RiverDogs have fun with Alvin Greene

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When Democratic Senate candidate Alvin Greene suggested that a good way to fight unemployment might be to begin manufacturing action figures of himself, you couldn't help but laugh.

Greene's flub became promotional fun when the RiverDogs passed out Alvin Greene statues to the first 1,000 fans who attended the baseball game Saturday night. They weren't exactly action figures, and, in fact, were just photos of Greene taped to "Mr. Liberty" miniature statues, but you have to give the RiverDogs folks credit for turning a state embarrassment not only into an amusing promotion, but one that made national headlines, with everyone from CNN to the Huffington Post covering it.

At this point, I'm actually starting to feel sorry for Greene, who I think is getting more attention than he bargained for. Regardless, big kudos to the RiverDogs folks for having a little fun with the man most people still are not taking seriously.

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If the RiverDogs can give Greene's gaffe the entrepreneurial treatment, why is the entire gambling industry in South Carolina monopolized by state government? "Gambling industry?" What "gambling industry," you might ask. You know the little old lady at the convenience store taking her sweet time buying dozens of lottery tickets? -- that gambling industry. I fully support the education lottery because it is a voluntary revenue source. After all, no one forces you to buy a ticket.

Also, as a rasslin' fan who still considers Ric Flair the greatest of all time, I fully support any lottery that promotes my favorite wrestler. But if the supposed damaging societal effects associated with gambling truly exist, why does the lottery get a pass?

And if the lottery's benefit outweighs such concerns, as it obviously does, why can't private individuals get in on the government's hustle? It's been well over a decade since bars and restaurants were stripped of video poker machines, and it's also been that long since I was able to buy eggs, grits and sausage for under $3 -- because mom-and-pop diners made enough money off video poker to offer such great deals.

Legalize it, and the same goes for poker tournaments, casino boats and any other form of private gambling. It's patently absurd that our government does not allow private individuals or businesses to participate in gambling while simultaneously running the biggest gaming operation in state history.