USA Today article on degenerate gamblers

knicknut · #1 03-29-2007, 05:22 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-...r_N.htm?csp=34

Cliffs: Everyone who ever gambled has racked up a huge debt and ended up killing themselves, killing their bookie, got killed by their bookie, or otherwise ruined everyone's lives. Includes lists of "top signs you are becoming degerate," including reading books to become a better gambler as a top sign.

I took major offense to this article (esp. the books part) and wrote a letter to the editor about how biased, subjective articles like this perpetuate the fallacy that all bettors are degenerates.

First I'd like thoughts on the article. Also, my family's telling me I shouldn't submit my response because it may flag me to the IRS although I never imply I am a gambler in it (I'm paying my taxes, but still don't want them to look into anything, no good can come from it). Is this a viable concern? If there's a 1% chance the IRS could look up my name from reading the article I won't do it, but if that's an irrational concern...

Pokeraddict · #2 03-29-2007, 05:41 PM

What a crap article. I see he has done other anti gambling articles too.

Broke Rounder · #3 03-29-2007, 05:57 PM

You know what, it's a very good article. I don't expect one person on 2+2 to agree with me though. Just because people here are pro poker players and make a living at the game, 99.9% of people dont. People do commit crimes and commit suicide becuase of gambling. Laugh all you want, this is a well written article. Go ahead and flame away. Again, I dont expect one person to agree with what I have said here.

soneill34 · #4 03-29-2007, 06:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
You know what, it's a very good article. I don't expect one person on 2+2 to agree with me though. Just because people here are pro poker players and make a living at the game, 99.9% of people dont. People do commit crimes and commit suicide becuase of gambling. Laugh all you want, this is a well written article. Go ahead and flame away. Again, I dont expect one person to agree with what I have said here.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a big difference between saying that some people are degenerates, and all people are degenerates....... come on now.

knicknut · #5 03-29-2007, 06:06 PM

Do I have any danger of being flagged by the IRS if I submit a published letter in favor of gambling? I had a shot in there about the IGA, but I took it out and only deal with public sentiment, not legislation or anything else. (Nor do I state that I'm a winning gambler or that I gamble, although I guess my knowledge that academic gamblers exist implies that I am one.)

prodonkey · #6 03-29-2007, 10:15 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Do I have any danger of being flagged by the IRS if I submit a published letter in favor of gambling? I had a shot in there about the IGA, but I took it out and only deal with public sentiment, not legislation or anything else. (Nor do I state that I'm a winning gambler or that I gamble, although I guess my knowledge that academic gamblers exist implies that I am one.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes the IRS obviously screens all mail to USA Today.. honestly.. I really don't know what to say other than are u that dense?

NU Star · #7 03-29-2007, 06:06 PM

$500 Flips on Stars: Table Hollandia II

gogogogogoogogo

Broke Rounder · #8 03-29-2007, 06:09 PM

I agree with you soneill34 he didn't word everything correctly, but OP shouldnt have taken as much offense to the article as he did. For the MOST part, the MAJORITY of the article is true.

MiltonFriedman · #9 03-29-2007, 06:24 PM

Your notion of "The Truth" is VERY simplistic.

Did it detail anything about the LeHigh kid's woefully inadequate sheltered upbringing, the home-schooled son of a Baptist preacher ?

Would you say the same tale of woe would be the "Truth" in the context of an article about the "dangers of home-schooling", the dangers of "college life", or the dangers of drinking ?

The article is not trying to be truthful, just factual.

Does the "Truth" about online poker include the millions of hours of entertainment that thousands of players enjoy every week ?

DrewOnTilt · #10 03-30-2007, 01:18 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I agree with you soneill34 he didn't word everything correctly, but OP shouldnt have taken as much offense to the article as he did. For the MOST part, the MAJORITY of the article is true.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just because the article is technically true doesn't mean that it conveys the issue in an accurate light. It containes a fair amount of sensationalism.