While there are issues with casinos as cited by the LTE, his concerns seem way overblown. And Harbor Park opened after I arrived in the area in 1993. So unless the writer is referring to AAA baseball in Norfolk, it hasn’t been 45 years.
Indian casinos tend to keep organized crime out of the loop. Some say they are their own mafia, but who am I to judge.
If you are against the casino, fine. But to overstate the problems tends to put people off and prevent others from listening to your argument.
Tidewater News and Opinion Forum 
” . . . prostitution, and organized crime which is [sic] historically associated with casino gambling.”
By “historically,” he means like the 1920’s.
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Vices should not be unlawful, even when they are foolish. The best way to keep organized crime out is to legalize gambling. That said, it should be legal for all or for no one. There is no justification for allowing Indian tribes a monopoly.
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I don’t think the Pamunkey are going to keep people from using the casino. They are just the ones being licensed to run the casino. If the GA gets off it’s collective dead behind and approves it, the Native Americans will not be the only ones and there will be no monopoly.
If you want to help.in that endeavor, vote Democrat in the upcoming state elections. Just a thought for you to ponder. (Tongue planted firmly in right cheek.)
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Vote Democrat?
Democrats passed Prohibition, drug laws, as well as the prohibitions against gambling and prostitution.
Republicans are reluctant to let them go.
The only party that has consistently held that vices are no one’s business is my party, the Libertarian Party.
At this point, can you seriously argue that Gary Johnson would have been a better choice than either Trump or Clinton?
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Sorry. I can’t vote for unicorns. THey only have one horn and have no idea how to lead.
For the foreseeable future, a vote in a national election for a Libertarian is a wasted vote. Until they can figure out how to get into the mainstream, there is no chance one will get elected. You experienced that firsthand yourself, as I recall.
And ignoring the evolution of the Dems and R’s is idiotic.
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Even if you support the casino, you have to acknowledge: 1. that city council bucked transparency and rushed the vote; and 2. that the location is ludicrous.
I’m in favor of the referendum.
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As I am not a Norfolk resident, I really don’t have a dog in the fight. I do agree with both of your points. Let the people decide. And maybe John Atkinson can get involved with those who are anti-casino.
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