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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."

14 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.
  2. banning make hulk smash! by jollyreaper · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe banning violence would help to cut down on the violence in that country.

    --
    Kwisatz Haderach
    Sell the spice to CHOAM
    This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
  3. 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.

  4. 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.
  5. Oh please by Rei · · Score: 5, Informative

    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

    Venezuela's defense spending is just over $2B/year. Their oft-foe, Colombia, spends about $6B/year. And the US spends over $400B/year.

    And, FYI, your "peaceful marches" involved a freaking coup.

    Just today the AFP released a report showing Caracas as the second most violent city on the planet -- even more violent than Baghdad.

    Didn't bother to mention that New Orleans came in right after Caracas, with only one less murder per 100,000 people, did you? Or that Caracas's murder rate fell dramatically since their last survey. Skew much?

    --
    Dear Lord: I don't want to go back to college, so please help me be sexy. Amen.
  6. 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
  7. Re:Hugo Chavez is a dictator and a thug by ravenshrike · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually, for countries that we just invade officially, our track record is damned good at 3.5 out of 4(Afghanistan is ongoing and is hampered by the conduct of our allies' troops.). It is only countries that we try to interfere with through subterfuge or 'police actions' that our record fails.

  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. Piensas de los niños! by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's tragic. South America was always such a peaceful place before those damned video games came in!

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  10. Re:citation needed by floop · · Score: 5, Interesting
    That didn't happen. It was faked by the TV station that was actively taking part in the coup attempt and picked up by CNN, et. al. to support the US position on the coup.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_chavez#Ch.C3.A1vez_and_the_media

    Now I know you're saying "that just wikipedia" but maybe read the cites. Or do a google search. Educate your self. You might find that the US government has done far worse in acting out foreign policy goals... And publicly acknowledged it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_sponsored_regime_change. Almost as bad as the Brits.

    But I understand your need to deny anything that the US does that could be construed as bad since this might force you to take personal responsibility for your own life.