NPR Call-In Show - Joe Courtney D-CT

[joesxm2]

Joe Courtney from the 2nd congressional district in CT where I live was on the "Where We Live" radio show on PBS today.

Courtney won by 180 votes against the republican Rob Simmons who voted for the bad bill last year in the house of representatives.

I got up my nerve and called in (being late to work in the process). I was pretty nervous talking on the radio but I think it worked out ok.

I started by saying that I was one of the 180 poker players that got him elected last year, then asked his opinion on the Defense of Ports Bill and the UIGEA attachment. I followed by asking for his support for the pending legislation from Barney Frank to properly investigate and regulate Internet Gambling.

The host asked him to explain the details for the other listeners. He seemed to be aware of the topic and mentioned that he had been receiving letters from poker players.

While he did not come out full force in favor, he sounded at least open minded or possibly sympathetic.

Courtney even brought up some of the suggested arguments that I probably should have tried to hit on had I not been so nervous.

He mentioned disabled people not being able to go to the casino, people being grown adults who should be able to do whatever entertainment that they enjoy, the need to properly regulate to protect minors etc.

He said that the way the law was passed last year was not right and that there should be some informed discussion and proper investigation. It sounded like he would support the new bills.

I have been a bit of a slacker keeping up the pressure, but at least I did my small bit this morning.

[Zele]

Nice job. Though we still have a really long way to go, it's nice to see some success in moving the debate.

[Moneyline]

Excellent work, Joe. Good to know we have another ally in Congress, and also good to keep the issue in the public eye.

[questions]

Good for you. The state may (or may not) be entitled to tax income from such pursuits, but they have NO RIGHT prohibiting consenting adults from pursuing entertainment which does not harm anyone else. You have good reason to be angry about that legislation.

[Jeffiner99]

Hey, speaking of, has anyone written to the ADA to see if they will support an outright repeal of the UIGEA and striking it down as violating or curbing the rights of the disabled?

As well intentioned as Barney Frank is, we would be better off without any regulations at all, as in the good ole days before the UIGEA.

Can we get the ADA to go after the DOJ for attacking poker sites?

Why not use their own regulations against them?

Anyone think that would work?

P.S. I send an email to 50 governors the other night. (Not as easy as you might think since most had a website and a form to fill out, so I had to do that 50 times). I asked every one of them how they would approach the new Frank bill and would they try to get their state opted out? (For those of you who don't know, the Frank bill has a clause that any state that wants to can opt out of the scheme and make it illegal to gamble in that state). Not one of the governors gave me an answer. Most gave stupid, thank you for your opinion answers when I wasn't giving an opinion just asking a question. The others said it is a federal matter and ask them. They won't comment on ongoing legislation. Cowards.

Anyway, no way of knowing how many governors might try to opt out. But it would sure suck if your governor opted out after all this fighting to get the bill passed.

[whangarei]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, speaking of, has anyone written to the ADA to see if they will support an outright repeal of the UIGEA and striking it down as violating or curbing the rights of the disabled?

[/ QUOTE ]

ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, so I don't think you could write to it. But I think that might be a really good idea, to get organizations who lobby for those with disabilities behind Frank's bill and/or against UIGEA.