URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

As NROG reported earlier this week Sen Bill Frist is actively seeking to attach his online gambling ban to a new piece of legislation. NROG has been entrenched in D.C for the last several days and after a very late night last night and a rough morning we learned that his sights are back on the DoD bill. This after a clear outright refusal last week by Sen. Warner and Sen. Levin. In the last several hours, Frist has gained momentum on this fight after compromising on a carve out for the Horse Racing Industry. He is now vigorously trying to get this bill passed, by any means, before Congress breaks next week. His worst case scenario is to get passage during the Lame Duck session after elections but it seems now that this could happen sooner rather than later.

The DoD bill will officially be released from conference Monday and be brought up for vote Wed/Thus of next week. Staffers are working through the weekend to get the support they need in for the attachment and passage.

You need to mobilize now. It's a light day on the hill but offices are open CALL, EMAIL, YELL. Guys you need to let your voices be heard in grand scale today.

I will continue to report back on this unfolding situation.

www.saveonlinegaming.com We Need Your Support.

Jay Bailey
NROG

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Can you give me the right phone numbers to call and what to say? I'm a Washington state resident if that matters.

Thanks.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Go to our website, www.saveonlinegaming.com and click on the map in the right hand corner. You can select your state and receive info there. Make sure to call Harry Reid (NV) and John Warner (VA). They are the two who can squash this easy as they are ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Comittee.

Thanks guys. Let's Call!

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

People, call your Senators, call your Congressmen and women and call Frist's office.

The general number is (202) 224-3121. They can put you through to any Senator or Representative through that number.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

If this is a genuine threat should the Mod's sticky this in other forums?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Guys...all I can tell you is we (NROG) have a team in D.C as I write this and it's a real threat. This is not one threat either. We must first stop the attempt to piggyback on the DoD bill again. This could happen as early as today. The bill will be out of conference by Monday. If this attempt fails FRIST already has another bill he's eyeing so we'll have to rally the troops again next week.

By the way...correction to my earlier posting. Levin (D-MI) and Warner (R-VA) are the ranking members of the SASC. I have Reid on the brain today...sad isn't it.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
As NROG reported earlier this week Sen Bill Frist is actively seeking to attach his online gambling ban to a new piece of legislation. NROG has been entrenched in D.C for the last several days and after a very late night last night and a rough morning we learned that his sights are back on the DoD bill. This after a clear outright refusal last week by Sen. Warner and Sen. Levin. In the last several hours, Frist has gained momentum on this fight after compromising on a carve out for the Horse Racing Industry. He is now vigorously trying to get this bill passed, by any means, before Congress breaks next week. His worst case scenario is to get passage during the Lame Duck session after elections but it seems now that this could happen sooner rather than later.

The DoD bill will officially be released from conference Monday and be brought up for vote Wed/Thus of next week. Staffers are working through the weekend to get the support they need in for the attachment and passage.

You need to mobilize now. It's a light day on the hill but offices are open CALL, EMAIL, YELL. Guys you need to let your voices be heard in grand scale today.

I will continue to report back on this unfolding situation.

www.saveonlinegaming.com We Need Your Support.

Jay Bailey
NROG

[/ QUOTE ]

Now you see why I threw a fit earlier this week when you "confirmed" that this issue was over and Frist's efforts on the DoD bill were dead. Guys - this is a lesson. Be careful when jumping to conclusions, and be careful listening to new posters who haven't necessarily established themselves. Thanks to NROG for participating and keeping us updated -- we need that, esp. from folks who are close to the front line like they are. That said, I really want to caution you Jay that saying things like you did about "confirming" really harms the grassroots action coming out of this forum. I wonder how many people stopped calling, stopped paying attention due to your remark.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Can someone post good messages to send along to the Senate?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Can someone post good messages to send along to the Senate?

[/ QUOTE ]

A couple of people have asked me what message to deliver to a Senator or represenative that you might be calling. After thinking about it some, this is what I have come up with.

- I am a {Republican/Democratic} voter in your {state/district}. (I would only mention your party affiliation if it corresponds with that of the congressperson. If you are a veteran or reservist, or have a son/daughter/father/brother who serves in the military, I might also mention that.)

- I oppose Senator Frist's effort to attach provisions on internet gambling to the Department of Defense Authorization bill.

- Internet gambling is a complex issue that deserves to be debated before the full light of day in the Senate.

- It is particularly inappropriate to attach extraneous language to a defense bill, where it jeopardizes pay raises for our troops in a time of war.

- Congress should instead work to tax and regulate gambling over the Internet, as it does other forms of gambling like lotteries and horse racing.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Mr. K

Thank you for your words. I'm not sure where you are on this issue but we have more than a dozen people physically working for us at this moment inside Washington and in Congress. We along with every other major news organization received the same information and we felt compelled to share it with all of you. If you read any earlier postings you'll notice we have been warning everybody that this issue was far from over. Our reports were that something was going to happen but that the DoD bill was out of the question. It may still be but, now's the time for calling...not who's right and who's wrong. I know you care deeply about this and really do appreciate your support. This is Washington...anything can happen.

JayB

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Called my two Senators and Senator Reid, Frist's line was busy and I'm calling Warner next. Warner has opposed Frist's attempts, right?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Mr. K,

Would it help to call Levin or Warner's office if we are not from their states?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Nicely done Nate. Don't forget...let's be tactical. Warner and Levin need to have their phones ringing off the hook. They can squash this with one great "NO". They've done it once before.

Senator John W. Warner
Web Site: warner.senate.gov
Washington Office:
SR-225
Washington, D.C. 20510-4601
Phone: (202) 224-2023
Fax: (202) 224-6295

Senator Carl Levin
Web Site: levin.senate.gov
Washington Office:
SR-269
Washington, D.C. 20510-2202
Phone: (202) 224-6221
Fax: (202) 224-1388

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Warner is a Republican so he's with Frist on the ban, but he's always been against putting anything not releated to defense in DoD bills. He said "no" to Frist last week. We can get him to say it again.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Mr. K,

Would it help to call Levin or Warner's office if we are not from their states?

[/ QUOTE ]???

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Levin's importance is...?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Sen. Levin's the Ranking Member (highest ranking Democrat) on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Presumably the lead Democratic negotiator and has said that he won't stand for any riders being attached. I would assume that most of the Democratic conferees will vote w/ him on keeping the bill clean.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Levin is the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. If he says NO to an attachment the NO stands. He did it last Friday. John Warner is the ranking Republican...call him too. He also said NO last week.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Levin's importance is...?

[/ QUOTE ]

He is the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee. So he is the Democrat equivalent of Warner, who is the Chairman.

As for what you guys should be doing, I'm not really in the action advice business here in the forum anymore. I've tried to stay away from that. I'll keep you guys posted as far as where the bill stands, and what the latest intel is with analysis based on my knowledge of how Congress works, but that's where I draw the line. I've deviated from this a little in the past (search function will show you), but in general I don't want to be in the advice giving business. Sorry.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Made calls to everyone listed so far in the thread. Thanks, please do the same!

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Mr. K,

Would it help to call Levin or Warner's office if we are not from their states?

[/ QUOTE ]???

[/ QUOTE ]

When I called them, neither Warner nor Levin's office asked which state I was from. I'd certainly mention the state I was from if I was within the senator's jurisdiction, but from the sounds of things these officies are getting a lot of calls and may just be marking off a tally sheet.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
As for what you guys should be doing, I'm not really in the action advice business here in the forum anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]

Berge, you're still in the advice giving business, right? [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Is it useful for people outside of Levin and Warner's states to call their offices to express against this rider?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Mr. K,

Would it help to call Levin or Warner's office if we are not from their states?

[/ QUOTE ]???

[/ QUOTE ]

When I called them, neither Warner nor Levin's office asked which state I was from. I'd certainly mention the state I was from if I was within the senator's jurisdiction, but from the sounds of things these officies are getting a lot of calls and may just be marking off a tally sheet.

[/ QUOTE ]
No one I called asked for my state either, and I only mentioned it when I called my state's senators. For what it's worth, Frist's phone lackey sounded really bored and annoyed whereas Warner's, Reid's, and Levin's sounded happy afterwards.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As for what you guys should be doing, I'm not really in the action advice business here in the forum anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]

Berge, you're still in the advice giving business, right? [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Is it useful for people outside of Levin and Warner's states to call their offices to express against this rider?

[/ QUOTE ]

These offices are very busy and you're not going to be asked for some long-winded defense of your position. It will take 30-90 seconds of your time. Just make the calls.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

I just called levins number and basically said im a supporter of Levins and I basically read what Nate suggested to read (above). He said thanks and he will pass it along.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Warner's line was busy...but Levin's Rep answered and said he'll pass on the information, seemed like he knew what I was going to say.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

someone should post this on every forum and newgroup on the net? do you mind if we do nrog?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
When I called them, neither Warner nor Levin's office asked which state I was from.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool. I called both Levin's and Warner's office. Every little bit helps I'm sure. Lets them know there's some resistance to what they're trying to do.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Warner's line was busy...but Levin's Rep answered and said he'll pass on the information, seemed like he knew what I was going to say.

[/ QUOTE ]

I got the same impression from Levin's staff. If this means they're getting plenty of on-message calls, this isn't a bad thing.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

e-mailed a few times and I've just call Warner and Levin

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

I just sent this stuff to my entire 2p2 buddy list.

You should all be doing the same.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

Here's what I said, roughly:

Sen. Frist is trying to attach internet gambling legislation to a DoD spending bill. I just wanted to let Senator _____ know that I find this to be reprehensible both as a citizen and as a supporter of the military, and I hope he'll work to defeat his efforts either by stopping it in conference or when the bill hits the floor next week.

-bb.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As for what you guys should be doing, I'm not really in the action advice business here in the forum anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]

Berge, you're still in the advice giving business, right? [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Is it useful for people outside of Levin and Warner's states to call their offices to express against this rider?

[/ QUOTE ]

I am, but just rediculously busy up here today.

Call those guys. You may get screened from not being from the state, but at this point it is good to get the maximum amount of calls through.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Mr. K,

Would it help to call Levin or Warner's office if we are not from their states?

[/ QUOTE ]???

[/ QUOTE ]

When I called them, neither Warner nor Levin's office asked which state I was from. I'd certainly mention the state I was from if I was within the senator's jurisdiction, but from the sounds of things these officies are getting a lot of calls and may just be marking off a tally sheet.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just called both and both offices asked for zip code and Sen. Levin's office asked for my name.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
I just called both and both offices asked for zip code and Sen. Levin's office asked for my name.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's really wierd. That didn't happen to me.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

I sent this email to both my senators and called both of their offices (thanks to Nate tha Great for the template):

Senator (your senator),

Senator Frist is attempting to pass an online gambling bill by attaching it to a DOD bill. This is appalling to me.

I am a Republican/Democratic voter in (your state).

- I strongly oppose Senator Frist's effort to attach provisions on internet gambling to the Department of Defense Authorization bill.

- Internet gambling is a complex issue that deserves to be debated before the full light of day in the Senate.

- It is particularly inappropriate to attach extraneous language to a defense bill, where it jeopardizes pay raises for our troops in a time of war.

- Congress should instead work to tax and regulate gambling over the Internet, as it does other forms of gambling like lotteries and horse racing.

Please do what you can to prevent this bill passing. I am paying close attention to this, as are a lot of other people I know. This action by Senator Frist is outrageous to me and a lot of others.

Thanks,

(your name)

When I called their offices they both said they have yet to take a position on this issue. We might be able to have some influence on this. Please help!!

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Mr. K,

Would it help to call Levin or Warner's office if we are not from their states?

[/ QUOTE ]???

[/ QUOTE ]

When I called them, neither Warner nor Levin's office asked which state I was from. I'd certainly mention the state I was from if I was within the senator's jurisdiction, but from the sounds of things these officies are getting a lot of calls and may just be marking off a tally sheet.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just called both and both offices asked for zip code and Sen. Levin's office asked for my name.

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly, it shouldn't matter. Yes they are representatives of their state but they hold unique positions of national importance. Their job is not just to cater to the whims of their state but to think of the overall good of the country.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Mr. K,

Would it help to call Levin or Warner's office if we are not from their states?

[/ QUOTE ]???

[/ QUOTE ]

When I called them, neither Warner nor Levin's office asked which state I was from. I'd certainly mention the state I was from if I was within the senator's jurisdiction, but from the sounds of things these officies are getting a lot of calls and may just be marking off a tally sheet.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just called both and both offices asked for zip code and Sen. Levin's office asked for my name.

[/ QUOTE ]
What was the context of it? Like, did they pick up the phone and ask you that? When I called, they said "Senator XYZ's office" or whatever and I just said my quick 20 second piece. None asked for anything.

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Nicely done Nate. Don't forget...let's be tactical. Warner and Levin need to have their phones ringing off the hook. They can squash this with one great "NO". They've done it once before.

Senator John W. Warner
Web Site: warner.senate.gov
Washington Office:
SR-225
Washington, D.C. 20510-4601
Phone: (202) 224-2023
Fax: (202) 224-6295

Senator Carl Levin
Web Site: levin.senate.gov
Washington Office:
SR-269
Washington, D.C. 20510-2202
Phone: (202) 224-6221
Fax: (202) 224-1388

[/ QUOTE ]

Just called both these numbers and my state's senators, is there anything else I can do?

Re: URGENT Update From NROG (Posted Friday at 3pm)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just called both these numbers and my state's senators, is there anything else I can do?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've also made the calls (Levin is already my Senator but I called Stabenow too).

Anything else we can do?