The casinos were behind the UIGEA. The expected result from the UIGEA came in the form of Black Friday, probably years later than they'd hoped.

I agree, it's too bad that politicians hearing ability is directly related to the volume of cha-ching in their constituents' voices.

I would love to see lawdude comment on this thread.

Your first statement is why I wonder why the few sites that are still are operable are even bothering to stay open to the USA. If Black Friday did nothing else, it showed foreign operators where the DoJ stands with regard to online poker. Why paint a target on their own backs, knowing full well that when the hammer falls, it won't be pretty.

I think it'd be pretty interesting, and somewhat ironic, to see some US facing online operator offer a prop as to whether this issue gets to court. I'd bet on no, since the stakes are so damn high. I've yet to read a single argument as to how our side can do anything but damage control in court. While it may help keep the companies afloat, it won't do much for our agenda.

On another note.....which comes first: legalized pot in the USA, or online poker?

Unless GlaxoSmithKiline starts lobbying the **** out of whoever they have in their pocket, I'm gonna go with online poker. Between the DC legislation and this recent NV "primer" if you will, it's seemingly inevitable.

I always suspected the DOJ's timing on this was too convenient for the B&Ms that will benefit greatly from taking the market share PS and FT once held.

Between Eric Holder's connections with the NFL and its connection to the UIGEA, Frist's connection to Harrah's and its connection to the UIGEA, and the DOJ pouncing at the best possible time for Caesars (formerly Harrah's)...Well, I'm sure it's all just one big ****ing coincidence.

Badabump. Today I got a voice mail message from the aide with whom I originally spoke. I had left him a message last week asking for a follow up.

In his message, the aide specifically mentioned "your Full Tilt Poker money." (He didn't mention Stars, leading me to believe that he has been following the developments and knows that I have my Stars money back). He said that he has been in touch with the DOJ, that nobody is responding positively even though he is staying on them, and that things do not look good for people with money on the site. Sigh.

As if it weren't already obvious, the getting-FTP-money-back-anytime-soon idea is looking like a pipe dream.

Sigh.

Thanks for the grim update.

Is adderall (sp?) patented? Perhaps the owner of this drug would lobby for iPoker. "Adderall, the iPoker player's stimulant of choice", coming to a TV ad near you, LOL.

Only the extended release, which is owned by Shire Pharmaceuticals. They sold their rights of the instant release years ago, which is why it comes in a wide variety of generic forms.

I know you are joking, but I'll point out anyway that Adderall could never be marketed like that. The drug is on the FDA's **** list because college kids abuse it and Shire is doing everything they can to distance it from the "study drug" image.

"When the whale has been at the table for 36 hours straight and shows no signs of leaving ... only extended release adderall will do! Use the drug durrrr uses! (may cause irritability, kidney failure, impotence or bleeding from the eye sockets)"

Does the FDA bust Pfizer's chops for Viagra being a recreational drug used by lots of people who can get it up without the drug?

I would like to apologize for any condescending posts that I have made in the past in this thread or others in this forum. I made these posts in response to other posts that I overreacted to and should have just ignored. I would also like to apologize to Skallagrim and mpethybridge if my comments have insulted them personally. While I still believe that I can contribute to the on-going legal discussion regarding the events since Black Friday, I will defer to Skallagrim and mpethybridge given their respective experience with the PPA and legal matters regarding poker in general.

I will say that I support the rights of all Americans to play poker online. I hope that the UIGEA will be overturned as soon as possible, but I believe that Americans will not be able to play online until that day comes. Unfortunately, I think that day is at least several years away.

I have written to representatives of my state legislature here in Texas in the past to try to help poker bills in this state to get passed. I have also contacted, in writing, both U.S. Senators from Texas, in the past regarding the UIGEA and supporting online poker in general.

Again, I apologize to all those I may have offended.

We are happy to have you in the fight.

This takes guts. Apology accepted and returned--I apologize for the offensive tone of my posts responding to yours.

+1 to this.

+1 by me too.

Skallagrim

should this be saved from archive for reference?

Sure. :-)