Some R&R

September 8, 2005 10:26 PM

NO First Responders and their families are getting some time off in Las Vegas. In the wake of two suicides and lots of resignations, some first responders are being rotated out to get a break from the stress of responding to the disaster. The trips are being paid for by the Red Cross as well as donations from Station Casinos and Allegiant Air. The first group arrived Tuesday, and gets five days to check out the town and get some rest - sleeping in soft beds, eating hot meals, gamble if they please and maybe catch a show or two. Other cities like Atlanta are also participating in helping the first responders get away from the disaster zone to get a break.
posted by SirOmega (8 comments total)

Because when I need peace and quiet, I think of gambling all my money away and being around big flashy lights and crazy noise.

I think the overall idea is splendid, and if someone WANTS to go to Vegas, so be it... But there should be a better alternative for those who need quietude.
posted by symbioid at 11:24 PM on September 8, 2005

Oh man...I can't even imagine how insane the outrage is going to be from the religious right about their Red Cross donations ending up in Vegas slot machines. Bonus outrage points will be awarded for the focus on the same-sex couples.

*gets popcorn and comfy chair*
posted by dejah420 at 11:27 PM on September 8, 2005

My religious, very well-traveled mom told me tonight on the phone that from her experience New Orleans is her 'favorite town,' and that it's 'no Las Vegas.'

Can I get a witness?
posted by mwhybark at 11:56 PM on September 8, 2005

They earlier asked FEMA to foot the bill, which was just wrong on so many levels. Even if this makes sense for people (and I bet it makes a lot of sense to the class of people who tend to be in these professions -- Type A and gambling go together well, and Las Vegas gets more popular the further you slide down the demographic ladder), in the face of the suffering of the victims it seems extravagant and out of touch.

I bet most of them use it to sleep.
posted by dhartung at 2:22 AM on September 9, 2005

I'm sure the American miltary men and women in Iraq, who have had their tour of duty doubled or tripled, and are looking at indentured servitude in the desert, are feeling very sorry for the first responders and their week-long agony.
posted by crunchland at 4:54 AM on September 9, 2005

"I saw dead bodies, I heard gunshots - shit I never thought I'd experience in my life," Cummings said.

Wow, the Las Vegas paper actually printed the word "shit." Las Vegas really *is* different.
posted by mediareport at 7:29 AM on September 9, 2005

New twist on the old joke:

"Ya gotta help - Please give! I need money for travel, for food, and for a quiet, comfortable place to stay for a few nights. Anything you can donate will help."

"But how do I know if I give you money you won't just take it and gamble with it?"

"No way - I got gamblin' money!"
posted by soyjoy at 10:32 AM on September 9, 2005

The suicides were depressing to read. I really feel for the first responders--or should we call them only responders?

The federal government failed them.
posted by slf at 12:25 PM on September 9, 2005