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Proposed casino near Gettysburg National Park denied license
The National Parks Conservation Association is applauding the decision of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to deny a license to a proposed casino near Gettysburg National Park. The Board felt that the gambling establishment, which would have opened less than a half-mile from the park, would be at odds with the solemn historical legacy and family friendly environment at Gettysburg.The proposed casino sparked a great deal of debate in the communities surrounding the park. It was believed that it would bring a much needed boost to the local economy and provide new jobs, but opponents called the plan an insult to soldiers that fought and died there. The Mason Dixon Resort & Casino was to include 600 slot machines and 50 table games in its bid to lure visitors through its doors.
The decision comes as the park kicks off a series of events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. The Battle of Gettysburg is seen as the definitive turning point in that war, when Union forces turned back an invasion of Confederate troops, led by Robert E. Lee. It is believed that both sides combined for more than 51,000 casualties over the three day battle, which ultimately led to the North claiming victory over the South. President Lincoln traveled to the site some months later to dedicate a national cemetery there. His Gettysburg Address would become one of the most famous speeches in history.
So what do you think? Would a casino so close to Gettysburg diminish the historical events that happened there? Would it be an insult to those soldiers or is the need for economic development more important than that legacy? Personally, I'm glad that the casino was voted down. In my opinion, there are plenty of places to build a casino further away from a place that should be seen as hallowed ground.
[Photo credit: National Park Service]
Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, History, Learning, North America, United States, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
GEORGE Apr 17th 2011 5:09PM
DO THEY BUY LOTTERY TICKETS IN GETTYSBURG? THATS GAMBLING.
Pops Apr 17th 2011 5:58PM
About time someone "GOT" some balls!!!!
Donna S Apr 17th 2011 7:19PM
JohnQ I'm sure you dont have to twist arms of the folks that go in casinos It's thier choice! No one is forcing them! If they want to spend and lose thier money it's thier choice! Dont be concerned over what others do, thier not getting into YOUR pockets!
John Q Apr 17th 2011 7:02PM
Donna, it sure does affect my pockets, even if I don't gamble. When welfare recipients gamble away their government checks it raises our taxes (mine AND yours) to feed more of these healthy, lazy incubators. Yes, most, not all, but most welfare recipients are healthy, lazy slugs who sponge off the system at our expense. I'm tired of supporting them, especially if they're going to flush the money down the casino toilets. By the way, get rid of the lottery too.
So again I say--get rid of all the casinos, ALL of them, that came after Vegas and Atlantic City. Casinos are the cancer of society. They take and take and add nothing. I have no particular fondess for Atlantic City and Vegas, but if people want to blow their money, at least make it more difficult for them. Make them travel.
t.white Apr 17th 2011 6:36PM
"hallowed ground"? theres no such thing as "hallowed ground". no casino at gettysburgh but we will certainly allow a fricken mosque at the site of the WTC though wont we. please. if we were worried about "hallowed ground" then this entire country would'nt be here. just remember what the civil war was about. at the end of the day, both sides kept slaves anyway. so in reality, they fought and died for nothing. the north beat the south, hicks still remain toothless and people in arkansas still do their brothers, sisters, and cousins so whats the big deal? just shut up and build it.
Ray Apr 17th 2011 7:45PM
Someone finally did something right, now if the American people would all get together and not buy gas just one day a week we could force gas prices to decline, do not buy gas on Wednesday's "NO GAS WEDNESDAY"
Donna S Apr 17th 2011 9:23PM
johnQ I understand and agree with some things your saying, I gamble some and only allow myself 20.00 when its gone, I'll leave the casino........Thier building a casino in my town and frankly, I cant wait, NOW, I dont have to travel to Atlantic City or Vegas anymore.......To have a little fun.....I'm sure you dont agree But HEY, everyone to thier own vices eh?
John Q Apr 17th 2011 7:42PM
For every person like you who has control over their gambling, there are hundreds or even thousands who don't. They don't classify gambling as a disease for nothing. And that disease eats away at your tax dollars and mine. When people gamble away their money they're forced to steal and/or sell drugs. That, or sponge off a friend or relative who winds up resenting them. All a major drain on society.
Legalized gambling just gives suckers an excuse for doing it. Yes, they would probably find other ways to gamble, but legalizing it makes it all that more right in their minds, and oh, so easy. "How can it be a disease if it's legal? I'm not doing anything wrong."
If people want to gamble away their own money and not ask society for a handout, fine, but it's these lazy welfare sponges who are costing us dearly.
Wendy Apr 17th 2011 8:13PM
I live about 30 miles north of Gettysburg. What they aren't telling you here is that there already is a casino slightly northeast of Harrisburg, less than an hour's drive from Gettysburg. And what they also aren't telling you is that this proposed site did not get even one vote from the Gaming Commission. Gettysburg's historic area is no place for a casino. We have plenty of opportunities to throw our money away in Pennsylvania. Let the western Pennsylvania area "enjoy" the casino license they won.
Donna S Apr 17th 2011 9:21PM
johnQ I cant argue with that! I can control my spending, and dont ask anyone for anything, nor do I ask for handouts! Fortunatly, I just go to casinos, to pass the time socialize a little and go home. I'm 72, retired and can spare 20.00 now and then.
Rob Apr 17th 2011 9:59PM
I much rather see a casino that a flipping Walmart. Besides the soliders themselves gambled while waiting for the next bloody battle. May Americans never again have to fight brother against brother.