Dark days for the clown house?

During all the economic Sturm und Drang of the last two years, MGM Mirage has — to its great credit — not been shy about offering comps, discounts and promotions to keep people coming back. However, its latest promotional allowances at Circus Circus reek ever so slightly of sheer desperation. The include a 10% discount for AAA members, active-duty military personnel, seniors 62+, airline employees and travel agents. What, no discount for sanitation workers?

Also, Nevadans get 10% off for staying there two nights, 15% off for three. Is the citywide downdraft in room rates dragging the clown house over the edge? Or is a proliferation of empty land, projects in suspended animation (Fontainebleau, Echelon) and casinos in the ICU ward (Riviera) driving people away? Circus Circus was, the last time I visited, home to the most obnoxious timeshare pitchmen on the Strip, something else which never generates good word of mouth.