LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Mob museum is no place for public funds

Peter Puglisi, Henderson

Saturday, March 21, 2009 | 2:02 a.m.

Am I offended that the glorification of the mob in America leads many to ask, because I am Italian-American, how many members of my family are in the mob or if I’ve killed anyone? No, because I usually tell them the only people I’ve killed (technically zero) are the ones who ask me stupid mafia questions.

But I am offended by the use of taxpayer dollars to fund a museum dedicated to criminals who murdered, stole and avoided millions in Nevada state taxes by skimming off casinos. What’s next, a Bloods and Crips museum?

Here’s an idea, what about a vintage Vegas museum, which locals preferred when polled in 2006, that has a mafia wing? Oh, I forgot, locals who pay taxes don’t matter, especially not when the building is an ego trip for Mayor Oscar Goodman, who “made his bones” (bones being dollars) defending mafia thugs.

The worst part in the proposal is that one can choose, when entering the museum, to be a member of law enforcement or a mobster. It reminds me of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (privately funded), which is about the victims, not the criminals. When entering you get the name of a victim and follow their life. I wonder how the mayor would feel if upon entering you could choose whether you wanted to be a Nazi or victim of the Holocaust?

In the end, I’m all for freedom of speech, and freedom of any type of museum you want. I’m just against the use of $15 million in taxpayer dollars to do so, particularly after the governor sliced and diced the education budget. (Hey kids, can you spell Neonopolis?)

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By vsestini

3/21/09 at 5:34 a.m.

Suggest removal

The Mob Museum being proposed for Las Vegas is for the glorification of Oscar Goodman, the former mouthpiece to the mob. Its his idea...let him pay for it!

Las Vegas could use a top quality Natural History Museum but no, Oscar wants to glorify and memorialize the 'Mafia' tht he so 'heroically defended for decades...WE DO NOT NEED IT OSCAR... This is just another 'pie in the sky' idea of yours like the major, major league sports stadia that you have proposed over and over. Get over it Oscar...
By neiman1

3/21/09 at 9:17 a.m.

Suggest removal

The problem with earmarks is things like higher education don't get to compete for funds with things like a mob museum. Would we all rather the funds go to the University?

With earmarks it's always, we cannot use it for anything else so we have to spend it. Get the federal government out of all monies back to states. Let them provide defense and let the states do their own thing for everything else.
By MidwestCougar

3/22/09 at 8:56 a.m.

Suggest removal

This museum sounds great, I don't see why yall are so upset! It reminds me of Planet Hollywood, which is a great place, cause they have all that movie stuff in there. I think I would be upset though if this mafia museum didn't have an Olive Garden in it too. My kids just love that place. And neonopolis is my favorite ice cream.