rifflemao
Pugs Not Drugs
Silver Level
Saw this report today on America Now:
It's disturbing that online poker is highlighted in the video because this is the scare tactic Adelson et al use in their fight against online gaming.
I think the real problem of adolescent gambling...or drinking, teenage pregnancy, huffing, drug addiction, sexting etc...is a lack of education and parental guidance or involvement. Kids can get addicted to lots of activities, but can be taught by good parents how to enjoy those (legal and appropriate) activities responsibly.
Here are some arguments in support of poker:
A summary from Poker Is Good for You, by David Sklansky (with permission to reprint):
"The government's attempts to outlaw poker are based upon a misconception of its nature and value. It is not 'just gambling,' and it should not be subject to the same rules and penalties as other gambling games. Instead, the government should allow you to play poker in regulated and taxed places because poker is good for you and good for America.
SUMMARY OF POKER'S BENEFITS
Because this essay is so long, you may not want to reprint all of it. We believe that a good summary is simply a list of the headings. Please feel free to reprint as much or as little as you wish."
1. Poker Is A Great Teacher.
2. Poker Improves Your Study Habits.
3. Poker Develops Your Math Skills.
4. Poker Develops Your Logical Thinking.
5. Poker Develops Your Concentration.
6. Poker Develops Your Patience.
7. Poker Develops Your Discipline.
8. Poker Teaches You To Focus On The Long Term.
9. Poker Teaches You That Forgoing A Profit Equals Taking A Loss (And Vice Versa).
10. Poker Develops Your Realism.
11. Poker Teaches You To Adjust To Changing Situations.
12. Poker Teaches You To Adjust To Diverse People.
13. Poker Teaches You To Avoid Racial, Sexual And Other Prejudices.
14. Poker Teaches You How To Handle Losses.
15. Poker Teaches You To Depersonalize Conflict.
16. Poker Teaches You How To Plan.
17. Poker Teaches You How To Handle Deceptive People.
18. Poker Teaches You How To Choose The Best "Game."
19. Poker Teaches You The Benefits Of Acting Last.
20. Poker Teaches You To Focus On The Important Subjects.
21. Poker Teaches You How To Apply Probability Theory.
22. Poker Teaches You How To Conduct Risk-Reward Analyses.
23. Poker Teaches You To Put Things In Context And Evaluate All Variables.
24. Poker Teaches You How To "Get Into People's Heads."
It's disturbing that online poker is highlighted in the video because this is the scare tactic Adelson et al use in their fight against online gaming.
I think the real problem of adolescent gambling...or drinking, teenage pregnancy, huffing, drug addiction, sexting etc...is a lack of education and parental guidance or involvement. Kids can get addicted to lots of activities, but can be taught by good parents how to enjoy those (legal and appropriate) activities responsibly.
Here are some arguments in support of poker:
A summary from Poker Is Good for You, by David Sklansky (with permission to reprint):
"The government's attempts to outlaw poker are based upon a misconception of its nature and value. It is not 'just gambling,' and it should not be subject to the same rules and penalties as other gambling games. Instead, the government should allow you to play poker in regulated and taxed places because poker is good for you and good for America.
SUMMARY OF POKER'S BENEFITS
Because this essay is so long, you may not want to reprint all of it. We believe that a good summary is simply a list of the headings. Please feel free to reprint as much or as little as you wish."
1. Poker Is A Great Teacher.
2. Poker Improves Your Study Habits.
3. Poker Develops Your Math Skills.
4. Poker Develops Your Logical Thinking.
5. Poker Develops Your Concentration.
6. Poker Develops Your Patience.
7. Poker Develops Your Discipline.
8. Poker Teaches You To Focus On The Long Term.
9. Poker Teaches You That Forgoing A Profit Equals Taking A Loss (And Vice Versa).
10. Poker Develops Your Realism.
11. Poker Teaches You To Adjust To Changing Situations.
12. Poker Teaches You To Adjust To Diverse People.
13. Poker Teaches You To Avoid Racial, Sexual And Other Prejudices.
14. Poker Teaches You How To Handle Losses.
15. Poker Teaches You To Depersonalize Conflict.
16. Poker Teaches You How To Plan.
17. Poker Teaches You How To Handle Deceptive People.
18. Poker Teaches You How To Choose The Best "Game."
19. Poker Teaches You The Benefits Of Acting Last.
20. Poker Teaches You To Focus On The Important Subjects.
21. Poker Teaches You How To Apply Probability Theory.
22. Poker Teaches You How To Conduct Risk-Reward Analyses.
23. Poker Teaches You To Put Things In Context And Evaluate All Variables.
24. Poker Teaches You How To "Get Into People's Heads."
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