Ken's 'Schrammie' Award: Sen. Margarita Prentice

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By By Ken Schram

Summary

A Democrat from Renton, 'mommy Margarita' felt it was her responsibility to protect us from ourselves by making Internet gambling a felony.

Story Published: Jun 21, 2006 at 3:57 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 8:30 AM PDT

Ken's 'Schrammie' Award: Sen. Margarita Prentice
SEATTLE - "The Schrammie" is my exclamation point.

I see it as a way to highlight everything from political ineptness and social hypocrisy to rampaging political correctness.

"The Schrammie" may at times be a little tongue in cheek, or it could be a figurative kick in the butt.

This week, I've singled out a Washington State lawmaker who has a definite "I want to be your mommy" complex.

That would be none other than Sen. Margarita Prentice.

A Democrat from Renton, "mommy Margarita" felt it was her responsibility to protect us from ourselves by making Internet gambling a felony.

A felony, mind you!

Dealing from the bottom of the legislative deck, it's now possible for you and me to get hit with a prison sentence and a $10,000 fine for playing a two-bit hand of on-line poker.

I think "mommy Margarita" wants us to win our money the old fashioned way: Playing the state lottery.

But wait, there's more.

Seems it "mommy Margarita" also saw fit to make it illegal to aide and abet Internet gambling, which means even telling people who or where to gamble on-line could land us in the klink.

Even some lawmakers who relegated themselves to mere surrogate parental roles by voting in favor of "mommy Margarita's" measure say they didn't mean for that to happen.

But happen it did.

Because "mommy Margarita" believes she knows what is best for all of us.

So, take a bow Senator Prentice...this "Schrammie's" for you.

Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com

And be sure to catch Ken Schram and John Carlson on their new radio show, "THE COMMENTATORS." Airing Monday through Friday, from 10 till noon on KOMO 1000, Ken and John will be delving into news of the day offering their own particular brand of insight and perspective - with a healthy dose of irreverence and humor thrown in for good measure.