Bill to Regalize Online Poker has Compromises

Bill in Progress

Congress are currently working on a new bill that will re-legalize online poker; However, online sports gambling and casino games will remain illegal with the current bill.

Poker is a Hobby

Since the anti-online poker bill was passed in 2006, the process of relegalizing online poker in the United States included online petitions such as the PPA, Poker Players Alliance, and letters of protest to politicians. The main idea behind the push is that online poker is a hobby that Americans simply enjoy as a skill game. Not to mention, the poker industry is a MULTI-BILLION dollar business.

Why Not Sports Gambling?

Why can't the same can be said for sports gambling? Betting on a game can make it more enjoyable and it takes solid research to pick a winner. Supposedly, the bill will make an exception for placing bets online for horse and dog racing. Last time I checked, betting on sports is virtually the same as betting on horses.

(AP Photo/Beth Eide)

Afford Cigarettes in Chicago

Cigarettes in the city of Chicago tends to be more expensive than its surrounding suburbs due to taxes. With the recession in progress, being a smoker can be quite costly. You are left with three options: 1) Quit smoking 2) Continue spending 40-50 cents per cigarette 3) Roll your own cigarettes.

Efficient and Cheap>ROLL it
Recently, I bought a cheap cigarette rolling machine, a pouch of tobacco, and filters. I was amazed by how easy and quick rolling your own cigarette was. It took me less than 30 seconds when i rolled my third one. Each rolled cigarette came out to cost less than 10 cents! Self rolled cigarettes aren't for everybody, but if they become your choice, you will be saving a lot of money. OR, you can quit?
AP Photo/Chuck Burton

Phelps and Pot

Michael E. Phelps is considered by many to be the greatest Olympian ever. It’s hard to argue against his 16 medals, 8 of which are gold medals acquired at the recent Beijing Olympics.

Good Role Model?
Physically, Phelps is an idol that every athlete should look up to, but the guy is still a kid. He got caught smoking marijuana out of a pipe! Michael Phelps, a pothead? This occurrence sends a message to young people everywhere that "pot" is okay. The "best ever" does it! Those anti-dope ads definitely took a hit in effectiveness.

So how did he respond? The typical sorry and i will never do it again. Guess what he got? A slap on the wrist? Yep, all his sponsors accepted the apology and stood by Phelps including Speedo. I guess when a guy has talent, it's okay to do whatever.

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill