Legal 491S W/E 4/29/07

"Here's the deal: Proposal would allow Internet gambling" - BNA headlines

There is a bill proposed that would remove the restriction on internet gambling. The article mentions the ridiculousness of having real world legalized gambling and its illegality on the internet. It is a ironic example of how we are both behind in our laws with many aspects of the internet and OVER-legislated in others.

Also, since half of the users of internet gambling are Americans, it seems that the government should be protecting those who participate in it. Furthermore, it personally upsets me that AGAIN the government is overstepping its bounds. Some of the supporters of the ban believe the ban is useful in a "protect the youth"-esque way, which reminds me of the justification of censorship. Usually when some moral crusader is against any sort of "racy" material, its banning is ALWAYS to protect the children. That logic is antiquated and has no place in contemporary society, especially the internet.

In a complete different view, arresting CEO's of foreign based gambling corporation just seems ludicrous. It, with other aspects mentioned in the article, shows that the U.S. is both setting bad precedent in foreign relations and ALSO hurts the lifeblood of some small island nations.

Though I do not participate in online gambling, I would like the option to be able to and the ban on it angers me.