Should Online Poker be illegal?

[sstuckey]

first let me state adding 50 US jobs is better than 0 US jobs is it not? Illogical thinking

Do you think google, yahoo, or any other MAJOR website is run by a couple of teenagers in their bedroom? Or do you think it takes maybe a bit more than 2 people to run a multi-billion dollar internet industry?
Illogical thinking

You liken my ability to read someone's betting patterns, and use basic math skills to outwit an opponent....to screwing them?!
Illogical thinking

And the best yet...you compared playing poker to smoking pot?!
Illogical thinking

There is a pattern forming here

I'm still waiting for your attempt to turn your illogical rambling into something that resembles an actual thought process. Or do you tap out so easily?

Sigh. Okay, here goes:
50 US jobs is less than one McDonald's. One McDonald's can close without having any effect on the US unemployment rate. You're assuming that because you play poker, good hard-working Americans are feeding their families, so you have to be able to play your table-game. Never mind Pokerstars is based in the Isle of Man, and Israeli-owned. Never mind the offshore bank accounts, the fancy book-keeping, the exploitation of addiction, the organized crime ties, money-laundering, bank fraud, damn it, you are a bona-fide cardsharp, and there's nobody better, so you MUST play. You have a right, no matter what. In your own little world, you have the power and authority to save the planet. Hey, man, poker is the answer... seems very "logical."
Your assertion that these poker sites are on a level of employment or legitimacy of Yahoo or Google, well, that's just silly. I checked, Google is the #1 most-used site on the web. Pokerstars is tied for 1,371st. Google employs 10,674 people, many here in PA. Pokerstars claims 1000, but it's difficult to tell for sure, because it's not American.
Your assertion that you are skilled at reading people and using math might impress the other "riverboat gamblers," but the idea that it gives you the authority to deem what is logical or illogical shows you don't understand logic. Please explain the logic of how poker will save America. Can online Halo save us? Second Life? Farmville?
Now, to the comparison of smoking pot to playing poker... I know this is going to be difficult, but please follow along: If poker was outlawed, see, people would simply play poker in their own homes, understand? Just like how pot is illegal, but over half of people have tried it, and 20% of the adult population uses at least occasionally. How 'bout if I compare it to sex, maybe that'll help. Not so long ago, fellatio was against the law, but people still did it. It's not the end of the world if you can't do the one thing that makes you feel effective in society. It just sucks for you personally.
In short, this is about you, sstuckey. You play poker, and feel like you're good at it. You feel it is a viable skill. I feel it is as viable and important as being good at Boggle, or Sudoku, so your skill is unimportant to me, and anyone who wastes our time in different ways. You don't have to wonder if you're truly a new Libertarian. Because you hyperinflate the importance of something you want because of it's value to you personally, you are Libertarian. That's not a dig. That's ME making a definition. How's it feel?

OK now you're just sounding like a fuckin giant bag of douche!!!

[sstuckey]

I'm still waiting for your attempt to turn your illogical rambling into something that resembles an actual thought process. Or do you tap out so easily?

Sigh. Okay, here goes:
50 US jobs is less than one McDonald's. One McDonald's can close without having any effect on the US unemployment rate.
You're assuming that because you play poker, good hard-working Americans are feeding their families, so you have to be able to play your table-game. Never mind Pokerstars is based in the Isle of Man, and Israeli-owned. Never mind the offshore bank accounts, the fancy book-keeping, the exploitation of addiction, the organized crime ties, money-laundering, bank fraud, damn it, you are a bona-fide cardsharp, and there's nobody better, so you MUST play. You have a right, no matter what. In your own little world, you have the power and authority to save the planet. Hey, man, poker is the answer... seems very "logical."
Your assertion that these poker sites are on a level of employment or legitimacy of Yahoo or Google, well, that's just silly. I checked, Google is the #1 most-used site on the web. Pokerstars is tied for 1,371st. Google employs 10,674 people, many here in PA. Pokerstars claims 1000, but it's difficult to tell for sure, because it's not American.
Your assertion that you are skilled at reading people and using math might impress the other "riverboat gamblers," but the idea that it gives you the authority to deem what is logical or illogical shows you don't understand logic. Please explain the logic of how poker will save America. Can online Halo save us? Second Life? Farmville?
Now, to the comparison of smoking pot to playing poker... I know this is going to be difficult, but please follow along: If poker was outlawed, see, people would simply play poker in their own homes, understand? Just like how pot is illegal, but over half of people have tried it, and 20% of the adult population uses at least occasionally. How 'bout if I compare it to sex, maybe that'll help. Not so long ago, fellatio was against the law, but people still did it. It's not the end of the world if you can't do the one thing that makes you feel effective in society. It just sucks for you personally.
In short, this is about you, sstuckey. You play poker, and feel like you're good at it. You feel it is a viable skill. I feel it is as viable and important as being good at Boggle, or Sudoku, so your skill is unimportant to me, and anyone who wastes our time in different ways. You don't have to wonder if you're truly a new Libertarian. Because you hyperinflate the importance of something you want because of it's value to you personally, you are Libertarian. That's not a dig. That's ME making a definition. How's it feel?

I had a post but I deleted it an attempt to handle each statement as one piece at a time....instead of one giant paragraph. Give me a few minutes to retype this since you kinda go on and on and on and ...........zzzzzzzzzz........on and on and on.

[Banned]

OK now you're just sounding like a fuckin giant bag of douche!!!

Another nomination for Post of the Year!!

[lonewolf]

Sigh. Okay, here goes:
50 US jobs is less than one McDonald's. blah.blah.blah.blah.blah............................ How's it feel?

I had a post but I deleted it an attempt to handle each statement as one piece at a time....instead of one giant paragraph. Give me a few minutes to retype this since you kinda go on and on and on and ...........zzzzzzzzzz........on and on and on.

Forget it Steve, you will just get 10 more paragraphs like that for each one you address.

[Banned]

Lottery proceeds benefit the elderly in PA, and education in many others. Online betting sites benefit an elderly Israeli guy. I'm not against gambling at all, suckers are suckers. I'm against people waving it in my face like it's humanity's biggest problem that they need it.
I play table games without the possibility of winning money exclusively, though I don't place a lot of importance on it. It's a GAME. I don't have that need to beat my little sister at Monopoly every time to prove my virility. It's like being good at fishing... I'm experienced at it, reasonably effective at it, but I giggle at the guys who spend their lives trying to become pro, fishing in tournaments. I'd just as soon fish as play music, and that's saying alot, but I don't need a televised weigh-in to have a good time fishing. I've never made a dime fishing, and still somehow love it. How can that be?

Where is he waving it in your face; you choose to reply this thread multiple times.

Why aren't you giggling at those in that long lottery line too, much better chance of winning a fishing tourny or getting struck by lightening 3X.

And the ends does not justify the means. I don't care where they are shunting that lottery $, it's a grossly unjust game and aimed squarely at the poor and uneducated. You are naive not all that money finds its way to the "elderly". (i have to giggle now because you use that buzz phrase"it's for the elderly" in same vein many "oh but it's for the children")like that justifies anything and everything

Ok, you don't like games of chance with real stakes, maybe I do. Why shouldn't i be allowed the freedom to pursue my passion here in the good ol USA?

When you are not posting about mic stands, you make some very good points here.

[sstuckey]

Sigh. Okay, here goes:
50 US jobs is less than one McDonald's. One McDonald's can close without having any effect on the US unemployment rate.

If you were one of those 50 people with a new job you wouldn't see it like that. Besides you already gave me numbers such as 2 part-timers....to 50...to what was the last one? one thousand? Now here's where this is gonna hurt....I'm going to use your own numbers and research against you. Let's say 1 poker site employs 1,000 people. (your numbers not mine) well there's over 100 poker websites. So now we are talking about 100,000 people employed. Again your numbers not mine...ouch this has got to hurt. that's 100,000 people that now have jobs that didn't before. Consequently that's 100,000 people that are no longer say.....drawing unemployment.....or ummmmmm welfare? That's two positives by removing a negative. But let's just say those numbers are super inflated and we'll reduce the entire total by 10%...that's 10,000 people. Google employs what was it? oh 10,000 people. But according to you my skills (math) are unimportant....but we'll get to that later.

You're assuming that because you play poker, good hard-working Americans are feeding their families, so you have to be able to play your table-game. Never mind Pokerstars is based in the Isle of Man, and Israeli-owned. Never mind the offshore bank accounts

A monkey, or even George W. Bush could figure this one out. Make all online gaming US based. Which I clearly have no issue with. I'm an American I'm not the poker nazi man! Keep poker legal and make it US-based only. Keep the money here, and I'd be hard pressed any of the 10 million American poker players would have a complaint about that.


the fancy book-keeping

Ummmm the money comes in....the money goes out. I'm sure the websites would be more than willing to cooperate with the government and the I.R.S. on establishing a system to control and tax the money. Again a complaint very few players have.....go for it and tax our winnings, we don't care.

the exploitation of addiction

Every website has a 1-800 number for gambling addiction. Does alcohol have one on its bottles? cigarettes? Both of those exploit addictions and they are legal. Im looking at my bottle of tequila and my pack of Marlboros and I'm not seeing a 1-800 number anywhere.

the organized crime ties, money-laundering, bank fraud

Do you have ANY documented proof of any of this? Or have you watched 'Casino' like a hundred billion times?

damn it, you are a bona-fide cardsharp, and there's nobody better, so you MUST play. You have a right, no matter what. In your own little world, you have the power and authority to save the planet. Hey, man, poker is the answer... seems very "logical."

Where in anything I wrote in the history of every post I've ever made on any website let alone rockpage....did I say I was trying to save the planet? I recycle my Pepsi bottles to save the planet....I play poker because I enjoy it. How you twisted this around I gotta see.

Your assertion that these poker sites are on a level of employment or legitimacy of Yahoo or Google, well, that's just silly. I checked, Google is the #1 most-used site on the web. Pokerstars is tied for 1,371st. Google employs 10,674 people, many here in PA. Pokerstars claims 1000, but it's difficult to tell for sure, because it's not American.

We already did this and you got OWNED!!

Your assertion that you are skilled at reading people and using math might impress the other "riverboat gamblers," but the idea that it gives you the authority to deem what is logical or illogical shows you don't understand logic. Please explain the logic of how poker will save America. Can online Halo save us? Second Life? Farmville?

Think I already owned you here too.

Now, to the comparison of smoking pot to playing poker... I know this is going to be difficult, but please follow along: If poker was outlawed, see, people would simply play poker in their own homes, understand? Just like how pot is illegal, but over half of people have tried it, and 20% of the adult population uses at least occasionally. How 'bout if I compare it to sex, maybe that'll help. Not so long ago, fellatio was against the law, but people still did it. It's not the end of the world if you can't do the one thing that makes you feel effective in society. It just sucks for you personally.

Again why does playing poker have to equate to me being effective in society? I go to work and pay my taxes to be an effective member of society. I play poker because I like it. What are you getting at? Is there an actual point here?

In short, this is about you, sstuckey. You play poker, and feel like you're good at it. You feel it is a viable skill. I feel it is as viable and important as being good at Boggle, or Sudoku, so your skill is unimportant to me, and anyone who wastes our time in different ways.

Well I think I already showed how math is a viable, important skill. You should try it sometime. But more importantly because YOU think it's not viable or important to you....that makes it no longer a skill? Or ok maybe it's a skill but you shouldn't be able to make a profit? Or okay maybe it's a skill and maybe you can make a profit from it but.....it should be illegal because....well.....just because. Let me try that logic. I think guitar playing is not a viable or important skill. There.....it's no longer a skill. No guitarist should be allowed to make money playing one. In fact I hereby declare all guitarists should be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. I'm grabbing my torch and my lynching rope while thumbing through the phone book....is it spelled VanHalen or Van Halen?! See how silly that sounds now? By the way, I love guitar, I think guitarists are talented wonderful people, and music wouldn't exist without them so please no hate mail!

You don't have to wonder if you're truly a new Libertarian. Because you hyperinflate the importance of something you want because of it's value to you personally, you are Libertarian. That's not a dig. That's ME making a definition. How's it feel?

If that's a bad thing it's news to me. Yeah it benefits me and 10 million other Americans. Imagine that 10 million American people....playing with American dollars....on American soil. Tax it. Regulate it. There's a ton of money out there that could be exchanging hands from American to American....being taxed and taxed and retaxed some more.

[sstuckey]

OK now you're just sounding like a fuckin giant bag of douche!!!

Another nomination for Post of the Year!!

Actually I kinda feel bad about that one but jeeeeesh!! The entire argument smelled of vinegar and water! It kinda had that 'not so fresh feeling"

[Banned]

Sigh. Okay, here goes:
50 US jobs is less than one McDonald's. One McDonald's can close without having any effect on the US unemployment rate.

If you were one of those 50 people with a new job you wouldn't see it like that. Besides you already gave me numbers such as 2 part-timers....to 50...to what was the last one? one thousand? Now here's where this is gonna hurt....I'm going to use your own numbers and research against you. Let's say 1 poker site employs 1,000 people. (your numbers not mine) well there's over 100 poker websites. So now we are talking about 100,000 people employed. Again your numbers not mine...ouch this has got to hurt. that's 100,000 people that now have jobs that didn't before. Consequently that's 100,000 people that are no longer say.....drawing unemployment.....or ummmmmm welfare? That's two positives by removing a negative. But let's just say those numbers are super inflated and we'll reduce the entire total by 10%...that's 10,000 people. Google employs what was it? oh 10,000 people. But according to you my skills (math) are unimportant....but we'll get to that later.

You're assuming that because you play poker, good hard-working Americans are feeding their families, so you have to be able to play your table-game. Never mind Pokerstars is based in the Isle of Man, and Israeli-owned. Never mind the offshore bank accounts

A monkey, or even George W. Bush could figure this one out. Make all online gaming US based. Which I clearly have no issue with. I'm an American I'm not the poker nazi man! Keep poker legal and make it US-based only. Keep the money here, and I'd be hard pressed any of the 10 million American poker players would have a complaint about that.


the fancy book-keeping

Ummmm the money comes in....the money goes out. I'm sure the websites would be more than willing to cooperate with the government and the I.R.S. on establishing a system to control and tax the money. Again a complaint very few players have.....go for it and tax our winnings, we don't care.

the exploitation of addiction

Every website has a 1-800 number for gambling addiction. Does alcohol have one on its bottles? cigarettes? Both of those exploit addictions and they are legal. Im looking at my bottle of tequila and my pack of Marlboros and I'm not seeing a 1-800 number anywhere.

the organized crime ties, money-laundering, bank fraud

Do you have ANY documented proof of any of this? Or have you watched 'Casino' like a hundred billion times?

damn it, you are a bona-fide cardsharp, and there's nobody better, so you MUST play. You have a right, no matter what. In your own little world, you have the power and authority to save the planet. Hey, man, poker is the answer... seems very "logical."

Where in anything I wrote in the history of every post I've ever made on any website let alone rockpage....did I say I was trying to save the planet? I recycle my Pepsi bottles to save the planet....I play poker because I enjoy it. How you twisted this around I gotta see.

Your assertion that these poker sites are on a level of employment or legitimacy of Yahoo or Google, well, that's just silly. I checked, Google is the #1 most-used site on the web. Pokerstars is tied for 1,371st. Google employs 10,674 people, many here in PA. Pokerstars claims 1000, but it's difficult to tell for sure, because it's not American.

We already did this and you got OWNED!!

Your assertion that you are skilled at reading people and using math might impress the other "riverboat gamblers," but the idea that it gives you the authority to deem what is logical or illogical shows you don't understand logic. Please explain the logic of how poker will save America. Can online Halo save us? Second Life? Farmville?

Think I already owned you here too.

Now, to the comparison of smoking pot to playing poker... I know this is going to be difficult, but please follow along: If poker was outlawed, see, people would simply play poker in their own homes, understand? Just like how pot is illegal, but over half of people have tried it, and 20% of the adult population uses at least occasionally. How 'bout if I compare it to sex, maybe that'll help. Not so long ago, fellatio was against the law, but people still did it. It's not the end of the world if you can't do the one thing that makes you feel effective in society. It just sucks for you personally.

Again why does playing poker have to equate to me being effective in society? I go to work and pay my taxes to be an effective member of society. I play poker because I like it. What are you getting at? Is there an actual point here?

In short, this is about you, sstuckey. You play poker, and feel like you're good at it. You feel it is a viable skill. I feel it is as viable and important as being good at Boggle, or Sudoku, so your skill is unimportant to me, and anyone who wastes our time in different ways.

Well I think I already showed how math is a viable, important skill. You should try it sometime. But more importantly because YOU think it's no viable or important to you....that makes it no longer a skill? Or ok maybe it's a skill but you shouldn't be able to make a profit? Or okay maybe it's a skill and maybe you can make a profit from it but.....it should be illegal because....well.....just because. Let me try that logic. I think guitar playing is not viable or important skill. There.....it's no longer a skill. No guitarist should be allowed to make money playing one. In fact I hereby declare all guitarists should be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. I'm grabbing my torch and my lynching rope while thumbing through the phone book....is it spelled VanHalen or Van Halen?! See how silly that sounds now? By the way, I love guitar, I think guitarists are talented wonderful people, and music wouldn't exist without them so please no hate mail!

You don't have to wonder if you're truly a new Libertarian. Because you hyperinflate the importance of something you want because of it's value to you personally, you are Libertarian. That's not a dig. That's ME making a definition. How's it feel?

If that's a bad thing it's news to me. Yeah it benefits me and 10 million other Americans. Imagine that 10 million American people....playing with American dollars....on American soil. Tax it. Regulate it. There's a ton of money out there that could be exchanging hands from American to American....being taxed and taxed and retaxed some more.

Great post! Online poker attracts the few adventurous creative independent people that want more from life than a 9-5 job. Let them have their dream. Some have done extremely well. A few have become MILLIONAIRES. Poker is a game of SKILL (don't underestimate the extent of skill for success in poker; as songsmith appears to be doing) It's also a great relaxing outlet for occasional player. What harm is it doing? Is it creating a public health crises producing hordes of degenerate gamblers? Nah, just the US govt ain't happy till they get in control of all our lives and collect their vig. That's the bottomline. What a shame

Online poker for US citizens (the rest of the World is still playing) will be back, after they get their grubby hands all over it.

[sstuckey]

Sigh. Okay, here goes:
50 US jobs is less than one McDonald's. One McDonald's can close without having any effect on the US unemployment rate.

If you were one of those 50 people with a new job you wouldn't see it like that. Besides you already gave me numbers such as 2 part-timers....to 50...to what was the last one? one thousand? Now here's where this is gonna hurt....I'm going to use your own numbers and research against you. Let's say 1 poker site employs 1,000 people. (your numbers not mine) well there's over 100 poker websites. So now we are talking about 100,000 people employed. Again your numbers not mine...ouch this has got to hurt. that's 100,000 people that now have jobs that didn't before. Consequently that's 100,000 people that are no longer say.....drawing unemployment.....or ummmmmm welfare? That's two positives by removing a negative. But let's just say those numbers are super inflated and we'll reduce the entire total by 10%...that's 10,000 people. Google employs what was it? oh 10,000 people. But according to you my skills (math) are unimportant....but we'll get to that later.

You're assuming that because you play poker, good hard-working Americans are feeding their families, so you have to be able to play your table-game. Never mind Pokerstars is based in the Isle of Man, and Israeli-owned. Never mind the offshore bank accounts

A monkey, or even George W. Bush could figure this one out. Make all online gaming US based. Which I clearly have no issue with. I'm an American I'm not the poker nazi man! Keep poker legal and make it US-based only. Keep the money here, and I'd be hard pressed any of the 10 million American poker players would have a complaint about that.


the fancy book-keeping

Ummmm the money comes in....the money goes out. I'm sure the websites would be more than willing to cooperate with the government and the I.R.S. on establishing a system to control and tax the money. Again a complaint very few players have.....go for it and tax our winnings, we don't care.

the exploitation of addiction

Every website has a 1-800 number for gambling addiction. Does alcohol have one on its bottles? cigarettes? Both of those exploit addictions and they are legal. Im looking at my bottle of tequila and my pack of Marlboros and I'm not seeing a 1-800 number anywhere.

the organized crime ties, money-laundering, bank fraud

Do you have ANY documented proof of any of this? Or have you watched 'Casino' like a hundred billion times?

damn it, you are a bona-fide cardsharp, and there's nobody better, so you MUST play. You have a right, no matter what. In your own little world, you have the power and authority to save the planet. Hey, man, poker is the answer... seems very "logical."

Where in anything I wrote in the history of every post I've ever made on any website let alone rockpage....did I say I was trying to save the planet? I recycle my Pepsi bottles to save the planet....I play poker because I enjoy it. How you twisted this around I gotta see.

Your assertion that these poker sites are on a level of employment or legitimacy of Yahoo or Google, well, that's just silly. I checked, Google is the #1 most-used site on the web. Pokerstars is tied for 1,371st. Google employs 10,674 people, many here in PA. Pokerstars claims 1000, but it's difficult to tell for sure, because it's not American.

We already did this and you got OWNED!!

Your assertion that you are skilled at reading people and using math might impress the other "riverboat gamblers," but the idea that it gives you the authority to deem what is logical or illogical shows you don't understand logic. Please explain the logic of how poker will save America. Can online Halo save us? Second Life? Farmville?

Think I already owned you here too.

Now, to the comparison of smoking pot to playing poker... I know this is going to be difficult, but please follow along: If poker was outlawed, see, people would simply play poker in their own homes, understand? Just like how pot is illegal, but over half of people have tried it, and 20% of the adult population uses at least occasionally. How 'bout if I compare it to sex, maybe that'll help. Not so long ago, fellatio was against the law, but people still did it. It's not the end of the world if you can't do the one thing that makes you feel effective in society. It just sucks for you personally.

Again why does playing poker have to equate to me being effective in society? I go to work and pay my taxes to be an effective member of society. I play poker because I like it. What are you getting at? Is there an actual point here?

In short, this is about you, sstuckey. You play poker, and feel like you're good at it. You feel it is a viable skill. I feel it is as viable and important as being good at Boggle, or Sudoku, so your skill is unimportant to me, and anyone who wastes our time in different ways.

Well I think I already showed how math is a viable, important skill. You should try it sometime. But more importantly because YOU think it's no viable or important to you....that makes it no longer a skill? Or ok maybe it's a skill but you shouldn't be able to make a profit? Or okay maybe it's a skill and maybe you can make a profit from it but.....it should be illegal because....well.....just because. Let me try that logic. I think guitar playing is not viable or important skill. There.....it's no longer a skill. No guitarist should be allowed to make money playing one. In fact I hereby declare all guitarists should be prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. I'm grabbing my torch and my lynching rope while thumbing through the phone book....is it spelled VanHalen or Van Halen?! See how silly that sounds now? By the way, I love guitar, I think guitarists are talented wonderful people, and music wouldn't exist without them so please no hate mail!

You don't have to wonder if you're truly a new Libertarian. Because you hyperinflate the importance of something you want because of it's value to you personally, you are Libertarian. That's not a dig. That's ME making a definition. How's it feel?

If that's a bad thing it's news to me. Yeah it benefits me and 10 million other Americans. Imagine that 10 million American people....playing with American dollars....on American soil. Tax it. Regulate it. There's a ton of money out there that could be exchanging hands from American to American....being taxed and taxed and retaxed some more.

Great post! Online poker attracts the few adventurous creative independent people that want more from life than a 9-5 job. Let them have their dream. Some have done extremely well. A few have become MILLIONAIRES. Poker is a game of SKILL (don't underestimate the extent of skill for success in poker; as songsmith appears to be doing) It's also a great relaxing outlet for occasional player. What harm is it doing? Is it creating a public health crises producing hordes of degenerate gamblers? Nah, just the US govt ain't happy till they get in control of all our lives and collect their vig. That's the bottomline. What a shame

Online poker for US citizens (the rest of the World is still playing) will be back, after they get their grubby hands all over it.

Thank you, and thank you for signing the petition. I'm not sure what it will eventually lead to, but it does feel good knowing you have voiced your opinions, and at least made an effort to get back the rights we deserve and were robbed of. Songsmith the ball is in your court. Impress me with a well thought out rhetorical response. Or.....just ramble excessively without making any real valid points. Either will do, as I thoroughly enjoy dissecting and eventually destroying your ridiculous attempts at making an actual argument.

[songsmith]

Puh-leeze. Okay, Skippy, you win. Poker will save the world. At least until your next hobby comes along.

[sstuckey]

Puh-leeze. Okay, Skippy, you win. Poker will save the world. At least until your next hobby comes along.

Again I'm going to give you ONE LAST CHANCE to show where I said anything remotely close to "I will save the world"
Cut n Paste that from my posts and shut me up....or don't and prove I'm right.
Make an argument....I took what you wrote and line by line destroyed your "points" in any easy to read format (for the thinking impaired)

[songsmith]

No, you didn't.
I pointed out that you're giving way too much value to playing a table game, and you basically told me you're really good at it. Again.
You posted a bunch more stuff about how many jobs poker creates, and assumed that all websites have 100 employees, like the number one site does.
You said to make all online gaming US-based. You can't do that, people play all over the world (just not that many).
You said poker sites would be willing to comply with all US laws and taxes, yet they moved offshore to avoid that.
You said poker sites have 1-800 numbers for addiction, that cigs and alcohol do not (they have mandated warning labels, and account for nearly 50% of non-accidental death.).
You said poker sites do not have criminal ties, then failed to attach any proof.
Then, you missed my point that you're all about poker because you think you're good at it. If you played Boggle, you'd think Boggle-players have a lot of skill, too, despite the millions of variations of the luck of the draw. If you played Tiddley-Winks, we'd all have to hear about what an awesome rubber-ball hand you have.
Then you quit even addressing any points and just said you "owned" me over and over.
You did in fact, ask why poker equates to your being effective in society... pay close attention, now, and read carefully: You are putting WAY too much emphasis on your ability to play a table game. Anyone can see it's really, super-important to you, as you've posted repeatedly. Why? Is it really that important? Incidentally, guitar-playing won't solve all our problems either, and if they outlawed it, I'd still do it. Like pot (get it now?).
I sincerely hope you've given it some actual thought. You're not the only person I know who sees themselves as a cardsharp. Pretty much everybody who plays regularly thinks that, and they all think they can beat you. We were discussing racism and rightwing entitlement to authority, and as a newly-minted Libertarian, you made it about you. Not surprisingly, that is the exact thing that makes you a Libertarian.

Now, I know there were a lot of words in this post, I simply scrolled up and listed every point you made, so don't tase me, bro, okay? Don't wanna get you all confused, or take up too much of this valuable thread.

[Banned]

Mr. Smarmy, you failed to answer his primary question. You did not show where you claimed he said something. Fail. Again.

Then you insult the guy.

Besides being such a government fascist, why are you such an asshole?

[sstuckey]

Mr. Smarmy, you failed to answer his primary question. You did not show where you claimed he said something. Fail. Again.

Then you insult the guy.

Besides being such a government fascist, why are you such an asshole?

Yeah I'm still trying to figure out how in 20 sentences he couldn't answer the ONE question I asked. What the hell man?

[lonewolf]

No, you didn't.

Reminds me of the black knight..."your arm's off"

......"no it isn't"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNKSzmM44gE

[sstuckey]

No, you didn't.
I pointed out that you're giving way too much value to playing a table game, and you basically told me you're really good at it. Again.

Again dude why does this have to change the world? Or the continent? Or even the nation? Dude this is rockpage!! I mean c'mon man. A little reality check bud. So yes I totally agree with you, poker playing isn't a world saving thing.

You posted a bunch more stuff about how many jobs poker creates, and assumed that all websites have 100 employees, like the number one site does.

It's a multi-BILLION dollar industry!! It takes EASILY 10,000 people to run a multi-billion dollar industry!! And I honestly have NO idea how many total poker sites there are. I just happened to find a link for the top 100...which would imply there's alot more than 100. But even if poker only created 50 jobs....that's 50 jobs!! 50 people would be happy! 50 people that would tell you fuck off poker is important to me.

You said to make all online gaming US-based. You can't do that, people play all over the world (just not that many).

And why exactly couldn't you make poker sites solely owned and ran by people in the USA? If it's outside of the USA you can't play.....how tough was that? American ONLY websites would be popping up all over the place. Hello Mcfly?!!!!


You said poker sites would be willing to comply with all US laws and taxes, yet they moved offshore to avoid that.

Again, look at my above statement for your answer.

You said poker sites have 1-800 numbers for addiction, that cigs and alcohol do not (they have mandated warning labels, and account for nearly 50% of non-accidental death.).

The point being made was you said online poker preys on the possibility of addiction. And I said so does alcohol and cigarettes. So if your point was online poker preys on addiction....I retort with so does alcohol and cigarettes...and they should be illegal as well. If your point was alcohol and cigarettes don't prey on addiction in the same manner poker does....then I say.....are you fuckin serious?! How can they both be identical but one is legal and one isn't? Incidentally I'm looking at that same pack of Marlboros and that same bottle of tequila and neither addresses the words "addiction" anywhere. It does says cigarette smoke causes carbon monoxide....and that drinking alcohol while pregnant may cause birth defects and that my ability to drive a vehicle will be impaired but nope.....no where do I see the words addiction. Unlike the 1-800 number I mentioned that is on every website dedicated solely to the word ADDICTION. Just thought you'd like to know that.

You said poker sites do not have criminal ties, then failed to attach any proof.

Guilty until proven innocent? What America do you live in?!

Then, you missed my point that you're all about poker because you think you're good at it. If you played Boggle, you'd think Boggle-players have a lot of skill, too, despite the millions of variations of the luck of the draw. If you played Tiddley-Winks, we'd all have to hear about what an awesome rubber-ball hand you have.

I'm still looking for where I say I'm a great poker player. I did claim to have good math skills...and I do....that's just a fact. I did claim I'm good with observation.....and I am....that's just a fact. These are undebatable facts. But this has nothing to do with the topic....which was...and has always been....should online poker be illegal? When you have a debate with someone you need to provide facts...which I have. Not just pull stuff out of your ass.

Then you quit even addressing any points and just said you "owned" me over and over.

I wrote owned because I already discussed that particular topic but didn't feel the need to address it further since you had alot more rambling I had to go through.


You did in fact, ask why poker equates to your being effective in society... pay close attention, now, and read carefully: You are putting WAY too much emphasis on your ability to play a table game. Anyone can see it's really, super-important to you, as you've posted repeatedly. Why? Is it really that important? Incidentally, guitar-playing won't solve all our problems either, and if they outlawed it, I'd still do it. Like pot (get it now?).

So basically you're saying break the law? The law you're defending? The law you defend is the one law I should break? And how do you explain to someone why something you enjoy doing is important to you? It's of the same importance to me as playing drums, or golf, or watching football, or fishing, or drawing, or the 100's of other hobbies I enjoy doing. When someone takes one of those hobbies away from you...then yes I place a HUGE amount of importance on it. As does 10 million other Americans bud. You are basically saying because it's not YOUR hobby it's not important. How self-centered all-mighty are you?!

I sincerely hope you've given it some actual thought. You're not the only person I know who sees themselves as a cardsharp. Pretty much everybody who plays regularly thinks that, and they all think they can beat you. We were discussing racism and rightwing entitlement to authority, and as a newly-minted Libertarian, you made it about you. Not surprisingly, that is the exact thing that makes you a Libertarian.

Again this is your words not mine. For starters I'd call myself a cardshark not a cardsharp. Secondly I called myself neither...you called me that. As far as interjecting your....."you're a racist...no you're a racist....no you're a racist" discussion....I noticed Frank made a point that went hand in hand with my point. That you really never make a point. You babble some...you babble some more....then you eventually end it with "you're a libertarian"

Now, I know there were a lot of words in this post, I simply scrolled up and listed every point you made, so don't tase me, bro, okay? Don't wanna get you all confused, or take up too much of this valuable thread.

Again because it's not important to you....it's not important....gotcha chief!

[sstuckey]

No, you didn't.

Reminds me of the black knight..."your arm's off"

......"no it isn't"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNKSzmM44gE

Seriously Jeff is this dude for real? Am I, are WE....missing something? I didn't realize rockpage was the place you go to save the planet. Knowing this I'll have to send out some spam emails telling everyone I have the key to the universe and this website is the door! Honestly other than sheer fun of debating I don't know why I'm bothering. I'm winning 6 1/2 people to 1.

[f.sciarrillo]

guitar-playing won't solve all our problems either.

Guitar playing won't. But Air Guitar will.

No, you didn't.

Reminds me of the black knight..."your arm's off"

......"no it isn't"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNKSzmM44gE

Look, you stupid bastard. You've got no arms left!

[songsmith]

Mr. Smarmy, you failed to answer his primary question. You did not show where you claimed he said something. Fail. Again.

Then you insult the guy.

Besides being such a government fascist, why are you such an asshole?

Snarky. It's snarky. If I said, "thanks for that insight, Joe, we reallllly appreciate your valuable input." That's smarmy.

[Banned]

Mr. Smarmy, you failed to answer his primary question. You did not show where you claimed he said something. Fail. Again.

Then you insult the guy.

Besides being such a government fascist, why are you such an asshole?

Snarky. It's snarky. If I said, "thanks for that insight, Joe, we reallllly appreciate your valuable input." That's smarmy.

Why can't or why won't you answer his main question to you? You said in your last post you answer every question.

Could for one time, it would be historical, you actually answer a question that you say you will answer?

[songsmith]

Now, if it takes me all day, I'm going to end this all-encompassing tirade on why you simply must play poker, then you can post claptrap for all eternity, if you like.

No, you didn't.
I pointed out that you're giving way too much value to playing a table game, and you basically told me you're really good at it. Again.

Again dude why does this have to change the world? Or the continent? Or even the nation? Dude this is rockpage!! I mean c'mon man. A little reality check bud. So yes I totally agree with you, poker playing isn't a world saving thing.

Your words: "It is only a multi-billion dollar industry after all. Taxable as well...and imagine that concept. Billions of TAXED dollars, exchanging hands within the borders of our own country. I'll bet with all that money being made and taxed you'd need a couple people to make that happen....would that mean more jobs?? Would making it legal also cost 100% less to enforce the laws currently prohibiting it?

So let me get this right.....billions and billions of dollars.....exchanging hands in our own country....all the while creating more jobs?"
Is using your own words too rambling for you Steve?

sstuckey said: "Now here's where this is gonna hurt....I'm going to use your own numbers and research against you. Let's say 1 poker site employs 1,000 people. (your numbers not mine) well there's over 100 poker websites. So now we are talking about 100,000 people employed. Again your numbers not mine...ouch this has got to hurt. that's 100,000 people that now have jobs that didn't before. Consequently that's 100,000 people that are no longer say.....drawing unemployment.....or ummmmmm welfare? That's two positives by removing a negative. But let's just say those numbers are super inflated and we'll reduce the entire total by 10%...that's 10,000 people. Google employs what was it? oh 10,000 people. But according to you my skills (math) are unimportant....but we'll get to that later."
So it's a hundred thousand US jobs, right?
Also your words: "first let me state adding 50 US jobs is better than 0 US jobs is it not? Illogical thinking"
Okay, so now we're down to 50 jobs.
You posted a bunch more stuff about how many jobs poker creates, and assumed that all websites have 100 employees, like the number one site does.

sstuckey:It's a multi-BILLION dollar industry!! It takes EASILY 10,000 people to run a multi-billion dollar industry!! And I honestly have NO idea how many total poker sites there are. I just happened to find a link for the top 100...which would imply there's alot more than 100. But even if poker only created 50 jobs....that's 50 jobs!! 50 people would be happy! 50 people that would tell you fuck off poker is important to me.

Now, it's EASILY 10,000 people in a MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY.. I'm starting to think you're not as good at math as you think. What comes after the number 10... Jacks?

You said to make all online gaming US-based. You can't do that, people play all over the world (just not that many).

sstuckey, in his own words:And why exactly couldn't you make poker sites solely owned and ran by people in the USA? If it's outside of the USA you can't play.....how tough was that? American ONLY websites would be popping up all over the place. Hello Mcfly?!!!!


Wouldn't regulations like that be fascist? How would you keep those outside the US from using it? Wouldn't that limit the freedoms of Americans in other countries? After all, online poker is a basic human freedom.

I said: You said poker sites would be willing to comply with all US laws and taxes, yet they moved offshore to avoid that.

sstuckey, in his infinite wisdom, said: Again, look at my above statement for your answer.

I am. I still cannot find anything that even sort of resembles an indication that poker sites would be willing to comply with any US taxation. Moving away means you choose profit over benefit to the country.

Me:You said poker sites have 1-800 numbers for addiction, that cigs and alcohol do not (they have mandated warning labels, and account for nearly 50% of non-accidental death.).

You:The point being made was you said online poker preys on the possibility of addiction. And I said so does alcohol and cigarettes. So if your point was online poker preys on addiction....I retort with so does alcohol and cigarettes...and they should be illegal as well. If your point was alcohol and cigarettes don't prey on addiction in the same manner poker does....then I say.....are you fuckin serious?! How can they both be identical but one is legal and one isn't? Incidentally I'm looking at that same pack of Marlboros and that same bottle of tequila and neither addresses the words "addiction" anywhere. It does says cigarette smoke causes carbon monoxide....and that drinking alcohol while pregnant may cause birth defects and that my ability to drive a vehicle will be impaired but nope.....no where do I see the words addiction. Unlike the 1-800 number I mentioned that is on every website dedicated solely to the word ADDICTION. Just thought you'd like to know that.

Okay, this makes no sense at all, and I'm laughing out loud at your calling my posts "rambling." What point are you trying to make here? It could be A) including a tollfree number for addiction is all you need to stop people from betting their SocSec check, B) alcohol and tobacco are more socially acceptable than poker, C) Gambling addiction is the sole reason online poker is a non-issue,... I truly have no grasp on what the f**k you're talking about, and obviously, neither do you.

Me:You said poker sites do not have criminal ties, then failed to attach any proof.

You: Guilty until proven innocent? What America do you live in?!
The one where every facet of gambling has had Mob ties since the Mob existed. Shall I post info on every gangster in Vegas?

Me:Then, you missed my point that you're all about poker because you think you're good at it. If you played Boggle, you'd think Boggle-players have a lot of skill, too, despite the millions of variations of the luck of the draw. If you played Tiddley-Winks, we'd all have to hear about what an awesome rubber-ball hand you have.

You: I'm still looking for where I say I'm a great poker player. I did claim to have good math skills...and I do....that's just a fact. I did claim I'm good with observation.....and I am....that's just a fact. These are undebatable facts. But this has nothing to do with the topic....which was...and has always been....should online poker be illegal? When you have a debate with someone you need to provide facts...which I have. Not just pull stuff out of your ass.

Did you catch that? You first say "I'm not a great poker-player," then went on to tell us about your mad skills. Niiiice.

Me talking: Then you quit even addressing any points and just said you "owned" me over and over.

I wrote owned because I already discussed that particular topic but didn't feel the need to address it further since you had alot more rambling I had to go through.
So, how can I construe that any other way than you "owned" me, despite not actually participating fully in the argument. You win, because, well, you win. Remind me not to play ANY game with you.


You did in fact, ask why poker equates to your being effective in society... pay close attention, now, and read carefully: You are putting WAY too much emphasis on your ability to play a table game. Anyone can see it's really, super-important to you, as you've posted repeatedly. Why? Is it really that important? Incidentally, guitar-playing won't solve all our problems either, and if they outlawed it, I'd still do it. Like pot (get it now?).

More of your douchbaggery:So basically you're saying break the law? The law you're defending? The law you defend is the one law I should break? And how do you explain to someone why something you enjoy doing is important to you? It's of the same importance to me as playing drums, or golf, or watching football, or fishing, or drawing, or the 100's of other hobbies I enjoy doing. When someone takes one of those hobbies away from you...then yes I place a HUGE amount of importance on it. As does 10 million other Americans bud. You are basically saying because it's not YOUR hobby it's not important. How self-centered all-mighty are you?!

How is that tremendously different from you, who goes on and on about your silly game like it's the most important issue facing America today. You originally asked if online poker should be legal, I said, "Who cares?" and your bunghole got all sore. End of story.
I won't repost the rest of it, it was me telling you that poker players take a lot of their self-worth from a table-game, which is kind of like being a bar-room rock star. I'm a bit of a bar-room rockstar, myself, I just don't expect people to get out of my way because of it. Nor do I pretend that being a local rocker affects anyone but me.

Final 'ownage':Again because it's not important to you....it's not important....gotcha chief!
So, if it's important to you, it's important? Gotcha, Skippy. Reconsider Boggle. It's fun, and it could save our country from government oppression.

[lonewolf]

Now, if it takes me all day, I'm going to end this all-encompassing tirade on why you simply must play poker, then you can post claptrap for all eternity, if you like.

I'll tell you why in a minute. Its because he feels like it.

To that end, he is doing no harm to anyone.

I call that the pursuit of happiness.

[sstuckey]

Mr. Smarmy, you failed to answer his primary question. You did not show where you claimed he said something. Fail. Again.

Then you insult the guy.

Besides being such a government fascist, why are you such an asshole?

Snarky. It's snarky. If I said, "thanks for that insight, Joe, we reallllly appreciate your valuable input." That's smarmy.

Why can't or why won't you answer his main question to you? You said in your last post you answer every question.

Could for one time, it would be historical, you actually answer a question that you say you will answer?

I'll tell ya why Joe....
Because there is no answer, because it was never said by me. He knows it...I know it....and there is no answer he can provide so he's dodging the question at hand. Sure he'll spout off a few incorrect facts. Some of which might even pertain to the discussion. And some will have absolutely NOTHING to do with anything I said. And he'll finish his pointless remarks with...this is why you are a libertarian. I didn't realize my posts on rockpage were supposed to be earth saving!! I didn't take into consideration the other life changing posts such as.....
Really good cover songs
Worst cover songs ever
Your dream instrument
or... I'm just a cat doing cat stuff
Obviously these are all topics guaranteed to help save the planet.

[sstuckey]

Snarky. It's snarky. If I said, "thanks for that insight, Joe, we reallllly appreciate your valuable input." That's smarmy.

Why can't or why won't you answer his main question to you? You said in your last post you answer every question.

Could for one time, it would be historical, you actually answer a question that you say you will answer?

I'll tell ya why Joe....
Because there is no answer, because it was never said by me. He knows it...I know it....and there is no answer he can provide so he's dodging the question at hand. Sure he'll spout off a few incorrect facts. Some of which might even pertain to the discussion. And some will have absolutely NOTHING to do with anything I said. And he'll finish his pointless remarks with...this is why you are a libertarian. I didn't realize my posts on rockpage were supposed to be earth saving!! I didn't take into consideration the other life changing posts such as.....
Really good cover songs
Worst cover songs ever
Your dream instrument
or... I'm just a cat doing cat stuff
Obviously these are all topics guaranteed to help save the planet.

However I would like to point out the "you're a racist.....no you are....no you are.....no you are.....well your momma!!" posts.....THAT WILL CHANGE THE NATION. All I asked for was a simple yes or no...should poker be legal or illegal....and your basic assault on my thread is... who cares? It's not a topic such as world peace....or world hunger.....or whatever....therefore why post it?

The answer is....because I felt like it! Should I check with you before I post any more threads asking a question? Because heaven forbid I don't change a nation with my posts!!

[songsmith]

Well holy heck, boys, I stand corrected. Online poker really is irrelevant and meaningless, you've all admitted that. It doesn't really create a 100,000 jobs or 10,000, like you originally said. It's a hobby, like you said. No wait, I said all those things first.
And I thank you for all the FREEDOM you've given me in the last 48 hours, I thought posting my opinion that poker is just an avocation amounted to an... opinion, but you've shown me that only the opinions YOU ALLOW will be acceptable. Typical libertarian responses all 'round, I can say whatever I want unless it doesn't jive with your "rules." Thanks so much for the liberty, it feels really good to say whatever I want, inside the boundaries of your approval.
I feel like a new man! Wow, it feels good to know that I'd "eat Obama's shit" and that I'm a "little prick with a huge ego." Awesome stuff, this is. Life-changing.
Now, go play your card-game. I didn't care in the first place. That's what I posted.