Not quite true.

They do allow automated queries through their APIs for at least some of their search verticals.

http://code.google.com/more/#google-search

Why does http://lmgtfy.com/ still exist then?

lmgtfy just issues a redirect, it doesn't perform a query and return results of its own

You don't get your results on their site, they redirect you to Google.

I didn't know that, can you point to a ref doc for this?

thanks!

The Google TOS: http://www.google.com/accounts/TOS

5.3 You agree not to access (or attempt to access) any of the Services by any means other than through the interface that is provided by Google, unless you have been specifically allowed to do so in a separate agreement with Google. You specifically agree not to access (or attempt to access) any of the Services through any automated means (including use of scripts or web crawlers) and shall ensure that you comply with the instructions set out in any robots.txt file present on the Services.

Here ya go: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=google+tos+robots&l=1

see the above comment from jws that cites the appropriate text.

here ya go: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+be+helpful