This latest tempest in a teaspoon has inspired a yawningly predictable reaction amongst Nevada politicians. The lone witty note was struck by Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority President Rossi Ralenkotter, who deployed irony in lieu of indignation: “While we appreciate Las Vegas is top of mind for the President, we would ask that he offer words of encouragement instead of criticism.”
As for the windbaggery of Mayor Oscar Goodman, Sens. Harry Reid & John Ensign, etc., before they vent, perhaps they ought to stop and think. Was the term “Vegas” being used symbolically rather than literally (much as S&G employs “the Boardwalk” as a euphemism of Atlantic City‘s casinos or “Peking” as a catch-all term for Sheldon Adelson‘s favorite government)? And has not Vegas enriched itself by marketing itself as a synonym for free spending and heedless excess (*cough*Golden Globe-winning The Hangover*cough*)? Thus, aren’t we reaping the consequences of what the LVCVA and others have sown so adeptly? The monetization of “Vegas” has succeeded rather too well, it would appear. Anybody remember “Shut up and play“?
Casino industry leaders don’t — or at least ought not — hop on the “We must defend Las Vegas’ honor” bandwagon. Why? Like a globe-trotting fundamentalist Mormon, they’ve assembled a harem of sister wives stretching from the United Kingdom to Macao. Vegas is the senior spouse in the compound but she’s just one of many now. That’s simply enlightened (?) self interest, but when Las Vegas is suffering because you can get a bite-sized version of the real thing at MGM Grand Detroit or Sands Bethlehem, you’re in a poor position to bluster about a situation you’ve helped create.
Anyway, our public “defenders” need to dial down the hyperbole — perhaps even take a few classes at the Ralenkotter Institute for the Advanced Study of Bon Mots.
Don’t forget Shelley Berkley was quick to vent, too. Consider the donations that these people get from the industry (it’s publicly listed) and you’ll understand why they recommend that you gamble your last dollar.
Obama makes a valid point. It’s singling out Las Vegas twice that’s problematic, but, even that, with a ‘glass half-full’ view, is easily spun into “Don’t spend what you ain’t got, but when you get healthy – I know just the place!!”
The voice of reason once again prevails. I love Las Vegas as much as any tourist, but instead of recognizing that a good deal of this is “the truth hurts” and trying to diversify the city a bit, it’s much easier to whine and bitch about how it’s an unfair comment. I live in a city that’s regularly been the scapegoat for years by comedians, politicians and anyone wanting to make a quick joke. There’s two things you can do whine about it or work harder to make sure they can’t make those jokes.