Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

Over at BJ21.com, we started getting tired of having our rights trampled on, so we decided to do what we can to fight back. We plan to do something every week until we win the repeal of UIGEA. I hope everyone here will join in to help with the fight. Here's our plan for the week of 2/26:

Let's target Nevada's senators (and NV's three representatives secondarily) this week. Sen. Harry Reid is a logical target. He has made anti-Internet gaming statements but is pro-B&M gaming, so he's anything but an anti-gambling zealot (I posted some additional information on the Internet page). As he's the Senate Majority Leader, we'll have to target him eventually. The reason I think I'm proposing the entire Nevada delegation is that our discussion points should be consistent for all of them, as they generally represent the same constituents.

Senate:
Reid, Harry (contact at http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm)
Ensign, John (contact at http://ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm)

House:
Berkley, Shelley, Nevada, 1st (a big supporter of ours)
Heller, Dean, Nevada, 2nd
Porter, Jon, Nevada, 3rd

Actions:
From 2/26 though 3/4, let's each send one email to each NV senator each day, plus two phone calls and one handwritten letter.

A couple of discussion points off the top of my head:

- Banning of Internet gaming may help large casinos in the short term, but harms Nevadans long term by starting a process where American's acceptance of gaming drops. If middle America believes gaming to be a vice, they won't take their families (or their money) to Nevada. Don't sell out Nevadans for the short term profits of large corporations.

- The poker boom has been fueled by Internet poker. The advertising associated with it has funded the many poker television shows. This has all worked to draw record numbers of tourists to Nevada.

- Large casino companies are at risk of being completely shut out of the Internet gaming market. Existing Internet companies have already developed business models that don't rely on American players. Nevada is losing a lot of potential revenue.

- The U.S. should desire a regulated market. That way, the U.S. can set and enforce the age limits. Also, money laundering issues can be monitored.

- WTO compliance.

Thanks to everyone who participates. I'm looking forward to fighting for our rights. Please reply to this thread if you participate. Thanks!

Contact Info
 

Senator Harry Reid
Lloyd D. George Building
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8016
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 702-388-5020
Fax: 702-388-5030
Email: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm (accepted from non-NV address)

or

528 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542
Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans:
1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343)

------------------------------------

Senator John Ensign
Lloyd George Federal Building
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South Suite 8203
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Phone: (702) 388-6605
Fax: (702) 388-6501
Toll Free: (877) 894-7711
Email: http://ensign.senate.gov/forms/email_form.cfm (accepted from non-NV address)

or

119 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6244
Fax: (202) 228-2193

------------------------------------------

Congresswoman Shelley Berkley
2340 Paseo Del Prado, Suite D-106
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone:(702) 220-9823
Fax: (702) 220-9841
Email: http://berkley.house.gov/contact/email.html (accepted from non-NV address)

or

U.S. House of Representatives
405 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4708
Phone:(202) 225-5965
Fax: (202) 225-3119
Toll free: (877) 409-2488

-------------------------------------------

Congressman Dean Heller
1023 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6155 (Office)
202-225-5679 (Fax)
Email: http://heller.house.gov/zipauth.shtml (NV 2nd district residents only)

no LV address or phone listed on web site

--------------------------------------------

Congressman Jon Porter
Washington, D.C. office
218 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3252
Fax: 202-225-2185
Email: www.house.gov/writerep (NV 3rd residents only)

Henderson office
2470 St. Rose Pkwy. Suite 204
Henderson, NV 89074
Phone: 702-387-4941
Fax: 702-434-1378

Re: Contact Info
 

I like the idea of setting agendas and it doesn't take to long to accomplish the "tasks".

It can't hurt, so I will be contacting these guys next week..anyone else in? How many from BJ21? Is this getting poker exemption or complete repeal?

BJ21= blackjack site I would assume right? (at work can't get there)

Re: Contact Info
 

[ QUOTE ]
I like the idea of setting agendas and it doesn't take to long to accomplish the "tasks".

It can't hurt, so I will be contacting these guys next week..anyone else in? How many from BJ21? Is this getting poker exemption or complete repeal?

BJ21= blackjack site I would assume right? (at work can't get there)

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for joining in. It seemed to be an easy way for us to magnify our efforts significantly. Also, Reid will be flooded with our correspondence ("flooded" may be optimistic, but he will hear from a lot of us all at once, rather than piecemeal).

Yes, BJ21 is an advantage player website with a primary focus on card counting. Great site as well.

Harry Reid\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

Harry Reid's response to wizardofodds.com's Michael Shackelford (http://wizardofodds.com/general/hr4411.html ):

July 17, 2006

Mr. Michael Shackelford
(address removed)
Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Mr. Shackelford:

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to legislation that would restrict Internet gambling. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, the House of Representatives passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (H.R. 4411) on July 11, 2006 by a 317-93 vote. Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and James Leach (R-IA) introduced this measure, which would make it illegal for financial institutions or intermediaries to process payments to offshore casinos through bettors' electronic funds, checks, debits and other e-wallet transactions. The bill also updates the Wire Act of 1961, which forbids the transmission of betting over telephone lines, to specifically outlaw online gambling through any communication network. Furthermore, the bill fosters U.S. cooperation with foreign governments to identify Internet gaming operations that are being used for money laundering and other criminal activities. Criminal penalties would increase from two to five years. It should be noted the House bill protects Nevada's right to regulate gambling on the state level.

As a former gaming regulator, I believe that the integrity of the gaming industry can only be maintained through strong regulation. I am very skeptical that current efforts to regulate Internet gaming would be successful due to the unique challenges posed by its elusive format. Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind should the Senate consider similar legislation.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. For more information about my work for Nevada, my role in the United States Senate Leadership, or to subscribe to regular e-mail updates on the issues that interest you, please visit my Web site at http://reid.senate.gov. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

My best wishes to you.

Sincerely,

HARRY REID

United States Senator

HR:ss

John Ensign\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

John Ensign's response to wizardofodds.com's Michael Shackelford (http://wizardofodds.com/general/hr4411.html ):

July 26, 2006

Mr. Michael Shackleford
(address removed)
Las Vegas, Nevada 89117

Dear Mr. Shackleford:

Thank you for contacting me about legislation to prohibit online gaming. I value the opinions of every Nevadan and am always grateful to those who take the time to inform me of their views.

For several years, Congress has been considering Internet gaming legislation which would modernize current law and expand the scope of prohibited activities for facilitating online gaming. Thus far, none of these bills have been signed into law. Most of the estimated 1,500 Internet gaming sites operate in offshore locations - likely beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement and the rules and regulations that apply to American casinos.

As legislation has come before the Senate in past years, I worked to ensure that the proposals did not unfairly discriminate against certain forms of gaming, such as the casinos located in our state, while favoring others, such as gaming on Indian reservations and race tracks. Furthermore, it is vital that individual states maintain the right to regulate gaming operations within their borders.

On July 11, 2006, the House of Representatives passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (H.R. 4411). This bill would attempt to prohibit financial transactions from taking place in connection with unlawful Internet gambling. If enacted into law, this bill may not stop illegal gambling because technology moves so fast and overseas operators have been very clever in devising alternate payment schemes to circumvent regulations. I am especially concerned about keeping illegal Internet gambling away from children, and I will be evaluating various proposals as they come before the Senate, including H.R. 4411.

Thank you again for contacting me. I will keep your thoughts, as well as those of all Nevadans, in mind as I serve our state in the Senate. Should you have any other questions or comments or would like to sign up for my monthly newsletter, please do not hesitated to either write or e-mail me via my website at http://ensign.senate.gov.

Sincerely,

JOHN ENSIGN
United States Senator

Re: John Ensign\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

Anyone else.. the concept of "Action Plans" seems a good one to me.

Re: John Ensign\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

This is a great idea. I should really read B21 as well.

Re: John Ensign\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

[ QUOTE ]
This is a great idea. I should really read B21 as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for joining in. This seems like something we can do without much more effort than we're now using complaining to each other on this site.

There are a number of things we can do. Sometimes we can target politicians. Other times we can coordinate sending letters to the media (they don't seem to know we exist, so any letters will help, I think). We may or may not win, but at least we can fight back and give ourselves a chance, right?

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

I sent emails to the NV Senators and have already contacted my state representatives about the UIGEA and other state-specific gambling issues coming up in Washington.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

I don't know how much we can really gain by rallying people we know support us. It may be a case of diminishing returns. What we really need is to create an environment where a lot of politicians support us and are willing to vote with someone who finally proposes a UIGEA repeal (is this even legally possible?) or a skillgame carve-out.

I emailed my representative with a piece of original writing, not a form letter. I'll wait a few days and then call his office and really hammer in that this is important, and there is no good reason for the UIGEA to exist.

Incidentally, does anyone live in Barney Frank's district in MA?

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know how much we can really gain by rallying people we know support us. It may be a case of diminishing returns. What we really need is to create an environment where a lot of politicians support us and are willing to vote with someone who finally proposes a UIGEA repeal (is this even legally possible?) or a skillgame carve-out.

I emailed my representative with a piece of original writing, not a form letter. I'll wait a few days and then call his office and really hammer in that this is important, and there is no good reason for the UIGEA to exist.

Incidentally, does anyone live in Barney Frank's district in MA?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good points. I don't claim to have the answers, but I'll share my humble opinion. First of all, I do think we should seek to energize our supporters. They need to know we're here. As for my proposal for this week, Reid and Ensign are not our supporters. However, they both support gaming rights in general, so they seem to be reasonable targets.

Thanks for taking the time to write an original letter. I wrote all five original letters today that will go in the mail this afternoon. While that sounds time-consuming, it's really one letter modified five times based on party and prior support for our rights. After all, they don't read each other's mail. Also, mine are sufficiently different to not appear obviously identical like a form letter. I mention that to encourage others to see it's not as hard as it sounds. Also, each of my letters has five main points. That way I can write my daily emails using one of the main points of the letter. Finally, my two phone calls will focus on two or three points of the letter. So, all that's really required is one really good letter. My letter is exactly one page at 10 pt (the Republican one is longer).

I hope everyone will make the effort here. Thanks again for getting the letter done early.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
What we really need is to create an environment where a lot of politicians support us and are willing to vote with someone who finally proposes a UIGEA repeal (is this even legally possible?) or a skillgame carve-out.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I imagine more than one weekly action plan will involve writing to media to let them know we're here. The problem with reporters is that they interpret what they see based on their preconceived notions. For example, the media hardly mentioned our role in the Republican losses of 2006 because all the reporters could see was Iraq and the corruption (coincidentally, that's what they spent their time reporting on). We need to influence their mindset a little bit.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

I made this a while ago. You may find it useful: http://www.actblue.com/page/poker

If you want me to change anything about it let me know in PM.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

Only Democrats?

I believe there are a few libertarian leaning Republicans out there.

There will be many more receptive politicians if we can somehow get this type of thing really moving.

Politicians understand votes, and they understand money, even if many of them understand nothing else.

You have the right idea. Need a greater number of sympathetic legislators.

Tuff

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

I sent this to as many people as I could in your list:

Dear xxxxxx:

I'd like to appeal to you to right an injustice committed against the American public during the last legislative session.

Congress passed the UIGEA, pushed onto the Port Security Bill by Senator Frist as a rider, which prohibits me and millions of others from playing the great game of poker on the Internet. Legislation that impacts millions of recreational poker players deserves more debate than a back-room deal and a rider on an undefeatable security bill by a retiring Senator.

Poker is a uniquely American game with deep roots in this country. Throughout history great Americans and Patriots such as Presidents Warren Harding and Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George Patton, Supreme Court justices like William Howard Taft and thousands more enjoyed poker with family and friends. There are millions of recreational players in this country and this law was a direct attack on all of them and their favorite hobby. The people affected by this law most are not degenerates looking for a score, rather, these are CEOs, Directors, Doctors, Lawyers, Judges, School Teachers, Policemen and Firemen. They enjoy spending recreational time playing a game of poker, much the same way as other people enjoy spending the weekend playing golf or going to the bowling alley. This legislation has targeted upstanding members of society and pushed an activity enjoyed by our most luminary historical figures into the back rooms and underground clubs. Even more appalling, even though the legislation was passed to prevent "internet gambling" both horse racing and state lotteries are exempted, showing the hypocrisy of the aforementioned Senator.

I am urging you to throw your considerable support towards repealing this law. Please note, that other forms of Internet "gambling" such as fantasy sports are already protected under this law. Repealing the law to protect an American tradition is sensible public policy and allows millions of poker pages to enjoy their hobby, rather than making to feel as if they are criminals.

The passage of this law, in the middle of the night, by a retiring Senator with a personal agenda, not a constituent-based agenda, has moved thousands of poker players, a normally sedentary group of people, to action. In a matter of a week in November, poker players raised $10,000 for a single Senatorial campaign. The longer this lingers, the more involved poker players will become, and the more money and support they will be able to source.

I look forward to your support in this matter.

Thank you.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
Only Democrats?

[/ QUOTE ]

ActBlue is a Democratic site - hence the politicians listed are only Democrats. Hopefully we'll find a way to do something similar for Republicans who support us. There aren't many, though. In the House vote of H.R. 4411: Internet Gambling Prohibition and Enforcement Act (harsher than UIGEA), Dems voted 117-76 for, GOP voted 201-17 for.

The following Representatives voted against H.R. 4411 (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote...&sort=vote ):


HI-1 Abercrombie, Neil [D]
NY-5 Ackerman, Gary [D]
NJ-1 Andrews, Robert [D]
CA-43 Baca, Joe [D]
WI-2 Baldwin, Tammy [D]
CA-31 Becerra, Xavier [D]
NV-1 Berkley, Shelley [D]
CA-28 Berman, Howard [D]
FL-3 Brown, Corrine [D]
CA-23 Capps, Lois [D]
MA-8 Capuano, Michael [D]
MO-3 Carnahan, Russ [D]
IN-7 Carson, Julia [D]
MO-1 Clay, William [D]
MI-14 Conyers, John [D]
MD-7 Cummings, Elijah [D]
IL-7 Davis, Danny [D]
MA-10 Delahunt, William [D]
MI-15 Dingell, John [D]
CA-26 Dreier, David [R]
NY-17 Engel, Eliot [D]
CA-14 Eshoo, Anna [D]
CA-17 Farr, Sam [D]
CA-51 Filner, Bob [D]
AZ-6 Flake, Jeff [R]
FL-16 Foley, Mark [R]
NY-13 Fossella, Vito [R]
MA-4 Frank, Barney [D]
NV-2 Gibbons, James [R]
TX-20 Gonzalez, Charles [D]
AZ-7 Grijalva, Raul [D]
FL-23 Hastings, Alcee [D]
WA-4 Hastings, Doc [R]
PA-17 Holden, Tim [D]
CA-15 Honda, Michael [D]
MD-5 Hoyer, Steny [D]
WA-1 Inslee, Jay [D]
NY-2 Israel, Steve [D]
IL-2 Jackson, Jesse [D]
TX-18 Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D]
TX-30 Johnson, Eddie [D]
RI-1 Kennedy, Patrick [D]
MI-5 Kildee, Dale [D]
MI-13 Kilpatrick, Carolyn [D]
WI-3 Kind, Ronald [D]
AZ-8 Kolbe, James [R]
OH-10 Kucinich, Dennis [D]
CA-9 Lee, Barbara [D]
NJ-2 LoBiondo, Frank [R]
CA-16 Lofgren, Zoe [D]
FL-14 Mack, Connie [R]
MA-7 Markey, Edward [D]
CA-5 Matsui, Doris [D]
WA-7 McDermott, James [D]
MA-3 McGovern, James [D]
GA-4 McKinney, Cynthia [D]
CA-7 Miller, George [D]
NY-8 Nadler, Jerrold [D]
CA-38 Napolitano, Grace [D]
MA-2 Neal, Richard [D]
OH-18 Ney, Robert [R]
MA-1 Olver, John [D]
NY-11 Owens, Major [D]
AZ-4 Pastor, Edward [D]
TX-14 Paul, Ronald [R]
TX-2 Poe, Ted [R]
CA-11 Pombo, Richard [R]
NV-3 Porter, Jon [R]
NY-15 Rangel, Charles [D]
TX-16 Reyes, Silvestre [D]
CA-46 Rohrabacher, Dana [R]
NJ-9 Rothman, Steven [D]
CA-34 Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D]
IL-1 Rush, Bobby [D]
CA-39 Sanchez, Linda [D]
CA-47 Sanchez, Loretta [D]
IL-9 Schakowsky, Janice [D]
CA-29 Schiff, Adam [D]
VA-3 Scott, Robert [D]
NY-16 Serrano, José [D]
CA-32 Solis, Hilda [D]
CA-13 Stark, Fortney [D]
CA-10 Tauscher, Ellen [D]
OH-12 Tiberi, Patrick [R]
MA-6 Tierney, John [D]
NY-10 Towns, Edolphus [D]
NM-3 Udall, Tom [D]
NY-12 Velazquez, Nydia [D]
CA-33 Watson, Diane [D]
NC-12 Watt, Melvin [D]
NY-9 Weiner, Anthony [D]
CA-6 Woolsey, Lynn [D]
AK-0 Young, Donald [R]

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

Here's my letter to Sen. Reid, (a Democrat). Please feel free to borrow from as required, but let's try to not copy letters verbatim...form letters aren't nearly as effective as individually-written letters.


111 Main Street
Anytown, XX 00000
(xxx) 555-5555

February 25, 2007

528 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Reid:

I'm writing to express my strong displeasure over the banning of online poker by the last Congress. This is big government nanny-statism at its worst. I believe the outrage of my fellow poker players contributed strongly to the Democratic win in the last election. In fact, I think the Republican Party has temporarily lost the vote of Generation Y and a good percentage of Gen X as a result of this and other freedom-restricting measures. I believe the Democratic Party has a historic opportunity to make this support permanent.

Additionally, have you considered the impact of this legislation on the state of Nevada? While banning Internet gaming may help large casinos in the short term by reducing competition, it could harm Nevadans long-term in a number of ways:

· It could start a process where Americans’ acceptance of gaming drops. As you know, acceptance of gaming ebbs and flows in America. Right now, it’s at an all-time high. You should wish to keep it that way. After all, if Middle America believes gaming to be a vice, they won't take their families (and their money) to Nevada. Please don't sell out Nevadans for the short-term profits of large corporations.

· Internet poker has fueled the poker boom. The advertising associated with it has funded the many poker television shows. This has all worked to draw record numbers of tourists to Nevada.

· Large casino companies are at risk of being completely shut out of the Internet gaming market. Existing Internet companies have already developed business models that don't rely on American players. Nevada is losing a lot of potential revenue.

· The U.S. should desire a regulated market. That way, the U.S. can set and enforce age and other limits an can collect taxes. Also, money-laundering issues can be monitored. Nevada-based companies could lead the way with this.

I urge you to support the repeal of the UIGEA. It’s good for the Democratic Party, it’s good for Nevada, and it’s good for America. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mr. and Mrs. Engineer

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

Here's my letter to Sen. Ensign, (a Republican). Again, please feel free to borrow from as required, but let's try to not copy letters verbatim...form letters aren't nearly as effective as individually-written letters.


111 Main Street
Anytown, XX 00000
(xxx) 555-5555

February 25, 2007

119 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510

Dear Senator Ensign:

I’m a lifelong Republican conservative (pro-life, NRA life member, etc). As such, I was disappointed that I was unable to support my Republican congressional candidate in the last Congressional election. I objected to the culture of corruption that appeared to have permeated the Republicans in Congress. Rather than changing government by limiting its power and its spending, Republicans appear to have embraced the worst of the pre-1994 Democrat practices, including endless earmarks and even bridges to nowhere. For me the proverbial “straw that broke the camel’s back” was the banning of online poker, a skill-based game. To me, this is big government nanny-statism at its worst, and it represents a complete rebuff of Goldwater Republicanism and his tradition of Western libertarianism. It's not just me; many Republican core supporters do not support the big government nanny state. That's why the Contract with America was so enthusiastically received by the Republican rank-and-file.

While I’m saddened to see the Republican Revolution end, it was unrecognizable at its demise, to be honest. Hopefully the 2006 voter rebuke will give us the stimulation we need to rediscover our values as a party. I hope so.

I believe a good start would be the repeal of the UIGEA. Besides the national impact of the legislation, have you fully considered the impact of this legislation on the state of Nevada? While banning Internet gaming may help large casinos in the very short term by reducing competition, it harms Nevadans long term in a number of ways:

· It could start a process where Americans’ acceptance of gaming drops. As you know, acceptance of gaming ebbs and flows in America. Right now, it’s at an all-time high. You should wish to keep it that way. After all, if Middle America believes gaming to be a vice, they won't take their families (and their money) to Nevada.

· Internet poker has fueled the poker boom, and the advertising associated with it has funded many poker television shows. This has all worked to draw record numbers of tourists to Nevada.

· Large casino companies are at risk of being completely shut out of the Internet gaming market. Existing Internet gaming companies have already developed business models that don't rely on American players. Nevada is losing a lot of potential revenue.

· The U.S. should desire a regulated market. That way, the U.S. can set and enforce age and other limits an can collect taxes. Also, money-laundering issues can be monitored. Nevada-based companies could lead the way with this.

I urge you to support the repeal of the UIGEA. It’s good for our party, it’s good for Nevada, and it’s good for America. Thank you.


Sincerely,

Mr. and Mrs. Engineer

Re: Contact Info
 

I highly doubt politicians read any letters sent to them, they most likely have assistants who categorize them in piles and just continue to stack them up. These guys are too busy golfing or taking paid vacations to Tahiti with our tax dollars.

Boy am i proud to be american.

Not like any other country is better, but we are America we need to start to set an example for people around the world and make our citizens proud.

Best the patriotizm boom post 9-11 I havent met more than 5 people since 2003 who have said they are proud to be american.

Busch had a big oppurtunnity when 9-11 happend as we as a people were as united as ever, but as usual he phucked that up along with everything else.

Re: Contact Info
 

[ QUOTE ]
I highly doubt politicians read any letters sent to them, they most likely have assistants who categorize them in piles and just continue to stack them up. These guys are too busy golfing or taking paid vacations to Tahiti with our tax dollars.

[/ QUOTE ]

These guys want to keep their lifestyle of paid vacations to Tahiti. To do this, they have to appeal to what the voters want. That's why letters can be effective. They also can safely assume that, if they recieve no consituent feedback on an issue, the issue has no backing. Regardless, letters are certainly more effective than no letters.

I'm as pissed as you, but I'll be really pissed at myself if I don't do what I can to preserve my rights. I hope you'll at least make a couple phone calls. That way, at least you can tell off some of these people.

Re: John Ensign\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

i hate mudslinging, but it seems poker and bj players have been the victim of such underhanded politics with the frisch stuff, that targeting politicians who are vocal about disallowing games of skill is a reasonable idea.

finding out truthful details about politicians, and making sure their constituents know about it seems fair to me!

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hopefully we'll find a way to do something similar for Republicans who support us. There aren't many, though.

[/ QUOTE ]Also, they have no power right now. They changed a lot of rules in the House to give the minority less and less power when they were the majority, and now they're paying for it. So far this year they've only been able to attach an amendment to one bill (the amendment was something about funding some form of alternative energy research).

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

True, House Republicans have less power now (Senate Republicans have plently of power in the minority, though). I think it's a good thing. They need a few years out to remember their "limited government" principles. It's obviously a good thing for us, given that only 17 of them voted against UIGEA in July.

Still, I think we want to be careful to keep our efforts as bipartisan as possible, of course.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

I agree. If this becomes a Democrat circle jerk, you can count me out.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
I agree. If this becomes a Democrat circle jerk, you can count me out.

[/ QUOTE ]

If this becomes a Democrat circle jerk, I'll be out before you.

We'll keep it bipartisan. The Republican Party will benefit by rediscovering its committment to individual liberties and limited government. I meant what I wrote in my letter to Ensign.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

Just wrote my Congressman Dennis Moore again today. Hopefully, I'll write my Senators (for a second time) tommorrow.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just wrote my Congressman Dennis Moore again today. Hopefully, I'll write my Senators (for a second time) tommorrow.

[/ QUOTE ]

Excellent! I wrote to my congressman today as well. Can't hurt, right?

If you can, will you also send notes to Reid and Ensign this week? You'll likely be able to reuse all or most of the note you sent to Moore, so it shouldn't be too much more.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
I agree. If this becomes a Democrat circle jerk, you can count me out.

[/ QUOTE ]I never meant it that way. I've just added the people who are clearly <u>actively</u> fighting for us. If I have missed someone I want to know regardless of party. I believe there is a site like actblue for Republicans but I'll have to find it.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you can, will you also send notes to Reid and Ensign this week? You'll likely be able to reuse all or most of the note you sent to Moore, so it shouldn't be too much more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Done. Although there was no mention on Ensign's site of accepting non Nevadan email.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I agree. If this becomes a Democrat circle jerk, you can count me out.

[/ QUOTE ]I never meant it that way. I've just added the people who are clearly <u>actively</u> fighting for us. If I have missed someone I want to know regardless of party. I believe there is a site like actblue for Republicans but I'll have to find it.

[/ QUOTE ]

And the most important person in the world right now for the purpose of getting any rollback, repeal or carve out would be a democrat. It's only logical that Frank is the target.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

Can anyone estimate WSOP attendance for this year and estimate a dollar figure of loss for both Harrahs and the Las Vegas economy due to the detrimental effects of UIGEA and subsequent mad dog prosecution on the WSOP attendance?
At least one B&amp;M (Rio) is about to realize that what was thought to be competition was actually nurturing lucrative common interests!

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

2000: 512
2001: 613
2002: 631
2003: 839
2004: 2,576
2005: 5,619
2006: 8,773

Way too early to tell...let's revisit. My guestimate 7,300

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I agree. If this becomes a Democrat circle jerk, you can count me out.

[/ QUOTE ]I never meant it that way. I've just added the people who are clearly <u>actively</u> fighting for us. If I have missed someone I want to know regardless of party. I believe there is a site like actblue for Republicans but I'll have to find it.

[/ QUOTE ]

And the most important person in the world right now for the purpose of getting any rollback, repeal or carve out would be a democrat. It's only logical that Frank is the target.

[/ QUOTE ]

True. We're just saying this is a nonpartisan effort. That way everyone can feel comfortable participating.

Barney Frank will clearly be an appropriate target at some point (sooner rather than later, I imagine). He already supports us, but he needs to be able to show that he's hearing from Americans on this issue, especially as he's the House Financial Services Committee chairman. He's in a real position to help us.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If you can, will you also send notes to Reid and Ensign this week? You'll likely be able to reuse all or most of the note you sent to Moore, so it shouldn't be too much more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Done. Although there was no mention on Ensign's site of accepting non Nevadan email.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks! It feels good doing something about this. Even if we fail today, we're doing our part to lay the groundwork for our future freedoms.

It seems the sites that refuse non-constituent email say so, so I'm assuming Ensign's accepts it. We know he takes snail mail. On that topic, as a P.S. I mentioned that I visit Nevada three to four times a year and pay plenty of taxes there, for whatever that's worth.

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

House Republicans who voted against UIGEA:

CA-26 Dreier, David [R](moderate, past House Rules Committee chairman)
AZ-6 Flake, Jeff [R] [libertarian (small "l"), former Executive Director of the Goldwater Institute]
FL-16 Foley, Mark [R] (LOL...gone)
NY-13 Fossella, Vito [R] (principled limited-government conservative)
NV-2 Gibbons, James [R] (succeeded by Dean Heller)
WA-4 Hastings, Doc [R] (seems moderate, past chairman of the House Ethics Committee
AZ-8 Kolbe, James [R] (retired)
NJ-2 LoBiondo, Frank [R] (moderate)
FL-14 Mack, Connie [R] (principled limited-government conservative, son of former Sen. Connie Mack)
OH-18 Ney, Robert [R] (LOL....gone)
TX-14 Paul, Ronald [R] (Libertarian presidential candidate, 1988)
TX-2 Poe, Ted [R] (moderate)
CA-11 Pombo, Richard [R] (lost reelection)
NV-3 Porter, Jon [R] (our friend in NV)
CA-46 Rohrabacher, Dana [R] (principled limited-government conservative)
OH-12 Tiberi, Patrick [R] (moderate)
AK-0 Young, Donald [R] (moderate)

Perhaps now that Republicans won't be getting reamed as badly by party leadership to tow the party line, we may be able to pick off more of them. It seems like we get moderates, libertarians, and principled limited-government conservatives. Should help in focusing our energy (for example, there's probably not much sense in sending Sam Brownback a bunch of mail).

Re: Fight UIGEA!! -- Action plan for week of 2/26
 

The number of players in the main event this year will be WAY BELOW 7,300.

I would guess below 5,000.

Why this can work
 

I didn't hear anything from my rep. (James McGovern), so I called his Washington office. I spoke to Jay Lucey, his legislative assistant, who took my information and said he would track down an answer, even if my email would be delayed in being filtered down to the right people.

Though I often hear that one vote can't make a difference or that politicians don't listen to single constituents, these are both fallacious arguments. The organized influence Engineer is getting going WILL have an effect for very specific reasons, which I realized as I spoke to Mr. Lucey on the phone: He heard "I sent and an email" and "Now I'm calling you like the ex boyfriend who won't go away" and knew immediately that I was not going to be ignored, and that I was not just one vote. He knew that I would hound that office until I got my answer, and that I would then spread that answer around, voicing either my support or my disapproval. Loudly. Politicians don't want unhappy constituents, because unhappy constituents may rally lots of other people to vote, who may then recruit others, and so on. Likewise with every one of us, and that concern grows exponentially when questions about the same issue are received over and over again.

So if anyone reading this hasn't done so, get with it. Go with Engineer's game plan and demand an answer from the people who represent you in your state. And register to vote, if you haven't already.

Re: Harry Reid\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

Harry Reid's response to wizardofodds.com's Michael Shackelford (http://wizardofodds.com/general/hr4411.html ):

July 17, 2006

Mr. Michael Shackelford
(address removed)
Las Vegas, Nevada

Dear Mr. Shackelford:


Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to legislation that would restrict Internet gambling. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you may know, all of the letters sent to this office are read by a state-of-the-art robot that forms an automatic response. I simply don't have the time or staff to waste on your ramblings. Therefore, my bot constructs a formulaic response to satiate your desire for faux democracy. It usually reads something like "thanks for writing, we love to hear your opinion" followed by "but we really don't give a [censored] because here is our unwavering position on the issue." So again, thanks for writing and we will fight internet gambling to the bitter end to insure my pockets get filled for the next 20 or 30 years.

My best wishes to you.

Sincerely,

HARRY REID

United States Senator

HR:ss

[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: Harry Reid\'s response to wizardofodds.com\'s Michael Shackelford
 

Ron,

That was actually pretty funny, but I think we both agree that writing and calling are more effecting than NOT writing and calling. I'm glad to see so many here making this effort to stand up for our rights.

As for Harry Reid, once this year's WSOP flops, perhaps his pockets will be getting filled by casinos trying to fully legalize online gaming.

The phones aren't answered by bots. Will you make a couple of phone calls this week?