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Washington State Restricts Anti-Cop Videogames
Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to this CNN report mentioning that Washington state is the first in the US to regulate the sale of videogames to minors. The bill, passed Monday, "..forbids selling minors any video or computer game depicting violence against law enforcement officials.". Interestingly, the law (as mentioned at Slashdot a while back) seems to ignore the fairly well-respected voluntary ESRB ratings for games, with the article suggesting that Enter The Matrix might be banned for purchase by those under 17, due to the player battling cops, despite EtM only being rated 'Teen' by the ESRB.
>Second, guns are tools used to SAVE thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of lives a year (perhaps not all from imenent death, but also from rape, beatings, etc) when used for defense.
How does one use a gun for defense without the possibility of killing someone with it?
Does one shoot it up in the air? That might be impressive, but it doesn't seem to me that it would work all that well.
If you're going to say making the agressor look at it is using it, then I suppose looking at a toilet would be using it as well.
So, which is it? Use the gun properly and shoot the agressor (therefore not really saving any lives -- in the case of using it against an agressor who doesn't intend to murder, it's trying to take an extra one) or use the gun like a piece of play-doh, in which case why even have a real, working gun?
Of course, the biggest question is, why not just arm yourself with nuclear weapons if guns really do save lives. Seems that way nobody would ever die.
If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
Urm, this would effectively restrict the sale of Return to Castle Wolfenstien. After all, the SS are law enforcement officials too
I didn't know the Secret Service was featured in Castle Wolfenstien. But then, I've never played.
Those who would give up liberty in exchange for security and DRM should switch to Microsoft Palladium!
The legislature and governor in Washington State can kiss my hairy yellow ass.
Once again the self-righteous hypocritical followers of Tipper Gore are at it. These friggin liberals talk all day long about freedom of speech when a consumer refuses to buy the Dixie Chicks' latest album (although, last time I checked, nowhere in the first amendment does it say that a consumer should be compelled to financially support those with whom he disagrees.) But they are more than willing to regulate the video game habits of their citizens. Take a guess at which of the two major parties sponsored this bill. I'll give you a hint: It wasn't the Republicans.
Twenty years ago, it was Tipper vs. Ozzy. Now its the Washington Democratic party vs. Grand Theft Auto and the Matrix.
Even more important, does anyone here really think that the supposed bastion of individual liberties, the ACLU, will take up the case against this law? Not a chance in hell.
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Assault is assault and murder is murder, simulated or otherwise.
<kyle's mom's voice>Wha-Wha-WHAT?!?!</kyle's mom's voice>
Simulated murder is the same as real murder? Are you fsking insane? That is, are you one of those rare persons over the age of 5 who truly cannot differentiate fantasy from reality? I am honestly shocked by your statement, and I sincerely hope that I am misunderstanding, or you made a mistake, or something.
Please help me understand our outrageous claim, and tell me where you live and work so I can avoid all contact with you.
everything in moderation