Frank Talk, but No Walk (So Far), on Internet Gambling

Jacob Sullum | February 23, 2007

On Wednesday rumors that Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, was about to introduce a bill that would repeal last year's Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act helped push up the stock prices of online gambling companies, especially PartyGaming. Alas, Frank's spokesman says there's no truth to the rumors:

As you know, he is opposed to restrictions on online gambling. But there is nothing currently underway to repeal the restrictions on Internet gambling in the United States. There are a lot of reports coming out of Europe, and I have no idea where they are coming from. There hasn't been anyone on our staff talking about that, including the Chairman.

Last year, you may recall, Frank offered some stirring words in defense of your right to do what you damned well please with your own money. Now that he has the power to do something about it, will he?

[Thanks to Thomas Paine's Goiter for the tip.]

Comments

ed|2.23.07 @ 12:06PM|#

I recall those "stirring words." It almost made me believe Frank was a libertarian. Then I saw him interviewed by Lou Dobbs a couple days ago and I remembered why he's still a lefty scumbag. And why politics often make strange bedfellows.

|2.23.07 @ 12:35PM|#

"There is nothing currently underway..."

Well, all right then. I guess that's that.

|2.23.07 @ 12:38PM|#

Is there a state in the union that doesn't have any form of legalized gambling? I would guess Utah. But between the Lotto, 30+ states having brick and mortar casinos, horse tracks, dog tracks, and OTB it blows my mind that anyone actually supports banning on-line gambling.

Its one of the most clear cases off lobbying combining with government monopoly we have today. And no one seems to be pissed about it.

|2.23.07 @ 1:13PM|#

Thanks to Thomas Paine's Goiter for the tip.

Admit it Jacob, you posted this just for that acknowledgment.

|2.23.07 @ 1:25PM|#

Political SOP - stirring words for liberty, but no action.

Thomas Paine\'s Goiter|2.23.07 @ 1:27PM|#

Well, all right then. I guess that's that.

Yeah, that's pretty funny. I almost take that particular sidestep like this:

"There is nothing currently underway..."

Thomas Paine\'s Goiter|2.23.07 @ 1:29PM|#

With the amount of griping being done by the banking lobby about this, I'm not going to be surprised at all if this act is defunded or repealed.

|2.23.07 @ 1:39PM|#

TPG,

There are no plans to repeal the unlawful Internat Gambling Enforcement Act on Donald Rumsfeld's desk.

None. At all. Anywhere on his desk.

Thomas Paine\'s Goiter|2.23.07 @ 1:47PM|#

There are no plans to repeal the unlawful Internat Gambling Enforcement Act on Donald Rumsfeld's desk. None. At all. Anywhere on his desk.

I see that. Mr. Rumsfeld's spokesperson, what is that plan over there on his end table?

|2.23.07 @ 1:53PM|#

I'm not going to answer theoretical questions.

|2.23.07 @ 2:39PM|#

There is nothing currently underway

Semantically, the word "currently" adds nothing to this sentence. It means the same thing as "there is nothing underway."

The word "currently" is just reflexive redundant obfuscation by a professional obfuscator. Nothing more.

He is doing nothing, and that's all there is to it.

Thomas Paine\'s Goiter|2.23.07 @ 3:58PM|#

He is doing nothing, and that's all there is to it.

That's what he'd like you to believe.

|2.23.07 @ 4:16PM|#

That's what he'd like you to believe.

Ah but, a clever man would put the plan on his own desk because he would know that only a great fool would believe what he was told.

But you must have known I was not a great fool--you would have counted on it--so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me!

|2.23.07 @ 4:18PM|#

Utah has polygamy in some areas. If that isn't gambling, I don't know what is.....

|2.23.07 @ 4:54PM|#

Now that he has the power to do something about it, will he?

Yes. I am fairly confident that Mr. Frank will do damn well whatever he pleases with my money.

|2.23.07 @ 8:25PM|#

Look out, R C! It's a trap!