The Simple Life

So yesterday was Earth Day and I honestly didn't have the opportunity to celebrate it in any way because I have been so busy. I don't feel too bad though, because I did manage to plant my peonys this weekend as well as several other flowers in the garden and take care of the fish pond after its long winters nap. I am also happy to say that I had the opportunity to donate ten trees to the Arbor Day Foundation. These trees will be planted in forests that have been destroyed by wildfires. Hey, every little bit helps!

As you all know, the environment and especially our wildlife holds a big place in my heart. I fight the casino so hard for so many reasons and it always...always comes back to that beautiful piece of land. The idea of destroying that small patch of earth to build a mega casino resort by persons who say they are stewards of the land really gets to me. If I had one wish, it would be for people to hold the environment a bit closer to their hearts. I mean, when you really sit down and think about it....we are all stewards of the land and like it or not, each and every one of us shoulder the responsibility of our planet's heath and well being and the health and well being of all the creatures who call this place home.

Most of us have childhood memories of carefree days spent exploring and enjoying the outdoors. It seems that today people are increasingly plugged in to the internet, video games and the boob tube and completely unplugged from the fundamental experience and beauty of nature. So instead of writing about the evils of a mega casino resort in our community, I thought I would share a slide show with you that contains some truely amazing pictures of our world as well as great pictures of all creatures great and small. I hope you enjoy them and find yourself with a smile on your face - it is a wonderful world.

This video is my little way of saying Happy Earth Day to everyone - please remember that this Friday April 25th is National Arbor Day. Unplug yourself for a few hours and enjoy nature....perhaps go for a nature walk or plant a tree, and remember that we do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.



- be the change you want to see in the world -

A Right Thinking Town

How can a town endorse a blog? Its quite simple actually – put a link to it on the Town website. It has recently come to the attention of our pro casino friends that the Town of Plympton has not only an official municipal anti-casino website, but they actually have the nerve to provide a link to the wonderfully educational and entertaining Gladys Kravitz blog! What I find so absolutely hilarious about this is the fact that the link to Gladys’ blog has been up on Plympton’s website for months now. Our pro casino friends are so busy trying to convince themselves that this pipe dream will happen, they aren’t paying attention to what area towns have been saying all along…other towns don’t want a casino here – there is no support for the casino from area towns.

Who knew that one little blog could be so upsetting to some….some pro-casino people, that is. Apparently the idea of a town actually speaking out against a casino and supporting anti-casino websites is puzzling to some and down right offensive to others. Give me a break…here is the perfect example of sour grapes….

Yesterday we were driving to Plymouth through Plympton on the new four lane Route 44 and it occurred to me that there would be minimal impact on that town when the new resort casino opens. All I could think of was increased traffic on the expressway particularly after 10:00 PM.
I believe that this roadway was designed to lessen the noise of vehicles as it is set back from residences and has at least one large noise barrier.

I'm puzzled as to why Plympton officials like Joseph Frietas and John Henry have taken such a firm stand against the casino that they would submit a 14 page letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (You can read the official letter from Plympton to the Bureau of Indian Affairs here. ) – Hal Brown posting on his pro casino website


All I have to say is if the pro casino people are still puzzled as to why other town officials have such a firm stance against the casino then they obviously have not been paying attention. Jeez, if they’re so puzzled, why not actually read the 14 page letter submitted by Plympton? It clearly states what their concerns are and why and if you actually read it you may begin to comprehend why this Town is so adamently against the casino….as far as route 44 goes, according to comments by a certain mystery blogger who touts to have the real information – route 44 road improvements will decrease traffic in the area and we should all be bowing before Middleboro and the Tribe for their clever plan to spend the Massachuesetts taxpayers money.

Perhaps the pro side needs to get its story straight…..will it increase traffic or decrease traffic? Kudos to Mr. Brown for at least acknowledging there will be increased traffic. Too bad he can’t envision an additional 20,000 – 40,000 vehicles per day on Route 44.

You known what….Gladys Kravitz has had my attention from the day I read “What happens in Middleboro won’t stay in Middleboro” . She has kept me informed and entertained through all of this.

I have told her time and again....Gladys, your wit and humor have made me laugh in the midst of this nightmare where otherwise I might just break down and cry.

What I find to be the single best thing about Gladys’ blogs is the fact that what really happened over the past year has been documented and written about by someone who was there….someone who went to every single meeting whether it be a Middleboro Selectman’s Meeting, CRAC, RTF, CMFO, Washington DC, hearings at the State House…or another town’s meeting – some out in Western Massachusetts - about the casino. She has provided us with first hand knowledge of what has been said and done throughout this entire debate – and has kept us coming back for more because her blogs are educational and entertaining. Who else can really say that? Not one single pro casino person from what I have seen and read.

Gladys has kept us in the loop and laughing with such classics such as Dogstock and At the Sign Post up Ahead. Who didn’t totally laugh over her frustrations in Curses! or crack up a the pictures in Votestock?



How about her video in response to the Teachers Union supporting Deval Patricks three casino plan, or her blog about the myth of inevitability. What gets the pro side all worked up is the fact that Gladys Kravitz is a talented blogger who is able to capture and hold the attention of anyone interested in this casino debacle. The stir this discovery of a link to her blog on a Town site from our pro casino friends has really gotten their panties in a bunch and I can't for the life of me understand why…I mean, my goodness…how scandalous and dastardly on the part of Plympton to promote such a talented and well informed anti-casino blogger when they should be remaining neutral or at the very least supporting the efforts of the investors and the Middleboro BOS in promoting the "pros" of their pipedream.....

Yup, in this chick's eyes…..that Plympton really is a right thinking town.

- be the change you want to see in the world -

Collateral damage

Do any of you remember the horror story from January 2006, where a mother and her nine month old infant daughter were found shot to death in their Hopkinton Massachusetts home? How about the name Neil Entwistle? Loving husband and father of an infant daughter who is accused of shooting them to death. Ahh…now I have your attention. This story hit home to me and my husband not only because a defenseless infant was shot while sleeping in the arms of her mother in her home….her safe and loving home, but also because the gun that killed them was from the home of Neil Entwistle’s father-in-law, father of Rachel and grandfather of Lillian who lives right here in Carver.

Neil Entwistle allegedly murdered his wife and infant daughter on January 20, 2006. The bodies of 27 year old Rachel and 9 month old Lillian were found on January 22, two days later….in the master bedroom of their rented home in Hopkinton. Autopsy results showed that Rachel died of a single gunshot wound to the head, and her daughter…her 9 month old daughter, died of a gunshot wound to the stomach. What a horrifying story. How long do you think that poor defensless infant lived gutshot? It took 2 days before the police even knew they were missing! Where was dad? Oh, he was busy returning the murder weapon to the home of his inlaws and then fleeing the country to hide out in England.

So, what led this “loving” husband and father to such desperation as to kill his wife and infant daughter? Well, the news recently reported that the prosecutors in the Neil Entwistle murder case are trying to get their hands on the online gambling records of Neil Entwistle. According to news sources, this father and husband was having financial difficulties, and had debt obligations in England and in the US.

The state alleges he lost hundreds of dollars on an internet gambling site in the month before the slayings of his wife, Rachel, 27, and daughter Lillian Rose, who was 9 months old. He is accused of shooting them to hide a life of gambling, debt and sex. - WCVB news

Yet here we are….trying to open people’s eyes as to why a casino is bad for our community, bad for our State. Yet it seems that gambling addition and the costs to those individuals and their families falls on deaf ears. Our Governor says “he gets it…it’s entertainment” and our pro casino friends feel that the financial gains far outweigh the social cost of gambling addiction. Yeah, tell that to Rachel’s and Lillian’s family….

"Rachel and Lilly loved Neil very much. Neil was a trusted husband and father and it is incomprehensible how that love and trust was betrayed in the ultimate act of violence,"

Sorry to say, it appears that this otherwise loving and caring husband killed his family out of desperation….financial desperation that was probably made worse through on-line gambling. He had serious financial problems and perhaps felt that he could “win big” by gambling his money. Yes, it was on-line, but if there had been a casino say 10, 15, 20 minutes away from home, I wonder if he would have gone there instead….and it makes me wonder if this type of heartbreaking crime will become the norm in our community if a casino is right down the road.

Research shows that up to 4% of the population will become addicted to gambling…..this is a number based on the people who actually seek help….how much is that number really - 5%....6%...higher? And how can anyone condone an industry that breeds this kind of desperation….the kind where you feel trapped and the only way out is to kill your family and then perhaps yourself, unless of course, you decide to flee the country instead.

''To think that someone we loved, trusted, opened our home to could do this to our daughter and granddaughter is beyond belief," Joseph Flaherty, a family spokesman, said.

Yes, to think that something like this could happen to our family, friends or perhaps ourselves is quite disturbing. What I also find to be quite disturbing is the attitude of pro casino constituents who feel that this is an acceptable risk and that the financial benefits far outweigh the social costs. One pro casino advocate, who also is apparently a mental health professional has the following to say about this issue:

Would I prefer that we could wish away all the problems associated with gambling and turn casinos into profitable theme resorts? Of course. However casino gambling is here to stay and we now have a golden opportunity to, paraphrasing the Johnny Mercer / Harold Alren song, accentuate the positive and mitigate the negative.

We need to learn from the experiences, both the mistakes (and there have been many) and the successes of other state and countries in handling problem gambling.

I believe that Massachusetts can lead the way with a best practices model for prevention and treatment of problem gambling. It will cost money up front, probably even more than is being talked about at present.

Personally I believe that, because of the need for funds for education and social programs in Middleboro, this is the greatest good for the greatest number. I think having the casino revenue outweighs the downside of the "greatest bad" for a much smaller number. This is more than an academic exercise. These are real people, some of whom will be helped significantly through better town services and employment opportunities by the casino, and some of whom will be hurt by addiction.

I couldn't support this unless I believed gambling addiction can be treated, and that in my own small way I can be an advocate on the pro-casino side for gambling addiction treatment, and as well as for pathological gambling research, and of course for an aggressive education program. - Hal Brown speaking out on his casinofriend website

Yeah, well all I have to say is Rachel and Lillian were real people too and they’re dead now. Is the sacrifice of their lives worth revenue - the greatest good for the greatest number? Not in this chick’s eyes. What I find even more disgusting than the statement up above is the fact that the intergovernmental agreement between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Town of Middleboro states that he Tribe will offer $40,000 up front to a facility of their choosing to combat gambling addiction…..from there on, they will give an additional $20,000 a year to treat gambling addiction. According to the Tribe, the lives of people like Rachel and Lillian are worth, at best, $10,000. This is of course, assuming that there will only be one family in this entire region who will suffer due to a gambling addiction. How many more people will suffer from gambling addiction in our community, in our State if there is a casino here? I don’t know, but I keep being told that it doesn’t matter because we need the money and the best way to get the money is to open a casino where more and more people can gamble.

So by all means, pro casino advocates, and those of you in our legislature who think Deval Patrick’s casino plan is the best thing since sliced bread, go ahead and argue that the State already offers scratch tickets and keno….argue that we already have the social problems and the benefits outweigh the costs…it is an acceptable risk….collateral damage worthwhile for the common good…so what’s the big deal? Go ahead and argue that people have a right to gamble and other States are already doing it so why shouldn’t we. Argue that we need the money and some of that money will go to help addicted gamblers. Argue that we need casino gambling revenue to combat compulsive gambling….what’s 4% of the population when we can have funding to help as many people as $20,000 a year will help? Then turn around and explain that logic and thought process to a family like Rachel’s and Lillian’s and tell them that their loved ones were worth the sacrifice – people have a right to gamble….Neil Entwistle had the right to gamble, on-line or anywhere else he chose to….if some people become addicted and don’t seek help, its their problem….suck it up.

- be the change you want to see in the world -