Free Speech and the working class

This is probably the most ridiculous thing casino workers could deal with working at Mystic Lake : no talking. Seriously. And that is on top of cancer causing second-hand smoke!

Beginning this summer, they have new core standards. These standards are very positive and guest-centric and not new in any real way. They are standards for the entire corporation. Then there are position-specific standards that are decided by those in charge of our department. The one Americans should take issue with is the "no-talking" standard. Specifically it states: "The team member refrained from unnecessary and/or personal inter-team member conversations while in the presence of guests or in visible guest areas."

The purpose of the no-talking standards is that( in their words): The team member should remain focused on the importance of guest service and leave personal conversation off the [work] floor. Team members should be circulating area spending available time with guests. Therefore, cordial hellos and goodbyes need not apply with those you work with. ( And they are being enforced! )

The First Amendment appears to not apply to American citizens working for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Of course, they also have rules that state talking about unions is grounds for dismissal. And this was a community living in squalor and dire poverty less than thirty years ago. Now they mimic the ruling class with such eloquent precision.

Incident with a few neighbors

I had an incident with some people at a town-home behind my residence. I do not know the details of how the town-home association resolves this situation, but I was assured that it would be resolved. But I am aware that they had some people living there that should not have been, and hope that the more responsible elements of the family were not punished for trying to help relatives out.

I am thankful that I do not have to leave my home in fear of some sort of physical attack. I have never felt that until this incident during my entire residency in Minneapolis. There are times when I may see an individual that I am wary of ( especially when I lived in Stevens Square ) but this rarely happens.

I think the best way to learn about an area that you live, especially one with a negative stigma like Phillips, you have to actually be engaged in it. You spend time outside at the park just sitting or reading a book. You go to neighborhood events, and you walk to the corner stores. You start to get a sense of "normal" in where you live and notice when something seems out of the ordinary.

I would like to thank the town-home association and the City of Lakes Community Land Trust for their work on this.