Native American tradition tells of a young brave climbing the
highest mountain in the late fall on his quest for manhood. As he
reaches the peak, a rattlesnake hisses out to him,
”
please help me; it is so cold, I cannot move and will die.
Dear Editor,
Native American tradition tells of a young brave climbing the highest mountain in the late fall on his quest for manhood. As he reaches the peak, a rattlesnake hisses out to him, “please help me; it is so cold, I cannot move and will die. Take me with you down to the valley.” The brave backs away, “Oh, but you bite and kill with your poisonous fangs,” he remonstrates. Ultimately, the snake persuades him with, “… yes, but I will treat you differently.” So the brave cautiously picks the snake up and places him near the warmth of his breast.
Upon reaching the valley, the brave gently places the snake on the ground. As he begins to step away, the snake strikes and bites him. The brave recoils, screaming out in pain: “how could you?” The snake replies, “you knew what I was when you picked me up!”
The gambling industry is slyer than the snake.
Beautiful Bonfante Gardens and Casa de Fruta are far more elaborate and wholesome than the quick-up hotel and parking lot of a typical “California Casino,” yet neither of them net even a small percentage of the typical casino take.
Who else could take so much of your money, give so little back, yet have you thanking them and coming back to give more?
It is this same calculated sophistication that has convinced other counties to allow casinos to set up shop, only to find out too late that the real numbers don’t add up. They never do “cause that’s how they make it work, my dear.”
It won’t be any different for us. And, like the rattlesnake, once they bite, there is no recourse.
Let’s be wiser than the young brave and just say no.
Darick Nordstrom, Hollister
