Boycott Kentucky for Decision to Seize Gambling Websites

[Dirty]

So, who’s next?


23rd October
2008

written by
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has rationalized his seizure of 141 privately held domain names by asserting that “Unlicensed Internet gambling significantly undermines and threatens horseracing, Kentucky’s signature industry and a key tourism industry, by creating unregulated and untaxed competition” (press release 9/22/08)
Some have suggested that if Beshear is ultimately successful in his quest, then adult-oriented websites are up next for seizure. That’s probably true, but who’s on the hit last after that? Who else is “undermining” and “threatening” and “competing with” local businesses? Hmm…
Ebay? Yep. Those b*stards are crushing garage sales.
Amazon? Yeah. Who the hell do they think they are selling books for less and offering free shipping? (gasp).
TicketsNow? Alley-way scalpers across the nation are hurting and we must protect them now!
AmericanFlags.com? Selling Old Glory on the Internet is killing Home Depot and Lowes. Just look at their stock prices.
WebMD? Nobody pays $400 for 6 minutes with their doctors anymore thanks to these rascals. And aren’t they practicing unlicensed medicine anyway? Take that domain away right now!
Beshear and his ilk would undoubtedly say that these are far-fetched examples, and that the key here is “unlicensed” activities such as gaming. Ok. So if I sell insurance leads, or provide an informational site about alternative breast cancer tretaments, or feature a stock quote ticker on my website, am I engaged in “unlicensed” activities? Will I wake up in the morning to find that the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the State of New York, or maybe the Prime Minister of Malaysia has decided that my website is simply too dangerous and that it’s better off in their hands?
You can’t rule it out given what’s happening in Kentucky. This is your fight. Step up.




BoycottKentucky.com

[Dirty]

Why the Kentucky fight matters…


23rd October
2008

written by

Whether you run any gambling websites or own a single domain name, the actions of Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear should scare the heck out of you.
Why?
Because Beshear has used the full power of his office to confiscate personal property.
Because he’s used Kentucky’s children as political cover, while conveniently ignoring the state’s liquor industry, horseracing industry, which includes online wagering at TwinSpires.com, and gaming conducted by the KY lottery.
Because he can set his sights on your domain name, your website or your business next.
Because arbitrarily shutting down websites should be left to China and other nations that could care less about civil liberties.
Because if Beshear succeeds, other pandering elected officials looking for press attention will surely follow suit.
Because by his own admission, Kentucky cops spent more than 500 man-hours playing online casino games to prove a point and Beshear has likely spent tens of thousands in taxpayer dollars in court as KY, like most states, faces a fiscal crisis.
Because what Beshear has done is just plain un-American and just plain wrong.
It’s time to speak up.



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Issue Background


HALLOWEEN PHONE ZAP


22nd October
2008

written by
Governor Beshear’s actions are downright scary!!!
Call his office on 10/31/2008 and tell his staff that you oppose the Governor’s actions and urge him to reconsider his wanton seizure of lawfully owned domain names. His aggressive actions infringe on civil liberties, harm business and are costing Kentucky taxpayers money. Urge friends and family to call. Pass along this post. Let’s overwhelm the Governor’s switchboard on 10/31 and show him that we are outraged!!!
The number to call on Halloween is [IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_l.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/famfamfam/us.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/arrow.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG](502) 564-2611[IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_r.gif[/IMG].



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Action Center


Yum Brands


22nd October
2008

written by
Today, we start to roll out our list of Kentucky-based companies to avoid. First up, is among the most obvious: Yum Brands. Founded in 1997 and based in Louisville, Yum operates or licenses Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, Long John Silvers and A&W Restaurants. Their fast food empire includes about 35,000 restaurants that bring in about $10 billion annually. Boycott these restaurants in your own community and maybe stop in to tell the local franchisee why you are opting out.
Then call Yum’s corporate office and ask them why they haven’t repudiated Governor Beshear’s actions. Here’s the number for Yum’s PR Department: [IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_l.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/famfamfam/us.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/arrow.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG](502) 874-7400[IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_r.gif[/IMG].



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Action Center


Where is the ACLU?


22nd October
2008

written by
My friend Mike Berkens raised this question a few days ago in a blog post about the Kentucky domain case. It’s a great question and one you should ask them.
Here’s their contact info:
ACLU of Kentucky
Website: ACLU of Kentucky - Home
email: info@aclu-ky.org
Phone: [IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_l.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/famfamfam/us.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/arrow.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG](502) 581-1181[IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_r.gif[/IMG]
Executive Director: Michael Aldridge
We’ve emailed Mr. Aldridge the following:

Mr. Aldridge:
I’m writing to inquire about your state chapter’s position on Governor Beshear’s recent quest to seize 141 domain names associated with online gaming websites. This seizure is an egregious breach of civil liberties and brings us down a road traveled by only the world’s most oppressive governments. I would think this issue would be a central one for the ACLU given the possible slippery slope associated with the Governor’s actions and am anxious to hear about your plans. I look forward to your response and appreciate your efforts to protect civil liberties.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D
President/CEO
BoycottKentucky.com
[IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_l.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/famfamfam/us.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/arrow.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG][IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/space.gif[/IMG]631-724-4160[IMG]chrome://skype_ff_toolbar_win/content/cb_transparent_r.gif[/IMG]
Please send us any responses you receive for public posting!



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Action Center


Game on Guv!


22nd October
2008

written by
We are building BoycottKentucky.com with an eye towards educating consumers about the egregious actions of Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and mobilizing direct action in opposition to his seizure of 141 internet domain names. Boycotts have an important place in American history and we give props to Domain Name Wire and Online Casino Advisory for putting the idea on the table. Check back daily as we aggregate information about the Kentucky case and suggest concrete steps you can take to promote fairness and freedom in Kentucky and beyond.