Gettysburg Casino

**Xiahou** · 06-23-2005, 02:42

Here.

The investors' group, Chance Enterprises, has proposed building a 200-room hotel and a casino that would initially have 3,000 slot machines on a 42-acre site less than two miles from the Gettysburg National Military Park.

In a statement announcing the plan, David LeVan, a local businessman who is the president of Chance Enterprises, said the casino "will provide added amenities for the millions of tourists who already visit our historical sites. They will have an added incentive to stay in our area longer, thereby spending more dollars."

John Brabender, a consultant to Chance Enterprises, said the casino would not have a Civil War theme and would not exploit Gettysburg's heritage.

"What we are concerned about is that these local groups don't jump to an opinion about it," he said. "We have offered to work with all the historic groups so they can be assured that whatever the facility would look like, whatever themes would be used, would not be in conflict with the character of the area."

A casino built on/near the site of one of the bloodiest battles ever on American soil.... what do you think?

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 06-23-2005, 02:44

And that is such beautiful country, too.

I think more distance would be in order.

Stupid... business.

**Don Corleone** · 06-23-2005, 02:50

Hey there Alex, you're a Conservative! No such thing as stupid business.

All kidding aside, I think this shows an utter lack of decorum. I go to Gettysburg at least once every other year, and I'm full enough of piss & vinegar to go throw a one man protest in front of the place my next trip through.

Among the people that would do this.... no honor, no thankfulness, no shame.

**Don Corleone** · 06-23-2005, 03:02

This is outright blashphempy. I'm all about turning a profit, but....

... I do so want to cuss. This is where our forefathers shed their blood over what kind of freedom we would enjoy in this country. This is where we learned just how terrible warfare can be. I wrote to the author of your article, and one of a nearby newspaper. Should I get contact information for this "Chance Enterprises", I urge you all to join me in a letter-writing & phone campaign that will make them reconsider the wisdom of their decision.

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 06-23-2005, 03:04

Well, I'm conservative and this casino thing is change so naturally I'm opposed to it.

The one time I was there is was just great. The sense of history, actually seeing stuff that was in the battle, and once again the really nice surroundings.

Among the people that would do this.... no honor, no thankfulness, no shame.

I agree.

**Oaty** · 06-23-2005, 03:17

Don Corleone Since you go there every year what's the basis of taking down the gettysburg tower or was that just a rumour I heard. I used to live in Pennsylvania and have been there many times. But it is my understanding the tower got taken down for historical preservation. And if they tore down an observation tower why the hell put a casino in there

http://www.gettysburg.com/bog/tower.htm

http://www.gettysburgaddress.com/HTMLS/tower.html

I'll read further into it but that tower is definately not near as offensive as a casino. Casino's don't bother me but considering the preservation they are trying to keep I don't see how a casino can outdo a tower

**Oaty** · 06-23-2005, 03:24

Ok I read a bit into that even though it was on private property congress authorized the aquisition of the property to take down the tower. Although I don't understand the full extent of it, the tower did give a good view of the overall battlefield but historians wanted it removed.

**Byzantine Prince** · 06-23-2005, 03:10

Originally Posted by Don Corleone

Among the people that would do this.... no honor, no thankfulness, no shame.

Meh, the type of people who would desicrate a battlefield are the same people kind of people who rape the environment, and con people out of their money on a daily basis, so why should this stand in their way?

Frankly I'm not surprised. I'm just surprised this hasn't hapened earlier.

**JAG** · 06-23-2005, 04:21

Originally Posted by Alexander the Pretty Good

Stupid... business.

You have said something that I can hands down say I totally agree with.

You never know soon, you might be saying splendid state!

Anyway as to the thread, I have to say I find it rather saddening. Waterloo battlefield has been totally spoilt now looks like Gettysburg is down that road, and that is very depressing.

The two battles that helped define the two most powerful continents of the modern world as much / more than any others, being totally ruined just doesn't seem right to me.

**JAG** · 06-23-2005, 04:24

BTW - I do love all these free marketeers worrying and blaming the free market for doing what it is simply designed for. It makes you think - there might be some chance for you.

It is also a perfect example of how the free market alone is not good enough, it does need to be seriously amended to fit a more decent model.

**Don Corleone** · 06-23-2005, 04:27

Jag,
You believe in the right to consume alcohol, do you not? If your sister showed up to mother's funeral piss drunk, would you be offended?

I actually dont' see a contradiction here. Despite what you think about us objectivists, we can agree with you, there is such a thing as taste. Any ground you're hoping to gain probably begins and ends here.