CASINOS: HE'S BAAACK!!!!!!!

In our last issue, I discussed the issue of casinos as a solution for the problems that are facing Detroiters. Among these, were a lack of jobs, a slumping tax base, which translates in to fewer tax dollars to improve neighborhoods, and hiring police, to battle the crime problems, and the lack of people willing to come to our city to invest money, and to do business. All of these, are needed, if the city is going to be a world class attraction in the coming millennium.

My view on casinos, as the answer to remedy this problem is now, and has always been, NO!!

In the article, I mentioned a man by the name of Don Barden, who, as a successful African American, with the ability to compete in any arena, of investing, made a bid, to be awarded a contract, to build one of three casinos that were made available after a vote by citizens in and around the city of Detroit, approved them, got rejected by the Mayor, who had to pick only three, out of about nine bids.

Because he didn't get picked, and because he was the only bidder, that was proposing a totally African American owned and run casino, with ties to Detroit, an angry backlash against Mayor Dennis Archer, arose. Recall petitions, and referendums, and all sorts of name calling, have been the result of Mayor Archer's stance.

Well, being the type of shrewd businessman that he is, Mr. Barden, has undertaken a somewhat outrageous step, to thwart the plans of the Mayor. Instead of just going away and finding another venture to invest in, Mr. Barden, who by the way, has a casino or two and other supposedly successful establishments in the country, refused to take 'no' for an answer. So, what did he do??? On July 7, he announced that he, and another popular African American black man were joining forces, to help create something, that would surely launch Detroit to being all that it could be. The other man, is Michael Jackson.

The announcement that was made at a news conference, detailed a state of the art, family entertainment complex with a theme park, a world class hotel and casino. The park would have rides for the kids and adults, an aquarium, and other features, unlike any in existence today. And, it would be tied in to a monorail transportation system, that will link up with the people mover. All of this will be located on the river front, just east of the Ambassador bridge. If I am not mistaken, the theme park will be constructed in such a way, as to make it available all year round, by being enclosed.

Sounds amazing doesn't it??

'This is just what we need', many people have been saying. 'Detroit is on the move, and this will certainly bring us up out of the depths of despair', others have said. However, let us remember one thing. Mr. Barden, has been denied a permit to build a casino. One member of the press, asked him about this at the news conference. Mr. Barden's response, being to the point, was, 'all of this hinges on the people voting in the referendum for Proposal 1, in August.' A 'No" vote, means none of this will happen.' Proposal 1, is an initiative, to reject the Mayor's picks, by saying that one of the casinos, must be African American owned and run. Mr. Barden, is banking on the fact that we are soooo.... eager to get back on top, that we will not look at the evil that casinos bring to any place they are located, but will be star struck, by Michael and the plans for the park.

That's just like the devil. Always trying to find a way to get in to something, so he can begin to steal, kill and destroy (St. John 10:10a). He is always tossing out bright colored baubles and beads, in the eyes of anyone that is desperate, to get them to sell their souls, for something, that will ultimately destroy them.
Mr. Barden, is not a devil, but he is being influenced by the forces that control this world system. (2Co 4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. The devil, has blinded the minds of so many people, including some so-called preachers, that they refuse to see anything wrong with what Barden is doing, or casinos in general. When asked by the new media, what they thought about it, some little spineless preacher, in this city, responded, 'well, we aren't backing him, but we support him, because the African American community, needs something like this, to help us get a foothold in the economic arena.' What kind of double talk is that??? He is not backing the sin, but he supports it. Blind!!! They are all blind!!! Leaders of churches, blind to what is happening. What does Jesus have to say about it?? (Mt 15:14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

The more we reject the sense that God has given us, the worse off we will be.

If we look at it, Barden, is making a mockery of the very processes that this nation was built on. He is showing us that, 'if you have enough money, you can get anything you want.'

What then, is his message to the poor?? 'You have to sit there and take whatever I decide to give you. I want what I want, and that's it.'

Whatever happened to the democratic process??

Also, he is setting a poor example for our children. He holds up the possibility of a Michael Jackson theme park in front of them, and gets them all excited, then he says to the parents, 'the only way your kids will get that park, is if I get what I want. So if you don't want to disappoint your kids, give me my casino.'

Now, the parent, has the pressure of their kids, urging them to 'give it to him.'

Mr. Barden!!! You intend to have it set up, where the whole family can come to the park, and while the kids are enjoying the rides, the parents, are being driven to financial ruin, so the whole family loses, while you win. Is that it?? Why can't you build an entertainment complex or something that will help strengthen the family unit, without the casino. Possibly, it could be a big enough attraction just as profitable as a casino based venture.

Detroit, you have a big decision to make next month. Are you going to fall for the 'o-key-doke', and vote 'yes' on proposal '1', and 'no' on proposal '2', and fall in the ditch, or the other way around??

Despite what is happening in this city, concerning the casinos, I still believe that they will not get built. God has a way of doing things, that bring good out of anything, and we sure need His help in this mess.

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AUGUST 1998


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