"Public Morals, huh?"

I read this on the Drudge Report today.

USA To Appeal World Trade Organization's Internet Gambling DecisionThu Nov 11 2004 10:00:25 ET

The Bush administration dismissed as 'deeply flawed' a World Trade Organization decision that the US has no right to ban cross-border gambling on the Internet. The WTO ruling, publicly released yesterday, favored Antigua and Barbuda in its fight against the US over a 43-year-old law that bans gambling payments across state lines. The WALL STREET JOURNAL reported in Thursday editions: The US immediately said it would appeal the decision, and a senior US trade official said the administration "fundamentally rejects" an assertion within the WTO ruling that countries don't have an explicit right to limit services affecting public morals. US trade officials were "particularly alarmed over parts of the WTO ruling that asserted that member states had to consult with other countries before modifying laws that affect public morals."

Yes I lose frequently with AK, but to lose internet poker to a government dictating morality is greatly flawed! Another enormous flaw is that the US Government does not open its eyes to a great source of revenue. Online gambling should be hosted within the US and a result become a taxable entity. Not that I want to be taxed anymore, but there is an enormous amount of cash flowing into places such as Aruba or Costa Rica. More closely to home the great state of Texas needs to wake up and small the roses. An enormous amount of cash flows from Texas to Nevada, Mississippi and Louisiana, because Texans can not gamble in Texas. Handy way to solve some of our school finance problems. I can find a local tournament or game in Austin Texas seven days a week. The basic fact is that people like to play poker! Gambling is everywhere. Heck driving your car in Texas is gambling! Oh wait, so is putting your money into the stock market!

The real question is whether or not gambling is immoral. I would argue that it is not. It is a form of entertainment. It is a stress reliever. Poker specifically is a game of astute skill. How a person chooses to spend their money is a constitutional right. If I want to spend $5 daily on a double mocha latte or a cold beer is my choice. If I want to spend $5 playing $.05/.10 poker online it is my choice.

Yes gambling can be addictive and has caused the demise of many good folks. However, there are other devices that end up with the same result; drugs, alcohol, sex, and yes even devotion to ones religion . Addictive personalities is a character flaw that is not inherent to poker, smoking, drinking or any other vice you can think of.

The United States can not dictate how other countries can chose to generate revenue. Nor should the government be able to dictate to me how I can communicate and associate with other countries. I have met a ton of wonderful people from all over the world through playing online poker. The internet has greatly expanded the social boundaries to which we can communicate.

Our government should focus on the tasks at hand.

* Protect us
* Be fiscally responsible with our money
* Become more efficient and reduce its size
* Allow technology to create a safe environment

Morality is the last place the government should be legislating. That is up to the people and their communities. I think the US needs to get slapped around a little bit more by the WTO. Give up the fight against online gambling and focus your energies on the important matters at hand.

I would like to have the right to continue losing my money when I hold AK suited.

There is a little rant. I would like to add one more thing. Iggy if you are checking in, it totally sucks that someone hijacked your site. Best wishes on your new career!!

Cheers!