The local Wampanoag indian tribe got federal recognition yesterday. It’s apparently been a 30+ year battle to get recognized but it’s finally happened.<\/p>\n
What amazes me is that this tribe, out of probably all North American indian tribes, has the most significant place in U.S. history. I mean, these are the very indians that shared bread on the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims! Yet it’s taken them nearly 400 years to be recognized? I would have thought they’d have been the first to get recognition.<\/p>\n
Now the big question is casino gambling. True, this designation will provide them with land, but our legislature has historically been anti-gambling (casinos have been brought up numerous times and it has failed numerous times) so I’m still not sure if these means we’ll be getting a casino any time soon.<\/p>\n
I don’t know where I stand on this issue, either. I’ve enjoyed some fun times at Foxwoods in the past. And I find nothing wrong with gambling morally. I also think the financial benefits to the state would be phenomenal. I guess my concern is that folks with little to no money to begin with will lose it at a casino instead of using it toward more loftier goals like home ownership, higher education. Of course, I don’t believe it’s up to the government to say who should and shouldn’t be able to gamble…but from experience (as a non-addictive personality) I can say that if I go to Foxwoods planning to spend only $100….once that $100 is gone and I realize that I’m still going to be there for a few more hours, I’ll withdraw more money. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s…<\/p>\n
…addictive.<\/p>\n
It’s a shame there isn’t an equally viable business concept that\u00a0tribes can use their land for to make money. There’s gotta’ be something. Resorts? Amusement parks?<\/p>\n
Anyway – this will be my last blog posting in a while. In 24 hours I’ll be on a plane to Mexico. I’m not bringing a laptop so I’m not sure how much internet access I’ll have. But Randy and I will be taking loads of photos and of course I’ll share some hwere when I return. Unless I look like crap.\u00a0Have\u00a0I mentioned I’ve gained 15 pounds since September. FIFTEEN!\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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