THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 6, 1995 TAG: 9503020015
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
No one could fail to be moved by the Feb. 22 story about the woman who committed suicide, apparently the result of squandering her family's mortgage money and savings through gambling. While not demeaning this tragedy, I was curious as to why this report, written by a reporter from Kansas City about an incident in Illinois, demanded front-page coverage in Hampton Roads. Was it an attempt to further drive a stake into the heart of riverboat gambling in Virginia?
No doubt opponents will seize on this tragedy as one more reason to keep casino gaming out of the Old Dominion. But let's read between the lines of this episode. How is it that her husband did not know for 17 months that his wife wasn't paying the mortgage? Why didn't the mortgage company foreclose much sooner? Were her ``frequent'' visits to the riverboat that much of a secret from family and friends?
As a proponent of riverboat gaming in Virginia, and the entertainment and economic stimulus it will provide, I am not naive enough to believe that some people won't gamble more than they should.
There are people who drink more than they should, but we're not going to close down liquor stores, bars and lounges.
There are people who drive too fast, but we don't stop manufacturing cars, nor do we take away driving privileges from most of these people.
There are people who shoot other people, but we are making it easier to buy guns. We don't ban handguns.
Why?
Because the vast majority of us are capable of regulating our behavior, to accept opportunities like this that admittedly carry some risk but also demand responsibility.
RUTH S. ROTHMAN
Virginia Beach, Feb. 27, 1995 by CNB