Truth to Power

WGBY - PBS Intelligent Television

2011-02-23T22:27:00.002-05:00

The Impact of Casino Gambling in Massachusetts from WGBY on Vimeo.

Transportation Economic Development and Ridership Act

2011-01-31T20:28:00.001-05:00

I sent the email below to my legislators and encourage you to do the same before I sent the email below to my legislators and urge you to contact yours to co-sponsor this bill before the February 4, 2011 deadline for co-sponsors.

Dear Representative Ashe and Senator Brewer:

"I hope you will add your name as a co-sponsor to the Transportation Economic Development and Ridership Act submmitted by our friend Rep. Carl Sciortino (Medford).
This bill will create a safer, more modern transportation system across the entire commonwealth by increasing public transportation ridership, fixing deteriorating roads, spurring job creation, and creating more transportation choices for consumers. I greatly appreciate your support for infrastructure improvements in my community and our region. We still have a long way to go to repair and improve our transportation systems which are not only economically vital but needed for safety.
Please contact the office of Rep. Carl Sciortino (Medford) to add your name as a co-sponsor to House docket #2840."

Sunset Year-End Florida 2010

2010-12-27T21:59:00.003-05:00

Isn't he handsome? I am blessed.

NO COMPROMISE

2010-12-10T21:22:00.002-05:00

As a nation we used to respect elected officials who had passion, intelligence and oratory skills; some of us still honor those who do.

It is unlikely however, and I say this with great sadness, that many of the current US Senators, including the pair from Massachusetts, could hold a match to Mr. Sanders' vision and light.

It's time to raise the bar and support those who have a clear and progressive vision for this country.

NO COMPROMISE.

Emergency Planning Building Capacity

2010-11-17T16:40:00.002-05:00

Check out the Town of Monson Emergency Preparedness conversation with community members, Liz Manley-Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Coordinator and me at the Monson Free Library (click November 16, 2010 Emergency Preparedness).

Thank you to our MRC volunteers, the Monson Board of Health, Council on Aging, School Department, Monson Free Library, the Local Emergency Planning Committee, American Red Cross-Pioneer Valley Chapter, Board of Selectmen, Mass211, M-PACT-TV and our First Responders - Police, Fire and EMTs.

For more information about family emergency preparedness go to www.wmmrc.org

Eclectic list of signs at "Rally for Sanity and/or Fear"

2010-10-31T20:39:00.002-04:00

CREDIT to Don Chauls for sharing the below stories:

Subject: Signs at the Stewart/Colbert rally
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:51:31 -0400

There were so many people on the mall Saturday that I was unable to see or hear anything from the stage. I guess the organizers were not expecting so many, and thus did not place speakers far enough back for the last two-thirds of us. Since I couldn't follow what was happening on the stage, I used my time to collect signs.

My collection was totally eclectic, its only rule being that I had to be able to read the entire sign. Much to my surprise, very few of them were printed; at least 95% (other than those that just touted 'sanity' and 'fear') were unique, hand-written signs. They covered a very wide range of topics - with pro-Democratic and anti-Tea Party or Glenn Beck or Fox being in the majority (or perhaps just a plurality), but by no means overwhelming. A few were Republican. Many focused on keeping the dialogue civil. Some made no sense at all.

Rather than attempt to organize them in any way, here they are:

· $2 billion a day for war isn’t security. It’s a scandal.

· A fact ignored is no less true.

· A pox on Fox.

· A true American eats bald eagle eggs.

· America seems cranky. Time for a night.

· Apprehensive Canadians for truthiness.

· Assuming either the left wing or the right wing gained control of the country, it would

probably fly around in circles. –Pat Paulsen

· Be afraid. It’s all going to hell.

· Be the change you wish to see in the world. –Gandhi

· Bipartisanship is not gay hookup.

· Boycott Arizona.

· Can common and sense be legally remarried in the USA?

· Canadians for a sensible America.

· Change hurts, but I like it.

· Charter schools are good sometimes, but not always.

· Civil discourse sound sane to me.

· Civil war was an inside job.

· Civilized debate should be an oxymoron.

· Class warrior.

· Comedians make better news anchors.

· Corporations are not We the People.

· Crazy about sanity.

· Dear God, please protect us against your ‘good’ people.

· Dear Press: Please report the news instead of sensationalizing it. You are giving me a

headache.

· Decibels do not good arguments make.

· Dialog not diatribe.

· Did some1 say chimichanga.

· Disagree agreeably.

· Divided we all fall.

· Don’t let NO win.

· Don’t like government? Move to Somalia (take your AK-47).

· Don’t touch my death panels.

· Don’t tread on anyone. It’s rude.

· Dumb [picture of Sarah Palin] and dumber [picture of Christine O’Donnell]

· Eat more and bigger pretzels.

· Ecology not economy.

· Education doesn’t make you an elitist. It makes you smart.

· Election 2000: It’s not your vote that counts. It’s how your vote is counted.

· End the electoral college.

· End the two-party system.

· Everyone on earth is unique and beautiful. How can we trust them?

· Evidence based government.

· Extreme fundamental orthodox moderate.

· Extreme moderate.

Fear Obama’s Xcellence

· Fear all GOD experts

· Floridians

Against

Rational

Thought

· Fox keeps fear alive.

· Fox lies 4 ratings.

· Fox News says I’m not here right now.

· Fox News: fibs and balderdash.

· Fred says won’t you be my neighbor?

· Freedom of speech does not negate common sense.

· Friends don’t let friends teabag.

· Get high on political awareness.

· Get the government out of my federal entitlement programs.

· Get your church out of my state.

· Go Steelers.

· Got PIISD? (Private Insurance Induced Stress Disorder) Get the cure: Improved Medicare for All.

· Got schools? police? fire departments? medical care? etc.? etc.? Brought to you by your government and paid for by your taxes.

· Gravity is only a theory.

· Grizzly bears are taking our jobs.

· Grizzly bears. Foxes. Elephants. When did my country turn into a circus?

· Hate the deficit. Legalize and tax marijuana.

· He who slings mud loses ground.

· He’s black. Get over it.

· Health care for everyone is not socialism. It’s humane – and sane. Just ask a Canadian.

· Hey Congress: Stop fighting. Get to work.

· Hey Tea Baggers. We don’t want the government you deserve.

· Hi mom. I’m an atheist.

· How can we have a conversation if you answer questions with talking points.

· I am afraid of tornados and I’m reasonably worried about religious fundamentalists.

· I am not a witch. I just don’t know the Constitution.

· I am not afraid to be afraid.

· I am the silent majority and I vote.

· I can be persuaded by a logical argument.

· I can see Obama’s birth certificate from my front porch.

· I don’t do original thought very well.

· I don’t know, but my gut says ‘maybe.’

· I fear the Washington Monument is turning me gay.

· I know how to spell. Yes, I’m an elitist.

· I masturbate and I vote.

· I may disagree with you, but I won’t curbstone you unless you’re a bear.

· I only trust pollution I can see.

· I pitty the fool that suports heath reform.

· I respect your right to say stupid things.

· I support privatized fire departments.

· I support the bowel movement.

· I think U R Hitler cuz I disagree with U.

· I think; therefore I’m here.

· I’m a Republican, but I’m not with stupid [picture of Glenn Beck].

· I’m calm. I’m rational. And I’m not going to take it anymore.

· I’m from Arizona. I apologize.

· I’m listening to you. Maybe you should try that.

· I’m not a witch…burn her anyway.

· I’m not afraid, but I’m insane.

· I’m right. You’re wrong. God said so.

· Icitation needed.

· If ignorance is bliss, then why are Glenn Beck supporters so unhappy?

· If Obama is a Muslim, can we have Fridays off?

· If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

· If U R here but don’t vote Tuesday, wtf?

· If you listen to Fox, you got a head full of rocks.

· If your beliefs fit on a sign, think harder.

· Imagine living in reality.

· In sanity we trust. Vote smart.

· It’s a democracy, not an auction.

· It’s loaded and I’m not afraid to use it. [picture of a brain]

· It’s not us vs. them cuz we’re all us.

· It’s OK to disagree. Just please use your indoor voice.

· Jesus, please protect us from us followers.

· Jon Stewart is a witch.

· Keep Boehner flaccid. Vote Democratic.

· Kentuckians against head stomping.

· Legalize gay pot.

· Let’s put other mustaches on Obama.

· Let’s use science from now on.

· Liberty and justice for all includes immigrants and gays.

· Love un employ meant.

· Make it so.

· Make mine saniTea.

· Men and women get along usually. Democrats and Republicans can too.

· Mississippi gay couples say “be nice…y’all.”

· My 16-year old students don’t even use terms like fascism, communism, and socialism

interchangeably. Sadly our leaders do.

· Not tired of defending Obama.

· Now I’m no racist but…aren’t puppies adorable?

· Obama cares.

· Obama is right-handed, just like Hitler.

· Overall I’m pretty happy.

· Overcome with fear? Free hugs here

· Palin Beck 2012 – lipstick and dipstick.

· Perhaps we can find an amicable compromise.

· Please don’t feed the protesters.

· Pro Zombie.

· Progressive values are American values.

· Public education matters in a democracy.

· Read, reason.

· Reason is pleasin’.

· Red states pay less and get more. Are you sure you are for less government?

· Regulate boardrooms, not bedrooms.

· Relax people. I think we’ll be OK.

· Repeal the third amendment.

· Repeating your point does not make your statement valid. Repeating your point does not

make your statement valid.

· Respect my intelligence.

· Respect my right to choose.

· Restore sanity. Glenn Beck not playing with a full deck.

· Restore sanity. Legalize pot.

· Restore sanity. Senators should end the unconstitutional filibuster.

· Run for your lives.

· Run marathons, not deficits.

· Sarah Palin and the Tea Party movement: the Joseph McCarthy Red Scare of my generation.

· Separation of corporation and state.

· Settle the kettle. Run for your lives.

· So let’s have coffee.

· Solar powered clothes dryer. Free starter kit.

· Solutions not ideologies.

· Southerners know crazy when we see it.

· Stop bitching. Start a revolution.

· Stop illegal migration. Keep Canadian geese from entering our country.

· Stop Socialism! Boycott public roads, bridges, air traffic control, public sewers, firefighters,

police, parks, schools, and the military.

· Stop using Jesus as an excuse for being a narrow-minded bigoted a—hole.

· Stop whining. Vote.

· Support our President.

· Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.

· Tea – the new koolade.

· Tea parties are for little girls with imaginary friends.

· Thank you Fox News for keeping us inflamed.

· The asses of evil [triangle with Palin, Beck, and Tea Party at the corners}

· The Constitution means whatever we say it means.

· The voices in my head voted 8-3 in favor of sanity.

· There is always money in the banana stand.

· There is no cure for Bieber fever.

· There is not a treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence.

· There was only one Hitler and he is dead. I should know; I’m Jewish.

· Things are looking better.

· Think outside the Fox.

· Think with your brain, not your tea bag.

· Think! It’s good for the country.

· Thinking is a liberal bias.

· Thinking like Glenn Beck has been known to cause blindness.

· This is the first sign of the apocalypse (buy gold).

· This rally’s insane.

· This sign doesn’t say anything.

· Throw the tea party overboard.

· Time to take our country ~~back~~ forward.

· Trick or treaters are socialists. Say no to handouts.

· Truthiness b/c the truth is more complicated.

· USA equals one nation, not 2 annoying political parties.

· Wake up America. Just kidding; go back to sleep.

· War without a draft is not democratic.

· We are not all jerks.

· We are sending you back to Alaska for a Time Out.

· We can’t afford another proudly ignorant President. [picture of Sarah Palin]

· We dislike hate.

· We have nothing to fear but Colbert himself.

· We march for hope not hate.

· We need more cowbell.

· We want sanity, not Hannity.

· We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason. –Edward R Murrow

· We’re fired up, Obama.

· When did intelligence become a curse word?

· When the power of love overcomes the love

Family Emergency Preparedness Training - no charge

2010-10-11T20:57:00.003-04:00

On November 9th at the Monson Free Library we are offering a no-cost common sense family preparedness training to better prepare and respond to emergencies.

We will talk about pet/animal care in disasters, too. Open to all folks interested in region.

Monson Free Library, 2 High Street, Monson. 6-7:45pm....we have to be gone before 8pm!

My work is a special calling

2010-09-28T19:38:00.003-04:00

Truly, I am blessed to be in the right field at the right time. Meaningful, pragmatic and tangible results are the norm. To be of service to humankind.....it is a special calling.

September 23rd Equinox

2010-09-21T20:49:00.000-04:00

I am a soul
A divine spark of the Infinite
That gave birth to this universe.

I remember Who I am
and serve the Greater Purpose of Life
as One with All That is.

I came here with many other souls
to assist in the expansion of Light
on this living planet Earth.

I accept to let Love
Be the guiding beacon of my life
and to shine Its radiance in every moment.

I am a soul
and the sole purpose of my existence
is to be All That I Am.

So be it.

Smarten-UP America!

2010-09-17T15:49:00.001-04:00

I am starting a new campaign to end the dumbing-down of our country, media and citizens. Working on a couple of logos let me know what you think.
"Smarten-UP America" ;
"Smarten-US-Up!";
Just say, "NO" to Dumbing-down;
US THINK;

Jimmy bored to tears

2010-09-16T23:01:00.003-04:00

It was a lovely day, bright and sunny in Springfield, Massachusetts when a very bored Jim Cline interviewed me for the obligatory 3o sec. spot for anti-casino position in the 2:37 minute report about Mohegan Sun laying of 5% of workforce.

Plenty of nutter for this fluff!

Remembrance Day Ceremony

2010-09-11T23:20:00.004-04:00

East Longmeadow hosted a lovely Remembrance Ceremony. Let us remember peace, unity and liberty are the tenets of a flourishing society. Revenge, bitterness and vitriol all need the healing of God's light and grace. This has been and will always be true on the personal, community and global level. All spiritual lessons are grounded in forgiveness....easier said than done.

Pols, pols, pols

2010-09-03T20:20:00.004-04:00

The magnanimous, larger than life, High Sheriff and Auditor candidate Guy Glodis has not had a good week. But the political fodder is priceless. ...sorry, Guy I could not resist sharing.
If only the talent at Blue Mass Group could do a caricature of Petrolati (Petrolati-Ludlow) and Buoniconti (Buoniconti-West Springfield) for the benefit of western MA.

2010 - Damn, what a year!

2010-08-22T21:34:00.005-04:00

2010 - Damn, what a year!

It began with lots of hope, energy, enthusiasm....plans for a big August birthday party. Professional life good - lots of creativity and freedom. Civic activities totally over the top with time commitment, but meeting fabulous people and exercising skills in the public realm....like forums at the statehouse, media - print, radio and television.

A slowly evolving (10 year) decision became obvious and I initiated action.

I became caught in a cyclone of activity, emotion and an indescribable confluence of events.

My dearest, brave father passed the day before the House feigned deliberation on legalizing slot barns/casinos. I loved him so much and do so today. We had a special connection that few in the world ever experience. I said the Serenity Prayer with him at MGH the night before he left. He was sad, I had never seen him frown before and I knew he was lonely and would miss us. He died at 7:17am on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. His birthday was 7/17/1925.

I am lonely and miss him......just in the other room....in the blue sky where I see his gorgeous eyes.

My body had already been shutting down with emotional flooding and stress and I didn't even realize I had lost a lot of weight.

Grief and stress have a way with the human body of taking control and making choices to change or suffer really obvious. The years of excessive busyness came to a crashing end....hopefully I have learned a lesson - time will tell.

My path is changing....it feels revolutionary but it is actually evolutionary and has been in process for a long time. Seeking more clarity for the next steps.

Despite being depleted, hospitalized and having some fantasies ripped away, I am still seeking to do the, "next right thing" and enjoyed the brilliant summer sunshine.

2010 - Damn, what a year!

The House of Slytherin

2010-07-21T23:40:00.002-04:00

Go now! Don't stop and think just do it, go now to Gladys Kravitz and don't stop reading or laughing til you get to the House of Slytherin, then ROFLYAO!

MRC Minute

2010-07-16T14:01:00.002-04:00

youtube of my real job

-enjoy, I am so fortunate to have the work that I do and the great people I work with.

Norbut_Responds_to_Rosenberg.flv

2010-06-26T18:04:00.000-04:00

ALWV.Casino Discussion.June.2010.VOB

2010-06-05T08:32:00.000-04:00

League discusses slots/casinos with USS Mass

2010-06-05T05:29:00.006-04:00

Please share this video with your network. It is a brief, casual conversation between Amherst League of Women Voters host, Alice Swift and me on the issue of expanding predatory gambling.

The only thing that is inevitable about slots/casinos is corruption.

Lady Liberty

2010-05-30T20:14:00.004-04:00

The distractions that Americans fall prey to are limitless....and the diversions that politicians create to deflect the failure of serious debate and solutions is unmatched. While touring NYC with Monson's 8th grade class we were went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on the day that the MA state senate passed redundant laws further marginalizing undocumented/"illegal aliens".

Here's a little video thing I put together that I hope tells the story of the principles of our country. Immigration has always been a challenging and emotional issue....what we need is an intelligent discussion about solutions.

INEVITABLE

2010-05-25T20:57:00.004-04:00

Question:
What is Inevitable if casinos and slots are legalized in Massachusetts?

Answer:
More Corruption, Crime and Costs for the taxpayers.

Time Warp

2010-05-21T21:23:00.000-04:00

More jobs across the spectrum were created in one month in Massachusetts - last month, than any casino will bring - without the costs, impacts and human pain of gambling addiction. It seems at times to this observer that many politicians are twenty years or more behind current research and lack vision for the future.....with some exceptions for whom I am grateful, as they give me hope.

Legalizing casinos in the Commonwealth is a bone-headed, backward, brain-dead, bad idea.

That's right, I said it.

It was never "inevitable"

2010-05-17T21:25:00.001-04:00

It was never “inevitable” May 17, 2010

United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts (USS Mass) opposes the legalization of expanded predatory gambling, slots/casinos in the Commonwealth. A strong contingency in the southeastern region has been pushing back against the false statements that a Middleboro casino was, “inevitable” for over three years. They were certainly right as the Wampanoag’s have announced that they have gone gambling-site shopping with their foreign investors, to the non-tribal lands of Fall River. The Middleboro fiasco was never a “done deal”, it may have been a colossal “dumb deal” as it was crafted by myopic local officials, muscled by labor, pledged by felon representatives of the tribe and thrust down the throats of voters in the midst of the summer heat, but it was never, “inevitable”.

The federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) enables federally recognized tribes to develop and operate tax-free gambling facilities to the level of what is legal in the state where their tribal lands exist. Currently, there are no lands that have been placed into trust for a tribe in Massachusetts and slots/casinos are not legal. The one and only way to insure that tax-free foreign backed corporations do not profit from the Massachusetts taxpayers is to not legalize slots/casinos.

The abuse of IGRA, which was created as economic opportunity for Native American tribes, abounds with billionaire foreign and domestic investors using the tribes as the “front men” for them to expand their power and wealth. How do they amass wealth? They capture wealth through the systematic expansion and addiction of gamblers, particularly from the proliferation of manipulative electronically programmed slot machines.

People are angry that politicians allowed and facilitated the out-sourcing of jobs from the Commonwealth and the US to other countries, over the past three decades. People are angry that we have an astronomical national debt that is owed to other countries. People are angry at bailing out billionaires and corporations. Now, it appears that some politicians in Massachusetts want to allow foreign investors to set-up facilities that drain local economies, negatively impact families and create extensive cost burdens upon municipalities and taxpayers. These same politicians have failed their basic fiduciary responsibilities by not performing a comprehensive cost analysis of the legislation that has been put forth.

Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) and Governor Patrick have the power and responsibility to kill the Speaker’s Special Interest Gambling bill and not legalize slots/casinos. There is nothing to stop the tribal entities interested in Middleboro, Fall River, Palmer and other sites from changing their minds-yet again, and petitioning Congress for the right to establish sovereign tax-free facilities that are exempt from environmental impact studies, regulations and the laws of the Commonwealth. Legalizing one slot machine is legalizing one too many.

Andy Rooney Gets Its

2010-05-16T22:12:00.003-04:00

Andy Rooney gets what the Speaker's Special Interest Gambling Bill and the Senate's forthcoming Sucker's Bill is all about.

When small towns get creamed

2010-05-16T21:52:00.003-04:00

The lovely rural town of Warren, MA recently held a forum on the potential impacts of a casino in their community or if one were sited in neighboring Palmer. Many people first heard of Warren following the tragic abduction and murder of Molly Bish from Cummings Pond in the small quiet community. It is a community that carries a heavy heart still for Molly and her beautiful family.

Resident Keith Nicholos is quoted in the article as somehow thinking that a commericial casino in Palmer would provide the town with more input in the licensing and regulations than if it were a native american operated casino. For over 2 1/2 years representatives from Warren, Palmer and the surrounding communities have met and studied the impacts on the region should the state legislature and governor be so foolish to legalize class III gambling....it ain't pretty and none of the western MA casino task force recommendations were included in the Speaker's Special Interest Gambling bill. Sorry, Keith - casinos cream small towns.

The politicians want to be able to say that they "created jobs" and get out of office with their pensions and/or cushy next "appointment" before the everlasting costs of this predatory industry surface and the taxpayer finds she is left holding the bill for the impacts/costs.

One could start longing for the days of honest crooks like Al Capone that did their dirty work in the light of day....not behind closed doors on Beacon Hill and Wall Street.

The Speaker's Special Interests Gambling Bill

2010-04-10T22:02:00.005-04:00

We The People have a few questions:

How much did we the taxpayers pay for the second Spectrum Gaming benefit analysis?

UMass Dartmough has benefit analysis paid in part by taxpayers, kids tuition and gambling interests produced every time one is needed by the proponents.....how is that allowed?

Why do you refuse to have a cost analysis?

Why do you state that you met with opponents, when that does not appear to be the case, we ask again with whom did you meet?

Why was the bill, that did not receive a public hearing, and was rammed through Mr. Dempsey's committee immediately following the Easter holiday, not given more time for legislators to read it?

How many legislators did not have time to read it?

How many legislators have not had the time to fully analyze the gambling bill that has no cost analysis while being pressured by proponents?

How are the taxpayers supposed to know what is in the bill and to dialog with their legislators on a bill of this magnitude that is being "fast-tracked" through the House?

Why are no-bid sweetheart licenses that will yield billions for the owners/investors, not required to followed competitive bid processes as outlined in Mass General Laws?

Why are the casino licenses that will yield multi-billions to the often out-of-state owners and investors being given away at a fraction of their value?

Why are you not accounting for the businesses and jobs that will be lost when people spend their money on slots instead of services in the local economy?

Are those people expendable?

When are you going to tell people that the local aid gambling fund is merely an offset for the losses to will occur when the lottery takes a hit?

When are you going to let the people know that there are not enough revenues to offset the costs?

What is the cost of the new state police department?

What is the cost of the new AG department?

What is the cost to implement the economic crime bill statutes?

Do you know that we know, that the responsibility of House Ways & Means is to review all bills and that they passed the Special Interests Gambling Bill in a nanosecond, without a Fiscal Note - on your watch?

This bill is tainted. Vote NO.

USS Mass on Braude Broadside

2010-04-09T21:20:00.003-04:00

Had a quick chat with Jim Braude on Broadside last night. Lots of fun....interesting how the people who know how things work are against the Speaker's special interest gambling bill.

Big - Blind redux

2010-03-27T21:36:00.005-04:00

Do you read the weekly dig? They had the best article, "The Big-Blind" detailing the process of the Patrick Administration's research and sources for the failed three casino proposal. No independent analysis, questionable researcher/studies, no citizen input and a closed process.

This might shock you but the exact same mistakes are being made on Beacon Hill with the super-secret slots bill that is being crafted behind closed doors. What information has been reviewed? Why has the Speaker refused an independent analysis? How is it that Clyde Barrows continues to be referenced in reputable media for his one-sided slots-benefit proposals that are funded by Massachusetts taxpayers and of course, the gambling industry? Clyde's patron origin "methodology (cough, cough)" is examined in the Big-Blind as well as critiqued by journalists and academics. Let me make a wild guess....Clyde (who is not an economist) will release a report real soon telling us how great slots are for the economy and future of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is truly a wonder we have survived this long without slots - the wunderkind of politicians looking for a quick fix. Slots are a hoax upon the public that has not been given the facts about the costs and long-term economic drain of slot parlors and casinos.

Due Diligence Before Legalizing Slots/Casinos

2010-02-28T13:54:00.003-05:00

Well, I have had my fill of being attacked for having a position on an issue that I care about.

The nasty comments that some people make (usually anonymously) on the internet are not contributing to the betterment of society.

It has been stated recently that I own a convenience store and that is why I am against casinos. Wrong.
Posters have described me as a moonbat, conservative, scold, someone who overly uses statistics, educated (framed as if it were a curse), religious zealot and other comments.

Here are my words why I am opposed to legalizing class III predatory gambling, slots/casinos.

Mr . Speaker - where does our money go?

2010-02-26T19:20:00.002-05:00

When a regressive, back-door tax that sucks money out of local economies, harms small businesses and families is the only idea that the Massachusetts Speaker of the House can muster, there is a serious deficit of creative and courageous thinking.

(excerpt from State House News)

The big-ticket stuff comes next. DeLeo has spent … well, more or less the entirety of his legislative career working on a bill that would expand gambling in Massachusetts, and the fruit could be borne next week. Casinos. Slots. Bob DeLeo becoming the public face of the casino culture in Massachusetts, the one and the same culture against which his predecessor railed, and against which DeLeo himself voted, less than two years ago. Times change, the reps who are meeting with constituents to explain why they were against casinos before they were for them will say. It’s about jobs now, they’ll say, or already have.

Craven flip-flop in the face of an about-face in leadership? Principled, economy-driven policy evolution? What’s the etiquette for convincing constituents that you’ve “grown” on an issue when, privately and sheepishly, you wouldn’t swear on a stack of one-eyed jacks that what you’ve done wasn’t taking an assignment from your chamber’s titular head and fulfilling it?

Sometimes, within the environs of the Great and General Court, it is polite to let the demons win.

(The article continues) DeLeo batted down questions this week about where the $378,000 in taxpayer dollars allocated in the People v. Sal DiMasi actually went.

Mr Speaker - Oh where, oh where does our money go? And we're supposed to trust the General Court with expanded gambling?

Perhaps the mess we are in is due to the "demons winning". This is the height of poor public and poor fiscal policy.

Bax and O'Brien ask me out

2010-02-14T19:05:00.006-05:00

I had a little fun Friday morning with the boys over at WAQY Rock 102fm. The classic rock station is located in the neighboring community of East Longmeadow and reaches Worcester to the Berkshires.

Tell me or them what you think.

This Patrick/Murray supporter likes this policy position by Jill Stein

2010-02-12T19:16:00.004-05:00

I'm a Patrick/Murray supporter but I gotta tell ya, this policy statement by Jill Stein is on the money. First we had the boldness of Alan Khazei in the US Senate primary, now Ms. Stein, calls the shots on the predatory gambling/casino issue. C'mon back from the dark side Deval...we don't want that industry in the Commonwealth.

Predatory gambling

What if we taught our children not to gamble instead of inviting predatory gambling into the state to exploit our people?

• It’s time to take a closer look at the plans on Beacon Hill to invite gaming corporations to come into the state and use casinos and slot machines to extract money from the people of Massachusetts.

• It is well documented that the profitability of casinos is absolutely dependent upon problem gamblers — people who lose more than they can afford. In other words, these casinos have to destroy people’s financial security in order to make a profit.

• It is documented that building local casinos will lead to more gambling by giving people easier access to gambling opportunities.

• Casinos are job-killers because they take money out of the state rather than letting it circulate within our local economy.

• Casinos will produce bankruptcies, crime, divorces, alcoholism, corrupted politicians, and shattered dreams. Paying for the social services and damages they leave behind will cost us dearly. In the final analysis, casinos will raise our taxes — because they don’t pay their own way.

• Casinos will add yet another corrupting influence to Beacon Hill. And this is the last thing we need.

Before government forges a bond with the gambling industry we should consider the alternative: Raising revenues with fair and equitable taxes and letting our entertainment dollars help build a thriving local economy.

Jill Stein will refuse to expose our children to predatory gambling and its consequences

Lowell Sun Nails It

2010-02-12T16:45:00.004-05:00

Accurate and thorough reporting by the Lowell Sun.

Dan Ring's article in the Republican was excellent as well. Imagine Mohegan Sun with all it's "responsible gaming" BS have a guy playing for 23 hours straight, lose 450,000 dollars and they don't know it?

But after the formal press conference, Hartmann, in an interview, conceded that the Mohegan Sun failed to adequately deal with an addicted gambler from Western Massachusetts who said he lost a net $450,000 mostly at the Connecticut casino over the course of a year.

Hartmann talked with the gambler from the Berkshires after both participated in the press conference on the need for practices to ensure responsible gambling in the state.

Hartmann told “Scott,” the addicted gambler, that in hindsight, “I wish we had connected everything. Clearly, we didn’t handle it properly."

-Ya think?

Freedom Players and Social Change

2010-02-11T21:47:00.002-05:00

Every effective social movement in history has had four elements to it: education, litigation, legislation and demonstration.

Here is a video of "The Freedom Players" demonstrating.

Kathleen meets Emily

2010-02-10T19:18:00.004-05:00

Check out the interview with Emily Rooney, February 9, 2010.

Click at a 12:00 minutes into the recording and ends at 21:05.

When casinos win, communities lose

2010-02-10T15:31:00.000-05:00

When casinos win, communities lose. If a 10 percent decline in net Lottery revenue projected by casino opponents occurred, municipalities would see a loss in state aid of up to $100 million, the state's Lottery director Mark Cavanagh announced at a forum on Beacon Hill. A range of net losses have been projected if slots/casinos are legalized including a 10 percent figure which he called, "drastic." I think we acknowledge that there will be a deterrent effect to our sales. And the concern is, from a macro perspective that if our sales go down, money to cities and towns will go down." USS Mass declares slots/casinos a “some-thing-for-nothing scheme” that will harm already depleted town and city budgets and the services taxpayers need.

WBZ - mp3

2010-02-10T07:36:00.002-05:00

WBZ interview - Casino Math Workbook for Beacon Hill.

Thank you LG Murray

2010-02-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends,

You may have read the sobering news about the recent chain of domestic violence-related deaths in Massachusetts, including the horrible news out of Westford this week.

These incidents are tragic and saddening. Domestic violence in any form is unacceptable and we all must play a part in preventing abuse from happening to anyone in the Commonwealth.

As Chair of the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, I want to share with you resources that exist for victim advocacy, counseling and shelter services, as well as programs to hold batterers accountable and prevent domestic violence incidents.

If you or someone you care about is a victim of domestic violence, you are not alone. Programs across Massachusetts can provide free, confidential services to victims.

· If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

· For help you can also contact SafeLink, the Massachusetts Statewide Domestic Violence hotline. The SafeLink hotline is staffed 24 hours a day with trained domestic violence counselors who can provide help in multiple languages. If you need help, call the SafeLink toll-free number: 1-877-785-2020.

· Visit www.janedoe.org/safety.htm for a listing of local victim service programs.

In 2008, our Administration issued a Public Health Advisory on domestic violence to raise awareness and to educate the public on this issue and the resources available to aid victims. The public health advisory helped to communicate urgent information about domestic violence issues facing communities across the Commonwealth.

Though progress has been made, including implementation of a zero tolerance policy on domestic violence and sexual assault in the workplace, it is clear that there is much more work to be done.

On Friday, I will be convening a community forum at Fitchburg State College to discuss issues of domestic violence, engage in dialogue, and share existing resources in an effort to increase awareness and education of this serious issue within the community. This forum will be held at 2 p.m. at Fitchburg State College’s Tent Recital Hall.

Please join me and help play a role by supporting and encouraging any one you know who may be a victim of domestic violence and letting them know help is available and healing is possible.

Sincerely,

Timothy P. Murray
Lieutenant Governor

Money, money, money!

2010-02-02T20:10:00.002-05:00

Lawmakers cash in with casino bill

By Jessica Van Sack
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 -

Money-hungry Beacon Hill solons have hit the jackpot, with gambling lobbyists funneling tens of thousands of dollars into their campaign accounts as lawmakers put the finishing touches on a bill to legalize slots and casinos in the Bay State, a Herald review shows.

Lobbyists have placed their biggest wagers on the State House’s very own pit bosses - Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo - who each got roughly $5,000 in 2009 from about two dozen lobbyists representing casinos.

Their political action committees cashed in even bigger, with DeLeo’s Committee for a Democratic House and Murray’s Committee for a Democratic Senate raking in nearly $10,000 each from pro-gambling lobbyists and a handful of proponents of racinos.

That the very lawmakers who are designing the expanded gambling system are accepting cash from those who will profit the most is akin to stacking the deck, a leading watchdog group said.

“This is our pay-to-play system,” said Craig Holman, of the D.C.-based non-profit Public Citizen. “The lobbyist is the chief money-peddler on behalf of casinos. Lobbyist contributions are simply contributions from their clients. It’s part of the lobbyists’ salary.”

DeLeo’s campaign treasurer released a statement saying the speaker is “at work preparing the best bill for Massachusetts.”

Murray’s spokesman, David Falcone, noted that many of the lobbyists represent multiple clients and added that Murray “does her best not to accept contributions from anyone who is directly employed by a casino or gaming organization.”

The role of casino money in the push to approve gambling palaces and slot parlors underscored a 2008 Common Cause study showing gaming interests gave state lawmakers $1.5 million in campaign cash between 2002 and 2007. Gambling proponents also ponied up $8.2 million to lobbyists between 1998 and 2007, the study showed.

But as expanded gambling gets closer to reality, the Herald review found casino-related payments to lobbyists surged by a whopping 27 percent last year, to more than $2 million - an apparent record.

Two lobbyists hired by Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, a Dorchester native, contributed more than $10,000 to Beacon Hill pols last year. Also heaping campaign dough on key lawmakers are former state Sen. Robert A. Bernstein and former House Ways and Means budget chief David K. Shapiro of Bay State Strategies, which represents the maker of slot machines for dozens of Las Vegas and Native American casinos.

Colorado developer David Nunes, who is pitching a $4 billion casino in Medford, hired Democratic lobbyist Paul M. Pezzella last year. “We believe at the end of the day this will all be about location and financial wherewithal,” Nunes said. “Buying yourself a license is never the way to go. Earning it is.”

Nunes’ lobbyist, Pezzella, contributed more than $11,000 to key lawmakers last year.

Casino lobbyists also donated heavily to House Ways and Means chairman Charles Murphy, who received $4,300, records show.

The Burlington Democrat defended himself, saying, “If people think a $200 donation is going to affect how I decide something, they don’t know me very well.”

Gaming cos. bet big on Mass.:

Photo by Nancy Lane

STRIKING IT RICH: Senate President Therese Murray, above, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo have each received about $5,000 in campaign contributions from casino lobbyists.

Speaker's predatory gambling proposals fail, "sniff test"

2010-01-29T08:08:00.001-05:00

Speaker’s predatory gambling proposals fail “sniff test”

(Boston) – In a rare address to members of the House, Speaker DeLeo reaffirmed his support of governing by gimmicks versus real reform and economic development. Less than a year after being a chief architect of the 25% sales tax increase he stated that he does not support more taxes; he continued by endorsing special interests in his district and proposing state sponsored expanded predatory gambling revenue, slots/casinos, often called “a tax on the poor”.

Sound public and fiscal policy promote the public good, do no harm, increase opportunity and are sustainable. Speaker DeLeo does not seem to be aware that all legislation needs to be measured against philosophical and prudent benchmarks. His remarks reveal that his governing criteria do not include the basic tenants of legislative leadership by stating that his proposals to expand predatory gambling are “not philosophical”.

While bi-partisan and non-partisan leaders across the state including Governor Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, the Mass Chiefs of Police Association, United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts (USS Mass), League of Women Voters, Mass Council of Churches, National Association of Social Workers MA-chapter, Mass Family Institute, numerous statewide organizations and individuals are calling for a fresh independent cost-benefit, data-driven analysis of expanded gambling before legalizing slots or any additional form of predatory gambling, the Speaker has rejected this necessary quantitative and qualitative approach.

AG Coakley stated at legislative hearings in 2009, “Before the legislative debate on gaming even begins, the Commonwealth must have the law enforcement tools necessary to combat potential illegal influences both during the legislative debate and after proposed legislation becomes law in the Commonwealth.” When asked how much that would cost, she replied, “expensive”.

Recent focus on the concentration of political power, ethical and legal problems associated with Legislators in the Commonwealth and the long history of corruption associated with the gambling industry requires elected officials to step-back and re-evaluate the proposals to legalize predatory gambling, slots/casinos.

Voters repeatedly state that politicians are not listening to their concerns including the negative fiscal impacts slots/casinos have upon entire regions, small businesses and local economies. The Globe released a poll (January 2010) that showed the majority of respondents (38%) oppose any form of expanded gambling, (30%) support casinos and (3%) support racinos/slot parlors.

Citing the long term economic drain, negative regional fiscal impacts, social and legal costs associated with predatory gambling slots/casinos, Kathleen Conley Norbut, president, USS Mass stated, “Mr. Speaker back-door taxes and gimmicks are not the way to gain the people’s trust.”

No back-room deals for slots and predatory gambling!

2010-01-25T16:15:00.001-05:00

January 26, 2010

Dear Honorable Legislator:

Attorney General Martha Coakley has joined Governor Patrick, the Mass Chiefs of Police Association, United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts (USS Mass), League of Women Voters, Mass Council of Churches and numerous statewide organizations and individuals calling for an independent cost-benefit, data-driven analysis of expanded gambling before legalizing slots or any additional form of predatory gambling. AG Coakley stated at legislative hearings, “Before the legislative debate on gaming even begins, the Commonwealth must have the law enforcement tools necessary to combat potential illegal influences both during the legislative debate and after proposed legislation becomes law in the Commonwealth.” When asked how much that would cost, she replied, “expensive”.

Recent focus on the concentration of political power, ethical and legal problems associated with legislators in the Commonwealth and the long history of corruption associated with the gambling industry requires elected officials to step-back and re-evaluate the proposals to legalize predatory gambling, slots/casinos.

The people voiced their ire with “business as usual” in Massachusetts politics in the recent US Senate election. Voters repeatedly state that politicians are not listening to their concerns including the negative fiscal impacts slots/casinos have upon entire regions, small businesses and local economies. The Globe released a poll (January 2010) that showed the majority of respondents (38%) oppose any form of expanded gambling, (30%) support casinos and (3%) support racinos/slot parlors.

The Western MA Casino Task Force is joined by municipal officials across the state with the following recommendations:

Comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of slot parlors and mega-casinos.
The legislature will perform a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and develop data-driven budgets by region that account for fiscal revenues and both operating and capital investment expenses. Benefits/revenues will result from income and property taxes, license fees, job creation, reduction of welfare rolls, and ancillary economic development for regional businesses. Costs/expenses will result from capital investment projects, infrastructure expansion and maintenance thereof; mitigation compensation to affected regional communities for issues defined in the paragraphs below; and state and regional oversight and administration expenses.

The cost-benefit analysis will address but not be limited to costs such as the expansion of the Attorney General’s office for regulation, enforcement, investigation, prosecution, auditing; Gaming Commission personnel, equipment, operating budget, software and all consultants; gambling addiction services; state and local police and overtime; domestic violence advocates at district courts serving the regions impacted by proposed expanded gambling; expanded prison and corrections services; financial counseling; subsidized health care costs for transient workers and workers not covered by proposed expanded gambling health insurance.

USS Mass represents the people of the Commonwealth, not lobbyists or corporations. The people are sending you a message, no back-room deals for slots and predatory gambling.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Conley Norbut, M.Ed., LMHC
United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts
USS Mass
PO Box 376
Palmer, MA 01069
www.uss-mass.org

Gambling Support Declines

2010-01-11T18:22:00.002-05:00

Gambling Support Declines

(Boston) – United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts (USS Mass) a non-partisan statewide coalition has provided education to legislators, citizens, organization and the Administration on the net costs of legalizing expanded gambling. The long term economic drain and saturation of the market has citizens re-thinking expanding gambling, especially as the costs to taxpayers emerge in other states.

“Statewide leaders including Governor Patrick and the Mass Chiefs of Police Association are joining the USS Mass coalition in the call for an independent comprehensive cost-benefit analysis before legalizing predatory gambling, slots and casinos,” stated USS Mass president, Kathleen Conley Norbut. “It is time for citizens in the Commonwealth to be told the whole story of the costs and impacts of slot parlors, racinos and slot casinos.”

Today’s Globe released a recent poll with evidence of the waning support for expanding gambling in the Commonwealth.

As for expanded gambling, which Patrick and lawmakers are currently negotiating, 33 percent said they support creating resort casinos, while only 3 percent supported adding slot parlors at the state’s race trace track; 16 percent said they had no preference, and 38 percent said they don’t want expanded gambling in the state.

For more information on the comprehensive costs and impacts of slot parlors, racinos and slot casino, please do not hesitate to contact USS Mass.

Massachusetts Sends First Woman to the US Senate

2010-01-09T21:39:00.002-05:00

Headlines - January 20, 2010. "Massachusetts Sends First Woman to the US Senate" After centuries, decades, years, weeks and long days of women working for campaigns to elect men in the Commonwealth, do we think it's time for the most qualified candidate, who is a woman, to get elected to the US Senate?

Decade of Disasters and Challenges

2009-12-29T18:01:00.006-05:00

I am beginning to reflect on the past decade; one in which I donated tens of thousands of volunteer/civic hours for no pay. Has anything changed? I am older, my body aches more, my son is as tall as me and we struggle financially in a world riddled with cynicism. We have no retirement savings, no government pension and a child with a learning disability who wants a great life. College tuition is just around the corner and I feel like I just paid off Tufts and Springfield College for my degrees. I see the rich getting richer, politicians getting dumber and the political gridlock between Dems/Repubs. paralyzing a nation that was once a great place for innovation and work ethic.

I almost threw in the towel and turned my back on civic involvement last spring after being stalked by a nut case in my hometown for being female and an elected official. But no, I allowed my passion about the slots/casino issue to pull me back in. After 6 months of increased activity in that realm I wonder if any of it makes a difference.

Will citizen power and rational thinking prevail or will special interests, politicians without principles, and a disengaged public allow the further erosion of the economic and social fabric of our Commonwealth?

How long can I keep giving when I see the "leaders" with their own personal fortunes compromising the values that we need to protect? Governor Patrick who makes double the median family income in Massachusetts and is married to a high six figure corporate attorney recently stated that he will only run for one more term so that he can back "to making some money"....how am I supposed to work with that?

President Obama is in Hawaii stating at an unimaginable resort that we, "will not rest" regarding the latest attempted airplane disaster.

These are the guys that were better than the other guys. What is wrong with your messaging people? Doesn't anyone have common sense? You need some regular people sitting at your right hands not the elite insiders.

Term limits are needed to save our democracy.

Carcieri Fix a Disaster in the Making

2009-12-20T19:54:00.005-05:00

I think our elected officials have lost their minds, truly. Read below to see how Congress wants to give away states power. It seems like it's really a subversive from of treason.

The "Carcieri fix" is a proposal fueled by special interests that sets-up an on-going and increasingly conflicted paradigm between native american tribes, private property owners, municipalities and special interests.

The pragmatic reality is that federal trust title removes lands from local government jurisdiction and the property tax rolls. Therefore, tax bases shrink and conflicts due to competing jurisdiction issues are raised causing additional burden to taxpayers. Also, the bill (below) intends to let all federally recognized tribes take advantage of the provisions to take private property into federal trust title. These land-into-trust provisions were originally intended to apply only to tribes who lost lands under the General Allotment Act of 1887(GAA). S. 1703 allows tribes to benefit from the advantages of the land-into-trust program that were never intended to be part of this program.

This amendment needs to be rejected on it's lack of merit, and future negative fiscal and societal consequences. Let's find an equitable/sustainable way to balance Native American, municipal, state and taxpayers' rights.
Summary:

9/24/2009--Introduced. Amends the Act commonly known as the Indian Reorganization Act to apply the Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when any tribe became recognized. (This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the Secretary of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Act was enacted.)

Text of Legislation:

S 1703 IS

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1703

To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian tribes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 24, 2009

Mr. DORGAN (for himself, Mr. TESTER, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. BINGAMAN, and Mr. FRANKEN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

A BILL

To amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to reaffirm the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Indian tribes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. MODIFICATION OF DEFINITION.

(a) In General- Section 19 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the ‘Indian Reorganization Act’) (25 U.S.C. 479), is amended--

(1) in the first sentence--

(A) by striking ‘The term’ and inserting ‘Effective beginning on June 18, 1934, the term’; and

(B) by striking ‘any recognized Indian tribe now under Federal jurisdiction’ and inserting ‘any federally recognized Indian tribe’; and

(2) by striking the third sentence and inserting the following: ‘In this section, the term ‘Indian tribe’ means any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe.’.

(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the ‘Indian Reorganization Act’) (25 U.S.C. 479), on the date of enactment of that Act.

Full Text of Legislation

Final Answer: "Khazei"

2009-12-05T19:58:00.000-05:00

Khazei for US Senate

Alan is one of the two extraordinary democratic candidates that I have considered to vote for in the primary on December 8, 2009. All four candidates are very accomplished in their own right. I have taken time to study their work, vision and proposals for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States.

The office of US Senate is not to be taken lightly, nor to be won handily by the best political operatives and insiders. The character, temperament, experiences, skills and vision of the candidates will influence the lives of millions.

Early in the race, I gravitated toward Congressman Capuano who is a fierce advocate for his district, the Commonwealth and progressive democratic values. As the campaigns matured and I had the privilege of having Mr. Khazei reach out to me personally I found myself listening and watching with curiosity and interest to someone with a refreshing perspective.

Mr. Khazei speaks to my life experience, our shared determination, my concerns for my family's future, and our shared experiences with volunteerism, my abhorrence of the power of special interests (lobbyists, corporations and PACs) within our political system, and a vision for a more equitable and therefore more prosperous future. His enthusiasm is contagious and it springs from the same spiritual center that in us all. There is joy in toiling when the work is for the greater good. There is fun in the chores that reap mutual benefits. There is nobility in serving family, community and others.

Please join me in voting for Alan Khazei (Democrat) US Senate, on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.

The Case For The Commonwealth Against Slots and Casinos

2009-12-04T21:56:00.002-05:00

Media Advisory

Saturday, December 5, 2009

For information contact:

Kathleen Conley Norbut, M.Ed., LMHC

President

USS Mass - United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts

ussmass@gmail.com

The Case for the Commonwealth Against Slots & Casinos

Thursday December 10, 2009, 7pm-8:30PM

Faneuil Hall, Boston, Massachusetts

WHAT: “The Case for the Commonwealth Against Slots & Casinos” is a forum at Faneuil Hall in Boston, with noted civic and political leaders, to discuss the proposals to legalize state-sponsored predatory gambling, slot machines and casinos in Massachusetts.

WHO: Sponsored by the USS Mass Coalition, the panel will include:

Governor and Mrs. Michael Dukakis
Former Attorney General Scott Harshbarger
Kathleen Conley Norbut, President of USS Mass
Jim Rubens, Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling
Honorable State Senator Susan Tucker

Alan Khazei, co-founder of City Year, as the Master of Ceremonies.

The Rev. Dr. Peter D. Weaver, Bishop of the United Methodist Church- New England Conference, will offer the Invocation.

WHEN: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 7:00- 8:30pm

WHERE: Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA.

Blue line to Aquarium/Faneuil Hall, Green Line to Government Center, or Orange line to State Street.

CONTACT: Kathleen Conley Norbut, ussmass@gmail.com to arrange interviews

with panelists, or details on visuals, taping and recording the event.

USS Mass – United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts is the up-growth of concerned citizens, taxpayers, activists and statewide organizations across the political spectrum opposed to predatory gambling in the Commonwealth. We are a non-profit, non-partisan organization that has been working diligently to organize and educate citizens and Legislators on the facts about the economic and social costs of legalizing predatory gambling in the Commonwealth. No state that has legalized predatory slot machines has solved their fiscal problems.

Truth to Brian Lees

2009-11-28T08:42:00.002-05:00

Dear Brian,

I miss the days when it was rumored that you used to ask "how much will it cost the taxpayers?" on the floor of the State Senate.

Slots/casinos are long-term economic drain. In your OpEd in the Globe you failed to mention the other side of the balance sheet...the costs.

Please see the lists of municipal impacts developed by the Western MA Casino Task Force. It is unfortunate that so many Springfield pols are not doing due diligence on this matter and have signed onto the big PAC campaign bandwagon without regard to the potential impacts. Have you considered the impacts on the courts? Where will the funds come from to mitigate additional problems?

Your OpEd also failed to articulate that the previously estimated billion dollars in gambling revenues that goes out of state has greatly diminished with the recession. Even if $700 million in gambling revenues left the Commonwealth only the Adjusted Net Gambling Revenues (ANGR) are taxed and "recaptured". Less than $90 million could be recaptured, the hit to the lottery is estimated at $80 million and we haven't even begun to disuss mitigation and the development of an additional government bureaucracy, The Gambling Regulatory Control Commission.

I hope you re-evaluate your position and math on these one-sided proposals. No one can validly state these proposals are good for the taxpayers. Only special interests groups, developers, owners and the pols that serve them benefit.

Small businesses, environment, public safety, infrastructure, education budgets and families suffer.

Regards,

Kathleen

Senator Brewer and Representative Smola Come Through

2009-11-24T20:12:00.003-05:00

The following letter was sent to Senator Rosenberg and the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies on behalf of the Western MA Casino Task Force. I just received it today, one day after sending them an email pushing for this action that they had already taken. Thank you!!!

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE. BOSTON 02133-1053

SENATOR STEPHEN M. BREWER
WAYS AND MEANS. (VICE CHAIR)
PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY, (VICE CHAIR)

November 4, 2009

The Honorable Stanley C. Rosenberg
State House, Room 320
Boston, MA 02133

Dear Senator Rosenberg:

We are writing on behalf of the Western Massachusetts Casino Task Force (Task Force) (Contact: Edward S. Harrison, Chairman, 60 Congress Street, Springfield, MA 01104; Telephone: 413-267-XXXX), relative to its list of concerns on the expanded gaming issue in Massachusetts. It is our understanding that the Task Force has compiled a list of high priority concerns they have relative to the expanded gaming issue. It is our further understanding that the Task Force has outlined specific concerns, some of which includes performing a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, public safety, and addressing the impact expanded gaming would have on the environment (see enclosure).

We would appreciate your reviewing the Task Force's concerns before drafting a final bill on this subject. It would also be appreciated if you would keep us apprised of your efforts in this regard. If you have any questions relative to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact either one of
us.

Thank you for your attention to and consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

STEPHEN M. BREWER
State Senator

TODD M. SMOLA
State Representative

Enclosures

Truth to Bobby

2009-11-24T13:31:00.002-05:00

Dear Ms. Marfione,

Would you kindly share the below email message with Mr. Haynes? Best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving.

“What does labor want?
We want more school houses and less jails.
More books and less guns.
More learning and less vice.
More leisure and less greed.
More justice and less revenge.
We want more ... opportunities to cultivate our better natures.”

Samuel Gompers Memorial
San Antonio, Texas

Samuel Gompers (January 27, 1850 – December 13, 1924) was an American labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history. Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and served as the AFL's president from 1886-1894 and from 1895 until his death in 1924. He promoted harmony among the different craft unions that were comprised by the AFL, trying to minimize jurisdictional battles. He promoted "thorough" organization and collective bargaining to secure shorter hours and higher wages, the first essential steps, he believed, to emancipating labor. He also encouraged the AFL to take political action to "elect their friends" and "defeat their enemies." During World War I, Gompers and the AFL worked with the government to avoid strikes and boost morale, without undermining union wage and hour standards. During that period, the AFL saw membership rise.

Dear Mr. Haynes,
I hope this will give you pause to reflect over the Thanksgiving holidays about the founding principles of the Commonwealth and the Labor movement that are in direct opposition to predatory gambling. Oppression of one group of people for the alleged benefit of others is wrong. Working and middle class families should not be strapped with the additional burden of subsidizing the known negative impacts of slots/casinos. The long-term economic drain and human sacrifices do not justify the temporary construction phase.

Respectfully,

Kathleen Conley Norbut
Monson

Please take a stand

2009-11-23T09:43:00.001-05:00

Dear Senator Brewer and Representative Ashe,

While I am aware that you do not set the calendar for the legislature, I am writing to you to let you know my sentiments about the recent end of the formal session and the failure of the legislature to address issues of grave importance currently on the table.

Average people are suffering from unemployment, underemployment and having to work brutal hours to make up for months of lost wages. All of the above scenarios we have experienced in my immediate and wider family. The Legislature - especially leadership, appear to be out of touch with the realities of the taxpayers struggles.

Today's Republican editorial is something that I hope you will consider and share with your colleagues.

For example, instead of implementing a tax-free zone along the NH border to save retail jobs and stimulate growth in the Commonwealth a higher sales tax was enacted. Thereby increasing the Massachusetts flight into CT as well as NH. This defies common sense.

Egregious behavior by lawmakers continues with failure to inform citizens the truth that only ANGR (Adjusted Net Gaming Revenues) that go out of state would be taxed for a net "recapture" of less than $90-100 million dollars - minus another $80 million dollar drop in the Lottery and the addition of another multi-million dollar bureaucracy. Legislators spread misinformation when talking about a "billion dollars of gambling revenues going out of state that we are losing".

Why are we not seeing the call for an independent cost-benefit analysis which is the primary recommendation of the Western MA Casino Task Force? I believe that it is your duty to bring this forward to legislative leadership, committee members, your peers and the wider public.

Why are we not seeing substantive discussion about the long-term economic drain, impacts to families, courts, municipal budgets? I spent two days last week at Foxwoods for a work-related conference and it was quite revealing to see the low attendance and the misery on people's faces as they stared alone and isolated at slot machines.

Should my family have to supplement the social and municipal costs of predatory gambling either through our taxes or further decline in quality of life to subsidize special interests?

Perhaps, I need to ask you more clearly and directly to call for an independet cost-benefit analysis before legalizing additional predatory gambling, slots/casinos as your constituent and long time supporter?

Please take a stand to declare the need for an independent cost-benefit analysis before legalizing addtional predatory gambling, slots/casinos in the Commonwealth.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. I send you and your family blessings for a lovely Thanksgiving holiday.

Warm regards,

Kathleen

Eagles and Ducks

2009-11-18T23:24:00.003-05:00

November 18, 2009

US Senate Candidates Khazei and Capuano endorse independent cost-benefit analysis before legalizing slots/casinos.

(Boston) – United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts (USS Mass) a non-partisan statewide coalition announced today that it has received responses from two of the US Senate candidates to the questionnaire that was sent to candidates in October. “US Senate candidate Alan Khazei promptly returned the questionnaire and Congressman Michael Capuano filed his responses with our organization on Tuesday, November 17, 2009,” reported Kathleen Conley Norbut, President, United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts.

Despite an extension and reminders from USS Mass, four of the candidates (COAKLEY THE AG responsible for public and consumer safety! Pagliuca - it seems like the campaign may be a just a hobby. Brown - who fails the fiscal conservative test on this one by supporting slot parlors/racinos and expansion of government with the development of a new bureaucracy the Gaming Regulatory Control - hackocracy and taxpayer subsidizes costs of impacts and Jack E. Robinson) failed to respond to the questionnaire, which leaves taxpayers wondering if they understand the magnitude of the impacts of the proliferation of predatory gambling upon local economies, state and national policy. Each candidate was asked four questions regarding expanding predatory gambling including two questions about their position on the far-reaching implications of the Supreme Court decision in February 2009 relevant to native American tribes bringing lands into trust; the National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report recommendations which included a moratorium on slot/casino gambling in the United States and their position regarding a proposed independent cost-benefit analysis before legalizing any expanded predatory gambling, slots/casinos in the Commonwealth.

The candidate’s responses reveal that Mr. Khazei expressed his strong support for an independent cost-benefit analysis before legalizing any expansion of predatory gambling, slots/casinos with a detailed description of the depth of his knowledge and concerns about the costs associated with the slots/casino industry, “While we must commit ourselves to creating jobs and while monetary costs and benefits must be measured, we must not lose sight of what we treasure most in life. We must ask ourselves if casino gambling is worth it even at the expense of those among us who are most vulnerable.”

Congressman Capuano supports the proposed independent cost-benefit analysis before legalizing slots/casinos for the purpose of quantifying job creation. He expressed hesitation that there would be significant job creation with slot facilities. Congressman Capuano expressed sensitivity for Native Americans and a desire to see more non-casino job creation on reservations, “It is important to be sensitive to issues of identity and self-definition, with regard to Native Americans and, indeed, to all persons. That said, the larger community is affected by decisions governing recourse to the Indian Reorganization Act.”

“We are pleased that two candidates chose not to duck these controversial issues by taking the time to address these matters that impact economic, public health, consumer protection, safety and future decisions for the Commonwealth and the nation,” stated Ms. Norbut. The full text of the candidates responses are posted on the USS Mass website.

######

The League of Women Voters Joins USS Mass

2009-11-17T10:12:00.002-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

7 November 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Louise Haldeman
LWVMA Casino Gambling Specialist
lwvma@lwvma.org 617.523.2999

League of Women Voters of Massachusetts
Joins Anti-Casino Coalition

BOSTON-The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts has joined forces with the anti-casino coalition United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts.

The non-profit coalition, comprised of citizens, taxpayers, activists and statewide organizations across the political spectrum, works to educate and inform citizens and Legislators of the negative economic and social effects of casino gambling.

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts has opposed allowing casino gambling in the state since 1982, and actively lobbied against casino legislation last year.

Louise Haldeman, the casino gambling specialist for the League's Program and Action Committee, is the League's representative to the United to Stop Slots board of directors.

"While casinos would bring in some revenue and some jobs, costs associated with those jobs, the impact on local communities and businesses, and the impact on families will far outweigh the benefit," said Haldeman.

The League of Women Voters opposes the legalization of casino gambling, believing the demands for social and municipal services, police protection and the establishment of a state regulating body outweigh any benefits from increased employment, tourism and tax revenue.

"The League's fiscal positions reinforce that an economic crisis cannot be cured by legalizing casino gambling nor can sustainable revenue be created with the introduction of this industry into the Commonwealth," said Zaxaro Bennett, president of the state League.

Since 1983 the League has presented testimony to oppose the legalization of casino gambling and has worked with organizations that share this goal. LWVMA will continue to work to defeat any bills that would provide for the legalization of casino gambling in Massachusetts.

# # #

Shout out to Charlie Pierce

2009-11-17T09:31:00.002-05:00

Ya just can't make up this stuff! Let me preface this must read article with a shout out to the members of the USS Mass coalition who have been tracking the misinformation pattern and the misuse of public funds/institutions for the benefit of the slots/casino industry.

A dubious hand
A casino expert has too many cards in play.
By Charles P. Pierce
November 15, 2009

Dear Professor Clyde Barrow: First of all, you’ve got guts. It takes a rare
kind of fortitude to throw yourself behind the proposition of casino
gambling here in Massachusetts while having the same name as the bandit --
the two-armed bandit, that is -- played by Warren Beatty in that movie where
Faye Dunaway was young Bonnie Parker. (Given how deftly the Patrick
administration thus far has handled this issue, I’m surprised we haven’t
seen an earnest disquisition on the morality of gambling from Father Jesse
James, SJ.) Now, I don’t wish to cast aspersions about your academic work at
UMass-Dartmouth on behalf of the Fleece the Suckers Act of Whenever. Others
have done that, of course, most notably the people who noticed you were also
in the employ of a gaming proponent who wants to build a casino in New
Hampshire. However, this does present something of a conundrum. You have
long maintained we need casinos here to keep our local sheep in the pen,
rather than sending them off to get shorn in Connecticut. So now the Patrick
administration has embraced your study as a means to help it build casinos,
while you’re helping other folks build one north of the border. It seems
logical, therefore, to conclude that you could find an economic reason to
build a casino almost anywhere, up to and including the bottom of Cape Cod
Bay. Perhaps that could be the plot of the upcoming thriller: Oceans 1, or
Deval and Clyde.

Nothing is Transparent

2009-11-11T10:36:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Conley Norbut, M.Ed., LMHC
United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, President
USS Mass
PO Box 376
Palmer, MA 01069
ussmass@gmail.com

Pro-predatory Gambling Legislators Conduct Business Behind Closed Doors

(Boston) – United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts (USS Mass) a non-partisan statewide coalition criticizes pro-predatory gambling legislators as they conduct business behind closed doors with a recent forum on slots/casinos at the statehouse. “The work of “the people” seems to exclude “the people” of the Commonwealth when it comes to slots/casinos as evidenced when pro-predatory gambling legislators met on Monday in a closed forum on Beacon Hill,” stated Kathleen Conley Norbut, President of USS Mass. Organizers defended their actions to hide public officials from the public so they would, “feel comfortable to ask any questions without having any type of criticism.” Legislators give speeches about transparency yet they have crafted a double standard for their conveniences and are not bound by the same rules as local officials by Open Meeting Laws.

Elected officials should not be shielded from taxpayer’s questions and criticisms when it comes to discussing legalizing gambling activities that derive the vast majority of revenue from addicted individuals; are historically wrought with graft, political corruption and criminal activities. As offensive as these actions are to the citizens of the Commonwealth, closed door discussions and one-sided presentations have been common practice in the debate about legalizing expanded predatory gambling. Opponents of predatory gambling and local officials concerned about negative impacts to their communities were not included in the senate informational hearing in June. Concerned citizens were ignored by Administration officials two years ago when requests were made to meet to discuss the flawed legislation submitted by the Governor. The July 4th middle of the night legalization of predatory gambling by politicians in Pennsylvania was not a beacon of democracy.

Lobbyists are on-track to spend over $1 million dollars this year to influence the legislature to expand predatory gambling with slots/casinos in the Commonwealth. Meanwhile the Mass. Council on Compulsive Gambling budget was recently slashed, drastically reducing the safety net needed to treat the human tragedies created by compulsive gambling. The Beacon Hill formula has not changed; quick fixes, closed doors meetings, lobbyists fronting for deep-pocketed out-of-state and foreign investors, misinformation about revenues and job creation.

The only thing clear about what is happening on Beacon Hill is that nothing is transparent

Labor unions have threatened to withhold support to long-time Democratic legislators and traditional allies to pressure them to support their short-term interests for construction jobs. A handful of legislators have pressured labor unions to support their minute special interest group, track owners. These antics occur despite the reality that there is no upside for substantive construction jobs and many of the track jobs are not unionized. Legislative leadership has expanded their thinking to support expanding predatory gambling stating that jobs are needed, but they willfully ignore the long-term economic drain of slots/casinos including the documented subsidies by taxpayers in states with legalized slots/casinos for social, public safety and infrastructure costs created by the industry. Pro-predatory gambling legislators serve on Advisory Committees to UMass public policy centers while also setting the budgets for these facilities and the people who perform the limited research on slots/casinos.

Governor Patrick initiated the race to the bottom with his declaration of support for casinos. United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts therefore calls upon the Governor and the Legislature to perform independent cost-benefit analysis before any steps are taken to legalize an industry that creates greater long-term negative fiscal costs than it renders in benefits.

######

MASC Proposed Resolution

2009-11-09T08:43:00.003-05:00

Inquiring minds want to know who brought forth the proposed Resolution for the MASC to support casino gambling revenues to fund education? $5.00 D&D gift certificate to the person who squeals. Let's just hope it wasn't a certain SC member who is profiting from his relationship with a certain slots/casino predatory gambling outfit. Conflicts of interest abound.

Here's the version of the Resolution that should be considered by the MASC:

Resolution – Amendment MASC Delegate Convention

November 2009

Whereas the MASC has a long and proud tradition of advocating for public education, working for policies that promote the health and wholeness of all young people, and fighting to garner adequate and sustainable funding to support best practices and pedagogy for comprehensive public education;

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 impacts of expanded gambling in other states provide evidence of long-term economic drain, increased student drop-out rates in entire slot/casino host regions (35-50 mile radius), an increased incidence of problem gambling and gambling addiction among youth in these regions and increased fiscal burdens upon school budgets for entire host regions (35-50 mile radius);

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 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 Association of School Committees, 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 and requests that an independent cost-benefit analysis of these proposals be performed before any expanding gambling is legalized in the Commonwealth. Public education cannot sustain any further fiscal negative impacts.

Predatory Gambling

2009-11-08T07:12:00.004-05:00

Proponents do not dispute the long-term net economic drain.
Proponents do not dispute the predatory business model.
Proponents do not dispute that slots/casinos are different than social gambling.
Proponents do not even discuss the fiscal negative impacts on entire regions where slots/casinos are located.
Proponents do not dispute that fact that slots/casinos change everything.
Proponents do not call for a balanced independent cost-benefit analysis of short-term and long-term impacts....why not?

MASC misguided?

2009-11-06T11:51:00.003-05:00

Dear Monson School Committee Members:

It has been brought to my attention that the MASC has proposed endorsing slots/casinos in the Resolutions to be deliberated upon at the upcoming November 18-21, 2009 conference, page 25.

There must be an egregious misunderstanding of the fiscal impacts of slots/casinos upon the state and local budgets by the MASC board members to consider putting this issue before the delegates. No state with legalized slots/casinos has solved their budgetary and educational needs through legalizing predatory gambling. I am guilty as charged in the recent letter in the Journal Register by a Palmer resident of my "excessive use of statistics" to support my research findings which conclude that these businesses are long-term economic drains on entire regions and the state. The state of California released a report documenting 1Bilion dollars per year spent by taxpayers for the costs associated to slots/casino gambling. $4.5 Billion dollars per year are taxed to Australian citizens for the costs associated with slots/casino gambling as reported in their government's recently released 10 year impact study of slots/casinos.

In the Spectrum Gaming report commissioned by Governor Patrick and funded by taxpayers ($189,000) the only community featured, of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, was the Town of Monson. I was asked by the industry "experts" to provide information on the impacts to education. The report highlights the irrefutable negative fiscal impacts. The report failed however, to extrapolate the potential negative impacts to the entire Commonwealth and provide a statewide cost-benefit analysis.

No legislation has been crafted that provides sufficient mitigation to the municipal and education impacts to the regions affected. No legislation has been crafted that includes representation of impacted districts as decision makers. The proponents only discuss one side of the balance sheet. Public education in Massachusetts cannot afford to take a myopic position on this issue.

Simply put, there is not enough revenue generated to the state by slots/casinos to offset the costs.

The Western MA Casino Task Force's (comprised of 15 communities in the Quaboag Valley and founded by the Monson Board of Selectmen) top recommendation is an independent cost-benefit analysis of the slots/casinos proposals before expanding any gambling in the Commonwealth.

More disheartening is the apparent ignorance of the MASC board to the impacts of expanded gambling upon youth. I believe that there may be many well intentioned people who are unaware of these issues. Young people including young adults, are cognitively and emotionally underdeveloped to discern between the allure of gambling and the risks. Youth are the highest risk group for gambling addiction. The executive director assured me that this is a normal process for the delegates to consider potential revenue streams. I asked if the executive board would be interested in learning more about the long-term costs to taxpayers, impacts to municipalities and education. He said he didn't know.

I was wondering this morning if the MASC would consider a Resolution to have state sponsored doubling of alcoholism and paying more taxes to support the devastation, while not garnering any additional funds to improve education? Does that sound absurd? Of course it does and yet it is the same model as legalizing state sponsored predatory gambling slots/casinos.

Let's hope they learned from the MTA's mistaken endorsement of the bogus job and revenue projections in the Governor's legislation.

Please contact the Executive Director and MASC Board Members to voice your objection to this wrong-headed proposal on behalf of our community and the future of education funding.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Losing venture

2009-11-04T21:07:00.001-05:00

Slot machines for a gambler are a losing venture"

Misinformational Gambling Forum

2009-11-02T20:28:00.004-05:00

Save the Date

Misinformational Gambling Forum

Monday, November 9^th

10:30am

A-2

Following a disappointing reception at last week's predatory gambling hearing where Statehouse News declared that "casinos are not a done deal", proponents backed by deep pocketed special interests and lobbyists are seeking to sell their one-sided proposals to their peers (again).

Despite the clear evidence that revenues are down and no independent cost-benefit analysis has been conducted by the Administration or the Legislature, some parties still insist that temporary construction jobs for the minority, doubling problem and addicted gambling (with associated legal, medical, family and social costs) for hundreds of thousands, instituting a permanent expansion of government with a permanent tax subsidy for slots/casinos is a good idea. All this and more expenses during a time of brutal state, local and personal financial losses.

Apparently, proponents have not read the CT DORS report (June 2009) that details the negative impacts to the entire host region where the predatory gambling casinos are sprawled. Apparently, proponents have not read the Aussie report (October 2009) that details the tax costs of $210 US dollars to every Australian adult in the country to fund the impacts of slots "pokies"/casinos. Or, that 80% of the population want to rid the country of slots "pokies"/casinos.

Apparently, proponents have not heard that a casino consultant for Suffolk Downs testified at the June 2009 state senate informational hearing that the markets to borrow (for large capital projects) are essentially closed and that cash flow is down, which means those big license fees are as overinflated as the job figures.

Apparently.

The above post is a spoof on the email sent to Legislators by proponents of predatory gambling.

Democracy is coming

2009-10-24T19:26:00.000-04:00

Sail on, Sail on.

Independent Data-Driven Cost-Benefit Analysis

2009-10-18T09:29:00.006-04:00

Date: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 9:21 AM

Dear Honorable Representatives,

I would like to thank you for beginning the process of taking an independent analysis of the expanded predatory gambling slot/casino issue with the development of a commission to review suitability of sites for any potential facilities. I would encourage you to consider a commission comprised of local officials, regional planners, economists and independent non-gambling analysts.

Prior to that step however, it is incumbent upon the Legislature and the Administration to appoint an independent cost-benefit analysis, similar to the recently formed commission by Governor Lynch, NH to study the models, short-term and long-term impacts of the industry.

During this difficult time of economic downturn, it may be tempting to look for a "quick fix" for jobs and revenues. However, the predatory gambling slot/casino industry is extremely complex, requires costly oversight and creates long-term economic drain. Please perform due diligence and commission a balanced if not independent data-driven, cost-benefit analysis of the proposals to expand gambling in the Commonwealth. A blue ribbon commission should not require tax dollars to perform it's task. The Western MA Casino Task Force has meet for over two years studying proposals to expand gambling, developed a ground-breaking summary of regional and local impacts with technical assistance from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and no funding for the on-going work...most of us have served without compensation.

As a former Selectman and member of the Western MA Casino Task Force, I have researched and found that slots/casinos have proven to be permanent, regressive solutions to a temporary economic problem. Once the door to slots is opened, it has never been shut in the US (Russian has re-criminalized slots due to the economic instability generated). Many states have set maximum numbers on facilities only to become dependent on the every increasing need to sponsor additional gambling for state coffers. The impacts to host regions must be quantified and mitigated along with the comprehensive costs to taxpayers to subsidize the industry that has unique
known negative impacts.

Guest speaker at Sudbury UMC

2009-10-16T09:26:00.001-04:00

Guest speaker at Sudbury United Methodist Church
SUDBURY — On Sunday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. in the Davison Chapel at Sudbury United Methodist Church, a guest speaker from the Massachusetts Council of Churches will present facts about the state Legislature’s proposed bill to allow casino gambling in Massachusetts. A question-and-answer period will follow.
This event is sponsored by the church’s Social Justice Commission. Everyone interested in this topic is invited to attend.
Learn why the United Methodist Church considers gambling a "menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic and spiritual life, and destructive of good government." You will have the opportunity to sign a petition to Gov. Deval Patrick to voice your opposition to predatory gambling in the commonwealth.
The church is located at 251 Old Sudbury Road on Route 27, just east of Sudbury Center. For more information call 978-443-4351.

Mashantuckets, Mohegans and debts!

2009-10-12T21:07:00.005-04:00

It seems that the horrific practices of predatory businesses and unregulated/under-regulated capitalism (commonly known as greed) that have whacked us with a brutal recession have been SOP for these folks according to the Norwich Bulletin.

Millions, billions owed

The Mashantuckets reportedly have debt obligations of more than $2 billion. The Mohegans have to repay $150 million in $30 million increments, beginning next year, the result of an agreement with the bank to retire a $330 million note.

Neither tribe can seek any of the options available to previous owners of Resorts. They cannot look for a buyer to take the load off their shoulders. Or sell off a gaming hall to reduce debt. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act says only a tribe can own a casino, said Shawn P. Pensoneau, a spokesman for the National Indian Gaming Commission. If property is on the reservation, the land is owned and held in trust by the federal government.

So, truly this is not good financial news for the tribes, the state of CT, employees and the regions impacted. Why did it happen? Why were these casinos allowed to create and propagate phony prosperity?

Mohegan Sun faces similar approaches.

“We’ll have difficulty making those payments on the $150 million, so we are considering debt restructuring,” said Leo Chupaska, Mohegan Sun’s chief financial officer. “We are studying what we can do to take care of the issue.”

Is this why they recently retracted their statements about building a$1 Billion dollar casino in Palmer should Massachusetts be so short-sited and legalized slots? Can they build anything with this noose around their necks in a recession that has sucked the juice out of borrowing?

Like foreign nation

Barrow likens it to trying to collect on a debt from a foreign government.

“You can cut them off,” he said. “But if they do not have money, you can’t get blood from a stone.”

They may declare bankruptcy.

“But don’t expect an Obama bailout,” he said.

If banks are so inclined, they can write off the debt as they do for mortgages, restructure to lower interest rates, or lengthen the time to pay to back, Barrow said. Those steps are in the bank’s self-interest, since they cannot take over a casino.

Meantime, it’s business as usual, Chupaska said.

“We do not anticipate that the financial restructuring being considered by the tribe will affect our employees, customers, vendors or business partners,” he said. “The tribe does not plan to make any additional comments regarding this matter at this time.

NO COMMENT, of course.

Octoberfest

2009-10-09T15:38:00.008-04:00

The weather's changing and silly season is upon us.

First, Mohegan Sun announces they are in the game for the low-chip price of $25-$50 million dollar licensing fees, no high roller $200-$250 million dollar entry fee for those boys.

Then, 10 Western MA legislators respond to the plea from labor to build a casino in Palmer, the real western MA - not to be confused with the abutting town of Warren (in Worcester County - boo!) by signing a pledge to not support casinos if it ain't in western MA, as long as it ain't in their district. There isn't even a coherent proposal on the table and they aren't asking questions let alone the important questions about cost-benefit. This is not the brain trust of western MA...Rep Scibak, c'mon!

Then, and I say then, Palmer Town Councillor Paul Burns gets out his megaphone and blasts the honorable state Senator Stephen M. Brewer and Palmer's native son, state Representative Todd Smola in both the Springfield Republican and with a Letter to the Editor in the Journal Register newspaper. The pledge for what? There are 17 pathetically disparate, inept bills filed with the Committee for Emerging Technologies and Economic Development (sheesh that needs an acronym...CETED). CETED, oh my, see Ted? Prophetic or what? See Ted roll in his grave as Democratic leadership race to the bottom to fund government services through predatory gambling and exploitation of human weakness. At least the Councillor is thorough and makes sure that none of the people he is hell bent on pissing off, miss his public diss-fits and covers himself in both papers.

Fab photo courtesy of Gladys Kravitz

Not to be outdone, the President of USS Mass was featured in today's Statehouse News (despite their cozy relationship with O'Neill Associates - casino shills extraordinaire and ad sponsors for SHN) setting the record straight on the laugh-ability of the inevitability word out of the Senate President's mouth. At least there are more syllables and therefore potentially more thought to saying the word, "inevitable" than "ca-ching!"

STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS – THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 2009
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

GAMBLING FOES DOUBT S.P. MURRAY’S ‘INEVITABLE’ CLAIM
Casino opponents are speaking out against Senate President Therese Murray’s assertion that casinos are “inevitable,” saying proponents are trying to oversimplify and paint the introduction of expanded gambling as foregone. “It’s all over the map,” said Kathleen Conley Norbut, a casino opponent who held meetings Thursday with state officials. “This inevitability is the proponents’ message, and it’s a clever marketing ploy, but it’s not based in fact.” Norbut, a Monson resident who leads United to Stop Slots in Mass., said she met with first assistant Attorney General David Friedman and chiefs of staff to Sens. James Eldridge and Susan Tucker, discussing the downsides of casinos and what she called a need for a cost-benefit analysis. “[Murray] has yet to speak about the mitigation costs, the cost of the gaming regulatory commission, the cost for infrastructure,” Norbut said. “The costs are extraordinary, and our research shows that there is … in fact a long-term economic problem.” Asked whether she believed casinos were likely to pass next year, Norbut replied, “I think it’s very complex, and I don’t think they have it together.” Murray made her claim Wednesday in a WBUR interview broadcast Thursday.

Ya, and there's a casino in Middleboro today too, not! That was "inevitable" wasn't it?

Governor Patrick where are you? We could use some leadership on this messy issue you brought to the Commonwealth. Stop the insanity. Take the whole thing off the table, due diligence, create a cost-benefit analysis commission...I'll serve. Cripes we did a ground breaking study in the Quaboag region with local Selectmen and appointed volunteers with no money.

BTW, thanks for the funding for the EMTs, it's not really stimulus but it's needed. Still sad the town was too cheap to fund it ourselves.

Peanuts, Popcorn!

2009-09-27T08:24:00.003-04:00

Hey, every now and then ya just gotta have fun. So here's what I do to kick back on a Friday afternoon with the effervescent Professor Jerold Duquette on his Longmeadow Cable TV show (LCTV) "Put Up Your Duq's". Grab a snack and enjoy.

Legislators called upon to perform due diligence

2009-09-18T15:01:00.004-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Legislators called upon to perform due diligence

(Palmer) United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts (USS Mass) calls upon the Legislature to perform due diligence with an independent commission appointed to conduct a data-driven cost-benefit analysis of legalizing slots and predatory gambling in the current global recession. In a letter distributed to Legislators today, USS Mass wrote, “Proponents of corporate casinos, racetracks and predatory gambling have spent millions of dollars from out-of-state interests lobbying legislators since Governor Patrick’s failed proposal to license three resort casinos was filed. Special interest groups have targeted the Commonwealth as a market for expanding their profits at the expense of host regions, local aid, small businesses, public safety, environment, taxpayers, individuals and families affected by the negative impacts of this industry. Wildly inflated job projections and revenues have been disseminated in the media by the corporate gambling industry, the Administration and alleged researchers funded by gambling and construction groups. The global recession has impacted revenues with casinos and racinos going bankrupt and creating economic instability. We call on you as an elected representative of the citizens and taxpayers of the Commonwealth to conduct an independent cost-benefit, data-driven analysis of expanded gambling before legalizing slots or any form of predatory gambling.”

USS Mass, President Kathleen Conley Norbut stated, “We are citizens and taxpayers of the Commonwealth who along with many of our fellow citizens do not trust the one-sided figures disseminated by lobbyists and proponents of predatory gambling.” Ms. Norbut continued, “It is clear to the average citizen that the casino train left the station ten years ago…and crashed. Special interests must be clouding the vision of legislative leadership to pursue such a reckless course when bankruptcy, lay-offs and cannibalization of small businesses by the casino industry are rampant.”

# # # #

http://www.uss-mass.org/index.html

United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts

2009-09-17T09:12:00.003-04:00

Dear friends,

I would like to invite you to visit the website www.uss-mass.org launched earlier this month by an all volunteer committee of concerned citizens and taxpayers, collaborating with statewide organizations from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to stop the legalization of predatory gambling and slots in Massachusetts.

Please sign up to support the work we are doing to defeat the wrong-headed proposals to legalize predatory gambling and slots in Massachusetts. Your comments, suggestions and donations are welcome!

Sincerely,

Kathleen

United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts
PO Box 376
Palmer, MA 01069
ussmass@gmail.com
www.uss-mass.org

Waltham Democratic City Committee - cudos

2009-09-11T11:39:00.000-04:00

The Waltham Forum on legalizing predatory gambling in the Commonwealth held last night was outstanding. Tom Larkin is to be commended for his work in organizing this important and dignified community conversation. Bob Logan, Waltham City Councillor and chair of the Waltham DCC, Scott Harshbarger - moderator, and the proponent Tom Hill - Marlborough DCC, chair were gracious in their presence and presentations.

There were approximately 40 people in attendance with local cable access taping the show. It began at 7:15pm and ended just before 9pm with all audience members who chose to offered an opportunity to speak to the group. It was a balanced presentation with the majority of audience members speaking against the legalization of predatory gambling and slots. In attendance were Rep. Koutoujian (D-Waltham) and Rep. Conroy (D-Wayland) as well as Governor's Councillor Marilyn Petito Devaney.

Rep. Conroy spoke about his on-going work regarding cost-benefit analysis of the proposals to legalize expanded gambling. I applaud him for his measured and rational approach to this issue. The Western MA Casino Task Force, USS Mass and many diverse organizations and individuals have called for an independent-balanced, data-driven cost-benefit analysis with full mitigation and budgets to be performed before any expanded gambling is legalized in the Commonwealth. The Governor of New Hampshire recently appointed a commission to perform that task for the our neighboring state. No tax dollars are necessary for a blue-ribbon commission to be appointed to fulfill this basic governmental task.

Thank you again to the organizers and participants - civic engagement in action.

Pssst! Preview of Coming Attractions!

2009-09-08T23:07:00.002-04:00

USS Mass - United to Stop Slots is getting ready to launch a fantastic website designed and created by the extraordinarily talented web-designer and blogger Mary Tufts, aka Gladys Kravitz.

Please take a minute to check out the website and join our non-partisan ranks of individuals, organizations and regions in the Commonwealth opposed to predatory gambling.

Members of USS Mass distributed literature to Democratic Legislators at the statehouse today. Next week Republican Legislators will receive educational materials from USS Mass. If you would like to assist in our efforts to Stop Slots in Massachusetts please contact me and sign up on the website.

Meet us on Facebook (search United to Stop Slots)!

Please forward widely.

Sincerely,

Kathleen

Slot and Casino Myths

2009-09-06T22:03:00.001-04:00

Slot and Casino Myths - 2009

1.) Casinos will provide thousands of good jobs. --- Casinos will create temporary construction jobs. USS Mass supports sustainable job creation and economic development. Slot parlor and casino job numbers and incomes have been widely overstated by proponents. Spectrum Gaming soundly refuted the job creation numbers projected in Governor Patrick’s legislation to approve three casinos that was defeated in the Legislature. Economic development continues to be overstated by proponents who never account for jobs lost from businesses that fail due to the all-encompassing predatory nature of casino capitalism. Just take a look at Cripple Creek, Colorado. For this and many other critical reasons, USS Mass has called upon the Legislature and the Governor to develop a blue-ribbon commission to perform a comprehensive, balanced, data-driven, cost-benefit analysis of predatory gambling before licensing slots or casinos in the Commonwealth

2.) The tax revenue from slots will balance budgets, lower taxes and
send more money to cities and towns ---

Tax revenues from casinos are lower than projected just two years ago due to the global recession. Mitigation costs continue to rise. Expansion of government to manage the corporate casino industry that has known negatives such as traffic and public safety, crime, bankruptcy, family violence and other social problems creates enormous fiscal burdens on communities and taxpayers. In June, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, informed the legislative Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies that other states with regulatory commissions on predatory gambling employ staff of over 500 people alone. Funding for this commission is not included in legislation, and hidden costs such as this will take a huge chunk of that "new revenue". Surveillance, money laundering, purchase of technology and personnel alone will consume hundreds of millions of dollars. Local impacts in the hundreds of millions of dollars will either be paid by the state of the local taxpayers. Connecticut Attorney General Blumenthal confessed at a public forum on casinos that the state of Connecticut made a huge mistake through not planning for or adequately mitigating the local impacts. Revenues from CT casinos have been dispersed throughout the state with the host regions starved of needed funds. It is the position of USS Mass that the Legislature and the Governor have a fundamental responsibility to the people of the Commonwealth to perform a comprehensive, balanced, data-driven, cost-benefit analysis of predatory gambling before licensing slots or casinos in the Commonwealth.

3.) Slots will save the State's racetracks---The people of Massachusetts voted overwhelmingly to close the race tracks last year through Ballot #3. Predatory slot machines are designed to addict players and are a regressive tax policy. The Commonwealth provided for tax-funded job re-training for employees of the tracks to off-set any losses to their employment.

4.) We need to recapture the money going to out-of-state casinos---A small percentage of Massachusetts residents gamble in facilities located in other states. The re-capture of these revenues that have been exaggerated to be as high as a billion dollars a year are in reality almost half that figure. The amount of gambling revenue that “goes out-of-state”, would be re-captured through taxation at approximately 27% according to past and current legislative proposals. Proximity to predatory gambling increases addiction within a 50 mile radius by double. The costs of managing local increases in addicted and problem gamblers, impacts to municipalities, air and water pollution are additional reasons why USS Mass recommends in the strongest terms, that the Legislature and the Governor perform a comprehensive, balanced, data-driven, cost-benefit analysis of predatory gambling before licensing slots or casinos in the Commonwealth.

5.) Gambling is just another form of entertainment---not for those who
are addicted. The casino industry depends on people "playing to
extinction." This is a form of entertainment for some, and a way of
life for too many. Massachusetts residents and Legislators reject predatory lending, drug and tobacco predatory marketing and product misrepresentation. Slots are designed to psychologically prey upon the user. Revenues from addicted and problem gamblers have been analyzed by national expert Professor Grinols to provide 70-80% of all revenues. Therefore, the business model is designed to receive profits from addicted users, not “entertainment”. “Entertainment” is the cloak surrounding the predatory core of the slot machine product and the business model. “Gaming” became the code word for “gambling” in the industry’s marketing vernacular to disguise the core of the business. Gambling by another word is still gambling by another word.

6.) Any new form of revenue is good revenue---Revenue is only positive revenue if it is a net profit and does not harm people and society. Predatory gambling revenues do neither.

7.) The benefits from expanded gambling out-weigh any costs---Really?
Let us repeat our call for the Legislature and Governor to perform their fundamental responsibility to the people of the Commonwealth to perform a comprehensive, balanced, data-driven, cost-benefit analysis of predatory gambling before licensing slots or casinos in the Commonwealth. 40 States, including California, have legalized expanded gambling for revenue purposes. California is almost bankrupt. Our taxes are lower than those in PA, CT, and NJ.

8.) Slot parlors are better than casinos, and will produce almost instant revenue---Actually, slot parlors are worse. 10% of the players account for 90% of the profit, and in this economy, that 10% are those already suffering. This is simply regressive in nature and little job development is created. Money is sucked from the local and regional economies with small businesses and municipalities negatively fiscally impacted.