political activism
at the airport this morning for a dropoff, i walk past a guy who looks very familiar, but can't place him. 10mins later in the bathroom, i realize it was one of the senators from oregon, Gordon Smith.
i also realize the reason he looks so freshly familiar is because he made news a few days ago for being the first republican to break ranks and criticize bush's iraq policy (or something).
i decided i had a unique opportunity to have a us senator's attention, and that i was obligated to approach him about a pretty important issue that was bothering me. i went back into the main terminal expecting him to be gone, but there he was, first in line at the united air counter. he stood there for a good 5mins, like any other schmuck who gets stuck behind someone slow. finally it is his turn, and i can get a good view of his face and confirm that it is him. i also note that he has noone with him, which strikes me as being a little odd.
as he leaves the counter i go up to him and say, "senator smith?". he nods and sticks out his hand, and i introduce myself. i figured i needed to somehow compliment him first, as he might be more inclined to listen to my upcoming complaint. so i say, 'i wanted to tell you that i appreciate your comments the other night on the iraq situation.'
he sets his bag down and moves a couple inches closer, and actually seems to straighten up an inch or so. it occurs to me i may have erred on the subject, and he takes a moment to look reflective and says, "well, thank you...you know, it just seems that..."
at that point i cut him off and say, "but i did have one question for you...". he now seems to relax his entire body, and folds his arms, extending his fist-shaped hand so that he can rest his chin on it. i really believed he was listening!
so i say, "a few months ago, you guys passed a port security bill, that had a bunch of language included in it concerning online gambling."
at which point, he stops the head-on-fist act. i ask him if he has any memory of it, that it was pushed through by senator frist, etc. he says he does remember it a little, and that he is sure he did vote for it. i tell him that there are a lot of poker players and online gamblers wondering why they suddenly need to be protected from themselves. he starts talking about how he seems to remember that there was a lot of fraud, but can't remember any specifics. he looks at a wall clock. i ask him if they are planning on going after alcohol and tobacco, at which point he picks up his suitcase while he nods and chuckles. he starts saying something more about fraud, and i interrupt to say that the poker players, gamblers, and the industry itself would like nothing more than to have it all regulated, that there is billions of $ to be made, etc.
now he takes his first step away from me, so i tell him thanks for listening, and we shake hands again. i wonder how much longer he would have listened to some iraq bitching.
just to make sure i've made an impression, i say, "thanks...don't forget about poker players!". he says, "yep, we gotta be free!". amen, sister.
i also realize the reason he looks so freshly familiar is because he made news a few days ago for being the first republican to break ranks and criticize bush's iraq policy (or something).
i decided i had a unique opportunity to have a us senator's attention, and that i was obligated to approach him about a pretty important issue that was bothering me. i went back into the main terminal expecting him to be gone, but there he was, first in line at the united air counter. he stood there for a good 5mins, like any other schmuck who gets stuck behind someone slow. finally it is his turn, and i can get a good view of his face and confirm that it is him. i also note that he has noone with him, which strikes me as being a little odd.
as he leaves the counter i go up to him and say, "senator smith?". he nods and sticks out his hand, and i introduce myself. i figured i needed to somehow compliment him first, as he might be more inclined to listen to my upcoming complaint. so i say, 'i wanted to tell you that i appreciate your comments the other night on the iraq situation.'
he sets his bag down and moves a couple inches closer, and actually seems to straighten up an inch or so. it occurs to me i may have erred on the subject, and he takes a moment to look reflective and says, "well, thank you...you know, it just seems that..."
at that point i cut him off and say, "but i did have one question for you...". he now seems to relax his entire body, and folds his arms, extending his fist-shaped hand so that he can rest his chin on it. i really believed he was listening!
so i say, "a few months ago, you guys passed a port security bill, that had a bunch of language included in it concerning online gambling."
at which point, he stops the head-on-fist act. i ask him if he has any memory of it, that it was pushed through by senator frist, etc. he says he does remember it a little, and that he is sure he did vote for it. i tell him that there are a lot of poker players and online gamblers wondering why they suddenly need to be protected from themselves. he starts talking about how he seems to remember that there was a lot of fraud, but can't remember any specifics. he looks at a wall clock. i ask him if they are planning on going after alcohol and tobacco, at which point he picks up his suitcase while he nods and chuckles. he starts saying something more about fraud, and i interrupt to say that the poker players, gamblers, and the industry itself would like nothing more than to have it all regulated, that there is billions of $ to be made, etc.
now he takes his first step away from me, so i tell him thanks for listening, and we shake hands again. i wonder how much longer he would have listened to some iraq bitching.
just to make sure i've made an impression, i say, "thanks...don't forget about poker players!". he says, "yep, we gotta be free!". amen, sister.