January 03, 2003

Shh, don't talk about it

Administration secrecy is the subject of a five-page story in the NYT today; it's interesting, although there's nothing I can see which hasn't been reported before. This passion for secrecy has a major impact on many things, including basic research. Universities are turning down Fed funds because of the Administration's strings; this isn't in the public interest.

There has been a push out here for years to legalize some form of gambling; the argument from those in favor is always the same: lots of revenue for the state to tax! Yippee! The arguments against are always the same, too: the social costs are too high, and besides, we don't need gambling (or gaming, as those in the industry prefer) to draw people to Hawai'i. Today's lead editorial in the NYT has a nice turn of phrase regarding the subject: "...by the gambling lobby's alluring "something-for-nothing" sales pitch, the fiscal equivalent of a comped buffet." I'm anti-gambling as an industry, although I've put my $10 into NCAA pools for years (shh...that's technically illegal, so don't tell). Time had a series a few weeks ago about what has happened (and not happened) on Indian reservations after the industry was permitted to locate there; it's pretty astonishing.

Posted by Linkmeister at January 3, 2003 10:41 AM
Comments

Happy New Year, Linky!!

Posted by: JeanNINE at January 3, 2003 10:43 AM

If When I get to Hawaii, gambling will be the very last thing on my mind. However, that's just me. I could totally see my father going all the way to Hawaii to eat at Sizzler and play in a casino. He's not much for the sun and fun. ;)

Posted by: skits at January 3, 2003 01:56 PM

Grins...well, he avoids potential melanoma that way.

Posted by: Linkmeister at January 3, 2003 02:04 PM

As a former Hawaii resident, I simply do not see how legalized gambling could possibly help the state in the long run. I've seen how it works in three other states I've lived in...or, to be more precise, how it DOESN'T work. You hear all sorts of wonderful promises about where the revenue is going to go....and you just don't see the realization of that when the rubber meets the road. Feh.

Posted by: Jen at January 3, 2003 05:45 PM

Jen, you think you've seen false promises about state-run gambling? Click that Time magazine link. It lists some pretty blatant theft and corruption.

Posted by: Linkmeister at January 3, 2003 08:11 PM

Nah, no need. I read the article when it came out. ;)

Posted by: Jen at January 4, 2003 02:56 AM