We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:47:39 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite. You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place... Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:32:07 -0600 I should make it clear that I mean the fountain comment in a future tense, not the present tense. The fountains aren't turned off now.” –John My understanding is some of the “light show fountains” are timed (they turn the pumps, valves, and lights, on and off during certain times). This would indicate that power costs do play a factor. Sure, it's possible that evaporation of costly treated water does play a factor – but with the laser light shows, I doubt it. As for the reduced payout rate – that could very well be true. But not on Veteran's Day. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66538 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66538 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:01:44 -0600 We used to pass through Vegas in the Rat Pack era. When it was just the Strip and a few houses, plus Nellis AFB. It was truly fun back then. Get breakfast for fifty cents, and Dad would lecture us about the evils of gambling by putting a quarter's worth of nickels in the slot machines and losing. Now...*shakes head* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66526 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66526 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:15:46 -0600 I should make it clear that I mean the fountain comment in a future tense, not the present tense. The fountains aren't turned off now. I doubt the casinos would turn them off on power costs. They'd just reduce the payout rate. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66525 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66525 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:22:38 -0600 John, Sorry I missed out on the convention - I've been at Aviation Nation up at Nellis. Havin' a blast with the Air Force! Vegas - I like living here. I like some of the slot machines and yes, I miss the coins. I and many of the locals play the penny slots at the locals casinos and I like 'em just fine. Glad you had a good time! Jeff http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66523 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66523 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:58:43 -0600 I had a friend who live in Vegas and got wipe out in the down turn. I guess it has always been a boom and bust economy. You note the fountains are turned off. I think that has more to do with saving electrical costs than water costs (Fountains tend to be sealed re-circulating water tanks with treated water). Sure, potable water is costly but the cost of gasoline and jet fuel to get to Los Vegas certainly is a big factor - and can be added to the expected losses from the one-armed bandits. Following, your observation of electronic slot machines may give people a feeling of mistrust. No one realy trusts computers compaired to the machines. Next, there are plenty of “full” Casinos in California. I see a lot of the locals go to them and they seem pleased. And, being on Indian reservations there are plenty other activities and plenty of smokers. The Asian’s love these Casinos. Lastly, there are plenty of Casinos in the world. Los Vegas has not corned the market in Casinos. I think Los Vegas will just have to be more competitive in the world market if it wants to survive. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66522 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66522 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:18:57 -0600 PRTs with more civilian civilian expertise with bonuses for completion instead of current government system would be great. Particularly in Afghanistan. I keep reading up about over there since the hot front is changing to that location and I think we are in serious trouble. We also need to improve security in Afghanistan in a gigantic way. More thoughts on that later. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66506 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66506 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:56:31 -0600 Yes, it came through about every 3rd syllable for us on the radio. And no, I had no idea what he said. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66505 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/11/hi_fires_10_nov.html#comment-66505 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:09:00 -0600