CNET
posted an interesting article today by former Republican House Majority Leader, Dick Armey, who is now heading the
FreedomWorks organization.
What makes this story interesting is the fact that Armey and his organization appear to be lining up against the UIGEA and in favor of Internet freedoms in general.
Sweet.
What isn't so great is the fact that he's supporting Barney Frank's Payments System Protection Act, which still holds the view that sports gambling is illegal.
Regardless, I still feel the Act is a step in the right direction. I have no idea how they plan to keep the different types of online gambling segregated anyway, so I suspect it's passing would be a good thing for sports bettors too.
Back to Dick Armey... I used to view this guy as something of a Republican sycophant, but recently I have had reason to re-evaluate my opinion of the guy.
If you are interested, you should read the recent book,
Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency, which not only tears down the most evil VP in history, but also recounts a shocking story of how Dick Cheney deceived Dick Armey in a manner that has left Armey a very bitter and disenchanted man.
Even the article mentioned above seems to give a hint to Armey's state of mind with the title he gave it...
The Midnight Regulation Rush is On! That's obviously a backhanded shot at the kind of stealthy political skullduggery that allowed the UIGEA to pass into law back in 2006.
As well, it also could refer to the current administration's recent behavior which seems to indicate that, despite their historically low approval ratings, they still plan to stick their finger in America's eye one last time and
end their reign with a slew of partisan political manuvers which could blight America for years to come.
These would including plans that "would help clear obstacles to some commercial ocean-fishing activities, ease controls on emissions of pollutants that contribute to global warming, relax drinking-water standards and lift a key restriction on mountaintop coal mining".
Relax drinking water standards? Are they serious?
Anyway, it's good to see Armey getting back into the game. Regardless of his political beliefs, he at least seems to be a principled guy who believes in doing things the right way.
I'm glad he's coming around to our side on the onlinne gambling issue.