"Official" nrog guy/org thread

[Quercus]

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dustyn,

He hasn't yet really contributed anything that can't be gleaned from other news sources or our own long time insiders. And he's doing everything possible to prevent us checking his bona fides. Which is why I want the name of a lobbying firm, because even if their clients for this year aren't on file yet, a verification of that lobbying firm's own creds and a simple phone call to them can clear all this up.

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You didn't answer my question, which is, ironically, exactly what you are accusing him of.

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Its a valid line of questions, I think.

If they're legit, everyone's happy and we move on.

FWIW, I donated a small amount a few days ago. My own "hmmmmm" sensors went off because I was never asked for my name, address, age, email etc for membership information. I thought that was odd.

If its all because everything was rushed and premature, great. If not, better to find out now before people start donating, yes?

NROG claims an affiliation of sorts with PPA. PPA is legit, so it seems like PPA president could give us a heads-up here as well.

[BluffTHIS!]

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FWIW, I donated a small amount a few days ago. My own "hmmmmm" sensors went off because I was never asked for my name, address, age, email etc for membership information. I thought that was odd.

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Wow. The only explanations for that are scammer or incompetent.

[Hock_]

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Well...hi guys. Looks like you've all been busy today. Hopefully you had some time to make calls to DC and write to your local papers about what's going on in Washington.

That being said I'll give you my response to your questions/concerns.

If you read our very first posting I explained almost everything you guys bring up today. NROG was formed by myself and my business partner, Brian Jakusik. Both of us have very deep radio and marketing backgrounds and YES we make no bones about it...we own a marketing agency who, for years, has catered to many offshore gambling sites. We're not hiding anything here. We have a business as well as our own rights to protect. True Media/Skyy (new name) is our agency and they have been handling a lot of our marketing efforts...free of charge. Its also important to note that Brian and I do not take one penny for a salary. We're fortunate enough to have done well in our past positions that we can devote all of our time to this and not pull a paycheck. Again...let me stress...NROG has not paid for any agency work. It has been donated. ALL funds thus far have been from my and Brian’s personal bank account.

As far as when we formed: When we began to get a good idea of how bad lobbying efforts were going in DC we decided to step in. As marketing guys we understand the importance of media. Until now, not one group fighting this fight has taken this message to the people. I'm not saying they're doing it wrong. I'm saying I believe we can make a better statement if a large part of the country gets behind this rather than just a few thousand. Our initial reports from DC back in June were that the House may act on bill (it did…HR4411) but the Senate would stall this bill so we had time to build our infrastructure. Our plans were to launch around elections. However, when Frist started going crazy we knew we had to step in and try to get some sort of army built who may be able to stop it. We setup a temporary website (www.saveonlinegaming.com), a temporary payment system (paypal) and got ourselves out as best we could. Our official .org site is just about done, our payment accounts, etc are in place and we’re almost ready to launch the systems we started building at the beginning. We're getting up and running as fast as we can. We could have sat back and watched this from a distance but what message would that send to you? That we hid from the tough fight and showed up after the dust settled. We would have no part of that strategy. We put our gear on, spent OUR PERSONAL money and hopped in this fight with you.

What do we get in return? This ONE forum tearing us apart everyday for what is STILL accurate information and still an organization who is trying hard to fight Congress! Never have we released information that wasn't true. You know what, guys? We're going to keep fighting. We'll keep working away to protect our rights and your rights no matter how much you disagree and no matter what you “google” on us and our partners.

Before I came on here today we met to decide if we should abandon the forums for this very reason. We are now on countless forums and felt it was a great way to communicate with you in your day to day life. It was discussed stopping our posts on 2+2 so we could stop wasting time answering critics and spend more time working with those that can actually help us. I and a few others disagreed and we decided we'll monitor how things go before pulling the plug. I'm not saying you can't question us...please do...we're a non-profit (out of Massachusetts by the way)...so everything should be disclosed to you and we should have to answer to your concerns. BUT maybe you can find a better way to do this. What do you all get out of posting hatred or conspiracy theories? There's no reason for it. If you have a question...do what dozens of others have done...call me...email me. My line and email are always open to talk to you and help you through your concerns. [email protected] or 800-724-8334 ext. 83

I hope you'll continue to be active with or without us here. I hope you'll support any legitimate organization who will fight for your rights. And I hope you'll find a way to trust us, embrace our fight and work with us to win this battle.

Thanks for your time gents (and ladies)

JayB
NROG

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To Jay:

Thanks for the detailed response. This one and the one earlier in the thread explain a lot. I, for one, appreciate your efforts, which hopefully will in the end enure to the benefit of us all. I encourage you to continue to post in the forums, although I would understand if the extent of your involvement/responsiveness changed given the reception you've received. Nevertheless, I know of no ready-made networks of people with a cause common with your own like these forums. The bredth and depth of expertise and enthusiasm on this forum are pretty amazing and you'd be making a mistake to ignore it altogether.

To 2+2:

I don't understand why we're giving nrog such a hard time. Even aside from the handful of juvenile attacks (spelling errors, etc.), which are not worthy of attention, some have really gone after nrog. Yes, it may have jumped the gun and/or overstated the demise of the legislation in the Senate. And yes, that may reduce the overall level of confidence we have in the information it's giving us. But, whatever its shortcomings and motivations, it does seem clear that its actions aim to achieve the same thing we're all after. Let's give these guys a break and try to help them. It's fine to disagree with them or correct them, but let's do it in a civil and productive way. The way some have on these boards have gone about it has been more than a little condescending and, more importantly, counterproductive.

[kickabuck]

I for one appreciate Bluff's and others insistence that this individual show he and his organization are legit. If he is as committed to the fight as he claims, one would think he would be happy to have this poker community with him 100%, answering a few questions thoroughly is not too difficult, particularly when you are asking for funds. Why take some anonymous poster's word? Thorough info. and transparency is necessary.

[BluffTHIS!]

kickabuck and others not so gullible as most in this thread,

Thanks for your kind comments. The nrog guy apparently isn't going to answer any more questions here, after having equivocated, and started a new BJ thread for himself. I asked the lobbying question again so let's see his response, if any.

[Hock_]

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kickabuck and others not so gullible as most in this thread,

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Gullible? What exactly do you think nrog is trying to pull on us? Paranoid much?

You guys are totally missing the point. What you fail to appreciate is that, unlike PPA, nrog has been acting on behalf of itself and not us. Contrary to the arrogant sense of entitlement that some on these forums seem to possess, nrog doesn't owe us anything. Sure transparency would be great, but what I question is why people are getting so pissy at nrog when all they've tried to do thus far is block the legislation that we all want blocked and then let us know what's going on. If you want to argue that people shouldn't contribute to nrog or "sign up," that's fine, but the attacks against it have been misguided and out of line.

[2easy]

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...but what I question is why people are getting so pissy at nrog when all they've tried to do thus far is block the legislation that we all want blocked...

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can you say that they have tried to do this in any manner?

i hope that they have, but...

[ginko]

I really dislike BLUFFthis!, all he does is insult and berate(in other forums).

Im guessing he is a pothead because he is extremely paranoid and comes up with all sorts of crazy ideas and takes them very far..

Quit the dope, you dope.

[nrog]

Posted info on another thread that answers many of your questions. I'll let you guys keep this thread to yourselves for NROG slamming and promise notto intrude here anymore. It can be sacred "screw NROG" ground.

Good day.

[2easy]

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Posted info on another thread that answers many of your questions. I'll let you guys keep this thread to yourselves for NROG slamming and promise notto intrude here anymore. It can be sacred "screw NROG" ground.

Good day.

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nrog,

i assume that you'll still at least take a peek here, so i will direct one last post to you. no response is expected.

but it's replies like this one you just posted here that really do seem to call your professionalism, if not your credibility, into question.

in the first place, i'm not exactly sure what the "many of my questions" regarding you were.

i was only asking of the poster i was replying to how could he, or any of us for that matter, know that you have been lobbying against this bill.

this is not to say that raising positve awareness regarding online poker is not of itself a worthy enough contribution. i feel that this, in and of itself, is of huge importance, and would be a major contribution to "the cause."

however, your posts have indicated that you have been engaged in high-powered lobbying. and i felt it fair to question how any of us know that this has in fact taken place. perhaps it has indeed, perhaps not. and as i said in my post, i hope that it has, especially in light of the fact that you have alluded to having done so in previous posts.


your further comments at the end of your reply to me, regarding staying out of our way, and nrog slamming, and declaring this thread as "sacred screw nrog ground," is the type of defensive, derisive remarks that we have seen from you in the past that could lend itself to interpretation as disingenuousness on your part.

and staying out of this thread is the best track to take for avoiding specific questioning regarding your group, and could scarce be considered any type of noble stand on your part, especially in light of your derisive closing remarks.

lastly, if you feel that by my asking a simple, and to me a fair question, (i.e. how do any of us know what lobbying you have done,) is slamming and being a screw-nrog'er, then we have vastly divergent opinions as to what that means.

in closing, let me just add that i do hope that what you have claimed to be, and to be doing/have done regarding this legislative issue, is indeed true.

"good day" to you too.