Arizona Daily Star editorial

[Ragnar]

The Arizona Daily Star has an excellent editorial arguing against the bill the House passed, and for regulation of online gambling.

The paper is very left of center, and will surely be disregarded by Senators Kyl and McCain, but the reasoning is excellent.

Arizona Daily Star (http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/137745.php)

[Wynton]

Has McCain ever taken a position on this issue?

[Ragnar]

I don't think McCain has ever taken a position. I will tell you my bona fides as a McCain watcher, and then give my opinion.

I've lived in Arizona since before he moved here and got into politics, and have watched his career unfold. I have never met him, but I worked on a statewide campaign in which he was a close personal advisor to the candidate. I used to move in Republican circles in Arizona in a very small way, but left them after that campaign and became a libertarian.

I have also heard several anecdotal reports regarding people seeing McCain gamble in Vegas.

In any other year I would consider him to be a likely opponent of the ban. He is a huge fan of regulation and would normally be for legalization, taxation, and regulation. However, he is obsessed with becoming President and has been cozying up to the religious right. This was exemplified by his speaking at the commencement at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University.

My gut read is that he'd rather this not come to a vote, but if push comes to shove he will vote with Kyl on this.

He still might be worth letter writing and contacts, but my guess is he will take the pragmatic way.

[Municipal Hare]

The article contains a wonderful closing thought:

[ QUOTE ]
Poker was invented in New Orleans 150 years ago. It's as American as jazz, baseball and apple pie. It's played and has been played by people from all walks of life, including Supreme Court justices and presidents.

Putting the word "online" in front of poker doesn't make it evil. It's the same game it's always been.

[/ QUOTE ]

[primetime32]

has anyone found an editorial in favor of the ban? I have read many editorials on the subject and they all slant the same way.

[IronDragon1]

[ QUOTE ]
has anyone found an editorial in favor of the ban? I have read many editorials on the subject and they all slant the same way.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's one (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060715/OPINION/607150303/1034)

[Xhad]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
has anyone found an editorial in favor of the ban? I have read many editorials on the subject and they all slant the same way.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's one (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060715/OPINION/607150303/1034)

[/ QUOTE ]

Ugh, how ridiculous. There are addicts. There are also people who will just say, "Can't gamble online anymore? Oh well." THESE ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE. Anyone who is currently a degenerate PartyCasino player, who lives within reasonable distance of a B&M casino is just going to go destroy their lives there.

[redbeard]

Exactly can anyone think of a major metropolitan area in the usa that is not within two hours drive of a b&m casino. if someone is enough of a degenerate to lose all their money they will be able to find a way.

[Eric Stoner]

[ QUOTE ]
The Arizona Daily Star has an excellent editorial arguing against the bill the House passed, and for regulation of online gambling.

The paper is very left of center, and will surely be disregarded by Senators Kyl and McCain, but the reasoning is excellent.

Arizona Daily Star (http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/137745.php)

[/ QUOTE ]

I just saw the response this morning. If you haven't had your coffee yet, or angry about something, this will just make it worse.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/138416

[cowboy.up]

I'm curious as to the actual percentage of online gamblors that are addicted to their respective games. Then take those numbers and compare them to the national averages of suicide/bankruptcy etc. I'm going to guess there isn't much of an increase for 'degenerate gamblors' as the government makes it out to be.

[Overdrive]

Addiction is not the issue. What about being addicted to betting on horses over the internet? Well that is just fine and acceptable under this legislation! What about being addicted to buying lottery tickets? That is also fine and acceptable under this legislation! It's about freedom of the internet and the US govt. regulating the internet the same way China does.

[Mr.K]

I couldn't tell for sure if that response was written by Kyl or not. It seems to be, but then the closing sentence reads "we do too." (begging the question of who makes up the plural "we")

Either way, there is a very intriguing reference to poker in there. Read what the writer has to say very, very carefully. Seems to me the writer may be trying to have it both ways: implying that the bill is not about poker (and that poker may not even be covered????), while certainly not making a direct statement to that effect. Also note that when the writer talks about proscribed activities, he/she talks only about sports betting. Interesting.

[DeliciousBass]

I have registered with the Arizona Daily Star and commented on the offending piece. Due to ADS's stellar formatting it reads like chit but I 've done my part today.

Enjoy.

[stormy455]

[ QUOTE ]
I couldn't tell for sure if that response was written by Kyl or not. It seems to be, but then the closing sentence reads "we do too." (begging the question of who makes up the plural "we")

[/ QUOTE ]
The article is not real clear about who wrote it, but the closing comments inserted by the editor say to write to Senator Jon Kyl @ ... and Senator Mark Pryor @ ....

[spatne]

[ QUOTE ]

I couldn't tell for sure if that response was written by Kyl or not. It seems to be, but then the closing sentence reads "we do too." (begging the question of who makes up the plural "we")

[/ QUOTE ]

At first, I thought it might be Jesus. But there is contact information for both Kyl and Mark Pryor at the bottom of the page. Is Sen. Pryor a sponsor?

I agree that the poker comment is strange. I'm not reading as much into it as you, but I wonder why would he would even bring it up.