On Wed, 28 Mar 2001, Umar Goldeli wrote:
> Sure this does not necessarily directly relate to Linux - but as geeks,
> this should concern you.
I am in 2 minds about this legislation.
>
> Your Government is fucking both the economy, and the IT industry.
No argument there.
> If there is anything else that can be done to fuck a country, I'd be quite
> impressed if it isn't already being done here in the "clever country".
Absolutely. Even if you do not feel the opposition is up to the
task (and it is no secret that I am a "true believer") just do
anything you can to vote these fascists space monkeys out.
> As a certified geek, I can safely say that Australia smells for me, my
> industry and most probably my kind.
Anyway, to let out another secret about myself, I am an ex-gambler.
At one stage I used to put all my earnings, after paying my rent
and food bills &c. through the Poker machines. I reformed myself
and managed to wean myself off them. I personally think gambling is
Evil Incarnate.
I think there are some personalities (such as myself) that find
it very hard to resist the addictive attraction that gambling offers.
Also marketing is driven in such a way that a person with such an addictive
personality cannot have a pleasant evening out in a pub or club
without being drawn inexorably towards the Evil Ones.
I am in 2 minds about the legislation because I agree
that gambling is out of control in this country. It is avaricious, evil and
soul destroying and very few people who have a gambling compulsion
can avoid it. Take it from me, I know.
Therefore in spirit I appreciate what Little Fascist Johnny is trying
to do.
However, his approach is misplaced - firstly because it is a diversion
against his current self inflicted political woes. He is just stirring
up smoke to make Labour take some sort of imaginary high moral stance.
Secondly, he doesn't have the right to determine what mature adults
should be able to do for entertainment or how they spend their money.
Thirdly as a technically adept person, we all know how difficult it
would be to enforce this law in much the same way as the moronic porn laws.
Also there is the question of innovation and production of new net
technologies where there is revenue to be drawn. Like all things,
in moderation, gambling can be fun but there needs to be some
sort of regulation to allow those who wish to participate to do
so in some sort of structured environment so they are not ripped off
or end up losing their house/car/pets &c.
The labour viewpoint of regulating net gambling is probably the
best balanced approach and the lesser of two evils as people
will gamble no matter what the law says and regulation at least
stops those who cannot help their compulsion from having their
life savings syphoned off by the mafia or yakuza or triads or
whatever.
As for me, I am glad I was able to get into computers as they cured
me of the gambling addiction - video games have got to be good for something?!
rachel
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Rachel Polanskis Optus/Excite@Home
UNIX Administrator 100 Harris Street
IT Operations Pyrmont, Sydney NSW
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Ph: (+61 2) 900 51144
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