well now that my only form of meager income has been unjustly taken away....

[BikerBabe 0]

anyone have a job? I'm overqualified, too smart by half, i get shit done, and am willing to work for a pittance.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-poker-busts-20110416,0,308055.story

the thing is...online poker itself isn't really illegal, and never has been. US banks' dealing with online gambling sites is what they tried to regulate. These are some trumped up charges, right here.

This isn't democrat or republican, this is both. It's a question of freedom. All you "small government" republicans should be up in arms about things like this, but really, it's the morally superior repubs who sponsor shit like this, who block all attempts at regulation and taxation of online poker, and who like to legislate my "morality" (as if playing poker is a moral issue at all).

Democrats should be up in arms because once again a freedom is being taken away, albeit a small one.

Ugh.

You know what's worst? People in Iran and Afghanistan and Iraq can log into pokerstars and play right now, and I CANNOT. this is america? what happened to us?

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[Gravitymaster 0]

Yep, the Obama Justice Department led by Eric Holder shuts down online gambling and it's all the Republicans fault.

[kallend 1,623]

Quote

Yep, the Obama Justice Department led by Eric Holder shuts down online gambling and it's all the Republicans fault.

"Eleven people, including the founders of the three largest poker sites open to U.S. players, were charged by a federal grand jury with bank fraud, money laundering and violating gambling laws. The government also is seeking to recover $3 billion from the companies."

So you're all in favor of bank fraud.

I bet you liked the way those Wall St. execs who gave us a global recession walked away with $millions in bonuses too.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[BikerBabe 0]

eh, if you research the issue at all, you know that it's actually BOTH parties' fault. This DOJ thing is just the icing on the cake started by republicans. Bill Frist for attaching the UIGEA to the port security bill literally at midnight the night before it was passed.

Spencer Bauchus for blocking ALL attempts by congress to legalize and regulate online poker.

Fucking focus on the fucking family for leading some kind of moral crusade against online poker and any attempt at legalizing and regulating.

Basically, this is ALL ABOUT MONEY. Government wasn't getting their cut, so instead of going about it the RIGHT way, they stall legislation and go after the little guy. Because you can bet your ass the money I have sitting online at full tilt and pokerstars, which i was already reporting to the IRS, won't be seen by me ever again.

Never really wanted to move to canada until now...

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[Gravitymaster 0]

Quote

Quote

Yep, the Obama Justice Department led by Eric Holder shuts down online gambling and it's all the Republicans fault.

"Eleven people, including the founders of the three largest poker sites open to U.S. players, were charged by a federal grand jury with bank fraud, money laundering and violating gambling laws. The government also is seeking to recover $3 billion from the companies."

So you're all in favor of bank fraud.

I bet you liked the way those Wall St. execs who gave us a global recession walked away with $millions in bonuses too.

I do believe in the 10+ years I have been posting here that this is the most muddle headed, non sensical, non-sequitor post I have ever seen you make. Feeling OK?

[kallend 1,623]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Yep, the Obama Justice Department led by Eric Holder shuts down online gambling and it's all the Republicans fault.

"Eleven people, including the founders of the three largest poker sites open to U.S. players, were charged by a federal grand jury with bank fraud, money laundering and violating gambling laws. The government also is seeking to recover $3 billion from the companies."

So you're all in favor of bank fraud.

I bet you liked the way those Wall St. execs who gave us a global recession walked away with $millions in bonuses too.

I do believe in the 10+ years I have been posting here that this is the most muddle headed, non sensical, non-sequitor post I have ever seen you make. Feeling OK?

So you ARE in favor of bank fraud. OK.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[BikerBabe 0]

Actually, I think the point he's making is, where are the DOJ indictments against the banks and firms who basically ruined the country's economy by "gambling" with our money? oh right...they got bailouts! From...BOTH bush AND obama.

I guess pokerstars didn't contribute enough to political campaigns (either party!)

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[Gravitymaster 0]

Right....as I said the Obama Justice Department shut them down unless you think the Republicans tell Obama and Holder what to do. They can't even get them to enforce existing immigration laws.

[Gravitymaster 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote

Yep, the Obama Justice Department led by Eric Holder shuts down online gambling and it's all the Republicans fault.

"Eleven people, including the founders of the three largest poker sites open to U.S. players, were charged by a federal grand jury with bank fraud, money laundering and violating gambling laws. The government also is seeking to recover $3 billion from the companies."

So you're all in favor of bank fraud.

I bet you liked the way those Wall St. execs who gave us a global recession walked away with $millions in bonuses too.

I do believe in the 10+ years I have been posting here that this is the most muddle headed, non sensical, non-sequitor post I have ever seen you make. Feeling OK?

So you ARE in favor of bank fraud. OK.

Err.. yeah, John. OK, whatever you say. Now go take a nice little nappy.

[yourmomma 0]

Online gambling was made illegal in 2006. They resorted to fraud and "offshore" banks to circumvent the law. Much like not everything standing erect is a penis. Not everything is obama's fault.

[BikerBabe 0]

argh, the UIGEA did NOT make "oinline gambling" illegal. It made it illegal for banks to transact with online gambling firms. The law didn't take effect until last year, anyway.

And the UIGEA was a rider added to the Port security act of 2006 literally at midnight the day before passage, by Bill Frist (a republican) to appease his religious right wing constituents for a future presidential bid.

Not to mention, poker has been determined by many courts to be a game of skill, and separate from traditional gambling (race books, sports books, black jack, casino games).

This is about money, plain and simple. And it's not an obama or a bush issue, it's an issue of the governemtn spending money on worrying about stupid shit other than stuff that really needs to be taken care of, like corporate welfare...

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[normiss 622]

and weed.

[lawrocket 3]

I opened a trust account last week and had to sign a piece of paper swearing that I was not engaged in online gambling. The banker and I shook our heads at the ridiculousness of it - yeah, let's make a law that sends all the money offshore.

Yes - this IS a Republican issue more than Democrat. Holder is doing his job enforcing the law. It was a GOP Congress and POTUS that signed this law and all because of the people who ruin their lives gambling online.

And BikerBabe - welcome to the Libertarian party.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[ryoder 1,384]

I can sleep so much better at night knowing all the serious problems have been solved, so now we can focus on limiting what people can do with their own money.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[Conundrum 1]

I have a job for ya if you wanna work at Van Nuys airport on the weekends

[CarrieByTheSea 0]

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And BikerBabe - welcome to the Libertarian party.

"Nature is cruel, but we don't have to be." ~ Temple Grandin

[Bolas 5]

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Government wasn't getting their cut, so instead of going about it the RIGHT way, they stall legislation and go after the little guy. Because you can bet your ass the money I have sitting online at full tilt and pokerstars, which i was already reporting to the IRS, won't be seen by me ever again.

They were sending 1099s to you for your winnings?

If so, the gov't was getting at least part of its cut.

Legislating victimless morality is pointless.

Legalize all gambling, drugs, prostitution, etc. Far easier to control with economic policy and profitable too vs banning something then having to enforce that ban in addition.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[Bolas 5]

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And BikerBabe - welcome to the Libertarian party.

http://video.adultswim.com/robot-chicken/we-are-the-victors.html

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

Quote

Government wasn't getting their cut, so instead of going about it the RIGHT way, they stall legislation and go after the little guy. Because you can bet your ass the money I have sitting online at full tilt and pokerstars, which i was already reporting to the IRS, won't be seen by me ever again.

They were sending 1099s to you for your winnings?

If so, the gov't was getting at least part of its cut.

you don't need a 1099 to report income. It just prevents you from underreporting.

[diablopilot 2]

Quote

And BikerBabe - welcome to the Libertarian party.

And we get one more. :-)

And we get Ron to run again?

----------------------------------------------
You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[BikerBabe 0]

ahh, and here is a good illustration of the differences between poker and gambling.

If you win, say, a slot jackpot of 600 bucks or more, the money is paid out to you by the casino. They issue a 1099 because they are required to do so, as if they paid you a wage.

Poker is NOT played against the house. poker winnings are won solely from other players. There is really no way to get a 1099 for this, as other players aren't considered employers or other corporate entities that can award wages/salaries/rewards.

The only way my poker wins and losses are taxed (or reported for exemption...just depends on how well i ran that year) are by my own admission on my tax return. And as there are really no receipts for winnings, it's mostly done on faith. Losses can be easier to track, especially for tournament players, as records of tourney buy-ins are kept.

you would be surprised at how professional poker players are actually quite honest about taxes. trust me, they want poker to be seen as a legitimate form of income as any other job. Besides, being honest about it just keeps the wheels greased for when things like this idiocy come along.

And yes, America, land of the free...except where spending your own money is concerned. on that issue, you're just going to have to trust in the government to do what is right for you.

I have friends who make their sole living playing online. it is their job. 8 hours, 12 hours a day, playing poker and winning enough consistently to sustain themselves. It isn't gambling, it is skill. I already know people, American citizens, who are searching for places to live in canada, mexico, europe, south america, etc so they can continue to eat. How can anyone think this idiocy is the correct course of action?

*sigh*

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[kallend 1,623]

Quote

Right....as I said the Obama Justice Department shut them down unless you think the Republicans tell Obama and Holder what to do. They can't even get them to enforce existing immigration laws.

What rubbish. The laws against online gambling were pushed by the right.

Just how successful was Prohibition? And how successful have laws against prostitution been over the past 3,000 years?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Gravitymaster 0]

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Right....as I said the Obama Justice Department shut them down unless you think the Republicans tell Obama and Holder what to do. They can't even get them to enforce existing immigration laws.

What rubbish. The laws against online gambling were pushed by the right.

Just how successful was Prohibition? And how successful have laws against prostitution been over the past 3,000 years?

Non-sequitor. I was making a judgement as to the . morality or enforceability. Just pointing out that Obama ignores laws he disafrees with such as immigration laws so, to blame this entirely on Republicans has no merit.

[kallend 1,623]

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Right....as I said the Obama Justice Department shut them down unless you think the Republicans tell Obama and Holder what to do. They can't even get them to enforce existing immigration laws.

What rubbish. The laws against online gambling were pushed by the right.

Just how successful was Prohibition? And how successful have laws against prostitution been over the past 3,000 years?

Non-sequitor. I was making a judgement as to the . morality or enforceability. Just pointing out that Obama ignores laws he disafrees with such as immigration laws so, to blame this entirely on Republicans has no merit.

Your ignorance is deplorable.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072501790.html

"The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency expects to deport about 400,000 people this fiscal year, nearly 10 percent above the Bush administration's 2008 total and 25 percent more than were deported in 2007. The pace of company audits has roughly quadrupled since President George W. Bush's final year in office."

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Gravitymaster 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

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Right....as I said the Obama Justice Department shut them down unless you think the Republicans tell Obama and Holder what to do. They can't even get them to enforce existing immigration laws.

What rubbish. The laws against online gambling were pushed by the right.

Just how successful was Prohibition? And how successful have laws against prostitution been over the past 3,000 years?

Non-sequitor. I was making a judgement as to the . morality or enforceability. Just pointing out that Obama ignores laws he disafrees with such as immigration laws so, to blame this entirely on Republicans has no merit.

Your ignorance is deplorable.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/25/AR2010072501790.html

"The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency expects to deport about 400,000 people this fiscal year, nearly 10 percent above the Bush administration's 2008 total and 25 percent more than were deported in 2007. The pace of company audits has roughly quadrupled since President George W. Bush's final year in office."

I wouldn't use Bush as a barometer. He was very weak on immigration too.