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Governor Spitzer outlined his agenda for the year, and besides tackling judicial pay raises and campaign reform, the governor also wants to target violent video games and movies. Hmm, could this be timed with the fall release of Grand Theft Auto IV, which is set in a NYC-like city?
The Staten Island Advance reports Spitzer "wants to restrict access to these videos and games by children, similar to motion picture regulations which prohibit youths under 17 from being admitted to R-rated movies without a parent or adult guardian." Right - because movie ratings work so well. And because no parents ever decide to buy something to for their kids without playing the game or watching the movie themselves.
The Governor said that stores that sell violent "mature" games to minors could be penalized, similar to stores clerks who sell cigarettes to the under aged, but other states' efforts to do limit access to violent entertainment have been stalled by legal challenges. Spitzer will explain more this Friday at the Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network.
Images from Grand Theft Auto IV's Liberty City
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Um... video games already have ratings, and, at least in theory, most stores won't sell mature games to minors. In fact, Toys 'R' Us has actually ID'ed me before allowing me to buy a game rated "M," and there's no way you're mistaking me for under 18.
I've also watched a Gamestop employee explain in detail why an "M" game wasn't appropriate for a parent's under-10 child, and then watched that parent buy it anyway.
A better solution than questionable and often-struck down legistlation and the accompanying waste of government time might be for parents to, hey, parent.
This is obviously a knee-jerk reaction to the recent video game-caused deaths in Virginia. Oh wait, those weren't video games.... they were guns. At least everyone is focusing their attention on the proper target.
Way to go Gov. The video games must be the cause of all the trouble not poverty, broken homes, a bankrupt moral code, lack of parental oversight, and a failed justice system. It's that damn Frogger.
Middle class whites enjoy these violent films, too.
explain the popularity of SAW, The Shield, 24, The Soprano's, Tarantino, Rodriguez etc.
Cho's writings looks like a hollywood screenplay. replace his stone face to fat chiklis's Steel eyed glare, both the same.
Awesome. Now that we've defeated racism (by banning the N-word and having Don Imus fired), eliminating violence by restricting video games should be a piece of cake.
Oh, and that mandatory "R" rating for movies that show smoking? That's going to wipe out Big Tobacco overnight.
Ugh. It's like we voted for Al Gore and got Joe Lieberman.
Never voting GOP again, but after Spitzer's first few months I'm considering going for a primary challenger in '10.
"Ugh. It's like we voted for Al Gore and got Joe Lieberman."
So true Mike B, so true.
I don't really see any problem with strengthening the laws around this issue. There's nothing contrary to the First Amendment (these are kids we're talking about) and it certainly won't do any harm to children if they don't have these games (and I have no pity for employees of Game Stop - that place blows). As for if these laws would help - well, no proof there, but why not give them a try? When I spoke to Sen. Lieberman a few years ago about GTA and other games, I told him that I didn't agree that these games actually made people violent. While he made it clear he believes they do (and his reasoning kinda sucked face-to-face), he also asked me if I thought kids had a immutable right to possess these games noting that most people thought kids didn't have a right to buy Penthouse. I had to admit he had me there.
I'm still going to buy this game for my son when it comes out. My mother let me see Freddy Cruger movies when I was a child, she let me play Narc, and Resident Evil. I turned out just fine.
And when my son is old enough for his first time, I'm going to take him to a sexy hooker in Flushing - just like my Dad did for me.
I don't mind this. 10 year old kids should not be playing a game where you can diddle a hooker and then kill her and take back your money.
Doesn't this guy have ANYTHING more important to focus on?
all is well and good, but why does the government have to be involved? i've never ever understood that, outside of part of a greater cultural trend to cede more and more personal authority to an outside force.
it is a great way to lean on companies for donations, though. (the ersa knows the score.)
Never voting GOP again, but after Spitzer's first few months I'm considering going for a primary challenger in '10.
Hyperbole much? If you vote nothing but democrat your whole life you're no better than Jesus freaks who run down the republican ticket without ever looking at what they're voting for.
Hyperbole much? If you vote nothing but democrat your whole life you're no better than Jesus freaks who run down the republican ticket without ever looking at what they're voting for.
The last time I thought it didn't matter who I voted for, Giuliani got in for his second term, proceeded to create disaster after disaster, and at the very end somehow became a national hero for the GOP.
NEVER AGAIN. Not for a single office. Not until someone steers it back from the lunatic fringe and/or the Democrats become worse, neither of which I expect to happen in my lifetime.