In Utah, the Sheriff of Doodyville Takes on the World

Are Utah’s government officials evil or just stupid? That question comes to mind every time the state’s so-called child-protection do-not e-mail registry takes a new twist.

The most recent mind-boggler was an announcement that the state had cited four companies alleging they’d sent e-mail touting gambling, alcohol and pornography to children.

Utah’s consumer protection agency reportedly fined:

  • DOS Media Now, an Encinitas, CA online gambling firm, $5,000.

  • Golden Arch Casinos, Overland Park, KS, $2,500.

  • SoftestGirls.com, a Singapore-based pornographer, $20,000.

  • Smoothbeer.com, a United Kingdom-based beer marketer, $2,500.

First, it’s a safe bet SoftestGirls.com isn’t fishing through its bank account for $20,000 to balance Utah’s books. Moreover, that Utah has fined a U.K. beer site sends a message straight out of legislative bizarroland