2+2 Ask the PPA

[BluffTHIS!]

[ QUOTE ]
However, I feel politics does make for unsavory necessary alliances at times. To the extent that the PPA can put a favorable ball into play on behalf of poker players, we can benefit. However, just lending bodies/numbers and donating money will not result in a favorable direction.)

[/ QUOTE ]


Although I have expounded at length about the PPA not representing its base membership and all the goals those players have, everyone, myself included, understands that limited resources, of both time and money, dictate short term priorities. But even putting aside structural issues with the PPA, and the wider goals of promoting legalization of poker in all venues with no artificial barriers to entry to favor certain parties, it seems clear that the following are the short term priorities *this year*:

1) Seeking to pass Frank/Weixler or a derivative of same this year via attachment to must pass legislation;

2) Neutering the regs if the above fails as likely;

3) Aiding in the judicial fight against online gambling restrictions, especially by helping to cure any issues of standing that current litigants friendly to us might have (and note again that this shouldn't cost the PPA a dime as the litigants should underwrite all the PPAs expenses on same since it is to their own benefit).


Since #1 is a longshot in any short term time frame, then it is critical to achieve some success on #s 2 or 3. But if the PPA fails on those as well, especially due to a refusal to even adopt those last two as goals this year, then given the other deeper shortcomings in the PPA, there will simply be no reason to support it for the long term. The performance of the PPA on those 3 short term priorities should be the basis for judgement of their worthiness and credibility for the long term.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]


As for John, he will be posting here soon. I'm personally glad he waited a few weeks to do so. I honestly didn't want to hear any more PPA happy spin about grand plans for the future. I want to hear what they are doing and when they're doing it. John has taken some time to lay out concrete actions, so his initial communications to us should be more substantive. I hope we'll all hear him out and decide from there.

Cheers.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's fantastic! I will not have to waste any time trying to communicate my PERSONAL opion that John should not only come here himself but have some sort of regular contributor with PPA backing.

Sorry about the spelling, I normally use a spell checker and because of that I have gotten lazy, my common errors are so automatically fixed I don't even notice anymore. I've also been told I have a real problem with run on and compound sentences. When I was learning to read and write I was living overseas and as anyone who has learned English as a second language knows the rules don't make any sense or follow any logic.

I apologise for any stupidity it attaches to me for my laziness in not cutting and pasting messages to a spell checker before posting.


D$D

[LeapFrog]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Any communication with the PPA is most likely better then none.

[/ QUOTE ]


That's not necessarily true. A convo done through middlemen that mostly avoids substantive issues while focusing only on PR benefits none of us here. Especially when it allows the PPA to very easily avoid tough questions and be able to backtrack on commitments by saying the middleman screwed up their message. ...

[/ QUOTE ]

I was referring specifically to the situation with D$D. Unless your posts burn his eyes (heh) or D$D has an agenda (Engineer's comments on the subject are very reassuring as well as Milton's 2c) he hopefully will communicate some of your tough questions to Pappas. Yes, you very well may not get an answer or may receive a heavily spin laden one but at least some of what you are saying may get through. That was what I was driving at.

At any rate it sounds like Pappas will be posting here in the future so you should have a chance to make yourself heard. Don't be afraid to speak up [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]

I apologise for any stupidity it attaches to me for my laziness in not cutting and pasting messages to a spell checker before posting.


[/ QUOTE ]

D$D, I recommend Firefox 2.x as it has a built in spellchecker. Very handy.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]
But even putting aside structural issues with the PPA, and the wider goals of promoting legalization of poker in all venues with no artificial barriers to entry to favor certain parties, it seems clear that the following are the short term priorities *this year*:

1) Seeking to pass Frank/Weixler or a derivative of same this year via attachment to must pass legislation;

2) Neutering the regs if the above fails as likely;

3) Aiding in the judicial fight against online gambling restrictions, especially by helping to cure any issues of standing that current litigants friendly to us might have (and note again that this shouldn't cost the PPA a dime as the litigants should underwrite all the PPAs expenses on same since it is to their own benefit).


Since #1 is a longshot in any short term time frame, then it is critical to achieve some success on #s 2 or 3. But if the PPA fails on those as well, especially due to a refusal to even adopt those last two as goals this year, then given the other deeper shortcomings in the PPA, there will simply be no reason to support it for the long term. The performance of the PPA on those 3 short term priorities should be the basis for judgement of their worthiness and credibility for the long term.

[/ QUOTE ]

From a political aspect my feelings are the PPA has on the legislative front been too quick to put the cart before the horse. People on the Hill are like everyone else, they want to protect their jobs. They aren't going to listen to the PPA, especially on the GOP side until the PPA can show it is a real political player. The only way to do that is to create a real grassroots organization, and prove it can be effective. On the Hill you don't have to be right, just be able to move enough votes. This message may be unpopular with some because it will require a good deal of volunteer grunt work to counter-balance the organized free manpower currently arrayed against us.

The KY race is the key in my opinion. As I’ve posted along with others, the PPA needs to establish a track record. It needs a tune up game for ’08. It needs to build its membership. It needs to be highly visible. It needs to get some idea of how many of its arm chair generals are willing to get in the trenches and do the work of privates!!!! It needs to try out all of the various ideas we all have for promoting the PPA and develop more. How many of you with in 4 to a 5 hour drive of KY have seriously planned on going there if there is a worthwhile activity that requires YOUR help to succeed??? I'm 6 hours from the border of the state and already making plans and boning up on the districts. Are you willing to make the same commitment?

We all want an effective grassroots organization, but really how many people are actually willing to show up? That will be the true test of the PPA’s viability.

I can tell from my conversations from John that the PPA is committed to devoting the resources to building the grassroots efforts necessary. BUT the PPA can only provide the structure. John is well aware of the hole that he is in. I'm sure there are many holes dug we all don't even know about. John has returned calls and sent e-mails at all hours of the day and night and on weekends. This isn't a 9-5 job for him. I’ve been involved in a number of organizations both political and non-political in my life; I think I can recognize real passion and determination when I see it. Look at John’s interview on CardPlayer TV, for all of you who aren’t boycotting that site, one of his first issues is improving communications!

Sure it is debatable if the PPA board, given whatever hidden agenda they might or may not have, will support his efforts. But I assume he would not have taken the job without the necessary assurances he'll be given the tools to succeed.

Like I said in my first post only time will really prove out if my PERSONAL opinions are correct. They are based on my past in dealing with political operators and sales people of all stripes. Sure I’ve bought into a few boondoggles in the past. Who hasn’t? But over time like in my poker “career” I’ve gotten a lot better at spotting fakes and conmen learning from each and every mistake.


D$D

Yes I did spell check this one…… Any better?

[fnurt]

[ QUOTE ]
When I spoke to John Pappas on Tue. afternoon, the subject of D$D actually came up. D$D is what he says....he's someone experienced at grassroots lobbying who has a meeting with John to discuss this. Exactly as he said.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, based on this post and the one by Milton, I'll stop grinding the axe. I do think this sort of due diligence is important, though.

[Legislurker]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
But even putting aside structural issues with the PPA, and the wider goals of promoting legalization of poker in all venues with no artificial barriers to entry to favor certain parties, it seems clear that the following are the short term priorities *this year*:

1) Seeking to pass Frank/Weixler or a derivative of same this year via attachment to must pass legislation;

2) Neutering the regs if the above fails as likely;

3) Aiding in the judicial fight against online gambling restrictions, especially by helping to cure any issues of standing that current litigants friendly to us might have (and note again that this shouldn't cost the PPA a dime as the litigants should underwrite all the PPAs expenses on same since it is to their own benefit).


Since #1 is a longshot in any short term time frame, then it is critical to achieve some success on #s 2 or 3. But if the PPA fails on those as well, especially due to a refusal to even adopt those last two as goals this year, then given the other deeper shortcomings in the PPA, there will simply be no reason to support it for the long term. The performance of the PPA on those 3 short term priorities should be the basis for judgement of their worthiness and credibility for the long term.

[/ QUOTE ]

From a political aspect my feelings are the PPA has on the legislative front been too quick to put the cart before the horse. People on the Hill are like everyone else, they want to protect their jobs. They aren't going to listen to the PPA, especially on the GOP side until the PPA can show it is a real political player. The only way to do that is to create a real grassroots organization, and prove it can be effective. On the Hill you don't have to be right, just be able to move enough votes. This message may be unpopular with some because it will require a good deal of volunteer grunt work to counter-balance the organized free manpower currently arrayed against us.

The KY race is the key in my opinion. As I’ve posted along with others, the PPA needs to establish a track record. It needs a tune up game for ’08. It needs to build its membership. It needs to be highly visible. It needs to get some idea of how many of its arm chair generals are willing to get in the trenches and do the work of privates!!!! It needs to try out all of the various ideas we all have for promoting the PPA and develop more. How many of you with in 4 to a 5 hour drive of KY have seriously planned on going there if there is a worthwhile activity that requires YOUR help to succeed??? I'm 6 hours from the border of the state and already making plans and boning up on the districts. Are you willing to make the same commitment?

We all want an effective grassroots organization, but really how many people are actually willing to show up? That will be the true test of the PPA’s viability.

I can tell from my conversations from John that the PPA is committed to devoting the resources to building the grassroots efforts necessary. BUT the PPA can only provide the structure. John is well aware of the hole that he is in. I'm sure there are many holes dug we all don't even know about. John has returned calls and sent e-mails at all hours of the day and night and on weekends. This isn't a 9-5 job for him. I’ve been involved in a number of organizations both political and non-political in my life; I think I can recognize real passion and determination when I see it. Look at John’s interview on CardPlayer TV, for all of you who aren’t boycotting that site, one of his first issues is improving communications!

Sure it is debatable if the PPA board, given whatever hidden agenda they might or may not have, will support his efforts. But I assume he would not have taken the job without the necessary assurances he'll be given the tools to succeed.

Like I said in my first post only time will really prove out if my PERSONAL opinions are correct. They are based on my past in dealing with political operators and sales people of all stripes. Sure I’ve bought into a few boondoggles in the past. Who hasn’t? But over time like in my poker “career” I’ve gotten a lot better at spotting fakes and conmen learning from each and every mistake.


D$D

Yes I did spell check this one…… Any better?

[/ QUOTE ]

How many people will show up? I don't know, but we should test the waters. One key factor for '08 will, IMHO, have to be a rally. In DC. We have to show up, get on the mainstream news, and generate some buzz. The PPA board will have to go for the most part. We need broad representation on the board. Not just players, but everyone. Players, B&M, online, affiliates, DEALERS, pros, and celebrities. The PPA can be huge or it can be a joke. The time for that decision is PAST due. And, the only path I see to broader acceptance is via 2p2. Humble yourself, make nice, and lets play together.

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]
One key factor for '08 will, IMHO, have to be a rally. In DC. We have to show up, get on the mainstream news, and generate some buzz. The PPA board will have to go for the most part. We need broad representation on the board. Not just players, but everyone. Players, B&M, online, affiliates, DEALERS, pros, and celebrities. The PPA can be huge or it can be a joke. The time for that decision is PAST due. And, the only path I see to broader acceptance is via 2p2. Humble yourself, make nice, and lets play together.

[/ QUOTE ]

PERSONALLY I am about full up on humble pie.

I'll make you a personal deal. We do a good job in KY I'll make sure you get your victory rally with celebs in D.C..


D$D

[Legislurker]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
One key factor for '08 will, IMHO, have to be a rally. In DC. We have to show up, get on the mainstream news, and generate some buzz. The PPA board will have to go for the most part. We need broad representation on the board. Not just players, but everyone. Players, B&M, online, affiliates, DEALERS, pros, and celebrities. The PPA can be huge or it can be a joke. The time for that decision is PAST due. And, the only path I see to broader acceptance is via 2p2. Humble yourself, make nice, and lets play together.

[/ QUOTE ]

PERSONALLY I am about full up on humble pie.

I'll make you a personal deal. We do a good job in KY I'll make sure you get your victory rally with celebs in D.C..


D$D

[/ QUOTE ]

All I want is the freedom to make a [censored] living. Ive invested years into poker. Maybe not the smartest thing considering my education, but its pretty much all I have barring my exceptional good looks and acting ability. I don't want to stand in front of crowds, I don't want to sully myself in politics, and I don't want have to do this.
But, I am willing to do my part. Somehow we have to make national media. And we have to put the fear of only being a lobbyist into Congresspeeps. And somehow, all of poker has to get along. Maybe the PPA can be that place where we all get along and put some fear into politicians. I hope so.

[Skallagrim]

A minority of people oppose legal online poker, a minority of people feel strongly in favor of legal online poker (most americans don't even know its an issue). B&M poker is different because of the large amount of "no casinos in my backyard" types, but even there most folks see no good reason why a local friendly game or tournament should be illegal.

A (slight) MAJORITY of people favor gun control, a minority of people feel strongly about their right to own firearms.

If the NRA can achieve as much as they have, the PPA has no excuse not to eventually be able to do the same. D$D knows what I mean, lets ALL hope these things start to happen soon.

Skallagrim

[TheEngineer]

[ QUOTE ]
John has returned calls and sent e-mails at all hours of the day and night and on weekends. This isn't a 9-5 job for him.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree. John emailed me a few times last night, the last one at 11:13 pm.

As for your spelling, I'm not sure if that was directed at me or not, but I should mention that I'm not the one who commented on it.