Saratoga Backstretch Article

[randallscott35]

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/..._saratoga.html

[randallscott35]

How does this compare for the backstretch workers at other tracks?

[parsixfarms]

Imagine that. An anti-horse racing piece from The Daily News.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Imagine that. An anti-horse racing piece from The Daily News.

Not really the point. If it's a problem, it's a problem.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Not really the point. If it's a problem, it's a problem.

I agree that conditions should be improved, but recongize that there's an agenda behind the piece and it has nothing to do with improved backstretch conditions.

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

I agree that conditions should be improved, but recongize that there's an agenda behind the piece and it has nothing to do with improved backstretch conditions.

Oh so there isn't a money-saving agenda from the other side?

So since there is an agenda should they just ignore it?

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Oh so there isn't a money-saving agenda from the other side?

So since there is an agenda should they just ignore it?

Lets not make this a black white thing.

[parsixfarms]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Oh so there isn't a money-saving agenda from the other side?

So since there is an agenda should they just ignore it?

Apparently, you missed the part where I agreed that backstretch conditions should be improved.

In this case, the message, however, is obscured by the messenger.

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

Apparently, you missed the part where I agreed that backstretch conditions should be improved.

In this case, the message, however, is obscured by the messenger.

1. expose agenda
2. worry about conditions

You're a saint!

[clyde]

Originally Posted by HomerS

There is an agenda behind virtually everything we see, read and hear. Whether intentional or not.

Does not mean we should bury our head in the sand and ignore possible attempts at manipulation but also dont think just saying someone has an agenda is reason alone to discount something.

Someone can have an agenda and be 100% truthful and accurate.

PopFly is an agenda thief...can't be trusted.

"Newspapers have agendas. They want bad news"

OMG!!

Well lets just disregard that article because those god-damned liberal newspapers have an agenda. We've got to keep the facade up that we're the greatest race track on earth and when you come here the fountain in the infield will make you at least two years younger.

[Clip-Clop]

OMG! Poor people have bad living conditions! This is shocking, thank you NY's Hometown Paper. Where would we be without these hard hitting articles. Please.

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by Clip-Clop

OMG! Poor people have bad living conditions! This is shocking, thank you NY's Hometown Paper. Where would we be without these hard hitting articles. Please.

Yes, backstretch workers deserve cages don't they. This is a horse racing board. This has nothing to do about being poor.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Yes, backstretch workers deserve cages don't they. This is a horse racing board. This has nothing to do about being poor.

Not at all where I was going, of course they don't. No more than anyone else does. That said, my comments were more about the revelation this article provides (none). This might not be common knowledge to anyone outside the sport but by the same token; landscapers in NJ, fruit pickers in CA and restaurant workers in Manhattan share very similar conditions. Hopefully this will not always be the case.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by HomerS

So what do you think are best way to address such situations?

Publicizing these types of issues has done very little for inner city projects throughout the years. This is a similar type of circumstance, no? These are, in effect, public housing, which I am not sure if you have lived there but they are not well known for upkeep.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by HomerS

The difference here is you have people in public housing without jobs or working at different places. Here the people all work and on location.

Also, not like there is rampant crime or anything going on.

Just seems like with all the money that bettors put into the game that some of it could find its way to improving conditions.

This is why it makes sense to do something about it. These are hard working good people.
I do agree, the issue is that history has shown that it is unlikely to happen as long as the state gov't is in charge. Not well known for sharing with the less fortunate under any circumstances, despite news coverage. I have never worked a backstretch, but did know a guy at MTH who said it was "OK", didn't get much into details honestly but he had no specific complaints.

Originally Posted by HomerS

The difference here is you have people in public housing without jobs or working at different places. Here the people all work and on location.

Also, not like there is rampant crime or anything going on.

Just seems like with all the money that bettors put into the game that some of it could find its way to improving conditions.

Except for the crime part. Backstretches can get rowdy at times.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by HomerS

The difference here is you have people in public housing without jobs or working at different places. Here the people all work and on location.

Also, not like there is rampant crime or anything going on.

Just seems like with all the money that bettors put into the game that some of it could find its way to improving conditions.

Honula lies.


She lies.

[Clip-Clop]

Originally Posted by clyde

Honula lies.


She lies.

Choctaw?

[Cannon Shell]

If you took one of the dorms and put it on Saratoga Lake they would be calling it rustic. They aren't luxury apartments but are hardly squalor. People camping around lake george pay good money for similar.