Kentucky’s ‘Ark Encounter’ Creationist Theme Park Struggles To Stay Afloat

[MarkCharles]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/12/is_kentuckys_ark_encounter_creationist_theme_park_sinking.php

"As LEO Weekly reports, the groundbreaking has been delayed … and delayed. Zovath told TPM he isn’t sure when it will finally happen. With permit issues, it could be several months after the construction is approved before ground would be broken, he said. Ideally, Zovath said, construction would start sometime in 2012.

So far, $4.3 million has been raised for the project. The group hopes to raise $24.5 million in all. That’s quite a ways to go. Some critics of the project have questioned whether it will be ever built. Asked what would happen to the donations if the park never materializes, Zovath couldn’t say. “You’d have to contact donors,” he said. But he’s still optimistic. “It’s going to be a fun project,” he said.

The Ark Encounter is quite a project: it will include a full-sized wooden ark, a “walled city much like what was found in ancient times, a replica of the Tower of Babel with exhibits, a first-century Middle Eastern village” and even outdoor parking. The state of Kentucky has also approved tax incentives to help offset the park’s cost."

"tax incentives"? WTF?

[cbayer]

1. Yeah, the whole debate around the tax incentive is pretty interesting.

Here is a good article that delves into the various aspects of that particular issue:


http://ncse.com/news/2011/05/kentucky-to-grant-tax-incentives-to-ark-park-006678

[skepticscott]

2. I guess they figure

that this will draw in fundies from other states and boost their economy. Maybe open a few more Cracker Barrels.

[MarkCharles]

3. "Cracker" Barrels for sure!

"Empty barrels make the most noise."

And though it may be true that the Vatican draws millions of tourists a year to Italy, and Bethlehem draws tens of thousands to Israel, and the Haj draws thousands or more to Saudi Arabia,

I wonder if a fundie Biblical Disneyland is really in need of tax breaks.

[Leontius]

9. What exactly is "Cracker" supposed to mean, just wondering?

[MarkCharles]

11. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cracker

See for yourself.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

5. If not for the Creation "Museum," I never would have found Big Bone Lick park.

During my time in Kentucky this summer, my friends and I visited the Creation "Museum." On the way, we passed the most lovely state park, with the rather unfortunate name of "Big Bone Lick." It was too late in the day to stay long, but it had some beautiful hiking trails, a lake, and even a real bison. I plan to go back every year, at least until my friend receive his doctorate from UK. If not for Ken Ham's paranoid palace of delusion, we would not have left Lexington. While nothing could ever make me give more money to the "Museum," I plan to explore the beautiful KY countryside many times in the future (they have distilleries there.) It does indeed bring money into the state.

Of course, so do football stadiums, and I'll be damned if they shouldn't have to pay taxes.

[MarkCharles]

6. WOW, never heard of it, either... and then I HAVE..

heard of distilleries in KY.

That's why I would go there, other than the beauty of the place.

[ChadwickHenryWard]

10. My friend and his wife just got up from KY yesterday

bearing three gifts - three bottles of some really fine stuff. I've never even heard of any of it.

[Angry Dragon]

4. I would think if god wanted it built

he/she would just make it so...........

[piratefish08]

7. pray harder. God will provide. or not.

[MarkCharles]

8. Not enough praying going on! Yes! n/t

[uriel1972]

12. They must prey harder for donations it seems

suckers and their dollars must be parted for the glory of 'God' who seems to be permanently skint.

[MarkCharles]

13. Amazing how two words that sound identical and are

spelled differently, really have the same meaning

Pray prey

Prayer prey

Prayor, preyor

[cbayer]

14. Really? Wow, that is quite the stretch there.

[Leontius]

15. You have to wonder if the bigotry is nature or nurture.

[cbayer]

16. ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny

[Iggo]

17. "...struggles to stay afloat..."

Okay, NOW I get it.