So.... If someone wears a "Free Online Poker" shirt at the next EPT FT, they will be told to take the shirt off since its a political statement??

So people should be allowed to wear "I hate Blacks/Jews/Whites/Indians" t-shirts? Or maybe some Holocaust stuff?

Who should decide what kind of political statement are allowed? "No war in Gaza" is OK, "No war against IS" or "Stop killing Al-Quaida" are not?

lol @ comparing it to wearing straight up racist stuff(which would probably be illegal).

Never go full ******. Especially if you're a mod.

+1

This is the crux of the matter for me. The *prevailing consensus* in American media is that the Israelis are innocent bystanders getting rockets fired at them.

So when Busquet/Colman wear shirts intended to draw attention to the fact that *thousands* of Palestinian civilians are getting killed, it's somehow 'controversial' or 'political'.

This comment proves my point exactly - when Busquet/Colman display an anti-Israeli-violence stance, that's viewed as 'shoving it down people's throats'.

I blame the media coverage for this, and I just don't get it. It baffles me. Hamas/et al fire a ****-ton of rockets at Israel all the time - and obviously that's unacceptable terrorist behavior. But the fact is, 3 Israelis died from rocket attacks this year. 3. In retaliation, Israel mounts an incursion into Gaza that kills 2000 people - of which more than *70%* are *civilians*, by any reckoning. And yet the media consensus is that Israel is just defending itself, like Negreanu implies.

I'm honestly baffled by how the media can take such a bizarre logical stance and run with it, and people just accept it. When you watch some futuristic sci-fi like the Hunger Games movies, you think, nah, people would never accept the media distorting the truth so blatantly. But here it is, happening in reality. wtf.

Anyway - just curious - do any of you legal minds know... what would happen if PokerStars tried to do this in the US? ie... if PokerStars tried to ban Busquet/Olivier from wearing political t-shirts in a US tournament, wouldn't that be against their right to free speech?

Free speech isn't protected in a private establishment. Same reason 2p2 is allowed to censor stuff.

Has nothing to do with right to free speech in the US. The first amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Amusement parks here can refuse entry for people with t-shirts they find controversial, one made the news last week. Businesses can ask you to leave if they feel you are offending people with your attire. You can sue the business but the first amendment relates to the government not businesses.

I for one give them a lot of props for wearing those shirts. It's an important issue. why do u people care so much?

Aha. I'm actually American, and would you believe I wasn't aware that free speech wasn't guaranteed everywhere. Silly me.

I just found an article that goes into detail about the stuff you said:
http://lifehacker.com/5953755/what-e...o-the-internet

Here's an interesting quotation from the article:
The article points out a funny thing ... it's strange that 'public life' doesn't include Facebook/Twitter and hanging out in the mall, even those those places are a huge part of everyday life now. Yet, those spaces aren't covered by the right to free speech.

Colman and Busquets are douchebags.

They clearly fail to understand the Israeli-Arab conflict. If they did, they would understand that both parties are at fault.

bingo. if they were wearing support Israel clothing, this would not have even been brought up.

I'm not a fan of Pokerstars stance here. I think they should draw the line somewhere. Statements that are blatantly hateful or condone violence seems about right to me. I don't think those t-shirts qualify.

Then PS erred in applying their own rules having originally said it was ok. Though they do hold the sole discretion on what is construed as political.

I'd be interested in, but know I will never see, what their pro contracts say on political statements.

I think you’re right

omgomg peoples believes different stuffs than me they haz offended my delicate sensibilities!!!

Of course all your examples are perfectly fine. While I would lose respect for anyone wearing the later two I see no reason people shouldn't be aloud to express themselves if they choose to. Trying to mute everyone who disagrees with you is silly and kind of pathetic iyam. I assume you're against people wearing "support our troops" t-shirts also?

It's a Pokerstars tournament. Everyone should be required to wear a Pokerstars shirt and hat, or at least 2 or 3 Pokerstars patches to play on TV.

Definitely a sticking wicket. Most of this discussion is about putting political statements on a t-shirt. What about spoken words? Can you say "Support Obamacare, I call". Would saying that void the hand, or get you a one round penalty afterwards?

I think in events that get TV coverage in particular, that political speech probably should not be discouraged. It could liven up the table talk. As it is, if there is any table talk at all, its usually boring, stupid and/or ridiculous. Debating the Israel/Hamas conflict in between hands would be much better TV IMO.

Much respect to Olivier Busquet and Daniel Colman for doing this.

What in God's name is controversial about a message of peace and love as opposed to hate and war?

I already respected those guys but even more so now. I respect courageous people who aren't afraid to buck the "political correct" BS.

Where would that be considered illegal?


Why does any of this even matter? They are words on a shirt. If you get upset over a shirt you have bigger issues.

No. But it does only apply to the government suppressing speech. Businesses do not have to allow you to enter their property and say/do/wear/etc. whatever you want.

Makes me respect Colman a bit more after the One Drop debacle.

Really? Why?

The UK has incitement to hatred laws which would cover racism etc. so for EPT purposes, EPT London, UKIPT Edinburgh etc.

Thanks...did not know that. I find it pretty interesting too as I found a few cases of people getting arrested for posting things on twitter and blogs.

Are you seriously comparing a racist t-shirt with "Free Palestine"? That's moronic.

"Rule 51: No player participating in any event shall be permitted to show, display or communicate in any way, any message or content which, in PSLive’s sole discretion is, or could be construed to be political in nature (or supportive of any political cause or action), racist, obscene, derogatory, threatening in nature, a form of harassment, libellous, fraudulent, invasive of another’s person’s privacy, offensive, defamatory of another person, or otherwise promote, advertise or condone anything illegal or unlawful, victimises, degrades, harasses or intimidates an individual or group of individuals on the basis of any classification, including, without limitation, religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, military status or disability, constitutes, or would otherwise encourage, criminal conduct or give rise to civil liability or which is intended for commercial purposes including without limitation submitting any material to solicit funds or to promote, advertise or solicit the sale of any goods or services. In relation to any dispute about this paragraph, the decision of PSLive shall be final and binding."

Cliffs: If your behaviour differentiates you from a doormat, the men in grey suits will cry.