Now there is gambling, there’s gambling on not getting caught and there is gambling on the internet. What could I mean? Well if you like to gamble, and you prefer your computer to the lights of Vegas or pissed about Atlantic City then you have a situation. Legislation has just been passed to prohibit credit cards from being used to pay for online gambling. In addition law enforcement can now get internet providers to block access. It’s a one-two hit to this industry. At $12 billion a year it’s a nice business, or at least it was. And the good part was that if you were an owner going to the bank to check the books often meant a trip to the Carribean if not further.
I can’t imagine how pissed all the future professional poker players out there feel about this new law. I for one could not imagine gambling where I can’t see what is happening. Call me crazy, but I tend to think being in person cuts down on the chances for the house, or anyone else, to cheat me. Considering the various viruses and spyware out there, and the fact that most of these companies are overseas because they were trying to circumvent the U.S. laws and taxes my confidence was always low. But all is not lost. You can still do the state lotteries, and horse racing.
The thing that bugs me though is that supporters are touting how this law passed, at least in part, because Mr. Jack Abramoff worked for the lobby that defeated a similar bill in 2000. Laws should never be passed because of short term political events. And denying the public of a passive past time should be based on a real issue.
But perhaps an online bet is better than the bet made by Zidane. By now many should know that Zidane was ejected from the World Cup final. You may also know that he was the player who won the Golden Ball. The Golden Ball is the MVP of the entire World Cup competition. It’s a big deal, like being the player of the world for 4 years. It’s an honor. And Zidane doesn’t deserve it.
It doesn’t matter what his reasoning is. No matter what words he may have been called. It’s no shock that players trade insults at times during a match. Whether they are upset or just trying to rattle an opposing player hoping for an opportunity it happens and its no different that in any other sport. Football linebackers make comments before the snap, catchers in baseball say things before a pitch. At the end though its just words. And in an atmosphere, where the pressure is on and the world is watching you don’t lose your temper. Perhaps I’d be more forgiving to a young player that had never been to the World Cup. Zidane is not that. And as a comparison imagine that it’s the Superbowl, before the snap and a quarterback walks up to the opposing line and kicks a player in the face. Does that player deserve the MVP if his team wins? I think not. It’s pretty straight forward. Unless you live in France of course.
And as for those that don’t follow the game, here are some responses on what others commented about the game. [You may want to see the link to get what I am commenting on] The fact that there are no timeouts means the players have to think on their feet. The coach can and does still give input from the sidelines, but the bulk of his strategy is before the game at halftime and in the substitutions (which are all vital points in the game). The changes in strategy are the reason why the most experienced players are captains. There is no need for another long series as teams play for 4 years to qualify and then play for a month to see who is best. To be in the competition is enough to say they are one of the best. There are 5 referees, the head being the one among the players. The game is important because it is the ONLY world sport. Americans are apathetic because they don’t get to see games often. The rules are basically straight forward. If you can figure out all the penalties that are in American football you can get soccer’s rules. There are no Michael Jordan’s of American soccer because there isn’t. Maybe if the nation supports the game there may be, until then Pele is it.
Well there you go. Now I’m just waiting for American football season to start. Go Giants!
That’s what I think, what do you think?
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