There Are Twice as Many Slot Machines in the US as There Are ATM's

As the economy continues to falter and budget deficits continue to swell more and more states are pursuing legalized gambling as a way to generate revenues. At last count there are 38 states that now support some type of state sponsored gambling. To the government this looks like a quick fix to the budget crisis. Unfortunately they are gambling with our future. Studies have shown that more people are gambling than ever before. And as the economy gets worse we will only see these numbers grow. (See below) As people look for that quick score to pay the bills. People who cannot afford it particularly seniors are getting caught up in the "Dollar and a Dream" hype and are now spending grocery money on scratch off or trips to casinos. More of our children watch the World Series of Poker than the World Series. World Series games don't start until almost 9:00 PM and don't end until after midnight while gambling shows are on around the clock on multiple channels. And it is only going to get worse. As the Governor looks to expand slot machines at local race tracks and LOTTO spends millions on new ad campaigns more and more people are losing their savings and in some cases even their homes. Many have already lost their retirement plans thanks to our friends on Wall Street and are now looking to gambling as a bailout. This is the worse possible time for the government to be expanding its gambling operations. But as usual they will not be able to pass up a quick fix with no regard for the future. Awhile back we asked our local electeds to support an effort to at least stop state sponsored advertising for gambling (see below) But none of them even considered it. Don't you think that the millions spent on the "Little Bit of Luck" and other ads could be put to better use? Obviously they do not think so. So they will continue to try to draw more people in to inflate their short term revenues as they continue to spend more and more on advertising and administrative costs.

As they continue to gamble with our future.

Over the past few years there has been a significant increase in the number of seniors who have taken up gambling as a new form of entertainment.
Unfortunately it is not entertainment
The gambling establishments have created various incentive programs and innovative advertising gimmicks to lure them into a dark world. The end result is a senior with a self destructive behavior pattern and low self esteem.
They constantly receive enticements such as:
Tired of staying at home with nothing to do, come down and visit us we will make you feel at home.
Free live entertainment awaits you.
Buffets and exotic restaurants
Make new friends
Not only will we pay for the transportation with coupon vouchers, we will also throw in free lunch at our buffet. You are getting a full day of entertainment and we will feed you too.
ATM machines, cash advances and line of credits are available
The result has been that many seniors are losing their pensions, losing their life savings and some even losing their lives.
In New Jersey alone on over 15% of the callers to the 1-800-GAMBLER© HOTLINE are over the age of 55.
The situation is not much better with the youth of America.
On line gambling, World Series of Poker on every day with other gambling shows on cable and now even network channels.
Texas Holdem Tournaments everywhere.
In a recent study 70% of students interviewed between the ages of 13 and 17 stated that they had gambled.
In a Florida study 12.5% of adolescents interviewed reported they had purchased a lottery ticket in the past year.
And what is the government doing about this problem…….nothing.
As a matter of fact more and more states are legalizing gambling as a means of generating revenues.
Don’t be surprised if you wake up one morning and hear about Governor’s Island becoming a casino destination.
While we know that there is nothing we can do about commercial gambling establishments (although there should be) there is something we can do about government sponsored gambling.
For example the NY State Lottery.
Why is it necessary to advertise?
Why are we going after other people to gamble?
If the state wants the lottery that is fine but instead of spending millions on advertising they should use these funds for gambling treatment and education for which funds are almost nonexistent.
Don’t they know that more people die as a result of gambling then drugs and alcohol combined?
Why the need to draw new people into this addiction.
They have warning labels on cigarettes and ban soda from schools but actively recruit people of all ages?
We hear of stores being fined for selling cigarettes to minors but when is the last time you heard of the same for someone selling lottery tickets?
Well we want something done.
We are going to continue to call on our elected officials to ask them to call for a ban on gambling advertisement similar to the one on cigarette and liquor ads.
We hope that you will join us in our effort.
We are also going to coordinate seminars with the DA’s office to schools for both parents and students to make them aware of the warning signs and preventive measures to take.
We hope to be able to make a difference.

Below is a letter we sent to our state electeds in 2008 and we have been reminding them every year since.

Hopefully we can get their attention.

Dennis McKeon
150 Greaves Lane # 312
Staten Island, NY 10308
718-966-6531



WHERE TO TURN
150-L Greaves Lane # 312
Staten Island, NY 10308
Phone: 718-966-6531 Fax: 718-966-6515
www.where-to-turn.org








January 14, 2008

State Senator Diane Savino
State Senator Andrew Lanza
Assemblywoman Janelle Hyer-Spencer
Assemblyman Michael Cusick
Assemblyman Matthew Titone
Assemblyman Lou Tobacco
District Attorney Daniel Donovan




Knowing of your concern for the youth and senior citizens I would like to ask your assistance in addressing a growing problem impacting both groups.

Over the past 10 years gambling has become a major problem with both the youth and senior populations.

Seniors have lost their life savings, their homes and in some cases even their lives after being drawn into the dream of winning it big by both the private and public gambling sectors.

The NY State Lottery spends millions on ad campaigns to draw unsuspecting seniors into the world of gambling, while the casinos lure them with promises of free meals and coped rooms.

A recent study showed that in New Jersey alone over 15% of the callers to the 1-800- Gambling Hotline were over the age of 55.

The problem is no better with the youth in America. Through online gambling and the host of poker tournaments on cable and network TV we are presenting gambling as a positive alternative to hard work and education.

A study in Florida showed that 12.5% of adolescents interviewed reported that they had purchased a lottery ticket this past year and that 70% of students between the ages of 13 and 17 stated that they had gambled.

I am sure that if studies were done in New York we would find the numbers to be similar if not higher.

I know everyone has to right to “legally gamble” and that we really cannot do anything about the casinos advertising but why does the state of NY have to contribute to this outreach.

If New York wants the lottery that’s fine but instead of spending millions on advertising to try to draw more people into gambling they should be using these funds for gambling treatment and educational programs about the dangers of gambling.

Don’t they realize that more people die from the effects of compulsive gambling then the effects of drugs and alcohol combined?

The government places warning labels on cigarettes and bans soda from schools but continues to actively recruit people of all ages with their concept of a “Dollar and a Dream”

We hear of stores being fined for selling cigarettes or beer to minors but when was the last time a store was cited for selling lottery tickets to underage kids.

We are asking for your help to address this issue.

To start would it be possible to at least propose legislation to ban advertising for state sponsored gambling?

We currently have such bans on liquor and cigarette ads.

Would it not make sense to do the same for gambling ads?

We are in the process of working with the DA’s Office to develop seminars to outreach to schools to warn students of the dangers of gambling. These seminars will also be available to parents to make them aware of the warning signs of teenage gambling.

We hope you will join us in this effort to protect our seniors and students,

We are available at your convenience to discuss this further.




Sincerely,



Dennis McKeon

Executive Director

And They Wonder Why We Lose Faith In Our Government

The United States Department of Health & Human Services announced today that there is insufficient medical evidence to support a link between the exposure to Ground Zero toxins and various forms of cancer at this time. The government strikes again. It was nearly 10 years ago when former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman knowingly released falsely reassuring and misleading statements of safety after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Even though the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that her statements were "without question conscience-shocking." Even though The court also found the facts "support an allegation of a violation of the substantive due process right to be free from official government policies that increase the risk of bodily harm" by Whitman's misstatements regarding the air quality of the affected area. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that she could not be held liable for her actions. Now 10 years later people who worked at Ground Zero and believed Christie Todd Whitman because she represented the government continue to get sick. And what does the government do? It takes cancer, the disease that represents the largest number of claims in the Zadroga Bill, and makes anyone who contracted cancer as a result f their work at Ground Zero or Fresh Kills ineligible for aid. So our government which is about to raise the debt ceiling once again because they just cant control their spending on anything else decides to save a few bucks here at the expense of 9/11 victims. If we try to fight them on this they will probably use the same excuse they did back then when the Appeals Court stated that legal remedies are not always available for every instance of arguably deficient governmental performance. But we must fight them just as we fought them to get the Zadroga Bill passed. We owe it to those who helped and are now sick. We owe to all of those who have died of cancer after working at the site or at Fresh Kills. It is our responsibility to make sure our government holds to its commitments to the victims of 9/11. This September is the 10th Anniversary of the attacks and this is no way to honor the memory of those who died that day. Teddy Roosevelt once said "Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong". That is what we need to do today. Let your voices be heard. Lest We Forget Dennis

Remembering 9/11 Every Day

This week the papers and news shows were filled with stories about the death of Bin Laden and the President’s visit to Ground Zero.

I saw editorials from people I have never heard of who are now experts on military events and 9/11 issues.

And I saw quotes from elected officials who I have not heard from since they voted against the Zadroga Bill.

Politicians who have most likely never even been to Ground Zero and probably never seen Shanksville.

All grabbing the spot light and stating how great the death of Bin Laden was and how it shows that they will never forget.

It makes me sad to know that after the Sunday editions and the morning talk shows all of this will disappear for another three months.

And then for the 10th Anniversary these same people will once again get back on their soap boxes with their cries of “We will never forget”

Well the fact of the matter is that most of them have forgotten.

They are more concerned with their own pet projects then they are of national security.

If they were really concerned about the victims of 9/11 it would not have taken them so long to pass the Zadroga Bill.

If they were as concerned with the 9/11 families as they were to respectfully bury Bin Laden we wouldn’t have remains of victims still buried in the Fresh Kills Landfill.

We still would not have possible remains on rooftops and sewers surrounding Ground Zero in areas that have not been properly searched.

We would not have spent hundreds of millions and still have thousands of remains unidentified.

Remains that will be buried below street level at Ground Zero along with the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

We would have an explanation of how thousands in cash and personal items disappeared from the NYPD Property Department.

We would not be spending millions of dollars a year on the LMDC to pay the salaries of political favorites.

And we would not continue to mistreat the thousands of soldiers who have returned from fighting since 9/11 as well the families of those who never returned.

If they really did not forget these issues would not still be left unresolved.

If they really did not forget we not only hear from them on 9/11 or when terrorists are killed.

So while I would like to personally that the President, the Navy Seals and everyone else who contributed to the death of Bin Laden, I would also like to thank all of you who keep the memories of our loved ones alive every day.

And I hope that one day those in power will realize that we need to remember 9/11 everyday and not when we get an Outlook reminder.

We most continue to speak for those who no longer can and assure that this never happens again.

We Must Never Forget.

Keeping The Memory of Those We Have Lost Alive

As word of the death of Osama Bin Laden spread a sense of satisfaction also began to spread that this mass murderer finally had met his end at the hands of the US military. People rejoiced and celebrated the death of this evil conspirator who caused the death of nearly 3,000 innocent people on 9/11 and so many others over the past nine years. Upon hearing the news a I was hit with a sense of relief that this nearly ten year effort had finally resulted in the death of one of the most despicable men the world had ever known. Unfortunately I kept hearing that this will bring closure to many of the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 and in the efforts since. While this does close a significant 9/11 chapter it does not bring closure at all. It will not bring back the parents, the children, the siblings or the friends lost on 9/11. It will not fill the emptiness in the hearts of so many 9/11 family members. It will not eliminate the haunted memories of that September morning in 2001. Hopefully what it will do will be to send a message to the remaining terrorists out there and remind them that they are all still on our radar and that we will not rest until they all meet the same fate. As for us we need to continue to keep the memory of those murdered alive. We need to continue to speak for those who no longer can. We need to constantly remind those in power that “We Will Never Forget” loses its effect when we only hear it on days like this or on the anniversary of 9/11. We need to keep the memories of those who have died alive by continuing to support those who still suffer the after effects of that tragic day. We need to keep the memories of those who have died alive by supporting the soldiers who protect us and by properly treating the physical and mental needs of those when they return home. And we need to keep the memories of those who have died alive by being vigilant and on guard against future terrorist attacks. Finally we need to rekindle the sense of unity and patriotism that we saw the weeks following 9/11. And we need to continue to take a positive, proactive approach to instill goodness and decency in our youth, assuring that all of those who were lost will always be our beams of light towards a better tomorrow. A generation of caring individuals, concerned about their neighbors, who are not afraid to get involved, would be the greatest memorial to those we lost on 9/11. And although this still will not bring closure it will certainly keep the memories of our lost loved ones alive for generations to come.

Lest We Forget

Dennis McKeon

We Must Never Forget

Nearly 10 years ago our country went to bed on night in September as it had every night before. Some people worried about pressing deadlines at their jobs. Some kids worried about upcoming tests in schools. Schedules to keep, things to do, people to meet, vacations or weddings to plan. Good thoughts, issues, or future plans swirled around in many minds as America drifted off to sleep. Nearly 3,000 never realized that it would be for the last time For everyone else life would never be the same. Fear would become a part of our life every day. Worries about our jobs were replaced by worries for our lives. Students’ worries about tests were replaced with worries about their parents coming home. Plans were scrapped, vacations cancelled and for the first time fear became a part of our every day life. Terrorism was never really a major concern for Americans. It was always somebody else’s problem. It appeared September 11th 2001 had changed everything. Nine years later, and for many, things are back to normal and many people are sleeping easier once again. Airlines seem more concerned with charging for extra bags then they are about security. Vacation plans are determined by gas prices and the state of the economy not fear of terrorists. Elected officials are telling 9/11 families that they need to move on. Some teachers are even being told not to mention 9/11 in their classrooms. Homeland Security appears to have been relegated to the back seat. While we defend the people in Afghanistan and Iraq against terrorists we seem to have forgotten security here at home. Forgotten that this year is the 10th Anniversary of the murder of 2,975 at the hands of terrorists Forgotten that hundreds have died and continue to die as a result of the attacks Forgotten that the terrorists are very patient and that they will lay in wait. Wait for us to get complacent and lower our guard. Wait for us to stop worrying. Wait for us to forget how we felt on September 11th 2001. And then they will strike again. The best way to honor our lost loved ones is to assure that this does not happen. We must not drop our guard. We must remember that the threat still exists and that it is real. We must “Never Forget”

NOT EXACTLY WHAT DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT

As Japan works to contain what could be one of the worst nuclear disasters we have ever seen much has been said about how the Japanese government has not been forthcoming with information about the magnitude of the breach and its containment efforts. If you think such government responses only happen outside the United States you are sadly mistaken. A few years after 9/11 the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman's falsely reassuring and misleading statements of safety after the September 11, 2001 attacks were "without question conscience-shocking." The court also found the facts "support an allegation of a violation of the substantive due process right to be free from official government policies that increase the risk of bodily harm" by Whitman's misstatements regarding the air quality of the affected area. A law suit by affected responders against Christie Whitman was thrown out of court as it appears that a judge did not want to set a dangerous precedent that would make public officials fear making public statements in the future. The second U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that even though Whitman made comments reassuring people about the safety around Ground Zero based on conflicting information and reassurances from the White House she could not be held responsible. They went on to state that legal remedies are not always available for every instance of deficient governmental performance. So today we have responders and residents sick and dying because they trusted our government. We have people dying from 9/11 cancer related illnesses that are not covered by the Zadroga Bill. So just a word of advice. If things get worse in Japan and our government says not to worry I would advise that you think twice. The courts have basically given the government permission to lie and not take responsibility for the impacts of these lies. Funny thing if people lie to the Government they go to jail. If Government lies to the people nothing happens. I don’t think that this is what Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton and crew had in mind in 1776.

Another Authority Head Probed....Is Anybody Surprised?

To All, In today’s NY Post there was yet another article ( Power Chief Probed Over No Bid Deals) about how the Executive Director of the NY Power Authority is being investigated for allegedly handing out millions in grants to politically connected organizations. Power Chief Probed Over No Bid Deals http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/power_chief_probed_over_no_bid_deals_CcR7dnYOHJKyiOz2niqCIK Once again this will be a topic for a couple of days and then nothing will be done. If the new Governor or the new Attorney General really wanted to make a difference they would have an independent audit of all of the Authorities and Corporations that are just homes for political appointments in return for favors in the past. For years we have been calling attention to these Authorities that pay billions in compensation ad benefits to part time or no show Board Members or employees but nothing is ever done. Take a moment to read a few of our past posts that have been ignored by both our elected officials and the press. Dennis For Too Long We Have Delegated "Authority" (11/19/09) http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=49982&highlight=authority DON'T STOP THERE (6/20/08) http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43405 990 FORM MAKES FOR INTERESTING READING (6/19/08) http://www.where-to-turn.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43364