Here we go....

[La Brujita]

why?

[pokerraja]

whats does this mean? good or bad?

[lambchop_FT]

wtf just happened?

[Jibba]

Sign petition against the IGPA here

Automated form to send a letter to your Congressman and Senators

On the second site, after you finish the first automated letter, you have the option to send a different letter to your Senators. The first automated letter:

[ QUOTE ]
I am writing to urge you to oppose H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, introduced by Representative Bob Goodlatte, R-VA.


As an avid poker player enthusiast, I feel strongly that this bill and any other legislation that denies Americans the right to play poker, a true skill game, on the Internet, seriously and egregiously violates our personal freedoms.


More than 70 million people today enjoy poker. And while most play at home or in bars or poker clubs, over 20 million enjoy this game of skill with friends and family on the Internet. Poker is not a passing fancy, and is predominately a skill game, like bridge and chess. If you objectively look at the use of mathematics, psychology and strategy in Poker, you must conclude that it should be afforded separate treatment from gambling. The possibility of the federal government stripping away this right to play online is very troubling to me.


H.R. 4777, tramples the freedoms of online poker players and represents a slippery slope that could lead to the federal government denying citizens the right to play poker in offline venues, and interrogating their home hard drives. The bill also unfairly makes exceptions for some gaming activities, including state lotteries and placing online bets for horse races, even while prohibiting games of skill like poker.


Most troubling, though, is the bill’s enforcement mechanism. By forcing Internet service providers (ISPs) to eliminate access to gaming content on the Internet, the federal government is moving away from long-established protections of free speech in this country. Ironically, many in Congress recently chastised China for forcing ISPs to regulate content that Chinese citizens could receive, yet those same lawmakers now find it acceptable for the U.S. government to censor the Internet. The U.S. stands for freedom, and to restrict content for the many, in the interest of a selective few, runs contrary to this country’s founding principles.


From average citizens to Presidents, Generals, and Supreme Court justices, Americans have been playing poker since the 1800’s, making it a rich part of our history. Today, the evolution of game on the Internet should not be restricted by overarching government interference.


I urge you to take my concerns into consideration and oppose H.R. 4777 and any legislation that limits the rights of poker players to enjoy the game online.

[/ QUOTE ]

The second letter:

[ QUOTE ]
I am writing to urge you to oppose pending legislation that would limit the rights of individuals to play poker online and ask that you support alternative, bi-partisan, legislation that would establish a federal commission to study online gambling.


Very soon the full House of Representatives will consider H.R. 4777 introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Vir., that would effectively outlaw the great game of poker on the Internet.


As an avid poker player, I feel strongly that this bill and any other legislation which would deny Americans the right to play a game of skill such as poker on the Internet, seriously and egregiously violate my personal freedoms.


Poker is a unique American game enjoyed by more than 70 million people in this country. Recently, the popularity of poker has exploded and the game has extended to the Internet variety that allows people from all over the country – and in fact all over the world -- to match their wits and intellect in this true game of skill. According to Ipsos, a global market research firm, more than 23 million Americans now play poker online! The possibility of the government stripping this activity away from me, and millions of my fellow Americans, is unacceptable.


It is important to note that a recent Wall Street Journal poll found that 84 percent oppose federal efforts to ban online gambling. Americans are seeking a more reasonable approach to Internet poker. One such tact would be to tax and regulate it here in the United States, as we do with brick and mortar casinos. Representatives Jon Porter, R-Nev., Shelly Berkley, R-Nev., and Jim Gibbons, R-Nev. recently introduced H.R. 5474, the Internet Gambling Study Commission Act that would enable the government to examine the possibility of regulating and taxing online gambling, rather than an outright prohibition.


This legislation is a more responsible and reasonable approach to public policy than an outright poker ban. I strongly believe that a thorough examination by this commission will clarify many of the gross misconceptions about Internet poker. I am confident that the commission’s study will show that a tax and regulate approach to online poker—similar to the approach used for land-based gambling—will ensure a safe and regulated environment for Americans to play on the Internet. In addition, this tack will allow state and federal governments to reap significant tax revenues from what is currently a multi-billion dollar industry. Some of this money could be wisely spent on public education and services for problem gamblers.


From average citizens to presidents, generals, members of Congress, and Supreme Court justices, Americans have been playing poker for centuries, making it a rich part of our cultural heritage. Today, the evolution of game on the Internet should not be restricted by overarching government interference.


I urge you to take these concerns into consideration and oppose H.R. 4777 that will make outlaws of poker players who enjoy the game online.

[/ QUOTE ]

[MannyIsGod]

Well, voting is postponed. The idiocy that is the congressional process at work yet again.

[Kevmath]

When will those votes take place? It's strange they have all this debate then postpone the votes to talk about energy efficient computer servers.

[LesJ]

[ QUOTE ]
wtf just happened?

[/ QUOTE ]

[boondoggle]

I think its a good sign.

[pokerraja]

no kidding, talk about changing gears.

[Analyst]

[ QUOTE ]
Votes postponed

[/ QUOTE ]

WTF just happened? They took a voice vote on the amendment, Berkley asked for a recorded vote (I think) then . . . nothing? Everything got postponed?