Posted on 03/11/2008 11:56:54 AM PDT by suspects
Gov. Deval Patrick says we need gambling because casinos will bring jobs, tourism and taxes to the commonwealth. He didn’t mention one other thing they’ll bring:
Lawsuits.
Arelia Taveras is suing a whole slew of casinos in Atlantic City and Las Vegas because they allowed her to lose nearly $1 million playing blackjack. After weeks of crying “Hit me!” she’s hitting back with a $20 million racketeering lawsuit in federal court.
If this strikes you as a ridiculous lawsuit filed by someone who lacks all common sense, you will not be surprised to learn that Taveras is an attorney.
In fact, much of the money lost by A. Taveras Esq. was stolen from her clients. It turns out she was making unauthorized withdrawals from the local savings and loans, and transferring the funds to the “First Bank of Faces And Aces, Baby!”
But don’t worry: It’s not her fault. Tavares claims that the casinos “had a duty of care to me.” Instead, they encouraged her to gamble by giving her free limo rides and letting her bring her dog to the tables. Those monsters.
“They knew I was going for days without eating or sleeping. I would pass out at the tables . . . Nobody in their right mind would gamble for four days straight,” Tavares told the Associated Press.
Why, oh why, didn’t someone save her from herself? Instead, the casinos let her pour money she couldn’t afford into a destructive habit that has left her destitute and disbarred.
I would call that a bad personal decision. But Patrick calls it good public policy.
For the governor’s casino plan to generate the $2 billion in gambling activity each year he’s counting on, he needs every Arelia Taveras in New England throwing down the rent on a regular basis.
(Excerpt) Read more at bostonherald.com ...
Guess it’s not politically correct anymore to say the Devil made you do it.
I like going to casinos too. I don’t go all that often because I dislike losing. Going to Atlantic City twice a year is all I can afford (very small budget). When I lose, I lose and stay away for a long time. I have to earn money the old fashioned way, by working for it.
This is a pretty weak argument against casino gambling.
There is only one law firm in the United States that is a member of the American Gaming Association. That would be Ropes and Grey LLC. They specialize in representing casinos against compulsive gamblers and work stridently to increase the amount a gambling interest can make to political campaigns. Did I mention that Diane Patrick is a partner?
Yup, I know about this but thanks. The article is strange. On one hand the writer makes fun of this loser who can’t control herself and then on the other hand makes the usual nanny-state arguments (e.g., mostly poor people gamble, etc.). Like I said, all around, the writer makes a poor case.
>>Gov. Deval Patrick says we need gambling because casinos will bring jobs, tourism and taxes to the commonwealth.<<
Yes, because Las Vegas, Reno, and AC have full employment and endless streams of revenue. Streets of gold, healthcare for all, pennies from heaven, free Reuben sandwiches every day for lunch, and champagne water fountains! Shangri-la!
No. Casinos bring bankruptcy, crime, prostitution, filth, and poverty. Why is it that only conservatives can see this reality?
Before people get too upset at sheer stupidity of Ms. Tavares, RENT ‘Owning Mahowny’!
A great movie based on true life, where a banker embezzled 7 million+ dollars and Casinos egged him own and went even beyond that.
They knew his addiction and weakness and studied his every tendency and took him for all he had.
Atlantic City CLOSED for one day to sort out the mess created by Dan Mahowny. They called it ‘Dan Mahowny Day’.
Its like Drugs. Ofcourse users are MAINLY responsible, but suppliers are responsible as well. Its a symbiotic relationship.
Having said that, I LOVE going to Reno and play Texas Holdem. Its just the best thing! I don’t call it gambling because if you know how to Play, more often than not, you win.
The Indian casino’s are big contributors to the DemocRats.
They did croos over and contribute to the Pubs in CA to win expansion of the casino’s in CA.
Reminds me of one of my all-time favorite movie scenes:
From “Lost in America” — Albert Brooks trying to get the manager of the Las Vegas Desert Inn (Garry Marshall) to give him back all the money his wife lost in an all-night gambling frenzy.
Wish I could find an online video clip.
Seeing as how the leftists have promoted the idea that basically all aberrant human behavior is the product of genetics or environment the argument that the casinos should have recognized her “illness” and moved to stop her makes perfect sense. Her argument follows logically form the premise that all behavior is the result of influences beyond our control and therefore must be tolerated in the name of compassion and, occasionally (when the behavior becomes a nuisance) treated by licensed therapists.
no rose colored glasses.
Seriously because we are logical, knowing the odds going in, knowing enough to carry only what you can afford to lose.
Leaving when you have lost your stake.
>>Seriously because we are logical, knowing the odds going in, knowing enough to carry only what you can afford to lose.<<
I’d be curious to see the political affiliation of the biggest losers at the casinos. I wonder if the liberal “get rich now because you’re entitled to it!” system of thinking plays a role in the poverty you see in the ghettos surrounding casinos.
casinos make the poor even more poor.
Landlords don’t get their rent.
Hookers hang around the action - bringing the druggie community along with them.
And when as “addict” hits bottom, they expect to go to off to rehab on their employer’s dime, and even sue the casino.
Money for nothing and your kicks for free.
The only folks I know that regularly go to casinos are democrats, but they are smart, only take what they can afford to lose.
Oxymoronic I know but they are my friends.
They should settle for $5M. They'll have it all back, with interest, in a month.
WFB has passed but Michael Graham lives on...things are certainly going downhill.
I'm sure I'd get the same story from all the gamblers in Nevada. Funny, 'cuz the casinos never have a problem paying the bills.
Casino’s don’t have a problem paying Bills because most of the games rely purely on element of luck and odds are stacked against you.
When playing poker against other players, you control your own odds, and only thing Casinos get is rake, a small portion of each pot.
They don’t have poker tables to make Big Bucks, but only to satisfy the demands of players who come to Casino, just for that.
If you don’t know how to play poker, then you would lose your money just as you would lose it in slot machines or roulette table. Many do. To guys like me! LOL!
I'm suing now!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.