FLASHPOINT for Jan 19, 2007

By Jon Ralston

Las Vegas Sun

The Economist is reporting that Las Vegas "has become the symbol of the 'new' unionism, which is characterized by a missionary approach to recruitment." The piece points out the Culinary Union's ties with the casinos and invokes a saying that goes "there is only one party that matters in Nevada, and that is the Gaming Party." It also says the unions are being courted by presidential candidates because of the early caucus, but are "keeping their cards well hidden, affecting an almost contemptuous attitude to politicians, particularly Democratic ones." The article quotes Culinary boss D. Taylor deriding such courting by the White House hopefuls as "utterly worthless." I wish he'd save those quotes for the local media.