Build a casino at Suffolk Downs now, and be snappy about it, the East Boston Chamber of Commerce says. Jim begs to differ:

... It seems to me that the expected benefits will be outweighed by the negative consequences of situating such an operation so close to an urban residential neighborhood; that the state revenue number quoted is almost certainly overblown; that Suffolk's recent philanthropy is clearly part of a strategy to enlist local support (Why not spend thousands in order to make millions?); and that [owner Richard] Fields' "pledge" [to buy local] will likely be discarded the first time he can save a penny per item on something that he needs in quantity. ...