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"Violent" Video Games To Be Banned In Venezuela

Posted by Soulskill on from the clearly-the-root-of-their-problems dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The country that has bought Sukhois, tanks and 100,000 AK-103's, is planning to build a manufacturing plant of Russian rifles, and oppresses peaceful marches has decided to ban 'violent' video games because they 'promote violence and can alter the behavior of children.' The new legislation in Venezuela says, 'The violence found in video games is translated into the real world.' This new law affects people who sell, 'use,' produce, import and distribute these games. Video games as a whole have been labeled as 'a consequence of savage capitalism' by PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela), which is the political party led by Hugo Chavez. Days before this law was approved by the National Assembly, Chavez promoted the use of traditional toys like the Yo-Yo and Trompo, and suggested that electronic toys like 'the Nintendo' be put aside because they promote 'egoism, individualism and violence.' Just today the AFP released a report showing Caracas as the second most violent city on the planet — even more violent than Baghdad. I guess all those violent gangs in Venezuela are addicted to video games."

16 of 420 comments (clear)

  1. Individualism? Oh, no! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Individualism? Oh, no!

    1. Re:Individualism? Oh, no! by Millennium · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Any sufficiently far-left philosophy is indistinguishable from a far-right philosophy.
      The reverse is also true.

    2. Re:Individualism? Oh, no! by Dragonslicer · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Any sufficiently authoritarian government acting in the name of socialism is indistinguishable from an equally authoritarian government acting in the name of capitalism. Trying to eliminate individualism and personal liberty is the mark of authoritarianism, not socialism.

    3. Re:Individualism? Oh, no! by Draek · · Score: 5, Insightful

      How exactly does one promote "capitalism" as in the free and unfettered enterprise of individuals ... while eliminating individualism. That's a contradiction. How does the state "get out of the way" AND destroy personal liberty ?

      Take a look at the US and see how they do it. By granting enterpreneurs the ability to screw everybody else for their own gain (see: copyright, patents), they manage to both incentive the free enterprise of individuals *and* destroy personal liberties. Take it just a bit farther and you get corporatism first, then fascism, two extreme right-wing philosophies which you somehow missed in your effort to Godwin the discussion.

      Now, I'm a right-wing capitalist, what in the US would be called a "libertarian" I believe, but seriously: stop pretending only one side of the political spectrum holds a monopoly over stupidity, you aren't helping your own credibility by doing so.

      --
      No problem is insoluble in all conceivable circumstances.
    4. Re:Individualism? Oh, no! by Arcane_Rhino · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Nice rational post. The imbecility of the people who demand that the Nazis (aka. the National Socialist German Workers' Party) weren't socialists because, well... the Nazis were bad and socialism is good just drives me crazy.

  2. awesome, it's get my troll submitted day! by Em+Emalb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "The country that has bought Sukhois, tanks and 100,000 AK-103's, is planning to build a manufacturing plant of Russian rifles, and oppresses peaceful marches has decided to ban 'violent' video games because they 'promote violence and can alter the behavior of children.'

    What the hell does this have to do with the actually meat of the issue? NOTHING. Nice troll.

    --
    Sent from your iPad.
    1. Re:awesome, it's get my troll submitted day! by Carewolf · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Mod parent insightful. As bad as Hugo is this summary is stupid. You could write a story in the same style about the US, and how they are the source of much pornography but is still trying to outlaw or severly restrict. Just pure trolling.

      Please critize Venzuela on sound ground. It is not that hard.

    2. Re:awesome, it's get my troll submitted day! by Entropius · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think criticizing Venezuela for hypocrisy, as the summary did, is just fine.

      Just because the same criticism is also valid for the US doesn't make it any less valid elsewhere.

    3. Re:awesome, it's get my troll submitted day! by Em+Emalb · · Score: 3, Insightful

      No. Your excuses are stupid.

      No, you're a big stupid head!

      Seriously, there's no need for name calling or putting down people. Your point is (somewhat) valid, you only weaken your position with derogatory remarks.

      --
      Sent from your iPad.
  3. banning video games.. by wizardforce · · Score: 4, Insightful

    was never about actually reducing crime, it is about enforcing morality on others and controlling what media people are allowed to consume.

    --
    Sigs are too short to say anything truly profound so read the above post instead.
  4. Re:Hugo Chavez is a dictator and a thug by megamerican · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The United States should take the side of the oppressed there, not shake hands with CastroLite.

    Because the United States has such a great track record of installing democracy and non-oppressive leaders in foreign nations....

    Why can't we leave others alone and worry about problems in our own country?

    --
    If you have something that you dont want anyone to know, maybe you shouldnt be doing it in the first place -Eric Schmidt
  5. Re:Hugo Chavez is a dictator and a thug by Vinegar+Joe · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Because the United States has such a great track record of installing democracy and non-oppressive leaders in foreign nations....

    Ever heard of Germany or Japan?

    --
    "The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old......They literally know nothing." - Ben Rhodes
  6. Re:Who tagged this "Fascism"? by schnikies79 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No, he is a champion of himself and gives a damn about anyone else.

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    Gone!
  7. Re:Gotta love the straight-faced hypocrite by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A hallmark of civilization everywhere is the idea that the state, as embodied by the government, has a monopoly on violence.

    Guess I live outside of "civilization." Don't worry, I'm just as happy having a right to self-defense.

  8. Re:Hugo Chavez is a dictator and a thug by cyber-dragon.net · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The people of Germany and Japan did this and succeeded DESPITE US interference, not because of it.

    They wanted it to begin with and we opened the door for them. This is very different than the too many to mention examples of where the US meddled and it was not wanted and nothing changed, and in a few cases got worse.

    Remember... Sadam was installed by the US as well :)

  9. Somebody who knows the score tagged it "fascism" by fnj · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hitler was also a champion of workers' and farmers' rights and was democratically elected, undeniably influenced (negatively) by Marx, and a socialist to the core. The "S" in NSDAP stood for socialist, you know. Here's a pop quiz. Can you briefly state the difference between fascist and socialist (minus any hyperbolae)? Hint: it's a trick question.

    As for "bane to American-style capitalist corporations", I simply think that Chavez simply favors his own corporations, state run or in cahoots with the state, as is the case with both socialism and fascism.