Where are you PPA?
Well not really much out of the PPA since my rant the other day. I posted over on the organization forums and the only response was by the Kentucky State representative. He seems to think the PPA is a very efficient organization and neither time nor resources are being wasted. I respectfully disagreed. He also thinks more harm is done than good by bringing up the scandals. Why warning it’s members to steer clear of questionable sites and other similar issues shouldn’t be part of the PPA’s policy I don’t understand. I think that most members think that the PPA is there to act as one loud voice for the player and to help protect the integrity of the game. If tomorrow there was no dispute as to the legality of online poker and all was right with the world, would the PPA disband? I doubt the answer is yes. So it get’s back to my original question , What is the PPA for?
As I am typing this I decided to go over to the official website and see what the mission statement if any might say.
In the about us section it clearly states: “The Poker Players Alliance is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of poker players and enthusiasts from around the United States who have joined together to speak with one voice to promote the game, ensure its integrity, and, most importantly, to protect poker players’ rights.”
These issues were so important they added it to the mission statement. Now when was the last time you saw or heard the PPA promoting the game? As far as the integrity part, how do they ensure the integrity while publicaly ignoring one of the biggest scandals to date? What exactly is their idea of ensuring integrity anyway?
I hope to get some answers from someone from the top echelon over there soon. Maybe we can get them to give us an interview.
For now I would like to pose the question once again our readers; Do you think the Poker Players Alliance is doing enough as a representative of the player?
Loading ...The PPA should really be the one asking that question. Since they supposedly now have a monthly newsletter, why not ask the members the same thing. They should also ask for any suggestions or improvements. Encourage the participation.
Now since the PPA doesn’t seem to think it is in the best interest of its members to steer them clear of questionable sites, and for the sake of keeping the topic in the public eye, do not play poker at Absolute or Ultimate Bet. Both sites seem to have a problem keeping the game honest.
In case you have not heard about the scandal, check out this great coverage by Jennifer Newell. Another person still following the story is Lou Krieger. Hats of to those who truly value the integrity of the game.
BROKEN FRONTIER NOMINATION:
I didn’t win for best webcomic creator but that is ok. It was cool just being nominated. Ursula Vernon was the winner with the comic Digger. It is pretty cool you should check it out.
SHAMELESS PLUG:
If you are looking to learn how to play poker or places to play free online poker, Life’s A Bluff sponsor Poker Listings has you covered.
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January 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 am
PPA is a joke. I want my contribution returned.
Good comic though, as always…
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I want to see how they defend themselves. Let let them defend their actions before we crucify them.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
First, for accuracy the responder, Engineer, yoiu refer to as, “the only response was by the Kentucky State representative.” is also a PPA Board Member.
Now, is the PPA doing its job, I believe so. We lost the original UIGEA bill 317-93, now we have gained some traction, 3 bills pending (more PLAYER INVOLVEMENT PEOPLE) is needed per Barney Frank.
The PPA cannot do it alone, you all HERE need to actually be actively involved, if not in the PPA then contacting YOUR congressional reps on your own, THAT is what the main sponsor of one bill has stated seveeral times.
It is this attitude, I donated money, now do the job, do it for me that prevailed in the past and prevails today.
It was only after the loss that players actually became interested in the goings on, so, what are YOU doing to advocate for poker?
obg
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
PPA’s response, by Bryan, on same thread:
Hey all,
Sorry for the delay in responding. Thank you Rich for your concise and excellent answers. Without getting into this issue too deeply, we at the PPA have discussed this issue extensively. It is for us an issue of risk versus reward. Since one of the major goals of the PPA, upon which our members agree, is the legalization and regulation of internet poker here in the US, We believe simply, that since effective regulation will fix this problem, we have more to lose than to gain by publicizing this Absolute issue. Congress, no matter how much we try to educate them, will never be fully up to speed on the details of this industry. This incident simply would not benefit our cause with them as much as it may hurt us, as a prime example for why people should just ban internet poker all together. Also, while we represent poker players, we are not a governing body, we are not a regulatory body, we are not a rules committee for poker. We are not here to grade internet poker sites. We are here to act as an advocacy group to protect the rights of poker players everywhere, be it online or in places like San Mateo California, or Tombstone Arizona, or Massachusetts. Please don’t feel like I am trying to downplay how disgusted I am by what Absolute did. I am. However we must make decisions based on what we feel will be best for this entire organization of poker players to help us achieve the goals we have set forth.
_________________
Bryan
PPA Member Relations
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I encourage everyone to read the actual discussion thread, at http:// webringamerica. com/ 4/pokerplayersalliance/viewtopic.php?t=2049 (delete the spaces)
January 24th, 2008 at 12:34 am
OBG - I am not at all attacking Engineer… I just don’t believe he is the voice I am looking for. I respect him and the volunteer work he does for the PPA and all poker players. I absolutely think the first agenda of the PPA should be making sure our freedom to play the game is maintained. But I also think it is equally important to ensure, excuse the pun, absolute integrity of the game.
All I want to know is what the PPA is doing to ensure the integrity of the game? Engineer’s position seems to be one of ignoring the biggest scandals to rock the online poker world. I just don’t understand then what the PPA means by ensuring integrity. For that answer I think we need someone above Engineer to answer some questions. Questions that I think a fair number of PPA members want answered. The polling here is overwhelmingly saying the PPA is not doing enough in the eyes of its members. It doesn’t matter if those on the board think they are.
And as far as what we (LaB) or myself is doing for the cause. Plenty. We have been members of the PPA since its inception and have done several comics over the last couple of years directly promoting the PPA. In fact many of our strips have been politically motivated. It is well known amongst our readers what LaB’s position is on these matters. I have been VERY vocal when it comes to these issues and have used this site as a soap box to reach a lot of people. And you know, quite a few of our readers are NOT poker players. We are lucky here at LaB to be one of the few poker outlets that can STILL reach the non-player. So before you criticize me… maybe you should step back an analyze a situation before you make blanket insinuations.
BRYAN: I very much appreciate your comments and taking the time to stop by. It amazes me that the PPA has decided to take a public position of NOT taking a position on the scandals. What importance does the PPA then hold on ensuring the integrity of the game? If you are indeed able to convey the public position on these and many other important member issues, than we would like to interview you.
We are really just asking the most basic of questions…
January 25th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I would LOVE to see an interview take place
January 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I have to agree with a lot of what you say here . I have been harping about the little bit of media attention this whole thing gets for a while now.