Poker Stars, Full Tilt and Absolute indicted

In case you are interested in poker and have been under a rock for the past several days be aware that last Friday the FBI threw a large clod in the churn of PokerStars, Full Tilt and Absolute Poker and a whole bunch of people associated with them and each other in various ways. Best I can tell they are indicted for money laundering, wire fraud and violation of:

TITLE VIII—UNLAWFUL INTERNET
GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act of 2006’’.
SEC. 802. PROHIBITION ON ACCEPTANCE OF ANY PAYMENT
INSTRUMENT FOR UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 53 of title 31, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘SUBCHAPTER IV—PROHIBITION ON FUNDING OF
UNLAWFUL INTERNET GAMBLING

If you are interested you can read the law here see page 69 and the criminal indictment here. There are also civil charges suing for billions and all the assets.

Many had thought that the 2006 law didn't really apply to poker. Why? Well the law says:

BET OR WAGER.—
a sporting event, or a game subject to chance,

And since the government had not previously demanded that the Internet sites block US players it made sense. Many based this on the belief that CA, which outlawed stud-horse poker in 1885, because it was considered a game of chance and that holdem was a game of chance. Thus when Holdem became legal in the 1990 time frame it was considered not to be a game of chance, but a game of skill.

Everyone was wrong. According to this article the only game considered a game of skill in CA is Bridge. Holdem had merely been ruled that it was not stud-horse poker.

So much more for what "everyone knows." And, of course, CA law is not Federal law.

But it remains interesting that apparently the Feds didn't go to the Internet gambling sites and say "US players are forbidden from playing." I mean, I don't think the Internet sites would have ignored that.

But it is reported that US players now trying to enter a cash game receive this message:

We are sorry but, due to government regulations, playing real money ring games is not allowed in your area.

I got curious so I sent them an email asking who in the US government had said that. They replied:

We regret to inform you that in light of recent developments,PokerStars is no longer offering real money play to US residents.

We are currently assessing the situation, and will communicate with all of our players as soon as possible

That's a non-answer to the question of "Who." They are either lying or else they are belatedly covering all the bases.

But I want to return to this.

BET OR WAGER.—
a sporting event, or a game subject to chance,

It is just possible that the Feds didn't push the issue because they didn't want to have to prove that poker was a game of chance which would have probably been a question raised by a law suit had the Feds told the sites to block US players.

Instead the Feds decided that they would just block new players from funding (buying chips) their accounts and old players who busted out. That would eventually do the same thing. From the law:

‘‘§ 5363. Prohibition on acceptance of any financial
instrument for unlawful Internet gambling
‘‘No person engaged in the business of betting or wagering
may knowingly accept, in connection with the participation of
another person in unlawful Internet gambling—
‘‘(1) credit, or the proceeds of credit, extended to or on
behalf of such other person (including credit extended through
the use of a credit card);
‘‘(2) an electronic fund transfer, or funds transmitted by
or through a money transmitting business, or the proceeds
of an electronic fund transfer or money transmitting service,
from or on behalf of such other person;
‘‘(3) any check, draft, or similar instrument which is drawn
by or on behalf of such other person and is drawn on or
payable at or through any financial institution; or
‘‘(4) the proceeds of any other form of financial transaction,
as the Secretary and the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System may jointly prescribe by regulation, which
involves a financial institution as a payor or financial intermediary
on behalf of or for the benefit of such other person.

In other words, their aint no way no how anybody can legally fund an account.

Apparently the people at the three sites who are indicted thought they could sneak through the back door.

OnTwitter I am Lesabre1

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

The partial truth, the partial whole truth and nothing but the partial truth so help me Obama

So much for the most transparent administration in the history of the world.

OnTwitter I am Lesabre1

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

Inner Peace

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat plain food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,




Then you are probably the family dog.

Hat tip to Mike L!

OnTwitter I am Lesabre1

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

A single payer health care system

There is no such thing as a free market in health care and I am tired of hearing people talk about something that doesn’t exist.

We have state and national medical associations, insurance companies, and federal and state governments through Medicare and Medicaid that approve treatments and recommend prices.

Health care is a demand based business. It is not an option. When you are sick you don’t shop around for cheaper treatment, even if it existed. A heart attack demands immediate attention. There are no “Broken bones set Thursday Special(s)!”

So, my conservative friends let us quit lying about the subject.

And given that, through the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid, we have decided health care is a Right, the only question is how much we pay and how shall we pay it.

The amount should be enough to properly reward people who are smart enough to become doctors and nurses and dedicated enough to undergo the years of study and associated costs.

And that amount is more now than it was in 1950 when heart attacks were almost always fatal or the precursor of one in the near future. Improved positive expectations in any situation leads to a willingness to pay more.

So the issues are how much and how do we make the payment.

Now my Leftie friends will say, “Tax the rich,” and I admit that is a nice thought. The problem, of course, is that there aren’t enough rich, so what they mean is, “Tax everyone but the poor.” The problem with that is that no can define what poor means. Should it be the same as FIT? You know, a family of four making around $40K or less pays nothing?

The problem there is this. How do we insure those who engage in illegal activities, such as dope dealers, prostitution services and oil speculators pay their fair share? I mean if we say that a shot up dope dealer’s life deserves the same treatment as a postman supporting a family for four, shouldn’t the dope dealer pay? I mean fair is fair, isn’t it?

I say that we use a National Sales Tax collected at the RETAIL point of sale (this is not a VAT). To put some fairness into the collection we could exempt unprepared food, utility bills under $200, used cars over 4 years old and other items that impact the working poor more than the rich.

What shall we use as a system to deliver the care and administrate it? Well, we already have that in place. It’s called Medicare.

Now, that wasn’t hard, was it?












OnTwitter I am Lesabre1

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

Obama explained

You gonna love this video!

Hat tip to Dave T!


OnTwitter I am Lesabre1

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

The President has a problem... and so do we

The president said he loves his life in the White House but doesn't enjoy some of the ways of Washington, such as the "kabuki dance" among political partisans before serious policy discussions begin. He also regrets his loss of personal privacy.

"I just miss - I miss being anonymous," he said at the meeting in the White House. "I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk."

Link

Hmmmmmm. Let me see if I can help.

Resign.

There you go. A win win if I ever saw one!

OnTwitter I am Lesabre1

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson

Butterflies are free

I saw my first 2011 butterfly today.

It was a yellow and black and I immediately felt better. Butterflies belong to spring and summer and I could sure use some spring.

I was on the John Deere cutting the grass for the first time this year and I immediately stopped it and emoted:

Earth gets its price for what Earth gives us;
The beggar is taxed for a corner to die in,
The priest hath his fee who comes and shrives us,
We bargain for the graves we lie in;
At the Devil’s booth are all things sold
Each ounce of dross costs its ounce of gold;
For a cap and bells our lives we pay,
Bubbles we earn with a whole soul’s tasking:
‘T is heaven alone that is given away,
‘T is only God may be had for the asking;
There is no price set on the lavish summer,
And June may be had by the poorest comer.

And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
..... James Russell Lowell

You believe that, right? I mean me emoting the poem.

I have my cabbage and onions set out. The bell pepper is set and the cucumbers planted and the crook neck squash planted. I am now agonizing over when I should do the tomatoes and okra. My wife says wait two weeks for both but I have consulted all my sources and think perhaps an early three or four tomato plants wouldn't be a bad thing.

It is sure to bring cold wet weather and perhaps a light frost.

But it's not to early for squash. Crook neck and zucchini to cook with the onions. Sliced tomatoes on the side with some butter beans topped with a slab of butter..hot corn bread cooked thin and sugar free.

Only Yankees put sugar in cornbread and all that do should be horsewhipped.

Baseball practice continues. The kids, being the highly trained athletes some of the parents think they are, have become bored making it necessary to hit some sharp grounders and throw some fast balls while they bat to convince them they need to practice, practice, practice.

"Pete Rose," I tell them, "one of the game's greatest hitters, took batting practice before every game." Problem is, they don't know, or care, who Pete Rose was. He has become a non-person as surely as if he lived in the old Soviet Union.

In the meantime gasoline continues to rocket towards $4.00 and our esteemed leaders appear totally unconcerned. They had rather argue over 2% of this year's budget and our Supreme Being thinks we should just buy new cars.

That's a Hooverism. Why?? Because Hoover said if everyone would just buy a new car the depression would be over.

While I'm on the subject, why do so many people think releasing oil from the Strategic Reserve would reduce prices?

Oh, I know that the theory is that oil is a commodity and an increase in supply is supposed to cause a drop in prices.

That only works when the pricing mechanism is not a monopoly backed up by speculators who bid up prices on rumors of shortages. We push 10 billion barrels into the system and OPEC reduces 10 billion barrels.

We don't have shortages. We have an increasing demand met by governments artificially matching the demand with a controlled supply.

That's called a monopoly. That's also illegal. Anybody for enforcing the law?

I haven't posted anything in a while that will let my ole bud Jondee claim that I am a racist. I can't let him down:

These are tough times for Minnesota schools. In Lakeville, for example, the school board recently announced wrenching cuts of almost $7 million. Ninety-four teachers will lose their jobs, arts programs will suffer and a school will be closed. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth, but the board set its jaw: There's not a dime for anything extra.

Unless you've got an ax to grind with white folks. Then the money spigots open. The Lakeville schools are sending a delegation of teachers to the 12th annual "White Privilege Conference" at the Bloomington Sheraton from April 13-16. The district is shelling out $160 a pop -- plus $125 a day for teacher subs -- for this "white guilt" festival.

Organizers say they expect attendees from a number of other Minnesota districts.

The conference is "built on the premise that the U.S. was started by white people, for white people," according to conference materials. Its mission is to get participants to confront their biases in a "journey in understanding white supremacy, whiteness, privilege, power and oppression," and to "agree to take action in [their] own circle of power."

Hat tip to Powerline.

I mean, only a racist would think that spending money on a white guilt conference when you have laid off teachers is wrong.

Right? Rightttttttttt!

And they wonder why we think educators are among some of the dumbest people in the land.

BTW - I've stayed at the Bloomington Sheraton. It's a classy joint.

"Teach, enjoy taking advantage of the tax paying citizens."

Keeping up with more from PowerLine, we find this from Indonesia, Obamie's childhood home.

Indonesia has long been held out as a country where moderate forms of Islam flourish. Perhaps so. But sharia law has been adopted in a number of areas in Indonesia. The effect was seen yesterday, when four people were caned in Aceh province on the island of Sumatra. The presumed offense was adultery, although commission of the actual act was not clear; the couples were punished, technically, for being in "close proximity." Here, a woman named Irdayanti Mukhtar is caned:

Can you imagine what they would do to Charlie Sheen???

Speaking of things Arabic... .

Startling Stories

January 1952

In January 1952 the Arab  world was not at the top of the US public 's worry list. That was held by then USSR. And any consideration that Islam got was as proxy players in the cold war,

Maybe we should have been paying better attention, eh?

The lead story by Murray Leinster was a fun fantasy adventure bit, totally forgettable. Leinster's real name was William Fitzgerald Jenkins and he wrote from 1918 into the 70's. He was a proflic writer who provided us with fun readable stories.

OnTwitter I am Lesabre1

"Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them." - Karl Popper

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants. It is the creed of slaves.” - William Pitt

"Logic. There is little logic among the cultural elite, maybe because there is little omnipresent fear of job losses or the absence of money, and so arises a rather comfortable margin to indulge in nonsense." - Victor Davis Hanson