't boil down to the haves and have-nots. Whatever your people need, do not be afraid to ask other tribes, because as we invest in our future we have nothing if we can't help each other. If we have no unity, we're just another top 500 corporation and that I don't think is our way,'' -  Seneca President Maurice ''Mo'' John Jr.

On the formation of the partnership between the Seneca Tribe in NY and the Aquinnah Tribe of Martha's Vineyard to build a casino in Massachusetts.

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416041

"haves and have-nots", please, how sanctimonious.

"Is it better to pay for services with money taken by government force or with money voluntarily spent on casino gambling? (But if one is addicted to gambling, is that voluntary?)" - Barbara Anderson, Citizens for Limited Taxation

http://www.cltg.org/cltg/barbara/2007/07-10-18_50_years_after_'Atlas_Shrugged'.htm

___________________________________________

"No casino = no mitigation necessary." - Daniel Kennedy, MediaNation http://medianation.blogspot.com/2007/10/mitigation-sought-in-middleborough.html

Response to Adam Bond comment on Dan’s Blog.

___________________________________________

"Casinos will be defeated if you have a true, informed debate in Massachusetts." JETHRO HEIKO - Founder of Casino-Free Philadelphia http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2007/10/21/put_casinos _to_a_referendum/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Editorial%2FOp-ed+pages

___________________________________________

“Bosley understands that casino gambling is bad news, and he's got the data to back it up. That doesn't make him non-objective; it makes him right." Dan Kennedy, MediaNation, http://medianation.blogspot.com/2007/10/objectivity-redefined.html

In response to Rep. John Quinn and Rep. Steve Canessa’s assertion that Bosley's committee (THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES) cannot be objective. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/politics/view.bg?articleid=1040303

_________________________________________

In response to Middleboro Selectman Patrick Rogers' request for Middleboro to have a seat on the task force.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071025/PUB04/710250429/-1/TOWN 06

___________________________________________

“No longer is this just about southeastern Massachusetts. This is about every one of the commonwealth's cities and towns being put up to bid. The governor is wrong on this issue and we must rise up against this plan." - Richard Young, President of Casinofacts.org PAC and Casino Free Mass

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071027/NEWS/710270337/-1/rss01

___________________________________________

"It's not about the money. For me, it was the compulsion to win the game, which can't be won." - Amy Blackmarr, author and compulsive gambler.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BOOKS_AMY_BLACKMARR?SITE=COBOU&SECTION=HOME& ;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

___________________________________________

"The governor has proposed opening the door to a casino culture in the Commonwealth.  We think it's imperative to look at what that will really mean, warts and all." - David Guarino, spokesman for House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi

In response to criticism from Senate members concerning an informational meeting conducted by two House and Senate joint committees on the social dangers of casino gambling.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/31/hearing_to_focus_on_ills_of_gambling/

___________________________________________

“The people who want gambling are the promoters, and the legislators are in an odd position.  They have someone standing in front of them saying, ‘If you let us have a casino, we will give you tax revenue.’ ” - Earl L. Grinols, a Baylor University distinguished professor of economics, well-known gambling critic and evangelical economist.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20071028/NEWS/710280464/1116

___________________________________________

"What I learned is that this is more dangerous than I had known before,. . . It's not a simple game of poker or betting on the outcome of a football game. We're talking about a machine that was designed to illicit an addictive response." - Ruth Balser of Newton, House chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/01/officials_say_they_cant_predict_gambl ings_social_costs/

 ___________________________________________

“At the end of the day, a mouse cannot swallow an elephant, no matter how much money you have,”

On traffic gridlock created by patrons of a casino resort in Middleborough.

"In its current form I cannot support it. It does not consider the host region. I will not consider an irresponsible project for the sake of additional money"

On the Middleborough casino overall. (ouch!)

 - State Rep. Thomas J. Calter, D-Kingston http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/11/02/news/news/news11.txt

___________________________________________

"I think the jobs are overstated, I think the wages might be overstated, I think the cost-benefits are overstated, I also think it will have an immediate effect - of perhaps $100 million - on the Lottery that we will have to make up."

"If it's in Las Vegas or Miami, that's one thing, I don't see people coming here in February so they can go to the beach and go to a casino. I mean, what does a 'destination location' mean? He says golf courses. I say, it's a very short season here for golf."

House Speaker Sal DiMasi on Deval Patrick's casino plan.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/02/speaking_against_it/

“This analysis, if we can call it that, shows a complete lack of understanding of this complex industry,” Economic Development Secretary Dan O’Connell http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/politics/view.bg?articleid=1040502

This comment coming from the architect of the governor's casino legislation based solely on the input of casino lobbyists, casino friendly studies and by their own admission, NO INDEPENDENT CASINO STUDY REVUE.  In response to Mass Taxpayers Foundation’s report that Patrick casino plan has overestimated revenue projections. ___________________________________________

“I’m not opposed to his plan.  Barring any other alternative, I’d be supportive.” - US Congressman James McGovern, Worcester on Gov. Patrick's casino plan. http://www.telegram.com/article/20071104/NEWS/711040660

What a Kool-Aid comment that is?  He and State Sen. "but for" Pacheco must be good friends.

Coming from the same article.

“I don’t think it’s a big problem, I don’t think casinos are wild beasts that you have to be so careful about where they are put.” - US Congressman Barney Frank, Newton. 

And he is supposed to represent us on the south coast too.  I'd like to see if he favors it going up in Newton in his backyard.