The GOP's Gambling Problem

[Emit]

In trying to get a handle on all the players involved in the convoluted Abramoff and DeLay scandals, and how they're connected, I came across this interesting post at this blogsite:

http://www.chompy.net/blogs/sarah/archives/003052.html

In case those links don't work:
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:2clgOumwI3cJ:www.chompy.net/blogs/sarah/archives/003052.html+Come+with+me,+dear+readers,+on+a+trip+down+the+fascinating+GOP+hall+of+shame:+&hl=en



It takes us full circle, sheds some light on the GOP/Gambling connections, puts some things in context, and highlights some players that I, for one, was unaware of or had forgotten about. For some, it may be old news. But, put in this context, it's interesting and useful info, IMHO.


Here's an excerpt, but I suggest reading it from the link for the full effect:

Come with me, dear readers, on a trip down the fascinating GOP hall of shame:

Let's begin with Reagan Greer, who is accused of inflating jackpot numbers to cover up dismal ticket sales. Greer is a crony of Texas Governor Rick Perry, who allegedly changed the official requirements for the TLC Executive Director so that he could appoint Greer - who does not have a college degree - to the position. Mr. Greer, of course, is the Executive Director of the Texas Lottery. His boss is Lottery Commissioner James Cox, who worked in Las Vegas during the 1970s and 1980s and made a $1,000 campaign donation to Governor Bush in 1999. He recommended that the state contact the law firm Lionel, Sawyers and Collins to develop legislation that would effectively legalize a form of casino gambling.

~snip~

It's worth noting that the Texas Lottery Commission was formerly mismanaged by the current White House Counsel, Harriet Miers during the interesting era when the Commission contracted with a firm called GTech:

~snip~

George W. Bush gave the nation's gambling industry plenty of reason to fear his presidency. He moved to shut down an Indian-run casino while governor of Texas. He declared in a widely circulated state report that "Casino gambling is not OK. It has ruined the lives of too many adults, and it can do the same thing to our children." He wooed religious conservatives by boasting in a presidential debate about his "strong antigambling record." But as president, Bush has not spoken out against gambling.

~snip~

Mr. Abramoff, of course, is one of the "closest and dearest friends" of House majority leader Tom DeLay, who has said he is strongly antigambling yet has drawn media scrutiny because of his opposition to an Indian gaming tax. Former DeLay spokesman Michael Scanlon is under investigation for "allegations that he...misused up to $66 million in fees paid to them by six Indian tribes made wealthy by gaming revenue." You will probably recall that DeLay himself is under investigation for his role in allegedly illegal financial activity by Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), a case which has led to the subpoena of Mike Toomey (the former Chief of Staff to Governor Perry) along with the subpoena of his colleague, Ellen Williams, who is rumored to be dating gambling expert William Watson who was (bringing us full circle!) hired by Las Vegas firm Lionel, Sawyer and Collins at the recommendation of Lottery Commissioner Greer who said the idea was recommended to him by Mike Toomey!

[wavesofeuphoria]

1. Gamblings okay ....

ask Bill Bennett .. Mr. Virtues

[Emit]

4. Or Ralph Reed n/t

[JohnyCanuck]

2. How does the repugs' fundy base overcomes the cognitive dissonance

when they find out their supposedly Jeebus lovin' and God fearin' Republican politicians are into supporting gambling interests in a big way (since most fundamentalists consider gambling a sin)? Maybe with their heads jammed up their asses all the time, they just never find out.

[htuttle]

3. They're the mob -- of course they're into gambling

They're also into prostitution, illegal drugs and protection rackets too. Seriously.