July 07, 2005

My Protest

I realize that in light of current events what I am protesting probably doesn't mean squat to a lot of people, but to me it's pretty important.

I got a letter from the Civil War Preservation Trust yesterday, an organization I've donated to for years in order to help preserve Civil War battlefields. Imagine my surprise yesterday when the appeal I opened detailed plans to build a casino in Gettysburg, on historic land!

No, I don't have a problem with gambling, just the choice of where to put said casino. Hello, go up to Erie, PA where a battle of sorts has been raging over just where to put a horse racing track. Why destroy important historical property? You know, I donated plenty of money to take down that tower at Gettysburg, so I have no problem joining this fight.

I'm a big believer in looking to our history in order to understand the present. If Gettysburg battlefields are gobbled up, what is left for future generations? Will my grandchildren go there to understand a pivotal time in the Civil War or to pump quarters into a slot machine?

I plan on appealing to not only the chairman of the PA Gaming Board, but also Gov. "Fast Eddie" Rendell and the Representatives for Adams County. Anyone care to join me?