tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72502087785775843582012-01-23T17:36:12.105-05:00Middleboro's Nosey NieghborGladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.comBlogger3481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-7659784217401432382012-01-22T17:23:00.000-05:002012-01-22T18:04:02.505-05:00

In response to several recent casino proposals, my town council recently suggested the formation of a “Gaming Mitigation Committee'. So OK, here we go, Bridgewater, listen up. From now on I need you to think of every casino proposal as if it were a football field. Imagine that the company wanting to build a casino is at one end of the field.  The town without a casino is at the

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-80677307185730318252011-12-06T10:25:00.001-05:002011-12-14T10:06:29.292-05:00

When I first saw the enthusiastic Foxboro casino protesters on TV, the scene was so hauntingly familiar that I couldn't help but be reminded of the sign beside my front door.  It reads, "Welcome Friends". I then made the following prediction: This is their one day. After that, they will be ignored by the media, which will focus only on the much more glamorous (albeit withered, sundried and

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-23198511232786715402011-11-24T11:17:00.000-05:002011-11-24T11:17:13.063-05:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-5066736758344136822011-11-22T11:32:00.000-05:002011-11-22T12:39:03.451-05:00

Perseverance, Triumph, Nosedive Massachusetts Prehistory Massachusetts Indian Tribes Pilgrims Minutemen Gloucester Fisherman 54th Massachusetts Regiment Bread and Roses Strike Boston Marathon John F. Kennedy 2004 Boston Red Sox Political Corruption Expanded Gambling (Click on image to enlarge)

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-88214437615254405142011-11-20T17:12:00.001-05:002011-12-06T14:40:44.638-05:00

Gambling and politics is about winning or losing. Our Coalition is about doing the right thing, win or lose. -- Tom Larkin, President  United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts April 2009 Gazing up Beacon Hill, it might as well be Kilimanjaro. For some reason, Frank had dropped us off in the middle of Park Street, which tilts up toward the State House at what feels like a 45 degree angle,

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-34833084131410622452011-11-17T09:28:00.001-05:002011-11-17T16:32:40.177-05:00

While experts from MIT and Harvard have testified repeatedly at legislative gambling hearings about the potential for addiction engineered into today's slot machines - touched on earlier this year in an episode of 60 Minutes - a colleague who works in the field of Business Intelligence recently shared a letter he wrote to Governor Patrick explaining other predatory practices the gambling industry

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-36400279066071164952011-11-05T13:27:00.000-04:002011-11-05T13:27:19.775-04:00

I think this editorial in the Globe by Citizens for a Stronger Massachusetts articulates one of the problems with Greg Bialecki, Deval Patrick's Secretary of Housing and Economic Development: Now, in seeking to minimize his role in the gambling bill, Bialecki claimed in an interview that he was never Patrick’s “lead person’’ on casinos and instead describes himself as “the spokesperson for the

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-1427592955339666192011-11-02T11:16:00.000-04:002011-11-02T11:17:40.445-04:00

This year's recipient of the Stan Rosenberg Award for Unwarrented Hubris in a Legislative Role is none other than Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee)! Wagner, who sits on the six-member gambling bill conference committee believes that a one-year ban on government officials from working in the gambling industry - which originally started as a five year ban - is still way too harsh, because: “It’s my

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-64356868450496635492011-10-18T17:28:00.000-04:002011-10-19T12:02:18.311-04:00

BOSTON – Both House and Senate leadership announced today that they've agreed to go back to work in order to add a new amendment to the same gambling bill which passed through both houses in the preceding months. But in what is perhaps an odd coincidence, the announcement came directly on the heels of a Commonwealth Magazine op-ed which cited several studies which would indicate that

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-3218614335478880172011-10-13T14:17:00.001-04:002011-10-13T15:28:27.875-04:00

A salvo in the war on slots was fired the other day, and was, as usual, serially ignored by the Governor, the Mass. Legislature and the media. Of course, if the news had been something positive about casinos and slot barns, the Governor would have mentioned it on a  talk radio program, the Mass. Legislature would have enshrined it as proof they had done due diligence, and, without a doubt it

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-24119791319666745502011-09-29T09:58:00.000-04:002011-09-29T09:58:21.877-04:00

We're knights of the round tableWe dance whene'er we're ableWe do routines and chorus scenesWith footwork impeccable.We dine well here in CamelotWe eat ham and jam and spam a lot. STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, SEPT. 27, 2011…..Senate leaders lashed out Tuesday over a proposal issued by a gambling opponent that would have restricted lawmakers from working for casino operators for five years after they

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-3304369164162423632011-09-26T19:21:00.016-04:002011-09-26T21:25:42.838-04:00

Do you suppose that local TV news stations know when they're getting played? See, I watch a lot of news over the course of a day - mostly Channel 7 (WHDH) at morning and midday, and Channel 5 (WCVB) in the evening and late night.   Usually, the news is just background noise while I work, but naturally, when there's some sort of gambling story it gets my attention. So imagine the battle for my

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-85909174718052720242011-09-15T12:58:00.005-04:002011-09-15T18:12:09.107-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-52958056173879816992011-05-05T08:58:00.002-04:002011-05-05T09:43:53.172-04:00

The Horde returns...

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-79974383802168556212011-03-28T11:35:00.002-04:002011-03-28T11:48:43.526-04:00

Four years ago when I scrambled to find some information on what casinos could mean for me, my town, and for Massachusetts, some of the first words I read were those of Former Rep. Dan Bosley of North Adams. The Boz researched the subject of expanded gambling since 1996, always trying to look at things from a financial standpoint, as well as from a long-term vs. short-term perspective. And not

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-1783832532851407782011-01-05T19:08:00.017-05:002011-01-06T10:32:59.414-05:00

As you may have heard, the CBS program 60 Minutes will be airing a segment this Sunday, January 9th, on the subject of predatory gambling - specifically slot machines. I've known about this for some time, but the cynic in me has refused to believe it was going to actually happen until I saw it for myself.  Because, first there was the build up, the buzz, the speculation.  I counted the hits on

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-46346613107875282982010-12-24T09:39:00.000-05:002010-12-24T09:39:04.171-05:00

This summer, despite every tea leaf in it's favor, legislation to bring predatory gambling to Massachusetts went down in an eleventh hour defeat. And in just the past few days, Congress chose not to pass a "Carcieri Fix" into law, a Massachusetts Appeals Court judge denied the city of Fall River's request to overturn a preliminary injunction stopping the casino land deal, and the CBS program 60

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-16354424156033319372010-11-25T18:01:00.004-05:002010-11-26T09:35:53.767-05:00

This is the Fourth Thanksgiving I've posted this picture, and I'm wondering if it's been a good luck charm. Because on a warm night in May of 2007, I was told a casino was inevitable, a "done deal" and given a conservative date of only 18 months from shovel to slot machine. And yet, here we are, on the brink of 2011, and there are still no slot machines, no casinos, and no Indian land in trust

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-64370500241667692682010-11-03T13:18:00.012-04:002010-11-03T19:41:06.082-04:00

I've often longed to be a restaurant critic. Quietly occupying at a new table every night, anonymously sampling food and drink and service - then sharing my findings with the world without so much as a single dish to wash in the morning. Of course, being a restaurant critic on the South Shore is sort of like being the bolt inspector at a bolt factory. I mean, there are just so many ways you

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-79213612319867499962010-11-01T22:25:00.018-04:002010-11-02T22:56:55.500-04:00

No matter who you vote for Tuesday, please don't lose your voice. Four years ago, I listened to all the debates and ended up voting for a candidate named Grace Ross, who was a member of the Green-Rainbow party.  I didn't know what the hell the Green-Rainbow party was, I'd never heard of it and frankly it sounded like something I would have eagerly jumped right into with both feet when I was 19.

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-61614116946773522502010-10-21T11:33:00.000-04:002010-10-21T11:33:19.860-04:00

 TIM CAHILL At least he's honest.  This advertisement paid for by the Committee to Elect a Big Blonde Doofus for Governor.

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-57489726784554495132010-08-24T13:41:00.003-04:002010-08-24T17:57:44.917-04:00

In the months and years to come, whenever the issue of expanded gambling heats up anew, newspapers, pundits, bloggers and columnists will invariably point to the fact that the 2010 round was won or lost (depending on what side you're on) by a nose. And that the photo finish came down to the blurry lack of a no-bid contract for the State's racetracks. Blurry, because, on the surface, it looked

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-66822204278351946592010-08-17T11:27:00.006-04:002010-08-18T10:36:50.476-04:00

The game is afoot. A mystery in the form of several boxes of casino-related "engineering studies, maps, deeds, plans, letters and public notices"rests in assorted corners in the offices of Middleboro Town Manager Charles J. Cristello and Planning Director Ruth M. Geoffroy, awaiting public inspection. No one is quite sure why. But apparently, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe filed a public-records

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-83021217272568437962010-08-13T14:30:00.000-04:002010-08-13T14:30:17.961-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-55363263677768041562010-08-12T15:56:00.000-04:002010-08-12T15:56:51.686-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-44931739123625507122010-08-11T13:10:00.001-04:002010-08-11T13:12:42.234-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-69106713862449942852010-08-10T15:16:00.001-04:002010-08-11T13:09:15.393-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-41258826791709967162010-08-09T13:30:00.000-04:002010-08-09T13:30:03.324-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-49834307181258051942010-08-06T16:11:00.000-04:002010-08-06T16:11:14.035-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-7871010077332555282010-08-05T18:32:00.001-04:002010-08-05T19:12:15.054-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-87569715176003098402010-08-04T14:39:00.012-04:002010-08-05T10:55:19.659-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-42085378383829622312010-08-03T13:00:00.001-04:002010-08-03T17:42:17.271-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-25775844249771932502010-08-02T19:30:00.000-04:002010-08-02T19:30:01.728-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-76585968936932542102010-07-31T09:41:00.008-04:002010-07-31T12:20:09.719-04:00

Yesterday, members of the House and Senate conference committee reached an agreement on a gambling bill for 3 casinos and slots at 2 of the State's race tracks. In other news, Wonderland and Suffolk Downs have decided to combine operations and bid for a single casino licence - ironically leaving only Plainridge and Raynham to "bid" for the remaining 2 "competetive" racino licences. Governor

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-44955664389833960542010-07-29T15:00:00.014-04:002010-07-29T23:11:35.375-04:00

A half a year back, I found myself standing, with a dozen or so of my colleagues, in the portrait-flanked reception room leading to the Governor's office. As we awaited an audience with the man himself, our conversation turned to the gubernatorial portraits.  In the spirit of our non-partisan coalition, we tried to avoid speaking in the negative about any of the Governors, and found ourselves,

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-55984186744691179032010-07-27T08:22:00.003-04:002010-07-27T10:51:36.331-04:00

The Conference Committee on expanded gambling legislation continues it's thoughtful, closed-door deliberations into the third week. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid. The six members of the Committee are (from left to right): Senator Richard Ross (R - Wrentham)   Senator Stanley Rosenberg (D - Amherst) Senator Steven Panagiotakos (D - Lowell) Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn) Representative

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-91419469372925448812010-07-24T13:13:00.009-04:002010-07-26T14:49:37.856-04:00

"You're gonna give the state of Connecticut $100 million a year and it's not going to cost us anything?" Weicker asked. --From Without Reservation: How a Controversial Indian Tribe Rose to Power and Built the World's Largest Casinoby Jeff BenedictIn 1993, facing a serious budget deficit, Governor Lowell Weicker of CT signed an agreement with the Manshatucket Pequots, giving them the right to

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-64513647316763671502010-07-21T13:29:00.035-04:002010-07-22T16:53:30.314-04:00

Honestly...  it's how I cope. You see, it wasn't necessarily the joke of a public hearing. Or the empty promise of a 'clean slate'. Or the $80,000 taxpayer-funded benefit-only report. It wasn't even the intentional misinformation regarding tribal casinos, or the all-around lack of empathy, or the outrage over the smoking ban, or the amendment to check parking lots every 2 hours to search for

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-78691592991425406172010-07-01T11:05:00.004-04:002010-07-01T16:01:36.079-04:00

When the Wizard of Oz sent Dorothy and the gang on a quest to bring back the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West, he figured that was the last he was going to have to see of them. So imagine his surprise when they showed up at the palace a few days later, wearing expectant smiles and holding a blackened broomstick.  He'd have given them the brushoff again, too, had valiant little Toto not

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-35883506986896370692010-06-23T10:02:00.014-04:002010-06-24T09:06:21.475-04:00

Rosenberg said United to Stop Slots should commission its own independent study on costs. “Go do it,” he said. “But they have no intention of doing it.” -- Senator Stan Rosenberg, who recently used $100,000 in taxpayer funds to hire a gambling company to perform a gambling benefits analysis report Boston Herald, June 21, 2010Hey, remember learning about the French Revolution and how it started

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-9101616473097479712010-06-21T15:50:00.009-04:002010-06-22T09:22:45.600-04:00

"Saturation is one of the biggest red herrings in the Massachusetts casino debate," he said. Barrow contends that adding additional gambling facilities actually increases the potential market by making it accessible to more people. There are 40 casinos in Colorado, 9 in Illinois, 30 in Mississippi, 17 in Minnesota, 26 in Wisconsin, and 17 in Iowa, 18 in Louisiana, Barrow pointed out. "And yet

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-3588675620975349372010-06-20T11:17:00.003-04:002010-06-20T19:33:20.955-04:00

In honor of Father's Day, I am including a link to one of my most popular posts, Ring of Fire, a story about real life Father and son that has continually inspired me in my three-year fight against expansion of gambling in Massachusetts. I'm also cross posting  Caring About All the Small People..  a new post from my Blue Mass Group diary which explores the cavernous difference between

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-39102293483374285422010-06-15T10:43:00.001-04:002010-06-15T10:43:31.639-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-6381446868327449652010-06-12T18:18:00.010-04:002010-06-13T10:57:19.717-04:00

There it was, illuminating the Rte. 93 night sky above a night-work traffic jam I found myself in, coming home from a very long day at the June 8th quote un-quote public hearing on expanded gambling. A giant electronic Vegas-quality billboard flashing in the night sky. Casinos Now!! Jobs Now!! The same slogan that emblazoned the orange t-shirts of a hundred or so hired union employees who

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-56539912176879074482010-06-09T10:43:00.023-04:002010-06-10T14:57:25.824-04:00

The following are selections from the written testimony of Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell to the House Ways and Means "public" hearing on the current gambling bill. I have included a blow-by-blow translation for further edification. In 2009, I ran for election as Chairman of my Tribe as part of a reform slate to rid our tribe of corruption......but only after an ironclad

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-79662455511237412442010-06-02T11:02:00.002-04:002010-06-02T11:04:10.060-04:00

April 13, 2010 Dear Representative Flynn, I realize my opinion is meaningless to you, since I am not a member of the gambling industry, only a constituent, but I nevertheless urge you to oppose any slot legislation before the house.  The House does not even remotely understand the ramifications of this legislation on creating sovereign nations - most especially here in our region of the State.

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-36186894587607393982010-05-26T14:53:00.007-04:002010-05-27T10:12:14.421-04:00

I sighed as I read the title of the casino article du jour from today's Boston Globe: A crapshoot for Mass: Congress’s uncertain direction clouds efforts to control number of Indian casinos, cost of licenses: Here we go again... I braced myself for the content. A fight over Indian rights is reemerging as a central issue in the Massachusetts gambling debate, as the uncertain legal status of the

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-23255189801865146912010-05-18T09:35:00.010-04:002010-05-18T22:09:40.138-04:00

After 3 long years, inevitability has finally left the building. Everybody!  Sing!

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-73955924827508780502010-05-10T10:55:00.013-04:002010-05-10T18:38:02.578-04:00

I think it's fair to say that State Senator Joan Menard isn't exactly the brightest bulb on the legislative Christmas tree, but sometimes you hear something that makes you wonder if the tree is even plugged in. Yesterday - on Mother's Day of all days - an article with the title "Casino could trump BioPark" landed in my in box, provoking a sudden and unexpected deluge of un-motherly profanity.

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-42995316453027926022010-04-15T09:27:00.030-04:002010-04-19T10:11:37.415-04:00

A few days ago I opened my morning e-mail to find one anonymous comment waiting for moderation. It consisted of exactly two words: your stupidNow, it's not like this is the first time I've received a misspelled indictment of my intelligence, nor would I ever consider myself a guru of grammar (in fact my videos are a veritable Where's Waldo of misspellings)  - but c'mon. In the three years I've

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-91827448653047328092010-04-12T07:01:00.000-04:002010-04-12T07:03:26.929-04:00

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-82000705621225126902010-04-07T07:48:00.004-04:002010-04-07T11:20:11.262-04:00

Having built the web site for United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, I know from the many examples of other states that the impacts of expanded gambling are inevitable. But it bothers me to read story after story, news article after article, report after report about crimes committed, communities hurt and lives destroyed, with seemingly no consequences for those decision makers who passed

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-67557121778039785662010-04-04T10:16:00.015-04:002010-04-04T17:23:42.832-04:00

The Middleboro Board of Selectmen has approved funneling $50,000 in casino planning funds from the the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to renovate the Lincoln Lynch school, which will be leased this summer to Massasoit Community College. Chairman of selectmen, Pat "Tankman" Rogers justified the expenditure by calling the move... a great use of the money to prepare an economic workforce to work at the

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-34938270589006719262010-04-01T14:03:00.009-04:002010-04-01T15:18:27.450-04:00

At a heavily attended press conference, Speaker Robert DeLeo detailed his plan to increase crime in Massachusetts.In addition to authorizing two resort casinos and up to 750 slot machines at the state's four race tracks, DeLeo's plan proposes dramatic increases in both money laundering and enterprise crime.The plan also requires taxpayers to fund two new crime fighting agencies - a new Division

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-86128011815756705192010-03-25T08:41:00.009-04:002010-03-25T09:09:12.237-04:00

Cut and paste this short (2 minutes) video link and send it to your friends and legislators!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5YxWDyaMOg

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-91143726081177835712010-03-12T14:28:00.093-05:002010-03-14T22:08:18.479-04:00

So much in the news, so little time to blog.Bob DeLeo's recent announcement that he'll cram through file legislation to expand gambling in Massachusetts to include 2 resort casinos (locations unknown) and slots at all 4 of the State's racetracks has grabbed headlines this month. But, in the rest of the vast expanded-gambling universe, lots of other news is being made.For instance, in Rhode

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-77134972668160331502010-03-05T06:44:00.008-05:002010-03-05T10:56:26.894-05:00

Ok, so now we know Bob DeLeo's gambling plan includes two resort casinos and slots at all four racetracks.That's one.And, according to the Rev. Richard McGowan, that Boston College gambling go-to guy, racinoswould have to eventually morph into casinos if they are going to survive.(Which I could have told you in January of 2009 after attending a presentation of the owner's rhapsodic "vision" of

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-2481280640072806192010-03-04T08:53:00.007-05:002010-03-04T09:45:41.043-05:00

In a few minutes, House Speaker Bob DeLeo is going to announce his plan to file a bill promoting a combination of slot parlors and resort casinos. Mr. DeLeo has also refused to agree to a fresh, independent cost-benefit analysis of expanded gambling in the Commonwealth, which would take into account the current state of the economy, and new data coming to light about slot machines, jobs, costs

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-84653803487235414102010-03-01T20:00:00.002-05:002010-03-02T10:29:33.504-05:00

I don't know if any of you have ever tired to get your elected representatives to actually listen to you, but I have.Once, as I stood with my NO CASINO sign on the sidewalk, my State rep pulled up, bellowed something mostly unintelligible out the window, then sped off into the distance waving his cigar, while I called and motioned, to no avail, for him to return and have a conversation.When I

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-11389383623832513592010-02-21T09:56:00.031-05:002010-02-21T20:52:46.112-05:00

Quick - how is having your region targeted for an Indian casino like contracting a herpes virus?Because, aside from having to endure regular and irritating flare ups, you'll need to remain eternally vigilant to prevent it from spreading.To be sure, the Supreme Court of the United States did present the afflicted with the closest thing to a cure with it's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar - but

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-81410229463757638942010-02-16T17:57:00.024-05:002010-02-17T22:51:31.145-05:00

Yesterday, in Philadelphia, 13 people, ranging in age from 25 to 72 had their day in court.Last September, as part of a larger protest, the 13 had locked arms, refusing to move away from the entrance of the Sugar House casino construction site in their city.The Sugar House 13, as they are now called, included "several grandparents, two members of the clergy, and a few public school teachers, and

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-82388440328258723752010-02-13T17:06:00.007-05:002010-02-13T19:20:57.573-05:00

The speaker told host Emily Rooney that he has heard gambling opponents “loudly and clearly” and plans to fund addiction recovery programs through funds reaped from the gambling expansion.--Statehouse News Service 2/10/10Sigh...

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-34168324803298905922010-02-10T10:59:00.012-05:002010-02-10T14:11:24.330-05:00

I thought my readers would like to know about this. (Emphasis mine.) The following excerpt from a 2009 Winter Conference Resolution of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, can be expected to be replicated across many regional tribal entities, and incorporated into the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) platform:From briefing paper: Clear Views of the

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-26057956805151562332010-02-08T09:08:00.018-05:002010-02-08T23:11:20.408-05:00

What week it's been. Wampanoags in Fall River and Freetown. Pocassets in an uproar. A rare Jack Healey siting. Town employees insisting "No comment". And quotes from tedious and mercifully ex-selectman Adam Bond. I felt like I was living in a little place called Bizzaroland - because what was up, was down, and what was down, was up. What was right was wrong, and what was wrong, well

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-39578280160904833692010-02-03T08:09:00.003-05:002010-02-03T08:41:22.616-05:00

Mayor of Las Vegas Oscar Goodman, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D - Nevada), and Nevada republican candidate Danny Tarkanian are steaming mad and demanding an apology from President Obama for excessive Las Vegas Bashing. The bashing in question?"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," the president said. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-5057767008985859342010-01-29T08:29:00.012-05:002010-01-29T16:32:53.783-05:00

DeLeo said finding resources for job creation initiatives will be "difficult" and described himself as both opposed to new taxes in the budget and "open to every idea that could generate state revenue and jobs." Regarding expanding gambling legislation he plans to roll out in February or March, DeLeo said, "The debate over the destination gambling issue is not a philosophical one. It is about a

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-2224312650042733932010-01-27T09:19:00.010-05:002010-01-27T13:33:15.653-05:00

Thanks to the technological wizardry of the DVR, I was able to catch an episode of CSI: NY that I had inexplicably missed when it aired originally. Inexplicably because the entire episode revolved around an obscure but federally recognized East Coast Native American tribe, questionable Land into Trust acquisitions, and a little subject I just happened to bring to your attention two years ago on

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-42232874332818475202010-01-20T06:57:00.006-05:002010-01-20T10:28:10.934-05:00

Congratulations to Massachusetts Senator-Elect Scott Brown, one of the few republicans I've ever voted for. In the coming years I hope he will stay true to his words and be the Independent voice of the people.Even before the casino debacle I'd become increasingly disillusioned by political candidates of both parties. Despite the fact that our State and nation are becoming more moderate, politics

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-30431056780169211862010-01-17T11:24:00.018-05:002010-01-18T00:06:39.271-05:00

Long time readers of this blog know that I'm both a democrat and a feminist, and that I'd love nothing more than to help elect a democratic woman candidate as our next senator. But long time readers will also recall that I've sometimes voted my conscience rather than the ticket.Yesterday, my husband told me that I was really an independent. "No." I replied. "I'm a democrat. I believe in what

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-17832545164230167112010-01-13T09:34:00.007-05:002010-01-13T12:40:51.406-05:00

Yesterday, I wasn't feeling very good. So I took a sick day.Now, when you're a mom, you can be sure that a sick day means that you still have to make breakfasts and lunches and dinners, do the dishes, pick up the kids from after-school activities and help with homework. But other than that, I took a 'sick day'.Now, normally, when I take a 'sick day', I would be obsessing over all the work I

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-80467355613155774592010-01-10T23:30:00.023-05:002010-03-16T22:20:49.019-04:00

After reading "Inside Man: An interview with Stan Rosenberg, the State House’s casino expert," I had to double check that the article was actually published in the Globe, and not in The Onion.Observe:Among the lawmakers who will be deciding the issue, no one knows more about this side of gambling than state Senator Stan Rosenberg. For the past two years, the Democrat from Amherst has been the

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-27218834567371977282010-01-06T10:17:00.025-05:002010-01-07T13:13:52.952-05:00

Remember how, back in the good old days, whenever some 'issue' surfaced amongst the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, paid spokesperson Scott Ferson would magically appear, perform the danse inévitable then slink back to his hidey hole?Ah... good times, good times.These days the Tribe is reduced to speaking for themselves, complete with threats and an utter denial of reality.In yesterday's Boston Herald,

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-40722670508154635942009-12-29T12:21:00.012-05:002009-12-29T22:35:17.426-05:00

In January Adam Bond resigned.Come February 'done deals' were redefined.So then March was all about the 'fix',And by April it was back to their old tricks.Yeah, yeah, sometimes it's a blur,That's why I love, I love, I loveto see the way that we wereEvery day(Every day,)Every day(Every day,)of the year!It was back in May when Murray cried “Ka-Ching!”But by June we'd resolved to bring back the

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-37169957481965807882009-12-24T08:22:00.006-05:002009-12-24T08:39:44.363-05:00

Oh, the sound of rollin' diceTo me is music in the air'Cause I'm a gamblin' Boogie ManAlthough I don't play fairIt's much more fun, I must confessWhen lives are on the lineNot mine, of course, but yours, old boyNow that'd be just fineWow, it's like the guy who wrote this movie understood, way back in 1993, that casinos are the ultimate boogey man. (Hey, did you catch the slot machines equipped

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-29616647220360775502009-12-13T12:12:00.006-05:002009-12-13T22:28:04.532-05:00

Just this Monday, members of the USS-Mass coalition (including yours truly) met with Governor Patrick at the Statehouse, for over an hour, to discuss the many reasons we oppose expanding gambling in Massachusetts.Shortly thereafter, Governor Patrick penned the following letter to casino/racino proponents Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo commending our coalition's

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-73808749922997266482009-12-08T17:00:00.011-05:002009-12-08T23:12:21.762-05:00

When you've PhotoShopped a person's face enough times, I suppose to some small extent you start to feel like you've actually met them. Which might explain why I felt completely at ease meeting, and speaking with Governor Deval Patrick, and his advisors yesterday, along with 9 other members of my coalition, United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, as well as Palmer Citizens Impact Study Committee

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-69351761089172017512009-12-05T14:19:00.051-05:002009-12-06T17:02:13.123-05:00

I'm realize that I'm a political cynic.And I do not always relish this distinction. It's not a lot of fun.For example, I never bought a supposedly inspiring word of Deval's Together we Can, and couldn't summon so much as a glimmer of excitement over Bill Clinton's campaign - even after 47 stanzas of Can't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.Worse - the casino crisis even managed to kill Obama's

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-52904463187793257962009-12-04T15:02:00.007-05:002009-12-04T15:15:05.322-05:00

Well, this is a step in the right direction...Associated Press - Dec. 4, 2009ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Here's one job-creating strategy President Barack Obama isn't considering.Obama just said no to a suggestion from a Pennsylvania college student that he consider legalizing nonviolent crimes, including gambling and drugs, to stimulate the economy and create jobs.Obama told the student at a forum in

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-68938372180493439832009-11-30T10:12:00.009-05:002009-11-30T14:52:50.480-05:00

In keeping with the spirit of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is now on sale!And at these prices, this tribe won't last! Purchase your tribe today, and we'll throw in a flat screen TV!

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-21040695394747731332009-11-25T16:20:00.031-05:002009-11-27T15:12:42.216-05:00

It's still a little hard to believe that this is the third year I've posted this same graphic.That first time, in 2007, I remember thinking it was an absolutely perfect representation of the family and community values that were an integral part of the casino opposition. And, it made me smile.The second year I posted this graphic, it was just a few days after I'd published an arduously

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-14575348832116823372009-11-24T09:55:00.007-05:002009-11-25T11:51:34.134-05:00

A newly paved road winds its way to the plastic-shrouded shell of the Mohegans' new tribal office and community center. Construction equipment is scattered about, but work on the facility stopped months ago.It's a stark and unmistakable symbol of the financial crisis within Connecticut's multibillion-dollar Indian gaming empire.After making and spending billions over the last decade, the Mohegans

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-16318790517683575282009-11-19T09:08:00.008-05:002009-11-19T11:00:05.772-05:00

Four of the Six candidates for Ted Kennedy's senate seat continue to demonstrate "bold leadership" by pretending to be neutral on the topic of expanded gambling in the Bay State.Martha Coakley and Steve Pagliuca, both democrats, as well as republicans Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson, continue in that courageous, age-old tradition of letting the other guys make the first move. And frankly, I

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-3532795995478972282009-11-14T09:00:00.007-05:002009-11-14T16:16:11.006-05:00

Ever since learning of Carcieir's challenge to the concept of "now", I've been wanting to blog about the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, how it came to be, and why it doesn't apply to the Mashpee Wampanoag or any Massachusetts Tribe.It all starts with a tragedy of incompetence known as the Allotment Act of 1887, or the Dawes Act, which applied only to Native Americans in Oklahoma - though it

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-16526712712559462132009-11-08T16:41:00.007-05:002009-11-08T21:43:04.889-05:00

Some of you may have been aware of efforts in Congress to overturn the Carcieri Decision in order to allow tribes recognized after 1934 to take land into trust. I've been following this and will be addressing it this week. For now, however, I wanted to share with you the testimony of Congressman Doc Hastings of West Virginia at a hearing this week to address the decision, which you may find

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-78941884073859512052009-11-04T06:59:00.007-05:002009-11-08T13:00:34.901-05:00

Last Thursday, at the Statehouse hearings on expanded gambling, everyone did a pretty amazing job. But the testimony of three people really stood out to me. I hope you'll take the time to view these inspirational moments by United to Stop Slots President Kathleen Norbut, Les Bernal, Executive Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, and Palmer resident Charlotte Burns.

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-79827598055395196592009-10-29T06:28:00.040-04:002009-10-30T23:46:11.365-04:00

(Note: This was a live blogging experience and reads from the bottom up. Time is noted on the left.)7:00 pm. Sorry I stopped the live blog so abruptly. My connected blew out and that was that. The rest of day included some really moving stories from former addicts. I don't know why former addicts usually go at the end of these things. They're the one's who'll be funding the State if it

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-28914707229462300532009-10-27T08:52:00.011-04:002009-10-27T18:00:06.052-04:00

Two kind of extraordinary things happened yesterday.First, former candidate for Lt. Governor Bob Massie posted a very strong, very public letter on Blue Mass Group chastising friends, political allies, candidates, unions and churches for their endorsement or lack of an outcry on expanded gambling in Massachusetts.In 2008, at the Statehouse hearing for Deval Patrick's three casino plan, the other

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-39693364991892767552009-10-26T11:20:00.010-04:002009-10-26T13:21:13.717-04:00

Imagine that - a Massachusetts Senate candidate who publicly opposes expanded gambling.This just in from Boston.comBOSTON—Democratic Senate candidate Alan Khazei surprised his host Monday by urging the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce to abandon its planned support for casino gambling in Massachusetts.The City Year co-founder told a chamber-sponsored candidates forum that expanded gambling will

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-56164818932682836422009-10-21T14:18:00.022-04:002009-10-21T23:30:51.365-04:00

Apparently, another year older, and deeper in debt.Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver or­dered a 10 % across-the­ board spending cut in the wake of plunging tax revenue esti­mates.The state’s revenue for the current fiscal year will be nearly $415 million less than pre­viously expected and 1,000 to 2,000 state workers could be laid off.Iowa, incidentally, was one of the first states in the nation

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-27271804709608636322009-10-20T08:46:00.021-04:002009-10-20T13:57:06.529-04:00

There was a time, not so long ago, when it would positively set my heart aflutter to learn that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe was a comin' to Middleboro for a talk. I would clear my schedule, stand for hours in a crowded hallway, straining to hear every word, analyze every action.So I suppose it's worth noting that I never even considered going to Middleboro yesterday to witness representatives

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-25931460511282476742009-10-16T11:17:00.023-04:002009-10-16T23:16:31.170-04:00

Earlier this year I wrote about a New Hampshire legislator who wanted to introduce gambling legislation to that state, envisioning the Granite State transformed into a sort of "Delaware North" (his words, not mine).But hey, we all need our dreams.And so, I was reminded of "Delaware North" once again this week when I read about a Woman Arrested for Leaving Son in Car Outside Delaware Casino:on

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-40926933869634666052009-10-13T11:26:00.003-04:002009-10-13T15:23:33.843-04:00

October 11, 2009Dear Ms. Vennochi,Thank you so much for your column in Today's Globe Keeping a Poker Face on Gambling. It is the only print article in recent memory in which a quote by an anti-predatory gambling activist hasn't been relegated to the bottom of the piece!I feel I must correct your description, however, of fomer speaker Sal DiMasi as our "patron antigambling saint". In 2008,

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-36185050323106491252009-10-09T06:57:00.011-04:002009-10-14T10:39:21.379-04:00

Wednesday, in an interview with WBUR, Senate President Therese Murray said that casinos are inevitable.A spokesman clarified Thursday that Murray believed both a vote on casinos and the facilities themselves are foregone conclusions. Murray did not specify a timeframe.--Statehouse NewsSen. Murray was using step one in the old expanded gambling playbook. I blogged about this last May, which just

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-18161690122143038142009-10-06T08:33:00.021-04:002009-10-08T15:31:28.681-04:00

I learned a long time ago to avoid the comment sections that follow on-line articles about slots and casinos.It's always the same.The great majority of the people who write the comments are obviously uninformed about the product, bereft of empathy for their fellow man, and seemingly clueless that nothing but an endless pot of shiny gold, big fun, and good times lies at the end of an expanded

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-40771064218032764452009-10-02T09:44:00.020-04:002009-10-02T19:05:26.151-04:00

A couple of years ago, Deval Patrick went to a Kool-Aid kegger at his friend Clyde Barrow's house and overindulged.The next thing you know he was telling the teachers union that three casinos would bring 20,000 jobs. Tax rates would be something like 27%, and licensing fees? Well they'd start at a cool $200 mil.That was then.Today, the only cool in the room is the chilly caress of ceramic

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-78212318250510715382009-09-30T08:51:00.021-04:002009-09-30T14:20:16.157-04:00

While delaying a vote would give gaming opponents more time "to gain steam," Barrow said he does not expect that to shape the debate."Everybody's polling shows the opposition is down to bedrock and, if anything, support is growing."-- Casino Drive Stalls, SouthCoastToday.comThere he goes again. Prof. Clyde Barrows, gambling industry shill in policy analyst drag, pulling yet another inane quote

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-8426142349630763252009-09-23T10:49:00.006-04:002009-09-23T13:54:52.099-04:00

Fellow blogger, friend and President of United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, Kathleen Norbut would like us all to take this very quick survey.Go for it! And thanks!-Gladys

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-2987089054567618212009-09-21T06:52:00.007-04:002009-09-21T08:54:12.128-04:00

In June the Legislative Committee for Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held a pep rally for the racetrack industry, thinly disguised as an informational hearing on expanded gambling.I detailed this in my post Six Degrees of Suffolk Downs.Lately, my friend Ryan has been doing his own hefty share of sifting through the sand, or should I say, digging through the mud, to discover just

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-88708885939334088522009-09-16T18:04:00.023-04:002009-09-21T07:54:16.273-04:00

In a bet there is a fool, and a thief.~ProverbIn the late 1800's a California mechanic invents the first slot machine. It comes equipped with three wheels, decorated with five symbols each and is intended to entertain the wives and girlfriends of the men at the gaming tables. But it quickly finds a larger audience. The chance of a hitting the jackpot? 1 in 1,000. The payout: 50 cents – paid

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7250208778577584358.post-46583961001201155242009-09-08T07:26:00.011-04:002009-09-09T06:25:33.309-04:00

Ok, so there we were, at hour 6 1/2 of what our GPS estimated would be a 9 hour drive from Washington DC back home - making excellent time, despite rain in New Jersey, a detour around the George Washington Bridge and two pit stops for food, fuel and calls of nature - great time, in fact, amazingly only three minutes behind schedule - when it happened.A slow down.In Connecticut.Arrrgggghhh......

Gladys Kravitznoreply@blogger.com3