"Live Free or Die" -- Or Not

In New Hampshire poker halls are legal if sponsored by charity organizations. I find it curious that the home of "Live Free or Die" libertarians -- which prides itself on state liquor stores and such -- has been so resilient to gambling. But of course there are more drinkers than poker players. (It's always someone else's vice we can afford to be self-righteous about.) While I applaud the involvement of charities, I don't think they should be required. What consenting adults do with their money is their business.

But it's been nice to witness the opening of two poker halls over the last two months, in Milford and Brookline. My hometown rag announced the openings back in December:

Poker halls hit Milford, Brookline; Nashua says hold 'em

Nashua, my utopian abode, continues digging in its heels -- mostly for parking issues! Well, this is Nashua we're talking about. My fellow residents are a practical lot if nothing else.

It's the sanctimonius crusaders from across the state who really make my piles fester: the Granite Coalition Against Expanded Gambling. The article cites Chairman Jim Reubens as claiming that "gambling reduces quality of life", leading to addiction, which in turn increases bankruptcy, divorce, embezzlement, and child abuse. But all of this applies even more so to alcoholism. Sorry Jim, but solutions to these problems don't lie in prohibition.

I don't hold out much hope for Nashua. But at least there are some nearby towns making headway... and there's always Foxwoods when one needs to get away from this godforsaken state altogether.