Chock full of King and Caucus
The last few days saw thousands commemorate (and a few, sadly, denigrate) the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther Jr., and tens of thousands (nearly 120,000) turn out to select the man—and woman—they want to be president of these United States. Herewith are some observations from an activity-filled week in the Valley:
Gambling is King
In honor of King and the almighty dollar, the Fiesta hotel-casino in Henderson offered Boarding Pass members five times the normal points for using their rewards cards on Monday. Nice. But why stop at profiteering off King? Aren’t other deceased pacifists just as worthy of casino promotions? How about two-for-one buffets on Gandhi’s b-day or free bowling to recognize Buddha’s humanitarian contributions?
Dissing the legacy
It was bad enough that intermittent scuffles broke out during Monday’s annual King parade in downtown. As festivities wound down, shots rang out near Jillian’s, sending families scurrying. An attendee says it was pandemonium. Four people are in custody as of this posting. We can only hope this incident doesn’t herald a return to parades past, when gangs used the occasion to settle beefs. Nonetheless, this is sad all the way around.
Thanks, but tell me how you really feel
Of all the Democratic presidential caucus horror stories—about confusion, bullying and mass walkouts—this one from a friend at a North Las Vegas precinct might take the cake: A man who identified himself as a John Edwards’ supporter nearly got thumped for using, ahem, colorful language to express his disdain for Clinton and Barack Obama. “I ain’t voting for no bitch or no nigger.” Says my friend: “Black people couldn’t believe what he said. We were like, ‘We didn’t hear you, say it again, say it again.’ There was almost a riot. He had to be walked out.”
Michael Mack—Super lobbyist
The guy in the neck brace looked familiar. Grayer atop the head and thicker around the waste since I’d last seen him. Still had a politician’s wily command of personal interaction. Be courteous. Ask how you’re doing. Smile. Always smile, even if you disagree with the person you’re talking to. Wearing a Hillary Clinton sticker, former Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack stumped for the New York Senator, politely lobbying the stickerless in my precinct (3546), then exhorting Clinton faithful to cheer despite a close defeat (by seven votes) to Obama.
Hash browns for the cause. French toast, too
Perhaps the biggest star of the African American Democratic Leadership Council’s caucus-day rally on Saturday was the grub prepared by the Alliance of Black Culinarians for the 150-plus attendees. Hash browns, eggs, bacon, sausage and French toast sticks. It was all good. Quipped one attendee: “My wife doesn’t even feed me this well.”
Leave the language-mangling to elected officials
Various politicians (President Bush, Sen. Chris Dodd) have mouthed a phrase or two in Spanish, shamelessly pandering to the suddenly formidable Hispanic voting bloc. With much less on the line, 100 Black Men of America chairman Alfred Dotson tried to speak Spanish during opening ceremonies for the January 15 Democratic presidential caucus at Cashman Field. The first few words came out well, if stilted. Then this brain froze. He paused, gathered his thoughts and recovered well. If it’s any consolation, I took seven years of Spanish and can’t speak a lick of it.
Damon Hodge joined Las Vegas Weekly, in 2001. His specialties include hard-news stories, music reviews, pop culture commentary and occasional forays into social advocacy journalism. Hodge has won numerous awards from the Nevada Press Association. Email him at [email protected]