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Agitator Readers +1

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Earlier today, I linked to a story about a charity poker game in Maine raided by the state police. The police seized $500 that would have otherwise gone toward stocking a food co-op.

Here’s part of an email from an Agitator reader who wishes to remain anonymous:

I went to the TV station’s web-site and viewed the video report. How ridiculous have our federal and local government agencies become?

Well long story short, I called Mrs. Groder and let her know I am going to mail her a $500.00 check on Monday. I also called the TV station to tell them my intentions. I’m not looking for any PR out of this donation . . . I just want them to know at least someone cares a little bit about freedom and liberty.. and that both go hand in hand with volunteer charity.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at 4:23 pm by Radley Balko and is filed under Gambling and Poker. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

17 Responses to “Agitator Readers +1”

  1. #1 |  Chris A. |  May 30th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    Private action can’t respond to disasters, eh?

  2. #2 |  ktc2 |  May 30th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    /applaud

  3. #3 |  Dave Krueger |  May 30th, 2009 at 5:40 pm

    #2 ktc2

    /applaud

    /ditto

  4. #4 |  Eric |  May 30th, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    Its impressive we make such strides despite the work of government.

  5. #5 |  pris |  May 30th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    There ya go-Libertarians supporting the community.

  6. #6 |  Danno49 |  May 30th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    +1?

    +5,000,000 ! !

    Bravo.

  7. #7 |  Mister DNA |  May 30th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

    Hopefully the anonymous benefactor won’t get in trouble for funding a criminal enterprise.

  8. #8 |  Bob |  May 30th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    Kudos to the donater of the dineros.

    But… I gotta point this out…

    Radley, are you sure you have the facts straight in this story?

    Nowhere in the linked story, or the other ones I have seen support the statement “seized $500 that would have otherwise gone toward stocking a food co-op.” It would appear, instead, that the co-op stood to gain 40 to 50 dollars (The amount donated by the players for the right to play).

    I mean… I’m all for their holding a Texas Hold-em tournament with the rake going towards their charity.

  9. #9 |  Highway |  May 30th, 2009 at 11:45 pm

    Bob, the story states “So, state police seized cards, poker chips and $500 in cash — money the food co-op desperately needed.” I think the assumption is probably pretty safe to figure that a significant amount of that money is for funding co-op operations.

  10. #10 |  Price |  May 31st, 2009 at 12:03 am

    There is obviously a disconnect between the hearts of the American people and those that wish to control us…..

  11. #11 |  Buc |  May 31st, 2009 at 12:25 am

    A big +1 to whoever did that. That’s something to take a lot of pride in.

    And of course, without Radley Balko acting as incidental third party facilitator, it may never have happened.

    Way to stick it up the police state’s ass.

  12. #12 |  Bob |  May 31st, 2009 at 12:32 am

    #9: Highway,

    Bob, the story states “So, state police seized cards, poker chips and $500 in cash — money the food co-op desperately needed.” I think the assumption is probably pretty safe to figure that a significant amount of that money is for funding co-op operations.

    That assumption is not safe at all.

    In fact, it’s fairly clear from the video linked in that article, and the text in this one here:

    http://www.keepmecurrent.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=66063

    Groder said card players donated money to play, which she said averaged $40 to $50 a week. She said she used the money to keep the heat and lights on in the building.

    Note that she also indicates the power bill is 70 bucks or so, and they have to pay for insurance and whatnot.

    Based on that, the safe assumption is that the State Police simply grabbed ALL the money, including the rake (the 40 to 50 bucks a week donated) and all money on the tables.

    Don’t get me wrong! I have NO problem whatsoever with these people running a card game with a substantial rake that they then use for their charity. But there is a huge difference between that and characterizing all money seized as part of the charity donation.

    I think that it’s important that people bringing these stories to light have all their data straight.

  13. #13 |  Bob |  May 31st, 2009 at 12:33 am

    Bah. That didn’t format right. 50 Quatloos for a preview feature!

  14. #14 |  Capo |  May 31st, 2009 at 1:22 am

    The point still remains that the police siezed a bunch of money meant for a charity

  15. #15 |  KBCraig |  May 31st, 2009 at 2:20 am

    But wait… aren’t libertarians heartless bastards who would let the poor starve to death?

    /stereotype

  16. #16 |  PersonFromPorlock |  May 31st, 2009 at 9:13 am

    Maine politicians are sometimes capable of shame, or at least caution. Which may keep Maine police from seizing the donor’s $500 as further proceeds from an illegal enterprise.

  17. #17 |  Bryan |  May 31st, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Radley,

    You have given all “Agitator Readers” a +1 based on the good deeds of one Agitator Reader. That is collectivism.

    Please correct and remove my +1. Or award me +1 for something I have done.

    Thank you.

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