Thursday, September 28, 2006

Senator Frist failed again to attach an Internet gambling bill to a defense
bill today. However, Republicans are looking for other avenues to ban
online gambling before Congress adjourns for the November 7 elections. An
aide told Reuters today, "Frist wants to get it done...We are still working
things out. Everyone is still talking." A senior Democratic aide was quoted
by cnetnews.com as saying, "I wouldn't pronounce it dead yet." The proposed
bill would make most forms of online gambling illegal and prohibit banks and
credit card companies to provide funds to gambling sites. Backers of the
Internet gambling bill say that legislation is badly needed to emphasize
that the 1961 federal law banning telephone betting is also a measure
against a variety of online gambling such as horse and dog-racing interests.
Aides say that Frist along with other supporters are planning to tag it to
other provisions such as tightening port security against threats of
terrorism. Given the fact that time is running out, we can only hope that
level heads prevailin the Senate. This isn't really about right or wrong,
or helping any Americans out.