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[Loismustdie 0]

Douchebag? Really? Is that how we get our point across now in politics? Seriously dissapointed in DN right now. I agree that this should be fought- actually, it should have been a long time ago, by the very sites who know that they are circumventing the law, and that circumvention makes up by best estimates 80% of there buisness. Maybe, just maybe collective thumbing of the nose at U.S. Gaming laws wasn't the way to go? I agree that online Gambling should be legalized and then regulated, and maybe this is a step in the right direction, because now the sites that were making money hand over fist will have to go through the process of introducing legislation to do it right. That's a good thing.

[wickedbadman 0]

I was actually glad he flat out stated it. Hes a regular person just like all of us, why does his choice of words need to be held to a higher standard. BILL FRIST = HUGE ****** BAG!

[nutzbuster 7]

All name calling and bashing aside, good blog D. I also signed up immediately after reading, so thanks for the link to the Poker Players Alliance. I actaully am feeling a little better about the whole situation...hope it all works out.And congrats on getting back into the "SWING" of things.

[Santzes 0]

That PPA Sign Up page gives me an error:* Other State: This field takes letters (A-Z upper/lowercase), numbers (0-9), spaces, and apostrahies only.I selected other state from listbox ('cause I live in finland), wrote "Mikkeli" (without "-characters) and doesn't work.. Doesn't work if I leave it empty, or select Not Applicable I already sent them an email, but does that sign-up work for anyone else living outside US here?

[edge52 0]

I think it's a US only thing. I tried signing up for the stars $1 tourneys that got you a free membership, and it said "this tournament is available only to players from the US"

[Santzes 0]

I think it's a US only thing. I tried signing up for the stars $1 tourneys that got you a free membership, and it said "this tournament is available only to players from the US"

If it's US only, why can you choose the country and there's textbox for "OTHER STATE: (Non US/Canada)"?

[mackzymal 0]

"In a time where Italy recently announced that they will legalize online gambling and most European countries following suit,"BTW In europe it has only been Italy who have had a hard time with Online gambling.. All! the other european countrys.. I wouldent say no problem with it.. but have no way of stopping it.. so its allowed..In Sweden the gouverment have started there own site where u can play online.. they also run the legal casinoes.. Hope Norway gets it soon hehePeace (u need it )

[socalpoker_j 1]

It had to be put in such blunt simple terms, what Frist is pushing is just plain wrong on the many levels that DN addressed. You aren't going to get any argument out of me, fine post.

[Loismustdie 0]

I was actually glad he flat out stated it. Hes a regular person just like all of us, why does his choice of words need to be held to a higher standard. BILL FRIST = HUGE ****** BAG!

Sure. He is worth how much? He has how many buisness ventures? How many people are influenced by him vs. say, you? Maybe you should rethink that regular person, no higher standard point of view. As an ambassador for poker- as DN is, deservedly- he is most definitely held to a higher standard.

[DanielNegreanu 141]

Sure. He is worth how much? He has how many buisness ventures? How many people are influenced by him vs. say, you? Maybe you should rethink that regular person, no higher standard point of view. As an ambassador for poker- as DN is, deservedly- he is most definitely held to a higher standard.

Dude, I'm sorry you weren't cool with the way I described Frist and his ways about doing what he did, but IMO it was just so slimy that it was the most appropriate thing I could think of. It's really just so wrong on so many levels.

[TCTC 0]

Dude, I'm sorry you weren't cool with the way I described Frist and his ways about doing what he did, but IMO it was just so slimy that it was the most appropriate thing I could think of. It's really just so wrong on so many levels.

This is a long post, but I totally agree with DN on this whole issue including his choice of words. I am amazed at the response from Lois. Are you kidding me? DN calling someone a name out of frustration bothers you? Come on, you cant be a "real" poker player if what DN said disappoints you, lol. Plus, why do you feel DN or anyone else is held to a higher standard? I mean you cant pick and choose, so the standard that DN is held too, is that higher or lower than say Terrell Owens?, Madonna's?, the Pope's?, yours?, or mine? Where do you draw the line? So, what you are saying is that we are not smart enough to form our own opinions and that we can be easily influenced by a "big-time celebrity?" I love this!!!!! The USA is a great country, but lately one poor decision after another is ruining this country. We are slowly losing everything this country once stood for and it needs to stop.How can a politician put his personal views ahead of our freedoms? Enough with the moralizing and telling us how "big brother" is watching us and knows whats best for us. Soon we are going to be left with nothing. Once again, where do you draw the line? Smoking and drinking is ok, but no online poker playing? etc., etc. I mean how can one politician tell the rest of us what is morally acceptable and what isnt? This is really a joke.The government's position on this is short-sighted and hypocritical. By legalizing online gambling, our government would encourage the development of online sites that are operated within the United States. By extension, this would provide another revenue stream via taxation and a means to regulate the industry without trying to circumvent international law. However, rather than realizing this new revenue stream, our government is content to spend millions to minimize the impact of offshore operations.Given that townships, states and the federal government tax nearly everything and anything to balance out their increasing spending, this would appear to be a simple decision.While pilfering from the poor via state run gambling, our politicians are bemoaning the popularity of internet gambling. However, studies have shown that the typical online gambler tends to be a male, 25-34, with a college degree and with more disposable income than the average laborer. I'm sure that exceptions certainly exist, but by and large, the online gambling community appears to consist of well-educated people with the means to entertain themselves via gambling rather than low-income individuals.Obviously, the concern is clearly not about the impact on lower middle class and poverty stricken people and families. State sponsored gambling, via lotteries and scratch-offs, offer horrific returns and absurdly long odds. Your standard pick-three lotto, for example, returns only about $550 on what are mathematically 1000-1 odds. In all forms of gambling, the odds and payouts favor the house, but state lotteries are particularly galling. You won't find any online sites or even a local bookie who take even a quarter of the reprehensible 45% juice that the State happily assesses.Clearly, our government approves of gambling without much concern, other than lip service, to its impact on its constituents. So, why wouldn't they legalize online gambling and permit sites within the US?I think the answer is that they simply can't tax it enough to be economically viable and competitive versus existing off-shore sites. It's much more cost effective to eliminate to discourage online gambling via the spectre of law enforcement than to try to compete domestically against it. The theory, I believe, is that online gamblers would find another avenue for their disposable income, preferably via state lotteries and their ridiculous returns or, at the least, via commercial goods, which are taxed every step of the way from production to purchase.A 6-10% juice is too small-time for our government, but the millions leaving the country can't be ignored. So, solve the problem by legislating our lives ao that we have no more freedom of choice? Frist has to be an arrogant *** to push this BS through the way he did by attaching it to the port security bill. I mean where are his morals? These politicians are so out of touch with reality it is sick. I read an earlier post on here about joining the Libertarian Party and I went to the website and it really seems like the Libertarians get it. The Republican Party has lost me as a voter. Even a person in a coma could tell that the Republicans and Deomocrats dont care about any of us. Some do, but the majority of them just care about catering to special-interests and doing whatever is needed to get re-elected. I am not a shill for the Libertarian Party and have no connection to them whatsoever, but I will vote for them in the upcoming elections based on what I read on their website. If anyone is interested the site is: www.lp.org.Once again, sorry for the long post, but this BS has really gotten to me.TCTC

[BigWaveSurfer 0]

well said post TCTC, i agree.

[Shizzmoney 0]

The weasel is a self-righteous douchebag

Now I can see why you may be a bit dissapointed in the way DN described Frist because of his stature in the poker community.......but you know what? What says that DN's assesment about him isn't correct? The guy is a hypocritical douchebag, clear and simple. How does the man, who apparently is against gambling in an online form, support it in a live format? What's the difference to him? I guess the difference to him is recieving a campaign contribution from Harrah's just over a year ago.As I laid out in earlier post, this is NOT about Frist's "concern" about Americans' well being and morality and online gambling's "relation" with terrorism. That's all a rouse for those to point to that and say, "LOOK! He's doing this because he's a religious zealot!" That's not the case. The best way to pull of a scam or evil deed is to convince people that it never exists.This is always been about how he, and those alligned with Yosemite Sam (i.e. the Republican Party), can appease and profit with those who give them money. This post on NeverwinPoker, with sources, pretty much lays out all the details about how Frist, and the various companies he represents, personally profit off of this bill passing. It is NOT the first time Frist has tried to pull off shadyiness via Congress for personal profit in Wall Street. This time he attmepts to cover it with a Christian, Patriotic cloak (which, IMO, is disgusting). It is NOT a coincidence that Harrah's made a big business deal the morning of this bill going through. I wouldn't be surprised if Put Options were not taken by his Wall Street buddies on various UK gambling sites that they anticipated annoucing the banning of U.S. customers on Monday morning because they knew that he'd somehow sneak the anti-gambling provision in there. If it smells like a rat and looks like a rat, then you know what? It's probably a douchebag rat.

[cu in 4years Dan 1]

Dude, I'm sorry you weren't cool with the way I described Frist and his ways about doing what he did, but IMO it was just so slimy that it was the most appropriate thing I could think of. It's really just so wrong on so many levels.

i agree woth loismustdie on one level, and disagree with him on a whole different one.while i think that he is making decsions that are totally un-informed, i dont think that the correct way to go about it is calling him names (even though he is acting like a ******-bag).i suck at limit mtt's. does that make me a moron? no.i just need to learn how to go about playing them and learn correct strat.it is clear that he has about 0 clue when it comes to poker, and Daniel you are right in saying that he probably doesnt know the difference between poker and a slot machine.maybe (i COMPLETELY doubt it, but it is a maybe) if we informed him about what poker is really all about, and explain the difference between poker and a slot machine, and tell him that a large ammount of US people make a living off poker he, we might be able to get something done about this bill.and www.pokerplayersalliance.org/ is the way to do it.

[LeighWdWTravel 0]

Douchebag? Really? Is that how we get our point across now in politics? Seriously dissapointed in DN right now. I agree that this should be fought- actually, it should have been a long time ago, by the very sites who know that they are circumventing the law, and that circumvention makes up by best estimates 80% of there buisness. Maybe, just maybe collective thumbing of the nose at U.S. Gaming laws wasn't the way to go? I agree that online Gambling should be legalized and then regulated, and maybe this is a step in the right direction, because now the sites that were making money hand over fist will have to go through the process of introducing legislation to do it right. That's a good thing.

Why..DN merely called him an appliance as a means to personal hygeine..that could almost be considered a compliment right? But I agree, Frist is an absolute tool. We've got politicians diddling with teen interns, and they're worried about online gambling?!?!?! Betcha if the government could find a way to profit from it, all this crap would go away @@

[SuitedAces21 2,722]

Douchebag? Really? Is that how we get our point across now in politics? Seriously dissapointed in DN right now.

what the hell is wrong with you?

[Bohica 0]

Why..DN merely called him an appliance as a means to personal hygeine..that could almost be considered a compliment right? But I agree, Frist is an absolute tool. We've got politicians diddling with teen interns, and they're worried about online gambling?!?!?! Betcha if the government could find a way to profit from it, all this crap would go away @@

Personal opinion only, but this PC world we live in makes me want to hurl!!!If you think someone is a ******-bag, why shouldn't DN express his feelings towards that person???Did Mr. Frist go to all the media and tell everyone and their dog what he was planning on doing?? NO!! So why should we worry about his feelings, or those who care nothing about ours??I realize that this is the way things get done, and has been for a long time (anyone ever see Mr. Smith goes to Washington??). We aren't going to change that by being PC and saying "excuse me but I don't like this". We're going to get it changed by banding together and shouting "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore".Daniel; thanks for responding to me on MySpace yesterday. I hope you're going to delve further into this mess in a future blog or in your Card Player column as you mentioned to me.

[Canada 0]

what the hell is wrong with you?

Follow my sig, it will give you a clue...

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

Daniel is certainly entitled to his opinions. I do have a slight problem with a visitor to our country who moved and is living here because he cannot make as good of a living in his own country then criticizing our system and even encouraging political action for his own self-interests. Anybody here ever try to go to Canada to make a living. Good luck with that, they won't even let you over the border. Again, each is entitled to his opinion, but I have little patience with visitors taking full advantage of our opportunities and at the same time disrespeting our system and calling our leaders “Douchebags”.

[irishguy 14]

Daniel is certainly entitled to his opinions. I do have a slight problem with a visitor to our country who moved and is living here because he cannot make as good of a living in his own country then criticizing our system and even encouraging political action for his own self-interests. Anybody here ever try to go to Canada to make a living. Good luck with that, they won't even let you over the border. Again, each is entitled to his opinion, but I have little patience with visitors taking full advantage of our opportunities and at the same time disrespeting our system and calling our leaders “Douchebags”.

IMO the fact that he pays taxes in your Country entitles him to voice his opinions on the issues he chooses, he is "taking full advantage of your opportunities and at the same time disrespecting your system" while acting in every fashion as a citizen of your country. His voicing his opinion whether you agree with it or not is him showing how much he cares about your country. Isn't freedom of speech a thing that your Country is pretty big on.

[checkymcfold 0]

guys, in all fairness, the piggybacking of unrelated bills for the purposes of garnering political support from religious/economic/social groups at the end of a congressional term has been done a LOT, and by both parties. while i do agree with the fact that frist is a douchebag, it has more to do with the fact that he is two things: first, a politician, generally; second, a former trained medical doctor who stated publically last year that he had doubts that AIDS could not be transmitted by touch, kissing, etc. at the behest of the christian right.it's a trait common to all "democracies" that its citizens will not express distaste for its government or a general trend therein until it directly affects them in some way. the piggybacking of bills at the ends of congressional terms has happened more times than we all can count (cards). it's only now that we've been made aware of the practice, since it's only now that it's really pissing us off. that's fine, and it shouldn't affect how much we are pissed off, but everyone should know that it's happened numerous times before.it's also important that everyone know that i still think frist's a douchebag.

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

guys, in all fairness, the piggybacking of unrelated bills for the purposes of garnering political support from religious/economic/social groups at the end of a congressional term has been done a LOT, and by both parties. while i do agree with the fact that frist is a douchebag, it has more to do with the fact that he is two things: first, a politician, generally; second, a former trained medical doctor who stated publically last year that he had doubts that AIDS could not be transmitted by touch, kissing, etc. at the behest of the christian right.it's a trait common to all "democracies" that its citizens will not express distaste for its government or a general trend therein until it directly affects them in some way. the piggybacking of bills at the ends of congressional terms has happened more times than we all can count (cards). it's only now that we've been made aware of the practice, since it's only now that it's really pissing us off. that's fine, and it shouldn't affect how much we are pissed off, but everyone should know that it's happened numerous times before.it's also important that everyone know that i still think frist's a douchebag.

Well put.

[LeighWdWTravel 0]

Daniel is certainly entitled to his opinions. I do have a slight problem with a visitor to our country who moved and is living here because he cannot make as good of a living in his own country then criticizing our system and even encouraging political action for his own self-interests. Anybody here ever try to go to Canada to make a living. Good luck with that, they won't even let you over the border. Again, each is entitled to his opinion, but I have little patience with visitors taking full advantage of our opportunities and at the same time disrespeting our system and calling our leaders “Douchebags”.

Hey, it it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, doesn't matter what nationality points it out, its still a freaking duck. So, you're saying it's ok for those of us who were born here to criticize our government, but *visitors* (and sorry, a *visit* is kind of a temp type thing, not a move here and reside thing) aren't allowed to? Gosh, aren't we just a bit uppity?

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

IMO the fact that he pays taxes in your Country entitles him to voice his opinions on the issues he chooses, he is "taking full advantage of your opportunities and at the same time disrespecting your system" while acting in every fashion as a citizen of your country. His voicing his opinion whether you agree with it or not is him showing how much he cares about your country. Isn't freedom of speech a thing that your Country is pretty big on.

First off, you've got it a litttle backwards. The fact that the man earns money here REQUIRES him to pay taxes. Our Constitution grants certain Rights and Privlidges to our Citizens. His payment of taxes entitles him to nothing.I made it pretty clear that I was NOT denying him an opinion. I am saying that he is being a bit of a hypocrite and very poor visitor by taking advantage of our opportunities, but then disrespecting his hosts.

[fleung22 1]

Douchebag? Really? Is that how we get our point across now in politics?

Makes me think of when "damn" was considered a bad word.Dude, it's not that big of a deal.Checky, good response. I wish I could be bothered to write something meaningful today.