Archive for January 12th, 2007
I have completely supported the efforts of the anti-casino crowd since day 1. Where we differ is on our reasons why the Seneca casino must not be allowed.
Their main argument is based on the social harm a casino causes in a community. I don’t quite buy that argument. There are many outlets available for people to gamble. I don’t think having a casino is going to significantly impact the number of “problem” gamblers. I do respect their opinion, but do not agree with regulating the individual actions of others, unless “real” crimes are being committed.
My opposition stems from the unfair tax advantage enjoyed by the Seneca Nation. It is simply not fair to expect a private business that is paying taxes to have to compete against the Senecas. The impact on entertainment venues, restaurants, clubs, bars and hotels would be detrimental to the vitality of the economy. Buffalo has enough trouble attracting private businesses due to laws, regulations, ordinances and taxes; let’s not add to that list.
Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Federal Judge William Skretny’s ruling saying the federal government must determine whether the Fulton Street site is sovereign land is a big victory to casino opponents.
Erie County Executive Joel Giambra says this is the end for what looked to be a bad deal for area interests.
The judicial decision was based on the fact that the Indians failed to properly obtain a Tribal Trust Land designation for the downtown site. Without that designation, the land can not be declared sovereign territory and all laws applicable in the City of Buffalo also apply at the casino property.
Source: WBEN 930 : Casino Opponents Claim Victory In Judge’s Decision
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The minimum wage bill, as proposed and passed by the Democrats, doesn’t apply to Starkist Tuna workers. I’m sure if one digs deep enough, a bit of quid pro quo would be found.
House Republicans yesterday declared “something fishy” about the major tuna company in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco district being exempted from the minimum-wage increase that Democrats approved this week.
”I am shocked,” said Rep. Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican and his party’s chief deputy whip, noting that Mrs. Pelosi campaigned heavily on promises of honest government. “Now we find out that she is exempting hometown companies from minimum wage. This is exactly the hypocrisy and double talk that we have come to expect from the Democrats.”
Read the rest: GOP hits Pelosi’s ‘hypocrisy’ on wage bill - Nation/Politics - The Washington Times, America’s Newspaper
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Not only has the Pentagon lifted the limit on the amount of time a person can spend on active duty, it is requesting a substantial increase, from Congress, in personnel for the armed services. The cost could be billions of dollars. Currently, a soldier is limited to 24 months of active-duty time.
The Pentagon wants to add 65,000 new troops to the Army and 27,000 to the Marines. The increase would take place over a 5 year period.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon has abandoned its limit on the time a citizen-soldier can be required to serve on active duty, officials said Thursday, a major change that reflects an Army stretched thin by longer-than-expected combat in Iraq.
The day after President Bush announced his plan for a deeper U.S. military commitment in Iraq, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters the change in reserve policy would have been made anyway because active-duty troops already were getting too little time between their combat tours.
The only possible justification for this is to defend ourselves from all the enemies George Bush is creating. It would be cheaper to replace Bush and more effective.
Source: My Way News - Pentagon Abandons Active-Duty Time Limit
