Follow Up on Fishtown Action

In my last post, I mentioned a community group called Fishtown Action, which supports the building of casinos in this city. A member of the group had written a letter to the City Paper denouncing opponents of the measure in insulting terms.

Well, apparently, Fishtown Action has not limited its activity to verbal attacks. A search of the group on Yahoo reveals their involvement in at least one physical attack on a casino opponent.

Although no charges were apparently filed in the incident, it makes you wonder about the type of people who support the casinos.

Casinos and the Economy

A recent post on the Hallwatch blog examines the economic impact of the proposed Foxwoods and SugarHouse Casinos, and finds they add up to a big drain on the city's economy. Rather than attracting lots of new money and jobs to Philadelphia's economy, they will take business away from other recreational activities.

To me, the ultimate objection to the casinos is moral rather than economic. Casinos, like lotteries, are what Richard Russo calls "taxes on ignorance." They prey on the gullible and those suffering from gambling addictions. They ruin families, increase the crime rate, and devastate neighborhoods. (Anyone who disagrees with this should take a look at Atlantic City. Outside of the immediate casino area, much of it is a slum.) There has to be another way to improve conditions in this city.

Express an Opinion, Lose Your Job

A column in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer by Daniel Rubin reveals a disturbing case of attempted censorship by a public relations firm tied to the Foxwoods Casino.

The public relations firm in question, Tierney Communications, fired one of their vice presidents, Peggy Griffin, because she wrote a letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer warning of the casino's potential effect on her neighborhood. She had already made the firm aware of her stance on the issue before they hired, and she did not mention her affiliation with Tierney. Nevertheless, they dumped her, putting a potentially damaging mark on her career.

Some might question her willingness to work with a firm that supported a cause she opposed. However, she made it clear she would not work on the Foxwoods account, and did not let her employment there make her censor her beliefs.

Tierney Communications must not be very good at public relations, as the move has already garnered them negative coverage in the Inquirer and a nasty letter to the editor.

Here is a link to Tierney's website so you can contact them about the decision. Make certain any letters or e-mails you send are polite and to the point.