Here's some back and forth on the future of Galveston post - Ike: Texas Sparkle wants gambling, which has been promoted by others in the past, but might have legs now that Galveston is losing revenue from other sources.
The comments include some worries about the impact of casinos and a "sin" economy in general-- mixed at best in other places -- but Galveston has a colorful history that includes gambling among many other things. Comparisons to post Katrina New Orleans abound. Some think Galveston should try to diversify, but I think its past time to admit that Galveston will be a tourist based town from now on. The city should accept and make the best of it.
We'll see whether the legislature -- especially the social conservatives -- is warm to casino gambling idea this spring.
In a related, and very negative note, The Texas Observer wonders whether Galveston city fathers are using the damage caused by Ike to try to kick out Galveston's poorer, meaning African American, population. Little effort has been made to rebuild the public housing damaged by the storm. The same thing has been happening in New Orleans.
