Workers mark completion of steel frame as officials admire spee...

See progress at the Sands resort in Bethlehem. Anyone who's peered at the Sands casino site recently might have noticed a Christmas tree and an American flag perched atop the $800 million project rising from ...

[Baby Boomer]

They waited until I moved to Florida to build this. When I think of all the money I took into New Jersey and left there. When we come back up north to visit this will be the first place I will visit. Oh, maybe the second, the first is always Yocco's.

[Wow]

Isn't it amazing that when it comes to building a casino, there are no holds barred... But when it comes to accomplishing any kind of meaningful societal project, it takes many years, along with a lot of blood, sweat and tears? Our priorities in this country are screwed up.

[David-1206]

It's ironic that it is probably foreign steel that is being used to build the casino on what was once Bethlehem Steel....

[Wow]

Baby Boomer wrote:

They waited until I moved to Florida to build this. When I think of all the money I took into New Jersey and left there. When we come back up north to visit this will be the first place I will visit. Oh, maybe the second, the first is always Yocco's.

Oh, boo hoo for you. But anyway, if Yocco's is your taste in food, then this will be the right venue for you.

[Wow]

David-1206 wrote:

It's ironic that it is probably foreign steel that is being used to build the casino on what was once Bethlehem Steel....

It is. The Morning Call did an article about this fact several months back. And the jist of it was, "Oh well....you can't stop 'progress.'"

[Wow]

Please ignore me. I am an idiot!

[Say what]

With gas at $4.00 a gallon and rising and electricity bills about to skyrocket, and foreclosures climbing, does anyone have any money left to throw away in a slot machine?

[Bill Kearney - Philly]

If you look real close you will see this hanging from the Christmas tree.

A Casino Christmas Poem
By
Bill Kearney

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house was barely enough food to feed a mouse. Our stockings had holes, chimney no heat, I waited in hope they’d return from the casino with something to eat. I’m a child of parents who got into bed with an industry that puts dancing fruits, bars and bells in your head. My siblings were nestled all snug in their beds, this year it’s not sugar plums but despair in their heads. As I watch them drift off for a long winter’s nap, my prayers were for my parents to never go back. Then out in the driveway I heard such a crash, I ran to the window and threw up the sash. Those lights of disaster made my vision clear but I couldn’t comprehend what to my wondering eyes should appear, was it police cars and officers in full gear? Mom’s hysterical using words I dare not repeat. Dad’s thrown down so quick, now there’s no doubt our future is bleak. More rapid than alcohol and drugs it came, and those in our government swear its okay. Once legal they whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! "Now Harrah's! Now Sugarhouse! Now Mohegan Sun! On Foxwoods! On Philly Park! On Sands/Venetian! On Mount Airy! Throughout the state we’ll fill coffers for all! Now cash away! Cash away! Cash away all! Their money blows away in those slots like clouds in the sky, and so will their homes and families go by! So up to the house-top in debt they will be, with bankruptcy, foreclosure, and divorce bringing them to their knees. One day in Philly I heard a man say we must stop the breeding of casino gamblers today! He was dressed all in black, from his head to toe; he looked more like a gambler than a casino foe. His eyes-how they widen! His demeanor changed as he addressed the non-ill effects of casino gambling our government proclaims. His hands moved like pistons, his anger was seen as he exploited this industry like a well oiled machine. A bundle of safeguards he flashed out loud, things like no comps, no booze, and no credit aloud. Then he said something that made me think twice; “make casinos send monthly statements showing their sad plight.” I thought of my family and where we might be, if they got monthly statements and casinos never opened near me. Before he left I heard him say,“Merry Christmas to all” then he exclaim,“if we sit back and do nothing we’re all going to pay and those long sleepless nights may come your way.”

I've just about finished my casino documentary, check out what I've done so far and let me know what you think.

Part 1 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14777991HqeDbkfE

Part 2 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1478320872rs2KCc

Part 3 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14787210ZeQcTpsY

Part 4 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14791467XWJ3wayk

[Kooper]

With that $25,000 collected every day will come the problems that Atlantic City has proven follows the arrival of casinos.

[eights and aces]

Bill Kearney - Philly wrote:

If you look real close you will see this hanging from the Christmas tree.
A Casino Christmas Poem
By
Bill Kearney
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house was barely enough food to feed a mouse. Our stockings had holes, chimney no heat, I waited in hope they’d return from the casino with something to eat. I’m a child of parents who got into bed with an industry that puts dancing fruits, bars and bells in your head. My siblings were nestled all snug in their beds, this year it’s not sugar plums but despair in their heads. As I watch them drift off for a long winter’s nap, my prayers were for my parents to never go back. Then out in the driveway I heard such a crash, I ran to the window and threw up the sash. Those lights of disaster made my vision clear but I couldn’t comprehend what to my wondering eyes should appear, was it police cars and officers in full gear? Mom’s hysterical using words I dare not repeat. Dad’s thrown down so quick, now there’s no doubt our future is bleak. More rapid than alcohol and drugs it came, and those in our government swear its okay. Once legal they whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! "Now Harrah's! Now Sugarhouse! Now Mohegan Sun! On Foxwoods! On Philly Park! On Sands/Venetian! On Mount Airy! Throughout the state we’ll fill coffers for all! Now cash away! Cash away! Cash away all! Their money blows away in those slots like clouds in the sky, and so will their homes and families go by! So up to the house-top in debt they will be, with bankruptcy, foreclosure, and divorce bringing them to their knees. One day in Philly I heard a man say we must stop the breeding of casino gamblers today! He was dressed all in black, from his head to toe; he looked more like a gambler than a casino foe. His eyes-how they widen! His demeanor changed as he addressed the non-ill effects of casino gambling our government proclaims. His hands moved like pistons, his anger was seen as he exploited this industry like a well oiled machine. A bundle of safeguards he flashed out loud, things like no comps, no booze, and no credit aloud. Then he said something that made me think twice; “make casinos send monthly statements showing their sad plight.” I thought of my family and where we might be, if they got monthly statements and casinos never opened near me. Before he left I heard him say,“Merry Christmas to all” then he exclaim,“if we sit back and do nothing we’re all going to pay and those long sleepless nights may come your way.”
I've just about finished my casino documentary, check out what I've done so far and let me know what you think.
Part 1 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14777991HqeDbkfE
Part 2 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1478320872rs2KCc
Part 3 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14787210ZeQcTpsY
Part 4 - http://www.veoh.com/videos/v14791467XWJ3wayk

good one bill. you're still a whiney pants loser but at least you're creative. The casino is coming - TS

[True American]

David-1206 wrote:

It's ironic that it is probably foreign steel that is being used to build the casino on what was once Bethlehem Steel....

I believe the steel is from North Carolina.

[The River]

Wow wrote:

Isn't it amazing that when it comes to building a casino, there are no holds barred... But when it comes to accomplishing any kind of meaningful societal project, it takes many years, along with a lot of blood, sweat and tears? Our priorities in this country are screwed up.

Good point. To add to that point, if this was any other project it would never have been built on this site. The whole environmental impact study was conveniently skipped here. Everybody knows what is in the ground there..... and we all know the site was not properly cleaned up.
Yeah MCALL, "big news" and what a "surprise" that the construction of an institution that steals money from the population is probably ahead of schedule.

[Vinnie the nose]

How long will it be before Tony and Paulie are making monthly visits to pick up their "share?"

[Forks Gal]

Though I'm sorry to see casinos coming to Bethlehem, I'm grateful no one has gotten hurt!

[Mr Negativity]

Good News! The destruction of the Lehigh Valley is right on schedule!

[south side cracker]

I am almost positive the steel is american. I thought it was from Mittel Steel the domestic plant that hurt the steel first and that was the " irony"

[Speaking the truth]

Wow wrote:

Please ignore me. I am an idiot!

We figured this out already!

[for the record]

south side cracker wrote:

I am almost positive the steel is american. I thought it was from Mittel Steel the domestic plant that hurt the steel first and that was the " irony"

Nucor, an American company, produced the steel.

[Andy]

Say what wrote:

With gas at $4.00 a gallon and rising and electricity bills about to skyrocket, and foreclosures climbing, does anyone have any money left to throw away in a slot machine?

I know I will becuase the trip to Atlantic City take alot of money in gas, now I have more for gambling...woohoooo!!!!!!

[Andy]

My last post should say......."the trip to Atlantic City takes alot...."