TENNESSEE TALK TELLS IT STRAIGHT

27 April 2007

Hypocrisy of UIGEA attacked on Nashville blog

The eclectic and informative Internet blog "Tennessee Talk.com" (http://tennesseetalk.com:80/?p=412) featured a pithy and accurate summary of the hypocrisy of US political moves against online gambling in the USA this week, helping to improve and shape public perceptions of the troublesome Act.

The direct and uncomplicated style of the poster is captured here in a direct quote hat will resonate with many in the online gambling community:

"In case you have not heard, the U.S. Government is at war with the online casino industry. I can think of one more U.S. Attorney that Alberto Gonzalez should have been taken down [ed: a reference to the firing of 8 US attorneys for inappropriate conduct recently - see previous InfoPowa reports].

"Apparently, a U.S. Attorney in St. Louis [ed: Catherine Hanaway] has made it her mission to personally bring about the demise of the entire industry. So, she has now arrested the top guy at Betonsports.com. She has already arrested the #2 guy, and they are holding him in jail in St. Louis.

"Now, if you are one who thinks that the entire industry is evil and should be abolished, take a minute to think about the hypocrisy. Why not touch Vegas? Why not Tunica? Why not Atlantic City? The answer is that the powerful casino lobbies have laced the pockets of our Congress to pass these protectionist laws.

"And, to add to the hypocrisy, apparently online horse racing is still OK. I guess Vegas wasn't worried about buying off Congressmen to preserve their profits in that area. So, they left that unscathed.

"After considering the hypocrisy of U.S. laws in this area, the WTO [World Trade Organisation] is actually considering passing a resolution against the U.S., stating that its outright ban on the online casino industry is merely a protectionist device, designed to protect the big U.S. casinos.

"Look, I don't even gamble online. But, I am a conservative. And, I can see the hypocrisy in our laws and what is going on here. Why no public outcry? This is just another example of a powerful lobby paying legislators to protect their interests. even though such protectionist measures are clearly in conflict with the ideologies of many of the Congressmen who support the ban. This is shameful. And, it is even more shameful that our own legislators in Tennessee supported these measures.

"This has nothing to do with protecting the morality and sanctity of America. This is about greed and corporate power. Call it what it is. And, any conservative Congressman who supported this should examine his or her own ideology.

"I am most bothered by this issue because of its implications. For years now, the U.S. Government has been trying to get its greedy little paws all over Internet commerce. And, moves like this just evidence the government's intent, even further.

"The Internet has thrived, largely because of the lack of government interference. Freedom loving people must continue to fight for that freedom and keep politicians with money-driven motives away from the Internet. I think that we can all agree that there are times when government interference is not only expected, it is welcomed. Obviously, the government should be involved in issues such as policing the Internet for child pornography and even protecting consumers against fraud. But, beyond that, we endanger basic freedoms that have allowed the Internet to develop and prosper.

"I am monumentally concerned about this war on online gambling and what it means for the future of this medium."

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa

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