Hillary Clinton jumps on the blame video games bandwagon

[CptStern]

Hillary: Video games are "major threat" to morality


"Children are playing a game that encourages them to have sex with prostitutes and then murder them," the US senator and former first lady said (talking about GTA Vice City ...did they play the ssame game I did? I dont remember paying to have sex)


very scary news:

"They want President George W. Bush and Congress to launch a $US90 million ($116 million) investigation of the impact of electronic media on children's "cognitive, social, emotional and physical development".


ah Hillary is an example of the blurring line between right-wing and righter-wing


pay attention boys and girls because Hillary may just become the next US president

the moralisation of america continues unabated


edit: oops, wrong forum :E

 

[CrazyHarij]

Meh, what's there to do about it.

Besides, maybe there's some truth behind it. Why are we so aggrivated by people claiming we are affected by games if we aren't?

Just because you don't think you are affected, doesn't mean you aren't.

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

If your kids are playing the GTA games, then that's your fault as a parent.

 

[Danimal]

I hate how parents blame the company even though they chose to buy this game even if it has warnings and M 18+ stickers all over them.

 

[Mr-Fusion]

GTA doesn't encourage you to have sex with prostitutes! All you get is a few crappy dollars after killing them anyway. That's hardly encourgement, when i see a ho in GTA i just leave her alone and go for the big cash through drug hauls and aquiring businesses through thuggery and killing.

I thought right wingers would love that sort of thing? confused

 

[The Dark Elf]

meh im past caring, if the US want to waste all that money on doing that let them, though its not like they can really afford it now. what is it, $US90 million is around £1.50 now isn't it?

 

[Alig]

How can they say that knowing damn full well what goes into some movies Hollywood throws out. At least video games are'nt real people unlike films. Let them talk a load of crap all they want, they ain't got a clue and will be prooved wrong so fast should the US government ever decide to try shut down a big games developer, they don't have a leg to stand on, there is jack shit proof of what games do to children...not to mention if the parents allow their children to go buy games aimed at an M age group or 15/18 then they should be jailed.

Not to worry anyway, UK isn't part of america's idiotic government so i'll still have games ..then again i think Tony Blair wants to have sex with the US government so i don't know actually.... :dozey:

 

[short recoil]

Well hillary is a complete twat because when you play a game it does not encourage you to do what you are meant to in the game.

In GTA you can CHOOSE to shag a pro and then kill her or you can choose to turn of the computer.

Like in real life you can choose to rape the woman in the street or you can carry on walking.

 

[jimbo118]

we had this type of video-gaming bashing over here too,particurly on british news shows(newsnight etc) when san andreas was released and the murder of a shoolboy by his friend who was "influenced" by manhunt,it'll blow over me thinks

 

[No Limit]

Hillary: Video games are "major threat" to morality


"Children are playing a game that encourages them to have sex with prostitutes and then murder them," the US senator and former first lady said (talking about GTA Vice City ...did they play the ssame game I did? I dont remember paying to have sex)


very scary news:

"They want President George W. Bush and Congress to launch a $US90 million ($116 million) investigation of the impact of electronic media on children's "cognitive, social, emotional and physical development".


ah Hillary is an example of the blurring line between right-wing and righter-wing


pay attention boys and girls because Hillary may just become the next US president

the moralisation of america continues unabated


edit: oops, wrong forum :E

I defeneded her many times but I am starting to think she wants to beomce a right winger for the 08 election.

 

[Danimal]

we had this type of video-gaming bashing over here too,particurly on british news shows(newsnight etc) when san andreas was released and the murder of a shoolboy by his friend who was "influenced" by manhunt,it'll blow over me thinks

Manhunt is banned here because of that incident.

 

[el Chi]

Games are an awfully convenient scapegoat. Perhaps there's some truth in these theories but I don't think games CAUSE people to be violent. Maybe they desensitise people to an extent; maybe those more predesposed to violent attitudes will be further inclined by interacting with a world where violence has no repercussions.

But trying to ban them because of that is like saying we should ban beer because some people get violent when they drink. Violent games have an age limit on them for a reason and if kids get their hands on them, like Pi Mu Rho said, it's the parents' responsibility too, not just that of the games developers.

we had this type of video-gaming bashing over here too,particurly on british news shows(newsnight etc) when san andreas was released and the murder of a shoolboy by his friend who was "influenced" by manhunt,it'll blow over me thinks

Was that the case that got Dixons (amongst one or two others) to take all copies of Manhunt off its shelves?
I believe I heard that the details got muddled up in a big way:
Apparently the kid who stabbed the other kid was addicted to Manhunt, so people made the sensible conclusion that that must be the reason he stabbed this other kid.
I've heard that, in truth, it was THE OTHER KID who was a keen Manhunt player. Although people neglected to make a big deal about this.

If Dixons were so concerned about the content of the game they should have never decided to sell it in the first place.


EDIT:

CAN WE PLEASE NOT TURN THIS INTO A RIGHT vs. LEFT DEBATE?​

 

[CptStern]

Meh, what's there to do about it.

Besides, maybe there's some truth behind it. Why are we so aggrivated by people claiming we are affected by games if we aren't?

Just because you don't think you are affected, doesn't mean you aren't.

well to give you an example ...the senate hearings on Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency of 1953 almost completely destroyed the comic book industry ..it's pretty much the reason why american comics are stuck in the superhero mold whereas everywhere else in the world comics have far more mature content and is not only superheros


another example: Proposed Bill 2178 will hold video game developers responsible for "injury or wrongful death" committed by a person under age 17, if the game "was a factor in creating conditions that assisted or encouraged" the perpetrator.

the developers are accountable, yet the parents are wash their hands of all responsibility

 

[Bodacious]

I don't know how right wingers are being blamed for wanting to curtail game violence. Hillary is a democrat and a fairly left wing one at that. Joe Leiberman, the one who started this whole fiasco, is a democrat, alibet a fairly moderate one, but still.

Which conservatives are bringing this up?

 

[Danimal]

But trying to ban them because of that is like saying we should ban beer because some people get violent when they drink. RIGHT vs.

That is a pretty good point.

 

[PickledGecko]

I've heard that, in truth, it was THE OTHER KID who was a keen Manhunt player. Although people neglected to make a big deal about this.

Thats true. Manhunt was found in the victims bedroom and in the confusion some people jumped on a relationship to the video game. The truth is, and this is from the mouths of the police investigating the crime, the assailant was mugging the victim at knife point to pay off a debt he owed to his drug dealer.

I don't think game violence desensitizes you to violence. I do think that game violence desensitizes you to game violence and movie violence desensitizes you to movie violence. Real life, in your face violence is a whole different kettle of fish. If you can't tell the difference then you have no empathy, the common term for this is a "psychopath". Psychopaths make up 1% of every population of the world, now and throughout history. They exist, have always existed and no-one is sure why or what causes it. Movies are new, games even newer, but psychopaths have always existed.

 

[jimbo118]

Games are an awfully convenient scapegoat. Perhaps there's some truth in these theories but I don't think games CAUSE people to be violent. Maybe they desensitise people to an extent; maybe those more predesposed to violent attitudes will be further inclined by interacting with a world where violence has no repercussions.

But trying to ban them because of that is like saying we should ban beer because some people get violent when they drink. Violent games have an age limit on them for a reason and if kids get their hands on them, like Pi Mu Rho said, it's the parents' responsibility too, not just that of the games developers.


Was that the case that got Dixons (amongst one or two others) to take all copies of Manhunt off its shelves?
I believe I heard that the details got muddled up in a big way:
Apparently the kid who stabbed the other kid was addicted to Manhunt, so people made the sensible conclusion that that must be the reason he stabbed this other kid.
I've heard that, in truth, it was THE OTHER KID who was a keen Manhunt player. Although people neglected to make a big deal about this.

If Dixons were so concerned about the content of the game they should have never decided to sell it in the first place.


EDIT:

CAN WE PLEASE NOT TURN THIS INTO A RIGHT vs. LEFT DEBATE?​

yeah that was the 1,all games providers went nuts about that even here in ireland coz of that case,now you have to have id for anything thats 18 rated,the guy at the register even said it was coz of all the fuss bout manhunt :sniper:

 

[jimbo118]

Manhunt is banned here because of that incident.

yeah i hear australia and new zealand are very strict about game content,whats the deal?was there some incident like the manhunt case?

 

[Kangy]

The one that puts the blame in the hands of a game developer physically digusted me, and insulted what I believe in. How the hell is it Rockstar's fault that some psychotic kid who needs good care and decent parentage managed to trick his shitty brainless parents into buying him a game that is very clearly marked and advertised as a very adult product?

It isn't. People need to get a ****ing grip and take responsibility. Get some of these "morals" they talk about and stop being such greedy assholes, who'll abuse a horrific situation and turn into a "cashback" scenario.

Assholes.

 

[No Limit]

I don't know how right wingers are being blamed for wanting to curtail game violence. Hillary is a democrat and a fairly left wing one at that. Joe Leiberman, the one who started this whole fiasco, is a democrat, alibet a fairly moderate one, but still.

Which conservatives are bringing this up?

You are right, I am extremely upset with democracts supporting this which many of them do. However, there are a number of conservatives that also support this, it isn't really a right vs left issue. What I meant was that Hilary is trying to strengthen her family values which is moving to the right, this being an example. But again, this isn't right vs left, this is in touch with reality vs out of touch with reality; unfortunately the liberals in this are more wrong IMO.

 

[Edcrab]

Ah, hopefully this'll prove what kind of person Mrs. Clinton really is, and cripple her chances of ever becoming the US President.

Investigating the effects of eighteen-rated games on minors is the stupidist possible waste of taxpayers money. The censorship boards have already decreed that some content could be a dangerous influence on younger, more impressionable and more idiotic gamers- that's why we have game and film ratings in the first place.

She has done the equivalent of demanding an investigation into the effects of child abuse- spending copious amounts of money on revealing something we already know rather than concentrating on the facts and eliminating gross ignorance of the subject. If gaming is truly so damaging, surely exposing young children to such things would be just as bad as molesting them?

Perhaps we'd get further in the world with a few stricter regulations on game certificates.

That is, the screw-up countries/counties that ignore the ratings change their ways instead of pointing the finger, and the idiot populace of world get it into their head that Horror-Murder-Killfest 3000 is rated 18 for a reason.

I recall the Richard and Judy segment- ol' Rich managed to make me dislike him intensely by failing to recognise the stupidity of his own argument. I don't actually like GTA, but the idea that any parent could mistake it for a harmless cops-and-robbers franchise is, bluntly, stupid. Would you think that a Battle Royale (18) DVD was suitable viewing for your children because what you saw of it didn't look offensive?

The answer to that question is irrelevant- if you've blamed games for your own lapses of responsibility, regardless of your opinions on adult content, you are not worthy of being a parent.

 

[Lemonking]

peolpe will never get it....
If you dont show interest in ur kids hobby
and then try to blame companies like Rockstar...
those people dont deserve to be parents

 

[ríomhaire]

In heard that some country (was it Germany?) has a law prohibiting video game with people getting killed (monsters and aliens and animals are ok). And a farther that imported GTA for his son got fined €500. Is that true or has the magazine I read it of bullsh*ting people?

 

[Lemonking]

In heard that some country (was it Germany?) has a law prohibiting video game with people getting killed (monsters and aliens and animals are ok). And a farther that imported GTA for his son got fined €500. Is that true or has the magazine I read it of bullsh*ting people?

Its true

 

[ALEXDJ]

i bet that kid who killed all those people, didn't even play video games

 

[Maxi]

YES HE DID LOOK AT HIS XBOX IN HIS ROOM THAT ISN'T BRAND NEW (yet it is from the box on the floor).

 

[The Mullinator]

I'll be laughing my ass off 30 years from now when all the politicians will probably be people who own and play GTA 26 or whatever and actually realize banning violent video games is extremelly moronic.

 

[seinfeldrules]

Did you just call Hilary Clinton a member of the 'right'?

Either way I think games should still be made and sold, but the M rating should be more vigorously enforced. A 13yr old shouldnt have access to a game like Manhunt without having the parents buy it for them. If that was the case, then there would be nobody to blame except the parents.

 

[ALEXDJ]

YES HE DID LOOK AT HIS XBOX IN HIS ROOM THAT ISN'T BRAND NEW (yet it is from the box on the floor).

there is a photo?

 

[Yuri]

(talking about GTA Vice City ...did they play the ssame game I did? I dont remember paying to have sex)

You could pick up prostitutes and you'd hump in the car and each hump would give you 1 health point and take away 1 dollar. Then you could kill them and get your money back. Very fun.

CAN WE PLEASE NOT TURN THIS INTO A RIGHT vs. LEFT DEBATE?

Listen to that man, this has nothing to do with right wing or left wing. Proof: Hillary is a democrat.

Either way I think games should still be made and sold, but the M rating should be more vigorously enforced. A 13yr old shouldnt have access to a game like Manhunt without having the parents buy it for them. If that was the case, then there would be nobody to blame except the parents.

It is enforced. As an employee of a department store, I am forbidden to sell games rated Mature to anyone under 18 years old, or else I'm fired. I can only sell it to their parents.

 

[Ames]

I'll be laughing my ass off 30 years from now when all the politicians will probably be people who own and play GTA 26 or whatever and actually realize banning violent video games is extremelly moronic.

Yes, one day, our generation will rule the world.

I wish for that day to come faster.

 

[seinfeldrules]

It is enforced. As an employee of a department store, I am forbidden to sell games rated Mature to anyone under 18 years old, or else I'm fired. I can only sell it to their parents.

If it is enforced, then how can they be blaming the games and not the parents? Its moronic. The developers intended for the game to be played by those 18 and older.

 

[Edcrab]

Yes. It is moronic, it's just that huge swathes of the population fail to see how this is the case.

For one thing, why can't we ban tobacco because some punk kid got their hands on their parents cigars? It follows the same flawed logic, but it's actually more justifiable.

 

[CrazyHarij]

the developers are accountable, yet the parents are wash their hands of all responsibility

That is very true, unfortunately...

 

[mortiz]

I say ban everything that's even the slightest bit of fun!

I agree with the Government line "No fun for you boy!".

 

[bliink]

http://games.slashdot.org/games/05/03/29/0519242.shtml?tid=209&tid=123

Thats even sadder.

 

[Edcrab]

Must... destroy... HUMANITY...

... excuse me.

Now that's out of my system, I'll have to emphasise our central point- scapegoating in all forms is not a good thing. In fact, considering the world's current state, I could probably murder a proffesional responsibility-shifter and shift the responsibility of my own actions onto their own foolish blame-relocation which triggered my violent impulses in the first place.

The sad thing is, I'd probably be allowed into court with that argument.

 

[staticprimer]

If it is enforced, then how can they be blaming the games and not the parents? Its moronic. The developers intended for the game to be played by those 18 and older.

Well I was able to buy GTA3 from Best Buy when I was 16, though the beard might have fooled them.

 

[Calanen]

http://games.slashdot.org/games/05/03/29/0519242.shtml?tid=209&tid=123

Thats even sadder.

Dumb thing for the DA to say I reckon - because it gives the accused an out, to say, I could not distinguish fantasy from reality ie I thought that the rpg was rl, even the DA agrees with me. Better to say nothing to the press and let the jury to devide.

Interestingly if you attempt to plead insanity in the US, you must be reviewed by a psychiatrist and have no privilege against self-incrimination when speaking to the psychiatrist, that is you cannot refuse to speak to the psychiatrist and maintain your guilty plea.

There is a lot of talk about what lawyers should say to the press. In Australia the Chief Justice wants them to say nothing at all. I doubt that will happen....

 

[satch919]

Shame on her. I don't think she should run for President anyways. This country isn't ready for a female President. Too many societal problems.

Why don't they spend that money on improving standards in stores who sell these games. Stricter laws on selling violent video games to minors. They should also spend this money on a nation wide program to teach these people how to be responsible parents.

Whenever a minor commits a crime, then its got to be the video games. Whatever happened to someone just being ****in nuts. People always find a way to blame everything else except for themselves. There's millions of gamers worldwide. You don't see them shooting up schools or carjacking people. There is more to it than just the video games.

They might as well ban all forms of violent media.........Bastards! :|