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Copyright © 2006 Poker Player

HEADLINE: Conservatives Lash Out Against Online Gambling Bill

Body:
One of the things Senator Bill Frist was probably counting on with his forcing through of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was that he would be cheered by conservatives. Frist may be preparing for a White House run in 2008, and desperately needs the conservative vote on his side. So, Senator Frist could not have been pleased to read two recent editorial columns by top conservative thinkers who roundly criticized the legislation. Top columnist George Will, in his Newsweek column, called the act "Prohibition II", and soundly criticized the governments 'paternalism' toward the Internet.

Not to be outdone, Charles Murray, a scholar at the conservative think tank, The American Enterprise Institute wrote a long opinion piece in the New York Times entitled "The G.O.P.'s Bad Bet.". In his piece, Murray says that he feels the new law not only erodes Republicans chances in the elections this fall, but will also damage most Americans respect for laws in this country. Frist supporters may be wondering if this is what the Senator had in mind when he forced the UGIEA through the Senate with only hours remaining in the session.

ONLINE POKER ROOMS FEELING THE PAIN WITHOUT U.S. PLAYERS
The Guardian newspaper in London has reported that Paradise Poker are expecting up to a 90% drop in revenues as a result of not being able to take U.S. players action. The result of the decision has not only eliminated their U.S. player base, but many of the top players around the rest of the world have stopped playing as they can no longer feast on the American recreational players that made up a great portion of the player base.

CHINESE GOVERNMENT WORKERS FIRED FOR PLAYING ONLINE POKER
About 260 employees of Chuzhou City, China were given disciplinary action or fired for playing games on the computer during work time, including online poker. About a year ago, the 'Chuzhou City Work Efficiency Inspection Office' started an investigation of many city employees, and these actions were a result of the investigation, according to the Xin'an Evening News, the local paper in Chuzhou City. The inspections were to determine the employees 'slackness', and the level of discipline was on par with the level of 'slackness' according to one official quoted in the paper.

ONE BIG "OOPS"
One of the best art collections in the world is housed at the Wynn Casino. One of the top pieces in the Wynn collection is Pablo Picasso's painting entitled 'The Dream'. Steve Wynn had agreed to sell the painting to top art collector Steven Cohen for a reported $139 Million dollars. Recently, as Wynn was excitedly gesturing near the painting, he accidentally put his elbow through the canvas, creating a hole in the painting about the size of a golf ball. The $139 Million offer is now off the table, and the Wynn will continue to house the painting, which will be repaired.

R.I.P. 'BOSTON' BILLY DUARTE
Billy Duarte, a long time fixture in the poker world, and one of the better pot limit players out there, died October 23rd. Originally from Boston, Duarte worked for the CIA for a short time before discovering the dog track, and subsequently poker. Duarte was last seen by most playing the seniors event in the Festa Al Lago at the Bellagio on October 12th.

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