HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS GUY?!

[entertainme]

The Boy and I fell asleep about 45 minutes before the end of the FT on Wed. morning, so we just watched the end of it today.

I have to say that I really liked Jerry Yang after his interview with Norman Chad.

This is a man who knows what it is to be dirt poor, to be running for his life from those who will certainly kill him and his loved ones.

This is a man that loves freedom and the opportunities it gave him.

This is a man who sincerely wants to help others.

This is a man who studied hard and got his PHD in his adopted country.

This is a man who loves his family.

This is a man that values his faith more than he values how the public will perceive him. He is willing to be called a fool for what he believes in. You may see foolishness. I see courage.

I'm not putting him on a pedestal. Every one of us has done things of which we're not proud. I'm sure the same can be said for Jerry.

You're welcome to mock his faith. Yet, I have to wonder what it gains you? Are you determined to convince the world that your views are correct? Saving America from the coming Theocracy?

Finally, it really doesn't matter what we think. The man outlasted 6,357 other players. As the last man standing, he wears the bracelet of the 2007 main event champion.

Frankly, with UIGEA, I can't imagine a more positive face to put forward as the poker ambassador for the next year.

[Kevroc]

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What happens in Phuket, stays in Phuket...

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Oh Noes! They be stealin' my Phuket!!

[Brad1970]

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Out of all of the world's major religion's you can go and visit the grave/tomb/burial site of the religion's founder. Muhammad, founder of Islam, is a good example. Budda is another.

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Except, you know, for those religions that have no specific founder, like Hinduism or Judaism. Or, you know, those religions where you can (or could) visit the tomb of the founder like Manichaeism or Zoroasterism.

Claiming a religious truth is one thing; claiming the truth is founded upon the gravesite of a single founder is idiocy.

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You totally missed the point. I never said it was 'founded' on a gravesite. The fact that Jesus does not have a gravesite is testimony to the fact that he arose from the dead & ascended into heaven.

[Jasper109]

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This is a man that values his faith more than he values how the public will perceive him. He is willing to be called a fool for what he believes in. You may see foolishness. I see courage.

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OK, so how about if I was at the FT of the main event and I was a believer in the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

As the flop was about to be dealt I prayed to the monster for a good flop so I could praise his virtues to the whole world.

Now be honest, would you think I had courage, or would you think I was a candidate for a straight jacket?

For some of us there is really no difference between what Jerry Yang was doing and what I have just described.

[Zetack]

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.

This is a man that values his faith more than he values how the public will perceive him. He is willing to be called a fool for what he believes in. You may see foolishness. I see courage.

You're welcome to mock his faith. Yet, I have to wonder what it gains you? Are you determined to convince the world that your views are correct? Saving America from the coming Theocracy?



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I wouldn't mock him for his faith. I think his expression of his faith at points was inappropriate at best, and offensive at worst.

I would have no problem with a man who prays:

Lord, let me play to the best of my ability, help me to be focused and play in the moment, and help me to have the wisdom to recognize my opportunities and the discipline to avoid the mistakes I recognize. If it be your will that I win this tournament, Lord, I thank you for your grace and will endeavor to glorify your name. It it be your will that I not win this tournament, I thank you for your grace and will endeavor to glorify your name. Amen."

But praying to God to intervene in a specific hand, to essentially bless your outcome and forsake your opponent is kinda icky.

[entertainme]

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OK, so how about if I was at the FT of the main event and I was a believer in the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

As the flop was about to be dealt I prayed to the monster for a good flop so I could praise his virtues to the whole world.

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Obviously you see foolishness. No problem. Of course you're entitled to your opinion.

[entertainme]

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But praying to God to intervene in a specific hand, to essentially bless your outcome and forsake your opponent is kinda icky.

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I agree this is worthy of debate, though probably not here.

My main point was that I liked this guy after his interview and think he'll be good for the reputation of poker.

[ibluffoldladies]

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I agree this is worthy of debate, though probably not here.

My main point was that I liked this guy after his interview and think he'll be good for the reputation of poker.

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I don't think Yang was trying to be a jackass with his faith. He is a simple, God-fearing man; probably ignorant about the ways of the world. But, can you blame him? I haven't walked in his shoes, but his story is incredible. I'm willing to side with entertainme and give Yang the benefit of doubt. At first, I hated him for spewing his faith in front of everybody. Then, I thought about it and realized this is the only way he understands.

[Jasper109]

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I agree this is worthy of debate, though probably not here.

My main point was that I liked this guy after his interview and think he'll be good for the reputation of poker.

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I don't think Yang was trying to be a jackass with his faith. He is a simple, God-fearing man; probably ignorant about the ways of the world. But, can you blame him? I haven't walked in his shoes, but his story is incredible. I'm willing to side with entertainme and give Yang the benefit of the doubt. At first, I hated him for spewing his faith in front of everybody. Then, I thought about it and realized this is the only way he understands.

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Very well put. Given what he's gone through in his life, I have some sympathy for him.

Still, the fact that he is obviously a very intelligent man and still believes in imaginary things influencing poker tournaments is kind of troubling to me.

[BarryLyndon]

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My lack of faith is clearly holding me back.

Yang:

I was in the BB with A3 and kind of short. UTG raised and someone reraised I looked at A3s in the BB and said please lord let me win this and I will forever praise you and your glory. So I shipped it with the A3. He had KK. I said please lord jesus and whoever else up there help me.

BOOM WHEEL!

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lol, A+. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Barry