The People Behind Uigea of 2006

Did you ever wonder what kind of person wouldthe fact that in 2002 Mr. Kyl sponsored a bill that
think up a travesty like the Unlawful Internetwould prevent internet jamming or censorship by
Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006? (UIGEA) Theother countries and then introduces a draconian bill
underhanded tactics used to ram this bill throughthat censors the internet in the United States. Of
congress have been thoroughly covered by thiscourse organized crime was ecstatic over the
author and many others. But what about the peoplepassage of UIGEA because it allows them to assume
behind this law? What kind of people are they andtheir old role as the main providers of gambling in the
how and why do they think the way they do?US.
The bill had 3 or 4 main sponsors the main threeAnd then there’s Bob Goodlatte. While Mr.
being Bill Frist, John Kyl, and Bob Goodlatte allGoodlatte doesn’t like gambling much he
Republicans. Of the lot Bill Frist takes the cake foraccepted campaign contributions from the horse
sheer hypocrisy and criminal activity. While Mr. Fristracing industry. When several journalists pointed out
was making decisions about how law abidingthat Goodlatte had received $40,000 from the horse
Americans could spend their money he was involvedracing industry Mr. Goodlatte made a public show of
in one of the largest Medicare and Medicaid scamsgiving the contributions back. He then proceeded to
ever to be perpetrated on the American taxpayer.establish what he called a ‘good fund’ which
Mr. Frist was already an extremely wealthy manaccepted contributions of $15,000 from the horse
when he came to congress. His family owned theracing industry which Mr. Goodlatte did not give back.
Hospital Corporation of America the largest for profitIn keeping with his peculiar ‘family values’ he
hospital group in the United States. Over billing,voted to deny care to those too poor to afford the
kickbacks to doctors, and outright abuse of theco pay for treatment under Medicare. Oh yeah, he
system resulted in a fine of 630 million dollars in awants to privatize one of the few government
settlement reached with the Department of Justice.programs that actually works, social security. Another
In a sweetheart deal arranged by members of theshining example of those who want to dictate
Bush administration not one person served jail time.morality to US citizens.
While ripping off the taxpayer Mr. Frist constantlyFortunately for the American public Mr. Frist is no
engaged in ‘family values’ rhetoric designedlonger in congress and his presidential aspirations have
to pander to a tiny minority or religious extremists.been quashed forever. It boggles the mind to imagine
Before this scandal occurred Mr. Frist was caughtwhat a Frist administration would be like. On the
insider trading and dumping stock before it hit the fanother hand both Kyl and Goodlatte are still in
for his family’s corporation. Of course he wascongress pursuing their nightmarish agenda. Just
never prosecuted. And who can forget his longrecently Kyl sent a letter to Bush urging him to
distance diagnosis of Terry Schiavo. His long distancerigorously enforce the regulations in UIGEA. Goodlatte
diagnosis of Schiavo drew the ire of medical ethicistscontinues to be active promoting right wing causes
from around the globe. This is a guy who thinksand legislation. So far none of the presidential
gambling is immoral? Fortunately for the Unitedcandidates have stated a clear position on online
States he is no longer in office but it will take yearsgaming. Inquiries to several candidates of both parties
to undo the damage done by UIGEA.drew generic responses that totally dodged the
Next we come to John Kyl of Arizona. To this dayquestions asked. The most effective way to affect
Mr. Kyl is pushing for stricter enforcement of UIGEA.change is through members of congress. Believe it or
He recently sent a letter to Bush urging him tonot most representatives and senators pay attention
increase enforcement of UIGEA. A closer look at Mr.to what their constituents say and past legislation has
Kyl reveals a lot. Mr. Kyl has a long standingbeen influenced by well orchestrated campaigns
relationship with the racist and anti Semitic John Birchorganized by relatively small groups of issue oriented
Society as evidenced by his opposition to a Martincitizens. Let your representatives know how you feel
Luther King holiday in Arizona. He opposed funding forabout the restrictions placed on your right to engage
more armor on HMV’s to make them safer forin an activity that harms no one.
those troops serving in Iraq. What is mind boggling is