Sands christens Valley's new casino-hotel

After more than three years of state hearings and heated local debate about where to allow gambling, and how it should be done in Bethlehem, the city's casino finally has a name.

[John]

This is preposterous. How could we allow a new area venture to be named sensibly? Heaven forbid MEN are making business decisions.

This casino should be run by women with feelings. Certainly not by anyone with business sense.

I say that everyone within 100 miles should be offended that the name is not "Christmas Piggy Playhouse" or "Funtown Pooky Playfun Playplace".

But then again the place wont go in to its inagural season as a loser. Hmmm.

[Ahem]

In Las Vegas, the Sands has always been a classy operation.
However, I lived in Las Vegas when it was still the size of Allentown and I can tell you that when the lights aren't dazzling you anymore after the first week or two, you can see what a morally depraved area it is. Every drifter and 'free-mealer' that can get there, is there, from several states nearby. Crime increases, people aren't trustworthy.
You have to watch your back for scams on an increased level. It's just bad business all around.
And since we already see how fast they want to ramp up to full bore casino games, we'd be nuts to take it all lightly.

[observer]

Ahem wrote:

In Las Vegas, the Sands has always been a classy operation.
However, I lived in Las Vegas when it was still the size of Allentown and I can tell you that when the lights aren't dazzling you anymore after the first week or two, you can see what a morally depraved area it is. Every drifter and 'free-mealer' that can get there, is there, from several states nearby. Crime increases, people aren't trustworthy.
You have to watch your back for scams on an increased level. It's just bad business all around.
And since we already see how fast they want to ramp up to full bore casino games, we'd be nuts to take it all lightly.

Look at the towns with one or two casinos, NOT Vegas.

[eights and aces]

observer wrote:

<quoted text>
Look at the towns with one or two casinos, NOT Vegas.

you are right observer. these holier than thou cry babies are OVERstating their case - it's one casino - but then the city is overreacting also - 20 cops -give me a break

[Bill Kearney - Philly]

I’m not from Bethlehem and have only been there a few times around the holidays and I always like the name The Christmas City. Now with casinos I will refer to it as The Misfits City. I never liked the name BETHWORKS CASINO I thought BETHJERKS CASINO was more appropriate. Or how about The BENDOVER CASINO or The GREASEUP CASINO where on opening day the casino dopes will receive a jar of VESELINE with their COMPCARD.

Check out this documentary I'm working on that's going to expose the casino operators along with those so-called pillars of society who are in bed with the gaming industry and who have done nothing to stop the casino casualties from coming home. Open this link it will give you an idea of what the documentary will be addressing. http://blip.tv/file/707657/

[Witness]

" The QuickSands in Bedlam " would be quite appropriate.

[Ragland T Tiger]

"Sands christens Valley's new casino-hotel"
As someone who believes Baptism is a sacrament, the Morning Call's insensitivity to Christian tradition astounds me.

I guess "Political Correctness" doesn't extend to this religion.

Bad Mcall, Bad.

[BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN]

ANY KIND OF GAMBLING IS SIN!GAMBLING CAUSES MURDER,ROOBBERIES,DIVORCES,EVI CTIONS,HOMELESSNESS,HOSTILITY BETWEENFAMILY,RELATIVES AND FREINDS!SOME CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT GOD TELLS THEM WHAT NUMBER TO PICK TO WIN.GOD HATES SIN! SATAN HAS DECEVIED THEIR MINDS!

[Interesting Thoughts]

Ragland T Tiger wrote:

"Sands christens Valley's new casino-hotel"
As someone who believes Baptism is a sacrament, the Morning Call's insensitivity to Christian tradition astounds me.
I guess "Political Correctness" doesn't extend to this religion.
Bad Mcall, Bad.

I'd refer you to dictionary.com , and perhaps looking up the word "christen." It can mean: to name and dedicate: to christen a ship.
Note that the MCall did not use the word Baptism, which is a Sacrament.

[Watchdog]

So how long do you think it will be before table games and then additional casinos along the "Steel Strip"??

Only a matter of time---the camel has only just stuck his head under the tent.

[Great Documentary Bill K]

Wow, that video is great and says it all. Not sure what can be done, though, now that the horses have left the barn in PA and especially a state and local government that is in bed with the casinos.

[Sneekie Pete]

Should have named it the Lehigh Valley Sands, after all the Iron Pigs had to be called Lehigh Valley iron Pigs and not the Allentown Iron Pigs. They wanted everyone to share the pride.

[LCCGrad]

It should of been LV Sands but Bethlehem's politicians are GREEDY! They want all the glory! Please clean up your city and make other parts like Main St and 3rd Street!

[Ragland T Tiger]

I suggest you learn how to read and use a dictionary; your citation is the tertiary definition. I have listed the reference below, the first two meanings have to do with the sacrament. I don't believe that this was an oversight on the part of the reporter. It was callous and crude.

Interesting Thoughts wrote:

<quoted text>
I'd refer you to dictionary.com , and perhaps looking up the word "christen." It can mean: to name and dedicate: to christen a ship.
Note that the MCall did not use the word Baptism, which is a Sacrament.

chris·ten &#712;kr&#618;s&#6 01;n/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kris-uhn]–verb (used with object)
1. to receive into the Christian church by baptism; baptize.
2. to give a name to at baptism: They christened her Mary.
3. to name and dedicate: to christen a ship.
4. to make use of for the first time.

[wwwhhooo]

well I don't know about all you, but I can't wait! It should be a good time and nice and close! maybe some of those people living in Bethlehem can get jobs nice and close to home and stop sucking money out of my paycheck!

[Bill]

Ragland, please. What a stretch. I'm a Christian, and I take absolutely no offense whatsoever. It was neither callous nor crude. What horrible witness you give to our faith when you act in such a hypersensitive and, frankly, wrong way.

[cantctogud]

it sounds like a rinky-dink casino compared to foxwoods in Ct. Foxwoods opens its brand new mgm grand this weekend....in addition to its worlds largest casino and bingo hall See it to believe it only 4 hours away

[jones]

Meanwhile back in Jerusalem the paper released the names of the three American busunessmen that were questioned in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert bribery investigation .

Israeli law prohibits political donations of more than a few hundred dollars.

Sheldon Adelson
Morrris"moshe"Talans ky
Daniel Abrahams

Goodbye gaming in Israel Sheldon.

[Ragland T Tiger]

Bill wrote:

Ragland, please. What a stretch. I'm a Christian, and I take absolutely no offense whatsoever. It was neither callous nor crude. What horrible witness you give to our faith when you act in such a hypersensitive and, frankly, wrong way.

Many Christians find the presentation of a crucifix in urine to be acceptable "art", it's a big tent y'know.

I personally find it too much of a coincidence that a reporter with the surname "ASSAD" chose a verb which has as its root "Christ" and primary meaning "baptism" when writing an article about a local enterprise which many consider to be morally reprehensible.

Better he should call it the Mecca of the Lehigh Valley.

Anyway, I find your criticism an interesting interpretation of "bad witness".

[BOB]

You may call yourself a 'CHRISTIAN' however you are anything but Christ-like. Your bigoted assumptions give away your true creed. Have you ever heard of the vast numbers of Syrian and other middle eastern Christians?(Not that it matters what faith Matt believes in).

Ragland T Tiger wrote:

<quoted text>
Many Christians find the presentation of a crucifix in urine to be acceptable "art", it's a big tent y'know.
I personally find it too much of a coincidence that a reporter with the surname "ASSAD" chose a verb which has as its root "Christ" and primary meaning "baptism" when writing an article about a local enterprise which many consider to be morally reprehensible.
Better he should call it the Mecca of the Lehigh Valley.
Anyway, I find your criticism an interesting interpretation of "bad witness".