U.S. Politicians Want Warning Labels for Violent Games
The Hill is reporting that two U.S. politicians have introduced a bill that would require warning labels on violent video games.
Quote:
Reps. Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.) on Monday introduced a bill that would require most video games to bear a warning label that says, "WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior."
The Violence in Video Games Labeling Act, H.R. 4204, is a reaction to what the two members say is increasing evidence that playing violent games can have a serious, long-lasting impact on children, which should require a health warning to consumers.
I still remember a news report back in the 90's about violent games, and of all things they used Goldeneye as an example. They could've used Duke Nukem 3D or Quake, but they chose one of the tamest FPS games of that time period.
Linked by who? Thought there wasn't anything conclusive in that regard.
Actually, there are all sorts of misleading and inaccurate reports linking violence in children to violent video games. All of these reports have been consistently shot down when referenced in trial by the courts of the US, including the Supreme Court, but technically the reports DO exist, even if they are full of inaccuracies, outright lies, and chicanery.
Scenario 1:
Jack goes quail hunting before school and then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2011 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2011 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it
Scenario 3:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2011 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman.
2011 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.
Scenario 5:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school..
1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock
2011 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2011 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario 7:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2011 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents -- and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2011 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
__________________
"Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica."
~Abraham Lincoln
falcon puuunch!
but seriously, what game is that? prototype?
Prototype.
And really, whatever. I am sick of the government working on shit like this rather than the bigger issues. You really want to work on putting more ink on a box that no one fucking reads or gives a shit about rather than the 4+ dollars I am paying for gas?
Or the fact schools are falling apart, and not educating our youth. How about the whatever percent of unemployed. How about that? No, you want to put a label on a game.
I understand their precedence on this, but really, right now, there is bigger things to be worrying about. And this folks is why I fucking hate politics and politicians. All they do is worry about themselves.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by lockwoodx
Why the fuck do people care about guns anyways? Oh right... they equal a penis.
They might as well have a text on the box that says you might get fat and die early if you buy this game. It could happen
My thoughts exactly. Lemme try:
"WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior, however, most people (including children) who play such games are entirely capable of making a clear distinction between reality and fantasy."
__________________ The kingdom of fear needs compliance to succeed
Shouldn't they be putting this on just about anything. Think about it.
Coffee should have it. If I were to spill my HOT coffee on myself, I may tend to become violent.
Car, if my car broke down, I could become violent.
Work... bad day at work, I may come home in a violent nature...
Seriously. For the 1% of asshats that ruin it for us, doesn't mean the 99% need it. Sure, like one person pointed out, that it may curb the tweens from playing COD... my point for that is, parents are still going to buy it. They dont care. This will stop nothing. The few people that actually do read it sure, but the majority will just look past it.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by lockwoodx
Why the fuck do people care about guns anyways? Oh right... they equal a penis.
This is just more of "Look at the left hand, while my right hand takes your wallet."
Nothing meaningful gets discussed anymore.
It is always
1) find something meaningless that a bunch of old white men can agree about hating
2) write stupid law that will never accomplish anything
3) use the experience to say that "I care"
4) get re-elected, collect paycheck
This country has been broken for a long time.
__________________
"It was the first time I was ever in love and I learned alot. Before that I never even thought about killing myself." - Stephen Wright
Biggest Ranger Fan on EA!!!!!!!!
Lets go Rangers!!!!
