Written on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 3:02pm by Alan Bedenko | 12 Comments

Meanwhile, at Buffalo Issue Alerts

This post from anti-casino activist Joel Rose:

Cynthia Van Ness, who runs the BfloIssueAlerts list, sent me a private note the other day which, with her permission, I want to share with you all. While it depressed me, I thought it captured the Seneca Niagara Casino perfectly. Here’s the note:

——– Original Message ——–

… I got my first look inside the Seneca Niagara casino on Monday evening. I was with a group of German tourists, and our hosts decided to have dinner at the casino buffet. It was a dramatic exercise in wretched excess. A gazillion deserts, all kinds of seafood flown in from who knows where, lots of red meat, you get the idea.

But quite apart from the food service, the place was dispiriting. The customers looked grim and visibly underwhelmed by all that manufactured “excitement.”

The private luxury surrounded by the public squalor of Niagara Falls made me ashamed of my country, ashamed in front of these German tourists to be an American.

My response:

I don’t mind reading Joel’s updates about the No Casino efforts, because it’s interesting from a political and “built environment” point of view, the latter of which renders it on-topic.

Although I agree with the issue that sovereign Indian exclaves should not be carved out of downtown to circumvent the state prohibition on Class III gaming, I do not subscribe to the whole “we have to protect people from themselves” aspects of the anti-gambling efforts. It’s patronizing and ignores loads of other, more pervasive, vices that are readily available in every neighborhood, which can destroy lives as handily as any casino debt bankruptcy.

So, when I read this patently off-topic opinion of Cynthia’s with respect to the buffet at the Niagara Falls Casino, I have to ask so what? Why is it here?

First of all, for most BIAniks, you’re preaching to the choir. Secondly, who cares? It’s a casino buffet – what did you expect? Ration cards and vegan food with lemongrass juice?

I’ve been to the Seneca Niagara casino on several occasions, and it’s not my cup of tea, but I leave it at that. I don’t judge the people who go, because it’s none of my business. Ever been to Oktoberfest? That’s just as much an exercise in wasteful excess as any casino buffet in the world, so the delicate sensibilities of the German tourists were, I’m sure, unoffended. Oh, and there’s loads of squalor juxtaposed with incredible wealth in Germany, so you needn’t feel quite so ashamed. Not only that, but casino gambling is quite prevalent in Germany: http://gogermany.about.com/od/nightlife/a/casinos.htm.

As to the “grim” “looks” on the patrons, unless you actually went and spoke with them, you have no idea whether they were really grim at all, or what they might have felt grim about. When I’ve been there, I’ve seen grim people and happy people. I’ve seen people smoking cigars, sipping drinks, playing blackjack, and having a good time. Ever been to the Fallsview Casino in Ontario? Gorgeous facility, amazing shopping and food within walking distance, happy customers, and loads of people having fun.

Tagged with: , , , , , ,

12 Comments

  1. Chris Smith says:
    July 15, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    The condescension and elitism is just bleeding out of every syllable written by Cynthia. It’s rare to get such a breathtaking insight into the mind of someone who is that self righteous. Incredible.

  2. Chris Smith says:
    July 15, 2008 at 3:50 pm

    Also, Cynthia might want to familiarize herself with something called “Confirmation Bias”.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

    In psychology and cognitive science, confirmation bias is a tendency to search for or interpret new information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions and avoids information and interpretations which contradict prior beliefs.

  3. FoxyLady says:
    July 15, 2008 at 4:18 pm

    Been to the Seneca Niagara Casino buffet just once, several years ago. I thought it was overpriced and just too much food for anyone. The casino itself lacks the looks of what a first class operation should look like. Turning Stone Casino is a first class casino with fine restaurants and great chefs. The buffet at any hour is a delight.
    Fallsview in Ontario is a fun place to visit. Clifton Hill is a nice walk with fun shops and good restaurants.

  4. Chris Smith says:
    July 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    FoxyLady clearly is in denial about her own sad state of depression and glumness. /Cynthia

  5. al-alo says:
    July 15, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    the soullessness of the place is really irrelevant. its just arbitrary reason to justify disliking the joint. in fairness to the Senecas, there are many many soulless places in WNY.

    that said, if everybody was really in support of casino gambling, they should just amend the state constitution instead of just turning over untaxable quasi-regulated lands over to any entity. at least AC and LV can get property tax. then there wouldnt be any issues to litigate. nor would Buffalo have such a poor share of the profits.

  6. laughingoutloud says:
    July 15, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    “The private luxury surrounded by the public squalor …made me ashamed …to be an American” WHAT AN ASS!!!

  7. mark says:
    July 15, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    everything she has ever said and had printed always suggested she was a bizarre psuedo-intellectual who loves buffalo because she can feel as if she’s superior to everyone around her and then go on her architectural/societal critiques and or diatribes.

    the germans have far more to be ashamed of than a fucking casino (aka david hasselhoff, n*sync, open-toe sandals with socks, some dictator from the 30’s and 40’s)

    more importantly…she wanted to impress her german tourists so they went to eat at a casino buffet?! wtf.

  8. Know it all says:
    July 15, 2008 at 11:30 pm

    pretentious boor. yeah, europeans would much rather eat vegan and drink mineral water. has cvn ever been across the pond?

  9. Denizen says:
    July 16, 2008 at 2:08 am

    The bratwurst and wienerschnitzel selection at the buffet probably sucked ass

  10. petty buffalonians says:
    July 16, 2008 at 2:36 am

    I’m no fan of CVN – but to her defense – it’s her medium – she can share what she wants much like Alan does here!

  11. Layman Translation says:
    July 16, 2008 at 12:48 pm

    Let me translate the original message:

    Dearest Diary:
    The deserts looked tasty and sweet and the seafood was calling my name… taunting me with it’s deliciousness… It looks so good… and completely excessive! It made me sad that people did not recognize me right off… they were not happy to see me strutting in like a diva… but how could they be… all those angry and depressed gutter dwellers.

    I’m ashamed of my country as a whole because we should be more communistic… except for me of course.

  12. Eric P. says:
    July 16, 2008 at 2:30 pm

    While she overstates the case, the casino is depressing (most are).

    BTW, no need for NYS Dept of Health compliance with that buffet. You’ll just have to trust that its o.k. to eat. Just a little food for thought.

 

You need to log in to vote

The blog owner requires users to be logged in to be able to vote for this post.

Alternatively, if you do not have an account yet you can create one here.

Powered by Vote It Up