Attorney General, Bill Pryor, Confuses Gambling Issue In August of this year a ruling by Judge Wayne Thorn declared video poker games to be illegal and his ruling resulted in the shut-down of these machines across the state. Local district attorneys and sheriffs did their duty and shut down thousands of gambling video poker machines across the state. Unfortunately Attorney General Bill Pryor reversed all that when he issued an advisory opinion that stated that these same machines were legal under Alabama law. He also said that seizure of these machines by law enforcement officials could be "risky." The consequence of Bill Pryor's actions was that the video gamblers reopened for business. Pryor's ruling was based on his opinion that video poker is a game of skill. This is contrary to the situation in most other states, which have viewed these machines as illegal gambling devices pure and simple. Meanwhile in Jefferson County the head of the vice squad said that he will still investigate complaints, but if they are operating [within the law] they won't hear from us." He did say, however, that he would confiscate any machines in use where players are paid in cash. Confusion is rampant. Roger Brown, Chief Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County said that he disagrees with "the Attorney General's interpretation of the law." Randall Houston, District Attorney for Elmore, Autauga, and Chilton counties believes that Pryor's ruling applies only to Montgomery County. "We're not going to let [the gambling machines] back in here," he said. The dispute centers around a document filed by the state in a Montgomery court case where Pryor is challenging the constitutionality of the law that allowed the arcades in the first place. The act, known as the "Chuck E. Cheese Law," cleared the way for businesses to have machines that awarded prizes in games of skill. The supposed intent was to let kids win trinkets at pizza restaurants like Chuck E. Cheese. But arcades that cater to adults by awarding gift certificates sprung up across the state, prompting a legal fight over the law. In the Montgomery lawsuit, Pryor's office filed a document admitting that adult arcade machines in that case involve skill -- making them legal under the Chuck E. Cheese law. Alabama conservatives are confused about Bill Pryor's actions. The Attorney General says that he is against gambling, but his actions opened wide the door for video poker gambling. Conservatives were confused about the Bill Pryor's ruling on Don Siegelman's "No Lottery" legislation. In 1999, Bill Pryor issue an opinion that the Lottery legislation would not legalize casino gambling. Don Siegelman went all over the state quoting the Attorney General. Meanwhile the anti-lottery forces were putting up billboards says "Lottery equals Casino Gambling" The anti-lottery forces pointed out that the Lottery Amendment to the Alabama Constitution while not legalizing gambling, would eliminate the constitutional prohibition against gambling. This would allow the Alabama Legislature to pass laws to allow or legalize gambling. This is exactly what happened when Mississippi voters legalized the lottery, and then casino gambling legislation was passed. Both Don Siegelman and Bill Pryor over looked that fact. But the anti-lottery forces and the Alabama voters did not. While we are confused by Attorney Generals actions and statements, it is clear that for the time being, the video poker gambling interests are in operation and are winning. Perhaps the Attorney General could clarify his position by prosecuting the many wide open video poker gambling operations where cash prizes are awarded. The Attorney General could prove his conservative values by prosecuting gambling in general and especially the many situations of corruption of the Siegelman Administration.
AG's position creates confusion over
status of adult arcades The Associated Press 8/30/01 2:54 PM BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Shut down nearly two months, Barry Kelly has reopened his adult video game arcade, saying it's all thanks to Attorney General Bill Pryor, an arcade opponent. Kelly and other arcade owners have latched on to a court document filed by Pryor's office as proof their embattled industry is legal in Alabama. Even though Pryor is trying to close arcades statewide, Kelly said an admission made by Pryor's staff in a lawsuit allows arcades to reopen just weeks after many closed amid threats of prosecution. Kelly was bringing gaming machines back into his M.T. Arcade on Wednesday, and he said other owners are getting ready to reopen, too. "An attorney general's opinion said the machines are legal under Alabama law," said Kelly. Pryor denied doing anything to help arcade owners, and he blamed "deceptive lawyering" for claims his office opened the door for them going back in business. "I don't think that there's any basis for them reopening," Pryor said in an interview. The dispute centers around a document filed by the state in a Montgomery court case where Pryor is challenging the constitutionality of the law that allowed the arcades in the first place. The act, known as the "Chuck E. Cheese Law," cleared the way for businesses to have machines that awarded prizes in games of skill. The supposed intent was to let kids win trinkets at pizza restaurants like Chuck E. Cheese. But arcades that cater to adults by awarding gift certificates sprung up across the state, prompting a legal fight over the law. In the Montgomery lawsuit, Pryor's office filed a document admitting that adult arcade machines in that case involve skill -- making them legal under the Chuck E. Cheese law. Still, Pryor argued, the law is unconstitutional and the machines should be banned as illegal gambling devices. "That was the sole intent of what we did," he said. But a Pryor aide also wrote a letter a week ago stating that seizure of arcade machines can be "risky" until the law is clarified, and the Alabama Sheriff's Association held a news conference Monday expressing the same opinion. All that was enough for Kelly to get back into business in Jefferson County, where the sheriff had threatened blanket confiscation of the machines. The head of the Jefferson County vice squad, Lt. Dennis Blanton, said officers will still investigate complaints against arcades and confiscate any machines where players are paid in cash. "But if they open a business up and are operating (within the law) they won't hear from us," Blanton said. A Birmingham prosecutor said confusion was created by Pryor's position that even some of the arcade machines involve skill. "I respectfully but very strongly disagree with the attorney general's interpretation of the law," said Roger Brown, chief deputy district attorney in Jefferson County, where a judge has ruled adult arcade machines are illegal gambling devices that don't involve skill. Another prosecutor said Pryor's position only applies in the Montgomery County lawsuit, and he vowed to prosecute anyone who tries to reopen an arcade in his circuit. "We're not going to let them back in here," said Randall Houston, district attorney for Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties.
Known as a conservative Christian. He has been blindly supporting George Bush on the war and on illegal immigration, which apparently has cost him support. Mike Huckabee supports importing farm workers from Mexico. Huckabee sponsored a resolution at the Southern Governors': Implement a farm labor system, based on the agreement between Canada and Mexico, which will provide an orderly, efficient way to import farm workers. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Mike_Huckabee_Immigration.htm http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Mike_Huckabee_Immigration.htm Huckabee wants those already in the United States illegally to go through a process that provides opportunity but also contains some sort of penalty for illegal activity: His religious analogy is that "one needs to confess his sin, repent, and make restitution." He said he supports something like the guest worker system President Bush has proposed, http://www.worldmag.com/articles/12679 The anti-tax CATO Institute gave Huckabee an "F" for spending and tax policy in 2006. But another free enterprise think tank, the Club for Growth, also dinged him as a "tax hiker" for, among other things, raising gas taxes. Governor Huckabee raised taxes at high levels to support public schools. http://www.worldmag.com/articles/12679 Tax Hike Mike - Mike Huckabee's record of raising taxes.
Governor Huckabee - Big Supporter of Public Schools and Tax Increases
Sends his kids to public school; says other officials should My three children were the first children of any Arkansas governor in at least 50 years who spent their first through senior high education entirely in the public schools of Arkansas. My wife and I are ourselves products of public schools. For us, there was no option as we grew up in families that could not have afforded a private school had one even existed in our hometown. As governor, although the teachers' union in Arkansas never supported me (mainly because they have so long been controlled by the machinery of the Democratic Party), improving education in the public schools has understandably been a priority for me.
Source: From Hope to Higher Ground, by Mike Huckabee, p. 42-43 Jan 4, 2007
First priority: Raise teacher salaries Christian conservatives generally say that Huckabee would be excellent on crucial issues such as marriage, abortion, and support for effective compassion both at home and in Africa. Huckabee has pastored 2 Southern Baptist Churches, and plays a guitar doing the loud Christian Rock Music in a Christian Rock Band.
"Pro-Life" Candidates should put up or shut up - how pro-life is Mike Huckabee?
Phyllis Schlafly, conservatism's "first lady," had this to say about presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: "He destroyed the conservative movement in Arkansas and left the Republican Party a shambles, yet some of the same evangelicals who sold us on George W. Bush as a 'compassionate conservative' are now trying to sell us on Huckabee." huchabee you tube, huckaby, hucakbee, mike huckabee forums chuck noris, evolution, wayne dumond. ------------------------- Conservatives Against Fred Thompson
Fred Thompson
"I don't think he's a Christian.", said James Dobson of the Focus on the Family
Fred Thompson's Christianity questioned Will Fred Thompson's supposed lack of faith hurt him at the polls? Thompson doesn't fit the conservative mold perfectly. He has made statements in the past in support of abortion rights, and Christian conservatives backed his primary opponent when he first ran for Senate in 1994. Thompson also backed McCain's landmark campaign finance reform bill, which many conservatives vehemently oppose as it has been viewed as legislation to restrict or silence conservatives and Christians. And he has acknowledged having a spirited dating life between his first and second marriages. Some prominent social conservatives have privately expressed skepticism about a Thompson candidacy, questioning whether he was an enthusiastic champion for their causes in the Senate. And influential evangelical leader James Dobson, in an interview with US News & World Report earlier this year, said he hadn't seen evidence of Thompson's faith, adding, "I don't think he's a Christian." Thompson doesn't fit the conservative mold perfectly.
James Dobson Officially Opposed to Fred Thompson
McCain and Thompson are close -- Thompson helped lead McCain's 2000 presidential campaign, serving in a management role, and their Senate voting records have much in common. McCain, who fell short of fund-raising expectations in the first quarter of 2007, cannot afford to lose fund-raisers or potential donors, as John McCain and Fred Thompson may be competing for the same moderate Republicans. Thompson doesn't fit the conservative mold perfectly Part II Prior to being elected to the Senate, Fred Thompson worked for the liberal National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Assn, and his job was to lobby Congress for the easing of abortion restrictions. Fred Thompson has made many "public pro-choice statements". Pro Choice Fred Thompson
Fred Thompson Anti-Gun, Anti-2nd Amendment
Conservatives against MITT ROMNEYMitt Romney has an 8 year record of siding with the liberal pro gay agenda http://www.angelfire.com/nt/lawsave/romneydec102006.html http://www.angelfire.com/nt/lawsave/romneydec102006.html
Mitt Romney recently made this liberal comment about General Pace on gay rights:
"I think General Pace has said that he regrets having said that, and I think he was wise to have issued an apology, or a withdrawal of that comment. I think that we, as a society, welcome people of all differences, whether there are differences in ethnicity, faith or sexual preference, and I think he was wise to correct his comment and to suggest that that was an inappropriate point to have made."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3166.html
Tom Tancredo Tom Tancredo, Congressman from Colorado. Congressman Tancredo is known as a born again Christian, and does not hesitate to stand for the truth. One of the first Republican Congressman to stand against the liberalism of Karl Rowe and liberal White House policies of illegal immigration and other issues. Congressman Ton Tancredo has a solid conservative voting record. Tancredo on the Issues Duncan Hunter Duncan Hunter. Congressman from California. Duncan Hunter is a man with a clear testimony of being a born again Christian and is admired for having a clear conscious. As chairman of a congressional military committee, he has a record of supporting the Bush War on Terror agenda. Congressman Hunter has stood up to the White House on illegal immigration. http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Duncan_Hunter_Immigration.htm. John McCain the Liberal Republican Flip Flops on Gay Marriage
"I think that gay marriage should be allowed..." 11 minutes later: "I do not believe that gay marriages should be legal..."
(2) John McCain Does not like fundamental Christians. He says Jerry Falwell and Pat Roberson are ‘Agents of Intolerance’. http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/02/mccain-falwell/ http://thinkprogress.org/2006/04/02/mccain-falwell/ (3) Very informative site: "John McCain was at it again this week, trying to flip-flop his way into the hearts of conservatives everywhere. We, at The Real McCain, feel it is our duty to keep track for you:"
RUDY GIULIANI
"We should be tolerant, fair, open, and we should understand the rights that all people have in our society."
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JOHN McCAIN
SAM BROWNBACK
DONNIE KENNEDY
RON PAUL |