FreedomAtStake's Blog

USA to EU... GFY!

By FreedomAtStake | View all Posts
Posted Thursday, July 03, 2008 04:20 PM   1 comment
I've been away from the computer for the most of the last few weeks, so I've neglected to report on a couple of interesting stories that have come around.

Since it's mostly a slow news day, I'll recap something that happened last week, and that is America's reply to the EU's questionnaire regarding America's refusal to allow foreign operators into the American online gambling market.

Well as the Financial Times reports, a little over a week ago America finally replied, sort of.

While the EU sent off questionaires to various American agencies and government departments, America's Susan Schwab responded with a single short and rather terse letter saying there was "no basis for any allegation of discriminatory enforcement of US gambling laws".

In short, they told the EU to please f**k off.

Which is all kind of strange, since the WTO has already ruled that America HAS acted in a discriminatory manner. America might not agree with that ruling, but to pretend that ruling never occurred is kinda insulting. And to say that there is no basis for any allegation even after the matter has been proven and ruled upon in court is just ridiculous and is certainly no way to conduct business.

We'll see what happens when the EU sends a delegation to America this month to discuss the situation.

I can only imagine how that discussion will go...

Susan Schwab: "So, what brings you to America? Have you checked out the wings at Damons?"

EU: "Uhhh, not yet. We are here to discuss the online gambling issue."

Schwab: "What issue?"

EU: "You know, the issue we asked you about last month in that questionnaire. The one you where you got your legal asses handed to you by Antigua - a nation about the size of Staten Island. The one where you are putting every American trade deal in jeopardy because of some silly ideological hang-up?"

Schwab: "I can assure you that I don't know what you are talking about. You seem to be making allegations that have no factual basis."

EU: "You lost the matter in court. You lost. Get over it and accept the fact that you have to bend in this matter or the repercussions to global trade could be enormous."

Schwab: "I'm not sure I like your attitude. Where'd you say you were from again?"

EU: "We represent the European Union."

Schwab: "Is that so? You know, we threw a couple of you Brit gamblers in jail a while back, didn't we?"

EU: "Uh, yeah. That's part of the problem."

Schwab: "Well, from my viewpoint, it looks like the problem is entirely yours. Now git... before we arrest you too. I can do that, you know. Don't let the door hit you in the bottom, or whatever it is you Limeys call your butt. Oh, and one more thing... soccer sucks! U-S-A!"


Report Abuse
 
1 comment
comment Post A Comment
lonetreejj says:
07/03/08 07:34PM
More arrogant behavior and lack of tact in dealing with our international relations. We will abide by all international rulings... that are in our favor, of course; otherwise ye shalt be ignored.

 

At least the responses should be delivered by someone who has some semblance of an idea of the subject to which they are responding. 

 

Typical.  And one day we'll be wondering where all of our allies have gone.

Add your response:
Please note that the blogger has the option of reviewing all comments before they are displayed to the public. Your comment may not be published immediately.
 

Profile

User: Freedom@Stake
Joined: July 1995
Location: Ireland
Team: Florida State Seminoles
Occupation: Media

Recent Posts

Archive

open2011
open2009
open2008

Categories

Advertisement