Online Poker Ban

[Fish-Kabob]

I would like to hear your thoughts on this one. I play(ed) online and really don't get it. Here is a link for some biased info.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/04/opinion/main2061902.shtml

[f94gator]

I think the ban is absurd.

[Puncture Wound]

im playing online right now with real cash

[bartender13]

The story is from October 06, you can still play online, just deposit your money through net teller

[f94gator]

I heard on the radio that Net Teller is shutting down in the US soon. They recommended getting your money back asap.

[Fish-Kabob]

That is why I started this. Netteller is shut down in the US.

[Steel Shootin']

I rarely get involved in political discussions on this forum, but there are some points that need to be made here in a big way. The issue is not online gambling, it is what is happening in the world of politics, at the expense of the U.S. Constitution. Here's the punchline: It is allowed to happen because you, the American Public, have your heads up your ass!

If you read the link that was originally posted, a couple of things should really jump out at you (and piss you off). First, just the general issue that once again Congress is trying to be our babysitter and decide what is good for their little children: The citizens of the United States. Legislating morality has become all too common in Washington, as well as at the state level. What's even worse is that this particular piece of legislation isn't really motivated by a concern over the public good at all. Here is what drove this truck:

1. Hastert needing to show that he was not bought and paid for by Jack Abramoff. Hastert can now waive this piece of legislation around when he is up for re-election.

2. Bill "Terri Schiavo" Frist, the biggest piece of chit in Washington (just my humble opinion), pandering once again to the religious right.

3. And, of course, although the one influence not mentioned in the article, let us not forget the casino lobby itself. God can only imagine how much money is channeled to our federal representatives to keep the boys in Vegas happy.

Here is what really pisses me off to no end. It's the way these crooked cowards in Washington go about their business. They tacked this piece of legislation onto a port security bill. Now, if you have a brain bigger than say the size of a pea, you may wonder what online gambling has to do with port security. It doesn't have a goddamn thing to do with it. So why would the Republicans tack this on to such a piece of legislation. Easy:

1. To do an end around on real debate. God forbid that legislators actually contemplate the legislation they are passing;

2. To meet some kind of deadline they are trying to meet;

3. To box in the opposing party (remember the minimum wage legislation that the Republicans tacked onto the estate tax legislation....and then Frist had the nads to go on TV and talk about how the Democrats don't support a raise in the minimum wage. What's even more amazing is the stupidity of some people to buy that....I even saw someone on this site talking about how the Dems were going to have a hard time explaining how they don't support a minimum wage increase).

4. To create an appearance or facade. Marijuana legislation is a prime example of this. If you talk to most legislators on the side, they'll admit that they don't see pot as that big a deal, and certainly believe that having it classified as a Class I substance (along with Heroin) is a joke. Yet, the appetite for appearing tough on crime and winning votes is too strong for these guys to resist. It is their narcotic.

Now, here is what should really piss off all you good Republicans. Your party, the party of Lincoln, has completely lost it's way. If you think I say this out of some disdain for the Republican Party, feel free to research it yourself. It is no longer the Party of State's Rights. It is no longer the party of personal responsibility. And, worse than anything, there is a faction of the Party that has almost unilaterally destroyed the Bill of Rights. Sure, there remains a part of the party of true conservatives. Those who believe in State's Rights, those who believe in personal responsibility, but where is their voice at now?

And, just so this does not appear to be a pro-Democratic post, I'll point out that this Democrat is about an eyelash away from going to the County Building and changing his political affiliation. Rather than protecting the Constitution, the Dems have all too eagerly jumped on the bandwagon when there was political gain involved. In my opinion, they have become the party without a spine! Hell, the only way they could regain Congress was by the Republicans imploding. Think about it, what the Hell have they brought to the table since Kennedy? Most of you probably hate Howard Dean, but give the man one thing: He was actually against Iraq invasion before the vote. In the Democratic Party, that kind of stance is rare. I sent the Democratic National Committee an email asking a simple question about their platform, and never got a response. Jesus, I am not even sure they know what their platform is anymore.

Who has the BEST political platform of any party? The Libertarians, without question. Please read it if you haven't: http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml You will likely not agree with 100% of the platform, but is there really any party that you agree 100% with. Is it possible to even find out what the other parties are even truly about anymore. At least the Libertarians lay it out. You'll note two things as you read this. One, they actually HAVE a platform, and it is well spelled out (even the controversial issues), and 2) it actually embraces the US Constitution, believing that people should be responsible for themselves, and that govt should only become involved when one's actions start to impact others.

OK, enough of this rant. Someone had to fill in for Bill Mac! And besides, when you make only one political post a year, you have to get it all out of your system. It's good for the soul! :)

[biggsy]

Here is something I got off of the Neteller site and you may want to read it.

http://content.neteller.com/content/en/member_businessupdate.htm

[f94gator]

Someone had to fill in for Bill Mac!

Wow. That's exactly what I was thinking. :)

Back to the original subject - I agree. The reasons and method for passing this bill is all complete bullshit. Tacked onto a port security bill? WTF?

[bubblejunkie]

I rarely get involved in political discussions on this forum, but there are some points that need to be made here in a big way. The issue is not online gambling, it is what is happening in the world of politics, at the expense of the U.S. Constitution. Here's the punchline: It is allowed to happen because you, the American Public, have your heads up your ass!

If you read the link that was originally posted, a couple of things should really jump out at you (and piss you off). First, just the general issue that once again Congress is trying to be our babysitter and decide what is good for their little children: The citizens of the United States. Legislating morality has become all too common in Washington, as well as at the state level. What's even worse is that this particular piece of legislation isn't really motivated by a concern over the public good at all. Here is what drove this truck:

1. Hastert needing to show that he was not bought and paid for by Jack Abramoff. Hastert can now waive this piece of legislation around when he is up for re-election.

2. Bill "Terri Schiavo" Frist, the biggest piece of chit in Washington (just my humble opinion), pandering once again to the religious right.

3. And, of course, although the one influence not mentioned in the article, let us not forget the casino lobby itself. God can only imagine how much money is channeled to our federal representatives to keep the boys in Vegas happy.

Here is what really pisses me off to no end. It's the way these crooked cowards in Washington go about their business. They tacked this piece of legislation onto a port security bill. Now, if you have a brain bigger than say the size of a pea, you may wonder what online gambling has to do with port security. It doesn't have a goddamn thing to do with it. So why would the Republicans tack this on to such a piece of legislation. Easy:

1. To do an end around on real debate. God forbid that legislators actually contemplate the legislation they are passing;

2. To meet some kind of deadline they are trying to meet;

3. To box in the opposing party (remember the minimum wage legislation that the Republicans tacked onto the estate tax legislation....and then Frist had the nads to go on TV and talk about how the Democrats don't support a raise in the minimum wage. What's even more amazing is the stupidity of some people to buy that....I even saw someone on this site talking about how the Dems were going to have a hard time explaining how they don't support a minimum wage increase).

4. To create an appearance or facade. Marijuana legislation is a prime example of this. If you talk to most legislators on the side, they'll admit that they don't see pot as that big a deal, and certainly believe that having it classified as a Class I substance (along with Heroin) is a joke. Yet, the appetite for appearing tough on crime and winning votes is too strong for these guys to resist. It is their narcotic.

Now, here is what should really piss off all you good Republicans. Your party, the party of Lincoln, has completely lost it's way. If you think I say this out of some disdain for the Republican Party, feel free to research it yourself. It is no longer the Party of State's Rights. It is no longer the party of personal responsibility. And, worse than anything, there is a faction of the Party that has almost unilaterally destroyed the Bill of Rights. Sure, there remains a part of the party of true conservatives. Those who believe in State's Rights, those who believe in personal responsibility, but where is their voice at now?

And, just so this does not appear to be a pro-Democratic post, I'll point out that this Democrat is about an eyelash away from going to the County Building and changing his political affiliation. Rather than protecting the Constitution, the Dems have all too eagerly jumped on the bandwagon when there was political gain involved. In my opinion, they have become the party without a spine! Hell, the only way they could regain Congress was by the Republicans imploding. Think about it, what the Hell have they brought to the table since Kennedy? Most of you probably hate Howard Dean, but give the man one thing: He was actually against Iraq invasion before the vote. In the Democratic Party, that kind of stance is rare. I sent the Democratic National Committee an email asking a simple question about their platform, and never got a response. Jesus, I am not even sure they know what their platform is anymore.

Who has the BEST political platform of any party? The Libertarians, without question. Please read it if you haven't: http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml You will likely not agree with 100% of the platform, but is there really any party that you agree 100% with. Is it possible to even find out what the other parties are even truly about anymore. At least the Libertarians lay it out. You'll note two things as you read this. One, they actually HAVE a platform, and it is well spelled out (even the controversial issues), and 2) it actually embraces the US Constitution, believing that people should be responsible for themselves, and that govt should only become involved when one's actions start to impact others.

OK, enough of this rant. Someone had to fill in for Bill Mac! And besides, when you make only one political post a year, you have to get it all out of your system. It's good for the soul! :)


:lol: Scott I agree 150% just cant say it as calmly as you do. Some of the things happening in the Supreme Court with Search and Seizure laws are frighting. It's all a way to obvious sign Big Brother is getting further out of hand. I'll read the other link later. Thanks for posting

On a side note I'm typing this from my truck which is way to cool :thumps:

[ScottZeagle]

You are 100% correct, Scott!!!!

[Mikerotch]

For the record, not all of the so-called "religious right" are supportive of the agendas of the Republican Party. I consider myself an evangelical, at least theologically, but at the same time I believe a proper interpretation of Scripture leads one naturally to the principles espoused by the Libertarian Party. What today's Republicans press for is eerily similar to the Pharisees of Jesus' times. They somehow believe that legislation and politics will change people's hearts and are willing to kill for said change. (example: Cross 2000 years ago, or regime change in Iraq today ) With regard to the internet gambling ban, take a moment and read a well written piece from one of the world's best Libertarian sites :
http://www.mises.org/story/2358

There is no doubt in my mind that the Libertarian philosophy is both in our interests as a culture and as individuals. If the principles are agreed upon, I can sit and be sociable with people of any faith (or lack thereof ) and both of us can be certain that the strong arm of government will not impose anything on either of us. We can both go spearfishing and drown doing what we love, I can go to heaven and he can go to hell, but at least we wouldn't have a beaurocrat telling us who's going where and what type of license we must pay for in order to go there.

Mikerotch, former Republican, radical Libertarian

P.S. Ron Paul for President, 2008

[Marcus]

Scott, I agree with you 100% as well. I knew there was some reason I liked you. ;)

[f94gator]

Scott, I agree with you 100% as well. I knew there was some reason I liked you. ;)

Kiss-ass.
You realize he doesn't run this board anymore, right? :D

[Marcus]

Kiss-ass.
You realize he doesn't run this board anymore, right? :D

Of course I do....but I also realize he still has a nice boat. :D One day he might take me out on it again...if he ever gets over the last time he invited me out. :(

http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=18226&page=2&pp=15&highlight=haired :D

[Steel Shootin']

:lol: Scott I agree 150% just cant say it as calmly as you do. Some of the things happening in the Supreme Court with Search and Seizure laws are frighting. It's all a way to obvious sign Big Brother is getting further out of hand. I'll read the other link later. Thanks for posting

On a side note I'm typing this from my truck which is way to cool :thumps:

Jerry, you are right on about search and seizure. The erosion of the Fourth Amendment is in fact my biggest concern legally. The Rehnquist Court kept chipping away at it to the point that it is a shell of what it once was under the Warren Court, and both warrantless searches and unreasonable searches are done routinely. Warrants are also routinely issued without probable cause, based on little more than an anonymous tip.

I met a guy named John Wesley Hall recently at a seminar, and learned of his website www.FourthAmendment.com. The work that Hall puts into it is amazing. He is up at 5:00AM every morning scouring Lexis and Westlaw for any new published cases that have anything at all to do with the Fourth Amendment. He then writes a blurb about the case, complete with citation. Everything is kept in a database, and the site is searchable. It is all free. I read it several times a week, and as you say, it is very frightening what is going on. What worse, is that with new technology, unreasonable government intrusion will only expand.

[Steel Shootin']

For the record, not all of the so-called "religious right" are supportive of the agendas of the Republican Party. I consider myself an evangelical, at least theologically, but at the same time I believe a proper interpretation of Scripture leads one naturally to the principles espoused by the Libertarian Party. What today's Republicans press for is eerily similar to the Pharisees of Jesus' times. They somehow believe that legislation and politics will change people's hearts and are willing to kill for said change. (example: Cross 2000 years ago, or regime change in Iraq today ) With regard to the internet gambling ban, take a moment and read a well written piece from one of the world's best Libertarian sites :
http://www.mises.org/story/2358

There is no doubt in my mind that the Libertarian philosophy is both in our interests as a culture and as individuals. If the principles are agreed upon, I can sit and be sociable with people of any faith (or lack thereof ) and both of us can be certain that the strong arm of government will not impose anything on either of us. We can both go spearfishing and drown doing what we love, I can go to heaven and he can go to hell, but at least we wouldn't have a bureaucrat telling us who's going where and what type of license we must pay for in order to go there.

Mikerotch, former Republican, radical Libertarian

P.S. Ron Paul for President, 2008

Mikerotch, it is good to hear from an evangelical who understands that it is up to the individual to find his own spirituality, not up to the government to legislate in this area. While you may be correct that not all evangelicals are supportive of the Republican agenda, the fact is that the most visible evangelical leaders pressure the President and Republicans to pass their agenda, and the Constitution be damned. The Bible is their Constitution, and a little thing like State's Rights, due process or the right to pursuit of happiness has no significance in their view.

I also agree that there is nothing at all inconsistent about the Libertarian Philosophy and Christianity. I am not very religious, but doesn't it state throughout the Bible that God gave each person a free will? Well, that could open up a can of worms about Predestination vs. Free Will, so I think I'll stop here.

[Steel Shootin']

I hijacked the hell out of this thread. Sorry about that!

[richhermes]

Hey Scott! ***** you! :D:D

Paul wasn't going to do it. I might as well!!

[Steel Shootin']

Hey Scott! ***** you! :D:D

Paul wasn't going to do it. I might as well!!

Feel the love! :thumps:

[Mikerotch]

Steel Shootin, You are right. As I said before, the religous leaders of today tend to be identical in their thought process to the pharisees. As such, they take conforming to "the law", in this case God's law, and substitute it for the Gospel. The Gospel says that we are saved by Christ's sacrifice made on our behalf, and to their credit they preach that on the one hand, but then they turn around and imply that they are going to help someone come closer to God by laying down a set of rules. In other words, I may believe that homosexuality is a sin, and according to God's word it is, but there is no way that I can ever reach a homosexual by simply outlawing his activities. In fact, it is theologically false because it may lead someone who obeys said laws into a false sense of salvation. The pharisees did a great job of keeping the law, but Jesus and Paul (a pharisee himself) made it abundantly clear that
their "righteousness" was not enough. For what it's worth, I believe that I am first accountable to the Bible, but it in no way is contradicted by the Constitution, so there is no issue of being loyal to one over the other. Only if it required I do or not do something contrary to Scripture would there be an issue.

Mikerotch

P.S. Since the can is opened, there can be both "free will" and "predestination" at the same time, it's just not quite possible to understand such a concept with a finite mind. With an infinite mind such as God's, there is no problem. :thumps:

[f94gator]

Hey Scott! ***** you! :D:D

Paul wasn't going to do it. I might as well!!

GOD DAMMITT!!! I was building up the suspense!! *****ER!!!