My New Passion - Trolling Adelson

As my wife and I approach retirement (three years away), we’ve discussed how to spend our not-working-anymore time “for the good.”  Mona has considered the problem of adult illiteracy, and working with groups to combat this problem.  I commend her - the ability to read is the key to everything - learning, understanding, and so much more.  For me, I’ve decided that I will test out being a troll.

Specifically, I hate the idea of big money controlling everything, including our government, and there’s no bigger Public Enemy #1 than Sheldon Adelson.  So I’ve decided to be the thorn in his side, the pain in his buttocks, the troll who monitors his “Coalition to Stop Online Gambling” websites.  It’s the least I can do, and I usually do the least I can do.

I try to check both the original website and their Facebook page. That’s not an easy task - one needs a strong stomach.  Both sites are big on hype and scare tactics, and short on facts.  The Facebook page is especially fun - they tend to take news tidbits and repost the same thing over and over with different headlines, just to make it look like something is happening.

I try to “help” Shelly and his friends by providing the missing pieces…like actual facts.  For example, the StopInternetGambling Facebook page had news about the dip in revenues from New Jersey online gaming…several times.  I couldn’t understand why they’d trumpet this - it’s like the retirees in the old folks’ homes who complain that the food is horrible…and in such small portions!  So when the August numbers were released, showing an uptick, I posted that news on their site.

The Facebook page also has direct appeals to visitors to join them, like, “Tell Congress to restore the federal ban on Internet gambling through our website…” but they forgot to give reasons for doing so.  So I thought I could be of assistance - I found this recent article from Forbes (September 9) about California’s online gaming being on hold, where their fearless leader was cited:

"Among the reasons for optimism has been the presence of a number of lawmakers who support the measure, but roadblocks have been set for a number of reasons, including the presence of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. The politically active Adelson has already contributed north of $300,000 to slow the legalization of online gambling over fears that the industry could harm land-based casino business, where Adelson has a heavy stake." (emphasis mine).

I hope that helps.

I plan to keep at this even if/when they bar me from their Facebook page (they can’t keep me from their website, and there are ways to get the FB info - I can bribe that kid in their ads to steal his Dad’s password so I can override the barring, or something.  It’s pretty cool.).  In the meantime, if I did not invite you to join C4SIG - the Coalition to Counteract the Coalition to Stop Online Gambling - I apologize (it was a rush job just to get the FB site up and going).  Take this opportunity now to go to the site and join, post pro-online-poker items (or anti-Adelson items - same difference).  Yes, we don’t have his money (and truthfully, that’s the big thing to overcome), but we also don’t have his looks, and we all can be thankful for that.

We also have the PPA on our side, as well as millions of poker players, poker-friendly politicians, and one more thing.  We’re right.  Let freedom ring and shuffle up and deal!