More on PBS Vegas Documentary

I am nervous writing this, more nervous than I've been about any other entry I have posted on the Movable Buffet. But after a few conversations with friends in Vegas I feel it is necessary. I am not holding back criticizing the Greenspun Family Foundation for helping fund the PBS documentary on Vegas; on the contrary, I am reluctant to defend them on the grounds of hating the idea of looking like I am kissing the bosses collective asses. But this is my honest view: Hank Greeenspun arrived here in the 1940s and played a major roll in media, politics and land development in Las Vegas. Las Vegas would not be the same without him. His lifetime competitor (Greenspun ran The Las Vegas Sun), The Las Vegas Review Journal named him one of the 100 people who had a major impact on the history of Las Vegas. In many ways the Greenspun family story is entwined with the story of Las Vegas, and Hank's sons (Danny and Brian) who currently run the family's business empire have seen this little town become a major city in their lifetime. This was the vision of their father and it was a vision that many laughed at him for having. I take for granted the centrality of Vegas to American and, indeed, world culture. But I did not grow up here. I do not remember Las Vegas as a fading 80s relic of a brief 60s heyday. That a series as prestigious as "The American Experience" on PBS wanted to focus on Vegas would be seen by anyone who grew up here as a huge validation of our importance. And, it makes complete sense to me that the family's non-profit foundation,  if approached, would happily contribute to making it happen without expecting to impact the finished product.  After all, they support many attempts to preserve Nevada history especially through UNLV (another PBS program sponsor).  Now, it is a separate question if the money should have been solicited from them and from the LVCVA (who are charged with promoting tourism). But that is a PBS and the documentary makers' moral quandary and not the ethical failings of anyone in Las Vegas.