This post has a purpose, to get all the non-poker players that read my blog to click this link and join. Ahh yes, you are asking "WHAT? WHY?". And as always I shall give you answers.
As to the "what?" it is the PPA- Poker Players Alliance. Since that pry just confuses you more, here is what the PPA does:
The Poker Players Alliance is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game, ensure its integrity, and, most importantly, to protect poker players' rights.
So why does that involve you if you don't play poker? Well, what do you play? How would you like the government telling you that you can't play the game you enjoy in your own home? What if you pay for a subscription to pogo.com where you can play games like canasta, bridge and cribbage and win real money in a lottery type drawing, and because the government banned banks sending your monthly payment to "GAMING SITES" you can't play anymore? So, if you are a fan of your personal rights and choices, I'd say join.
A friend of mine wrote a letter to Bill Frist, one of the authors of a recent earmark on a the Security Port Act that was signed into law at the end of last year. The earmark made it illegal for banks to do transactions with "gambling" sites. Altho it had a carve out for lotteries and horse betting, it did NOT have a carve out for poker. Here's what Frist had to say in his reply:
I have heard from many concerned citizens regarding passage of the
Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. While I understand the
conerns of the numerous individuals that participate in on-line gaming,
the bottom line is simple: Internet gambling is illegal. Gambling is a
serious addiction that undermines the family, dashes dreams, and frays the
fabric of society. Congress had grappled with this issue for 10 years,
and during that time the on-line gaming industry has exploded. Although
it is impossible to monitor every on-line gambler or regulate offshore
gambling, steps can be taken to police the financial institutions that
disregard our laws.
That's right, it is crumbling the very fabric of our society! Not greed, or consumption, not ignorance BUT FUCKING POKER! Our private citizens don't have the capacity to decide what to spend their disposable income on, so we will decide for them.
I realize poker is hardly the most important issue in this country right now, but the fact of the matter is when we start letting our government make laws about our passtimes, it's only going downhill from there.
Labels: poker
Need I tell you about Harris leaving some cash in the coffers of either Frist or that other guy? And how the SBC shouted hallelujah but forget about who funded their earthly saviors and who got the carve outs?
Idiots. They are accomplishing the opposite of what they say they aim for but get exactly what they really want.