The Electric Chair

I have a long history with Poker.  Some of my earliest childhood memories are playing poker with my brother and his friends.  We’d almost always play 5-card draw for pennies.  Needless to say we were all just playing Bingo.  None of us knew how to play.  Me at about 7-8 years old, my brother a few years older… we were pathetic.  A few years later, with my brother in his teens, alcohol became involved too.  Not much, just a beer or something to make us all feel like we were something.  I remember going to the store and buying “near-bear” so I could feel like I was part of it, though occasionally I partook in the real stuff too.

After I left Utah (at age 13), I didn’t really play much… though there were rounds of poker on the bus ride to and from school with Amanda and Nicole.  I don’t really recall the stakes, so I’m sure we just pretended there were going to be real stakes.

Years later, I started joining in the game a co-worker of mine,  Michael Graf, would host at his house with a bunch of work buddies. In the beginning, none of us had a clue.  We were playing “dealers” choice games like High Chicago, Football and so on.  Some real bizarre games.  I look back on it now and laugh.  On each wall was plastered the Poker hands so we’d all remember and could sneak a peak without being to obvious should we need to,  and a lot of us needed that help.  (For some reason people got flushes and straights mixed up in the order of things).

Eventually we all matured, and soon enough No Limit Hold ‘em became the name of the game.  Some of my friends got into it hardcore, while I was still playing casually.  Next thing I knew they were talking about their favorite pros, articles they read in Bluff Magazine, and Odds and such.  I was still pretty green.  Playing my cards, and not really considering the many other facets of the game.

Then I moved to Georgia.  I missed our home game.  It wasn’t so much the poker, though I really did enjoy the game, it was the social time… and the connection to my youth.  I looked around for a home game, but the only ones I was finding felt very shady.  I knew my level of play was not good, and these guys would take my money faster than I could say “call”.

Then my wife suggested I look at this site called “Meetup.com”.  Sure enough, I found someone who had set up a poker group.  Turns out it was a business that ran a free poker tournament at a bar. I showed up, very nervous, but happy to have a place to play… and it was free, with a chance to win a gift certificate.

That was almost 3 years ago.  Since then I’ve truly discovered the game.  The psychology of it, the mathematics, the personalities… all of it.  I absolutely love the game.  And I’ve gotten pretty good at it too. I’ve learned about all the pros, read tons of articles, books, and played a *lot* of Poker.

Free Poker is wildly popular in Georgia, where it is illegal to have even a penny ante home game (not that it stops people).  You can play multiple games any day of the week with different poker companies.  I’ve often thought that it would be a good business to start if we ever moved back to California.  While I’m here though, I’ll be happy to work with Jeff, who runs  my favorite games (well ran, Tony’s shut down leaving Jeff looking for a new place to host his games).

So I’ve become a regular in the Poker games around here.  I think I’m a formidable player.  There’s nothing like this game, which is largely a skill game, obviously mixed with luck.  I really enjoy improving my game, and picking apart the nuances of the game.  Yes it’s Free Poker, but I can play a real game too (more on that later).

One thing to note… I have an incredibly supportive wife who understands my need to socialize with other poker players.  I’m a very lucky man.

Coming in Poker Part II.  The Vegas Trip, wins and losses, internet poker, books and experience.

“I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration somehow yhou’re not patriotic.  We should statnd up and say, ‘We are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration.’”

– Hilary Clinton, April 28, 2003

“An ugly campaign is underway, not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt civil dialogue.  These disruptions are occuring because opponents are afraid not just of differeing views but of the facts themselves.  Drowing out opposing views is simply un-American”

– Speaker Nancy Pelosi, August 10, 2009

“The Last time I had to confront something like this was when I voted for the civil rights bill and my oponent voted against it.  At that time, we had a lot of Ku Klux Klan folks and white supremacists and folks in white sheets and other things running around causing trouble”.

– Rep. John Dingell, August 10, 2009

Apparently if you protest or just disagree now, you’re un-american, and racist.  Nice.

There are so many problems with the Heath Care non-debate that I don’t know where to start. I call it a non-debate because I really feel that debate is trying to be stifled.  How?  Let’s go through some of them.

1) The congressional leaders have said they are going to pass health care reform. It’s going to happen with or without Republican support. With or without Full Democratic (they’ve promised to use the nuclear option to pass it if they have to) and without the input of the public.  It doesn’t matter what the people think or what the other elected officials think as long as they have 51 senate members.  Obama was quoted as saying he doesn’t want to hear from the opposition, he wants them to shut up and get out of the way (“I Don’t want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking” — http://bit.ly/3ZkSi).  It’s disingenuous to say those that disagree with you created the problem.  It’s certainly arguable that it’s been the liberal plans that have created much of the problem.  Either way, the debate should be open… telling the people to shut up is arrogant.

2) The White house has asked people to report misinformation by emailing flag@whitehouse.gov. This is truly big brother, and probably illegal.  What it is for sure is an attempt to stifle debate through intimidation.

3) There are many people swarming our leaders, asking legitimate questions, bringing up valid concerns and using their Constitutional right to assembly and free speech by protesting.  In some cases things have gotten a bit out of hand… but most cases are quite civil.  Those who are hell bent on passing their brand of reform have labeled these people as a mob.  Even worse, they are of course nefariously “organized”.  Whatever.  As one of these type people myself, I can assure you I’ve not been asked, persuaded, offered money, or anything to go to a town hall meeting and questions our leaders, but the first chance I get to attend a Town Hall… I will be there.  These people, right or wrong, are true patriots in questioning our leaders, and expecting them to listen. It seems the left thinks that they are the only ones who have the right of assembly.  In fact, they are the ones organizing, as now union leaders, and groups like Acorn are sending their members to “fight back” against the real grass roots. (http://bit.ly/lyv4p)  The only AstroTurf  here is coming from those pushing Obama’s brand of reform.

4) There are also a lot of rhetorical tactics that are being used to shut those of us who are concerned.  The most obvious one is the notion that if you’re opposed to what’s going on now, you don’t want Heath Care reform at all.  That’s not it at all.  We certainly do want reform, we just don’t think the Obama brand of reform is good at all.  Other standard tactics are personally attacking those who are the mouthpieces for the opposition.  As though the fact that some of us have character flaws completely invalidates our arguments.  It’s a ridiculous notion, and just plain intellectually dishonest.

Look.  There’s an honest debate that needs to happen here.  Reform should happen, but it needs to be one that is best for the country.  The lawmakers don’t always (rarely) know what’s best for us.  They need to listen to the people, and truly reform things.  I’ve got many ideas on what I think good reform would be, and I’ll share those some other time… but so do many other people.   So let’s have an honest debate… the country will be better for it.

Last night I had a dream that I was sneaking around my own house trying to smoke a cigarette.  In the dream I was smoking with the window open when someone walked in, startled me, and I dropped the cigarette.  I made my way outside to pick up the cigarette that was getting wet, as it was raining outside.  I took a puff and then had the realization that I was becoming an addicted smoker.

For the record, I don’t smoke.  I despise cigarettes.  They’ve got both of my parents addicted, despite their many attempts to quit.  I know what it is doing to them, and it scares the hell out of me.  I worry about myself as I play poker a lot in smoke filled bars, where I might as well be smoking (but without the risk of becoming addicted, at least that’s my theory and I’ll stick to it).

I do believe we often dream about the things that are on our mind… so the best I can figure is that this was about my fear of addictions.  I used to pride myself on not having any.  So many of my friends were/are addicted to caffeine drinks.  But as I get older I realize that addictions aren’t limited to drugs.  Bad habits that you can’t seem to quit are just as bad if not the same as addictions.  Of these, I have many. Here are a few:

1) McDonalds.  My McDonalds addiction started when I was in high school and my Girlfriend worked there.  I’d go and visit her while she was working, and pick up an “All American Cheeseburger Meal”.  It was the perfect size for me.  One burger, small fry and small drink.  I’d be full, and it tasted so darned good.  I still love that food, but now a satisfying meal is 2 cheeseburgers, medium fry, large coke, and maybe another burger or McChicken sandwich.  Further, these wonderful meals often cause my stomach distress shortly after consuming them.  Despite me knowing how horrible all this is, I have a hard time denying my hunger for the Golden Arches when I need a quick food fix, or if I’m traveling, or if I just need some good old fashioned comfort food. And on top of it all… it’s not cost effective.  Fast food is *not* cheap, so I’m wasting money that is desperately needed at my house for other things.

2) Computer time.  I sit at a computer all day long for work.  After work I play stupid computer games (Solitaire, Bejeweled etc), or surf random sites looking for amusing videos, or play on Facebook.  Hell, now I’ve convinced myself to start blogging.  Way to go Jesse, you’ve found another way to feed the Computer-monkey on your back.  Now since I do get paid to be a geek, it’s not all bad… but so much time at a computer has taken it’s physical tole.  It’s far easier to play a game, type a blog post, finish some work, or watch a funny video then it is for me to go outside and do some yard work, clean my office or pretty much any physical activity apart from exercising my typing fingers. The absolute worst part is when I sit in bed, as I do now, typing on the laptop in a position that makes my neck sore and my hands/wrists irritated.

3) Poker.  I’m partly in denial about this one, but if I must be honest, and Indeed I must, Poker is indeed an addiction of mine that has some negative consequences.  But since I’m in denial, i’ll start with the good.  I enjoy poker, it makes me feel good.  I enjoy that I’m pretty good at it.  It has exercised my mind, and it’s human nature to want to compete.  Further, at the end of a day of working from home, I need some social time outside of the family (who I love very much). But it does take a lot of my time, and unfortunately the only time for poker is evenings.  This is quality time I could spend with the family.  Further, because most of the poker games (though free) are in bars, I end up smelling like smoke when I come home.  Further still, I can’t seem to play poker without a beer or two… it just feels wrong to me.  And because I do so, I’m spending money that could also be better spent.  Since it’s “Free” Poker, it’s not very often I earn anything, so it’s not like being good at it is making me money.  Though when I took my talents to Vegas a few months back, I turned my initial buy-in  (of about $100) to one daily tournament into a pretty decent profit after three more tournaments and two cash game sessions that more than paid for the entire trip, and a little food decadence.  But seeing how any social gambling in Georgia is entirely illegal (despite some of my poker friends insisting it is not, Georgia Law — Section 16-12-20 states that a person commits a the offense of gambling when they play for money in a game of dice, cards, or balls) It’s a misdemeanor.  That hasn’t stopped me from playing a micro-stakes friendly game, but I’m not likely to make any serious money at it.  The most I can win at most “free games” is a small amount of bar cash, which pays for a night or two of drinks.

4) Beer.  Yes, as I already mentioned, I have a weakness for beer… especially while playing poker.  I’m not “addicted” to it in the alcoholic sort of way, but i’m likely to be drinking a beer a few times a week… which hasn’t helped the pocketbook, the expanding stomach, and probably my liver.

A few of my friends have habits that are good for them… dancing used to be one of mine, but sadly that has tapered off a lot… I should feed that addiction again.

How many things do you consume or do often that are bad for you, cause you problems, or otherwise make your life miserable?

I have a lot of friends who are liberals/progressives/democrats/raving-lunatics who might be excited that I will no longer be registering myself as a Republican.  It’s not that I’ve decided to turn off half my brain, accept the government as my daddy, and register myself as a Socialist, er I mean Democrat… no, I’ve decided that I’ll become an Independent.

Recently I’ve discovered that I have far more in common with the Libertarian Party that I do with our two big parties.  Neither party has any interest in the betterment of this country.  With little exception, our national representatives in both parties have sold their soul, and the soul of this country for the power in which they desire.

For the previous four years I stood by “our” President when I was a Republican and watched one of the biggest power grabs in History.  Republicans and Democrats took advantage of our fear over 9/11 to get things “done”.  While on many levels I support the Patriot act, and many other things Republicans tried to do, what I cannot support is how bloated these bills become with pork, amendments, and attacks on our freedom.  These came from both sides.  A good example is the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act).

The UIGEA wasn’t a bill… it was part of a more important bill called Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006.  This parent bill addressed some much needed security issues (For example, some much needed FEMA problems were addressed, and it required radiation testing on appropriate imports).  But in a last minute effort, Republican added the UIGEA to it in a “midnight drop”.  No legitimate debate.  An attempt, once again by our lawmakers, to legislate morality using ignorance, intolerance, and just plain stupidity.

The UIGEA made the funding of internet gaming illegal (Depositing and Payments of Funds for Online Gambling).  Actually, it’s not even that clear, it’s worded in such a way that so many legal acts could be considered illegal, and puts a huge burden on banks to enforce the act.  Very quickly some huge moneymaking companies decided to avoid the risk by abandoning our lands and moved internet gaming sides overseas, taking huge revenues (and taxes) along with them.  Instead of regulating (a term I’m usually not fond of either), and potentially increasing government revenue through taxes, they chose to blindly ban it.  The worst part is that those of us who want to see the UIGEA overturned are pinning a lot of hope on the actions of Barney Frank.  (Who is my second least favorite politician… and no, Obama isn’t my least… that special title is reserved for Pelosi).

The UIGEA is actually a minor infraction on the part of Republicans to me, but it is one that affects me personally as a Poker Player. Government consistently limits my rights rather than protects them.  Our republic was created in a way to limit Government and to protect my rights but more and more the opposite happens. Each of our two parties are doing this in their own self-interest and preservation.  They treat us like children that have to be told what to do, what is right, and what is wrong.

I used to believe that it was the Republican that were on my side, protecting my liberties, trying to reduce the size of government, and securing my freedom.  But the last 8 years have shown me that Republicans are just as power hungry as the Democrats, and will screw us over just as quickly to keep their power.

Case in point is Arlen Spector.  Now, anyone who had a clue knew he was what many of us called a RINO (Republican in Name Only).  As a Republican he was elected time and time again, while practically being a Democrat (just look at his voting record).  But as soon as it was clear that he would not win the Republican Nomination this time around, he jumped ship and labeled himself as a Democrat, because it is in this party he was sure to secure his stranglehold on his seat.

Of course, the Republicans applauded Joe Lieberman when he did almost he same thing and ran as an Independent when he was sure to lose the Democratic Nomination.  But at least he chose to become independent, which sounds like he kept some integrity.  But in the end, it was about keeping power.

So I no longer feel that either of our parties are looking out for me.  (The Health-Care non-debate is a prime example of this… Democrats are certainly not interested in what is best for the country, only what will get them more votes — More on this in a future post).  And despite my revelation that the Libertarian party is becoming an option, I’m not yet convinced.  So Independent it is for me.  Georgia seems to have open primaries, so my options should not be limited in primary season.  I know going Independent is the right thing to do for me.

I have a fantasy that we’ll implement term limits for House Members.  Crazy thought isn’t it?  I think if our representatives had a limited time in office, we might have more people who get elected with idealistic notions rather than continuing power.  Maybe then I’d feel like I could belong to a party again.

I’m totally feeling like watching Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Everyone is doing a blog these days, so why not me?  Actually, it’s not that I expect anyone to really read this stuff, but I have had a need to express my frustrations, my excitement, my news… you know, my thoughts. Why not  blog?  Facebook is ok, but I needed a more structured target for such musing, so here it is: The Electric chair (reborn).

Reborn?  Yes.  Back before the Web was anything but a geeks playground (back in the days where gopher ruled “browsing”, and IRC ruled “chat”), I had a web page I called “The Electric Chair”.  As most personal websites were back then, it was plain, and pretty much just about me.  It featured a picture of me, sitting in a chair playing guitar, taken with a webcam.  It was the perfect cheezy MySpace/Facebook picture before there was facebook.  I was an innovator in dorkiness.  It also had a picture of my cat, Fizzy (RIP).  Depending on where you clicked on the picture, Fizzy would Purr, or meow.  Very interactive.

So here it is again… The Electric Chair reborn as a blog so that I might express my pretentiousness like so many others do.

For those of you who might actually read this… be prepared.  I’ll be talking about all of my interests.  These will include, but not be limited to: Conservative/Libertarian Politics, Technology, My Family, Poker, Music and All things Swing/Lindy Hop.  On a good day, I might tie a few of the topics together!

But mostly, it’ll be pretentious.