ah man... lawsuits hit a new low...

[MissJacksonCA]

http://www.gainesvillesun.com/article/20080308/NEWS/262806003

At some point will people just bloody well accept responsibility for their actions? I mean damn!

[fartpants]

is there anything you americans wont sue each other over ??

[Khardis]

is there anything you americans wont sue each other over ??

No, there is nothing we wont sue each other over. Is there ever a time that you British aren't pompous asses? Was there even a reason to put "Americans" in your troll or were you just trying to sound like an arrogant douche?

[MinionZombie]

No, there is nothing we wont sue each other over. Is there ever a time that you British aren't pompous asses? Was there even a reason to put "Americans" in your troll or were you just trying to sound like an arrogant douche?
Or how about it was a throw away remark considering there is an established stereotype of America being a rather litigious country.

If you find offense from certain remarks, how about biting your tongue and not singling yourself out time and again with acerbic come backs?

[fartpants]

i said americans because it was about americans suing americans ... oh-no do i sound pompous again Khardis

[MissJacksonCA]

I think that we like to try and set the standard for some things and perhaps this was a move on her part to set a standard of accountability in casinos. To be entirely honest I have little respect for people who lose money in the casinos but its an addiction like any other that often leads people to suicide. If a person who drinks at a bar because they're over served alcohol dies in a car wreck on the way home that establishment is held responsible because they knowingly got them intoxicated (often just to get a bigger tip and take their $$$) so why should casinos be any different? If they drive a person to the brink of sanity and continue to let them play knowing they're going without food, water, and rest perhaps they are somewhat responsible for things that person does once they leave. Should there be a board of ethics in a casino that oversees their actions with gambling addicts? Perhaps this lawsuit will demand one in the future.

[DeadJonas190]

People who lack self control have no right to blame other people. Casinos are not responsible for people's addiction. This is another case of "It's not my fault even though I did it to myself so somebody else should pay!" that so many people have. When will people accept personal responsibility for their actions instead of blaming others. Ultimatly it is not the casino that makes the choice for somebody to sit there and gamble away their life saving, it is that person who chooses to do so.

This is truly disgusting.

[kortick]

I worked in a casino and hey do not want you to leave.
They have no care for your well being.

in fact if you are a high roller they will give you
anything to keep you.

and as far as the exclusion list, its a joke

I myself have put people on the list.
they do it in a moment of clarity,
but that list doesnt stop them from getting in.
there is no one at the door checking to see
if you are on the list.

and all they do if they find out you are there is make you leave.
the only time they involve the law is when you have
been banned for unruly behavior. self exclusion is up to you.

I have had people come up to me crying cuz they spent all
the money they had and didnt know how they were
gonna pay bills and feed their kids.

one guy climbed a radio tower outside and was up there
til 3 am until the fire dept convinced him not to kill himself.

Its not at all pretty, and the casinos are far from innocent.

the best was when gave us a hand out that said when
we are approached by an upset person who lost a lot of money
our response was to be "well, next time you will do better"
far from telling people to get help, they were saying "hey loser,
when you get more money come back, dig your grave deeper"

unless you worked for a casino, you dont know how evil they are.

[SymphonicX]

Some could argue that McDonalds is just as evil and addictive - wait...people sue them for being obese too....
CHrist...

I guess I should sue Microsoft for wasting all my time on the Xbox 360...

Or sue George Romero for making me watch Dawn of the Dead too many times...I mean...he made the movie...he should be accountable.

OR....maybe I should have the self awareness enough to realise when my gambling is out of control and that I'm jeapordising my life, and excersise a bit of self control by staying away. We make our own beds...Casinos will always be there, as will Mcdonalds - its the bane of the free market...those things are all bad for us...its just down to us to stop ourselves from going off the rails - if you can't cover your own ass then no one will.

[kortick]

maybe I should have the self awareness enough to realise when my gambling is out of control and that I'm jeapordising my life, and excersise a bit of self control by staying away.

I don't say this to be snotty or a jerk,
but one day when you grow up and you
truly understand addictions and the people who prey on them,
you will be embarrassed of comparing problem gambling to mcdonalds.

you obviously dont understand a true addiction if you think
breaking it takes saying "wow this is bad, i'm gonna stop"

sorry, the world don't work that way, all nice and tidy.

I wish everything you said in your post was true.
I really, really do.

[SymphonicX]

I don't say this to be snotty or a jerk,
but one day when you grow up and you
truly understand addictions and the people who prey on them,
you will be embarrassed of comparing problem gambling to mcdonalds.

you obviously dont understand a true addiction if you think
breaking it takes saying "wow this is bad, i'm gonna stop"

sorry, the world don't work that way, all nice and tidy.

I wish everything you said in your post was true.
I really, really do.

Having grown up with alcoholic parents, and consoled my very own fiancee about her alcoholic mother, having my uncle hang himself due to alcohol addiction and being on the wrong side of one too many fizzy drinks myself (lol), I can safely say that I have "grown up" and can also safely say I am perfectly aware of the nature of addiction. Thanks :)

I'm having to write, and rewrite this because its not exactly coming out the way I want it.

Bottom line is this, its either a case of ban all casinos or don't. Gambling is just as dangerious as alcohol and tobacco, hard drugs etc, and as with those things there are support groups in place to help out people who are having problems. That's the coningency for people, the thread topic included, otherwise we'd ban everything that caused a bit of a problem for people...that includes: music, films, TV, books, gambling, alcohol, cigarettes and all tobacco, etc etc.

Why? Because all those things have had "victims" and with everything, have all had calls to be banned.

What it comes down to is, we either cater to the masses or to no-one at all. Anyone with half a straight mind would know that casinos are a dangerious place, and if she was mentally ill (which seems to be where your issues lie?) - well then that puts her in the very same "minority" that we refuse to ban alcohol and tobacco for (people who don't moderate properly).

It's always been down to the individual to get help for their gambling, alcohol problems, smoking etc...they are the modern pitfalls of life. I reckon if you're intelligent enough to open a lawsuit against someone, you're intelligent enough to know the dangers of gambling. What'd be said in any court, and what I'd agree with - even when in the context of my very own parents, is that at the end of the day, they are fully functioning, mature adults, and should know better...

Although, I do agree that gambling is evil - but that's why i don't do it...I win the lotto every week though, I don't play it so technically I've won 1000s on it by saving a quid every week. Sorted. I can make that decision as a fully functioning adult...so either the woman in question admits to being mentally unstable and seek help, or she should own up to the fact that she got carried away and blew her money for no good reason.

[kortick]

I am sorry for all the misfortune you had to suffer
and you helping those who needed you is a
very great thing.

But if someone compared your uncle hanging himself
to eating to much mcdonalds how would you feel?

banning everything isnt a solution
never has been

does this lady desrve money? No
was the casino preying on her knowingly? yes

but even with help of all kinds
some people cant break an addiction

and the people who profit by that
dont care.

that is what I am saying.

[SymphonicX]

I am sorry for all the misfortune you had to suffer
and you helping those who needed you is a
very great thing.

But if someone compared your uncle hanging himself
to eating to much mcdonalds how would you feel?

banning everything isnt a solution
never has been

does this lady desrve money? No
was the casino preying on her knowingly? yes

but even with help of all kinds
some people cant break an addiction

and the people who profit by that
dont care.

that is what I am saying.

ahh yes, I see what you're saying - totally right really, can't argue with it.

As for the uncle, I don't really get your statement but what I know is that people who have eating disorders, including those who gobble way too much junk food, are indeed making their own bed when they are aware of their problems and also the fact that there is another way - same for my uncle...he knew what he was getting himself into, yet he carried on to the detriment of everyone around him til he felt he had no choice but to take his own life - but there were plenty of people and organisations that would've helped him out....
he DID make a decision at one point...and not the right one either...

I guess its more testament to the world in general, how we're all living a very lonely life....no one really helps anyone else and there's certainly no safeguards for these pitfalls in modern life...you can only avoid falling, or fall and struggle to get back up again - no one's standing at the cliff edge helping people stay on firm ground....

[Mike70]

I reckon if you're intelligent enough to open a lawsuit against someone, you're intelligent enough to know the dangers of gambling.


that is exactly why this lawsuit should be thrown out on its ass. i am totally sick of adults trying to blame their idiotic behavior on other people/things/entities.

if you are an adult and you take an action of your own accord- you own it. nobody else does. you did it of your own volition, so don't come crying when it is time to pay the consequences.



If you find offense from certain remarks, how about biting your tongue and not singling yourself out time and again with acerbic come backs?


i don't think he can control himself MZ. he was supposedly born in 1981 but acts most of the time like he was born in 2001.


is there anything you americans wont sue each other over ??

no fartpants there seems to be no end to idiocy like this. someone sues mcdonalds because their coffee is hot (image that coffee being served hot! wow i am amazed) and sues because she/he wasn't told that the coffee was hot.

a guy sues a dry cleaners for 50 million because they lose a pair of his pants (which they offered to replace) thankfully he lost.

this list could go on and on and on.

[MinionZombie]

I think there should be "common sense enforcers" employed by the state, who are legally bound not to be influenced by the state, but by the law of common sense.

They would go around the country and slap idiots about and pass judgement upon the twisters of common sense.

Then there could be an "idiots on TV" channel where morons are paraded on screen to be shown up for being morons, coffee is hot, fast food makes you fat and unhealthy if you eat too much of it, a pair of sh*t-stained undercrackers are not worth 50 million squid...*sigh*...and then the world would be a better place. :D

[triste realtà]

I think there should be "common sense enforcers" employed by the state, who are legally bound not to be influenced by the state, but by the law of common sense.

They would go around the country and slap idiots about and pass judgement upon the twisters of common sense.

Would you like to pay for this? I'd pay if instead of slapping they got bullets.

Most programs are "idiots on TV" already.:(

[MinionZombie]

Would you like to pay for this? I'd pay if instead of slapping they got bullets.

Most programs are "idiots on TV" already.:(
It'd make Big Brother have more purpose than just celeb wannabes sitting in a house. :D