Comments on: And so it begins

By: smallchou

smallchou — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:24:23 +0000

oh, and as for this being more of a problem with the anti-gambling mentality of america, that’s bullshit. america has an anti-smoking ‘mentality’ and we haven’t stopped people from doing that in their homes.

of course there’s an anti-gambling mentality. every civilized nation should have that type of mentality. it doesn’t mean you ban people from doing it.

this is about politics and money. it’s not about morals.

By: smallchou

smallchou — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:20:51 +0000

let’s not get into this argument, because i’m just going to get pissed, but sometimes numbers don’t tell the whole story. for a recap, as i was following this particular issue rather closely, let me paraphrase the actual history of this act:

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Republicans: “we need another “issue” to hang our hat on that average Americans can’t help but back us on. i mean, we could actually try to solve something meaningful, but that would take real work. let’s go against gambling, that’ll make us look good.”

Horseracing Lobbyists: “hey, but we gave you guys so much money! you’re just gonna screw us? damn republicans.”

Republicans: “oh. oh yeah. well, let’s put in a specific section that protects horse-racing. there, that’ll do it. let’s ban all gambling BESIDES online horse-racing, because THAT’S not gambling.

note Section 105, http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=summary&bill=h109-4411

hey democrats, we’re going to pass this online gambling act, and you guys will look un-american if you don’t vote for it. actually, just to hammer this home, let’s stick it in the PORT SECURITY bill

note: http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/109_PL_109-347.html

so you’d be crazy to vote against it. how could you ever win a re-election voting against that?”

Democrats: “oh. we’re such pansies. let’s roll over and vote for it so we don’t look like bitches.”

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so, as i said: thanks, republicans.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 07:54:12 +0000

The libertarian part of me is not a big fan of the legislation either (although, in principle, it’s the right thing to synch up physical and online laws), but note that this is something a large portion of the country is agreement with (majority of Democrats voted for this as well).

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2006-363&sort=party

The gripe shouldn’t necessarily be with Republicans, but with the anti-gambling mentality in the United States. There’s a good portion of this country, left and right, that believe gambling, like drugs, is a detrimental form of recreation that is easily addictive and life-ruining.