nihilism, the Movies and the Shallow World that is Las Vegas

I have now lived in Las Vegas for several months and it still a little bit like having wandered onto a movie set. But then again I think much of life is feels this way from time to time. The only difference is that in Las Vegas no one tries to get beyond this facade. It is so much more about the exterior here than what is inside. In Nevada this week we are awaiting preparing to vote for our next set of elected representatives and new laws to govern the state.

The races here have been nasty and seedy but that is almost par for the course anywhere. The most shocking thing is the ability of powerful and monied interests, aka the casinos, to influence the ballot options that have to do with even the most common sense items. The worst and most obvious example is the two initiatives put forth on smoking. The first one, question 4, is a facade much like the rest of Vegas. It pretends to change the law to eliminate smoking in some public areas but it actually doesn't do anything. It doesn't even remove smoking from grocery and convenience stores. The second initiative, Question 5, was put forth by the American Heart Association and the American Lund Association, is almost surely doomed but would actually enact desperately needed changes in Nevada. It would remove smoking from restaurants, grocery stores, and any other public space that wasn't a gaming area. However, it will loose because those pushing the fake anti-smoking initiative have claimed it is bad for business. . .Heaven forbid that we should loose money just to prevent a little cancer, suffering and death.

Sorry guys just not feeling my usually funny single self these days. . .But I promise the next blog will be about flirting or kissing the wrong man. . .just needed to vent a little tonight.