Posted by As you are are aware by now, it has been ruled that electronic bingo is not permitted in Walker County and like all rulings, there is a human cost. A copy of the ruling can be found in this Birminghan News article. Operations in Etowah County, Houston County and White Hall appear unaffected. Still pending is a case before the state Supreme Court on whole issue of electronic bingo. To say any more about the Court’s ruling risks “unlicensed practice of law” and so will defer that to those who don’t run that risk.
Seems reasonable to conclude because of the sums of money involved, the next session of the Legislature will be interesting. Also, reasonable to conclude, that words have meaning and those drafting legislation need to make sure the intent of legislation be clearly spelled out.
With al.com apparently sucking again today, I was lucky enough to read a hard copy of the Birmingham News and saw the big story on bingo.
Nothing too surprising, I suppose. It looks like Brandon Falls and Arthur Green are about to be on a war path through Jefferson County.
What really stands out to me, though, is that Troy King has dug his heels in the ground on this gambling issue. From what I can tell, Troy and the gambling interests (plus whatever locals they have convinced) are the only ones still defending the legality of electronic bingo. By that, I mean they defend it as legal under current law. I’m not counting those that want to change the law, recognizing that these are really slots. Of course, Troy King kind of says both, but I digress.
As good of a politician as Troy is, he has to see the writing on the wall here, no? When Vance (I think we all know his story) and Vowell (judge who was overturned in the original slot machine case in Jefferson County) completely throw out the argument that this stuff is bingo, what does he think the Supreme Court will do? Why would he go down fighting an unwinable fight? And don’t tell me he’s just that principled.
It makes me wonder how much he really owes Milton McGregor?
“As good of a politician as Troy is”
Not sure many on this board accept this premise…
There’s also a human cost with prostitution…
These people had jobs….Now thanks to some “holier than thou” ruling, they are unemployed, with no jobs avaliable!! Mississippi is celebrating today!!!
troy king is a joke. and those that have relied on his “advisory opinions” that electronic bingo is legal in their counties are in for a rough surprise. Courts are saying “electronic bingo” is far from bingo….it is a slot machine. Houston County and others will be next to get struck down. We will see what the AL Supreme Court decides but I think we can see the writing on the wall here………… And to say the legislature will actually act and settle the issue – well, that gives them too much credit.
Exactly what writing do you see on the wall, 2010? The writing pertaining to Walker County? Is that actually on a wall somewhere? Are you going to participate in serving up the “rough surprise” for the individuals operating under the law as it’s been written, or are you simply going to continue running your uneducated suck about issues you know nothing about?
Let’s face it, Troy stole your girlfriend back in The Day. Forget about it, Little Man, it happens to the best of us. And the least, apparently.
I want to hear about “you’re all talk and no action” again. And then hear your explanation of exactly what “action” a blogger is supposed to be taking other than blogging.
So, it’s settled, you’re an idiot. And there’s no need for any further posts as evidence.
ummmm….if you think Troy King would steal anyone’s GIRL friend then you know a lot less about what is truly going on in Alabama than even I thought.
And in terms of writing on the wall….the courts have been strking down electronic bingo like dominoes….so yes, it seems likely the supreme court will do the same.
So, “anon” poster, best to keep you mouth shut and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
I was in that one at the Cullman/Walker county line about two years ago. My mother wanted to go in and see it on our way back from her doctor so I pulled in. The “machines” were no different than those in places like Tunica. It was nothing but senior citizens in there though except for me and the attractive blond behind the counter. Even the greeter at the Cullman Wal Mart was in there that afternoon. I didnt see any criminal activity taking place. It was just senior citizens enjoying themselves.
i understand milton is adding another 1000 machines on the news of the walker county ruling…..don’t sound like he’s quaking in his boots…lol
where u been, CC ?
tryin to get a job with paragon source….
CC, You say Milton is buying machines (maybe the ones from Walker County before they destroy them). What’s your boy Gilley doing? I would think he more than Milton was hurt by these rulings.
One of them specifically said the county can’t redefine bingo as anything other than what the amendment originally said. I wonder if the Country Crossings gang thinks their Cicuit Court or the Supreme Court would rule any differently.
2010, I commend your metaphorical regurgitations and also your homophobic and baseless Billion-Dollar-Bob-generated references. Unless you can prove it, it didn’t happen. It seems you do perfectly fit the mold of your monotonously robotic hairspray cult.
And who’s the big winner here? Is it the thousands of folks out of jobs in Walker County? Or maybe the bankrupt local governments? Big party for all of them right here at Christmas. Maybe you can run up there and demonstrate how to circle-jerk your hollow moral compass for quarters.
Are you that new weirdo with grease in his hair that works for the Governor? Look, there’s absolutely no need to fall on the sword for nothing, Man. He’s gone in a year, and although conventional wisdom places him in the cat-bird seat if Bradley wins, common sense says he’s out like my dirty underwear. Also keep in mind that Bradley probably won’t be beating the Mississippi Choctaw Indian drum like Bob has. I mean, how much money did they send over here?
So do yourself a favor and drop “The Untouchables”/Costner hair and for goodness sake and quit rain-dancing with the Choctaws. You look like a fool and I can’t blow my leaves until they dry out.
word salad talking point regurgs are always entertaining, Anonymous in #13.
Ha, I agree walt. Pot, meet kettle.
Blah, blah, blah, blah…illegal.
I think all the court rulings against slot machine bingo is overwhelming. Houston county and others have clearly overstepped their authority and will more than likely be slapped down.
The constitutional law is very clear as cited in every opinion so far. The only hope the gambling consortium has is to get a vote for one of their gambling bills like the sweet home bill.
The way that was written though, it was clearly a poor written bill by the out of state gambling industry.
For all you folks signaling the demise of Houston County I would not bet the bank on it. You spinsters will waste tons of time here spinning the ruling so I won’t bother justifying your nonsense and overbroad references to Houston County and other locations. The folks in the Wiregrass are solid. Now granted if pro judical activist Bob Riley wants the court to rewrite the state constitution I can’t do much about that. I would say though just let an elected court make that mistake. You GOP folks think things were bad for the democrats when they handpicked their nominee during the Guy Hunt debacle and ultimately helped the GOP get a foothold in Alabama. Let the court starting rewriting state law and you will do more for the democratic party than you could have ever imagined. Now all you anti bingo folks go feed your parking meter so you can at least contribute something to the economy today.
Mmmmmmm bingo – draining the poor and the old of their money – and then getting excessively personal on a message board because it’s your only way of coping with getting your easy money taken away from you.
Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiatch. Enjoy having to work for a living.
13 – it’s so neat how you introduce us to new words. Thanks. You remind me more and more of Obama with every post….great use of the English language but in the end, nothing to say. Maybe you should pick up a nobel peace prize as well…..
2010 – I have searched the Attorney General’s Office advisory opinions, all of which are contained on their website. I cannot find the advisory opinions you say that King has issued that state electronic bingo is legal. I – and possibly others – would appreciate it if you would direct us to their location.
why do I think a modified RACTER engine is at work?
Maybe one day, the gambling advocates will advance the conversation.
just ask mark culver and/or ronnie gilley – they went around the Wiregrass telling folks they have an opinion from Troy King…. I think the sheriff of houston county (who is an excellent sheriff by the way) also asked for king’s “advice”
Couple of points. First, the Walker County ruling did not say that electronic bingo machines are slot machines. It said that the Constitutional amendment at issue did not contemplate electronic bingo and as evidence of that fact pointed to subsequent legislation which included language that the referenced the use of printed cards which was, according to the Judge, further evidence that the use of the word “bingo” in that particular amendment did not contemplate an electronic version of bingo. Other amendments are worded differently and, thus, arguably open to a different interpretation. My recollection is that the Attorney General has repeatedly said that here are numerous amendment – many of which are worded differently which is part of the problem. He has also said that the word “bingo” does not necessarily preclude an electronic version of the game. If the Attorney General is so clearly wrong on this issue, why did it take the trial court over a year to rule?
My guess is that the opinion referenced in #23 was an opinion which indicated that the Sheriff had to implement bingo regulations adopted by the County Commission (going by memory here) and thus he lacked discretion on whether to issue a permit.
2010, you’ve rather become an affectation of useful nuisance for me. Shamefully, I can hardly shun an opportunity to besmirch you in pursuit of personal fulfillment. It has proven a worthy endeavor on my end.
Nonetheless, I wish you the best in your campaign, as you have proven a dogmatically diligent if ineffective adversary. I do, however, question your personal disdain for select individuals. It appears to have contaminated what judgment you have. Nothing is personal, Kind Sir, and the criminalization of success is a one-way ticket to the forgotten class.
Walt, I do appreciate your kind words and I also anticipate plenty of further enlightenment for you and your dirty-diapered gimp, Mr. Jinks. Make sure you feed him before you hit the sack.
Did anyone read the part of Judge Vance’s order that states approximately 2 billion dollars are waged annually in Walker County. That is a shocking amount of money!!
That was an expert’s guess. Since Mississippi casinos reported gross annual revenue (pdf) of $2.7 billion, wouldn’t give it too much credence, unless they had a lot of $500 per card games.
BTW, Mississippi has charity bingo (paper only) in half of its counties and in 2007, revenue was about $100 million.
27,
Thanks for the clarification. That amount did sound high.
houston county has done everything correct and country crossing is coming full speed ahead with its opening on dec. 1st…..
Put away the thesaurus, #25.
Amount wagered is a lot different than total revenue.
CC — if everything is going to be done above board in Houston County, and everything is legal, why do you want another vote? And, if everything that you want to do is legal in Houston County, why would the Supreme Court be a threat to you guys? It’s not like we have a bunch of liberals on our Court who like to “make new law”.