On Nov. 4, the casino referendum was defeated. I think the reason being is that if another casino were to be erected in southern Maine, Hollywood Slots at Bangor would suffer due to the migration of patrons to the new facility, therefore, taking business back to southern Maine.
Southern Mainers, instead of going to Connecticut, why not come to Bangor?
We have many fine restaurants, gift shops, a cinema, countless malls, etc.
For years, northern and eastern Maine’s business life has been somewhat stagnant. Hollywood Slots has provided us with a considerable tax base with which to cultivate and stimulate economic growth and boost employment opportunities for the residents in this area. Hollywood Slots is a slot arcade, not a full-blown casino.
As for gambling addicts, if you’re an alcoholic, you’re not going to the local pub. The same goes for betting parlors.
For the segment of society that disapproves of gambling, that is your right and your choice. However, others who enjoy it responsibly should have the right to go and bet a few bucks and enjoy themselves.
As for the “bad element” that the naysayers speak of, it would matter whether a betting parlor were here or not. There is good and bad in all segments of society.
Casinos don’t cause bad elements in society — people do!
Brent Sutherland
Bucksport
• • •
Youth vote ‘beautiful’
I am an educator who has practiced his profession in all areas of public education and presently as a college professor. For 63 of my 68 years I have been getting up and going to school as a student and educator. I would doubt that anybody would believe that I don’t enjoy what I do. After all, I have been and am involved in the greatest profession there is namely, the education of our youth.
I have always had tremendous faith in students even though there have been times when I was disappointed, as I am sure also that I perhaps disappointed them. But, I must say that there has never been a time in all of those 63 years when I have been more proud of our youth. I refer to the tremendous outpouring of young people to the polls in the recent national election. I don’t think that anyone can doubt that they made a significant difference in this election and their steadfastness, excitement, and commitment contributed greatly to Barack Obama’s historic win on Nov. 4.
I am absolutely thrilled and proud that this significant section of the electorate in Maine and across the country has “risen up” and followed through to victory in electing a person who just happens to be an African-American, president of the United States of America. Elections in this country may never be the same again. For too long, many young people have been apathetic about politics but with this great historical accomplishment I am hopeful that the young will continue to be a force that finally realizes that they can make a difference in what happens in their community, state, nation, and the world. It was a beautiful thing to behold and I am so pleased and grateful that it happened in my lifetime.
William A. Prescott, Jr.
Machiasport
• • •
Delay balanced budget
Gov. Baldacci’s recent comments about cutting state spending in order to balance the budget in the midst of a recession are very troubling. Wasn’t it John Maynard Keynes who advised against such practices, stating that it was the role of government to run a deficit in order to stave off recession?
In a shrinking economy it doesn’t make sense to further reduce spending as a tool to strengthen that economy. Maintaining a balanced budget now will not heal the wound; it will only make the wound deeper. For example, the governor has saddled the University of Maine System with a $12.5 million budget cut. Given that UMS pumps eight dollars into Maine’s economy for every dollar of state appropriation, the $12.5 million in savings will cost Maine approximately $100 million.
Unfortunately, now is the time of sacrifice. Balancing the budget will have to wait.
Stephen Allan
Bangor
• • •
Obama is one of us
Does Sarah Smiley (“Elections distressing to military families,” BDN, Nov. 10) really understand Obama’s election? It’s about people ready for change, electing someone they feel is going to accomplish this, will turn this country around and reclaim what is ours.
Obama won this election by a landslide, electoral college and popular vote. No single race elected him; it was all the people, united, who feel he can make a difference. Military and nonmilitary voted, and he was endorsed by one of the strong-est military leaders in our country for what he stood for and believed in, not because he was “one of them.”
Countries and people all over the world rejoiced in his election, feeling America has finally stood up and become strong and united again for the first time in years. Obama understands the lifestyles of many, the hopes and dreams, no matter what race or color, of those struggling to make ends meet, send children to school, put food on the table, and heat their homes.
We should all look at Obama and say, “Yes, he is one of us.”
Shame on Sarah Smiley if she is angry that a child has a “pep in his step,” beaming, assuming his thoughts because he is African-American. Mourn the loss of your leader if you must, don’t take away the excitement of millions.
Linda Ambrose
Glenburn
• • •
RSU-7 a ‘stab in dark’
Education Commissioner Susan Gendron didn’t get it when voters rejected the proposed plan for RSU-7. I believe it was because the plan was terrible, not lack of foresight to move forward in a more efficient way.
The commissioner should look at this failed state-approved plan and consider the agenda one would expect to see in a plan of this magnitude. The plan does little to answer questions anyone would need to know to make an informed decision. Who’s in charge? Where will the startup funding come from? Are qualified people identified to implement and coordinate learning programs, communications, purchasing equipment such as computers, bus and building maintenance, and so on? Is one school board going to represent each of the involved towns? Will it be one town, one vote, when it comes to maintaining properties and school locations?
To incorporate and form an RSU that covers a geographic area this large with 27 different towns, we need to know upfront that we all have a voice, and that the change will benefit our community.
The plan we voted on was a stab in the dark at improving the current program. People of northern Maine I meet are always committed to quality education that makes the most economic sense. But we must be heard and the plan will pass when it’s right.
On 11/17/08 at 6:31 AM,
treeking55 wrote:
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Ah, Brent, The one thing you don't have at Hollywood Slots are TABLE GAMES. Some of us would rather try to beat the table odds rather than a machine which can be and often is rigged in the Casino's favor.
On 11/17/08 at 7:03 AM,
WRofGlenburn wrote:
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Treeking55, slot machines are "set" in favor of the casino. That's true in Maine, Las Vegas, or wherever. They are in business to make money and should not be confused with one of the local charities. BTW, table game odds also support the casino, sometimes you win but more often you lose!
On 11/17/08 at 7:46 AM,
WRofGlenburn wrote:
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Mr. Allen of Bangor, are you suggesting that the state constitution be ignored and that we go into deficit spending like the Fed? How will we print the money we need? Who will lend our bankrupt state money? We need to see your plan.
On 11/17/08 at 8:28 AM,
repmma wrote:
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If western and southern Maine is going to oppose a casino in Washington county, than it seems reasonable to me that northern and eastern Maine would oppose a casino in southern/western Maine. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!!
On 11/17/08 at 8:57 AM,
billmoores wrote:
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WRofGlenburn: In our games with friends and family, when someone deliberately sets the odds in their favor to win or make money, don't we call that cheating? And don't we usually repremand that person or banish them from the game? And are we not very upset with them? When the odds are set in one's favor it is not true gambling. The casinos are cheating! Winning should be based on luck and/or the skill of the gambler. Remember what happened in the old western shows when someone was caught cheating? What about when someone tells you up front that they are going to be cheating? : )
On 11/17/08 at 9:03 AM,
treeking55 wrote:
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WR. the difference is, when you put your money in a Slot, You have to take what the machine gives you, When you play BlackJack, you can chose to hit or stand on what you have for a hand. The odds may be tilted toward the Casino, But if you play intelligently your money lasts a little longer. Granted, Not much longer.
On 11/17/08 at 9:09 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
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People who are still hung up on the school consolidation issue need to get over themselves. It's going to happen and it should. It's too expensive for every little backwoods town to have their own school administration.
On 11/17/08 at 10:45 AM,
Lobstarok wrote:
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Don't get too full of yourself Linda, The general public fired Bush for whatever the reason-Obama got lucky to be in the right place at the right time
On 11/17/08 at 10:59 AM,
Bangorian wrote:
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Obama won by 8 million votes - that's not exactly luck.
On 11/17/08 at 11:04 AM,
SethFortier wrote:
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Ms. Ambrose should also re-read Sarah Smileys' column. She never said that she was angry that the young boy had some pep in his step. As far as a landslide, winning 52% of the vote isn't a landslide. If the economy hadn't tanked the last two months before the election McCain, who was ahead in Sept., may well have won the election.
On 11/17/08 at 2:41 PM,
boogyman wrote:
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"Obama is one of us" BS. Obama won because OF GW, pretty normal for the incumbent party to lose when the economy is in the tank.
On 11/17/08 at 4:36 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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WR, not sure what my point is because I don't think I am for a casino anywhere in maine, but I do like to platy a little blackjack. The odds there are far better then the one armed bandits. I believe blackjack is something like 47 / 53 in the house favor, but you have a little control, can bet up at times even with the odd swinging toward you, such as on a split..
Billmoores, I think you are mixing up odds and cheating. The old west was porker which isn't against the house. Any other game back then was just as biased
On 11/17/08 at 7:31 PM,
billmoores wrote:
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duckwa: How do you get the odds in your favor? By cheating?
On 11/17/08 at 7:54 PM,
WRofGlenburn wrote:
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Billmoores you hit the nail on the head! Slot odds are always in favor of the casino, consequently it is not gambling but rather entertainment! If you walk into a casino with the intention of winning you're in the wrong place. There is no cheating going on - the casino sets the odds with the approval of the state and provides a venue for entertaining people who have different priorities with their money (I believe the correct term is "gaming").
On 11/17/08 at 8:00 PM,
chemaine wrote:
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What is wrong with going to the casino?
It's great, you can make lots of bets, and if you win you get lots of money. If you lose by making the wrong bet, no problem, thanks to the great capitalist free-market systems we've developed the government will bail you out with hundred of billions of taxpayer dollars!
Privatize reward and everyone can share in your loses! if all goes well, you'll still get a big bonus for making all those bone headed bets.
Good old Capitalism! LONG LIVE THE FREE MARKETS!!!
On 11/17/08 at 10:13 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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Chemaine, I wish we were on the same side of things. You are like a pitbull , girl! You never miss a chance to state your case. That isn't meant to crititize; you are a strong advocate for what you believe. Just remember, those of us that you don't see eye to eye with aren't evil, we just disagree. Sometimes you are more bite then bark. Have a good night.
Billmoore, Step back from the key board and take a deap breath. I DIDN'T say you could get the odds in your favor, and if you even read my post, i was clear that I am no advocate for casinos, I just pointing out what I had read. Where do you get off implying I cheated. Your just a bundle of openess and welcome aren't you?
I in effect stated that at times odds can swing more in the players favor and that blackjack was one of the few games that lets you raise your bet even then. The odds in Black Jack, as I stated, are closer then any other game. Also the odds change as the cards are dealt. It is also the only game where the player can affect the odds based on the cards dealt, by hitting or staying. All that said I have played the game twice for money, both times at Foxwoods over 10 years ago. Any information I have is from reading and the history channel. I did just go to Hollywood slots the past weekend. My wife and I , had a weekend to ourselves, no kids, and wanted to check it out. We lost $13 and $3 of that was parking. As wr stated correctly, it can be entertainment. We had a fun couple hours and it cost less then the movies would have. I never said my kids retirement plan was based on it.
On 11/17/08 at 10:20 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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Bill, This is my exact quote "with the odd swinging toward you". Clearly said toward me aning closer to but not there. Also in my last line I said "just as biased" implied as just as biased as todays games. I assumed people would know that by biased I would mean not in their favor.
On 11/18/08 at 12:32 PM,
billmoores wrote:
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duckwa: You misunderstood. I was not implying that you in particular were cheating. I was simply saying that one method of getting the odds in ones favor is to cheat. It was a rhetorical question. You claim that the slot machines being set to the casinos favor is acceptable and a legitimate form of entertainment. I would wager that some patrons of the Slot Machines are actually there, desperately hoping to win and not thinking about being entertained at all. I guess I can't imagine that giving my money away to a less than worthy cause is all that entertaining.
On 11/18/08 at 12:44 PM,
markko wrote:
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duckwa, you always state your opinions on here, and then when someone else does (dare I say even with more panaché than you) you tell them to "step away from the keyboard" as if you were some kind of moderator or self appointed BDN pressure valve, when the truth is you provide at least half of the "pressure" around here.
On 11/18/08 at 3:02 PM,
duckwa wrote:
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Marko, not sure where you are coming from but sorry to offend you. Either way thanks for giving me credit for 50% of the influence around here. Have a good day!!
Billmoores, you are right that some don't seem to look at it as entertain ment. While I only lost $10 on my visit, I have a co-worker who regularly loses amounts in the hundreds. While I have myself given in to the curiousty, I think the farther away the better. Good day!
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