The Rainmakers are Coming!
My father has been into long distance motorcycling since I was a kid. He even retired to start a company that conducts motorcycle tours in other countries. I'll never forget the time I read some crazy persons scathing reply to all members of an endurance motorcycling forum. He talked about how dangerous it was to ride that many miles without sleep and put other motorists in danger. How the high speeds during their cross country competition was a reckless and irresponsible act. My father wrote a single passage in response. I'm paraphrasing because I'm missing the original quote.
"Whenever someone enjoys something and shares with others a passion for that activity they wish to socialize. They all share a common bond of appreciation and respect for the activity. No matter if this personally affects others or not, they will find you. The Rainmaker. They take pride in raining all over your passions. The more passionate you are, the angrier the Rainmaker becomes. Eventually, their passion is simply the destruction of your passion."
Recently I have read about Rainmakers in the news. Homosexuals are upset about a school football team using the color pink to intimidate visiting teams, as if they own the rights to the color pink and all of its uses. Flight attendants are boycotting a film that has portrayed a single member of an imaginary plane crew in a rude and unfavorable light. What would they have done if they saw my favorite aviation movie, "Debbie Does the Cock Pit"? Just like raising an insignificant side pot at the final table, there are exceptions to the rule. Today is the 25th Anniversary of MADD. I don't consider Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Rainmakers. Mainly because I don't recognize driving drunk as a constructive hobby. Most drunks do end up driving, though. Hopefully it's "the porcelain bus" instead of their cars.
Ever wonder why all the PartyPoker.net and PokerStars.net television ads paste "This is not a gambling site" all over them? Why does GoldenPalace.com buy everything on Ebay that makes headlines? I heard they bought a grilled cheese sandwich with the image of the Virgin Mary for tens of thousands of dollars. I contacted them to see if they wanted a stool sample with the face of Bill Clinton. I showed my wife and all she could say was, "When did you eat string?" All of this because of laws prohibiting advertising for casinos and online gambling. How difficult is it to get your credit card company to approve an online purchase of chips? Even if the money comes directly out of your bank account, it is still nearly impossible. What is the next step?
Don't get me wrong. I didn't go buy drums of drinking water before Y2K. I didn't fill up on gas before Rita hit. I'm not trying to start an over reaction to gambling legislation. However, like my good buddy G.I. Joe always said wrapping up the end-of-show informational skit, "Knowing is half the battle!" I just want my fellow poker players to know that the threat is out there. America is suffocating under the tremendous weight of its own success. Too many busy bodies have too much time and money on their hands. Mark my words. It isn't a question of "IF?" but "WHEN?" Poker is becoming too popular to avoid the ultimate collusion.
"The Rainmakers are Coming!"
