Explicit Video Games May Become Illegal?

[Squall]

From Fox News:

"Explicit Video Games May Become Illegal"

By Catherine Donaldson-Evans

NEW YORK — A California congressman is fighting to make it tougher for kids to get their hands on video games dripping with blood, guts and violent crimes.

Rep. Joe Baca is afraid the industry's self-imposed games ratings system isn't working and wants to make it a federal offense to sell or rent graphically violent games to minors. He wants to make sure children 17 and under aren't able to buy games depicting murder, rape, prostitution, illegal drug use, carjackings, assault, decapitation and dismemberment.

"This is about responsibility and protecting our children from video games' sex and violence," Baca, a Democrat, said in a telephone interview.

His bill, H.R. 4645, would punish retailers who fail to enforce the video games’ ratings system — slapping them with fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and possible jail time for the third offense.

But the proposed legislation has drawn ire from First Amendment advocates and video game industry representatives who say it's overkill.

"This is a bill that is clearly unconstitutional and seeks to substitute government regulation and bureaucracy for decisions best left to parents," Doug Lowenstein, president of the Interactive Digital Software Association, said in a statement.

The videos that have worried legislators and some parents are explicitly violent ones like "Grand Theft Auto III," published by Rockstar Games, in which players pretend to be criminals who steal cars, go to prostitutes and assault police and senior citizens. The game has an M rating — meaning it is deemed suitable only for those 17 and older.

Others, like the riot-filled "State of Emergency" and the urban crime-ridden "Max Payne," also caught Baca's attention. "A policy should be in place for any games rated "Mature" and "Adults Only," he said.

But the video game industry disagrees, saying the extensive ratings system it has implemented is enough. For years, the industry has had a ratings system in place, similar to the one used by the motion picture industry.

Games are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) with one of the following labels: "EC" for "Early Childhood," "K-A" for "Kids to Adults," "E" for "Everyone," "T" for "Teen," "M" for "Mature," "AO" for "Adults Only" and "RP" for "Rating Pending."

"We really feel that's doing the job," said Beth Llewelyn, director of corporate affairs at Nintendo of America. "The responsibility may lie with the parents to recognize what is out there. They have to make sure the content is appropriate."

The proposed federal legislation, according to Llewelyn, is "going overboard."

Lowenstein cited Federal Trade Commission statistics that have found adults are involved in buying or renting video games more than 80 percent of the time.

"When kids get M-rated games, it's usually with their parents' knowledge," he said. "There simply is no epidemic of children buying violent games."

Baca wants retailers to ask for ID from people buying or renting adult games, much as movie ticket-takers do for R- and X-rated films. But Lowenstein and others in the industry say that's already happening.

"Leading retailers are actively implementing systems, with the strong support of the IDSA, to restrict the sale of M-rated games to minors," he said.

Still, many stores aren't enforcing the games ratings system, according to Baca.

"Some are doing it, and I commend those," he said. "But others have no policy in place. It's about profit, money. It's a $59 billion industry."

Baca has rallied 34 members of the House of Representatives to sign the legislation he introduced. But the bill's future is far from clear.

Legislation requiring minors to have parental consent when they buy explicitly violent video games was deemed unconstitutional last year in an Indianapolis federal court. But in April, a similar law was upheld by a federal court in St. Louis.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,55619,00.html

What do you think? This article struck me as troubling -- didn't this California U.S. Congressman read the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? :mad:

[Blue Priestess]

Originally posted by Squall
What do you think? This article struck me as troubling -- didn't this California U.S. Congressman read the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? :mad:

Haven't you learned? NO ONE in Congress knows the contents of the Constitution.

Honestly, it won't happen. Granted, video games are currently America's Great Scapegoat, but it won't happen. Why? Because people are stupid. A retailer that does enforce the ratings will have to deal with angry parents who don't care if their kids buy an MA game and will feel that someone else is taking responsibility for raising their kid (which is often needed, since the increasing amount of calls for government censorship over the years have led me to believe that next to no one wants to take responisibility for raising their kids). We probably don't have much to fear from this loser, since unlike Congress, the Supreme Court is well acquainted with the Constitution and will toss this law in the dumpster where it belongs.

Mela

[Bird Boy]

A similar thread like this has been talked about awhile back--it turned ugly though, so I urge you all to watch what you say, otherwise this topic will be locked as well.

-BB

[Viper]

I have to agree on this subject that too many violent games with extreme bloodshed and foul language are being sold to and played by children who shouldn't in the first place. The biggest name is: Grand Theft Auto 3 for PC & PS2.

I'VE ALWAYS HATED THIS HORRIBLE GAME!!!!! :mad:

In order to win, you have to kill innocent people and steal everything in sight for some crime-boss. In the the third version, it's much worse with the bloodshed.

Don't think it won't effect children because it will. I've seen in many news reports that games like this will make the child attempt to do it in the real world. :mad: :(

The sad truth is: MTDiva's right when she said that our government won't do a thing to stop this. I'm sorry but this is how I feel--I watch a lot of John Walsh and Bill O'Reilly. America's future is really going down the tubes. :(

[Rhydant]

hrm..... (http://www.nando.com/technology/story/379154p-3030283c.html)
and if i may quote PA: "If video games dont convey ideas, then why does he [the judge] care who buys the,?"

VIDEO GAMES DONT MAKE PEOPLE VIOLENT.

this is crap. this is censorship. this is illegal.

[Rhydant]

Originally posted by Viper
Don't think it won't effect children because it will. I've seen in many news reports that games like this will make the child attempt to do it in the real world. :mad: :(

dont blame the game(s), blame the parent(s). if they buy a video game that is violent, its there damn fault that the kid picks it up and trys it in the real world. its not the game maker's fault. they dont WANT them to do it. its not like the tobacco companies. everyone is blaming the wrong people. if anyone, parents should be thrown in jail for neglect.

ive seen a few cases (and Box Drink can back me up on this) when gamestore workers wont sell games (GTA3) to small children, even if theyre with a parent.

[Blue Priestess]

Originally posted by Viper
The sad truth is: MTDiva's right when she said that our government won't do a thing to stop this. I'm sorry but this is how I feel--I watch a lot of John Walsh and Bill O'Reilly. America's future is really going down the tubes. :(

And the sadder truth is that you completely missed the point of my post. The LAST thing I want is government censorship of ANY medium, and that seems to be exactly what you want. If you're gonna quote me, quote me on the right side of the issue.

Mela

[Viper]

Originally posted by MTDiva


And the sadder truth is that you completely missed the point of my post. The LAST thing I want is government censorship of ANY medium, and that seems to be exactly what you want. If you're gonna quote me, quote me on the right side of the issue.

Mela
Oh, sorry. :o :(

[VashTheStampede]

Don't worry congressman always go on power trips and try to forget the constitution(ie. campaign finance "reform") But that is what the supreme court is for, if it is ever passed it will be struck down.

[randomguy]

The sad truth is: MTDiva's right when she said that our government won't do a thing to stop this. I'm sorry but this is how I feel--I watch a lot of John Walsh and Bill O'Reilly. America's future is really going down the tubes.

I don't nessecarily think that's true, about America's future going down the tubes. Every single generation is always made out to be the worst ever by the one that preceded it. And every generation, a group of people cry out that we're all doomed. 70 years ago, comic books and rock and roll music were cited as the decline of Western civilization. It was said that the youth was far too dangerous, that America was heading downhill, that rock was evil and family values were gone. It happened again during the 60's counterculture movement and it's happening again now. It's natural. The youth is always denounced as rapidly disintegrating by the older, but in the end, things always (GASP) turn out alright. Thirty years from now, video games won't be a problem and there will be some big, new, evil thing that we're scared our children are going to get involved in. But in the end, nothing changes. It's a non-issue.

[The Dark Knight]

Originally posted by VashTheStampede
Don't worry congressman always go on power trips and try to forget the constitution(ie. campaign finance "reform") But that is what the supreme court is for, if it is ever passed it will be struck down. Video games are not protected by the First Amendment, so the Supreme Court has no reason to strike it down. Sad, isn't it?

[Psycho Fox]

Well from what I get of it they just want to make them demand ID at the point of purchase. Personally I don't see the point the parents have to be educated that games are an art form and there are some games that are okay for kids but there are that isn't.

[VashTheStampede]

Video games are not protected by the First Amendment, so the Supreme Court has no reason to strike it down. Sad, isn't it?

If burning a flag is protected Video Games are protected. I'll check up on that though.

[The Dark Knight]

Originally posted by VashTheStampede


If burning a flag is protected Video Games are protected. I'll check up on that though. You can check it out here (http://www2.nando.net/technology/story/379154p-3030283c.html).

[VashTheStampede]

One of the Supreme courts jobs is to review federal and local judge decisions, They routinely rule the opposite of federal judges so just because one federal judge doesn't believe it is covered by the first ammendment doesn't mean the Supreme court will agree.

[Zechs]

I really don't like those kinds of games unless the storyline is really good. But to blame the video game makers is just a waste of time. Parents now or days let their kids do whatever they like and then when something bad is a foot they want to play the blame game blaming everyone but themself. I played Parsite Eve when it first came out and I haven't gone mad wanting to kill people. Parents need to suck it up and raise their kids instead of letting T.V and video games do it for them. Besides if you let a video game or T.V show make you do somethng you are eather a pretty weak person or crazed loon.

[Noukon]

One major problem is that politicians tend to look at a few games, usually selected poorly, and make a decision based on that. They'll look at Grand Theft Auto 3, Doom, Quake, etc., and come to the conclusion that all games are an excuse for violence (this is how the decision was made that video games aren't protected under the first amendment).

Next thing you know, parent groups will be outcrying against Mario games for the depiction of creatures being horrifically squished, and politicians will draft up more ridiculous censorship laws that will never pass. It's silly. It's complete b.s. But unfortunately, it supports reelection.

[GoufCustom]

Politicians= Sheer idiocy when it comes to any entertainment medium.

[Sandro]

Politicians= Sheer idiocy when it comes to any entertainment medium.

Damn straight! They don't know jack about things sometimes.


One major problem is that politicians tend to look at a few games, usually selected poorly, and make a decision based on that. They'll look at Grand Theft Auto 3, Doom, Quake, etc., and come to the conclusion that all games are an excuse for violence

i.e. stereotyping


Parents need to suck it up and raise their kids instead of letting T.V and video games do it for them.

Exactly right. Those lazy parents should get up off their couches, quit complaining and take responsibility for their actions. If they weren't responsible enough or even ready to raise kids, they should never have had them in the first place.


Well from what I get of it they just want to make them demand ID at the point of purchase.

That's not attacking the problem at the source. The reality is, parents are either careless or ignorant when it comes to video games and they need to get with the program.


there are some games that are okay for kids but there are that isn't.

Yeah, but try saying that to a group of politicians and they'll look at you like you're frickin' speaking Chinese. The same goes for animation too. Both are being treated like third-class art forms which is a really sad thing.


if anyone, parents should be thrown in jail for neglect.

I have to agree with you on that one.


Video games are not protected by the First Amendment

That can sure as hell change, can't it?


We probably don't have much to fear from this loser, since unlike Congress, the Supreme Court is well acquainted with the Constitution and will toss this law in the dumpster where it belongs.

With any luck, the bill won't even be passed by either one or both houses of Congress. But like you said, we have the Supreme Court to can this should it ever get so far.


A similar thread like this has been talked about awhile back--it turned ugly though, so I urge you all to watch what you say, otherwise this topic will be locked as well.

Why exactly was that thread closed down? I never did understand that.

[Killtacular]

Sometimes I don't get the parenting issue.

When parents are overcautious of what you watch, play, or do, or who you hang out with, doesn't that annoy you? Don't you wish they'd stop doing that sometimes? It's the natural teenage instinct.

Better parenting would only further push kids away.. it's all about the angst...

Rather than parenting, I'd have to say it's the kid's decision. Kids can let video games get to their heads, what with concepts of imagination and all. Sometimes imagination leads to some freak accidents, but I don't think they should propose a bill to get rid of the games.

The only thing parents should do is remind their kids that what they play isn't real. But kids aren't retarded. They know what they're playing isn't real.

I don't know if there will ever be a determining factor in what most likely leads people to violence, but I doubt it's parenting. I've seen cases of youth violence that involved kids that had GOOD families and a good life.. perhaps they were bullied or perhaps they were just lapsing into insanity temporarily. I doubt we'll ever know.

I do think that checking for ID is smart at a rental place. That way, the parent is there for the purchase. If the bill passes, I doubt anyone will be going to jail over it. Every precaution helps.

[Floydian Slip]

games are defined as virtual reality.
which means not real.
i hate congress.
they are games, and if kids think they are to be takes seriously then they need to get their parents to find them a good psychatrist.

[Sandro]

i hate congress.

Take a number.


they are games, and if kids think they are to be takes seriously then they need to get their parents to find them a good psychatrist.

Exactly right! You win ¥562,480.


Better parenting would only further push kids away..

Please, define "better parenting".

If it is intrusive parenting, yes. Like if you're a parent that puts a tracer on your kid, follows your kid on a date with your car 100 feet behind or doesn't even let your kid date until he or she is 40. That kind, yes. But if your parents are just asking you to leave a note telling where you're going, I can understand that.


The only thing parents should do is remind their kids that what they play isn't real.

That's all we're asking for, not bills to totally ban games.


I don't know if there will ever be a determining factor in what most likely leads people to violence, but I doubt it's parenting.

That I partially agree with you on. Turning to violence is really determined by a lot of things.


When parents are overcautious of what you watch, play, or do, or who you hang out with, doesn't that annoy you?

Isn't that what the anti-drug/violence commercials are telling parents to do; get involved? And doesn't it make you a better person? Doesn't it prevent kids from doing drugs if the parents are involved?


perhaps they were bullied or perhaps they were just lapsing into insanity temporarily.

I'd opt for the former rather than the latter.

[Killtacular]

Isn't that what the anti-drug/violence commercials are telling parents to do; get involved? And doesn't it make you a better person? Doesn't it prevent kids from doing drugs if the parents are involved?

Not really. The ads about parents asking questions have been the most successful, but some of the shock ads like Truth and "Drug Money Supports Terror" has only been responded to with backlash rather than support.

Truth reminds me of McGruff the Crime Dog, and that Wolf, and those other lame 80s characters created to keep kids off the bongs. Noone listens to this bunk. It's just an attempt to be "hip" and "in", and noone likes it. I think the Truth guys have a noble quest, but they're not gonna achieve their goal by forcing it down people's throats.

Anyway, even if the parents are involved, kids could still end up drinking and cokin'. It's those -wacky- peers. The only way to truly keep your kids safe is to chaperone them everywhere they go, and that would be, again, intrusive parenting.

The best case is to just tell the kids that drugs and alchahol can screw up your life, and give ACTUAL, RELEVENT EXAMPLES. Kids will shrug off anything in that vein until it hits close to home.

Or perhaps raise them in a religious environment, but that didn't work for me.

[Sandro]

I think the Truth guys have a noble quest, but they're not gonna achieve their goal by forcing it down people's throats.

No one ever achieves a goal like that by forcing it on to people. Why do you think people hate door-to-door religion people with "all the answers".


but some of the shock ads like Truth and "Drug Money Supports Terror" has only been responded to with backlash rather than support.

That's probably because people are lazy, ignorant and demand proof.


Anyway, even if the parents are involved, kids could still end up drinking and cokin'. It's those -wacky- peers.

All you have to do is ask the kids "if little tommy was going to jump off a rotting, wooden plank bridge into the Grand Canyon with a disfunctional parachute, would you do it?" and just re-apply that to peer pressure.


The best case is to just tell the kids that drugs and alchahol can screw up your life, and give ACTUAL, RELEVENT EXAMPLES.

I agree with you on that. Kids really aren't going to be persuaded by just word-of-mouth; examples are the way to go. You have to show them that drugs, "alcahol" as well as alcohol can screw up your life.


Or perhaps raise them in a religious environment, but that didn't work for me.

And it worked too good for Ned Flanders' boys which is probably the polar opposite to kids growing up without any parental involvement whatsoever.


Kids will shrug off anything in that vein until it hits close to home.

Adults are just as guilty. *cough9/11cough*

[Chris Sanders MSX]

Telling kids that certain games are Illegal for them to play will only increase the sales. Remember beavis and butt-Head ? They said we shouldn't watch it, they moved the time slot but ratings only went up.

I'm sure most parent's won't take this seriously and will just take there kids to buy certain videogames. If not parents older brothers/sisters or just some older person standing by the store, like when kids want to get into R rated movies.

I say go ahead, it won't matter. I'll be 18 by October anyway so this doesn't effect me but for future generation, don't sweat it. This most likely won't pass because it's insanely stupid but if it does you KNOW we'll(you'll) find a way around it.

When my nephew's get older and want video games that might have an Adult rating come and ask me to buy'em, you can bet your sweet butt I'll be first in line at the store. I know that a stupid video game CANNOT undo almost 16 years (theya re 4 & 5 now) of good parenting.

[The Dark Knight]

Most parents buy these games anyway, but they don't realize what's in them because they don't try the games first.

I was at an FYE recently and saw a little kid playing Resident Evil for the GC. His parents were nowhere in site. There's just something wrong with that.

Parents need to start parenting, not the government.

[Zechs]

Again this is yet another crappy blame game. Harry potter Pokemon, Teletubbies and Ever Quest along with all of the other T.V and Video games are being blamed for lack of good parenting and good ol common sense. Parents should get involved with their kids so they can prevent them form getting a hold of things they don't want them to have (waiting for hell to freeze over) instead of getting things banned. Besides why haven't all the kids in America gone nuts from too much violent T.V/video games and so called evil books. If they can't tell fact from fiction they must be a few ducks short a of flock.

[Noukon]

The situation with EverQuest is a bit... unique. The game does deserve to catch flack for being addictive, to be sure. But it's being blamed for every social problem that its players have, and even for a few suicides. It isn't a cause, it's a symptom.

[Dark Vicious]

Originally posted by Squall
From Fox News:

"Explicit Video Games May Become Illegal"

By Catherine Donaldson-Evans

NEW YORK — A California congressman is fighting to make it tougher for kids to get their hands on video games dripping with blood, guts and violent crimes.

Rep. Joe Baca is afraid the industry's self-imposed games ratings system isn't working and wants to make it a federal offense to sell or rent graphically violent games to minors. He wants to make sure children 17 and under aren't able to buy games depicting murder, rape, prostitution, illegal drug use, carjackings, assault, decapitation and dismemberment.

"This is about responsibility and protecting our children from video games' sex and violence," Baca, a Democrat, said in a telephone interview.

His bill, H.R. 4645, would punish retailers who fail to enforce the video games’ ratings system — slapping them with fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and possible jail time for the third offense.

But the proposed legislation has drawn ire from First Amendment advocates and video game industry representatives who say it's overkill.

"This is a bill that is clearly unconstitutional and seeks to substitute government regulation and bureaucracy for decisions best left to parents," Doug Lowenstein, president of the Interactive Digital Software Association, said in a statement.

The videos that have worried legislators and some parents are explicitly violent ones like "Grand Theft Auto III," published by Rockstar Games, in which players pretend to be criminals who steal cars, go to prostitutes and assault police and senior citizens. The game has an M rating — meaning it is deemed suitable only for those 17 and older.

Others, like the riot-filled "State of Emergency" and the urban crime-ridden "Max Payne," also caught Baca's attention. "A policy should be in place for any games rated "Mature" and "Adults Only," he said.

But the video game industry disagrees, saying the extensive ratings system it has implemented is enough. For years, the industry has had a ratings system in place, similar to the one used by the motion picture industry.

Games are rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) with one of the following labels: "EC" for "Early Childhood," "K-A" for "Kids to Adults," "E" for "Everyone," "T" for "Teen," "M" for "Mature," "AO" for "Adults Only" and "RP" for "Rating Pending."

"We really feel that's doing the job," said Beth Llewelyn, director of corporate affairs at Nintendo of America. "The responsibility may lie with the parents to recognize what is out there. They have to make sure the content is appropriate."

The proposed federal legislation, according to Llewelyn, is "going overboard."

Lowenstein cited Federal Trade Commission statistics that have found adults are involved in buying or renting video games more than 80 percent of the time.

"When kids get M-rated games, it's usually with their parents' knowledge," he said. "There simply is no epidemic of children buying violent games."

Baca wants retailers to ask for ID from people buying or renting adult games, much as movie ticket-takers do for R- and X-rated films. But Lowenstein and others in the industry say that's already happening.

"Leading retailers are actively implementing systems, with the strong support of the IDSA, to restrict the sale of M-rated games to minors," he said.

Still, many stores aren't enforcing the games ratings system, according to Baca.

"Some are doing it, and I commend those," he said. "But others have no policy in place. It's about profit, money. It's a $59 billion industry."

Baca has rallied 34 members of the House of Representatives to sign the legislation he introduced. But the bill's future is far from clear.

Legislation requiring minors to have parental consent when they buy explicitly violent video games was deemed unconstitutional last year in an Indianapolis federal court. But in April, a similar law was upheld by a federal court in St. Louis.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,55619,00.html

What do you think? This article struck me as troubling -- didn't this California U.S. Congressman read the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? :mad:



Boo Hoo it's a fact of life worse things happen in the real world were people kill,rape,take drugs,and get bonked by a hooker but some people refuse to take in the truth they are stuck in their own little dream world with unicorns,fairys,and world peace I laugh at those people because if children want it and like it they should be able to buy it but NOOOOOOOO the parents make the decision for the children and say what wrong and right meanwhile they are all ready out the door and killing someone because their parents with the help of the government drove them to insanity

[Sheamon]

Politicians= Sheer idiocy when it comes to any entertainment medium.


Except when it comes to campaign contributions. Joe Lieberman raves on about Hollywood, introduces bills that would ban violence in any form in entertainment, then idiotic celebrities with brains the size of peanuts hand millions of dollars over to him, Al Gore (whose wife got those stickers on CDs), etc....

Anyway, as someone mentioned earlier, making it illegal would simply increase the demand even more. Thats why smoking cigarettes and drinking beer is so cool among teenagers. Go ahead foolish politicians, make things even worse. Thats all you've been doing for decades...

[Blue Priestess]

Originally posted by sabu999
Boo Hoo it's a fact of life worse things happen in the real world were people kill,rape,take drugs,and get bonked by a hooker but some people refuse to take in the truth they are stuck in their own little dream world with unicorns,fairys,and world peace I laugh at those people because if children want it and like it they should be able to buy it but NOOOOOOOO the parents make the decision for the children and say what wrong and right meanwhile they are all ready out the door and killing someone because their parents with the help of the government drove them to insanity

So... we should all revert to chaos, not unlike your speech structure?

Okay, I'm gonna work without the aid of a translator, so bear with me. Authority is a necessity, like it or not--in this case, no matter how ineffective they may be, parents are the preferential authority figures, since they are more immediate in everyday life than some Congressional idiot. Matt has a point--kids will do what they will no matter what their parents say or do--but it's still better to have the main meddling force be a parent than a politician.

Now, I suggest you study a grammar school primer and learn the concepts of "sentences", "punctuation", and "logical coherency" before you enter another argument.

Mela

[Sandro]

Telling kids that certain games are Illegal for them to play will only increase the sales.

That's where the parents should theoretically come into play: prevention of purchasing of said games.


I was at an FYE recently and saw a little kid playing Resident Evil for the GC. His parents were nowhere in site. There's just something wrong with that.

There's plenty wrong with that.


Besides why haven't all the kids in America gone nuts from too much violent T.V/video games and so called evil books.

Good point.


Boo Hoo it's a fact of life worse things happen in the real world were people kill,rape,take drugs,and get bonked by a hooker but some people refuse to take in the truth they are stuck in their own little dream world with unicorns,fairys,and world peace I laugh at those people because if children want it and like it they should be able to buy it but NOOOOOOOO the parents make the decision for the children and say what wrong and right meanwhile they are all ready out the door and killing someone because their parents with the help of the government drove them to insanity

Look down at your keyboard. See the "L" key? Look at the key directly underneath it. That's the period key. USE IT!

[Curt]

Here's the translation to this article, for those not understanding it:

"Blah blah blah blah..." and so on. :p

[Dark Vicious]

leave me alone i dont have to use a period if i dont want to im not copping an additude but i cant stand people who nitpick on every sentence go out and get a life please i dont want to start a fight

[Blue Priestess]

Oh, heck, I'm MiSTing this. Not since David Gonterman first sat down to write Sonic fanfiction has there been something this funny.


Originally posted by sabu999
leave me alone i dont have to use a period if i dont want to

Great attitude!! I'm pretty sure half the colleges in America would love you, what with their standards. And I'm sure your teachers enjoy it, too.


im not copping an additude

Sure. It's everyone else. It's always everyone else.


but i cant stand people who nitpick on every sentence

How DO you survive English class?


go out and get a life

Lessee... Pulse, yep. Breathing, doing that. Functioning brain, got that, too. Yeah, I've got a life. I'm pretty sure the other posters do, too, since the dead can't type.


please i dont want to start a fight

Okay, let's look at the logic. You insult everyone who responded to your incomprehensible mess of a post as somehow being dead and yet able to post and defend your supposed right to be a completely unintelligible babbling freak, yet you don't want to start a fight. Brilliant reasoning, kid.

I swear, if I ever become a moderator of a message board, I will NOT let anyone join until they pass a first-grade-level grammar test and grasp those radical concepts of punctuation & separate sentences.

Mela

[Ed Liu]

Howdy all,

I said this on the other thread, and I'll say it here and on every other VG board I see...

If you really hate this law, then WRITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them that you're a voter who plays video games and that you don't support this legislation. Suggest whatever alternative you want (I personally prefer Baca et al pushing more funding for after-school and arts education), but there's no huge Conglomocorp out there pushing to ensure this bill will get passed or rejected. If your elected official votes for the bill anyway, the best way to send a message that you don't approve is a follow-up letter and a vote for his/her opponent in the next election.

In a lot of ways, what I'm suggesting is similar to the argument that parents need to watch their kids and know what they're doing. So let's start practicing what we preach and start parenting our elected officials better, huh?

www.house.gov and www.senate.gov are where to go to find the addresses for your Congress-tron and Senator. Use a real live letter with a stamp and everything, 'cuz they tend to ignore e-mail.

-- Ed/Ace

Also, while I find the various flames over grammar and logic amusing, it's also the kind of thing that closes down threads.

[Bird Boy]

Holy CRAP has this thread gone a-wall. I thought it was nice and then boom---people criticizing each other for their posting style, and other unfriendly comments. This thread is leaning towards being closed...


Also, while I find the various flames over grammar and logic amusing, it's also the kind of thing that closes down threads.

Exactly! Wait..wait..

*plunk*

ahh..it fell down. this thread is CLOSED.

There's just somthing about these type of threads. They ALWAYS, (90% of the time) end in somthing like this. Some sort of bashing. No matter where I go, this seems to be a touchy subject, even when watched by Moderators.

-BB