obama "NOT WELCOME" in Las Vegas

[Team Sergeant]

Now that's funny..... harry reid should be next.....



Obama Backs Down After Anti-Vegas Remarks

LAS VEGAS -- President Barack Obama is known for having a way with words, but some lawmakers from Nevada wish he would pipe down about trips to Sin City.

After sparking a firestorm of criticism from Nevada's elected officials for suggesting that people saving money for college shouldn't blow it in Las Vegas, Obama told U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a letter that he wasn't saying anything negative about Las Vegas.

It was the second time since taking office that Obama singled out Las Vegas as a potential example of spending excessively.

"I was making the simple point that families use vacation dollars, not college tuition money, to have fun," Obama said, according to the letter released by Reid's office. "There is no place better to have fun than Vegas, one of our country's great destinations."

Obama said he always enjoys his visits to Las Vegas.

A White House spokesman referred to Obama's letter to Reid and said the administration had no further comment.

Perception and reputation are sensitive issues for Sin City as it struggles to find footing amid a two-year meltdown of foreclosures, bankruptcies and unemployment. Tourism is the Silver State's backbone, and several lawmakers said they were shocked that Obama singled out Las Vegas again after commenting last February that bailed-out banks shouldn't go to Las Vegas using taxpayer money.

"When times are tough, you tighten your belts," Obama said, according to a White House transcript of his appearance Tuesday at a high school in North Nashua, N.H.

"You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage," Obama said. "You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices."

The comments quickly sparked a flurry of reaction in the Silver State, which supported Obama in the 2008 election. Nevada had an unemployment rate of 13 percent in December.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said during a hastily called news conference that Obama is no friend to Las Vegas and would not be welcomed here if he visits.
continued:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010...vegas-remarks/

[Richard]

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said during a hastily called news conference that Obama is no friend to Las Vegas and would not be welcomed here if he visits.

Brings back memories of Dallas' attitude towards JFK in 1963.

Perception and reputation are sensitive issues for Sin City...

FWIW, I don't care much for Las Vegas - and as far as their sensitivity over the Sin City reputation they've openly promoted over the last half-Century - well...my Dad used to say, "When you step on a dog's tail - it'll yelp and try to bite you."

And so it goes...

Richard's jaded $.02

[Utah Bob]

At least he didn't say "You don't blow a bunch of cash at the Indian Casino..."

[Utah Bob]

And anybody with a wallet is welcome in Vegas, no matter what Hizzoner says.

[ZonieDiver]

I had cause to visit one of our Arizona casinos the other day. (My daughter designed the lighting in a restaurant and the nightclub, and I wanted to check out her work.) While walking through the smoke-filled casino floor to get to the escalator for access to the non-smoking 2nd floor (duh! Smoke rises, morons!), I took note of the slot-slinging patrons.

None were the "lovely well-dressed" people portrayed in casino ads. 90% plus were senior citizens (most very senior to me!). Many were dragging oxygen tanks with nasal canula as the gambled and smoked (IS that a good idea?), or scooting about in their Medicare-provided "Rascal"!

What a country! We take FICA from some 20-something starting a family and working as an ass't manager at Burger King to give to some 70-something so they can piss it away in a slot machine? Live your life as you wish; it is a "free" country.* However, don't do it on MY dime, or anyone else's dime, for that matter. Just my 2 centavos worth.

*Offer void in California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, District of Columbia, and other venues.

[Surf n Turf]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

We take FICA from some 20-something starting a family and working as an ass't manager at Burger King to give to some 70-something

ZonieDiver,
Therein lies the problem with the inter-generational transfers of wealth.
Pitting the young versus the old – The young saying it isn’t fair to tax me so heavily to support the non-working (including Seniors). The Older saying, wait a minute, I paid into Social Security all my life, I want my check !
Socialism has a price, and we are going to pay it, even if they “means test” Government programs, most seniors are going to get “their fair share”.
It ain’t right, It ain’t fair, but It ain’t gonna stop ---
SnT