Why I Believe

by Tony Lawrence

I've heard some of my fellow Orange Shirts ask "What's WRONG with those people? Are they stupid?"

Sure, some are. So are some of us. There are just as many "stupid" reasons to want a casino resort as there are to oppose it. But there are also intelligent people who think this is a very bad idea.

This is a very confusing issue. I've read all the data, and I can see how people can end up on the other side. This study says this, the other says that, this one says the other one forgot about X, or didn't bubble his data through the right sieve.. it's a mess.

More than anything else, what convinces me is:

Traffic

Ground evidence: I see no traffic when I go to Foxwoods or Mohegan. Admittedly, I haven't been there a lot, maybe half a dozen times total, but at least once I was the ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD to Foxwoods. The only car.

I've never been in a traffic jam, never even had to slow below posted speeds. I believe there is no traffic issue.

Economic upset

Again, studies differ: great economic boom here, dismal bust there. But I DO see new restaurants on the road to Foxwoods, so I know the "economic ruin" argument doesn't fly there.

Most of our town was squarely in favor. Police, Fire, Schools, our Selectmen, our sino Study Commission: all in favor. Only five members of the seven member Finance Committee were opposesd and their report had laughable flaws ( See link).

I went with the majority.

Crime

It's a big issue, it's no issue at all. No statistical affect, or big jumps. Big jumps but white collar, no - it's 911 calls, no - it's crack whores and pickpockets. It's confusing and contradictory.

Our police chief, Gary Russel, asked his Connecticut counterparts and they said "crime is not an issue". From their mouths to his ears. I do not believe crime will be a problem.

Morality

Indian Gaming was made legal to address a moral issue. There will be compulsive gamblers damaged by this, but we as a nation passed the Indian Gaming Act because we wanted to address the problems of the tribes, which include poverty, alcoholism, depression and suicide.

A big part of this is not about us at all: it's about them.

Fairness

Part of the opposition is strictly from moral principles. These people want to prohibit a legal activity that millions of us enjoy because of their religious convictions. I don't feel they have any right to do that.

Glenn Marshall

My neighbor says Glenn Marshall is evil and duplicitous. I've read newspaper articles that say similar things. I do not know him well, but I have heard him speak and I believe the passion and honesty he expresses: I believe that he and the Wampanoags intend nothing but good for this town. I have talked with other people who know him better than I do, and they say the same. I may retain some caution here, but I do not fear this man.

Conclusion

Indian Gaming is a legal activity, made legal for moral reasons, and is enjoyed by millions. I support this project.

* Tony is a regular contributor to OakPointCommunity.org .