[RecallMoran]

I've always thought this was a shakedown. I'm still not sure about where the money (or lack thereof) originates or is supposed to go. Is Duke being punished because it didn't give enough money? I think it's more likely that someone stands to gain money by punishing Duke. If so, whom? Is it an individual or group of individuals who will increase personal wealth?

The city we live in is always pushing some new group home, facility, highway, office complex, etc. To the uninitiated they appear to be what they seem. However, once one understands that the political officers get their campaign money from PACs who get their money from developers or other PACs, then it all becomes clear in a slimy sort of way. The sheep never notice that their welfare is being impugned by those they hold in esteem because of their rhetoric.

[CondorFlight]

"I've always thought this was a shakedown."

I've thought that since I first heard the wealthiest players were the ones charged. That was what first sent my BS detector speeding into the red zone.

" I'm still not sure about where the money (or lack thereof) originates or is supposed to go."

Ditto. But I suppose Duke will contribute to a lot of local construction (which means, lots of the money will be siphoned off into the pockets of local politicians).

Had the players been willing to pay for dropping the charges, I imagine that, too, would have been distributed up and down the line to all and sundry in the political world.

And I imagine that this kind of Boss Hogg operation has been conducted before, on a much smaller scales, with Duke dads paying off Durham figures to keep their son's records free of criminal charges. I'm sure this isn't Gottlieb's first time at the trough, nor Nifong's either. They are too sure of themselves.