[PinkString]

In addition to not knowing what they are talking about, they also have no life. It's probably southwest coming back to haunt us. lol

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by PinkString

In addition to not knowing what they are talking about, they also have no life. It's probably southwest coming back to haunt us. lol

Or the Sheriff branching out

[psi2007]

Originally Posted by southwest1230

Watch out, if you're thinking of moving to this desert wasteland. Las Vegas will chew you up and spit you out. This place is undeniably the "greediest place on earth." It's a place of "haves" and "have-nots," a place that lures a lot of hopeful people and drains them dry. Move here for work and you'll find low salaries in most professions (yet a preponderance of blue-collar jobs in construction, housekeeping, food services, etc.) Move here to retire and you'll find little to do but spend your afternoons and evenings at casinos. (Believe me, the weather is way too hot to golf 4-5 months each year, unless you're willing to pay premium $200 green fees for getting on courses before 9 a.m.) Move here with children and you'll find yourself explaining a lot of "adult stuff" and trying to keep your teenage children focused on college - instead of being a cocktail waitress or casino worker. Move here with any thoughts of community participation and be prepared to be disappointed. Sure, there are people who get involved but most who move here, don't. Because of the apathy in this community, deserving non-profits really struggle. Because of that apathy, Las Vegas tends to elect political leaders who, more often than not, face ethics charges and or federal/state indictments. Truly! Check out news stories about Clark County public officials - all but a few have been federally prosecuted and convicted and face jail time. On the upside. Churches seem to flourish here - as havens and ways to connect. And entertainment options are plentiful (and, of course, expensive.) The musical/theatrical talent Las Vegas attracts is truly amazing. But hey, you can see Elton John and Celine Dion on the same night, and even sqeeze in a bit of Wayne Newton..now THAT is surely worth 150 dollars a pop! LOL!

Memphis abounds with political leaders facing charges. Churches flourish here too. We have Beale street and a few other places. Parks are pretty bad (grass and a few trees). Graceland is sort of still here but you can't see the King anymore. The racial climate is very divided. Blacks and whites just don't get along well here. Jobs are plentiful if you don't mind making $7. an hour. You can gamble in Tunica which is only an hour away. Schools are bad. Memphis City Schools doesn't even have a Superintendent at the moment. How bad can Vegas be?

[von949]

Whats the difference between this thread and the Cesspool thread????????

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by von949

Whats the difference between this thread and the Cesspool thread????????

Absolutely NONE......... Just one of sherifs alter egos

[MS1]

Wow, this thread is still going strong!

I'm actually glad that there is a thread like this, especially in regards to the overall picture of Las Vegas.

While southwest does illustrate some decent concerns, I have to agree with the majority of the other posters. You simply cannot stereotype and generalize Las Vegas and expect that everyone will fit neatly into some immoral or demonizing box, because obviously that is not the case!

I will not reiterate what other posters have already emphasized, but common sense should tell you that not EVERYONE that visits or lives or works in Vegas (including the Strip) is evil or out to get you.

To highlight on the casino/gambling/hospitality industry in general: The majority of the individuals that work in those industries are trying to make a living just like anyone else, and some just plain enjoy helping their guests. Sure, gambling attracts some shady characters, but those types of characters are always lurking about anyway regardless of the location, and Vegas does not take kindly to them in many circumstances anyway. This of course doesn't mean that EVERY PERSON that gambles is addicted or destined for chaos. Gambling is about chance, luck, and entertainment, as well as knowing that the ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU (which is why many of the casinos publicly post win/loss odds ratios for you to view). But hey, chances are no one is forcing you to gamble, and for the very small percentage (I believe it is 2%) of gambling addicts out there, support and counsel is available right in the city.

In addition, the resort/hotel/casinos (some more than others), while they may not be perfect, do donate quite a bit of funding and time--from executives on down--to numerous charitable, community, and philanthropic endeavors. For just one example, Dr. Wynn and his wife, courtesy of their foundation, have donated millions of dollars to worthy causes. By all means, study the websites of many of the major corporations in the city (MGM Mirage; the Sands Corporation) and you will see what I am referring to.

You may be sitting up on your perch and viewing some of those funds as "sin money" and be up on your soap box pontificating that no matter how much good they do and communities they help, those beneficial aspects still originate with <gasp> CASINOS and should be SHUNNED! If you feel that way, then you are very ignorant and close-minded in my opinion, and if you tried to pull that with some of the Native American tribes that own/operate casinos, you may loose that debate very quickly. You know how I view it? As contributions from all walks of life throughout the world that will have some of their losses go toward benefiting humanity in general. The same can be said for the collection plate as well in many cases.

Okay, enough of my rant LOL. Thanks for reading, and thanks again to everyone for your witty and intelligent posts!

[MS1]

I forgot to mention previously that there is more to the Strip than just gambling. You've got exhibits of all aspects, art, music, theater, recreation, and a unique culture. I suggest that the OP discovers some of these elements and the sooner the better.

[StereoDevil]

I actually see kids at the park here and one that had a small skateboard pool! I never saw that in Texas. Skateboarding is an evil menace in Texas. You know that skateboard is going to lead you into a life of sin boy. Haahaahaahah

Originally Posted by 5kingsinvegas

I get so tired of hearing people talk about how horrible it is to raise children here in Vegas. I have been here a year and a half now, I have 3 girls, 13, 11 and 5. They all play club soccer and the older 2 play every sport their school offers. We are always running to either a practice or a game. We do homework at picnic tables at parks and walk the tracks while waiting for someone to finish practice. The best thing is that we are always TALKING. We talk about choices, consequences, boys are evil and only want one thing() and, because we are Catholic we talk about morality pertaining to our families beliefs. There are nights I am so tired I can barely think straight but I know that if my children need me or want to talk about anything they will come to me. We have taken them down to the strip and yes, they were curious and we talked about things like sex and drugs etc. Maybe on the strip it is a little more "in your face" but let me tell you, some of the shows on TV and the movies they watch are way more explicit than anything they have seen on the strip. I love this city, my family loves it here and my children are normal, intelligent human beings who are just like any other children being raised anywhere else. My oldest wants to be on the SWAT team, my middle wants to be a pediatrician and my baby wants to be a teacher like mommy. Not a dealer, cocktail waitress or hooker among them. Raising children is hard work no matter where you live and blaming a city for problems with your children is a total cop out.

[StereoDevil]

I have seen this scene in Chicago, Indianapolis, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Amsterdam, Vilnius, Krakow, Warsaw, Bucharest. The list goes on and on and on.

So what's new? This is a city. This is how it is. Move wherever you like but you will see the same.

Originally Posted by southwest1230

I wish everyone the best of luck raising kids in Vegas. I still think that the environment is not set up for families. Its a transient environment, which leads to high crime, molesters, petty theft, and all. Things people do when they have no stake in the community, or didn't fit in at the place they came from. From the 24/7 omnipresent gambling(of which a vending machine is a poor metaphor, as it always gives you a tangible product, and is an extension of a retail establishment), to the illegals passing out porno pamphlets, to the general homeless freaks and po folks wandering around the city 24/7, to the rowdy tourists who disrespect locals, and get loaded most of the time they are in town, to the everpresent strip clubs, even to the hellish summer sun, which is not the greatest thing for growing kids, or even adults for that matter, on the contrary, Vegas could easily be seen as the antithesis of a place to raise a family. Again, my heart is truly out to anyone trying to raise a decent family out there.

I think the below picture says it all.....

[guinnessjim]

why you guys resurrecting this?

the last post on it was in january........