Column: UKB casino up against the 'Jesus' vote

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

"I'm always intrigued when the two dominant forces of modern American conservatism -- the business vote and the 'Jesus' vote -- get off the same page, as appears to be happening in Fort Smith.

First, let's get this out of the way: Whether the United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians gets eventual approval from the federal government to build a casino on Fort Smith's riverfront on acreage bought from a Fort Smith businessman -- that's a probably remote prospect that is wholly and exclusively the business of the federal government, the tribe and the people of Fort Smith.

This Indian tribe would not pay state and local taxes. But the tribe has said it would take 7.5 percent of net profits and parcel them to the city and state. And, for the record, this casino, if approved, would be constrained by Arkansas law. It could do no more than Oaklawn and Southland, which is offer devices that are preposterously defined as "skill."

Religious conservatives say this lucre is filthy and that Oklahoma's bringing it to your doorstep is no reason to welcome it into your living room. If Oklahoma jumped off the Arkansas River bridge, should Arkansas? Yield not to temptation, they say.

Both sides claim popular support. The business establishment says polls show the casino favored locally. The religious folks counter that statewide issues to legalize casinos have been voted down overwhelmingly in recent years."

Get the Story:
John Brummett: Casino Causes Chasm (The Northwest Arksansas Morning Times 5/8)