Political posturing: Who dares to be anti-children?

[Kraken]

Illinois Senate OKs Video Game Restrictions

May 20, 2005 8:43 AM EDT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Senate approved a version of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposed restrictions on the sales of violent and sexually explicit video games to children, even though some senators said the idea is unconstitutional.

The measure approved Thursday would require store owners to determine which games are too violent or sexually explicit for anyone under 18. Anyone selling them to a minor could be fined.

Both chambers have now approved the video game restrictions, but the Senate version removed the possibility of jail time for offenders. That means the revised bill now goes back to the House.

The sponsor, Sen. Deanna Demuzio, denied the measure would interfere with free speech rights.

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations, not all that different from the simulations used by the U.S. military in preparation for war."

But other senators said the courts have already struck down similar laws elsewhere. They predicted the Senate-approved measure would never take effect and the state would end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees.

Still, even some critics said they would not vote against the measure for fear it would be used against them politically.

"I'm going to vote for this bill, but I'm voting for it for one reason - because this is a political bill," said Sen. Mike Jacobs. "If I vote against it, it will show up in a campaign mail piece."

What can you say but "Grow a spine, guys"? Sheesh.

[LawBeefaroni]

Last I heard the bill, if passed, was expected to waste lots of taxpayer money en route to being struck down in court.

Law enforcement agencies have already said they won't bother policing this either. It's just Governor Leisure playing politics on a relative non-issue.

[Sepiche]

That's the first time I've heard the "simulation vs media" arguement though.

It's dumb. I would have stuck with the "It's training our kids to be killers" arguement.

s

[ChrisGwinn]

That's the first time I've heard the "simulation vs media" arguement though.

It's dumb. I would have stuck with the "It's training our kids to be killers" arguement.

I'm just waiting for some kid to run amuck with a big sticky ball, rolling up everything in the neighborhood. Good people don't let their kids play Katamari Damacy - it's an anarchistic star building simulator.

[Grundbegriff]

The sponsor, Sen. Deanna Demuzio, denied the measure would interfere with free speech rights.

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations...."

A claim so manifestly absurd is unworthy of a detailed analysis and rebuttal.

[Mr. Fed]

The sponsor, Sen. Deanna Demuzio, denied the measure would interfere with free speech rights.

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations...."

A claim so manifestly absurd is unworthy of a detailed analysis and rebuttal.

I'm not sure whether she's really that ignorant or simply indifferent to truth and accuracy, or some mixture of both.

[ChrisGwinn]

The sponsor, Sen. Deanna Demuzio, denied the measure would interfere with free speech rights.

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations...."

A claim so manifestly absurd is unworthy of a detailed analysis and rebuttal.

I'm not sure whether she's really that ignorant or simply indifferent to truth and accuracy, or some mixture of both.

I've been asking that about a lot of politicians recently.

[CeeKay]

Just because some politicians got molested by their fathers when they were children doesn't mean they have to ruin our gaming goodness.

[Creepy_Smell]

"The measure approved Thursday would require store owners to determine which games are too violent or sexually explicit for anyone under 18. Anyone selling them to a minor could be fined."

This part doesnt make sense. Unless its just a law passed to feel good/run next term on and not about enforcement.

If the store owner decides what is too violent/explicit why wouldn't they just decide none of them are? Issue solved.

Maybe its just flaky reporting.

[ImLawBoy]

I'm so proud of my Governor!

Yes, a similar law was already struck down in the same Federal district, and this one will be too, but at least he's infusing some activity into our underused judicial system! And at least he has the guts to grandstand on a non-issue because it's an easy political gain!

[Kraken]

The sad part: It is politically more advantagous to "protect the children" than to defend free speech. I hope this never would've gotten traction if the courts weren't certain to strike it down.

[Jeff V]

The sponsor, Sen. Deanna Demuzio, denied the measure would interfere with free speech rights.

"Video games are not art or media," she said. "They are simulations...."

A claim so manifestly absurd is unworthy of a detailed analysis and rebuttal.

I'll strike you dead with my lethal mouse skills before you can say "poppycock."

As far as them growing a spine, this crap just goes to show what a death grip the insane right has on the nation's throat. Even in a solidly-democratic state like Illinois, the political weasels are petrified that tables will be turned against them.

[Grundbegriff]

this crap just goes to show what a death grip the insane right has on the nation's throat.

Stupidity and incompetence cut across all ideological boundaries. The culturally paranoid right has its counterpart in the micromanagerial politically correct left.

[Effidian]

Aren't movie theatres not supposed to let anyone under 17 in to see rated R movies without a parent? Wouldn't this just be the same thing for games? No one under 17 could buy a M rated game? Or is the movie thing just a practice by the industry and not law. (Not that I was ever carded when I was a kid, but I hear other people have been.)

Not defending the statements quoted above, they are ridiculous.

[Blackhawk]

Or is the movie thing just a practice by the industry and not law.

Pretty much, yes, it is voluntary. I think porn would be a better comparison, personally, as it is a form of media legally restrained by age.

[tgb]

Well, I've been to one worlds fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones.

[Harry F. Ishnuts]

"And what's with all this talk about children? Save the children, help the children, what about the children...well, you know what I say? Fuck the children! Fuck 'em, they're getting entirely too much attention already!"

--George Carlin, "You Are All Diseased,"

[Peacedog]

I'm not sure whether she's really that ignorant or simply indifferent to truth and accuracy, or some mixture of both.

Yes.

[The Meal]

Last night when purchasing tickets to Revenge of the Sith, I was asked if I wanted to donate $1 to the Children Fund. I said "No, let the children rot." The 14-year old taking my money seemed a bit abashed at my comment.

Last night when I was purchasing popcorn and drinks before the feature presentation at the theater I was asked if I wanted to donate $1 to the Children Fund. I declined. But my wife piped up and mentioned that it's my philosophy that "Children should rot." The sixteen year old manager taking my money seemed a bit disconcerted at the commentary.

The George Carlin routine sits well with me and my recent mood.

(Yeah, I've got a child. That just means I've got front-line experience to validate my current feelings on the topic.)

~Neal

[dbt1949]

They should have Michael Jackson go and testify before their hearings.

[raydude]

That's the first time I've heard the "simulation vs media" arguement though.

It's dumb. I would have stuck with the "It's training our kids to be killers" arguement.

I'm just waiting for some kid to run amuck with a big sticky ball, rolling up everything in the neighborhood. Good people don't let their kids play Katamari Damacy - it's an anarchistic star building simulator.

This looks like the beginnings of a great "Truth" commercial. Have someone roll a big ball made of chairs, newspapers, and other things up into the Senator's chambers and tell her that it is the real version of the video game simulator.

[edosan]

...This part doesnt make sense. Unless its just a law passed to feel good/run next term on and not about enforcement...

And what doesn't make sense about that? Politicians getting some good press on a "this one will look good in my campaign brochure" law.