*Official* PPA Fly-In Thread

[DeadMoneyDad]

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Waaaaaa

Wish I could be there.

Skallagrim

PS - Would anyone who gets to talk with Howard Lederer please tell him Skallagrim from 2+2 says hello and hopes to speak with him again.

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Will do!

Chris $maker made it and was cool.
Howard was a lot of fun but Annie seemed to be in a bad mood.
Barry was very nice.
Jesus was a trip!

There was some other notables but these were the ones that had to endure me....


D$D

[Uglyowl]

Thanks for the updates guys.

[TheEngineer]

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Just got back to my hotel. I was a little disappointed in the reception. Spoke with Chris Ferguson and Barry Greenstein for a few minutes. Saw Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Chris Moneymaker, Andy Block and Sen Demato. After 30 min, Demato gave a short speak and then they made an annoucement about a special event and all the pros left. Not sure if they were having a dinner, but the room went dead after that. Spoke with a couple other on line players from KY, WA, and CA. My congressman won't meet with me, so there isn't much left for me to do. Came to DC on business, so it's no big deal. Just would have preferred that some of the pros stuck around and chatted with those of us that took the time to show up. Was hoping a a poker game might happened, but it didn't. So back to room for some online. Not sure I will go to the Wed night reception at the Rayburn. Thought some of you that couldn't attend would like the report. Later

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Thanks for the report, and thanks for coming out to support our rights.

The pros actually weren't going to dinner. They were doing some stuff related to getting our legislation passed. I think it could have been explained to the participants better.

Sorry you didn't get enough time to chat with the pros. They'll be at the reception tomorrow.

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Spoke with a couple other on line players from KY, WA, and CA.

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That was me, Lee Rousso (who's suing WA), and TuffFish. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] It was good meeting you.

I understand your congressman won't meet with you, but we do have congressmen you can help us lobby. If nothing else, I'd be very happy if you'd accompany me on my 11 am one. Either PM me or see me at breakfast tomorrow. Thanks.

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
Waaaaaa

Wish I could be there.

Skallagrim

PS - Would anyone who gets to talk with Howard Lederer please tell him Skallagrim from 2+2 says hello and hopes to speak with him again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I tried, but didn't get a chance to talk to him. I'll try to catch him at tomorrow's event.

[TheEngineer]

I found the reception to be a good chance to get together and chat. Several pros (already listed) came for the first hour. Unfortunately, they were unable to stay for the second hour. That did slow things down.

I did get to talk to Vanessa Rousso for ten minutes or so, and Sen. D'Amato for about the same length of time. He's committed to our cause, for sure.

Anyway, I'm here to lobby, not to party, and I have a meeting with McConnell's senior staff tomorrow. Now THAT should be fun! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[dlk9s]

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I just wanted to wish you all good luck, and to let you all know we're all counting on you.

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FYP

[Legislurker]

I wasnt able to get back from Florida in time to make it. Please do a good trip report for us. I just decided not to drive up for the reception today, Id make it just in time but Im exhausted and and I cant do much for poker on the side of a highway in Virginia asleep in a ten car pileup.

[ezmogee]

I'm here and I do think it's a great opportunity to meet people. I'm one of the young kids that doesn't know a ton of people here, but seeing as how I'm representing my company (CardRunners) I'm trying to do a good job at reaching out to people and saying hello.

I've met a number of interesting people including Bryan, the new member relations director for the PPA, the whole crew from GPSTS (Global Poker Strategic Thinking Societies), John, Dave Dworkin, etc.

I have some non-PPA meetings in DC today, but if anyone wants to say hi at the reception tonight at the Rayburn building, I'll be around and look forward to meeting you.

Ezra

[oldbookguy]

As this great event is taking place, please, everyone heed the request sent from the PPA and write / call Congress today or tomorrow and lets support those working on our behalf.

My letter sent to Congress and a follow up call is being made in the morning:

I am writing as a constituent, voter, and an avid Lawful Internet Game Player.

Recently the regulations (proposed) were written to enable enforcement of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, 2006.

The writers recognized the inherent problems presented in the UIGEA, there is no definition of Unlawful and Lawful Internet Gambling.

As an example, gambling is considered ‘Lawful’ when played between individuals and a players skill is the predominate determining factor.

Though the Department of Justice (DoJ) is of the opinion ALL Internet Gambling is illegal, the regulations writers from the Federal Reserve Board (FSRB) and the Department of Treasury (DoT) realize this is not the case and suggest that since Congress has failed to define this issue, they will not either, though banks are expected to know. The regulations writers even suggest that the judiciary will eventually have to decide.

With this in mind, I respectfully ask you to support a version of the Robert Wexler Bill H.R. 2610, the Skill Games Protection Act and actually DEFINE Lawful and Unlawful Gambling rather than leave this to Activist Judges.

With this, these 52 pages of regulations can be boiled down to only a few pages.

Yes, I know, this is simplistic.

LAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING: Any game or contest played between individuals in which the player’s skill is a determning factor. This includes (court cases have already ruled on this) gin Rummy, Rummy, Backgammon, Chess, Hearts, Spades, Poker and other similar games.

UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING - Courts have ruled the Wire Act of 1961 included the Internet but not Casino style games, therefore:
Sports Betting or betting on the outcome of an actual event in which the bettor has no influence and games played against a machine program unless the machine program is used to facilitate playing against real people.

Many courts and states to determine lawful gaming use the above Lawful definition and very few (estimated only 8) have laws to bar this. Games such as many mentioned above can be played for REAL MONEY via such household sites as AOL, MSN, YAHOO! and others, for REAL MONEY.

By doing this, Congress will create a safe and secure environment for players and banks.

Additionally, by doing this, all current tax rules and regulations will apply to both players and companies.

Many cite a fear of underage gambling on the Internet, however, to date it seems AOL, MSN and others have no problems with this issue nor do the current Fantasy Gaming sites authorized by Congress in the UIGEA.

If this was really an issue for you and other members in Congress I can only guess this was addressed when Fantasy Wagering and Internet Horse Wagering was exempted from the Wire Act.

Thanks in Advance,

XXXXXXXXX

[Berge20]

Hope tonight's event went well and any visits with elected officials was productive today.

There was as glimmer of hope briefly for my attendence, but that quickly closed.