@ atdleft

It's funny you mention the rescinded offers. I got one for two comped nights until July 31st, so when I called several weeks ago, the reservations person told me all the weekends were booked already, but that plenty of Sundays to Thursdays were remaining. Early last week, I decided to take a one night visit for Thursday (I figured I'd just use one of the comped nights), but when I called reservations, the M guy said the promo offer ended because all the spaces were taken. Fair enough, since one of the stipulations was that the offer was good based on availability. Still, I had 2 free $25 freeplay coupons and wanted to get away from Los Angeles for a day, so I booked my room anyway. It was only $55 plus that inane $25 "resort fee" (you get free internet wifi access and get this, a complimentary USA Today! Wow, what a splurge).

So I got there Thursday and I could tell the offer was 86'ed because the place was hardly bustling with activity. There's no way they could have booked the allotted rooms.

Still, I like the place and am looking forward to many excursions this upcoming football season.

Oh, and the cocktail waitresses are hawwwwwwt!

Ensign ought to team up with Larry Craig, Newt Gingrich, Jim Gibbons, Ted Haggard and David Vitter for a new reality show, "I'm a Self-Righteous Serial Adulterer, Get Me Out Of Here!"

If I'm going to partake in the inevitable squandering of my money in a casino, I want to do it in a vibrant, fun-filled milieu. Unfortunately, Encore's aura has all the charm of a dank yet gaudily-ornamented Italian family restaurant. The casino's chambered design suffocates any energy that can arise and makes me think it'll someday make a great mausoleum for Mr. Wynn.

No one should begrudge John for leaving Stern. He, like most staffers on that show, was grossly underpaid and underappreciated by Howard, but in any event, he would have never moved beyond being a call screener and on-air personality.

That said, I think Leno hired him to be a comic foil and on-location "monkey" (going to some eccentric show or gathering and interviewing the eclectic patrons, for example) in addition to being the announcer. Unfortunately, Jay and John never established any chemistry, and it shows. I think Jay realizes it hasn't worked out like planned, but he doesn't want to be the ogre and fire John, but he's using passive aggressive tactics (like not informing him of his future) to get John to resign.

Oh, please, please, please, I hope the rumors that Carl Icahn borrowed rather than purchased all that MGM Mirage stock in order to "short" it are true. Nothing like seeing a corporate raider getting his comeuppance.

MGM Mirage files for bankruptcy -200

MGM Mirage sells Bellagio to Steve Wynn +135

MGM Mirage sells Mirage to Penn +260

MGM Mirage to temporarily close Mandalay Bay in order to remove the stench left by all the d-bags who've infested the place the past several years +600

MGM Mirage pays Anthony Marnell $100 million to take over and manage the company +700

It's a bit disingenuous to think this can be constructed without one dollar of public money.

Ultimately, who is the Daddy Warbucks for this venture? They talk about long-term debt and equity financing, but from where? Phil Ruffin, with his impeccable business credentials and assets couldn't even procure a $100 million plus loan to finance a part of his purchase of Treasure Island. I'd like to see who'll be willing to invest in a highly risky enterprise that'll cost billions and inevitably go over budget and wait eons to recoup his investment based on $55 tickets x 10 million passengers per year less costs.

If they get any money, I'd guess it'll mostly come in the form of a public loan which may end up metamorphosing into a public grant. Or the budget may split into a public part which will go towards infrastructure upgrades and one for the actual rail construction which may come from that long-term debt and equity financing.

In all, there are all sorts of risks, but it has to be undertaken in one way or another.

I'm just throwing ideas or thoughts out there, but nevertheless...

We're about to have thousands of construction workers as well as those involved in the supply chain out of work once Fontainebleu and City Center are complete. This will further devastate the already abysmal LV economy, leading to a strain on public resources and further deflating the demand for private enterprise goods and services. This can have a domino effect that can lead to population exodus and erosion of property values, for example. Having something like this rail fast-tracked could soften the blow.

But OMG, it reeks of social welfare!

Actually, hundreds of private businesses will benefit from a project of this magnitude. I'm sure the proposal can effectively calculate a generous multiplier effect for the High Desert through to Las Vegas.

There is a risk to this becoming a colossal boondoggle, but what's the old saying? Nothing ventured, nothing gained?

Unfortunately, the debate surrounding funding will inevitably be fueled with vitriol. A desperate Republican Party would use this as an example of government spending run amok. Never mind the fact the Southern states which are overwhelmingly rep'ed by Republicans suckle at the public teat more than any other region in the US. In fact, California and Nevada pay more in taxes than they receive from DC, so really, funding is just a means of getting to what these states are justifiably entitled.

I've been telling friends and acquaintances for the past several years that TI is the most underrated, underappreciated resort on the strip.

I've swung by there, though didn't lodge, since Mr. Ruffin took over and I really didn't notice anything different, not that I expected there to be.

I just hope Mr. Ruffin doesn't spare any expense to make upgrades when necessary. I believe the sportsbook and casino floor can benefit from a little "cleaning up".

It appears Mr. Ruffin has always exercised rational judgment in his business affairs, so I don't see something happening to TI like what happened to the once-venerated Rio once Harrah's put its grimy paws on it.

As for his personal life, I mean, really? A 26-year-old former beauty queen from an ex-Soviet state? I can only assume she makes Mr. Ruffin feel youthful and vibrant, but absolutely no woman, NO WOMAN, other than those with serious "daddy issues" wants to be with a man who's old enough to be her father, unless he's a moneyed paramour. Maybe there's some kind of quid pro quo there.

Holy fricking cwap! What an embittered, condescending jerkwad that Rainey guy is. NYT arguably more deserving for its reporting on the financial meltdown? Hell, all these financial shenanigans took place in its backyard for years and the Old Grey Lady obviously didn't perform its public duty until the bubble exploded, by which time many, many news outlets were exposing the events and machinations leading up to it.

And really, was the backhand to Ms. Berzon's face necessary? Oh, the horror that she had just emerged from grad school and an online tech publication! At what point does she become a real journalist, Mr. Rainey? Apparently, you have the qualifications and background to lay judgment.

As for pondering the financial state of the Las Vegas Sun, Mr. Rainey should be more concerned with his employer's tenuous financial position. In fact, maybe Mr. Rainey has a right to be so cantankerous since his job may be axed when the LA Times goes through its inevitable next round of layoffs.

But in the meantime, I say we ask the LA Times Vegas blogger Richard Abowitz accost Mr. Rainey and give him the wedgie he so richly deserves.