Hilary Clinton Press conference on Rockstar and GTA today

[CptStern]

"Washington, DC press conference Thursday will see the New York Senator call for a Federal Trade Commission inquiry into the San Andreas mod"

"A statement distributed by the Senator's office this afternoon sets the scene, stating that "following recent reports revealing that the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has graphic pornographic content which may be unlocked by following instructions on the Internet, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will hold a press conference to discuss legislative solutions to keep inappropriate video game content out of the hands of young people."

source


so it begins ..Clinton is bringing in the FTC to investigate wether rockstar is responsible for the Hot Coffee mod. Pretty much this is going to come down on Rockstar but also on the ESRB ..they'll say it's ineffectual and will table legislation that will see developers responsible for any the content they create just like they did in Illinois. That state determined that video games are NOT art but simulations therefore it's not protected by free speech



.....we're ****ed


...oh and dont think just because you dont live in the US this wont affect you, the majority of development $ is in the US

 

[Raziaar]

Yeah, all those damn christian right's... oh no, wait a minute!

<rolls his eyes>

 

[Korgoth]

The only reason games get such a bad rap on capitol hill is because they've don't have lobbiests pouring money into campaignes like every other major company, and since the VG industry is a billion dollar a year industry surpassing the movie industry at times the politicians see this and want some of that pie... what a joke,

 

[CptStern]

I agree ..we have no voice.

it's also lobbyists from parent/religious groups that have a lot of power/money. I wouldnt be all that surprised if the Hot coffee mod was actually a special interest group plant ..they've been doing that sort of thing to test the boundaries of what's acceptable for years

 

[CptStern]

Yeah, all those damn christian right's... oh no, wait a minute!

<rolls his eyes>

100% of the religious groups that target violence/sex in video games are christian ...I dont see the relevance of your sarcastic remark

...the problem here is that you see an attack on christianity where none exists

 

[Korgoth]

I hear you there man.. I just don't understand how a user made mod could cause such contraversy, that is unless it wasn't user made, was it?"

 

[Raziaar]

Yes yes... blame everything on religious people. I know plenty of religious people that watch violent movies, and play violent games.

...the problem here is that you see an attack on christianity where none exists

Sure there is. You attack religion every time you keep moaning about religious people.

Why don't you just consider them people who don't like free expression, okay? People who want to censor games... We're not all the same.

 

[CptStern]

I hear you there man.. I just don't understand how a user made mod could cause such contraversy, that is unless it wasn't user made, was it?"

I truely hope we're wrong ...maybe they'll find that the person who made the mod is responsible, leave it at that and everyone goes on their merry way ...but I fear that's not going to happen

 

[CptStern]

Yes yes... blame everything on religious people. I know plenty of religious people that watch violent movies, and play violent games.




Sure there is. You attack religion every time you keep moaning about religious people.

Why don't you just consider them people who don't like free expression, okay? People who want to censor games... We're not all the same.

oh jeez would you give it a rest? I've already said:

...the problem here is that you see an attack on christianity where none exists

Why don't you just consider them people who don't like free expression, okay? People who want to censor games...

why should I? I dont call Parent groups "people who are just dont like video games" ...I call a spade a spade ...they're religious groups ...you mentioned christians I didnt

 

[Raziaar]

why should I? I dont call Parent groups "people who are just dont like video games" ...I call a spade a spade ...they're religious groups ...you mentioned christians I didnt

Okay... the ONE time you don't mention christians regarding game censorship.

Sorry... its just ALL THE OTHER threads you make about it mention christians specifically.

 

[StardogChampion]

I don't get what the big deal is. The game was an 18 in the UK, suggesting it was the 18 alternative in the US (M?). What's the big deal if it has porn in it or not?

I believe this is the US being retarded again.

 

[CptStern]

Okay... the ONE time you don't mention christians regarding game censorship.

Sorry... its just ALL THE OTHER threads you make about it mention christians specifically.

I disagree:


http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1489300&postcount=10

I specifically mention religious crazies ...not christian


okay here I mention christian but I should have written religious instead ...even though every religious group that protest against video games are christian ..sorry but that's just the way it is ...I'm not saying all christians are intolerant

 

[Laivasse]

How the hell can Rockstar take the rap for an independently made mod?!?! This makes ZERO sense.

What would happen if I found lookalike actors for all of those who starred in Lord of the Rings, filmed 10 minutes of steamy gay love-romp scenes, and then distributed it around the Internet or burnt it to DVD to be sold as an "add-on"? Would New Line then be liable for what I had done?

 

[Raziaar]

I disagree:


http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1489300&postcount=10

I specifically mention religious crazies ...not christian


okay here I mention christian but I should have written religious instead ...even though every religious group that protest against video games are christian ..sorry but that's just the way it is ...I'm not saying all christians are intolerant

There... and Also here.

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1361320&postcount=1

I can find so many more stern. My problem isn't you necessarily saying religious groups... its the fact that you apply labels to people that even I am guilty of doing.

Somebody is religiou.. okay. However, that religion does not necessarily define them. It would be like saying terrorist, and blaming all the muslims. Sure, the terrorists are muslim, but Muslim's aren't all terrorists. Its just ignorant to define a people completely, based upon their religion. Oh... christians, War Mongerers, and anti freedom 'nutjobs'. Oh... muslims, Terrorists.

Both bogus statements. Yet... they seem to be applied often today, and you don't help the fact.

But anyways... this thread isn't about religious discussion, so i'll stop.


Its about a democratic party member trying to bring down games. Soooo, lets discuss that.

That guy in the link I gave. Sure, he might be mormon, but does that necessarily mean he has an agenda based completely around religion? It's likely his own personal views.

 

[No Limit]

As a raging liberal I'm going to say **** her. She can kiss the 08 primaries good bye, a huge part of her base is under 30 and they wont be very happy with this.

 

[No Limit]

Its about a democratic party member trying to bring down games. Soooo, lets discuss that.

I don't think you want to bring politics in to this. There are idiots on both sides that simply don't understand modern culture. I am willing to bet I could find more Republican senators that do stuff like this but I wont; because it has nothing to do with party affiliation.

I will admit I tried to turn this political once but if you do some research it truly shows these idiots are all over the place.

 

[Raziaar]

I don't think you want to bring politics in to this. There are idiots on both sides that simply don't understand modern culture. I am willing to bet I could find more Republican senators that do stuff like this but I wont; because it has nothing to do with party affiliation.

It also doesnt have anything to do with religion. Thats what i'm trying to say.

 

[No Limit]

It also doesnt have anything to do with religion. Thats what i'm trying to say.

I will agree, but how I quoted you you clearly were trying to spin this against the democratic party.

However, Stern also has a point; a lot of these boycotts and burning of music/games is done by the extreme religious nuts in this country. It certainly doesn't mean most religious people feel that way.

 

[Raziaar]

I will agree, but how I quoted you you clearly were trying to spin this against the democratic party.

However, Stern also has a point; a lot of these boycotts and burning of music/games is done by the extreme religious nuts in this country. It certainly doesn't mean most religious people feel that way.

I was being sarcastic. That tied into my first post. Maybe I should have labelled it as such.

 

[CptStern]

yes but film is protected by freedom of speech ..this is just another ploy at arguing that games are simulators ..therefore games are not covered by free speech

 

[Icarusintel]

I hope to god this f*cking bitch doesn;t run for president, because I will do everything I can to destroy her, this is just another item to fuel my rage towards her... thanks for posting it

 

[Sulkdodds]

This is ****ing ridiculous.

ITS AN 18 CERTIFICATE AND A USER-MADE MOD ALREADY!

Bastards.

 

[G-Dub]

This is ****ing ridiculous.

ITS AN 18 CERTIFICATE AND A USER-MADE MOD ALREADY!

Bastards.

Quoted for the mother-****ing truth!

How can this be Rockstar's fault? IT'S A USER MADE MOD!

This winds me up so much :rolling:

 

[SAJ]

In an ideal world this is how Hilary`s press conference should go:

Speaker :

"Ladies and gentleman of the press , I give you senator Hilary Clinton...."

Senator Clinton

"I stand here before you today to deliver a message to the people and press of this great country.

Get your ******* punk-ass hands off my R* brothers, ya b****es!
Me an slick willie are gonna ***** run over your asses ,you bustas! Its time for ***** turf war in Washington , if yous all are with with me, grab your nines and lets **** roll on over and put a cap in the po-lice!
Capitol hill south central forever ma homies, peace out!!"

Ah........... if only.

 

[Raziaar]

Peace out? lol. I hate that expression. So corny.

 

[A True Canadian]

Do they even have a case here? The MOD in question is being developed outside of the company by a third party. I don't even think the MOD has been released yet. Can they really have a case against Rockstar if the MOD doesn't technically exist yet?

 

[CptStern]

There... and Also here.

http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1361320&postcount=1

but they ARE christian nuts in that thread ...was I supposed to omit that fact? it wouldnt have made sense because the reason they were editing the material is because they're CHRISTIAN

I admit I dont respect christianity one bit but I give credit where credit is due

I can find so many more stern. My problem isn't you necessarily saying religious groups... its the fact that you apply labels to people that even I am guilty of doing.

so you're holding me (a stranger) at a higher standard than you? that's just a little hypocritical dont'cha think ...oh and when I use the label of christian nut it's not a label but rather a description: "a nut who happens to be christian"

Somebody is religiou.. okay. However, that religion does not necessarily define them.

you're telling me that? when I bring up religiion in one of these daebates about censorship it's APPROPRIATE

It would be like saying terrorist, and blaming all the muslims.

no it's nothing like that at all ...the equivilant is if I had said "muslim nutjobs": which would have been appropriate if a muslim group was speaking out against video games

Sure, the terrorists are muslim, but Muslim's aren't all terrorists. Its just ignorant to define a people completely, based upon their religion. Oh... christians, War Mongerers, and anti freedom 'nutjobs'. Oh... muslims, Terrorists.

I'm not basing people on the basis of their religion, not once during our little debate on homosexuality did I bring up your religious beliefs

That guy in the link I gave. Sure, he might be mormon, but does that necessarily mean he has an agenda based completely around religion? It's likely his own personal views.

but his beliefs are shaped by his religious faith ...it's not JUST a personal opinion

 

[CptStern]

Do they even have a case here? The MOD in question is being developed outside of the company by a third party. I don't even think the MOD has been released yet. Can they really have a case against Rockstar if the MOD doesn't technically exist yet?

yes they can ...or at least this is what the investigation is determined to find out ...according to the mod maker all the assests were already there ...it was just a simple matter to compile the mod into working code

 

[Fliko]

This is getting extremely stupid. The Hot Coffee mod, a user made mod, nothing to do with Rockstar other then its on their game. Who gets sued, the company of course. IQ has been increasing because of video games. The miltary are looking a video games, using them for training, and looking at possible situtations in a war that were never though.
To add onto that, "That state determined that video games are NOT art but simulations therefore it's not protected by free speech." Lets see.... www.dictionary.com, search up art, and my anwser is...

a.The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium.

b.The study of these activities.

c.The product of these activities; human works of beauty considered as a group.

I kind of rushed finding this, but, these seem to support that gaming is an art. Ms. Hilary Clinton needs a dictionary, someone mail her one and put a bookmark on the page that gives the meaning of art.
I'm Christian, I love gaming, same for my friends. My parents support what I do, I'm glad I don't have an ass like Hilary Clinton in my family.

 

[CptStern]

This is getting extremely stupid. The Hot Coffee mod, a user made mod, nothing to do with Rockstar other then its on their game. Who gets sued, the company of course. IQ has been increasing because of video games. The miltary are looking a video games, using them for training, and looking at possible situtations in a war that were never though.
To add onto that, "That state determined that video games are NOT art but simulations therefore it's not protected by free speech." Lets see.... www.dictionary.com, search up art, and my anwser is...

a.The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium.

b.The study of these activities.

c.The product of these activities; human works of beauty considered as a group.

yes but the illinois supreme court ruled that games are NOT art but rather a simulation; they set a precendent that, mark my words, every state will follow sooner rather than later

 

[Raziaar]

Meh. You guys are being too paranoid. This won't go anywhere. Mark my words.

 

[Fliko]

Yeah... that is true. Every other state will probably follow, maybe along with countries.
I found a article about the guy who wrote the book "The Art of Computer Programming" That gives a nice explanation of computer being an art.
http://fresh.homeunix.net/~luke/misc/knuth-turingaward.pdf
I guess all we can do is sit here and debate.
*Does a small dance*
http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/cmolin/2005/cdm_0110.shtml
It states that the Clintons may, possible be a target of the feds. I may just be getting my hopes up, but, who cares, it sounds good to me.
One more yet... hell, I never knew searching Hilary Clinton had so much possibilities.
http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2001/1079.shtml

 

[CptStern]

Meh. You guys are being too paranoid. This won't go anywhere. Mark my words.

ya well the comics witch hunt of the 50's is the sole reason why american comics are still stuck in the infantile "guys in spandex" while the rest of the world's comic industry is more mainstream and adult oriented. This is the beginning of the end ..they will enforce a strict rating system and force developers to self-censor before they make their game

 

[Raziaar]

ya well the comics witch hunt of the 50's is the sole reason why american comics are still stuck in the infantile "guys in spandex" while the rest of the world's comic industry is more mainstream and adult oriented. This is the beginning of the end ..they will enforce a strict rating system and force developers to self-censor before they make their game

If people really wanted to make more adult oriented comics here in the states, they could do it easily. As long as they are sold to adults, not children.

 

[Sulkdodds]

ya well the comics witch hunt of the 50's is the sole reason why american comics are still stuck in the infantile "guys in spandex" while the rest of the world's comic industry is more mainstream and adult oriented. This is the beginning of the end ..they will enforce a strict rating system and force developers to self-censor before they make their game

But what about Transmetropolitan?
Oh wait. Warren Ellis is British isn't he?

 

[Raziaar]

And what about Sin City? That's a big time adult comic. Designed by a guy born in the states.

Maybe you just are somehow drawn to the guys in spandex stern, and simply ignore all the other comics out there.

 

[CptStern]

they do make adult themed comics but since they're not given the green light from the comics code authority they can only be sold at comic shops as opposed to news stands ...it's taken comics almost 40 years to rebound to where they're finally starting to be taken seriously (by critics NOT the mainstream audience which is the case ...although ironically enough it's the underground scene that has fought the most for legitimacy ..watch the great documentary: Comic Book Confidential

 

[A True Canadian]

ya well the comics witch hunt of the 50's is the sole reason why american comics are still stuck in the infantile "guys in spandex" while the rest of the world's comic industry is more mainstream and adult oriented. This is the beginning of the end ..they will enforce a strict rating system and force developers to self-censor before they make their game

Didn't they set a series of rules and guidelines for Hollywood movies around the 50's as well? Such as you can't show sex scenes/nudity in films, or put a lot of gore on the screen. Movies were supposed to be "clean". I remember hearing about it in film class.


History repeats itself.

 

[Raziaar]

they do make adult themed comics but since they're not given the green light from the comics code authority they can only be sold at comic shops as opposed to news stands ...it's taken comics almost 40 years to rebound to where they're finally starting to be taken seriously (by critics NOT the mainstream audience which is the case ...although ironically enough it's the underground scene that has fought the most for legitimacy ..watch the great documentary: Comic Book Confidential

Geez. Who cares about whether a comic can be bought on a news stand or not. lol.

If I walked into a comic store(umm... gee, the place to BUY comics), I can pick up tons of comics in there that have many adult themes, such as sex, and murder, etc.

 

[CptStern]

And what about Sin City? That's a big time adult comic. Designed by a guy born in the states.

Maybe you just are somehow drawn to the guys in spandex stern, and simply ignore all the other comics out there.

dont lecture me about comics, i've been reading them for over 30 years ...I'm well aware of the strides many americans have taken to legitmize their proffession: guys like Art spegielman, robert crumb, Wil Eisner, Harvey Pekar

Geez. Who cares about whether a comic can be bought on a news stand or not. lol.

If I walked into a comic store(umm... gee, the place to BUY comics), I can pick up tons of comics in there that have many adult themes, such as sex, and murder, etc.

again razaair you havent a cluue of what you're talking about ...comics without comic code authority stamps usually have a circulation of under 1000/month ...in comparison a marvel comic will often have a circulation of 14,000- 100,000 per month