What's the Deal: Poker Raids
Dealt by Tim Bangs
Everywhere I look (and I mean anywhere), all I read about are how our heroes, the boys in blue, are making another HUGE poker bust. The articles typically go like this:
"And today, ten undercover agents helped to stop an illegal gambling ring in the downtown area. Taken from the scene were clay poker chips, three decks of cards, and $100. Police consider this sting as a tremendous step in helping to stop the city's increasing gambling problem. Eight individuals were arrested, including the cleaning lady."
Of course, the individuals that are arrested are typically four college kids, two lonely middle-aged men, and the overweight senior who brags about how all these new TV shows are helping to ruin the game of poker. Oh yeah, and the cleaning lady.
Don't people have better things to do, rather than hunt down the weekly poker game that you have with your buddies? Or better yet, the local bar game where you win $30, because they will end up making $300 with all of the business they bring in. I'm going to eat there anyways, so why can't I enjoy playing some poker as well? It doesn't mean that I'm going to sell my house, abandon my wife, and quit my job to try to make it big in the underground poker scene. Just let me have fun.
There are better things the police can do. I'll help by naming a couple: drug trafficking, child abuse, prostitution (Well, maybe we'll keep this one around. It is the oldest profession after all).
Should poker be legalized? Let us know what you think, and keep an eye out for a our thoughts on legalizing poker in the upcoming weeks.
http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Laws/Georgia/
It looks like the state of Georgia covers everything here. For the love of God, can't I just play a game of poker with friends?
Time for a revolution...
Posted by: Tim Bangs | April 10, 2005 at 10:56 AM
As Castanza would ask, "Was that wrong?". Thanks for the correction Al. Apologies for going overboard on that post.
Posted by: Paul | April 08, 2005 at 02:45 PM
Monkeys??? Wow, that was a dumb thing to say, Paul. I'm sure the administrator(s) of this site apprciate your insights. Don't blame it on Jerre when you do, though.
Posted by: Rev. Al Sharpton | April 08, 2005 at 02:24 PM
Let’s put aside the argument on whether or not to legalize poker, or gambling for that matter, and focus on the absurdity of these busts. I want to who the hell is benefiting from this law enforcement. The public? Isn’t the general idea of the police force to protect innocent citizens while reducing crime? Does anyone feel safer when they read about these silly arrests? Are they really reducing crime? I’d much rather know that our worthless police force is arresting morons causing trouble in Buckhead or East Atlanta. I’m sick of reading about innocent people being shot outside “CJ’s Landing” or “The Earl” for the measly fucking $50 in their wallet!
Not only are the police wasting valuable time, effort and tax dollars; they most likely participate in small time poker games themselves.
Oh no!! Jerre just slowed played pocket queens on me and cost me $200! That’s it! I’m going out to sell a few ounces, shoot some people in the head and burn down a McD's!
Posted by: Paul | April 08, 2005 at 02:14 PM