Imperial Palace-COW
It's ironic that The Imperial Palace would be the COW at the same time that
Political Correctness is a topic of discussion here.
I first heard about owner Ralph Engelstad and his love of Nazi history at a
very inopportune time. I was meeting some people from an online group to
write about their bi-annual get-togethers for Casino magazine, and had not
been able to get reservations anywhere but the Imperial Palace. We met
downtown and when I mentioned I was staying at Imperial Palace a couple of
people raised their eyebrows, then told me about Engelstad. I went back to
the hotel that night wondering if they kept track of Jews in the place, if
there were little telltale marks on the doors of those who were suspect, if
I'd hear loud banging on the door in the middle of the night. I imagined
headlines that went something like, "Police Investigate Missing Jews at IP."
For those who aren't aware of it, Engelstad was what you might call a Nazi
fan. It's all surprisingly well documented, especially in various obituaries
following his death a few months ago. He would throw parties on Hitler's
birthday and dress in Nazi uniform. He suggested that others attending
dress the same. People did attend. His affection for Nazis lasted many
years, until he ultimately renounced it, due to strong pressure from his
peers and from political leaders.
To be fair, if being fair is even necessary, I've never read of anything
that reflected his anti-Semitism or racism in his hiring practices. In
fact, those who worked for him seem to have held him in very high regard. As
if that excuses anything.
Prior to learning about his Nazi leanings, I would have said that IP was the
best place to watch the occasional flash flood. Situated right in the flood
plane, a raging river would rampage along the driveway and into the IP's
parking garage. We stood awestruck watching cars bobbing. No one could
enter or leave the hotel.
But after I became aware of Engelstad's activities, the IP became a property
to conscientiously avoid. I've not set foot in the place in the past six
years, and will not, despite Engelstad's death, until there's some kind of
public apology from the current management.
To those who would defend Engelstad or rationalize his past, remember this
paraphrased quote from Shakespeare: The evil that men do lives after them,
the good is oft interred with their bones. So let it be with Engelstad.
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