Anti-gambling group targets Crist
A cultural action organization, Florida Family Action, is urging people to call and write Gov. Charlie Crist to oppose a compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to allow slot machines at seven tribal gambling sites. The Orlando-based group's email implies Crist broke a campaign promise to oppose expansion of gambling in Florida ("Ask Gov. Crist to keep his promise not to expand gambling in Florida," the email header says). Florida Family Action's leader, John Stemberger, is a prominent social conservative who supported Crist's Republican opponent, Tom Gallagher, last year.
Crist has said he has no alternative under federal law but to negotiate with the tribe.
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The tribe will do it with us or not, we are negotiating for a cut of the money. The reason they are even nogatiating with the state is to keep the state from legalizing full casinos. The deal is, we get a cut (% unknown yet) and we do not allow the expansion of non tribe gambling in the state.
Derailing the compact is not in their best interests, but they are not smart enough to realize it. Gambling is coming and the Indians don't need to ask our permission.
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 03:08 PM
woah...
ANTI-gamblers...
woah!!
must be a slow week all around
gotta give them florida family
actions-ers their props!!
NO SLOT MACHINES!!
dmanskippy!!!!
why worry about kids being beaten and killed?
why worry about kids going to school hungry and ill-clothed?
why worry about kids going to schools that suck or are dangerous?
why worry about families being crushed under the burden of floridas regressive tax system?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
jest as long as CC keps them damned SLOT MACHINES out of seminole casinos, all will go well for floridas families.
PRETENTOUSIDIOTSIDIOTSIDIOTSIDIOTS!!!!
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 03:11 PM
If the girls in high school were as easy as Stemberger, I sure would have had a lot more fun. He's being used again and apparently doesn't care.
The truth is that the compact is the best way to curb the expansion of gambling. Giving the tribes exclusivity means we can keep it from being in every parimutuel in the state - at least for a little while. Without the compact, it is only a matter of time before the Legislature expends gambling to everywhere to help out all those poor, suffering counties.
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 03:18 PM
Slot machines are already in Florida, this "expansion" isn't more than a technicality. Stemberger is a clown
Posted by: UF Student | August 27, 2007 at 03:50 PM
the feds are making Florida do this.
Crist shouldnt take any blame.
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 06:22 PM
when is Marco Rubio going to send a letter to David River denouncing his involvement with slots? Maybe an editorial in the paper? Or the Florida Baptist Witness?
I can't believe the press isn't looking at Rivera.
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 06:58 PM
Rubio/Rivera.... couldn't be two more disingenuous guys.
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 07:10 PM
Stop spreading the Big Lie about Crist's motives.
The only people "forcing" Crist to expand gambling are the Miccosukees and the Seminoles. They paid a lot of money to get their Manchurian Candidate elected and they want their due and proper.
"Crist, who has also accepted money from the Miccosukee Indians, has said repeatedly that he will 'not support the expansion of gambling in Florida .' But his campaign refused to say what position he would take in negotiations with the Indians. 'The compact negotiations, that's within the governor's office,' said Erin Isaac, Crist campaign spokeswoman. 'When the general says he's against the expansion of gambling, that's just what he means.'"
The Miami Herald, August 8, 2006
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Stop spreading the Big Lie about Crist's motives.
The only people "forcing" Crist to expand gambling are the Miccosukees and the Seminoles. They paid a lot of money to get their Manchurian Candidate elected and they want their due and proper.
"Crist, who has also accepted money from the Miccosukee Indians, has said repeatedly that he will 'not support the expansion of gambling in Florida .' But his campaign refused to say what position he would take in negotiations with the Indians. 'The compact negotiations, that's within the governor's office,' said Erin Isaac, Crist campaign spokeswoman. 'When the general says he's against the expansion of gambling, that's just what he means.'"
The Miami Herald, August 8, 2006
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 09:01 PM
I love me some poker. Especially the video poker machines in Vegas. Sure beats the slots, which I never figured out why they're supposed to be so thrilling. Who cares about a bunch of images of fruit queueing around at random? Give me a game with a little bit of SKILL any day...
Posted by: Michelle from Tampa | August 27, 2007 at 09:17 PM
Video poker...skill? What a waste of space. Why don't you just give me your money Michelle and I'll flush it down a toilet for you.
Posted by: | August 27, 2007 at 10:19 PM