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Posted by on Apr 11, 2014 in Blog, Las Vegas, Politics, Rants and Raves, Talking Points | 3 comments

My Rant Against the Republican National Convention Coming to Las Vegas (Video)

 

las-vegas-strip

 

My message to Republicans considering holding their 2016 national convention in Las Vegas is this…STAY OUT.  WE DON’T WANT YOU HERE.

 

In the news today, the far-right wing of the Republican Party (translation:  THE REPUBLICAN PARTY) made it official.

They oppose the 2016 Republican National Convention being held in Las Vegas.

Shocker!

Las Vegas had been reported as one of the early frontrunners to host the next national convention.  If either major political party were to hold its gathering in Las Vegas, that would indeed be big news for our fair city, which still seems determined to try and diversify its image and shed its association with gambling (and other forms of “vice”).

Meanwhile, most of us frankly don’t care what anyone else thinks of us.  We’re perfectly happy to live here and let everyone think we’re a bunch of gangsters.  Maybe that will keep people from moving here.  Well on second thought, given that Las Vegas has been one of America’s fastest-growing cities for the past decade, maybe not.

Anyway, a bunch of religious nutbags led by a political activist named James Dobson wrote an “open letter” to the Republican National Convention earlier this week pleading with the party leadership to abandon the idea of holding the party’s next big bash in Las Vegas.  They’re worried such an association might harm their image.

Harm their image?

If anything, it would help! 

Hey Republicans, try this.  Show the rest of the world which actually lives in the 21st Century that Republican too, like to have a little fun sometimes.  Maybe have a beer every so often.  Or, play a hand of blackjack.  You know, do things the average person likes to do — which by checking how many casinos have popped up all over the country means that plenty of people like to gamble.  I’m even willing to bet there’s a conservative or two out there who likes to visit casinos.

Talk about being out of touch with reality!  Tens of millions of people from all over the country, including many Republicans, come to Las Vegas every single year.  They make this city the number one tourist destination in America, BY FAR.  That should tell you where the hearts and minds of middle America are leaning.  People like Las Vegas.  They want to come here.  And the number of people with a positive perception of Las Vegas is huge among independents — the exact kinds of people Republicans have to sway if they ever hope to win a national election again.

Meanwhile, here’s James Dobson and his Taliban warriors warning the Republican Party to stay out of Las Vegas.  That’s just great.  On one hand, a billionaire bully (Sheldon Adelson) has the Republican bull by one testicle.  And the other is being squeezed by a minister (James Dobson) who’s against anyone in America having any fun.

I agree, Mr.  Dobson!  Keep them out!  Stay out of Las Vegas!  We don’t want you here!

Please Republicans — listen to this man.  He knows best what’s good for all of you.  He’s exactly the image you want to associate yourselves with — that so-called “family values” crowd that has leashed the Republican Party by the neck and dragged the party off a cliff in five of the last six national elections by the popular vote.

Mr. Dobson and I both agree — REPUBLICANS, STAY OUT OF LAS VEGAS!

My video rant with more on this topic, which is the latest edition of “Talking Points,” can be seen in full here.  Surprisingly, there’s no profanity in this diatribe.  I start getting heated at about the 3-minute mark.  The video runs 23-minutes:

Note:  Read more in Jon Ralson’s column posted here:  RALSTON REPORTS

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Posted by on Apr 10, 2014 in Blog, General Poker, Talking Points, Video 1 | 3 comments

Non-Fiction Poker Books that Missed the Cut (“Talking Points with Nolan Dalla”)

Brain

 

Yesterday, I posted a list of (what I believe to be) the most important poker books ever written.

Unfortunately, several worthy non-fiction narrative contenders weren’t mentioned and missed the cut.

So today, I’m going to rectify that, at least in part, with a video blog (vlog) on some other poker books which merit consideration.

This is Part 1 of 2 in a continuation of the (weekly) video series called “Talking Points.”  The next part will be a more in-depth discussion of why I listed the books ranked 1 through 10.

Obviously, this entire discussion is unscripted.  I even make a few errors (twice calling Herbert O. Yardley, “Edward O. Yardley” by mistake).

Oh, and for the record — my co-star in this video is Johnny Walker Black and soda, with a heavy splash of Italian Volcano (lemon).

Here’s the latest video, which runs for about 23 minutes.

WATCH:  My video picks on the best poker strategy books

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Posted by on Apr 7, 2014 in Blog, Las Vegas, Rants and Raves, Restaurant Reviews, Talking Points, Video 1 | 10 comments

My Rant About Results of the Las Vegas Review-Journal Annual “Readers’ Poll”

 

nolan-dalla

 

Every year the readers of the city’s biggest newspaper send in their picks for their favorite this and that, which are tallied up and later released as the winners of the “Best of Las Vegas” awards.  Here’s my reaction to several categories.  

Note:  Lots of profanity in the video.

 

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Posted by on Mar 31, 2014 in Blog, Politics, Talking Points, Video 1 | 12 comments

The Debut of “Talking Points” — Episode 1 on Writing, Media, Sheldon Adelson, Politics, and Campaign Finance

 

nolan dalla

 

Today, I’m trying out a new idea.  I’d really like your feedback.

Several people suggested that I try creating a video edition of my daily rants and writings.  In other words, instead of writing an essay, instead, just step in front of a camera and start talking.

Well, I decided to give this a try.

No script.  No plan.  No agenda.  Just talk.

What follows is an unrehearsed and unedited clip that runs a ridiculously long 32 minutes.  I decided to call it “Talking Points.” 

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