Games & Washington

[Apr 18, 2003, 1:20 pm ET] - Share - Viewing Comments

Washington state bans sale of violent video games on CNN Money has news that the state of Washington is on the verge of explicitly outlawing the sale of violent computer and video games to anyone under the age of 17, as a bill to this effect has passed the senate, and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Gary Locke (D). Rather than being broadly aimed though, the bill "specifically mentions those that depict violence against law enforcement officials," with the article suggesting that Grand Theft Auto Vice City was a specific catalyst for this measure. The article offers quotes from both sides of this issue, and touches upon the question of interpretation that's being raised by those who feel the law's wording might be too vague. The article offers handy updates on other related legislation:

In Washington, D.C., Sen. Joe Baca, D.-Calif., has resurrected his "Protect Children from Video Game Sex and Violence Act" for the second year. The bill would make it a federal crime to sell or rent "adult video games" to minors – with proposed fines of $5,000 or more. Re-introduced to the House on Feb. 11, the bill is currently in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. The 2002 bill of the same name died in that committee.

At the same time, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D.-Conn., who has been a long-time critic of the video game industry, plans to introduce legislation to fund a study on how exposure to different types of media affects players. When proposing the legislation at a research symposium, the presidential candidate made sure to single out video games.

Meanwhile, the gaming industry is currently awaiting a ruling from the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals on its attempt to overturn a St. Louis law, which bans the sale of violent video games to minors. A lower court upheld those restrictions a year ago.

View

105 Replies. 6 pages. Viewing page 1.
< Newer [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 ] Older >

105.

Re: Lieberman's Plan

Apr 24, 2003, 16:51

ExcessDan

you can erase all the previous edited remarks when you edit your comment... i always have more thoughts after i hit that post button

"The" Dan

Intel 486SX, Trident video, 8MB RAM, 14" Generic Monitor, 100 MB HDD, Windows 3.11
Say NO to LOLi LOLersons




ExcessDan

104.

Re: Lieberman's Plan

Apr 24, 2003, 00:45

ROFL

Never explain--your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)




The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616), "As You Like It", Act 5 scene 1

103.

Lieberman's Plan

Apr 23, 2003, 08:22

Smellfinger

Lieberman and Ariel Sharon are in constant psychic contact with each other. Their remote viewing techniques have advanced much further than mine, but I am still able to pick up some of their conversations in the ether. Here is an outline of their plan: They want the Jews to take over the video game industry. Israel will be a hotspot for games, most of which will have to do with bombing Palestinian refuges camps, stealing more land and looking for free soup. Dead Palestinians will be used as a food source in one game that will be called "Palestinian Stew: Axis of Evil Edition". It'll be like a virtua pet game, only you'll be breeding Palestinians. Gotta catch 'em all and then eat 'em! Once you eat a Palestinian family, you can move some Jewish settlers into what used to be their home. It'll be out in roughly 5 years and take the world by storm on the same level as GTA3. This comment was edited on Apr 27, 04:14.

102.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 22, 2003, 22:11

WarPig

Recent head injury?

What would you qualify as recent?

No, no such excuse. Probably just a lack of competetive playing. I was a fairly decent UT CTF player and I thought it would carry over to UT2003 but I've really had my ass handed to me lately - granted it mostly in deathmatch, but either way, it's hard to accept. Back when I was a newbie Quake player and I knew I sucked and I expected to suck it was a lot more fun because every little victory meant so much.

-----------------------------------------
Of course I could be wrong... but really, what are the chances of that happening twice?




________________________________ GO SEAHAWKS!

101.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 21, 2003, 23:50

indiv

Try to find me on a UT2003 server - you can kick my ass in that because I now truly suck at it (I used to be fairly good, not any more). Recent head injury?

100.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 21, 2003, 09:57

WarPig

warpig i kicked your ass in vietcong

Must of been a different warpig since I haven't played the game. Try to find me on a UT2003 server - you can kick my ass in that because I now truly suck at it (I used to be fairly good, not any more).

-----------------------------------------
Of course I could be wrong... but really, what are the chances of that happening twice?




________________________________ GO SEAHAWKS!

99.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 21, 2003, 03:26

Pedle Zelnip

Our minds are what make us so unique...

Yes Aristotle. (sorry, I'm about a week removed from a philosophy course ;)) In case you aren't familiar, in Nicomachean Ethics, one of the things Aristotle sets out to do is identify the characteristic that separates humans from all other creatures, and what he decides is that it is in fact "the mind" or "capacity for reason" (which seemed to be exactly what you were saying in your post)

Anyways, seriously, I agree with the "Pro-humans, pro-Earth, pro-unverse[sic]" statement. Well said.

Quite often many seem to have difficulty seeing things through anything other than their own country or region specific point of view, and I would be sympathetic to a view that puts the interests of the human race as a whole before the interests of a specific country. Okay, time for bed.

PZ
This comment was edited on Apr 21, 03:31.




PZ ------------

98.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 21, 2003, 01:48

Soupkin

warpig i kicked your ass in vietcong

Im Soupkin.
I hope i dont have aids.
Postal 2 sucks.




Im Soupkin. I hope i dont have aids. http://users.ign.com/collection/Serious_Soup) Postal 2 sucks.

97.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 20, 2003, 23:05

WarPig

Personally, I have a problem with the genetics argument, at least as a broad whole.

Unfortunately I have to agree with Bronco on this one.

Want to know a guaranteed way to make a two year old (or younger) laugh? Just let them hit you and then pretend that it hurts. Not that I think this is a good way to play with a kid, but I have to admit to using this "technique" when trying to win over a shy or whiny toddler - works every time. Fortunately we can all be taught the difference between right and wrong; whether it takes or not depends on the make-up of the individual.

-----------------------------------------
Of course I could be wrong... but really, what are the chances of that happening twice?




________________________________ GO SEAHAWKS!

96.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 20, 2003, 17:31

Ray Marden

He, he, he...

Actually, that was more of a general reply to a number of posts, both in this thread and other threads, that hold it as the absolute standard or some life-based "right." I think that it is a good piece of paper as a whole, but I worry when people view it in such a total, complete light.

On a more direct, emotional side, I wonder why I have the right - the need - to bear arms.

Personally, I have a problem with the genetics argument, at least as a broad whole. I would like to think that I am - or that I can be - more than a hairless ape. Our minds are what make us so unique; I strive to use said mind to make myself a better human.

As ever, this is all coming from somebody that places himself in the group of humans from planet Earth, not a white male from the United States.

Pro-humans, pro-Earth, pro-unverse :),
Ray

------------------------------------------------------
Do you really blame the children? Not yourself?
http://users.ign.com/collection/RayMarden
Currently playing: Emperor's Tomb (shut up), IGI 2, Raven Shield, Tenchu 3, and Wind Waker.




Everything is awesome!!! http://www.kindafunny.com/ I love you, mom.

95.

Re: Maturity...

Apr 20, 2003, 16:19

Ronin

But let's face it, most (if not all ) 10 year olds SHOULD be restricted in what media they see.

I agree, but it really shouldn't be an age issue, it should be a mental maturity issue. Sure, most 10 year olds, like probably 99% of them, are not mature enough. We can all hope that parents are smart and mature enough themselves to be able to notice. Not that it's likely going to happen, which is why the law is good. Make the cutoff 17 or 18. And when the parents see that the maturity of their child has reached the appropriate point, regardless of the age, then they can consider it. But that's likely just an unreachable Uptopia.

I personally had the maturity of a 20 year-old when I was 16, and was frequently about 4 years ahead in my maturity, and my parents realized that. And to all the anti-religion folks out there, My maturity was do largely in part to my Christian upbringing that instilled a lot of damn good morals and values.

...Scuse me whilst I slip into my asbestos suit.

-Ronin{TUS}
"I work for Keyser Soze."




-Azrael "Don't Fear the Reaper, fear ME." http://gamershots.net

94.

Re: Maturity...

Apr 20, 2003, 14:16

MammaPJ

The simple reality is some human beings ARE effected by violent media. I love violent video games, too. But let's face it, most (if not all ) 10 year olds SHOULD be restricted in what media they see. They shouldn't be watching porn, listening to gangsta rap, watching the playboy channel, and (oh yes) playing Grand Theft Auto. When I was a kid, video games weren't very graphic. Same with the first movies. There was no need to restrict access to them. But video games, as well as movies and music, have moved to more graphic content, which I think is valuable to us in many cases. But to move in that direction entails responsibility in who is granted access to view it. All this law is saying is that younger people must have a parent buy it before they can play it. We made that agreement a long time ago with movies. Why not video games? If they are mature enough to handle it, fine. Yes, I know some who are mature enough to handle it won't get to play the games. But who is more often responsible enough to make that judgement, the kid or the parent? Sorry, but it's the parent. Will people get around the law? Absolutely. But that argument would suggest we get rid of murder laws because people still murder anyway.

93.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 20, 2003, 13:56

nin

We never would have made it out of the trees.

I think I know a few people who should still be living in the trees, but somehow managed to stumble out anyway! (They must have fell.)

Supporter of the "A happy fredster is a muted fredster" fanclub.




https://dancewiththedead.bandcamp.com/

92.

Maturity...

Apr 20, 2003, 13:09

Ronin

I played violent games since I was 12, blah blah blah, turned out quite alright blah blah blah, parents taught me right from wrong.

Now that that's out of the way.

I have a solution for determining whether or not a child is mature enough to play violent games. I can't take full credit for this, or even partial, I'm blatantly stealing it from a friend who came up with it. Here goes: When a child is mentally and emotionally able to complete an entire game of chess without a "this sucks" "not fair" etc., that child is mature enough.

-Ronin{TUS}
"I work for Keyser Soze."




-Azrael "Don't Fear the Reaper, fear ME." http://gamershots.net

91.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 20, 2003, 12:23

Bronco

I never understood how an ever-evolving species could completely rule itself by a piece of paper written so many years ago, especially under such different circumstances.

C'mon Ray,

That 'piece of paper' is living document that has 'evolved' more over the past 200+ years than humanity has in the past 500.

The circumstances are the same. People attempting to live their lives while holding certain undeniable rights of the individual balanced against the greater good.

Look at what this society has produced in such a short period of time. Look at both the good and the bad. It is quite remarkable to realize just how far we've come, again in both good and bad.

The bottom line is that violence and the associated desire to achieve is part of our genetic make up. If it wasn't we wouldn't be here right now. We never would have made it out of the trees.

-TPFKAS2S
http://www.braglio.org
Babble, Babble, Bitch, Bitch
Rebel, Rebel, Party, Party
Sex, sex, sex, don't forget the violence

This comment was edited on Apr 20, 12:25.




-TPFKAS2S

90.

No subject

Apr 20, 2003, 04:14

teh mane mahn

"I wonder what a world without religion would be like. Would people just go insane from the finality of it all? Would people work towards a common goal? Would it just be more of the same?"

Well, science would not havce been set back 1500 years. There would be no deaths from a lack of modern medicine. There would be no Crusades, Spanish Inquisitions or other such acts of attrocities.

Of course people will still kill each other. The difference is that there would be many less deaths and a more intelligent society.

P.S. However, there's no stopping the occasional idiot. I am, however, convinced that more intelligent societies may beget more intelligent individuals in the future.




_____ The possible pain, suffering and sacrifice of discovery are by no means an excuse to remain ignorant. The bartering of things sought earned are by a means which only little men can abide by and hope to achieve.

89.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 19, 2003, 23:52

Moonbender

World peace. Hardly. People always find reasons to kill one another.

88.

Re: Question

Apr 19, 2003, 22:20

nin

So no one knows? Darnit.

I was under the impression it was:

"Graham" (like the cracker)
"Divine" (as in splendid).

Why not just email him? He seems to be a very cool guy. Worse thing to happen is he might not answer.

Supporter of the "A happy fredster is a muted fredster" fanclub.




https://dancewiththedead.bandcamp.com/

87.

Re: Random thoughts:

Apr 19, 2003, 22:13

ExcessDan

I wonder what a world without religion would be like.

World peace.

"The" Dan
Intel 486SX, Trident video, 8MB RAM, 14" Generic Monitor, 100 MB HDD, Windows 3.11
Postal 2 sucks LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOOOOOOL




ExcessDan

86.

Re: Question

Apr 19, 2003, 21:45

Stolk

So no one knows? Darnit.

105 Replies. 6 pages. Viewing page 1.
< Newer [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 ] Older >