Let's see what you got:
"Casino foes warily savor a seeming victory; Fears remain gambling bill could be revived" by Lisa Wangsness, Globe Staff | August 7, 2010
You could forgive the antigambling people for feeling discombobulated.
Especially given the Globe and government's deceptive jerking around.
Weeks ago, their defeat looked certain: Governor Deval Patrick, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, and Senate President Therese Murray were lined up behind casinos. Then, last weekend, the specter of victory materialized, if only by a fluke: Patrick and the legislative leaders fought to a draw over slot machines.
The Legislature was not supposed to meet again till January. But now it appears the Legislature might reconvene soon.... and there is discussion on Beacon Hill of revisiting gambling while lawmakers are back in the State House.
I never thought it went away and I never took any of that seriously. That's why I sat on it -- or held my hand , if you will -- all week before I posted.
I mean, hey, the debate and political imagery make good filler but that's about all.
***************
Kathleen Conley Norbut, leader of United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, had also refused to rejoice earlier this week, when the casino bill’s vital signs were virtually undetectable.
Honestly, just the choice of words bothers me these days.
I know I'm not great artisan with my colorful metaphors; however, how can you blame me after reading this slop?
She warned that, given the deep-pocketed interests involved and the vagaries of Beacon Hill politics, the bill could lurch back to life at any moment.
I expected it to be back.
Yesterday, with the gambling bill possibly having a new lease on life, she did not sink into despair. Instead she was looking forward to celebrating her 50th birthday with family and friends last night and steeling herself for the next round of battle....
In ONE MORE NEVER-ENDING WAR!
Some gambling opponents said they doubt the bill could pass, even if the Legislature does get another chance to make a deal.
Why, when they are so close?
Representative Daniel E. Bosley, a Democrat from North Adams and a long-time gambling opponent who is retiring this year to run for Berkshire County sheriff, said the political dynamics surrounding the issue remain extremely complex.
That's good news.
Related: The Big Boss Bosley
So who will be writing the legislation the pipeline tax loot to Israel in his place, Massachusetts?
He said it is not at all clear to him that either Patrick, who prefers casinos only, or DeLeo, who insists on slots at racetracks, two of which are in his district, would budge.
Every year so far, he said, casino bills have collapsed under their own weight, as various interests favoring different forms of gambling try to load the legislation with their own priorities.
Well, before Deleo it was Sal the Scum squashing it, but why let a little truth get in the way?
That's why he was singled out for dismissal from the house of snakes under the dome.
“If you do what everyone wants, it’s too much,’’ he said, “and if you don’t do what everyone wants, you can’t get the votes.’’
Yeah, yeah, I'm tired of the political blah-blah.
Gambling opponents have long argued that the social and economic costs of expanding gambling in Massachusetts will far outweigh any economic benefits. But labor unions are pushing hard for a gambling bill because of the jobs it could bring.
“They want something to happen, and they will accept anything,’’ Bosley said.
Which is why they are passive in the face of Patrick's insults.
The antigambling activists said it is not clear what their next step should be. It is not even clear when it might become clear whether lawmakers will be called back.
Ed Saunders, the lobbyist for the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, observed, “You never know what they’re going to do up there.’’
Actually, you kind of do; however, only after the injuries have been inflicted.
"Despite months of pledges to embark on ethics, pension, and transportation reform, a final bill has yet to be produced. A six-member conference committee met for the first time Thursday afternoon to discuss ethics reform - and the first action taken was to close their meetings to the public....
the Public [is] not welcome.... activity is taking place almost entirely out of public view... and behind closed doors.... the Legislature is exempt from the state's open meeting and public records laws.... able to deliberate in private and guard key documents from public scrutiny.... allowing the public to take part in the proceedings would only bog things down....
Rank-and-file lawmakers currently have little clue about what is going on or what they inevitably will be asked to vote on with little notice.... Legislation was actually drafted by lobbyists and sent to the State House by courier for passage"
Yup, another s*** hand dealt by the Boston Globe.
--more--"
Maybe I should fold, 'eh, readers?
Fold the piles of unread papers up and put them in the recycling bag without reading them.
