 |
| Casino at White Hall |
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, proving once again that he is bought and sold by the Poarch Creek tribe, raided a non-Indian gaming facility today at White Hall. Is this a response to reports that Republicans loyal to former Governor Bob Riley--and Strange definitely is one--have been soliciting Indian gambling funds to attack non-Indian gaming facilities?
It sure looks that way from here. And we have to ask: Where in the heck is Governor Robert Bentley? Is he aware of how dangerous this situation might become? Does he care?
We already know that Strange received a $100,000 campaign donation from the Poarch Creeks. Big Luther showed that the investment is paying off by authorizing a raid today on the non-Indian gaming facility at White Hall.
If the standard used in the Don Siegelman case applies, this looks like the kind of "quid pro quo" that should land Big Luther in an oversized federal prison cell. But Strange obviously is not concerned about the Obama Justice Department suddenly growing a spine, assuming Obama wins re-election. And Strange is willing to take shamelessness to all new levels. From the Montgomery Advertiser:
Authorities Friday served a search warrant on Southern Star Entertainment Center in Lowndes County and seized 350 machines, according to a release Friday afternoon from Attorney General Luther Strange.
“Today’s actions are the culmination of an investigative process over the last several months,” Strange said in a statement. “From my first day in office, I have worked to ensure that illegal gambling laws are enforced consistently across the state.”
Authorities also seized an undisclosed amount of cash from the facility in White Hall.
Strange apparently said this with a straight face, even though we now have convincing evidence that his fellow Riley Robots have been actively seeking Indian gaming money. And this is from a group of politicians who supposedly have a moral objection to gambling. We can thank Bill Britt, at the Alabama Political Reporter, for the latest news about GOP hypocrisy. And we also know that Republican operatives have responded by using threats and bullying tactics against Britt.
Is Luther Strange the biggest bully of all by launching what appears to be a bogus raid on White Hall--probably in response to Bill Britt's reporting?
Here is a more important question for citizens to ponder: The Alabama Supreme Court established during the Bob Riley administration that the governor is the ultimate law-enforcement officer in our state. That means current Governor Robert Bentley has the authority to usurp Strange's power and take charge over this dangerous situation. So where is Bentley?
Having law-enforcement personnel conduct raids on businesses that, until recently were deemed to be operating lawfully, is a recipe for disaster. How long before someone at one of these businesses decides enough is enough and fights back?
I predict someone is going to get hurt or killed if Luther Strange's silliness continues. Robert Bentley has ultimate law-enforcement authority in our state. The Alabama Supreme Court has made that determination. When is Bentley going to act on his legal authority? Does someone have to die before Bentley wakes up?
This getting scary. I thought this was over when we got rid of Riley. Luther must be stopped.
ReplyDeleteBentley is like this Mr. Rogers figure who thinks everything is wonderful in the neighborhood. Grow a pair, governor!
ReplyDeleteImagine that you have worked hard to start and operate a business that had been declared legal in the past. Then officers continue to raid your business for political and financial reasons that have nothing to do with the law. I could see how this could get dangerous. An employee or a patron might say, "Heck, I'm not going to take this any more."
ReplyDeleteRepublicans supposedly believe so strongly in the second amendment, especially as a counter to abusive government action.
ReplyDeleteThey might want to be careful. The people they are bullying can take advantage of the second amendment, too.
@3:31--
ReplyDeleteYou make an interesting point. My understanding is the GOP love for the 2nd Amendment comes from a desire to make sure government can't intrude on their homes or businesses like a bunch of storm troopers. But it's GOP types, led by Luther Strange, who are acting like Nazis. Why aren't the gun lovers taking up arms to protect these businesses from government intrusion?
Do these casinos have security officers? If so, are they armed? Maybe they need to hire armed security forces. Let's see how far Luther's moral objection to gambling will go.
ReplyDeleteRoger - The AL Supreme Court makes this stuff up as they go! The Attorney General had been the Chief Law Enforcement Officer since statehood until Troy King came along. Then, they gave the power to Riley. When Luther Strange figured out he wasn't polling well enough to replace Riley as Governor, he switched to the AG race. The AG is once again the de facto Chief LEO because Strange is closer to Riley than Bentley is. The only reasons the Supremes haven't issued a ruling is 1) Riley told Luther Strange not to sue because he plans on coming back & 2) the Supremes don't want to look like fools by reversing their own ruling during their own term in office.
ReplyDeleteGov. Bentley won't say anything. He "sold out" to the State Religion of the Confederate States of America, the Southern Baptist Church. He's been brainwashed like the rest of its mindless followers. You haven't heard? God frowns upon gambling and drinking and they must be stopped unless an Elder or Deacon has a financial interest in it. Then, the money can be sanctified and used to God's Glory. Same thing goes for interracial marriage or marriages to Jews, Catholics or Atheists. It is absolutely forbidden unless the woman gives the son of a deacon or elder a huge erection. Besides, the daughters of the ordinary church members are poor because their parents gave all of their money to the church. Jewish and Atheist women tend to have good jobs and disposable income for the collection plate. As long as 10% of their joint income goes in the church collection plate, the children are sanctified by their father who will go to Heaven with them while mommy burns is Hell. I know all of this because I lived it for 15 years and heard the church leadership discuss it.
ReplyDeleteGreat points, Rob, as always. Can't decide which is scarier--the Southern Baptist Church or the Roman Catholic Church. Sort of a toss up.
ReplyDeleteIf you remember when Bentley was on the campaign trail he stated "The first thing when I get in office I am going to do is get rid of the gambling task force." I guess he was TOLD by the FAMILY that he would NOT be getting rid of the force because he did not. I wish I had kept those DVD taped speeches. Liar and I voted for him last time but will not this time because of that lie and because of what he did on the Health Care Issue. I think he does not have balls and he needs to grow some.x
ReplyDeleteWhat did he do on health care issue?
DeleteI wish when they raided the hall little old church ladies sitting there with those bottles of ink playing bingo.
ReplyDeleteAlabama is so backwards. Just this week in Florida I looked around and the awesome roads and places and thought "Yep Lottery" Why does it not come up to the voters again In AL if we want gambling or a lottery. How do you get that type of thing on a ballot? AND WHY DOES SOMEONE NOT DO IT?
Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the governor is the ultimate law-enforcement officer in Alabama?
ReplyDeleteSounds as if there's oligarchic rule in Alabama. What's Riley Jr.'s first name?
The Church of Christ which is basically the Roman Catholic Church without the ordained Priesthood and the sacred icons may be scarier. All the tithes stay local. You get to watch your money make a few local leaders rich as they tell you what to do while they have their way with your wife or girlfriend. Unlike the Roman Catholics and Southern Baptists, there is no appeal beyond your congregation. Your only redress is to vote with your feet by leaving the church and fully enjoying the "sinful" pleasures of the remainder of the mortal life you have. I must confess, I enjoy buying drinks for their ex-wives, & discussing how we will leverage every opportunity to thwart them and undercut them. If this occasionally results in relations that are forbidden by the New Testament, then so be it.
ReplyDeleteThe Baptists were right about one thing. You do have Free Will. I don't know that Jesus purchased it at the Cross. I think Free Will was always there. Jesus was the Great Rabbi who awakened Working People to the corruption of the world. Jesus was also an Essene. So, he was a Revolutionary who believed in the liberation of Oppressed Peoples. Like He Who Helps, this blog seeks the liberation of Oppressed Peoples and to awaken Working People to the corruption of this world.
Jesus doesn't just speak to Protestant Christians. Pat Robertson and Jay Sekulow may have a problem with this, but Jesus was heard by Messianic Jews in Roman Palestine before the Church existed. He was also heard by the Prophet Muhammad and my Moorish ancestors in Spain centuries before the Episcopal or Baptist Churches were founded. The teachings of Jesus appear in the Quran and every faithful Muslim on Planet Earth follows the
teachings of Jesus Christ.
The biggest secret of all? You don't even have to be religious to live by the teachings of Jesus. Thomas Jefferson edited the Jefferson Bible for Christian Atheists like me. It's bookmarked on my mobile device between the Center for Inquiry & Federation of American Scientists - http://americanhistory.si.edu/JeffersonBible/
http://www.myfoxal.com/story/19650257/gov-puts-health-care-exchange-on-hold-until-election
ReplyDelete