Seagull Musings Column for
At the outset the Ole Seagull would point out that he drinks on occasion and likes to play Blackjack and Limit Texas Hold’Em Poker.He could go on about why, because of personal failings, he probably should not be writing this column but he won’t.
The issues of expanded drinking and gambling in Branson go beyond the personal failings of one Ole Seagull.They go to the bed rock of the foundation upon which Branson’s success has been built.These are issues of what is right or wrong for Branson, her people, her guests, their families, and her economic future.As Abraham Lincoln said, “If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”
Today, in a very competitive tourism industry, one of Branson’s main selling points is its “family friendly” atmosphere.It, perhaps more than any other one thing, is what differentiates Branson from other tourist destinations and gives our guests a clear choice to make in selecting a vacation or get away destination.Without it, Branson is but another “raisin” in a box of “tourist destination raisin bran.”
In making a list of the “Most Family Friendly Activities,” where would most people place gambling or the drinking of alcoholic beverages?If included at all, would they be near the top or the bottom?Similarly, in making a list of the “Least Family Friendly Activities,” where would they be?Unless, an Ole Seagull misses his guess, most of the potential “family value” or “family friendly” guests that Branson targets would leave them off the “Most Family Friendly” list and have them near, or at, the top of the “Least Family Friendly” list.
Of these two “Least Family Friendly Activities,” which one, gambling or the drinking of alcoholic beverages, is the least family friendly?Is one of the two a leading cause of deaths on Americas’ highways and roadways?Of the two, which do you believe is responsible for more instances of spousal and child abuse or has damaged the greatest number of lives and families?An Ole Seagull’s personal life’s experience convicts him that the answer, to all the above, is the drinking of alcoholic beverages.
Between 1983 and 1996 only three Branson theatres had received liquor licenses.Since 1996 eight theatres have received Liquor Licenses.Of these eight, five have been granted during the years 2002 and 2003. Is there a trend developing here?If so, is it a trend that adds to the friendly atmosphere that Branson is allegedly so concerned about?
In a Pontius Pilate self fulfilling prophesy sort of way, the Branson Board of Aldermen and City Administration seem to say, “Oh hum, we can’t do anything about it because it’s the state that issues the liquor licenses.”But the state also issues Driver Licenses.
Doesn’t the City have ordinances that restrict how the privileges permitted by that license are exercised within the Branson City limits?Similarly, couldn’t Branson have ordinances restricting how the privileges authorized by state Liquor Licenses are exercised in its theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors?
Can Rockaway Beach’s proposed gambling damage Branson’s family friendly atmosphere anymore than expanding the drinking of alcoholic beverages into its theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors would?An Ole Seagull doesn’t think so.Aren’t both “family unfriendly?”
The Branson Board of Aldermen has passed a resolution against the expansion of gambling in the Branson area.All rhetoric and excuses aside, as an initial measure of Branson’s true commitment to “family friendliness,” the Branson Board of Aldermen could pass a similar resolution regarding the expansion of the serving of alcoholic beverages in its theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors.
Will they?Not without the commitment, involvement, and action of those allegedly opposed to the expansion of the drinking of alcoholic beverages into Branson’s theatres, theme parks, amusement parks, and amusement parlors.If the apathy of the past is any indication, let’s get our beers and belly up to the show as we complain about how gambling coming to Rockaway Beach will harm our family friendly atmosphere.
