Hedge Those Bets

Here's the deal, Mr. Speaker: Your big gamble isn't over.

Dear Sal DiMasi:

Well, that was a big win for you. We will be having no casinos here in Massachusetts any time soon. It was never clear why Governor Deval Patrick decided on this as a signature initiative; it's possible that he's a really big Wayne Newton fan, but I doubt it. Nevertheless, you beat him like a tin drum on the issue despite the fact that you were standing against what I would guess is the overwhelming opposition of most of your constituents. While I didn't grow up here, I have heard from several native Bostonians that games of chance are somewhat popular in the North End, which you represent in the Legislature. I admire your courage, and I think a lot of people on buses heading for Connecticut do, too. But in my capacity as Pundit for Hire ("Will Opine for Food"), I should tell you that you need to mend some fences back home. I would suggest a two-pronged strategy to cope with resistance from those people who would have preferred to leave their pension checks in Middleborough and not in Ledyard, Connecticut. The first is for you to drive a busload of them yourself - The DiMasi Cruiser - just to show that there are no hard feelings. The second thing you should do is host a Casino Night in the chambers of the Massachusetts House. I think the speaker's rostrum would make a nice place for a roulette wheel. The blackjack tables could go on the Republican side of the chamber, which has grown familiar over the years with the concept of going bust. I leave it to you where the craps layout should be. There are so many possibilities, I can't make up my mind.

Charles P. Pierce
Cpierce@globe.com