The story opens in Massachusetts State Representative David Flynn’s office (D-Bridgewater) where he barks out orders to his personal aid, Cratchit, to “get the Governor back on the phone!”. Apparently Representative Flynn is upset because anti-casino forces had put together a forum at the State House for legislatures, educating them about the dangers of gambling addiction – and damn it, the forum had been effective!
Representative Flynn, being an obvious pro-casino constituent is visited by three ghosts….well, read the story for yourself if you haven’t already. It is an excellent and entertaining read….eer, unless you'r selectman Christopher Flynn of Bridgewater.
Here is the comment that left me slack jawed.
A comment on Gladys Kravitz blog “A Casino Carol – part 1” from Selectman Christopher Flynn – Bridgewater (bold font courtesy of carverchick..)
Ah yes, the glories of anonymity...or should I say, lack there of. I must say that "anonymous #2" was correct in one regard and that is transparency. You will never find another elected representative who is more transparent and honest about their thoughts and positions than Dean Flynn. If people would take the time to sit down and listen to Dean Flynn and his 50+ years of experience in the legislature, you would actually understand the FACTS surrounding his stance on Casinos and where they should, and will, go. Casino gambling will happen in the Commonwealth regardless of anyone's efforts. The only question remaining is where they will go. The stories and anecdotes are cute but they aren't productive. If you want to get something done in Government you accomplish that through collaborative efforts with those in positions or offices that can make the difference. Not by posting their picture in these ridiculous photos. I appreciate and admire the tenacity and dedication of your efforts however there are far more productive ways of accomplishing your ultimate goal.
Whoa….hold the phone here…..which part of selectman does Mr. Flynn not understand? He was selected to represent the citizens of Bridgewater…..regardless of whether he agrees with them or not he has a civic and moral obligation to represent the citizens of his community – not to tell them their opinion doesn’t matter. I really don’t think that telling a citizen that they don’t or can’t make a difference is the best approach to “representation”. I have no problem with selectman Flynn’s pro-casino stance…what I do have a problem with is his attitude regarding our liberties – according to him, we mere lowly citizens of Massachusetts aren’t capable of making a difference….that we should just roll over and play dead because casinos are inevitable. Our criticisms and arguments are worthless…useless and futile without elected officials. Ummm…..perhaps now it the time to point out the word “elected”.
It seems to me that selectman Flynn here has had a bit too much kool-aid. You know what I mean…hallucinations of a repressed system where voting citizens opinions and concerns don’t matter….that the elected officials have all the power…casinos are inevitable so stop with that silly blogging. Mr. Flynn needs to find his way out of the rabbit hole and back to reality….we live in a Democracy. Citizens are the ones who can make a difference and it will serve him well to remember that.As far as bloggers not being productive is concerned….. well those cute little stories and anecdotes finally got Bridgewater involved after a five month no-show, now didn’t they. They certainly opened my eyes to this casino plan and inspired me to do my own research and to come to my own conclusions. In fact, it is bloggers like Gladys who opened many eyes, and pulled many from the rabbit hole.
Perhaps if Mr. Flynn had followed the lead of the surrounding Town's selectmen and took the time to listen to concerns of Bridgewater citizens he might have something better to say than Casino gambling will happen in the Commonwealth regardless of anyone's efforts. The only question remaining is where they will go.
In my opinion, if Selectman Christopher Flynn of Bridgewater really believes that casinos are inevitable, then he is in the wrong business. When a person is elected to represent a community he cannot and should not assume inevitability for any issue that is brought to the table. It is equivalent to rolling over and playing dead.
Well, Mr. Flynn….here are some real facts that you may have missed while wandering around in Wonderland:
Casinos are not inevitable unless we let them be inevitable….
Other states that already have casinos have higher taxes and higher unemployment rates than Massachusetts.
New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut are in financial crisis and are now dependent on casino revenue. Casino profits are hitting record lows and those States are suffering due to lower payout.
Casinos will bring crime, increase traffic in an already congested area, contribute greatly to gambling addiction, stress our town services and schools as well as create a host of environmental nightmares.
Oh and one more fact to keep in mind.....us antis never learned the trick “roll over and play dead”. . and we never drink beverages with notes saying "drink me" on them. Believe it or not, we don’t need those in positions or offices telling us how to think or what we can or cannot speak up about. And we certainly won’t roll over and play dead. Telling any citizen in this State that they don’t matter and cannot make a difference is disgraceful. I honestly find myself questioning the integrity of your leadership and representation. We don't believe in the myth of inevitability, and as a selectman, neither should you.
- be the change you want to see in the world -
13 comments:
I don't see why Mr. Flynn is so upset by a fairy tale. Gov. Patrick's casino numbers are quite a fairy tale themselves.
Watch it Flynn - now you've gone and pissed of carverchick.
Flynn's unbelievable comments are indicative of the sort of political immaturity that runs rampant among the Middleboro BOS. When when a person hangs their hat on a single issue - they're left with hat in hand when that issue disappears.
Having been on the receiving end of a Selectman who doesn't like my casino opposition, I can tell Mr. Flynn that when a person feels unrepresented, he/she tends to represent themselves by blogging and other outlets.
Flynn clearly has not grasped the fact that blogs are a major part of the political landscape and have an ever increasing weight with policy makers. He clearly is behind the times with technology - which in my mind is unforgivable given the key role of technology in today's society.
Mr. Flynn you can disagree with Gladys on the casino but when you attack her in this fashion and ridicule the role of the internet in policy making - it just makes you look immature and uninformed.
Bridgewater voters take note
Gracious, Carverchick!
I just got in from a full day of casino fighting to discover your response to Mr. Flynn. How lovely of you!
I was also very disheartend by Mr. Flynn's comment to the Casino Carol story.
Inevitability. There's that word again.
From the first, lawyers used that word. And it spread like a virus. Some people recovered, and some didn't.
Casino investors want everyone to believe they are inevitable because they don't want an opposition. An opposition, especially and early, vocal one like ours, is the best way to kill a casino.
Why did they get casinos in CT. Bottom line: People were asleep.
No ones sleeping here.
I wish, instead of sleeping and drinking the Kool-aid, Mr. Flynn would first learn as much as he can about what they would mean to the town he represents.
"Remember what the dormouse said. Feed your head."
Whoa, Ladies!
Before you get too irate about the response, why is he reading it?
Unimportant?
Check you sitemeters. They all are reading what you post!
If you want to get something done in Government you accomplish that through collaborative efforts ....
Mr. Flynn: You also educate voters so you can vote them out next time.
If Mr. Flynn took offense, he's not hearing what voters are saying about him.
Instead of reading your silly little posts, maybe he should be looking at the reality of the mess they created with the Bridgewater budget.
Maybe it's time for more public criticism to be heard.
Mr. Flynn's comments, while blunt, are straightforward. Yes, he represents the people, but he also would not just tell the people what they want to hear in hopes of being re-elected. He is trying to be realistic and open your eyes to the bigger picture...that casinos exist and are successful. They are an opportunity to bring in money and jobs where they are needed.
As far as criticizing him for reading and responding to blogs...if he represents the people, shouldn't he be interested in what they are saying? Why are you blogging in the first place? To complain to a bunch of people who feel the same as you, or to be heard by your representatives who may think differently?
And yes, Mr. Flynn is young and learning, but at least he isn't afraid to read and address your blogs or show how he feels. It shows he is passionate and cares about what is going on. And...having a reaction to blogs is exactly what bloggers are looking for...isn't it?
anon 1:40.
where have you been? This post is over 14 months old, and while Mr. Flynn's comments are blunt, so are mine. As far as why I blog...why do you care? You obviously are reading them, so at least they generate interest - whether the reader agrees with the content or not. As far as seeing the big picture goes....yeah...we do see it. The problem is people like you who come in and say things like casinos are sucessful because hey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, Nevada and all those other lucky states with casinos have citizen who are living the high life - no property or state taxes, no deficits and jobs galore. Wake up anon...the casinos may be successful, but then that is the problem, now isn't it...What about the states that host these huge successes? They are not so successful and as in the cases above, have higher taxes and higher unemployment rates than Massachusetts - even before this recesssion. If Mr. Flynn sees the big picture, he is obviously looking at it through those dastarly rose colored glasses.
Holy Time Warp CC!!
I bet if you'd check your stats you'd notice someone searching on "Christopher Flynn".
He's up next for re-election and about as popular as Adam Bond. Not that this stops Adam Bond.
Sadly, someone has missed the boat on blogging and what it really means/is/tells us.
"And yes, Mr. Flynn is young and learning, but at least he isn't afraid to read and address your blogs or show how he feels. It shows he is passionate and cares about what is going on. And...having a reaction to blogs is exactly what bloggers are looking for...isn't it?"Funny, since Spring 2007 (that's 2 years ago) I've been asking Mr. Flynn to show a pulse on this issue.
He showed up to give the heave-ho to Middleboro selectman Pat Rogers once on the Regional Task Force - then flat lined for the next year and a half until I pointed out to the press this January that my town has been a disppointing irresponsible no-show on this issue. How's that for "passionate".
Don't send your cleaning crew here, Mr. Flynn. We're on to you.
Want to change your image. Change yourself. CARE MORE ABOUT CRIME, ADDICTION, REVERSE-TAXATION, CHILD/SPOUSAL ABUSE, FORECLOSURES, BANKRUPTCY, LOCAL BUSINESS CANIBALIZATION, CORRUPTION, SUICIDE THAN THE NEXT ELECTION.
Jeesh!
oh -- and I will spare the readers a re-hash of Twin Rivers huge successeven the state doesn't want it...must be because it's too successful.
Ah, well Gladys...now this new comment on a 14 month old blog is making a bit more sense. He is running for re-election -- of course he is.
Bridgewater voters...take note...Mr. Flynn sees the BIG picture....
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Now you see what we here in Bridgewater have had to put up with for the last 3 years where Chris Flynn is concerned. His arrogance has earned him the reputation as the most disliked selectman in the history of Bridgewater. This child has been sticking his proverbial finger in the face of voters in Bridgewater telling them what he thinks they should believe and becoming in-your-face aggressive when they won't. Don't worry, Carver Chick, Thank God we will not have Chrissy to kick around any more since he is going down big time here in the land of the lost, Bridgewater. We are almost at the point of being taken over by the state and all he can do is blame everyone but himself for the current mess. This is what passes for leadership here.....now can you see why we are at this place with guys like him running the show ? Grampy got him elected last time but I don't think even Grampy has enough clout to pull it off this time. Go away, Chris....go far, far away.
Excellent poste, I appreciate your idea of view for your professionalism, and I wish you good luck the pleasure of reading your future idea.
cordialy.
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