Online gambling bill hits snags in Congress

This is the very subject line

that destroys message boards. I have posted on stock trading message boards since 1993 and I know oh so well what kills a productive board. It is political rants. We saw it when Bill Clinton was president and the dems held the house and lost it in a rush of distain. The political talk on the boards created vacancy on the boards. Why? Because USA is a split country as far as politics. There is really very little separating each party. One party protects the unborn child the other party protects the baby killers. Its oh so close. But when some one thinks Chavez is right knowing full well he supports Iran and Iran supports the removal of Israel from the map makes you wonder, what is a devil and who are his angles. Will the propaganda of Chavez and Soros rule our land? No. We will remain in a political quagmire. The political system is designed to cater to majorities. As long as that is so each party will paint the corner just enough to stay near 50%.

Barney

 

What a country!

To those who complain that we have made this a 'political' issue,please give me a break! We,the gambling community,did NOT make this a political issue. The politicians made it that way by stashing this legislation in the back end of a cant-miss terrorism bill,and making an end-run on the American people.
This is supposed to be a democracy,but GWB and Co have turned America into their personal fiefdom. We are all still entitled to our own opinions,but it is painfully clear to me that the current leadership is "second amendment first,first amendment second". If you dont see the danger in this,you really should examine the situation more closely.
Online gaming is only a small part of the issue-I agree with you 100% on that point. The bigger issue,however,is FREEDOM OF CHOICE,which-correct me if I'm wrong-is one of the principles upon which this nation was founded. And before you respond with "I/my son/my daughter went to Iraq to fight for your freedom",please answer this question: Who or what in Iraq is threatening my freedom? Dont take it the wrong way-I appreciate the sacrifices military personnel make-when the cause is just and noble. Show me something just and noble about the current administration,and you will have my apologies. Take as much time as you need.......

 

recommendation

for all the posters to this thread - both the political ranters and the anti-ranters - I recommend you go reread de Toqueville's Democracy in America - even though written in the 1830's and many of the social attitudes are outdated - still one of the best perspectives on American democracy and government ever written - maybe read carefully his comments on the 'tyrrany of the majority' - maybe read some of John Stuart Mills' writings too

 

Sail by the North Star:

Wow! How far off point things can go.

Much has been made of not interrupting the flow of info this site was intended. Much political ranting and raving has occurred.

I resubmit politics came into it because it affected what we read and post here, or play at other sites.

The fact that the on line gaming issue was NOT a concern of the vast majority of Americans; got raised a short while back and then was seriptiously inserted at the last minute into crucial legislation, should be the main point and not every grievance against particular politicians or parties.

Politics reared its ugly head in our community and that one point, to achieve any redress or change, should be the focus.

Every other special interest group or agenda pushing "Action Committee" stays focused on its main concern.

We are faced with the fact that any participation in any kind of on-line gaming is illegal in the United States. We have been able to circumvent that till now. There may still be ways around the law. I'm sure someone will come up with something.

But, rather than a gnashing of teeth and sound and fury for nothing, either an effort is made from an organized "movement" to get it legalized, or face the consequences of the law.

And, yeah, I know all the "illegal" activities that get a wink and a nod, or supposedly can't be controlled. But the fact remains this issue is getting controlled.

And yes, Kuczek, read de Toqueville. Read Locke and Rousseau. Re-examine the Magna Carta. Re read English, French and Spanish monarchial History for all the intrique. Read Shakespeare's tradgedies.

On the lighter side, go out and by the "DEADWOOD" series DVD collection, when and if it comes out. That's the way it always worked, the way it still works and the way it will always work. Review the history of the development of the American West. "DEADWOOD" doesn't even deal with the range wars of cattlemen vs sod busters, or cattlemen vs sheep hearders(or goat mongers). Free range vs fences and on and on and on.

The larger question is(from Deadwood) are you one of the hooplas or one of the "Saloon Owners?"

With that said, here's hoping everyone gets their win at the final table at least once.

 

Well Read

well read noman - read John Stuart Mills too - then your reading list will be complete -

I live in Yuma AZ - where the wild west is still wild - if slightly less lethal - well - one community out here (Quatrzsite) - a disgruntled politician did put out a contract for a hit on a political rival a few years ago - but mostly we use recall elections now - in San Luis, a nearby town, which I work with the elected officials and staff there - when I first moved here - they had 9 recall elections in 1 1/2 years - for a seven member City Council - all the recalls were sucessful -

I did my political rant - but don't think the politics should carry over to the rest of the threads - we are here for the bj afterall - and plenty of room for all of us - even the sadly misguided - but no reason we can't have one thread for the ranting -

issue really is the repressive regulation of personal choice - if I want to destroy myself with wild online gambling - so be it - as long as I don't bring someone else down with me - and am held responsible for the consequences - that's my choice -

both republicans and democrats are big on protecting us from ourselves - just on different issues -

I strongly suspect - that we will see some legislation that will legalize online betting - when it is operated by American bricks and mortar casinos - like the biggies - such as Harrah's and such - it will be taxed and regulated - with heavy sin taxes - and less favorable play and rules - for us - but it will be there - and all the repressive types will feel rightous - because they will be taxing the heck out of us sinners - and putting the money to good use - funding wars and no-bid contracts for giant corporations - and tax breaks for the ultra-rich - oops - ranting again -

I do remember hearing a while back - that the vegas casinos had set up to handle online wagering - putting it on hold until legal - has anyone heard this? or know what the casinos are doing to prepare for online wagering?

 

Reading list and politics:

RKuczek:

Put mills in my back pocket many years ago. I agree as most here that our personal choice should not be infringed upon. That after all was the largest base of forming this country.

I merely try to suggest that the best way for US to attack or approach our disgruntlement with the situation be no different than any of the other successful special interest groups and organize "something"

Cause one. We all know in the current situation writing a "congressman" will do no good. One they are either already bought off, or two: you, me, we are suggesting that because of personal opinion they flaunt the written law.

Regardless of personal freedom, we all have been speeding, jaywalking, spitting on the sidewalk, playing music too loud, yadda yadda.

pokernut mentioned Jay Bailey and the National Right for on line gaming. Nelson Rose has been referenced and quoted on the site. There are two intial sources to tap to utilize to join with, to somehow forge a coalition of like minded folks in "one" cause. We may differ in a lot of other areas and political opinions. But if there is focus on this issue, if we truly want to keep our on line gaming as an option, collectively WE can, could accomplish something to that end. Hate to give a compromise so early, but if it means having to grease the "wheels" with taxes to accomplish the goal, well compromise has produced many a good outcome in the past. Sometimes not, but there has to be a starting point other than just collectively gnashing teeth.

Prohibition was repealed. Prostitution is legal in Nevada, outside Clark Co.(Ha Ha) Abortion was legalized. Certain states allow small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Drunk driving is no longer funny. Discrimination of any type is no longer allowed. NO BOLT OF LIGHTNING created those changes, or the many others. It was a group with a common cause willing to put forth the effort, time and longevity to the action.

So again, poker nut: what's the contact for Bailey. And who knows Rose to contact him and who here wants to put forth the effort to initiate the change.

I'm willing to contribute whatever I can. But we need a concise, crisp mission statement an agenda and a plan of action and a commitement from those who are truly interested.