(EDIT - If people are still reading this, you guys should really take the
poll.)
So I woke up this morning, checked into to all things social media and was disappointed to read this
quote from Daniel Negreanu regarding Annie Duke.
Listen, I'm a lawyer and pretty much fight for a living. Believe me, it gets old. And it's been my experience that the side with the weakest position, the weakest arguments, the weakest facts nearly always resorts to ad hominem attack when they have nothing else on which to rely. An ad hominem attack is just a fancy way to describe what we did in kindergarten (i.e., name calling or attempting to win support for an otherwise weak position by obscuring the real issues involved).
As a woman, his comment just pissed me off. Make your argument, Daniel. Explain why you think she's wrong. Agree to disagree, whatever. In using the word "cunt" to describe Annie Duke, however, you didn't just disrespect her, you disrespected all women. As a spokesperson for PokerStars and poker in general, that's just not acceptable.
Like I said in a tweet - I'm not trying to censor anyone and I am the last to play PC police. Nor do I believe I'm being overly sensitive about a simple word - I've heard worse and been called worse, I'm not gonna wither and die from an insult. I highly doubt Annie Duke will either.
But here's the thing...when you use that kind of language, your multitude of male fans think it's ok and so the next person who's at the end of such an insult might be your assistant playing in a nice live game where she gives some guy a bad break and his final retort to her before leaving the table is "Nice hand, cunt." Acceptable? No. It happens, dude. Believe it. (because of my avatar on-line, I often get the nice "bitch" in chat from the now-observer I just busted)
So for all your talk about about being on the side of women, you just negated your position by your reprehensible comment regarding Duke. I hope you can see that. And I hope you'll make a comment, maybe, hopefully apologizing. If not, oh well, that's your right and I know you won't miss me as your one-time fan.
But if you really believe in your position (what exactly is the beef between you two poker players anyway? If anyone knows, please do tell.), then man up and articulate it intelligently and in such a manner that you don't alienate half the population. If you can't do that, then please shut the hell up about Annie Duke.
Dang, I really got worked up writing this. As for the open letter to PokerStars, I just really felt the need to voice my disappointment and anger about Daniel's comments. If you feel the same, and I hope you do, I think PokerStars needs to know and I hope you'll express your opinion by contacting them (just send an email to support@pokerstars.com). Here's what I sent them:
My email to PokerStars:
Hi guys, I know I'm just one of your many, many, MANY players. And I know I'm just one of your female players, of which I'm sure you have plenty.
I really appreciate the Women's League and the LIPS satellites you've been running recently.
As soon as I got started playing online seriously, I've made PokerStars my online poker home. While I've dabbled at Bodog, Cake and FullTilt, I am a loyalist and want PokerStars to be my gaming choice when I can't play live.
I know I'm not your best customer, but I've deposited plenty over the years and support you guys every chance I get (see my PS twibbon on my twitter account:
http://www.twitter.com/PokerLawyer).
That's why I really hope you all will be coming out with a statement very soon about Daniel Negreanu's extremely offensive comments toward Annie Duke.
If none is forthcoming, please just let me know. While I feel I've got my routine and my 'home' with PokerStars and would hate to go elsewhere, his comment was offensive, insulting, and just plain wrong and I can't, in good conscience, support a site that would condone or remain silent about his actions.
The thing is, not only do I love PokerStars, I've always been a big fan of Daniel. That's why his comment was so disappointing.
So, with that said, I really hope to hear something from you guys soon - hopefully very publicly. It'll go a long way.
Well, that's all for tonight gang. Good luck at the tables.
