Less than Zero

So here I was driving home this evening in the snow when >GASP< I hear on WBZ news radio that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe announced they are going to build a tribal casino in Taunton. For those of us who keep watch on Cedric Cromwell's lame attempts at keeping the casino pipedream alive already knew this announcement was coming today. This is quite amusing considering that the tribe does not have land in trust -- cannot get land in trust -- and will have no sleazy Malaysian backers giving them money for a commercial casino.

So how many towns are we at now that have been made victim to as potential Mashpee Wampanoag casino sites - ya know, so-called automatic rights to a tribal casino according to Cedric Cromwell since they are a Federally Recognized tribe....three?...four? ...let's see -

Middleboro - nope

Fall River - nope

New Bedford - nope

tintillating thoughts of Raynham - nope

OH! It's Taunton!! So THAT'S where their aboriginal land is....and here I thought it was in Mashpee. Silly, silly me. Apparently, according to Cedric, there are at least five different locations spattered all over southeast Massachusetts where the Tribe can claim aboriginal rights to land to be placed into trust. Wow...writing all those ammendments to the land in trust application must be tiring...then again, they probably use some sort of "we have a right to have land placed in trust specifically to build a casino on our aboriginal lands" template they fill out every time they switch towns. Tut-tut...can anyone say reservation shopping??

Here is something even more amusing.....

"I've been impressed from the beginning with the tribe's commitment to an inclusive process and a real partnership with Taunton,'' the mayor said in the statement. "Together, we will be meeting with residents across the city about this project and the long-term vision for our community.'' - Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr.

Yeah, ummmmm...Mayor....you may want to look into that super-duper special relationship the Tribe had with Middleboro....and New Bedford....and Fall River. Hilarious...so much so I can't even talk about the susposed millions of dollars in revenue Mr. Mayor says Taunton will receive from this fictional tribal casino....

Mayor: You can easily obtain information about the commited and inclusive and real relationship the Tribe had with the Town of Middleboro - and the amazing respect the Tribe showed to the surrounding communities - including Taunton at any of the links to the right....may I suggest casinofacts.com - gladyskravits - belicose bumpkin or any of the others listed.....

I seriously get a chuckle out of the complete non-truths that come out of Cedric's mouth...and the severe lack of reporting the facts on the part of WBZ and all the other "news" articles. Let's set aside the fact that it will take an actual act of Congress for the Tribe to even think about land in trust, nevermind a tribal casino in a town they lay no historical claims to in their application for Federal Recognition or in their Final Determination, the bottom line is that this Tribe has an even less chance of getting Land in Trust in Taunton than they did in Middleboro. Hmmm....is it even possible to have less than zero? Apparently so with this tribe's bid for a tribal casino.

So here is what I am going to do...since several of us have blogged this topic over and over and over and over again, I am going to re-post a blog I wrote way back in October of 2008 entitled "The Ties that Bind". However, I did spend a little time playing Letter Man and wherever the word Middleboro was found...I replaced it with Taunton. I also added some updates since 2008. So sorry Cedric - the town may have changed but the facts haven't.

The Ties That Bind

When one thinks of the phrase “the ties that bind”, many different thoughts come to mind. In the course of our lifetimes, we all become bound by invisible chains that bind us to people, places and things. These ties can either help us or hurt us depending on the situation. For example, one could reasonably argue that the first lines in the Constitution are words, or rather, ties that bind the American people in a common cause "….. in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." To me, these words are about the ties that bind the American people, not twist the fundamental fabric of our Nation, yet I have been told again and again over the past year that I have no rights in regards to the Mashpee Wampanoag Land in Trust process. I have no say in what happens in my community and all I can think is….why? Having been witness to the so called process of Land in Trust as it has unfolded here in our small corner of the world, I wonder about those words written in the Constitution and I wonder about the written words of the Tribe itself…the words, or ties that bind them, and where those ties bind them.

So I find myself still arguing about the Mashpee Wampanoag’s claims to significant historical ties to land in a Town that I don’t even live in. I am speaking out because our Constitution gives me that right even if the land in trust process doesn't. But why even bother, right? I mean, they were here first so who am I to say they don’t have significant historical ties to Taunton? All I can say to that is, I am an American citizen who happens to believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all…and I just so happen to be someone who has read the Tribe’s Final Determination..you know, the evidence they used to gain Federal Recognition, and are now using in their mad dash attempt to build a casino on land they have no right calling an “initial reservation”. The enhancements in the Section 20 regulations clearly and distinctly define the requirements for significant historical ties to land being sought as an initial reservation. In reading the Federal Register to learn about the new regulations I quickly realized that they are written so clearly that even your average citizen – John Q. Public – can understand and follow what the Federal Government is requiring for proof of significant historical ties to land.

When talking about “significant historical ties”, aren’t we really talking about a cultural landscape? I am talking about a landscape created by humans in the natural world, one that reveals fundamental ties between people and the land – ties based on the basic human need to grow food, give form to settlements, to provide recreation and even suitable places to bury our dead….our cultural landscape that we call home. In the case of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, claiming the land in Taunton as their own is more than just saying “I was here first”…it is about demonstrating that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal ancestors lived on the land in Taunton, had a burial ground on the land in Taunton or hunted the land in Taunton to feed their tribal members. This is about significant historical ties to the land, which according to their own Final Determination that was submitted as part of the application, there are none. There is no documented evidence that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has significant historical ties to the land in Taunton. But there is evidence that it belonged to another Tribe….. (this may not be true for Taunton) but that is not why I am writing this. I am writing this because I want to clarify why we say the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe does not have significant historical ties to the land in Taunton…why they are not bound to Taunton, but to Mashpee.

If we could, let us take a moment and examine the Tribe’s trust application through the eyes of the Secretary of the Interior -- ooops...that would now be Congress -- and look for evidence of the Tribe’s significant history to the land in Taunton. In order to do this, we need to look at the Tribe’s Final Determination, which as I stated, was included in the trust application. But first, let’s clarify the significance of the Final Determination to the Tribe itself.

In order to receive Federal acknowledgement as an Indian tribe, the following seven (mandatory) criteria had to be applicable and demonstrated in the Tribes Final Determination:

1. The tribe has been identified as an American Indian entity on a substantially continual basis since 1900.

2. A predominant portion of the tribe comprises a distinct community and has existed as a community from historical times until the present.

3. The tribe has maintained political influence or authority over its members as an autonomous entity from historical times to the present.

4. The tribe must provide a copy of the group’s present governing document including its membership criteria. In the absence of a written document, the tribe must provide a statement describing in full its membership criteria and current governing procedures.

5. The tribe’s membership must consist of individuals who descend from a historical Indian tribe or from historical Indian tribes which combined and functioned as a single autonomous political entity.

6. None of the tribe’s members can be part of any other federally acknowledged Indian tribe.

7. The tribe nor its members cannot be the subject of a congressional legislation that has expressly terminated or forbidden the federal relationship.

The first requirement regarding their existence as a tribe since 1900 is accomplished mostly through newspaper or magazine articles that mention the tribe. The next four requirements are important because of what they show in the way of the Tribe’s history and geography. The last two items on this list requires no action from the Tribe as it’s the Federal Governments’ job to check these out.

When the Federal Government acknowledged the Mashpee tribe, they provided a summary of the evidence they had considered. Because there are so many details in the summary itself, I have abbreviated the comments so as to focus only on the geographical references and how these references pertain to the Tribe’s significant historical ties to Taunton….or more accurately, how they don’t……

Distinct Community

“….since first contact to the present day they comprised a distinct community from non-members in and around the Town of Mashpee.”

“….almost all of the Mashpee lived in a defined geographical area, the Town of Mashpee.”

“….defined geographical area comprised almost exclusively of their members, while those who lived elsewhere usually did so on a temporary basis….”

“….those few who lived elsewhere were very close by in adjacent communities….”

“….few Mashpee who lived outside of the town, often in adjacent towns or other areas of Cape Cod, maintained contact with those in town as evidenced through a high rate of return migration.”

“….concentrated residential patterns indicating that a significant part of the group still lived in an exclusive settlement in the Town of Mashpee.”

"….residency patterns were good evidence of community.”

“….significant number of members living within or very near the group’s traditional location in the center of the Town of Mashpee.”

Political Influence

“….political control of the Town of Mashpee….”

“….evidence of the Mashpee’s residential patterns….was also sufficient to demonstrate political influence.”

“….gave the Mashpee greater self-government by establishing an “Indian District” in Mashpee, Massachusetts.”

“….as part of an Indian District….the Mashpee gained complete control of political, legal, and economic affairs in the town...”

“….Mashpee adapted the principal elements of the town governmental system….”

Criteria for Membership

“….'near Mashpee' means having a residence within 20 miles of Mashpee.”

Descended from a Historical Tribe

“….historical Indian tribe was the Wampanoag Indians residing at Mashpee, Barnstable County…”

“….88 percent of the petitioner’s members descended from the historical Mashpee tribe…”

“….petitioner submitted evidence that 97 percent of its members descended from the historical tribe…”

(Note: this number increased when new records were produced after the preliminary report was compiled).

I have two personal favorites from this list:

The first being the Tribe requiring their members to live near Mashpee….within 20 miles of Mashpee to be exact. Taunton is definitely within 20 miles of Mashpee, right? Ummmmm….weelll…. it is if you fold the map like one of those back pages from a Mad Magazine. Remember those? First there is the original picture but you could fold the page and it would become another (usually more comical) picture. Yeah, it’s just like that. A quick fold here….and viola!

(sorry - can't change my photoshop image so just replace Middleboro with Taunton and flying monkey with anyone who supports or actually believes the tribe has a right to a tribal casino in Taunton - oh, and a warning to residents in Taunton -- your Town Meeting From Hell will be happening in the near future - my condolences)

Or, perhaps they meant 20 miles as the crow flies….or a flying monkey…

I also love that the Tribe’s current members must be descendants of a historical tribe and in this case, the Federal Government defines historical tribe as ‘the Wampanoag Indians residing at Mashpee, Barnstable County”. Yet the Tribe is trying to claim significant historical ties to Taunton. Really….I couldn’t make up stuff this amusing!

Here are some more fun facts from the Final Determination:

The number of times Mashpee is mentioned: 265
(this number does not include the footnotes or page headings)

The number of time Taunton is mentioned: 0
(this number does include the footnotes or page headings)

So if I was reading this from the Secretary of the Interior’s point of view -- well, the Congress' point of view now --, I would have to conclude based on the Tribe’s own Final Determination, the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe has significant historical ties to Mashpee….not to Taunton. In fact, Taunton is so insignificant, it wasn’t even mentioned at all in the Final Determination – yet the Tribe wants to (actually since they changed towns, will need to) claim significant historical ties after the fact so they can build a casino that happens to have a resort attached to it. Well, all I can say here is that the ties that bind have bound this Tribe not to Taunton at all -- but to Mashpee alone. Claiming significant historical ties to the land in Taunton at this point is nothing short of a hysterical attempt to try and hold onto the casino pipedream.

So if you were reading the Final Determination through the eyes of the Secretary of the Interior (again, Congress) and trying to make a decision that will affect an entire region and making that decision in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity….and ensure fairness to both the Tribe and the surrounding community, I must ask dear reader…… do you see any significant hysterical…..eeerrr….historical ties that bind the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to Taunton?

In my opinion based on the facts... there is a less than zero chance for Cedric to get land in trust in Taunton, nevermind actually obtain approval for a tribal casino in Taunton. This entire fiasco should be interesting. I should have called this blog The Lies that Bind. Seems more fitting...

Bound by hundreds of ties of desire and enslaved by lust and anger; they strive to obtain wealth by unlawful means for the fulfillment of desires.” - Bhagavad Gita

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

Coming to a Town near you - and maybe free booze, indoor smoking, child neglect and crime too!

Coming soon to a Massachusetts town near you....yeah...I get it, it's just entertainment...right Governor? My question is...at what cost?







That was in 2009. Funny how such important stances can change in a mere three years. And now from the irony department...it is being reported that the Governor has been recently named one of 30 national co-chairs of President Obama’s reelection campaign (again). Oh, goody....

-Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit. ~R.E. Shay

-Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. - Thomas Jefferson

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

The Obama Deception

In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out a blueprint that he says is for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values. Just recently, the President released a budget that illustrates how he plans to put that blueprint to work. Wow...that sounds really fantastic until one looks further into his -ahem- "blueprint".

"The President has been clear that we need to do more to create jobs and help economic growth. While the current economic crisis has challenged all Americans, we know this to be especially true for Indian Country where some reservations face unemployment rates of up to 80 percent. Though the economic challenges of Indian Country are significant, President Obama is committed to building strong, prosperous Native American economies....The President’s FY 2013 Budget includes $19.4 billion in government-wide funding for Native American programs, an increase of nearly $585 million over the 2012 funding level and $875 million over the 2011 funding level. Agencies and programs critical to Indian Country including the Departments of Education, Transportation, Justice, and Health and Human Services (which includes the Indian Health Service) have all received funding increases for Indian Country programs in the President’s 2013 Budget."

Okay...so even more of our tax dollars will be poured into Indian Country while the average American is trying to find money in their own household budgets to pay for skyrocketing gas and food costs.... not to mention what an economic and social disaster Federal Indian Policy and Treaty Rights have been for the citizens and native americans alike throughout our country, but hey - those "sovereign nations" need the money so don't anyone dare complain..... but wait - it gets better...

President Obama's 2013 Budget includes a section in the General Provisions to provide a Carcieri Fix. In a nutshell, to address the United States Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, the President's Budget includes language attempting to reaffirm the Secretary of Interior’s authority to take land into trust for all federally recognized Indian tribes regardless of the fact that the US Supreme Court already decided and affirmed that the Secretary of the Interior does not have the authority to take land into trust for Indian Tribes recognized after 1934. But who cares what the highest court of the Nation says...right Mr. President???

Specifically - The text on page 758:

INDIAN REORGANIZATION ACT

SEC. 116. (a) Modification - (1) In general - The first sentence of section19 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the "Indian Reorganization Act") (25 U.S.C. 479), is amended - (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". (2) Effective date -The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect as if includedin 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. (b) Ratification and confirmation of actions - Any action taken by the Secretaryof the Interior pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known asthe "Indian Reorganization Act") (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.) for any Indian tribe that was federally recognized on the date of the action is ratified and confirmed, to the extent such action is subjected to challenge based on whether the Indian tribe was federally recognized or under Federal jurisdiction on June 18, 1934, ratified and confirmed as fully to all intents and purposes as if the action had, by prior act of Congress, been specifically authorized and directed. (c) Effect on other laws (1) In general nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section affects - (A) the application or effect of any Federal law other than the Act of June 18,1934 (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.) (as amended by subsection (a)); or (B) any limitation on the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under any Federal law or regulation other than the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C.461 et seq.) (as so amended). (2) References in other laws - An expressreference to the Act of June 18, 1934 (25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.) contained in any other Federal law shall be considered to be a reference to that Act asamended by subsection (a).

What really bothers this chick is that this President once again is trying to dupe the American public, is supporting special interest groups under the guise of "building a fair and stable economy for Indian Country" and attempting to circumvent the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution by burying a Carcieri Fix in his 2013 Budget. The same President who ran on a platform of "reducing the influence of special interest groups in policy making" (quote)....yeaaahhh..right. As per Obama standards, he attempts to do the exact opposite of what he says....shocker. In an article on CBS news, Obama's campaign press secretary Ben LaBolt said in a statement:

"Reducing the influence of special interests over the policymaking process won't happen overnight--there are many institutional forces fighting tooth and nail to make sure that it does not"

Yeah, like Obama himself. Seriously.....if Obama really meant what he said, why is he attempting to sneak in a Carcieri Fix in his 2013 Budget? It is well known that this President has been having groups of Indian leaders visit the White House on a regular basis lately talking about strengthening tribal sovereignty. It was pointed out to me that recently on CNN, President Obama was talking about "positive changes" and proposing to make our country a better place. In his State of the Union Address a few weeks ago he said "It is my job to do what is best for the majority of the citizens of our country"

Wow....how is it that this President fails to understand that when the "elite" exploit the poorest and most vulnerable to control all the valuable natural resources, gambling profits and also control the corrupt money markets - all of which oppress all other citizens of this Country - how can he be helping the majority??

- In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell

- Majority rule only works if you're also considering individual rights. Because you can't have five wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for supper -

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

Be the Change you want to see in the World

You cannot beg for power....you need to be independent of power and most important:

...Be the change you want to see in to world...

Serenity Now!

The Costanzas are driving in the car....

Frank: I got no leg room back here. Move your seat forward.

Estelle: That's as far as it goes.

Frank: There's a mechanism. You just pull it, and throw your body weight.
Estelle: I pulled it. It doesn't go.

Frank: If you want the leg room, say you want the leg room! Don't blame the mechanism!

George: All right, Dad, we're five blocks from the house. Sit sideways.

Frank: Like an animal. Because of her, I have to sit here like an animal! Serenity now! Serenity now!

George: What is that?

Frank: Doctor gave me a relaxation cassette. When my blood pressure gets too high, the man on the tape tells me to say, 'Serenity now!'

George: Are you supposed to yell it?

Frank: The man on the tape wasn't specific.

George: What happened to the screen door? It blew off again?

Estelle: I told you to fix that thing.

Frank: Serenity nowww!

Well stop the presses and call me Frank, or shall I say….can SOMEONE please start the presses….and get the story right. Anyone? ….. Anyone?

I have been quite silent through the entire Casino Bill…errrr…sorry Governor Patrick and Speaker DeLeo….I mean Jobs Bill fiasco. Don’t think I haven’t been paying attention, because I have, I chose to remain silent for my own reasons….what can I say except I am a chick who only speaks her mind when there is something more to be said…and honestly, this chick is feeling a bit sassy right now after reading an article in the Cape Cod Times stating that KG Urban Enterprises is filing suit against the State. I say…go for it…

The act is riddled with explicit, race-based set-asides that give federally recognized Indian tribes a categorical advantage over all other applicants in seeking a gaming license in Southeastern Massachusetts," the complaint states. - Sean Gonsalves article "Playing our odds, hedging our bets", Cape Cod Times 11/27/11

Yeah…it does give an unfair advantage to federally recognized Indian Tribes and for no good reason at all except to scare the pants off of anyone who doesn’t know diddley squat about Federal Indian Policy or Land In Trust Issues or the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. He goes on to say…..

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is the most likely beneficiary of the set-aside because the state believes (and a land court judge has already ruled) that the only other federally-recognized tribe in the state — the Aquinnah Wampanoag on Martha's Vineyard — signed away most of its sovereignty in an agreement with the town of Aquinnah back in the 1980s.
Before I started writing this column, I covered the Mashpee tribe for a decade. On that beat, I became fairly familiar with federal law as it pertains to Indian casinos. Of course, I'm no legal expert. But, I did spend hours talking with many of them over the years. And they all said the same thing: the right of Indian tribes to develop (and profit from) casinos is considered settled law.

No Mr. Gonsalves, you definitely are no legal expert….not much of a journalist either in my opinion. I mean, Seriously?? You spent hours talking to many of them over the years….and because they say they have a right to build a casino, it must be true….seriously??? Have you been living under a rock for the past four years? Sorry, but in my opinion, a journalist should actually research a story before they write it… even the silliest of things such as…oh, I don’t know…perhaps what IGRA actually says and what it means before “taking their word for it” and printing it in an article. Jeez! No wonder people go to youtube looking for real news these days…..

I have to say that the journalist who wrote this article seriously needs a serious lesson in Federal Indian Policy….seriously. Then again, maybe he doesn’t and only wants to spin that oh so tired myth of inevitability that our “ahem”…..honorable (and I use that term loosely) Governor Deval Patrick spun back in June of 2008. From following this debate for several years, and now reading this misinformed and one sided article, I have come to realize that when it comes to the Massachusetts State Government, there is absolutely no argument against greed - especially when it comes to casino gambling. Let’s face it…according to our State leaders, and apparently Sean Gonsalves of Cape Cod Times, moral issues don’t hold an inkling of clout and heck, it doesn’t matter because the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has the right to build an Indian casino…soooo….

….given the odds, the smart thing to do is to prepare for it — ahead of time. - Sean Gonsalves, Cape Cod Times

Okaaay…and that was the last sentence of his….”article”. WOW! Gladys….quick....get me another glass Kool Aid, this chick is thirsty!

Here is another oh so insightful thought….

So, why did the governor's office insist the gambling legislation set aside a license for an Indian tribe? It's simple. And pretty smart. It's called hedging your bets.
If the Southeastern Massachusetts Mashpee tribe gets land into trust (no easy process), and there are already three casinos in the state — something casino experts say is the most this market could handle — the Mashpee tribe could build a fourth! And, they could do it without negotiating a compact with the state.

First of all, any State Governor hedging its bets against an Indian Tribe shouldn’t be sitting in the Governor’s office to begin with….second of all, it isn’t smart…not when using the flawed logic laid out in this article. Some might defend our poor misinformed journalist by saying “at least he said “no easy process”…to that, I say how about “no process at all”. What Governor Patrick, our Legislators, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and obviously this journalist seem to be in denial about is the fact that there will never be any federal trust land in the Commonwealth. Under current Federal Indian law and recent court cases, this problem has been eliminated. In fact, several people had actually informed the Senate about this little factoid…over, and over, and over….here is but one example:

Dear Senator Murray,

I read recently in an article published in Cape Cod Online your reasons for having a provision in the casino bill that takes into account the State's two federally recognized Indian tribes. I read that Governor Deval Patrick and other state leaders are insisting that this gambling bill needs to account for the federal rights of the Mashpee Wampanoag to open an Indian casino. According to the article, you stated "If we don't establish a compact with the tribe, they can build a casino and Massachusetts would lose on any gaming revenue from the tribe." Senator, neither of these statements is true. The rights the Mashpee Wampanoag have as a federally recognized tribe is their right to self govern. They do not have the right to open an indian casino. They do not have the right to open a casino on trust land unless they can reach a compact with the State, and the State is not required to enter into a compact with a Tribe. Your comment is misleading and could be construed as the State having no choice in the issue which is just not true. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act restricts Tribal authority to conduct class III gaming.

It is clear, that before a Tribe may lawfully conduct class III gaming in a State, the following conditions must be met:

• The Particular form of class III gaming that the Tribe wants to conduct must be permitted in the state in which the tribe is located.

• The Tribe and the state must have negotiated a compact that has been approved by the Secretary of the Interior, or the Secretary must have approved regulatory procedures.

• The Tribe must have adopted a Tribal gaming ordinance that has been approved by the Chairman of the Commission.

I think it is important for you, as the Senate President to understand that the tribe can't even begin compact negotiations with the State before having Land in Trust. Only after the tribe has acquired land into trust will the Department of the Interior consider the terms and conditions of a compact. Senator, I understand that Federal Indian Policy is complicated, however, I took the time to learn as much about it as I could since 2007 when the Masphee tribe tried to build an Indian Casino in Middleboro. Middleboro residents and the residents of the surrounding communities learned about it. There is no Indian casino in Middleboro. My point is, I strongly feel that if the members of this Senate cannot take the time to understand Federal Indian Policy and yet proceed to write bad legislation around what you believe tribal rights to be, then the decision of passing this bill must be re-examined.

Thank you for your time.

Yes…thank you sooooo much for your time and attention over the past several years. Oh, and lest I forget to mention that the State has refused to conduct a Cost v. Benefit analysis of legalizing slots and class III gambling casinos in our State. In fact, they seemed to be more concerned with ensuring any one of them could go work for these casinos after one year of being out of office, that and bringing back happy hour to local bars...as long as there is no smoking in these bars...that honor is saved for the casinos and slots barn. In the words of a good friend of mine, speaking in front of the Senate Committee at the hearing on the Casino Bill…whoops!…sorry again, Governor Patrick….the Jobs Bill ….it is obvious that her seven year old son spends more time on his homework than this committee did on researching the negative effects casinos would have on our Communities….and she is right.

Yet after all of this….this journalist has the nads to write:

Now, none of this is going to persuade casino opponents, just as the hypocritical arguments of the moral crusade against legalized gambling are not convincing — so long as it gives a moral hall pass to the state lottery and Wall Street gamblers who play the same type of rigged game, except on an exponentially larger scale.

“Hypocritical argument of the moral crusade against legalized gambling”….Wow…on that note, I guess I will go and cash out my IRA, head down to the local Cumberland Farms and spend it all on scratch tickets…..it’s smart…I’ll be hedging my bets.

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

Casino Yahtzee!

I have an idea that will allow casino style gambling fun to the residents of Massachusetts and bring it right to your doorstep....thats right folks! No dealing with traffic....no finding a babysitter or worrying if Junior will be okay in the car for a few hours while you experience true casino fun!! All you can eat buffet...no problem....it's called your kitchen! Free drinks.....make it BYBO or splurge for that special night! That's right.....just think about it...no more negative social and economic impacts to worry about associated with legalizing expanded gambling in the commonwealth, and .... errr.... "mitigate"....because people could be having fun with friends and neighbors instead of ingoring strangers! Go ahead and make that bet.....it's all for entertainment! Oh --- and the best part...it could actually create jobs!!! Lots and lots of real jobs!


That's right folks...step right up and support reintroducing and manufacturing CASINO YAHTZEE!!! Have a party with your friends and share the excitement of casino gambling in the comfort of your own home! Bring back Milton Bradley....they were founded in Springfield Massachusetts....manufacture casino board games right here in good ol' Massachusetts that actually promote social interaction without risk of spending more than you can afford, eat all you want and have a few drinks on the house and a free place to crash for the night. Yes - bring back real jobs to Massachusetts....not Casino jobs.

I'm just sayin'........enjoy :)



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

Fascist America in 10 Easy Steps

From Hitler to Pinochet and beyond, history shows there are certain steps that any would-be dictator must take to destroy constitutional freedoms. In her book The End of America - A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot, Naomi Wolfe lays out her reasons for beliving why and how George Bush and his administration appear to have followed them (pardon my idiom) to a tee.

Through extensive research and documentation Wolf explains how in her estimation, the actions of the Bush Adminstration parallel the steps taken in the early years of the 20th century‚'s worst dictatorships such as Germany, Russia, China, and Chile. Her account cuts across political parties and ideologies to speak directly to those who are concerned about the stripping of our liberties and dismanteling of our constitution. The book became a best seller and her documentary has seen as much success. I find it interesting that the Obama administration has done nothing to restore our liberties taken from us via the Patriot Act but has, in my opinion, continued down the same path as the Bush Administration (queue up scary music -- wink wink) by signing the Patriot Act Extension and playing off the fears generated by the so aptly named War on Terror.

I have not read the book, but I must say I enjoyed watching this documentary and have every intention of reading the book because I watched the documentary. With that said, I like the content and the message but by no means do I endorse or denounce the organizations promoted at the end of this film....enjoy!




"We need to look at history and face the "what ifs". For if we keep going down this road, the "end of America" could come for each of us in a different way, at a different moment; each of us might have a different moment when we feel forced to look back and think: that is how it was before - and this is the way it is now. " - Naomi Wolfe


"The loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or imagined, from abroad." - James Madison

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