Libraries are for Losers!
Ok, Sedgwick County is looking to put in a Casino, and/or a racetrack casino. As I mentioned before, the Central Public Library is one of the potential sites for this. It would take out the library, the expo center, and a hotel. The expo center has a huge auditorium where I went and heard a symphony last Christmas. It is pretty much a bad idea to bring in a casino, or so I am told.
So, I don’t want this cancer to eat into my city. What can I do?
I could protest it: go out in the street with signs and slogans and vent my spleen on the passing public about how horrible casinos are, and how this casino will create an estimated 5200 to 7800 pathological gamblers, and how the 80-20 rule applies: most of the revenue comes from a few (unhealty) customers.
But, if I got a group canvasing the city, decrying the vileness casinos will bring, most people will either: already agree, or pass us off as “activists”. But, what if we did a little reverse psycology? We could shout about how cool casinos are, make slightly rediculous arguments about how we should have these casinos, and hand out forms to get people to sign up to vote. It may get the attention of more people, and it would be alot more fun. Especially if we were picketting in front of the Library, telling about how much better a casino is than a library. It would be hard to have good taglines that look like they are downing reading and education, but by the time the advance ballots get to our audience’s mailboxes, they realize that we are ideots and they vote it down. So, what should our signs say? Here are some things I’ve thought of so far:
LIBRARIES
are for
LOSERS
SLOT MACHINES
not BOOKS
With a Million Dollars you can PAY someone to read to you!
KIDS NEED KASH
not
EDUKATION
Give Jonny penny-slots
not ….
I’m sure you can think of better ones…
By the way, none of the proceeds would go to improve public education.
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:28 am
Sounds awesome! I think you should do it. It would probably get a lot of media attention–potentially more than just picketing against the casino–and could maybe make a difference.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Reverse psychology is fun. I think I like the “With a million dollars…” one the best.
And yes, I’m over my misandry. I’d pretty much have to be to put up with a bunch of 41ers throwing balloons around in my living room and tieing things to my fan, wouldn’t I?
July 7th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
If questioned, you could also elaborate on the social injustices that
libraries provide. Only smart people go to libraries, but anyone can
feel welcome in a casino. I’d totally come petition in front of a
library with you.
I’ll try and add a few taglines:
Libraries are Lame, Casinos CREATE jobs!
Reduce your tax burden, pave the library!
Books are so 20th century!
Libraries only make the rich get richer!
Slots for Success!
July 7th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Here’s a few:
GAMBLE
with the
FUTURE!
FUN
before
EDUCATION!
BOOKWORMS
never made
MILLIONS!
I come and help too, if I’m not working.
July 8th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
“BOOKWORMS
never made
MILLIONS!”
Actually, they (Gates, etc.) made Billions.
;)
July 11th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I know. The blatant inaccuracy of the poster is meant to draw attention to the fact that one has a better chance of making money through being a bookworm than through gambling.
And is this protest going to be complete reverse-psychology (we maintain a pro-casino stance throughout) or satire (we use the posters to draw attention to and make the point that a casino would be damaging to the community and say so ourselves)? Personally, I like the idea of satire better, and we couldn’t be accused of being deceptive.
July 12th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
LIBRARIES and EDUCATION are the REAL GAMBLE:
“I have a degree in Library Science…Do you want fries with that?”
What has this LIBRARY ever done for YOU?
You’ve got to PLAY to WIN!
Stack Poker Chips, not Books!
For every winner, there’s a losing librarian.
Do LIBRARIES have valet parking?
Winner takes all!
Gamblers pay their own way.
Is your family at home starving while you just come here to read books?