UIGEA - It's not just the Republicans

While I am sure that all of us have at least some knowledge of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA), I continue to hear how the Republicans forced this down our throats. While I will acknowledge that it was more widely supported by Republicans, it was certainly supported on both sides of the aisle.

Case in point; Prior to the passage of the UIGEA I took the time to write each and every Senator & Representative in my state and let them know my opinion on the various bills that dealt with online poker. While I received the typical ambiguous political form letter from most of the politicians, the response that troubled me most was from Peter DeFazio, a Democrat from what is arguably the most liberal district in the state of Oregon. In his reply he echoed the typical overreaction about terrorists, money laundering, creating a generation of compulsive gamblers, ruined lives and nearly every other argument you have already heard.

My point is this. In order to defeat or undo the UIGEA we must vote the bums out. This is not a Republican or Democrat, red or blue problem. This is a problem with those that are uninformed or worse yet, those that have no intention of becoming informed. Please take the time to contact your representatives and find out their position on the UIGEA. After you know where they stand, educate your friends, local poker group, and neighbors. Let's keep those that are sympathetic to our cause. As for the rest, VOTE THE BUMS OUT.

Military Motivation II

Lets Play RAZZ

Played in the Ante Up AIPS II RAZZ event tonight. Finished 2nd out of 86 and also picked up some extra points for knocking out both Chris (willhopper) & Scott (offdeadline). This was my first RAZZ tournament and after getting down to heads up I think I played a little too aggressively and that is probably what caused me to dwindle a 2:1 chip lead and ultimately finish in 2nd. That was a lot of fun and I think I might play a little more RAZZ now.

Click HERE to see the AIPS II leader board.

Click HERE for a list of all Ante Up AIPS events.

See you at the poker table.

Military Motivation

Thanks Nana

Some of my best memories involve my grandmother and I sitting at the dining room table at her house. I must have been about 5 or 6 years old, and we would play games against each other. Hi Ho Cherry 'O, War, Tiddly Winks and of course Poker.

That's right my grandmother taught me, how to play the game that today has become such a large part of my life. We played Five Card Draw, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card No Peek. Texas Hold'em? Never heard of it back then. I could never remember whether a straight beat a flush or vice versa but Nana always helped me out. Thanks Nana!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, Poker Smoke & Mirrors. Warning, I am a brand new blogger and have not yet removed my training wheels, so please be patient with me. I hope you will feel free to send me your comments.

I do not have any standard format or topic, but my main topics will be poker, politics, the fire service, and humor. I am sure that there will also be many other topics thrown in for good measure.

Thanks for visiting, and I look forward to seeing you here on a regular basis.