WWE Merchandise at polling stations--DOJ warning...Gets very interesting.

[redirish28]

Remember how I reported the McMahons won the right for WWE fans to wear WWE clothing in polling places and as a result of the win McMahon *Vince* said he was basically going to have WWE stuff at polling stations to hand out free.


Well the DOJ is involved now.


http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/vince_mcmahon_smacks_doj_for_warning_over_free_wwe_gear.php


The Justice Department warned World Wrestling Entertainment that it will not look kindly on the pro wrestling company distributing free merchandise near polling places in Connecticut -- where its co-founder is on the ballot for U.S. Senator.

WWE "might be operating in ignorance of applicable federal criminal law" wrote Richard C. Pilger, Director of DOJ's Election Crimes Branch in a letter (PDF) to the WWE. The letter explained that federal law -- specifically section 1973i(c) of Title 42 of the United States Code -- "makes it a federal offense to pay or offer to pay an individual a thing of value for voting."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

SNIP
http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Under-pressure-from-feds-WWE-cancels-poll-day-782294.php

It's not often that Vince McMahon calls someone a bully.

But the World Wrestling Entertainment chief executive, who is married to Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon, is referring to the Justice Department in those terms.

McMahon pulled the plug Monday on a planned Election Day giveaway of wrestling merchandise at select polling locations across Connecticut, citing pressure from the Justice Department, whom he accused of abusing its power.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My brother has watch wrestling for years...(still does.) I at one time did watch wrestling as well. I somehow have a hard time believing McMahon is backing down so easily.

[Dr Morbius]

1. Vince McMahon has always been all bluster.

He will back down because he's not stupid and his lawyers are not stupid. He can complain all he wants... and he will! ...but he'd be dumb as a stump to push the DOJ. He won't do that.

[Joe Bacon]

2. Wrestling used to be a lot of fun till Vince monopolized it.

It was a lot more fun when there were a bunch of circuits around the country. Then Vince moved in and put the other circuits out of business, which is a shame.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. What Joe Bacon Said!

Yeah, i've got 3 advanced degrees and i'm not supposed to like pro wrestling, but i do. Well, at least i used to.

The WWE ruined it for me. I even wrote a column for a wrestling website in the 90's, more to make a point that one didn't have to be an ignorant fool to enjoy the cathartic release and immersion in something so relatively unimportant.

But, when the Monday night wars were over, i quit writing the column and barely watch anymore. And, if i do, it's TNA.
GAC

[Joe Bacon]

10. I still remember the old NWA, AWA and World Class

Growing up in Pittsburgh, I remember Saturday nights at 6PM was Studio Wrestling on Channel 11 with "Chilly Billy" Cardille hosting and Pie Traynor announcing. It was all good fun with Bruno Sammartino, Ace Freeman, and occasional guests like Gorilla Monsoon, Cap'n Lou and the masked BattMan. And it's amazing that Chilly Billy could keep me glued to the seat keeping a straight face while the wrestlers were pulling stunts behind his back with none of the raunchiness that ooze out of the Mc Mahons.

I can remember when real wrestlers like Bruno weren't squirting steroids and had pretty big gusts.

The McMahons muscled in, pumped the steroids in their "independent contractors" and let the raunchiness run wild. Wrestling just ain't no fun any more.

I almost broke down when I heard Chris Benoit's father denounce the Mc Mahons. You could hear the pain in him that will never go away.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Internet Hiccup

Double posted. Sorry.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Funny, but the laws against paying for votes have been around for at least a century.

[Bitwit1234]

4. I am 77 years old and as long as I can remember

about voting it was a federal offense to "electionaire" within certain limits of the polling places. How come all of a sudden the republicans are trying to ignore that. Are they stupid or just trying to see what they can get away with.

And of course, regardless, that it is the law they have to come up with "the big bad government is picking on me".

[redirish28]

5. Kicking Post. Wondering if anyone saw any WWE in CT polling areas.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

6. Vince decided not to do it

That was last night......

[Jennicut]

7. Nope, not a shirt! LOL. It is ridiculous, the older voters that like Linda McMahon are NOT

into wrestling, period. Wrestling attracts younger folks. I used to watch it but I voted for Blumenthal. My 62 year old parents voted for Linda McMahon. They hated when I used to watch it. Ironic, isn't it?