Dammit. (Thanks to CO for the tip.)
Gov.-elect Deval Patrick, who’s been known to pull the handle on a slot machine himself from time to time, is signaling he’s open to the possibility of casino gambling in the Bay State.
First of all, I'd like to take issue with the fact that the Herald immediately assumes that if you've played slots you support casino gambling. I've played slots down at Foxwoods (hell on earth) and Mohegan Sun (slightly better) but it doesn't mean I want to be able to gamble in my own neighborhood. It's fine once in a while, but I don't want casinos and their inherent social problems on my doorstep.
I don't quite fathom how Patrick thinks casino gambling is a good idea. Didn't somebody ask him this question while he was on the campaign trail, especially in New Bedford/Swansea which would have been impacted by a casino in Rhode Island? Maybe he slipped a mention into one of his ads that card games and slots as a means of making Massachusetts great? By the end of the campaign I was kind of tuning all the ads out. It's possible I missed that. I remembered Patrick talking about scientific research, education, and attracting businesses as a way to make Massachusetts better. I do not remember buffets being mentioned as part of the solution.
Sigh. I cannot continue being all uppity about this. It's exhausting. I do not want New England to be the new, less-glittery Las Vegas. I guess I can only hope Deval Patrick catches his snap before Harrah's sets up shop looking for another ballot question.
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