Halloween night, downtown Washington, D.C. The corner of F Street and 7th is a freak show – 10,000 people just let out of a rock concert. There’s a girl dressed up as Laura Croft from Tomb Raider, with the outfit, physique, and handguns to back it up. There’s a wild-eyed guy sitting on a bucket kicking out Beastie Boy beats on a crappy-looking drum kit with a crowd of eager kids egging him on. A guy dressed up as Where’s Waldo; lots of fishnet stockings; a pair of women posing for a picture on the back a cop’s motorcycle in the middle of the intersection.
An hour earlier, inside the Verizon Center, confetti bats had dropped from the ceiling while Coldplay blasted away on stage. A bit before that, the band had come down off the stage to play a song in the midst of the crowd. After the song, the band retreated to the dimly lit stage, leaving lead singer Chris Martin alone in the spotlight with an upright piano. This was the moment he chose to, in a very polite and British way, state that he and the band support Barack Obama for president. He chose, I thought bravely, to do this before launching into a quiet ballad on the piano. The crowd went wild at his mention of Obama. But as he opened the song with a few lilting chords on the upright, a handful of concertgoers loudly booed. A guy right in front of me, dressed in a button down maroon shirt and khaki pants (who later danced in front of his seated wife with his hands on her head, gesticulating his hips in rather gross fashion) loudly booed. Martin, on the piano, smirked, but did not look over. We were standing about 15 feet away from him. The wife tried to quiet her heckling husband, and he said something to the effect of, “No! He f-ing brought it up.”
This little exchange from Friday night points up a fact which Martin, the Brit, mentioned to the crowd of 15,000: this is a very exciting time in America, and an exciting election. For my part, I’ll be monitoring the situation from the best vantage point possible: behind the sure-to-be-hectic scenes at a German CNN-like live TV news election night broadcast, stationed just off the mall in D.C. I’ll have my pocket German-English dictionary in tow. Meanwhile, we hope that you vote. Here’s a little poll we took at The Dagger, on the presidential race, and Question 2, Maryland’s long-awaited slots referendum.
Kristi
For president: Obama
I think he’s the most trustworthy candidate I’ve seen in a long time and the most disciplined. He’s views most match my own.
Question 2: Yes
I think it could bring more jobs and increase tourism to Baltimore.
Steve
For president: McCain
Question 2: No
I’m voting for John McCain, even though it won’t matter because of thestate we live in. I like Obama’s personality and charisma, but his financial policies are about as opposite from my own as possible. I also think he does not have the experience necessary for the oval office. The selection of Biden certainly doesn’t help in my eyes as well.
McCain is the lesser of two evils for me this election. McCain circa 2000 would have allowed me to come to a decision much quicker. I feel this version has bent over backwards for his party, but I understand why he had to do it. Palin isn’t ready, but she isn’t running for president.
Slots: No way, and I mean that, no way. This may seem harsh, but I don’t understand how anyone can vote for this referendum. I am not opposed to slots. I think we should have full casinos. But that fact that this is a constitutional amendment is absurd. We will be back at the polls in 2 years voting again to change the amendment because we need different locations or number of machines. Then again in 2012, 2014, and so on. Remember, the lottery is supposed to fund education too.
Brian
For president: Obama
Question 2: Not the no-brainer it should be
I’m not big on change. In fact, some people might assert that I can be rather resistant to it. But you don’t have to be a Democrat, Republican, economist or ecologist (and I’m none of the above) to see America is desperately in need of change. Maybe the kind of changes America, and indeed the world, need are beyond the scope of a single president or a new revenue stream for the state – but at this point I’ll take whatever change I can get.
Eight years ago, John McCain was the candidate for change. He wasn’t a Clinton/Gore Democrat. He wasn’t a Bush/Bush/Republican. He was his own man. What’s the word I’m looking for…oh yeah, he was a maverick. A lot can and has happened in those eight years. We’ve been attacked, we’ve gone to war, we’ve seen how fragile our economy and our way of life can be when the value of the dollar drops and the price of oil increases. McCain has changed too in those eight years. The messenger for change this year is Barack Obama. Is he inexperienced? Yes. Is he overhyped? Yes. Is he likely making promises he can’t possibly keep? Yes. Given that, is he still the best chance America has to turn things around? Undoubtedly.
Now, show me the money. The legalization of slot machine gambling in Maryland should be a no-brainer. The state already has state-sanctioned gambling in the form of the Lottery, Lotto and Keno – and does amazingly well with each. Anyone who opposes slots from a moral or religious perspective is likely a hypocrite. Have you ever been to the food court of a mall on a weekday afternoon and seen the soulless eyes staring into the Keno screens? Gambling is here and, if anything, slots will move those lost souls out of the malls and bars and into few state-licensed slots parlors.
But there is an issue that makes slots not quite the no-brainer this time around. Slot machine gambling wouldn’t just be legalized, it would be written into the Constitution of the State of Maryland. The locations would be virtually set in stone. There would be no chance to create a luxury, full-scale casino in the Inner Harbor (where I believe it should be) without amending the state Constitution, which isn’t all that easy – as we’re seeing.
I don’t like how it’s being delivered to us and if it were in my backyard you can be sure I’d pitch a fit, or move, but the truth is Maryland has long been left behind when it comes to gambling. By the time our parlors are up and running, surrounding states will have already upped the ante and added casinos with card games to their revenue streams. It all boils down to this: it’s a way to get money into the hands of the state without directly taxing residents of the state.
Actually, in both cases, it all boils down to change.
Carlin
For president: Obama
Question 2: No
Brian Young
For president: McCain
Question 2: A bad bill, but he’d rather talk about early voting, which is also no good
McCain will do more than stop earmarks; he’ll reign in the Appropriations committees that waste money on Bradley tanks, pet projects that no one needs, and bridges to no where. McCain will change the spending power structure in Washington, and that change will be what our economy needs to restore confidence. He restored relations with North Vietnam after they tortured him, and he will restore relations with the rest of the world. He’ll protect our country with the best understanding of foreign policy of any president headed into the Oval Office in a full century. Nuclear energy plans will give us energy independence, decrease pollution, and immediately cause an economic boom, and drilling now will keep OPAC from using collusion and monopoly to drive prices up. Change in Washington, sound foreign defense, strong foreign relations, economic prosperity, energy independence, and country first. McCain is the only candidate that brings all of these things to America.
Forget slots, which is settling for a bad bill just to try to make something happen. Early Voting is the big issue this election. Early Voting puts one polling place open for three days in each Republican county, and two extra polling places in each Democratic county, with Harford’s exceptions being placed in the two most democrat-leaning areas of the county. That it isn’t far on its face isn’t a big deal; that’s normally the way a party monopoly works. But Baltimore City already can’t find enough poll workers for one day, and now they need three more. Volunteers don’t want to do it, so staffing is an issue. There is no good location for extra polls, since schools are open, libraries are small and crowded, and VFWs won’t give up their liquor licenses. Early Voting will cost millions. The kicker? Other states have shown that Early Voting doesn’t actual increase voter turnout. So tell me, what’s the advantage? Vote no to Early Voting.
Matt
For president: Obama
Question 2: No
Because people who have those ridiculous bumper stickers of Calvin from Calvin in Hobbes pissing on some NASCAR number or some political candidate they happen to disagree with have had their chance to have someone they like in the White House. It’s our turn.
But that’s not the real reason. Show me a Republican who says John McCain is his ideal candidate. Someone who speaks to his notions of what this country is about, and where it should be headed. Someone who he believes has the intellectual curiosity and the depth of character to do right by Jefferson, Lincoln, Kennedy, King. That’s how I’ve felt about Obama since 2004. Do Republicans honestly feel that way about McCain?
On slots. No. Because I think slots parlors are shitty, and the ones they’re going to build under this bill are going to be little more than barns full ‘o slots – not exactly the shining temples to trash you find in Atlantic City. Why can’t we be better than our neighbors? Do we really want to follow West Virginia and Delaware’s lead on public policy issues?
So now that you know how The Dagger will be voting on the presidential election and slots referendum, where do you stand?
Heard a pro-slots commercial this weekend. If we don’t pass slots, the state will have to raise taxes by 700 million. How can anyone say this makes sense? Are there 700 million in budget cuts somewhere else? Slots will bring in no revenue to the state, other than the license fees, for the next 3-4 years.
Sounds like extortion to me. Did they say will or would …have to raise taxes?
Go Dagger !
I don’t remember the exact phrasing. I do remember another ad that said the opponents to slots want to raise taxes by 700 million, which can’t be true, since all the leaders that matter in annapolis support slots. Of course, the gov said that slots were immoral just 6 years ago.
Steve I’M gonna guess it depends on who owns the property or venues.
HdG has been touted as a slot location. I think slots are OK…but not as a main attraction. They may , in my opinion , be included in a major hotel or conference center…but at a extremely small percent of common area square footage. This would prohibit them from being the sole attraction at a venue.
Go Dagger !
Go OBAMA ! Can’t wait to play the slots!
Nothing is stopping you from playing them now other than a 30 minute drive. If you want to play them in Maryland, legally at least, you will be waiting at least 3 more years.
Also, I think that if a few of our other writers would have submitted their picks, I think we would have still been pretty even, with maybe a one-vote edge for Obama and slight edge against slots.
Transparency is what makes The Dagger great. We debate amongst ourselves over these issues, and often that leads to articles letting the audience in.
Just wait until our philosophy of sport debate hits the front page 🙂
What’s so bad about ‘having to go back every few years’ and vote for different slot locations and number of machines?
Would you rather that power be in the hands of the elected officials or directly in the hands of the voters?
Maybe Constitutional amendments are the way to go on big decisions like these. Let the people decide.
Because…
#1) Why should folks in Garrett County have any say in whether a slots parlor should be in Perryville rather than Elkton?
#2) How much money will be wasted on campaigning for small changes?
#3) It’s already going to take the state 3 years to open any parlors. Having to wait to vote to make any changes just delays revenue. With the way or state government does business, their projections will not come true because of the delays, and they will be “forced” to raise taxes to make up the difference.
Here is a questions for pro-slots folks (and remember, I’m not morally against them): How much infrastructure costs are needed for roads, police protection, fire, and other services the govt is supposed to provide when these parlors are built? Is this going to be paid for by the slots revenue directly, or from other tax-generated funds?
It’s the chicken and the egg argument. Someone at some point will have to decide where the slots will go. What’s worse having the folks from Garrett saying they should go in Perryville or having the 3 representatives from Garrett saying they should go in Perryville? At least this way, the people of Perryville can make a mobilized effort against it and spread the word statewide.
The money wasted campaigning for small changes only hurts those who contribute to political campaigns.
When you think of them as “Tax Parlors” it’s much easier to stomach the costs of infrastructure…
The people of perryville mobilizing versus the democrat-led majority of votors in the state of Maryland listening to their leaders telling them that it’s good to force slots on the citizens of a little town in cecil county. Won’t work. I would be wiling to bet that the garrett county reps are more in line with the cecil reps, and every other county outside of baltimore county, balt city, PG and Montgomery.
What percentage of voters could locate Perryville, let alone Cecil County, on a map? What’s the percentage that even know MD has a Cecil County?
What would work better is the state delegates and senators representing cecil county working with others to block moves in the state house. Not saying they would win, but there is a better chance that going against the O’Malley/Miller/Busch regime and their pro-slots contributors.
Another thought on slots (I’m on a roll…). If so many people were against the $700 billion economic bailout the federal government just passed out, can’t we draw a similarity to the idea that slots are needed to bail out the local horse racing industry?
Slots are a tax on the stupid and mathematically challenged. Go Slots.
Can I change my pres. pick? I’m voting for Zod. http://www.zod2008.com/
JJ you for got to mention the pawn shops that will spring up over night. plus the check cashing store front’s. asking you to bring your public assistance check we cash them all.
I believe that it is a mistake to open slots parlors in Maryland. Simply keeping up with surrounding states will not be good enough when the increased competition forces them to move to table games. Lets be a leader and not a follower by implementing full casino gaming.
Given the choice of a voluntary tax (slots) or a mandatory tax (raising sales tax, income tax, etc.), I will take voluntary every time. If some people can’t handle the freedom of choice whether or not to gamble, it is not the government’s job to deny the opportunity to those who can.
My vote is for McCain, surprised anybody?
With respect to both questions 1 and 2 I am dead set against them . Early voting is a sham at best. How about late voting too? I mean gee whiz I just couldn’t make it a week before so I want to have a week after too, gosh it’s only fair!
#2 is worse than a joke. Phil Dirt hit the nail on the head. If we want to get into this stuff then let’s go all the way. Full casino is the only way we take away from Delaware and WV. Slots are old hat. The legislature set us up really good on this one. The entire $660 million is already budgeted. If the slots fail they might have to go back to Annapolis and actually do their jobs for a change.
Do what you will about the other stuff on the ballot, but please vote no on 1 and 2.
Has anyone else received an alarming robo call? Richard Matthews who is running against Dutch Rupersberger is sending these calls. I answered a call at work today that started out ” Warning! Your phone line is now being tapped by the FBI……….” Dutch’s name was used at the end so I called his office to find out what was going on. This is BAD politicing if you ask me. I had no idea who Matthews even was but he lost my vote just by that call.
Your not the only one that got a call it’s being reported to the board of elections I think this is getting ridiculios.
Sad and vet;
I haven’t gotten that call yet, but remember this is the last day and any violation will only lead to a fine, some day! Voter fraud and outright lies are now expected as the norm in this country. I was the victim of a very malicious fraud in the last election here, and not one blasted thing can be done about it. I filed with the State, County and City election boards and other than an attempt by Joe Cassily, everybody just shrugged their shoulders.
Tomorrow across this country, there will be dead people voting, others will vote multiple times and the electronic voting machines will possibly actually record the votes correctly. And across this country the people in charge will do the “wink, wink, nudge, nudge number and our votes will be negated. God, I’m glad I had the chance to go to Viet Nam twice for this!
Dave I was a ware of the ”stink” that was stirred in your last election it was nothing more than mud slinging. honestly’ people want to believe lie’s & rumor’s I suppose it brighten’s there other wise boreing life.
Gary owen & sem-per fi
Mud slinging is one thing. I can take all of that that anyone wants to toss, but the crap put out by Art Helton and his cronies was outright slander and totally fraudulent! Remember that the Mayor and Council President both benefited from his largess.
For the record- since I forgot to give my picks…
McCain for President and no to slots. And the commercial reads… “you have 2 choices, raise 700 million in new taxes or vote yes to new slots that will direct 660 million into education”.
What a joke! So does the lottery- or at least it was suppose to right?
Well, some “anonymous” sweetheart left a lovely missive on the table in my workplace lunchroom today declaring that “black power anti-whites, Marxists, Jew haters, terrorists and mobsters” support Obama . I haven’t decided which I am yet… but I support Obama for many of the reasons described by the other black power anti-white, Marxist, Jew hater, terrorists and mobsters on this site.
As far as slots go- I opposed them when Ehrlich supported them and I oppose them now that O’Malley supports them. I guess I am a bipartisan black power anti-white, Marxist, Jew hater, terrorist mobster. Who knew?
curious…
Are you saying that we have that bile, en-mass, here too?
…….”for many of the reasons described by the OTHER black power anti-white, Marxist, Jew hater, terrorists and mobsters ON THIS SITE”…………
I thought that stuff was pretty isolated among some elitist acedemic wackos, race hustlers, bigots, and respected educaters, (oh ! and mad dog bombers).
Go Dagger !
Voted Obama and No to slots.
There wont be any money to play the slots except the redistribution money.
Go Dagger !
My wife and I voted at Aberdeen Middle School. We got there right at 7:00 and the lines were very long. We waited about 25 to vote. The lead judge was doing everything in her power to make it move efficiently and all of the volunteers were doing a great job. Man it’s good to be an American!
I got to my polling place at 6:50 a.m. and it only took me 30 minutes to get through once the doors opened. My sister voted in Baltimore City and it took her 3 hours to vote.
I got to Aberdeen Middle School at exactly 12:00 PM and it took me exactly 3 minutes to vote. The kids were very excited and are currently wearing their “I voted today” stickers proudly. They figured out how long it will be before each of them can vote for themselves… that was really cool!
My husband and I went and voted today, took about 10 mins. We both voted for Obama, we believe its time for change and Obama will be the one to stand up and fight for the middle class and low income Americans.
As for Question 2: I voted yes, our schools and teachers can benfit from slots, I’m all for it.
My wife and I vote for McCain/Palin, no to early voting and yes to slots. The reasons are simple: Obama is simply a first term Senator with no other experience. Just because he is a good public speaker or African-American is no reason to vote for or against him. We voted no to early voting becasue we believe it will be easier to committ voter fraud. We voted yes for slots because our public safety and education system could use the influx of finding.
We were also voted at Aberdeen Middle School (around 10:30am) and were able to complete the process in a matter of minutes. The staff was polite and very helpful.
Black, White, Red, Blue, I don’t care what color you are or wear, anyone who witnessed the scene at Grant Park in Chicago last night has to recognize that was the re-emergent moment for America.
It’s not about experience or tax policy or majority control of the House and Senate. America needed a moment and a chance to show the world that we’re still the greatest country on the planet.
Party affiliation should have nothing to do with it. Last night was a moment all Americans can and should be proud of.
Lets wish the man luck in his job. I just hope the people who put him where he is dont work as hard when he doesnt pay the debt owed to them. The radical elements that endorsed and helped him through many years, WILL come to collect.
When world leaders such as Hugo Chavez make statements such as..”I am ready to speak to the black man”….we see the attitude that many abroad that wish us ill will are already ramping up. They dont see what many Americans see. They only see somthing they can expliete…having bought the propoganda that America is patently racist.
I dont think Obama will appease them as they think he will. I hope not.
I waite for a slew of degrading comments from foreign leaders today….in the form of congratulations that Include comments that alienate most americans.
That having been said I wish America good luck with this administration. I wish Barak Obamna good luck.
Go Dagger !
I think the bigger re-emergent moment is on the international stage. Bush is hated around the world. The Dems have been campaigning on the premise that any Pub = Bush, and that’s been fed on news outlets internationally, so they believe that 100%. Hopefully this will repair our international standing with the citizens of other countries.
Except in the Sudan:
SUDANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ALI AL-SADIG
“We don’t expect any change through our previous experience with the Democrats. When it comes to foreign policy there is no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats.”
I think the Sudanese FM hits the nail on the head.
Go Dagger !
Richie your repub is showing. we all know. it’s going to be peach’s & cream the rest of the way’ I don’t like peach’s & not to fond of cream.but it is what it is.