For whom the slot bells toll

The Gettysburg hotel/spa/slot machine proposal is being sold, by its supporters, as a regional tourism magnet. I disagree and think its purpose is to separate the existing tourism stream from more of its money.

Meanwhile, this story notes that the developers have not selected a casino theme yet and that the Civil War motif is still an option. A critic notes that if the casino is themed per the battle, "It would be a slap in the face of all the tens of thousands of men killed on the battlefield."

They are beyond slapping, sir. Look to your own cheeks.

Here's another story with pious comments by Civil War entertainers Shaara and McPherson.