Fight for Online Gaming!! -- Weekly action thread

[kidpokeher]

I'd like to suggest a sticky or thread consisting of the better letters written so we have a framework to work with (or copy outright for the truly lazy.)

[unlucky4me]

I got that same form letter reply you did. The boob republicans must have had it drawn up.

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd like to suggest a sticky or thread consisting of the better letters written so we have a framework to work with (or copy outright for the truly lazy.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like a good idea. Go for it.

[TheEngineer]

Also, please remember that PPA has the automailer at http://activate.pokerplayersalliance.org/ . It's no substitute for a real snail mail paper letter, but it's good between letters or to send your rep a reminder.

[oldbookguy]

My this week letter to Congresswoman Capito, (R., WV).

Congresswoman Capito,

I am following up on our recent exchange of letters and the follow-up phone call from your office concerning the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) that was passed by the 109th congress.

I am again asking for your support of H.R. 2046 Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007 introduced by Congressman Barney Frank and H.R. 2610 introduced by congressman Robert Wexler To amend subchapter IV of chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code, and section 1084 of title 18 of such Code to clarify the applicability of such provisions to games of skill, and establish certain requirements with respect to such games, and for other purposes.

In the letter and phone conversation from your office it is apparent you were led to believe the UIGEA banned ALL forms of Internet Wagering.

Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on one position) this is far from the case.

In the recent annual ‘Report To Congress’ from the Federal Reserve Board who is charged with drafting the UIGEA regulations I quote from page 147:

The act generally defines “unlawful Internet gambling” as transmitting a bet by any means that involves the use, at least in part, of the Internet and where such bet or wager is unlawful under any applicable federal or state law in the state or tribal lands in which the bet or wager is initiated, received, or otherwise made.

As we can read, the act does not make any wagering illegal; it only makes funding existing unlawful wagering illegal.

To bolster this, I quote from a recent Sen. Jon Kyl press release:

The bill did not, as some have alleged, make online gambling illegal. Online gambling is already illegal under existing federal and state laws. The UIGEA simply provides the legal mechanisms necessary for authorities to enforce those laws.

Though Sen. Kyl erroneously states online gambling is already illegal, the point is well made; it only effects what is illegal already.

Recent court ruling in the 5th circuit have ruled that existing Federal Law (1961 Wire Act) does not cover Casino Games, only sports betting.

Additionally, state laws in only 11 states specifically ban Internet Wagering of any kind, leaving 39 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S Territories with no specific legislation addressing wagering other than Sports Betting. The Department of Justice is left to rely on state laws that ban games of chance for enforcement of the UIGEA but many states (WV included) use the predominate test to determine skill versus chance.

The latter is extremely important since the UIGEA specifically targets ‘Games of Chance’ not games relying predominantly on an individuals skill. Currently these skill games are available online via such sites as AOL, MSN and YAHOO! Games marketed right next to games children can play.

It is for this reason I again ask you to support congressman Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation Act and congressman Robert Wexler’s skill Gaming Act.

These two pieces of legislation will correct the shortfalls of the UIGEA.
By supporting Frank’s bill regulating ALL Internet wagering this provide a safe and secure environment for everyone (children included).
By supporting Wexler’s Skill Gaming’ Act the Federal Codes can be brought into conformity with Federal Court Rulings.

Thank You In Advance,
XXXXXXX

obg

[kidpokeher]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd like to suggest a sticky or thread consisting of the better letters written so we have a framework to work with (or copy outright for the truly lazy.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like a good idea. Go for it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm too lazy! J/K. Actually I don't mind going through and compiling a bunch of other letters but I don't know if I'm violating some forum rule or ethics by doing so without asking. Asking everyone one by one for permission to copy their letters could get annoying.

Plus, I'd only want to do it if I could get it stickied otherwise the thread will drop into the muck in a week.

[Bilgefisher]

[ QUOTE ]

I'm too lazy! J/K. Actually I don't mind going through and compiling a bunch of other letters but I don't know if I'm violating some forum rule or ethics by doing so without asking. Asking everyone one by one for permission to copy their letters could get annoying.

Plus, I'd only want to do it if I could get it stickied otherwise the thread will drop into the muck in a week.

[/ QUOTE ]

If they posted their letters on here then they have basically opened it to being repeated.

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm too lazy! J/K. Actually I don't mind going through and compiling a bunch of other letters but I don't know if I'm violating some forum rule or ethics by doing so without asking. Asking everyone one by one for permission to copy their letters could get annoying.

Plus, I'd only want to do it if I could get it stickied otherwise the thread will drop into the muck in a week.

[/ QUOTE ]

If a mod started a sticky, we could all post our own letters to it.

[TheEngineer]

July 25, 2007

The Honorable Barack Obama
United States Senate
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Obama:

I am writing regarding my pleasant conversation with your Senate office today. I was informed that you may release a statement regarding your stand on pending Internet poker legislation “within the next couple of days”. This is encouraging to many of us in the poker community, as the attempts to ban this all-American game of skill have been serious affronts to our freedom and liberty.

As you know, a lot of your support comes from young, Internet-savvy Americans. I think if you were to publicly support our right to play poker on the Internet, you would significantly increase your support among this important group. I believe you would also significantly increase your support among the millions of Americans who believe the federal government has no business telling Americans what to do inside their own homes.

Politicians across America are lining up in support of the right to choose to play Internet poker. In fact, as of right now almost 50% of Democratic congressmen, and 61% of Congressional Black Caucus House members, have either voted against HR 4411 (the bill that because the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act when it was rammed through the Senate as part of the SAFE Ports Act), cosponsored HR 2046 (Rep. Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007), or cosponsored HR 2140 (Rep. Berkley’s Internet Gambling Study Act), and more join the side of freedom every day. It seems the party and its members want freedom. It also seems Americans regardless of party affiliation want freedom.

I encourage you to take a stand against the Internet poker prohibitionists and for liberty. America will thank you!

Sincerely,

TheEngineer

[oldbookguy]

WOW Engineer, that is a very informative post!

May I use some of that on my Obama blog, WVPokerMan?

obg