Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Ok, this is way off topic but one of the reasons that I haven't posted a podcast in some time is that I got an new dog and I've been busy.

I will take this opportunity to post a couple of shots:

http://www.ratevegas.com/extras/SidV.jpg
http://www.ratevegas.com/extras/WhatIsIt.jpg
http://www.ratevegas.com/extras/SidOnAMission.jpg

His name is Sid Vicious and he's the best dog ever. I'll try to get him on an upcoming podcast.

He's now the official dog of this Web site. FYI.

That's a good lookin pooch! Maybe we should meet in Ventura for a dog date with Sid and
Miss Maxine Credits... she's a supermodel - leggy, blonde, beautiful and the best dog ever. Wanna fight?

Congrats Hunter--a fine looking pooch. You too CM.

I thought this might be interesting... This blog has been the catalyst for some great friendships over the last several months (even years). Who among the regular contributors would you like to meet in person?

From this blog alone, I've already had the pleasure of meeting (on a number of occasions both in and out of Vegas) Hunter as well as detroit1051, Mike_ch, David F., MacauPhoto, and John H. (but only for two extremely brief moments). Apologies to anyone I've forgotten. Would love to share a drink with any one of you guys again.

Among those on the agenda for the next trip (hopefully): Brian Fey and Motoman.

And maybe one day Chris B., MarlyMarr, and one of our newest contributors Mark D (since I've been following his updates so closely over at SSC).

So who would you guys like to meet in person?

Has anyone heard how Planet Hollywood has been doing business wise?

Posted by detroit1051

It seems to me that Sid Vicious has joined us here to enforce the off-topic rules. I don't wanna mess with him!

However, Leonard mentioned the Green tax breaks on the closed AC thread. Talk about state government run amock, you can't find a better example than green construction tax breaks. MGM Mirage must be laughing all the way to the bank. And, since this is Open Topic Sunday, what did you guys do to deserve Gibbons? There, I feel better already.

Posted by detroit1051

When I look at the names approved for the green tax break, all the big ones are there except Wynn. Was the Amendment designed to send a message to Steve? I know the legislature is concerned about the loss of tax revenue from its ill-conceived scheme, but in my conspiracy-theory mind, it looks like they're out to get Wynn.

From the RJ story Leonard linked:
"The new measure eliminates the sales tax exemption for all but six projects, identified by Townsend as the CityCenter project being built by MGM/Mirage; Fontainebleau; the Venetian's Lido/Palazzo Resort projects; the Molasky Corporate Center; the Echelon Place project by Boyd Gaming; and the Panorama Towers project. All are in Las Vegas."

Leonard, Of course I named my daughter after Steve Wynn. Do you take me as some 2nd class fan, I thought I had made it clear to you, what a fan of Wynn I am. Ashlyn Wynn Fey is doing great, and just started walking, thank you for asking. Here are some pretty old pics, but I'll post some more up to date ones later.

http://www.dangie.com/fey/awf6/

It is too bad, Wynn missed out on that Energy Tax Savings, maybe now this means he can use real shower heads, and not those stupid energy saving ones, that put out less water pressure than most people can pee.

You say moral is falling, service is falling, etc. You seem like a nice guy and all, and I really like passionate people, but for over a year now you've been telling us how horrible things are at Wynn Resorts, and all the while, both revenue and profits have kept rising. I don't look for this trend to stop. So keep up the hard work, you seem to be helping Wynn Resorts. Have you ever heard the saying, "There is no such thing as bad press". Maybe that is what's happening here. And once Wynn-Sucks.com launches, it will just spread the word about Wynn Resorts even more, and people might come from all over the world to visit first had, to see how terrible Steve Wynn really is. I look forward to seeing you face to face in July.

Hunter, the new dog is cute, but i'll warn you, puppies are really satin. :) Its amazing how something so small and sweet can be so destructive. Your carpet and house will never be the same. Is that dog part pit?

Posted by detroit1051

Well, speaking of Gibbons, Jeff Simpson is on the attack against Gibbons and the Review Journal:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/consumer/2007/jun/03/566646778.html

Thanks y'all. Sid is part Mastiff / part American Staffordshire so there's a Pit Bull relation there, yeah. He's a sweetheart, actually. As far as puppies go, he's not been too terrible - we've been lucky.

And Chuck, we'll take you on any day. :-)

Mike E. - great question. I've been lucky enough to meet you, Detroit, Mike, John, David and I'm probably missing some folks off this list (sorry!!). I love meeting you guys, it's a hell of a lot of fun and of course, I'd like to meet the rest of y'all, from Mr. Fey to Mr. Stern - who knows, maybe I'll hold the mediation session or a site sponsored debate - ha!

On the Gibbons thing, it's amazing to me that a guy that managed to get elected has fallen so hard, so fast. Wow.

Brian: Your daughter is definitely a cutie! However, you really should give serious consideration in changing her middle name while she is still an infant. I wouldn't want my child, or any child for that matter, to have to be saddled with or associated with the "Wynn" brand or name for the rest of his or her's entire life. I'm sure that Steve would be extremely honored that you named your daughter after him, you certainly have taken the Wynn fanboy status to a completely new level. Might I suggest "Ashlyn Kerkorian Fey" as a possible alternative? :-) Without going into another diatribe, part of the reason that WYNN reported positive earning results last quarter has a lot to do with the fact that he is STEALING dealer's tokes, plain + simple. I promise a lot more "supportive" details on this, but I cannot comment on anything further until after July 30th. If you think that the number is insignificant, think again. It amounts to a whole lot of dough, believe me.

Now, regarding some very disturbing recent news in connection with our friend + idol Stevie Weinberg. The "Wynn Media Sanitizing Campaign" appears to be in full force once again + has taken its second victim. Another local print journalist bites the dust! First it was David McKee @ the Business PRESS, now I have just learned that STEVE SEBELIUS has been terminated by the SUN in connection with a not-so-flattering article that he wrote in May regarding Wynn's threatening behavior (the one that lead to the NLRB investigation + complaint) having occurred at the first WLV mandatory dealer's meeting. Note to "JW"YNN, if this post appears to be overly "emotional" perhaps it's because I do not support the termination of local competent print journalists like Sebelius by the influential hand of a narcissistic, litigious, delusionary megalomanic! Freedom of the Press here in Las Vegas apperas to rapidly be eroding as a result of Wynn's attempt to suppress any + all negative press concerning him. Well Steve, that's about to come to an abrupt end real soon!!!

Posted by detroit1051

"Leonard Wynn Stern" has a nice ring to it. LOL.

Seriously, I was surprised by the comment about Steve Sebelius. He is editor of CityLife and writes there.
http://www.valleyblogs.com/archive/sebelius/

Detroit: The fact that Sebelius was a contributing editor at the Las Veags SUN + happened to be an extremely competent journalist, his recent firing is quite suspect, but we both know why he was terminated. Since Steve himself is actually Jewish, + so am I, if I were a devout Wynn fanboy like Brian, I would consider changing my name to Leonard Weinberg Stern. It has a nice ring to it don't you think? :-)

Posted by detroit1051

Leonard, I've asked a local Vegas friend what he's heard about Sebelius. You and he (my friend) share the same opinion of Wynn.
Speaking of Wynn (the property), I received my Summer Offer, a comped 1-bedroom suite, full F&B and a very generous FreeCredit offer. Since it's been seven months since I've been there, I wonder when my offers will start diminishing. Also in the envelope were three separate cards for me to invite friends to join me for up to five nights in a Resort Room at $159 per night Sunday through Thursday and $239 per night Friday and Saturday along with $50 slot play for them; valid 6/5-9/21. I have no idea if these rates are good, bad or indifferent for the summer.
I may return to Vegas in November to meet friends at G2E. If I do, I'd like to meet anyone from here I can. I enjoyed meeting Hunter and Mike E last year on several trips.

Speaking of offers, HET has a very well-oiled marketing machine. I wonder if it will continue under private ownership. I get more offers from every HET property there is, even offers including airfare to Iowa! MGM is a close second. Hmmm, all these offers are a bad sign.

Detroit: Although we are soon approaching the summer months when Strip room rates generally tend to be lower, $159/night Sunday thru Thursday for a Resort Room @ WLV sounds like a BARGAIN to me when compared to similar accomodations + summer rates @ the Four Seasons + Caesers' new tower. If WLV are "actually" reporting "truthful" occupancy rates that have (allegedly) consistently averaged over 90%+ on a year-round basis, I find it difficult to believe that it would be necessary for WLV to offer major concessions such as this when considering that their current room inventory will be substantially increased when Encore is launched amid major competition from Palazzo at the same time. These WLV "incentives", especially at such low rates certainly smells fishy to me. I will continue to assert my position that there is serious trouble brewing in "Wynnland".

Detroit, those rates from Wynn are very close to the Bellagio offer I just got for roughly the same time period.

Mike, I did like that "only for two very brief moments." I would love to meet you and any number of other contributors from the site again. I was thinking about asking Leonard if he would like lunch, since I'll be in town on Thursday for a nice little weekend and I know he lives up there, but I don't know. I'm going to catch "O", LOVE, have some nice meals at SW, Stack, and Delmonico, and enjoy a nice little lakeview room at Bellagio. It should be fun.

Posted by mike_ch

detroit: "what did you guys do to deserve Gibbons?"

He was dead meat before he was elected. The options were:
R:
1) Gibbons, who was dead meat before the election even.
2) Sen Bob Beers, who is a hardcore conservative kinda guy, which isn't my type of politician but I at least have to give him credit for sticking to his guns. Too bad he stuck to the teachers' guns, if y'know what I mean, and now thought of as crazy.

D:
1) Dina Titus, who couldn't even beat Gibbons.
2) Jim Gibson, the Henderson Mayor whose family owns the PEPCON rocket fuel plant that infamously blew up and shook the whole valley many years ago. He was the family's defense attorney in the court cases that followed. Sounds like a swell guy to put in office.

Brian: Far be it from me to criticize anyone's parenting, but you officially creeped me out by making your baby a homemade casino mural on the wall. I could go into my opinion, but again I don't have any experience to stand on and that kind of thing would be too much of a personal argument. Perhaps when you're done with that mural you can sell it to Steve. :P

Leonard: I thought you were going to suggest "Ashlyn Adelson", which has a nice ring to it but could result in a baby with a short temper and a penchant for colorful language. LOL.

Steve S may have gotten fired from the Sun but he also has a number of jobs at Stephens Media Group, including RJ political reporter and CityLife editor. That guy really gets around, eh?

Hunter: I didn't realize Bellagio sent offers for anything other than a few gimmicky promotions they put online. Can anyone actually gamble in that casino long enough to earn comps, with the odds as tight as they seem? :P

detroit:

Wynn likes you better than they like me. They even like your friends better. My summer offer was for a resort room at $119 weekdays, and my friends can get $25 freeplay. But, I'm a low roller video (and occasionally real) poker player, so that's about what I expect.

Checking Wynn's website the lowest weekday rate they're offering this summer is $199 and they're often higher. I don't know what you can get through discounters but I guess $159 isn't too bad.

John, Love is fantastic. I'll be seeing it in July again.

Wynn must have more damn offers. I am going in July, it was $139 for 3 nights with a 4th night free. This works out to about $104 so, that's pretty hard to beat. I'll catch Spamalot, and KA also. Nothing like a trip to Vegas, and the shows cost you almost twice what the room did, 3 shows, 2 people, $755. WOW!!!

Posted by detroit1051

Dealers at Bally's Atlantic City are going down the same path as at Wynn. The UAW is moving in:
http://www.miamiherald.com/business/AP/story/127442.html

Brian, I saw LOVE in December and loved it, I can't wait to see it again. KA, on the otherhand is probably my least favorite of the Cirque shows. For some reason it didn't seem to "click" with me. I mean, technologically it was astounding but that was about it. Spamalot is fun, I don't know if I'd go and see it again, but it was a lot of fun. Honestly, Avenue Q seemed to be a better fit, but I guess people don't really like to see puppets "doing to the nasty" on stage. Do you have any plans for some nice meals while you're going to be there?

Posted by mike_ch

Detroit: I don't think anything needs to be said about UAW. LOL. I know I panned the Transport Workers, but UAW is #1 on the list of organizations that just don't get it. I'm sure you of anyone here understands why I don't need to elaborate further.

Brian: KA was my favorite of the Cirque shows. Enjoy.

Wynn just sends me FreePlay offers as part of their locals promotion. I was genuinely surprised to see a few 2x points days on their most recent mailing, since I've never seen 2X points offered anywhere higher up on the totem pole than Hilton, Golden Nugget, etc.

The nicest thing I can say about Wynn is that the casino has been a good performer for me, even if I don't find it appealing and a bit of a chore.

I'll hit my usual stops, Tableau, SW, Okada, Not sure where else. I love KA as well. Its funny, some people love it, and others don't. Its just that type of show.

Looks like Wynn got a new toy. Did he keep their G5's also?

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1051785&WxsIERv=Obrvat%20737-79H%20OOW&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=Hagvgyrq%20%28Jlaa%20Erfbegf%29&QtODMg=Cuvynqrycuvn%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28CUY%20%2F%20XCUY%29&ERDLTkt=HFN%20-%20Craaflyinavn&ktODMp=Znl%2014%2C%202006&BP=0&WNEb25u=Ovyy%20Fuhyy&xsIERvdWdsY=A88JE&MgTUQtODMgKE=Fgrir%20Jlaa%27f%20OOW%20neevivat%20sebz%20YNF...avpr%21&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=4292&NEb25uZWxs=2006-05-25%2013%3A20%3A16&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=29441%2F111&static=yes&width=1025&height=695&sok=JURER%20%20%28nveyvar%20%3D%20%27Hagvgyrq%20%28Jlaa%20Erfbegf%29%27%29%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=6&prev_id=1074341&next_id=NEXTID

I didn't think this had the range to make it from Macau to LV non-stop?

Posted by Dave

Hunter, congratulations on Sid. Brian, congrats (though a bit belated) on Ashlyn Wynn.
As far as shows go, I really liked Ka and Love and was lukewarm on Mystere, which is still very well done.
I'd be happy to meet anyone who posts here--in fact, if you get to Vegas during working hours M-F you can stop by the Center (it's in Special Collections on the third floor of the library) and take a look at our stuff, which any casino design fan should do. We have original plans for lots of the older casinos, including Martin Stern, Jr's (Leonard's dad) groundbreaking design for the International.
I came into the office this morning and saw that the Atlantic City thread had ended. Someone had a question about the Playboy, and I modestly suggest taking a read here: http://www.casinoconnectionac.com/articles/Bunny_on_the_Boardwalk?PHPSESSID=3a66596a7323a8c0a8442b872f3525fe
It's an article I wrote a while back about the casino's history.
On another topic, there's some internal restructuring going on at the LVBP right now, something that I know because I write a bi-weekly column for them. Though I don't have a line on why David McKee isn't writing for them anymore, I'm not 100% sure that his criticisms of any one individual led to his departure. Though his blog isn't up anymore, those who read it will remember that he tried to take a number of people down a few pegs, including just about every gaming CEO in town and the sitting governor, whom he called a "pudknocker" (http://votegibbonsout.blogs.com/votegibbonsout/2007/05/a_gibbons_by_an.html).
Google for it and you can still see that cached version of the original article. I'll miss reading his stuff at the LVBP, and I'm sure he'll land somewhere.

Hunter: I love your doggie, cute as can be. My favorite dog is a chihuahua...did i spell that right? Anyway more pics please.

Mike E: I live in Las Vegas and one of the many things we have in common is that we like to drink, so anytime you're in town. I don't hang out at Wynn as much as I'd like to but i love the Parasol UP bar. I also have several friends that work at Tower Suites. I enjoy your blog as well and will contribute more.

Brian Fey: Being a Wynn fan i was quite surprised by the name for your beautiful daughter. It has a nice ring to it. She is very photogenic.

Leonard: If your theories about the dismissals of Mckee and Sebelius are true simply based on a call from Wynn, do you think Bob Beers would be next on the list??

MarlyMarr, I'll drop you an e-mail.

Since this is an open discussion thread, I've been meaning to ask a question. Has anyone else noticed that Al Pacino in Ocean's Thirteen looks suspiciously like a certain hotelier here in town? I mean, as much as I love Steve, but Pacino is about three shades too tan and it looks like he has some very pearly whites. Also, there is a scene on Yahoo! wherein Terry Benedict is furious that Willie Bank "has no taste yet every resort he opens wins the five diamond and five star awards." I think there's more than a slight similarity.

Ah, Sid, you delicious bastard...

As for the podcast, was it encoded in H.264?

Interesting John... What's adds to this intrigue is that Jerry Weintraub, the producer of Oceans, is a good friend of Wynn. He also made Vegas Vacation and that's how Oceans 11 ended up at Bellagio.

The podcast was MP3'd my friend... H.264 is for da video and we're not that crazy.

So is it Weintraub poking a bit of fun at Steve? If so, I'm wondering how many people are going to get it. I mean Steve is "high-profile", but not everyone in America is going to realize that Bank is really supposed to be Wynn, unless of course they draw the connection between Bank Las Vegas and Wynn Las Vegas. But who knows?

http://www.blogmacau.info/blog/?p=1707

LVS seems to have their share of problems also.

marlymarr (+ Dave): In order to preserve my integrity/reputation, since uniformed people like "JW"YNN have INSISTED that I provide proof positive of my so-called "theories" + "unconfirmed" allegations in my reports made on this forum; here is an actual e-mail sent by McKee to a 'third party' source of mine. In defense of David McKee, who IMO was one of the ONLY remaining local print journalists to actually have the f*cking balls to report TRUTHFUL editorials in connection with Wynn which reveals Steve's unbridled bully "thug-like" tactics that Steve continues to impose upon our local press + media alike, since [McKee] now NO longer is employeed by the Business PRESS as Dave has confirmed, I apologize in advance to McKee if this post, in any way, crosses or violates any confidential boundaries, however, I'm sure that you would most probably welcome these remarks at this juncture. Since I respect you as a journalist, despite all of the pressure that the Business PRESS was faced with by Steve's "Media Sanitizing Campaign" during your tenure there. Basically, in his OWN words, McKee was clearly given NO other option but to either quit on his own volition or NEVER be allowed to write ANYTHING NEGATIVE about Steve Wynn or Wynn Resorts again in his regular column in the Business PRESS. I believe that McKee, as a "responsible" journalist, made the right choice, reported nothing but the TRUTH + told the Business PRESS to take a f*cking hike based on the contents of his mail.

"From: DMcKee@lvbusinesspress.com

To: XXX

Sent: 5/24/2007 9:33:12 AM

Subject: Re: checking on you

Well, yes and no. I was in Philadelphia, visiting my sister (a lawyer who handles discrimination cases and such). On the not-so-good front, our bosses at Stephens Media have found the Business Press guilty of committing journalism in the first degree and have decided we have to be "reined in." For instance, they have forbade casino-industry coverage in the pages of our paper, the status of the blogs is uncertain (which means Stiffs & Georges may have to find a new home) and the R-J has the prerogative of stealing, er, getting first dibs on any good stories we dig up. Oh, and I'm looking for a new job. Heck, I'd rather sweep floors than work in that shithouse of an office on Bonanza Road."

David McKee
News Editor
Las Vegas Business Press
1385 Pama Lane
Suite 111
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 871-6780 x318

With respect to Sebelius, he was AXED by the SUN based SOLELY on his column which ACCURATELY reported Steve's tirade when he threatened all of WLV's dealers with immediate termination if they attemtped to organize. Hey, "JW"YNN would you like substantiation + back up material for this as well?

Thanks Dave for providing your very informative link to the original Playboy Hotel/Casino Atlantic City that my fater designed back in the late 1970's. Since 'The Donald' absorbed the property, he decided to literally "disassemble" the tower + adjacent podium building piece-by-piece several years ago, with grandiose future plans that never materialized. There isn't that much stuff available on what was truly a 'major' first-line landmark project in A.C. at the time following Resorts Int'l. (actually the glazing was GOLD reflective, + in the late 1970's that was the state-of-the-art curtain wall). No one but Joel Bergman continues to spec this OUTDATED window wall (i.e. TRUMP, THEplace, etc.) Kudos to Klai-Juba, after completing their first major commission - Mandalay Bay + THEhotel) they fortunately moved on to design architecturally significant buildings like the multi-phase Panorama Towers. (+ to think they both used to work for the architecturally-challenged Tony [Marnell].

Hunter - I LOVE your new "Open Topic - Open-Discussion Thread". My last post for today shall be directed to "JW"YNN; YOU have previously insinuated that I have an I.Q. equivalent to that of a primate, the maturity of a five year old + a command of the English language which, by your own definition, would be consistent with an individual suffering from both dyslexia + adult ADHD resulting in my being a "mentally challenged" illiterate moron. "JW"YNN, please emerge from your vail of anonymity + let's have a civil discourse Mano-a-Mano on this very forum regarding your defamatory + totally unjustified comments that you directed towards me.

Posted by mike_ch

Heck, I've been wanting "substantiation + back up material" on these alleged Wynn firing threats for months now, but that's always been too much to ask for you. I suppose I'll just have to wait until W-S.C opens before I can get a peek. Don't want you to get in legal trouble until you've cleared your material, after all.

You've already been asked (in the now closed Atlantic City thread) to take your personal issues with other posters to email. No need to do that kind of circus to this stage, it'll only reduce the chances of any useful, non-drama posts.

I expect that we, your loyal audience, will get the first peek at the new site when it is ready.

So, are we thinking September? I don't know what I'm more interested to hear about - progress on that Iraq 'surge' garbage or the new site.

Meanwhile, I am finalizing the new design for this here Web site. I am sending back my bug list to the designers to be fixed today...

Posted by motoman

re the Wynn references in "Ocean's 13"

That's funny; in thinking about "Ocean's Eleven" (Clooney/Soderbergh/Weintraub version, not Rat Pack original), I wondered about the Andy Garcia character's similarities to Wynn: he owned Bellagio and Mirage (but also MGM not TI), and he imploded old "classic" hotels for new megaresorts. There's more but you get where I'm going with this. Sharp dresser, harsh ruler, etc. Also, some reference to getting caught buying a car, like one of the (Wynn) kidnappers did?

So why transfer the analogy to another character, I wonder. (And where the heck is Julia Roberts? ;)

Posted by motoman

mike_ch, thank you for that. Couldn't have said it any better.
JW, I hope you're still with us. You have more friends here than you can imagine.

I previously penned a note almost word-for-word the same as yours but did not send it. I like it here and don't want to be banned or shouted down. But our host has obviously gone beyond free-speech objectivity and taken sides, and we'll just have to accept it. I can't imagine why Hunter would've censored JW and has in fact taken others like mike_ch to task for similar observations in the past -- while apologizing to and continuing to allow the object of these observations to rant and violate the new guidelines uncontrollably.

I haven't been here as often as before last October for those very reasons. Good for page hits, evidently, and even content perhaps. But the place is very much diminished as a result. JW, you speak for more of us than you know.

Posted by motoman

*Argh* Now I must apologize once again, for I have not yet read the rest of the "Wynn apology" thread of May 12 where much of this has been addressed. ....But now I must sleep...

Hunter, I had no idea you were operating this site in the red. Your efforts here are very much appreciated by us all and as Mike E said, have resulted in some new friendships which we owe all to you.

and PS, I never did thank you for your feedback on the MacBook question. For the record, Thank You.

Mike E, am sure we'll catch up some day whether it be in Macau, Las Vegas or elsewhere.

I am in Budapest at the moment and am about to go and check out the "Las Vegas Casino" in the hotel I'm staying at (the Sofitel). My expectations are not particularly high - I've just spent the last couple of weeks in Russia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Germany for work and generally anything labelled "casino" tends to be a small, dirty looking place with nothing more than a few slot machines (with an ugly, solid looking security guard lurking around) - but at least the Las Vegas casino promises blackjack, roulette nad pocker.

I had always seen Benedict as the Wynn character as well, but I don't think the Ferrari reference was meant to be something he, being Benedict, experienced. It was supposed to be, at least in my eyes, an inside joke about that whole affair. The points about Benedict are well taken. However, just looking at Pacino as Willie Bank, I can't help but see Steve. You know that, naming his hotel The Bank, and trying to screw around with his joint-venture partners (see the Wynn/Trump argment I posted on the clost AC thread).

Also, I'm sorry if I'm rambling, but the film industry is another that is close to my heart and when I find a film, like Ocean's 11/12/13, Casino, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, etc., I can't help but ramble on about them.

Motoman, thanks, I appreciate that.

Leonard, I have no interest in going back and forth with you on the same tired topic. Ever since I submitted my one post expressing how I (and apparently others) feel, you've posted no less than six very long posts in which you've desperately attempted to defend yourself and insult me. I'm no psychologist, but it does seem only the insecure and immature feel the need to so relentlessly battle a difference of opinion.

This website is a very informative forum and the discussions are typically friendly, but your posts completely detract from the purpose and benefit of this forum. No one cares if you hate Steve Wynn as a person, businessman, politician, friend, husband, whatever. Again, no one cares about how you feel about Steve Wynn. I'm no moderator, but as of today, the blog's subtitle reads "A Las Vegas and Casino DESIGN COMMENTARY Blog" and not "A Wynn Sucks Blog". Get a damn clue.

Hunter, your site is much appreciated, and I look forward to the new website/format. I feel the posts that have strayed so far from the casino design commentary discussions are disrespectful to you and the many constructive members of this board, so I apologize for my part in that.

Leonard, this is my absolute last post using the "JW" username. Any response or defense or insults of yours will not be responded to and will be in vain, so don't waste your time.

I just noticed something new on Wynn's online room reservation system. If you try too book more than 14 nights, it tells you they have a 14 nights max stay. Are they doing that much business, they are limiting the number of nights you can stay now? Wow! I knew all this bad press would pay off! :) Some much for me winning the lottery, and just checking in for good, huh.

Welcome back JW, Great post!!!

Dave, Thanks for the info on the playboy casino.

Yikes, LVS has one ugly tower planned.

As someone who has no personal knowledge of Steve Wynn, has never met him, doesn't know anyone who has met him, and thus has no personal opinion about him, if I may be so bold as to make an observation: the so-called "Wynn fans" don't seem to ever make much comment about the man himself. Instead, they seem to focus exclusively on their experiences within Wynn Las Vegas and other casinos developed by Wynn. On the other hand, the Wynn nay-sayers seem to focus almost exclusively on personal aspects of Steve Wynn (apart from the odd comment about how ugly chocolate brown towers are). It just seems to me that the arguments aren't necessarily directed at the same issues. The man may be the dumbest micro-manager ever, but that doesn't mean that he can't muster the finances to build a place that people enjoy themselves within.

Now, I realize that many of the experts about Wynn on this site are much smarter than I am. I know, people know much more about all the inside horrible things going on at Wynn than I do. And I am pretty sure, people on this board have a much better idea of where Wynn stock will go in the future, than the experts on Wall Street...but if there are other Wynn investors on here, I just found a good article, If I read this right, he says Wynn stock will be $165 in 2009, then tack on another $100 a share over the next 7-10 years. So he says Wynn stock could see $265 per share in 2016. But hey, I am pretty sure the experts on this site that predict Wynn @ $40 are more accurate.

Oh yeah, the link to my source....

http://www.smartmoney.com/barrons/index.cfm?story=20070605&afl=yahoo

Posted by DavidF

JW - let me add myself to the list of those that generally agree with your opinion, its funny I was thinking the exact same thing today about the title of this blog and some of the sentiments expressed incessantly. To be honest, it is why I have not posted much in the past 6 months, except for the odd occasion when the mood struck me.

I have only met a couple of the regulars in person, MikeE and Hunter, I definitely look forward to meeting others, I pretty much know the position of all of the regular posters on the board. It has gotten extremely old to hear the same Anti-Wynn tirade again and again and again, even on topics where Wynn has no real relation to the original posting, except perhaps as a potential competitor.

Could I skip over stuff, yes I can and I do, I start to read the post for the what might be interesting then skip/switch off when it descends into the usual invective, if I am honest with the a sigh to myself of �not again�.

Me? I go to Vegas, to relax, have a great time and get treated like a King at a value that cannot be matched anywhere else in the World. And that�s my point, you can have the best product, the best designers, the best everything, its going to count for nothing if it doesn�t have the service to back it up. Yes the surroundings/architecture is important, but sometimes that�s not the primary rationale. Put it this way I don�t stay in the MGM because I think that Emerald is the hot color for this year (or the last 14 for that matter)

Although I take a healthy interest in the city and what goes on, I will confess that I know little to nothing about any of the architects behind any interior/exterior design on the strip, I had never even heard of Tony Chi until the reservations agent informed me that the Suite I would be staying in was designed by him. I will admit my architectural tastes are eclectic at best, (a Building I find fascinating to this day is a place called Piccadilly Plaza in my Hometown of Manchester England, although is sadly neglected). All I can say is I know what I like, If I like it, I may do some research to see who is behind it and what else they have done (Thanks Google and Wikipedia!!!), but I am by no means a �architect fanboy�. If that makes me a Philistine then so be it.

WYNN MACAU PULLS BACK MACAU EXPANSION PLANS! Looks like Stevie is feeling the pressure of competition from "superior" future + recently launched properties in Macau. WYNN is facing long-term, major financial issues if the Macau market returns soft earnings for them, [they] are severely overleveraged as I have been reporting, this is the first sign of a melt-down for them. Not good news for all of you Wynn fans. WYNN shares have continued to retreat + can't even break 100 while MGM, although lower, is holding just under its all time high!

http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?storyID=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20070607:MTFH18917_2007-06-07_14-41-47_N07187740&type=comktNews&rpc=44

Leonard, I know you are much smarter than I am. Buy if Wynn is so "severely overleveraged" I think you said, then why is Wynn Resorts buying back 1.2 Billion Dollars in stock which works out to 12% of the company? You have to have money laying around to buy stock! Oh yeah, I almost forgot, they have over $800 Million dollars in the bank, which is more than LVS and MGM have combined. I mean if Wynn was worried about being so "severely overleveraged " wouldn't it make more sense to just pay down your debt, rather than to just buy back stock? Hum... He must see a bright future at Wynn Resorts coming, which is ironic, because so do I.

Brian: I beg to differ, if WYNN's performance is so overwhelming + actually outperforming expectations at the present time, the stock would SPLIT instead, like MGM did a few years ago, greatly benefiting both its sharholders + primary investors.

Brian: Since you are putting up numbers for WYNN, here are analysts' current expectations for MGM by comparison (remember, MGM already split 2 for 1 back in 2005)

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070605/mgm_mirage_mover.html?.v=1

Brian: I don't, nor have I ever, claimed to be "smarter than you", however, the analysts at Morningstar are definitely smarther than the BOTH of us. I know that I have posted this once before, but just for you Brian, I suggest that you read [their] analysis carefully:

Morningstar�s Most Recent Commentary/Analysis of WYNN (@ the end of February 2007) Long-term view:

Associated Risk Factors: �Wynn Resorts carries �substantial� risk. The firm is �highly leveraged�, and any significant cost overruns in its Las Vegas or Macau projects could be devastating. �Wynn�s properties must live up to very high expectations to avoid financial problems, though the Macau subconcession sale has alleviated much of the balance sheet risk.�

�Wynn has taken on an enormous amount of debt supported by very little cash flow. A disruption of either of its properties could trigger liquidity problems. High-end competition on the Strip is intensifying and a host of upscale capacity is scheduled to come online in 2007. The company depends �a great deal� on Steve Wynn. Not only is he the visionary and prime fund-raiser, but his departure for reasons not related to health can trigger accelerated debt repayments.�

Financial Health: �Wynn is highly leveraged, with about $2 billion of debt on its balance sheet as of year-end 2005. Leverage will remain high in the near term, but as Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Macau hit run-rate profitability and Encore opens, debt should be manageable. The windfall from the Macau subconcession sale does wonders for Wynn�s financial health, in our view.�

Profitability: �Wynn was a development-stage company until Wynn Las Vegas opened in April 2005. We expect debt payments and depreciation expenses to �strain� profitability in the near-term, but cash flow should be strong.�

Management: �Compensation is �high� on an absolute basis, but on par with that of other large casinos. We�d prefer to see the positions and chairman �separated� and the board of directors declassified.�

I am not sure how you think spliting a stock, helps anything. Berkshire-Hathaway which I also own, has never split, and never will. If you have a pie, then cut that pie into to parts, you still have one pie. The lower the stock price the easier it is for day traders to munipulate the stock price, and move it, in either direction to the advantage. The more expensive a stock gets, the less likely this is to happen.

PS I bet poor ole Hunter sure gets tired of reading each post, to approve them for post, when we go back and forth over the same old topic, day after day. I'll have to buy him a meal to make up for it when we meet! :)

Brian: Short answer, you are WRONG. I agree, no point in turning this thread into a discussion forum for the merits of certain stocks + securities. You have my e-mail address, I'd be glad to set the record straight with you one-on-one anytime. Comparing B-H to WYNN is like apples + oranges. However, what say you of Morningstar's current 'lackluster analysis' of WYNN? Seems to closely reflect my own position, don't you think? BTW - The ONLY reason WYNN has cash reserves reflecting the numbers you quoted is a direct result of [their] subconcession sale in Macau to PBL, not earnings from revenue!

Brian: This comment isn't meant to continue on with the stock performance issues, but I did want to respond to your post mentioning, Steve's purchase of (or rather the WYNN shareholder's) purchase of the BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) which is old news. It was purchased back in 2006. Imagine what it cost WYNN shareholders to keep Steve living large? It was approved by the b of d because it DOES have the range to reach China non-stop. I actually had heard that Wynn even installed special "facilities" on that thing so his two German Shepherds can actually "relieve themselves" onboard. After all, China is a long trip from L.V. Just for comparison purposes, Tracinda wholly owns a totally custom-built f*cking Boeing 737, which costs MGM shareholders nada! Kerkorian definitely has Stevie beat in the "mine's bigger than yours department". LOL

"JW"YNN: It sounds like you are NOT prepared to defend or support your previous 'false allegations' + unconfirmed comments in connection with your previous post under the guise of "JW". Clearly you are not in any position to confront me with your 'unsupported remarks' + libelous comemnts in defense of your position. Well, I am willing to challenge you directly + Professor "JW"YNN, Ph.D., it's apparent that [you] have absolutely NO knowledge of what you are talkng about. Therefore, Hunter, I am publicly authorizing you to provide "JW"YNN with my personal e-mail address so that [he] at least is given the option/opportunity, at his own discretion, to debate [his] position on a one-on-one basis with me. Otherwise, this guy is nothing but a total pussy! Ask yourself, how much more "reasonable" could my offer be so as not to continue this type of dialogue on this blog?

Oh Leonard, man I hate to call you out and embarass you in front of all of your fans here, but I just have to educate you some. Not only are you not an expert in investing, you are obviously not an expert on airplanes either. You mentioned Wynn has a Boeing Business Jet, and you are correct. Here is a picture of one of the three Wynn corporate jets....

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1192910/M/

As our audience can clearly see, it is indeed a 737, the same plane Kirk owns according to you. So I guess Kirks isnt any bigger, infact its exactly the same.

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/bbj/index.html

As you can see, the 737 is the smallest BBJ one can buy.

Anyhow, its been fun, thanks for playing! Please come back for more, if you wish!

P.S. Always make sure your gun is loaded, before you pull the trigger.

I was gonna say - I don't know very much about airplanes but I thought a BBJ was just a 737 with some special 'packaging' for the corporate market.

Yeah, thanks for taking the barbs off-site - feel free to duke it out via email. JW, I will send you Leonard's email address and consider this thread of discussion to be off-topic, even for the Open Topic...

Brian: I guess that the carpet-laying business must be going pretty well for you, hey? You are no Warren Buffett, that's for sure. If you don't value + otherwise respect [my] opinion, why is it that you recently e-mailed me personally seeking out my advice as to whether or not to 'hold' or 'sell' your shares of MGM? You clearly agreed with my advice in your response, now did't you? If you wish to try + "embarrass" me publicly, it's going to come right back at ya! As far as the WYNN "buyback" is concerned, here is, in part, several leading analysts' opinion on the subject that appears in today's RJ:

"Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Bill Lerner said Macau's gaming revenue trends are still strong, with casinos up 40 percent in April compared with a year ago. They were up 60 percent unofficially in May. He thought visa restrictions were having minimal impact."

"We would expect the new restrictions would impact the lowest end of the mass market and would be less likely to hamper premium customers," Lerner said. "The official motives behind the restrictions remain uncertain, as well as how long they could last."

"In addition to the Macau events, Wynn Resorts announced it would repurchase up to $1.2 billion worth of the company's stock through open market purchases and negotiated transactions."

"Jefferies & Co. gaming analyst Larry Klatzkin thought the stock buyback was being done to protect the stock against any major dips in price."

"We see Wynn as a net user of cash over the next few years," Klatzkin said, alluding to the under construction $2.1 billion Encore next to Wynn Las Vegas and plans to build a new casino on the Cotai region of Macau."

"The news, announced after the stock market opened Thursday, caused large fluctuations in shares of Wynn Resorts, which are traded on the Nasdaq National Market."

"Shares of company stock shot up $2.20 initially on the announcement. By noon, shares had lost the initial increase and had fallen another $3.20. By end of the day, Wynn closed at $93.46, down $2.79 or 2.9 percent. More than 4.9 million shares were traded, more than four times the average daily volume."

Let's see here, "the buyback was being done to PROTECT THE STOCK AGAINST ANY MAJOR DIPS IN PRICE." Certainly sounds like what I have been saying all along, now doesn't it Brian? (i.e. lack of confidence in any surge in share value by the b of d; translates to - overvalued. Wynn's assertions that new visa restrictions are resaons for his de-escalating the Macau property expansion, as usual, is a bunch of bull crap. Wynn Macau faces serious hurdles from new competition that will soon be eating into his bottom line big-time. "Visa restrictions were having MINIMAL impact." Well, I'll tell you this, I am willing to bet you anything that I am making a lot MORE money in the market than you are, Brian.

BTW - Once again you are wrong, while both the BBJ + the slightly longer BBJ2 are BASED on the 737 airframe, the BBJ + BBJ2 are SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than a stretched commercial 737. Kerkorian does NOT own a BBJ. He owns a stretched customized commercial 737. I guess size really does matter, hey Brian?

P.S. I know that we aren't the 'best of friends', but, can you at least get me a good deal on some new carpet (like at wholesale)? You have my e-mail address, let me know.

Gaming executive's compensation: Lanni @ #1 (appropriately enough) earned over THREE times what Stevie made last year. Lanni = 30.1M
Stevie = $10M @ lucky #13! As far as I'm concerned, that's $10M TOO MUCH:

http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2007/06/08/feature3.html

Well Leonard, Time will tell. Bottom line, and then I'll drop this. I see Wynn stock much higher in 3-5 years than it is today. So unless I see something different I'll hold. Yes I did ask your thoughts on MGM in private email. I love people's thoughts. I watch Jim Cramer every day on Mad Money on CNBC, I think he is brilliant. Do I agree with all his calls, NO. But not unlike yourself, I think sometimes he's right, and other times he is wrong. Cramer likes LVS much more than MGM or Wynn, which I think is wrong, but then again we can all be experts on everything. I think LVS, is the single most over valued stock there is in the business. Once again, I don't care if you agree or disagree on that part, I'm just saying. I am sure you make much more money in the market than I. You are a multi millionaire, and had come from a very wealthy family. I sell carpet for a living. Lastly I guess you win, you are more of a BBJ expert than I am, but you totally mislead the other readers, by acting like Wynn had a tiny jet, compared to Kirk's 737. Lastly, email on the carpet thing. I can sell you carpet at wholesale. I am also selling some to an x-dealer at Wynn. I sell carpet all over the nation, and am used to shipping all over the place. You will have to find an installer though. Email me. you have my email. Also I'll be there in July and look forward to meeting you for lunch. I hope to catch up with Mike E also.

Brian: I was just joking about the carpet thing. :-)

Posted by mike_ch

Leonard, what you've posted about Lanni and the other executives has been public knowledge for a while now:

http://www.lvrj.com/business/7606607.html

"Steve Wynn had the gaming industry's highest base salary in 2006, $2.8 million. After incentives and other compensation, mostly tied to bonuses, Wynn's pay package totaled nearly $10 million. Wynn also has use of a company jet at a cost of $237,285 to the company."

""I look at Steve Wynn's compensation and I think 'Wow, that's conservative for the amount of value he's created,'" [Deutsche's Bill] Lerner said."

No, they both own a BBJ1, for whatever difference it makes. The N number registry says they are both 737-700 series. The -800 are noticeably longer behind the wing. There is no interior size difference between the BBJ versions of a 737 and its regular airline counterpart. The BBJ1 is a -700 series cabin, albeit with the wing and landing gear from a -800 to allow for more fuel. The BBJ2 is a -800 and the BBJ3 900 is a -900.

Redneck: (what a really "creative" choice you picked for a username), Kerkorian has a custom-built, Boeing 737-72T. The "BBJ" designation is applied to ALL private aircraft that are built on a 737 airframe. Here is a link to Kerkorian's 737, it is significantly larger than Wynn's BBJ. Care to wager on it?

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0532150

mike_ch: I am totally aware of that already. My primary reason for providing this [new] info here is to draw a 'comparison' between Wynn + other major gaming executive's total compensation. The fact that it was earlier reported that Steve Wynn had the highest "base" salary, at the end of the day, he still came in @ #13. $20M LESS than that of Lanni's compensation. It appears that you definitely get what you pay for, even when it comes to the CEO's compensation of publicly held major gaming companies!

Posted by mike_ch

But when was the last time MGM Mirage built something other than their current crop? New York New York?

The jury is out on Macau and CityCenter, Detroit is further along but a lot of the locals don't find it appealing.

It seems to me compensation isn't the sole judgment of someone's worth here. If it wasn't for Wynn, north Strip would still be bandying about that giant ferris wheel, not getting ready for projects like Plaza and Echelon.

The Registration for Kirk's jet
http://tinyurl.com/2qr2h8
See the Model number 737-72T -7xx means it is a 700 series airframe. The 2T is a customer code

Registration for Steve's jet
http://tinyurl.com/3xxamf
Model number 737-79U. Again a 737-7xx series
So unless somebody at the FAA screwed up they are both registered as a -700 airframe which means they are both -700 airframe

Photo of Steve's plane
http://tinyurl.com/2o6uxk
Photo Kirk's Plane
http://tinyurl.com/2w5gut

Now count the windows. Kirk' plane has some blanking plates in, but you can distinguish most of them. Wynn=35 Kirk=33 including the blanking plates I could see. Now lets compare that to a plane that is truly larger than both theirs, a 737-800
http://tinyurl.com/35qbhk
A -800 has about 43 windows plus you will notice the second emergency overwing exit

Finally notice the overhang behind the wing on Kirk's
http://tinyurl.com/2wk3cd
Steve's
http://tinyurl.com/2n3edr
And a -800
http://tinyurl.com/2nwk9s

Here
http://www.b737.org.uk/history.htm#737-BBJ
is a photo of a -700 based BBJ and a -800 based BBJ2. Notice how the BBJ2 looks to be more level with the ground vs the slight nose down angle of the BBJ? That is because the BBJ2 has been lengthened infront of the wing, making it longer, and the nose down angle less. Both Wynn and Kirk's jet feature that nose down tilt.

Posted by mike_ch

The 9PM Las Vegas One newscast just metnion that Stations shareholders have consolidated 7 lawsuits into one class-action, suing to stop the Fertitta/Colony takeover.

Personally, I say go shareholders. I'm not a big Station fan, but I prefer them public. Just my opinion.

In addition, Tracinda Corp. also owns a completely customized Boeing 737-800 series since the mid/late 1990's (commercial conversion for private use). I will try + post a photo of it if I can find one. Size definitely matters!

Hmm.. there's no photo on Airliners.net of a 737-800 credited to Tracinda, and trust me when I tell you, someone would have photographed it by now.

jholiday: Well I guess I don't "trust you" that a photograph of this specific aircraft would, with certainty, already exist. Simply beacuse it doesn't appear on the website Airliners.net, means absolutely nothing. In addition, although never having been onboard, I have personally seen, with my very own two eyes, this 'sepcific' aircraft on more than one occasion. Perhaps I'm also deliousional in addition to the other personality traits that have thus far been attributed towards me by other contributors on this forum. Try finding a photograph of of Kerkorian's 200' superyacht or his brand new one for that matter. As a matter of fact, with the exception of [his] required public attendance at Nevada gaming licensing hearings in connection with MGM/Mirage, try + find recent photographs of Kerkorian himself as well. Very few photographs of him exist. Kerkorian personally owned + controlled two commercial carriers over the years. The first was the former Western Airlines + later the wholly owned super-upsacle MGM Grand Air. In the late 1980's I flew MGM Grand Air almost weekly roundtrip from LA to New York on a regular basis. I even had frequent flyer miles with MGM Grand Air! If I recall, they used 727s, on the cross-country routes, but I'm absolutely certain that I will be challenged by someone on this fact as well. Tracinda has owned numerous large commercial Boeing + Douglas aircraft, converted for personal + private use, over the past several decades. This is really starting to become rather taxing at this point.

Posted by detroit1051

"This is really starting to become rather taxing at this point." Leonard, you make me smile. Thanks for the memories of MGM Grand Air. I never flew it, but I aspired to. Ahh, the good old days.
http://www.airchive.com/SITE%20PAGES/TIMETABLES-MGM.html
http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?airlinesearch=MGM%20Grand%20Air&distinct_entry=true

Posted by mike_ch

RJ looks at the renovations of Hard Rock suites:

http://www.lvrj.com/business/7953302.html

Maybe I need to see them in person, but as of now, I see absolutely no warmth in the spaces Zeff is creating at Hard Rock. Those images look like those black and white photographs so clich� among photographers where splashes of color highlight key objects. I like the idea of an "elegant goth" look, but these suites confure up images of The Munsters long before The Cure or Bauhaus.

Posted by detroit1051

Oh, my Dog!
Mike, "The Munsters" is a great comment. I don't fit Hard Rock's demographics, but this is ridiculous. I'd get depressed sitting (or sleeping) in that suite. Give me Wynn/Roger Thomas' warm, inviting, relaxing, soothing, feel-good suites any time. Sorry Leonard. LOL.

Posted by Dave

Sheesh! I've never liked that severe b&w look much, and I can't imagine staying in a room like that for fun. I've stayed at some fairly modern hotels here and there (including one owned by Morgans), but most of them used color to creatively soften the minimalism, something that I really like. I'm all for clean lines, but this is just cold looking.

For some reason I'm reminded of that Tom Petty video with the Alice in Wonderland theme.

Posted by motoman

John wrote re Ocean's 13: "I had always seen Benedict as the Wynn character as well, but I don't think the Ferrari reference was meant to be something he, being Benedict, experienced. It was supposed to be, at least in my eyes, an inside joke about that whole affair...."

Yes, it was Benedict warning one of the gang not to pull a similar stunt -- an inside joke, as you say (and thus a clear reference to Benedict as the Wynn analogue).

So again I ask, why transfer that analogy to another character? Where does that leave Benedict? Suddenly he's Adelson? ;)
(disclosure: haven't seen the flick yet.)

It's been quite a long time since this thread was active, and, to be honest, I just came across it today and felt some blatant errors need correcting.

I have no idea who Leonard Stern is, or where he gets his information, but everyone reading this should know:

I am Steve Sebelius.

I was not fired by the Las Vegas Sun. I worked there (as a reporter) from 1993-1997, then left Las Vegas and returned to write for CityLife (1998-2000) and the Review-Journal (2000-2005) and then to edit CityLife (2005-present).

I have written negatively about Steve Wynn and his tip-stealing policies in my blog and in CityLife.

I have never been disciplined, fired, pressured or intimidated in any way for those opinions, or publishing them.

In fact, I continue to write in support of Wynn dealers to this day, believing that state law is on their side.

So whoever Leonard Stern is, if he claims I've been fired, work for the Sun, was a "contributing editor" at the Sun, etc. as a result of my position on Wynn, he's flat out wrong.

As a longtime journalist, a piece of advice for readers of blogs: Do not believe anything you read until it's confirmed elsewhere.

Steve,

Thanks for adding your input.

Leonard Stern hasn't posted here in quite some time and when he was posting, was known for asserting many 'facts' that could never be independently verified. Other readers often called him out on this so your response does not come as a surprise.

Hunter

You know, I can't help but look back at all of those posts, and laugh about how ridiculously unfounded they were. If only two years ago, we all could have seen to now and shown a certain someone that not only would be LVS be in dire economic straits, but that Wynn would, in fact, be the most profitable and secure casino company not only in Las Vegas, but in the country.

Ah, how the times have a way of changing.

Posted by Hunter

John,

First off, great to hear from you.

Second - yes, it's become incredibly clear how easy it was for the entire industry, along with many of us here, to get totally sucked into the boom town that Las Vegas was until things recently went south.

I think even Leonard Stern would given Wynn a pass given what's happened... Ok, maybe he wouldn't. :-)

Cheers,
Hunter