NPR's Talk of the Nation - WTO/Antigua

[The Venetian]

I happened to catch this while waiting to pick my daughter up at school today. OK discussion, all those interviewed were pro-Internet gaming. Host probably not completely up to speed, but not hostile. For example, he repeated multiple times that Internet gambling was illegal before Mendel clarified the situation a bit better.

It's about 35 minutes long and should be up this evening on NPR's site. Pretty sure they podcast these too.

Talk of the Nation (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13975457)

[Grasshopp3r]

Not too sympathetic as the description is:

"The cards are digital but the cash is real in online gambling. There's a fortune being won, and lost, on the Web, even though it's illegal in the United States. Players go to surprising lengths to enter the virtual casino and place their bets."

Mendel needs to have them change the tagline.

[The Venetian]

Well, like I said, the host was definitely not completely up to speed, but I would say that his view is pretty similar to that of the typical person looking at this issue. They do a pretty good job of flushing out the issues in the time they have, plus you get a bonus with a caller who's convinced the game is rigged for action.

Like it or not, we can't really go forward in the realm of public opinion unless these things that 2+2'ers got past years ago get examined in the open.

It was definitely not a hit piece, if that's what you're concerned about.

[dankhank]

i really liked the answers the online player gave. my answers would've been identical to his although probably less eloquently stated. he was fortunately a little more mature than the average online pro and so was able to give realistic answers such as pointing out that internet poker tables are bigger cesspools for rudeness than a b&m casino, or the average internet chatroom.

[dankhank]

mr. mendel made an interesting mention during his hypothetical situation of states allowing regulated intra-state gambling sites, such as californiapoker.com. he said that if it was possible for a state to offer to its own residents such a gambling site, then it follows that a company in antigua could do the same thing in that state.

it seems to me that if this were the case, the u.s. government would be more hesitant to allow a regulated online gambling sector. why would they want international competition, when domestic businesses could have a monopoly?

it is not in antigua's interests to have regulated u.s. online gambling if they cannot participate. but it's not in our interests as players to have antigua hurt our chances for regulation.

[Legislurker]

So she didn't deny it was rigged? Interesting. SOftware is on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. Rich. Id love to see these places forced to disclose more about the RNGs and make blanket hardcore statements about how the hands are determined. I don't wear a tin foil hat, but I just want to see them swear up and down certain things, and have it checked out and backed up by an agency that can shut them down or fine them heavily.

[disjunction]

Is this the show where they read aloud listener mail once a week?

[vabogee]

[ QUOTE ]
So she didn't deny it was rigged? Interesting. SOftware is on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. Rich. Id love to see these places forced to disclose more about the RNGs and make blanket hardcore statements about how the hands are determined. I don't wear a tin foil hat, but I just want to see them swear up and down certain things, and have it checked out and backed up by an agency that can shut them down or fine them heavily.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol

[Legislurker]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this the show where they read aloud listener mail once a week?

[/ QUOTE ]

TOTN is a news magazine radio show. They take mail and call ins. Their politics are soft left/fluff. Entertainment style
drive home show for liberal soccer moms.

[disjunction]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Is this the show where they read aloud listener mail once a week?

[/ QUOTE ]

TOTN is a news magazine radio show. They take mail and call ins. Their politics are soft left/fluff. Entertainment style
drive home show for liberal soccer moms.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, I've heard it then. I guess it helps me get in touch with my inner soccer mom. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

IIRC when listeners write in with objections, the most cogent letters are read aloud quite clearly. I would suggest that someone write a really good, short letter to them.

[pifhluk]

I am glad that Sue Schnieder actually knew what she was talking about.

"The chip leader will take a bad beat because of the rigged algorithm" - caller from Jacksonville.

The piece on the WTO was good.

Other than the host not being intelligent on the subject I would say it was a fairly good show for us.