Giving Back To Those Less Blessed (like OddJack)
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I’m not even really sure where to start with this. I’m only addressing it because I’ve received several inquires ranging from good natured ribbing to people telling me I should go nuclear. On the other hand, I’m sure many of you have no idea what I’m talking about so perhaps the best place to begin is just to lay it out there.
First it was poker players getting rich, undeservedly famous, hanging out with strippers and now it’s POKER AUTHORS? Honestly, pretty soon it’ll be dumbshit, scuba-diving poker bloggers living like rap stars. When that happens, keep an eye out for locusts and godless natural disasters. Well, just keep an eye out for locusts, actually.
I’m pretty sure it doesn’t take a whole lot of imagination to figure out who the dumbshit, scuba-diving poker blogger is intended to be. If it needs any clarification the author of that paragraph linked back to this site.
First off, I consider myself more of a dumbshit, poker blogging scuba-diver but I refuse to allow myself to get drawn into a debate over semantics. The thing that really steams me is that Josh Arieh got a cool name like Cinnabon and all AJ can do for me is “dumbshit, scuba-diving poker blogger.” So, as I’m always prone to do, I’ll lend my fantastically brilliant and creative mind to help a fellow blogger out. Here’s my top 5 suggestions on names OddJack can call me:
5. Rice-A-Rini
4. Burrito Bill
3. The Italian Meatball
2. The Big Fungu
1. Billabon
Now, before anyone gets the idea that I’m being far too kind to AJ, I have to admit that it’s not the first time I’ve helped keep OddJack afloat. For instance, if you go here, you’ll notice a cool little graphic. Interestingly, the player has a card up his sleeve just like the card up the sleeve of the player in my post about online poker being rigged.
Of course, not only am I the source of their copyright infringing images, I’ve pretty much been the un-credited source for a good chunk of their poker content too. The most recent *ahem* un-credited borrowing was just this week. I had saved a 2+2 thread in Bloglines because I thought I might want to post something about it but I finally realized I was never going to get to it so I posted it over at PokerFilter. The same day, OddJack links to the same 2 week old 2+2 post. Amazing coincidence? I think not.
What I’m trying to say is that I’m here to help. If they need to take my content, fine, have it. If they’ve finally given up on provoking a response from Josh Arieh, I volunteer to be the butt of their jokes. I really want to see OddJack succeed and if that’s what they need from me, I’m willing to do it.
[UPDATE]: I had an email exchange with BG offline. I’m removing the content stuff above as I think it may have been a misunderstanding. Someone gave him the link and may have miscommunicated where they got it. In other words, BG thought that the person had submitted it to both PokerFilter and to him when what happened is they got it from PokerFilter.
Either way, first let me clear something up for those of you who seem to wish to fan imaginary flames between BG and me; I like BG. I think he’s one of the best bloggers out there. The two times I’ve met him we have had a hell of a good time. I have nothing but respect for the guy. It seems every time I say something about OddJack or he mentions going to Vegas people start emailing the both of us about the rift between us. I don’t think there is one. BG and I always end up having to email each other to make sure everything is cool when neither one of us is really bent out of shape. So, hopefully that clears that up and the next time I post something about OJ or BG says he’s going to Vegas people can rest assured that BG and I are not planning on slitting each other’s throats 
And, as I explained to BG in an email this morning, I really don’t care if he did or didn’t. I wasn’t even the slightest bit upset about it. I only added it as an additional tongue-in-cheek jab at AJ for the dumbshit, scuba-diving poker blogger remark.
For additional humor, I highly recommend reading AJ’s response in the comments section.
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COMMENTS / 25 COMMENTS
Tor Bjornrud added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 9:24 amGood job on your site. I read it regularly, and generally really enjoy your content. Figured I’d get that out first, as it’s more important than the rest of this comment…
Bill, I’ve got to call you on a very minor whiff of bullshit. At the least, you’re blowing what Oddjack did with the 2+2 post out of proportion. They didn’t steal your content. You posting a link and them posting one at the same time steals no content, breaks no rules, and perfectly within their right.
Granted, it’s not nice, and they should probably adapt a that so many respectable sites employ.
As for the other point. I completely agree that they’re dicks for stealing your uncredited “poker is rigged” pic. Then again, technically, you’re probably at risk for using PartyGaming’s graphics from their software on your site. Whether or not they care is an entirely different matter.
Best,
~Tor
Tor Bjornrud added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 9:25 amAh, well crap on me for stupidly not closing my link tag. Btw, nice choice on using WP.
Bill added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 11:02 amNot sure I would 100% agree Tor. OddJack used to credit me on those types of links before I did a post critical of their site. Then they stopped.
I put it on the same level as the blogging courtesy one gives when saying “hat tip goes to . . . ” to acknowledge that the poster became aware of something via the post of another blogger.
But where do you draw the line. If Iggy does an uber-post and digs out a 3 year old RGP thread from Google Groups, would it be ok to completely disregard Iggy’s work by not mentioning him?
Perhaps a better way of wording it would be to say that they still use my site as the source of information but they chose to no longer give me credit.
Bill added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 11:21 amTor,
On the graphic, I think I’m coverd under the fair use clause of the copyright act. I was making a parody. I’ve even received some emails from people who claim to be associated with Party and they thought it was funny because they deal with the same “Poker is rigged” claims all of the time.
BG added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 12:32 pmSent an email to your windowsix account, and you haven’t replied. I’m not going to go point-by-point, but I’m really irritated to say the least. This line, “I’ve pretty much been the un-credited source for a good chunk of their poker content too.” is effing garbage. Thanks.
ajd added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 12:58 pmHello Rini-ites:
I am A.J. Daulerio, editor of Oddjack, Bill’s own personal Josh Arieh, and self-admitted fucktard about certain things–being egregiously nasty and unapologetically ignorant about certain blogging etiquette being primary. So, Bill and I have had this chat off-line and instead of responding to his e-mail, I’ll just post what I have to say here and make this navel-gazing adventure that much more non-newsworthy:
Bill, lighten up. If you really think being called a “dumbshit scuba-faced moron” in a link, or whatever it is I called you, was really that bad considering the lengthy amounts of wordage you’ve spent lambasting me–or “the site”, whichevs–well, seriously, just back it up a bit. My little thing was a deflated whoopee cushion compared to your workman-like criticism. And that’s all good and you’re fully encouraged to do so and I haven’t–nor have I wanted to–get into some kind of blogging piss-a-thon with you on any kind of personal level. That was not my intention with the link nor has it been since you’ve first started hammering and whining, oh, about the third week I’ve been doing this. Regardless, this is not an apology–I am big enough to do that if I feel like I’m being overly critical or misinterpreted, ask your buddy BuffaloHeadNickel or whatever his name is about that–but more of a just take a step back and realize what kind of stuff we’re debating about here: Nonsense.Oddjack is supposed to be fun, it’s not supposed to step into the ring with all of the other more than capable poker blogging sites you so wrong-headedly compared them to, and it’s not supposed to be about poker 100% of the time. 15% of the time, 20 on a good day. Maybe. If you guys are good. And it’s not supposed to be nice. Like it, don’t like it, what have you, but I’m sorry you feel like there’s a wasted opportunity afoot with Oddjack, but I assure you I’m doing everything I can to make it more traffic-friendly for the poker blogging community and keep BG’s belly full of ziti and salami each month.
On that note, enjoy your under sea adventures, ride on the back of a dolphin, and please don’t get the bends.
Regards,
ajd
Tor Bjornrud added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 3:10 pmBill,
I’m pretty certain your image wouldn’t fall under parody for a few reasons.
The image uses the exact same images of the PartyGaming software, verbatim. If it were an artist’s rendering that was clearly meant to look like the PartyGaming software, I would concede it was parody. Instead, since you used the exact images and photoshopped a small card onto the man’s sleeve, you’ve created what’s called a Derivative Work. Essentially, your photo is the same as a song that takes a verbatim sample of another song. Such sampling has gotten many artists in trouble. If you’re interested, here’s a link to some sampling case law.
All that aside, while your picture is humerous and does indeed give a social commentary, it would be categorized as satirical, but not a parody. Sadly, not fair use.
For an interesting viewpoint on why such restricted use of copyrighted material is shite, check out Larry Lessig.
Best,
~Tor
Tor Bjornrud added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 3:16 pmFor christ’s sake, I’m having a bad day. Larry Lessig.
Bill added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 5:03 pmAJ,
I believe his name is Buffalo66 and his blog is Buffalo Hold ‘Em. Perhaps that’s why you just don’t get it. Your pretentious and condesending attitude speak volumes about your sincerity.
OddJack is supposed to be fun for who? You or us dumbshit, scuba-diving poker bloggers? Or maybe it’s the hundred other people you insult every week.
I really think if you go back and read my first criqique of your site you’ll be hard pressed to show me how I was being any more harsh than I would in any product review. I said I liked it but I didn’t think that the tone fit with the audience.
The fact that a simple commentary on your style and tone forced you to call me a “Dick” in your email response does present a somewhat comical reaction. OddJack comes off as this rude and crude site and calling the site’s tone smarmy gets your panties all bunched up. Talk about thin skinned.
As I mentioned to you in the email, I don’t hope to change your mind. A man who can’t see that he wore out the Arieh joke 50 posts ago isn’t likely to come around. But I do encourage you to post more. Either here or on OddJack. Your real personality, the one that I have experienced in your emails, really comes through and I’m sure those who read it will enjoy getting a more honest perspective on who AJ really is.
Best,
Bill
CJ added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 5:04 pmHey Bill.. if you’re really “removing” the part that’s incorrect, why don’t you remove it instead of doing the strikethrough. I had no problem reading it, and neither does anyone else. If you don’t want anyone to read it, delete it.
I’ll say it… I think there’s a real problem between you and BG and it’s frankly creating a rift. We can all keep denying it, but it was bound to happen with this many people in the blogger community.
Drama ain’t my bag, so this is my last public comment on the matter.
Bill added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 5:08 pmWell, CJ, I’m a little torn on that. If I remove it then it looks like I’m taking it down in an attempt to hide something. If I strike it and post that it was incorrect then people can see what I said and know why BG was upset. If BG would prefer me to just pull it, I can do that. I thought this approach was more honest and fair to BG. Silly me.
At least we know who one of the flame fanners are.
BG added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 5:58 pmThere is no fucking “rift in the community” people… keep it in your pants.
CJ added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 6:40 pmJesus… now I’m a flame fanner… okay, whatever. It’s the first time I’ve commented on the matter. But thanks for dumping your shit on me. If there was no issue, we wouldn’t have a post, with a strikethrough and an update and explanatory comments, blah, blah, blah.
Forget about it… I frankly don’t have time to care all that much. I’m moving on.
Johnny FlopBoot added these pithy words on Sep 14 05 at 6:49 pmSometimes when I feel a bit randy, I’ll have a glass of milk with dinner. And I put a couple ice cubes in it, too. Is that relevant at all?
So… by a show of hands, who’s taking their blog a little too seriously?
I’ll end with my favorite online poker chat quote: “Arguing on the Internet is like the Special Olympics… even if you win, you’re still retarded.”
BadBloodl added these pithy words on Sep 15 05 at 8:03 amI think at the next blogger tournament we should have a series of UFC-style matches at Caesar’s that same evening. We can settle any and all disputes that way - IN THE OCTOGON!
The early line on Rini/Genius I (because there will be a Rini/Genius II) is Rini -155, BG +125. This is simply based on body weight and has no bearing in actual physical capabilities.
Let’s get it on!
Drizztdj added these pithy words on Sep 15 05 at 10:10 amI think I had a riff after eating some undercooked hamburger helper last night.
dannomatic added these pithy words on Sep 15 05 at 11:00 pmhaha.
This is a very funny thread.
Oddjack does suck. No no really it does. Who’s going to be the next marketing genius to pull an advertising sponsorship on oddjack? Not only does the ‘funny’ content blow chunks, it’s about as deep as my bathtub.
Reading it hurts. It really is painfuly shallow and stupid. Stupid is fine. But shallow and stupid. Ugh.
Keep scraping RSS feeds - that’s probably the best content they’ve got going for themselves at this point anyhow.
Ummm yeah…Full Tilt might buy up all the promotastic ad space? Bill you’re working there now aren’t ya….hook that up!
Joaquin Ochoa added these pithy words on Sep 19 05 at 2:23 pmMy name is Joaquin Ochoa and I’m a Mexican. I wanted to point out the Bill has never given the Mexican community and myself credit for all the good mexican food in LA.
I also wanted to say the Bill is the only guy who is too modest and in reality could probably kick all our butts from his years in the military…thus, if you don’t want to give me and my peeps credit that’s cool…just don’t kick my ass.
Bill…YOUR MY BOY!!!
In closing, I don’t know Josh, but I think it’s f’ed for OddJack to get all over this guy. Josh seems like a real family man, and thus, should be left alone before he gets the Jewish Mob on your butt.
??? Not sure what my post was about…but I liked it.
Bill added these pithy words on Sep 19 05 at 3:38 pmSorry Joaquin. You’re right. I have never given the Mexican community enough credit for the excellent Mexican food in Los Angeles.
Tito’s Tacos on Sepulveda and Washington in Culver City ROCKS!!!
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