What Rough Beast Slouches Towards Bethlehem?

I am intrigued by this story of how the local residents of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania are up in arms about a proposed mega-entertainment casino complex (see NPR story).

From the article -

"The Las Vegas-based Sands Casino company wants to put 3,000 slot machines at the steel mill site. The $350 million project will also feature a monorail and a National Museum of Industrial History. Local officials see the casino plan as a way to help ease $374 million in city debt -- about half the profits would go into local government coffers."

In any case, just like Atlantic City, even if successful, this should have minimal efect on Las Vegas tourism.


After thought: Hmmm... I wonder if Billy Joel will have to rewrite his song, Allentown...

Well we're living here in Allentown
And they're closing all the factories down (Where they've closed all the factories down)
Out in Bethlehem they're killing time (Out in Bethlehem they are marking time)
Filling out forms
Standing in line
Well our fathers fought the Second World War ( Fathers competing for a job on the casino floor)
Spent their weekends on the Jersey Shore (Taking business from the Jersey Shore)


etc.,etc.,...

Sorry, Mr. Joel!