[Press Release] Kentucky Takes Queue from China: Censors Internet – Upload a Document to Scribd

NEWS WWW.ATR.ORG www.friendsofatr.blogspot.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 SEPTEMBER 2008 CONTACT: John Kartch Patrick Gleason 202-785-0266 Kentucky Takes Queue From China; Censors Internet Court Ruling Permits Government Seizure of Domain Names WASHINGTON D.C.– A ruling issued last week in Kentucky by the Franklin County Circuit Court orders the seizure of over 140 internet gaming websites. The lawsuit, supported by Gov. Beshear, was filed by Justice and Public Safety Cabinet J. Michael Brown. A forfeiture hearing on the matter is scheduled for Sept. 26. “This ruling, aside from being unconstitutional, represents an egregious example of government intrusion on free enterprise. The court’s decision unjustifiably hampers the freedom of Kentuckians,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “This Orwellian attempt by Gov. Beshear to censor the internet sets a dangerous precedent that should deeply concern all Kentuckians, not just the thousands of law abiding adults in Kentucky that enjoy poker.” Over 13,000 Kentucky taxpayers and more than one million Americans visit online gaming sites. Online gaming websites are taxed in the jurisdiction in which they are based. “Regardless of one’s view on gaming, the government’s attempt to censor the internet should be worrisome to all citizens of the Bluegrass State. Gov. Beshear frankly doesn’t have a leg to stand on with this issue given his highly publicized efforts to bring casinos into the state.” added Grover Norquist. “This is nanny-statism at its finest – the government barging into a private matter because people are supposedly too stupid to make decisions and take care of themselves.” Americans for Tax Reform is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all tax increases. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact John Kartch at (202) 785-0266 or by email at [email protected] ###