HEADLINE: Former South Pittsburg mayor, Mike Killian, to plead to gambling charge
THE RECAP: Mike Killian, former mayor of South Pittsburg, Tenn., and wholesale fireworks dealer, has agreed to plead guilty to illegal gambling in connection with an FBI investigation that surfaced in January when federal agents raided his Lotto Mart convenience store and carried away video poker machines. Besides the illegal video poker machines, feds claim Killian owned a sports betting operation.
DREW’S VIEW: During the same week when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law that legalized gambling over the Internet and the Tennessee Lottery — the state government’s very own gambling operation — announced a Powerball Jackpot well in excess of $100 million, this poor schmuck agreed to give up fighting his gambling charges.
Instead of needlessly throwing harmless people like Killian in prison, the government should address the issue of gambling by legalizing, taxing and regulating it.
If Tennesseans are responsible enough to raise kids, fight in wars and pay taxes, surely to goodness we’re responsible enough to handle a few games of blackjack. It’s time for government to realize that.