Adopt A Soldier

Yo yo YO,

OK.. so my mind was sparked when I was watching cameras following around a group of really cool guys over in Iraq called the Bad VooDoo platoon from the 1-184 IN (Air Assault) in the Bay Area of California, and it enticed me to want to send a care package to a soldier somewhere. Since these guys have gotten this television coverage,  I got to thinking about soldiers that don't have families that send them mail and/or care packages.

So, with the help of  Life's A Bluff we found a website and adopted a soldier that we will help until he comes home…. Then we will help another… until the war is over.

The site is www.adoptaussoldier.org -

Requested items are things like chap stick, socks, toothpaste, sunflower seeds, granola bars, gum, candy, magazines, and playing cards.

We've started to pile stuff together, and have already sent our first care package compiled with all sorts of goodies you can see in the picture below.

The soldier we adopted is 22 and on his 2nd tour in Iraq. He likes sports and is really into football. We ordered a year subscription to Sports Illustrated and will be putting the new issue in each box we send.

So please help us help them. Regardless of what your feelings are of this war, accompany us into lending support until ALL of these men and women are HOME!

You can contribute by clicking the pic below, or by visiting the home site and clicking on the "Chip In - Soldier in Iraq"

www.lifesabluff.com
>
Thanks everyone!!

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Having a few issues with MY myspace, so trying to fix things up.

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Sobriety

I haven’t had a drink in two years. Kinda wish I had an anniversary date, but after trying so many times to stop, counting became tedious and irrelevent.

Anyway...had me thinking of a few people, and in the hopes that people DO google themselves, here goes...


Heidi Shavill, mother to Alexander and Brittany.
Melissa Lynn Harris or Tony Larry Harris.
Kami Pinkerton Riley
Michael Miller

Or anyone who may want to send a shout out from Arapahoe House -Aurora and Thorton, or The Wright Center - Wheatridge, CO.

Peace-
Colleen Frisina

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Interview with PPA Executive Director John Pappas

Head over to the front page to share your comments on LaB’s interview with Poker Players Alliance director John Pappas.

http://lifesabluff.com/

Ya gotta watch the Youtube video posted of frank cutting up his PPA card, and withdrawing his support as a member. Good Shit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8m47xK8PE

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Boycott of Absolute Poker & Ultimate Bet

Greetings... I can get a bit anti-socail, if you haven't heard from me in a while...No disrespect.
ANYWAY... Check it out straight from Frank Frisina - Lifesabluff.com :

I have been a member of the Poker Player's Alliance for a long long time. My member number is 36946. There are almost a million members now. We have done quite a few comics in support of them over the years and I am directly responsible for dozens of signups. As as site I would say we are also responsible for hundreds if not thousands of new members. So I would like to think my voice matters to them. We will see.

Early last year sometime I ran a poll asking our readers if they thought the PPA was doing enough as an organization in the "fight" for players rights. Overwhelmingly you voted NO. Almost a year later and confidence is still just as low. Now some of you have been emailing me saying you have "canceled" your memberships. It is more symbolic than anything since they already have your fee, but I applaud your motives. I just may do the same here soon if things don't change.

I am motivated to gripe specifically due to the scandals that have rocked the online poker world the last year. The questions are really simple; What is the PPA's stance on any one of these issues? How come they have not condemned the actions of Absolute Poker? Why are they not using the numbers of it's members to gain national media attention? Why are they not capitalizing on these moments to interject themselves into the spotlight and raise awareness to the issue of government regulation? How come they aren't on TV more? One would think a million people should be heard. How come I the only email I received from them in months was a copy of the candidates and their views on gaming? Now I appreciate that effort as simplistic as it was. But why have they not utilized that 800 thousand plus email list they have to warn their members of unethical and criminal behavior of a well known poker room?

Where do the member dues go?

As members of this organization we have the right to have the answer to each and every one of those questions. I mean really. What are they doing over there? Nobody ever thought that it might be a good idea to get out a mailing list and do a regular newsletter?

I have decided to ask them some of these questions via their forums. I suggest all who read this join me over there and lets see if we can't get some answers. Let them know what you think.

Now another problem I am having is with the media coverage or lack of. Absolute's numbers from what I hear are not suffering. It is as if nobody cares the site they play on was cheating their own customers and at the highest level. I don't think that is the case. I think the people just don't know. This story should be poker's Britney Spears. Did any of the major magazines post it in big bold headlines on the cover? With the exception of the forums and blogs how much attention has been given to it? If I were running a magazine I would have done a black cover with big red letters, "Cheating Rocks The Online Poker World"... It should be a dead horse beaten so badly that we need another horse to beat. And it sure looks like UB might be that horse. Yippy Ki yay!

If the majority of Absolute players knew what was really going on that site would collapse. What also needs to happen is these so called celebrity endorsers need to abandon ship and the high stakes players need to move to another site. Full Tilt should try and recruit these players with some sort of bonus. I suggested in another blog that if someone provides proof of a canceled Absolute or Ultimate Bet account they should get a bonus. Come on Full Tilt... STEP UP.

I am going to actively seek the cooperation of my fellow bloggers and those in the media to call for an all out boycott of Absolute Poker, Ultimate Bet , and any other similar properties. This goes for everyone. Anyone who claims they care about this game should have no problem participating. I am calling you all out. The bloggers, the magazines, the radio shows, the news portals, EVERYONE! It really is pretty simple.. Stop playing on these sites, stop advertisements, make the public aware, give them the bad press they deserve! BOYCOTT in every sense of the word.

Another thing I hope happens is there needs to be full disclosure out of Kahnawake. What did they know, when, who owns what, how many other casinos do they or someone connected to them own? How many complaints go unresolved or unchecked? Why are the penalties always monetary and directly paid to Kahnawake? etc... etc.. Where is the investigative journalism in poker media? Do we have any? There are a few of you out there. Now is your time to shine.

The PPA could get national media attention on this if they wanted to. So why don't they? If the idea is to get government regulation you would think they would welcome these scandals with open arms. It is perfect firepower for the argument. It all also seems like an interesting story for a Dateline or 20/20. The Absolute scandal has everything. Really any one of these recent scandals would make for good media TV... They just need to know about it and have the right pressure applied to report on it. It's a little different when a representative of a million people calls the news desk than it is for the average person with a strongly worded email scooping a story.

You know... Maybe I don't know what I am talking about. It might not be as simple as I think for the PPA to act. I am afterall just the comic guy. But hopefully I can get some ball rolling and we can start to reclaim the game. Online poker created the boom and online poker will kill the game.. Are we going to let it?

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Happy Holidays!!!

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Holiday Donation Drive

From Frank:

This holiday season I wanted to use my ability to reach the public to help a family (or two) in need.. Over the last few years my niece and nephew have had outstanding x-mas mornings. I don't think they have ever not gotten what they asked for. Well this year I made a conscious effort to get them involved in GIVING to the less fortunate. They have no idea how good they really have it. I think it is important for them to reach out and help someone… to pay it forward. They already know I will be spending less on them this year and using that extra money to put a smile on some other kids faces. I also plan on having them each pick a tag off the giving tree at the mall and with their own money pick out a present.

So a little background on the first family I have in mind… We have known of them for the last couple of years and I am privy to their hardships. One of the children asked for something that we would consider basic at the very least, and what was received could be purchased at your local dollar store. It almost brought me to tears. Later that day or maybe it was the next… These children paid a visit to my house. I never felt more low in my life when they showed me what they got as I looked around a living room full of unnecessary bullshit. Now from what I know of .. the only thing these kids had of any value was an old second hand x-box.. A few days after x-mas it broke. Now I will say that these kids are not on the verge of starvation or anything. They just have it rough. There are millions worse off. But these are people that I can directly effect and see the results on their faces. I know how deserving they are and I will be doing whatever I can to make them smile this year.

I already have enough to pick up a new system and some games. But I would really like to go all out. Lets go for the 360! Brand new they are $299.99 and figure a couple used games and maybe a refurbished system. I will look into it. I know a guy that owns a video game store I am sure I can get a great deal when he knows what I am doing. I would also like to get them a couple new outfits and maybe a gift card or two. From their own mouth that has never happened. Give them the experience of shopping for themselves for once!  So, currently I have about $150.00 set aside. My goal is $500.

The second family, I am going to look into the different options. I have a few ideas and will make another post on this one later. My goal for this family would be the same $500. Maybe I will check with the local shelter or mental health facility.

Those of you who want to donate can send money via paypal to this email address or by clicking on the Chip In ad to the right. I prefer the Chip In as it keeps a running tally for all to see. Anything you can do to help is enough. $1… $5.. whatever. And those of you who donate $10 or more will get signed limited edition prints by myself, Ryan, and maybe a couple of pros who visit here regularly. I also have all sorts of various swag items from Poker Padz to Copag Cards to give away. Give and get something in return! It's a win win folks!

You all will just have to take my word that your money is going to the right place. I am not really sure how to prove that we are indeed helping someone. What I do plan on doing is taking pictures and copies of all items and receipts. I will post a running photo journal online from now until x-mas.

These donation drives in the past have been pretty successful. Let's make this the best one yet!

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Life’s a Bluff SPINOFF?

LIVIN' ON POKER ROAD

So lets get right to the big news. If you haven't noticed already there is a comics section over at Poker Road. Ryan and Frank will be doing a new strip called "Livin' on Poker Road" and it will feature a new cast of characters. This will be updated every Sunday and will be a little different than the normal Life's A Bluff strips you are used to. We are going to try and give it a comic book / graphic novel type of feel.

You can now enjoy 16 full color Life's A Bluff created comics per month!

Still in the same universe as Charlie and crew, you will see a crossover or cameo from time to time. In fact one of the starring characters of LOPR appeared in one of the first LaB strips.

Set in Vegas (and the world) it will tell the story of 6 friends in their 20s and 30s who think of themselves as one of the premier poker clicks on the rise. A couple pros, a few wannabes, and a big red machine. Follow along as they travel the globe in search of glory, a little respect, and the perfect prop bet.

I don't have the exact launch date set in stone but by tonight we will. Look for it in the first week or two of November for sure.

LOPR is the creation of Joe Sebok, Ryan Estrada, and Frank Frisina.

From Left to Right: Sopko, Worm, Parker, Skylar, Wally, Drew
In Background: Big Red (aka the big red machine)

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OUR 100TH COMIC!!

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FUCK ABSOLUTE POKER

First thing is first… BOYCOTT Absolute Poker and NEVER go back.

POKER ROAD

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