We all know that poker players have a reputation for being lazy and apathetic, but I don't think that's necessarily the case for unemployed poker players. There are alot of players out there who are frustrated about the situation and would mobilize if they were called to action.

At the very minimum a few hundred players would show up, and this would be enough for some press coverage. But if we got some big names like Tom, Phil Galfond, Daniel, Barney Frank, D'Amato, etc to show up and speak I'm pretty sure there is some upside for it to be a fairly large rally. I think the voice of those who make their living off this game is important, and who knows maybe it will draw some casual players out too.

It seems like this is a no-brainer for trying to gain momentum for our cause, and fairly inexpensive to boot. I'm in NYC, and would like to start this petition by saying I would gladly go to DC for a rally.

Signed.

+1 great idea. People hold rally's for a lot less freedom infringing stuff than this. Could possibly also get some support from the online sites themselves on this.

Good idea, we need to stop sitting around crying and try to actually do something. In the meantime we are losing money by the hour and having our rights infringed upon.

The problem in politicians eyes is that for every 1 person making money on poker theres 20 people losing money. I don't agree with this opinion at all.

Yes, but in state sponsored lotteries for every 1 person making money, there's probably 200 people losing money, if not more. And they advertise on TV and radio about how YOU CAN BECOME A MILLIONAIRE!!!!

Get Doyle in the front with his buggy and a big US flag

You don't agree with what I said or the politician's views? It's not clear.

Looks like the ACLU would take up a cause, its violating my civil liberties

Not a lot of response on this thread, probably no interest in a rally either. *sigh*

The politicians view.

Yes, we need to hit the streets, get our voices heard and get more news coverage. I have nothing to do until I get a job but I know there's thousands of people in my exact situation. Isn't rallying a lot better than just sending letters to congressman?

I'd like to change the title of this thread to:

The PPA needs poker players to organize themselves locally and commit to attending a DC rally!

What's with you guys that you can't seem to get anything going without a daddy figure to lead you by the nose?






OK, the last line was unfair. But it is time to get riled up and do something. And if it takes insults to rile you up then insults are what I will use.

Skallagrim

I will go to any rally that will be organized in DC. We really nee to turn the heat up on this.

your right skallagrim. Talk is cheap. And my intent wasn't to say sending letters is a bad idea...just we need to do everything we can to get our voices heard.

I respectfully disagree. This is exactly the kind of thing an organization like the PPA should be doing. Expecting the player population -- made up of people dispersed in thousands of cities across all 50 states -- to somehow organize themselves for a rally is simply not realisitic. At times like this, people look to the organization that claims to represent them to step up and organize something (e.g the million man march doesn't come together without the NAACP). We need the PPA to organize something.

PS- I'm grateful for the PPA and everything they've done. I believe most poker players are. Unlike a vocal minority on this board, I'm in favor of the PPA's continuing involvement in fighting for our rights. But I think you're wrong in suggesting that the PPA should not be responsible for organizing a rally.

If the PPA had the resources to do this (and some assurance you folks would actually show up) we would.

But we don't.

Your choices are to start doing the work on this yourself, or get together about $60,000 in new donations so we can hire the additional staff to do this for you.

I wish it were different but it is not.

Skallagrim

PS - I did not say we wouldn't help, and nor do I expect someone in San Diego to be connecting with someone in Boston. I do expect and hope people in San Diego will connect with people in San Diego, and when they have an organized group ready to participate, then contact the PPA (and do other things while waiting for the rally). I also expect and hope for similar groups to form in NY, Detroit, Chicago etc....

I see both sides, Instead of a rally, just start off getting some friends together, at busy festivals Etc. Make some polite signs, and then sit down with a roll of pennies each and just start playing some poker. Bring extra tables and chairs and rolls of pennies, and invite the public to sit down and play as well(trade them $1 for $1 in pennies that will serve as their chips). Meanwhile talk about the issues with them, and have fun.

I'm confused as to why this effort would require $60,000 in resources, although I fully admit that I have no experience in the rally promotion business. At first glance, it seems to me that this effort would require that the PPA:
1) Pick a date
2) Publish on its site and in all the relevant poker forums (stickies in every two plus two forum) that the PPA is hosting a rally in DC on that date and inviting/pleading all poker players to come.
3) Get a permit with DC authorities to hold a rally and coordinate with them re the logistics of the rally.
4) Arrange to get some speakers (e.g. Raymer, D'Amato, etc. (Frank if possible))
5) Coordinate with other organizations that may have a stake in internet freedom and ask that they attend as well.
6) Coordinate with media organizations to let them know about the rally.

While these are not trivial tasks, and I'm sure there are some I'm missing, I don't see why it would require an additional $60,000 or why the PPA should not currently have the manpower and resources to accomplish them.

I am not a PPA employee so if I make any incorrect statements please clear them up...This comment is not soley directed at you...

The PPA currently has 3 "employees"(John Pappas, Drew and Bryan)...The PPA has limited funding not to mention an unclear future of that funding and where it will come from...The lobbying effort the PPA has put forth is not cheap in fact it' very expensive...If you have read through the countless threads on this forum there are a lot of "demands" being made of such a small underfunded organization...

What is needed IMO is someone to start the "ball rolling" then take it to the PPA for assistance with the intention of staying fully involved to the end...The PPA is a "volunteer" driven organization and can only be as strong and active as it's membership...

Ok, if it's just these 3 guys then they certainly need more help. But I'm not sure why those 3 are not the best 3 to get the "ball rolling." i.e. I'm sure a post by Pappas on this forum initiating the idea of a rally, a date, some tasks, and a request for volunteers to assist would generate a lot more interest and enthusiasm than the same post written by someone like you or me. I think they should at least attempt to start the process and see if it gains momentum.

The PPA has taken all of those "simple" steps you describe in the past. The turnout has been far less than impressive. It is not good in terms of political clout to call a big rally in DC and have maybe a few hundred folks show up.

How do you make a lot of people show up? The answer is organization.

Local organizations of people who bond and agree to come as a group. Regional organizations that coordinate the local groups and make sure they all have things well planned like car pools and places to sleep or stay. And a national organization that coordinates the smaller organizations and makes sure celebrity spokespersons attend and that the media is aware. At present the PPA has only that national capacity.

I understand that you are new to this and asking questions. Let me tell you the million man marches and the recent tea party rallies and plenty of organization and money behind them. My $60.000 figure is a rough guess (and probably on the low end) of the cost of the salaries of the number of individuals that would be needed to organize and coordinate this kind of a mass rally and the cost of their various expenses. You have to pay these folks, otherwise they would be .... volunteers.

So we need the money or the volunteers to pull this off.

Once we have one or the other, the PPA intends to try and follow through on such an idea.

I am not holding my breath for the money. I am hopeful we will see some volunteers.

Skallagrim

Will the PPA make their list of contact information available to assist people in San Diego contact other people in San Diego, people in Boston contact other people in Boston, etc? Or at least ask members if they are willing to let the share their contact information?

PPA never organized its email list by locality before, the best we have at the moment is by Congressional Districts.

Plus, as you recognize, we can't just be putting people's email address out to others without their permission, and we are not likely to get permission to just make the addresses available to every other member.

And finally, I am still far from convinced that this is the most efficient way to do things. We are working on many ideas to facilitate local organizing at the moment.

Skallagrim

That's actually a very good PR stunt... now how can this get maximum exposure? And make sure that people see it's just a bunch of people playing a harmless hobby?

I'm not married to the specific idea. It is quite clear this needs to be addressed in a meaningful way. It's fine and correct to say players should be more proactibve but frustrating when the most natural ally to help facilitate organizing doesn't really have any tools to help. There are simple things that cost zero that could be done. Like 50 state directors should at least have threads in the ppa forum here on twoplustwo or at least a place state directors can go to share best practices and recruit volunteers.