This is one of the dumbest arguments IMO - they provide a "service". The payment for "service" is make/take which he somehow conveniently forgets to mention in his poker analogy (because his whole argument falls apart). If everyone had the same access to provide the "service" then he might have an argument. The fact is that you don't and they set the laws and the game up to ensure you don't have equal access ( that is the essential point!).
So in his poker analogy, then the HFT "service" would be like this - as you reach for the card - they take it away if it is a good one for them or for you and they let you have it if it is not. They know the value of the card before you do because the dealer shows them the card before he deals it to you. The pay lots of money to the dealer to get this first look.