When The Dust Starts To Settle, Don’t Let It…

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by Saint on January 28, 2013 at 10:19 PM

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I'm going to be honest - this is NOT the blog I had planned for tonight. But after reading something in the news (I really need to quit doing that) I was fired up again.

The tragic events in Connecticut affected us all differently and some more than others. With the exception of the media and the politicians using the heartbreak to push an agenda, the event is little more than a memory for most. I don't want to diminish the pain and suffering those families must be going through and I continue to grieve for them and pray for them as I continue to study anything and everything I can find out about the incident. As a gun owner, a gamer, a parent and someone who has devoted my entire adult life to protecting others and the Constitution, I can't let it go...not that I can ever change what happened, but perhaps I can at least understand it more than I do now.

But this blog isn't going to be about that incident, not directly anyways. It is going to be about the continued aftermath as a result of that incident. You see, when the memory of those tragic days fade, we tend to not notice the day to day political and media activity that continues on. Not that we should or not that there is anything necessarily wrong with forgetting about it, but continuing to follow the findings might at least keep us informed at how our hobbies are represented (and blamed) in the matter.

Take for example this news article that was posted weeks after the event.

"Lanza changed magazines frequently as he fired his way through the first-grade classrooms of Lauren Rousseau and Victoria Soto, sometimes shooting as few as 15 shots from a 30-round magazine, sources said. Investigators are aware that frequent reloading is common in violent video games because an experienced player knows never to enter a new building or room without a full magazine so as not to risk running out of bullets. This has led them to speculate privately that this might be a reason that he replaced magazines frequently...In searching the house, police discovered that Lanza had thousands of dollars' worth of violent video games...Before he left the house, Lanza destroyed the hard drive on his computer, which likely kept some of the records of what games he played and who he played with."

I'll refrain from commenting on that so you can form your own opinion on the matter, but next up is the matter of the Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act, H.R. 287 which you can read the official legislation here.

It's important for us (you + me) to realize who is behind this legislation and what it will (or won't) accomplish. This official website from the state of Utah seems to state clearly who is behind reintroducing this legislation. You can read the story here if you want to.

"Washington, D.C.-Congressman Jim Matheson reintroduced legislation, H.R.287, the Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act, requiring that video games be labeled and that retailers check identification in order to keep inappropriate video games from being sold to children.

The Video Game Ratings Enforcement Act would require all retailers to check identification for any children attempting to buy or rent M (Mature) rated or AO (Adult Only) rated games. According to industry data, half of the top ten best-selling video games in 2012 were rated M. The legislation also requires that an explanation of the video games ratings system be posted in stores for all customers to see. Most video games are labeled with a rating determined by an industry-ratings panel known as the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB)."

Again, I don't want to say too much so you can form your own ideas. My main point is to draw these matters to your attention and provide actual / factual links to the references so if you want to do your own fact checking you can. I'm not promoting my agenda or any agenda for that matter. I'm encouraging you to be informed, make your own decisions, and respond accordingly.

If you read the actual bill or if you read the summary above...consider this point though.

Who does this law target?

It shall be unlawful for any person to ship or otherwise distribute in interstate commerce, or to sell or rent, a video game that does not contain a rating label, in a clear and conspicuous location on the outside packaging of the video game, containing an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

The law targets the stores that sell the games. Now, I don't know about you, but I was carded the last time I bought a game from Target (and I'm old); and I've seen every Game Stop I have ever been in card kids trying to buy Mature rated games. While the ESRB ratings aren't required by law, it is essentially used by most publishers and retailers. How does making it a law change anything?

My question is this, where is the legislation that addresses the parents and legal guardians who aren't supervising their children's activities? Not that I'm necessarily advocating such legislation, but if the politicians are seriously trying to fix this problem, I don't understand how what they have proposed does anything whatsoever. But you should still be aware of it, especially if you're in Utah and Jim Matheson is your Congressman.

But the final story...this is the one that really spun me up. In a story posted just yesterday in the San Francisco Chronicle, a reporter named Benny Evangelista posted an article titled, Video Games Drawn Into Violence Debate which included an interview with State Senator Leland Yee, representing San Francisco and most of San Mateo County.

"Gamers have got to just quiet down," Yee, D-San Francisco, said in an interview Tuesday. "Gamers have no credibility in this argument. This is all about their lust for violence and the industry's lust for money. This is a billion-dollar industry. This is about their self-interest."

By all means do your own research on Mr. Yee, one of our elected officials. Perhaps you will come to the same conclusions that I did when you read about the number of instances where he introduced legislation designed to regulate video games, or the challenges he's made against the ESRB for games like Manhunt and Grand Theft Auto.

I'm just going to take a look at this most recent quote and analyze it for its content.

Gamers have got to just quiet down...

Ironic, since he passed legislation designed to protect student free speech and prohibit school administrators from censoring school newspapers and broadcast journalism. So, it's okay for some people to enjoy their First Amendment right, but we as gamers should just quiet down.

Gamers have no credibility in this argument.

Really? Is that so? I wonder how Colleen Lachowicz, the Democratic Senator from the state of Maine representing the 25th district feels about that, seeing how she is a well-known World of Warcraft gamer; who was recently elected even after her opponent tried using the fact that she was a gamer against her. Does she have no credibility in this argument? Or just the rest of us lowlife citizens who aren't part of the elite?

This is all about their lust for violence and the industry's lust for money.

So, the only reason you and I play video games is to quench our lust for violence. And shame on those developers and publishers who are trying to make money in this free society...I thought that's what capitalism was all about but apparently I am wrong.

This is about their self-interest.

A convenient argument to advocate against something that isn't important to you - in this case clearly Mr. Yee is not a gamer so it's easy for him to say that we defend our rights to play video games because we're just worried about what we want individually. That doesn't sound like the Constitution I've read.

I've written a number of pieces now on video games, guns and violence now...and I will continue to do so in the future. I have intentionally refrained from injecting a lot of my own commentary (except for my bit about Mr. Yee) into the discussion because I truly would encourage each of you to read and study the material yourself.

Pick a side, dig in...and prepare for the coming battle. The video game industry is under attack...

Filed under: freedom

Comments

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by AshaMan3000 Monday, January 28, 2013 at 10:33 PM

It's a sad, sad time in our history when personal accountability and family responsibility have been thrown out the window...
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by mojomonkey12 Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:06 PM

I am with you on being somewhat obsessed with the entire debate(s) that have sparked from the Tragedy in Newtown. We will never forget them in our house, and continue to say our own private prayers at home, but also in Church. We read ever single name, or at least have, every Sunday since Dec 16(the Sunday after Sandy Hook).

It has honestly awaken something in me. I was pretty content at letting people tell me what was and wasn't good for me, but then I saw all this crazy talk about video games, and firearms, two things I dearly care for, being blamed for the actions of a disturbed individual. Had Adam Lanza lived, would his Xbox and firearm be in jail, or would he? Of course it would be him.

I don't like the language of that video game bill at all. This would make it so Amazon(among everywhere else) would have to ship games in a specific envelope that has the rating on it. If I send you a game for Christmas, you will know it, because right next to the goofy looking Santa on the wrapping paper, there will be a big ole T for Teen sticker on it. Of course, this would be only after you sent me a photocopy of your ID and two other forms of ID, at least one being photo.

I also read, though don't know the credibility, that NYPD is testing scanners in the streets. They are scanning pedestrians with "tetra-hertz" scanners. If they see ANYTHING that looks like it could be a weapon or drugs,(a pen looks like a syringe with that tech, a cell phone on the belt, close enough to a gun) they would have "probable cause" to search. It is maddening, it is seriously Half Life coming true, or Portal, we will have all of our non approved items disintegrated as we move into the next zone.

Regarding Leland Yee...well, I myself haven't so much as turned a console on in more than a month. During that time, I have shot at least 5000 rounds of ammo out of various guns. If my "lust for violence" as a gamer didn't show then, well I think I am safe to say I can be trusted with both gaming and guns.

It's just absolutely absurd. I really feel like going to my window, opening it up, and screaming at the top of my lungs "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!".

I am extremely tired of people not educating themselves before spouting off about such things. When a dude in Killzone says he is changing his "clip" it doesn't bother me a bit. When our legislatures are calling normal rifles assault weapons, and calling magazines everything but, it goes to show that they truly don't even know what they are trying to pass laws against. The same is with videogames, as clearly demonstrated by California's trusted servant, Leland Yee. And many others.

There is a reason that These United States make up the greatest country in the world! It is because of everyday heroes, like those who serve in the Military, and those who understand that the role of the government is to govern, not to rule. Many of the laws being passed or at least brought to committee lately have excluded so many of the people in power, that it is absolutely scary. Any law passed should be the same for WE THE PEOPLE. Not YOU THE PEOPLE.

I believe in Government wholeheartedly. I think our founders knew that government would be extremely important, which is why they thought they shouldn't mandate every possible thing, one way or the other. But the ones they felt the strongest about, the ones that would be the Foundation of our Country, are very clear. That happened for a reason. We have freedom to assemble, even in the digital world, we are free to speak(which BTW, many countries are not, and guess what came before that, disarmament of the public). We are free to keep and bear arms, to protect from Tyranny, foreign or domestic, not free to keep and bear muskets, not free to go hunting, but free to keep and bear arms. The word arms was intentionally used to ensure that we would be able to adapt throughout time, so that if ever need be, we can defend ourselves. For goodness sake, we are in a War on Terror, and you want to take away the ability to protect ourselves? Homey don't think so.

Anyway, to get back on track of video games. Sure, there will always be disturbed people that play video games, no doubt about it. The same can be said for those who enjoy yoga, which is supposed to be blissfully peaceful.

I am not a libetarian, I tend to almost always vote Democrat(hair flag anybody?). I have voted for several state and local Republican candidates over the years. I am not against social programs, though I think they could certainly be cleaned up to stop the tremendous amount of abuse. When I see a girl at the checkout lane buying steak and lobster with her food stamp card, yeah, it makes me mad, especially when they have to run the card again as cash for the beer and cigarettes she is buying.

Oh my. I better stop now! Sorry for the rant.
by Robert Hansen Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:53 PM

Very thought provoking. I just want to address one thing: "How does making it a law change anything?"
I read an article in the NYT the other day concerning oversight of art auctions and galleries in the city. The auction-houses claimed they were doing a fine job regulating themselves, and needed no laws to help. To me, who has never been to an auction, they sounded deceptive and dismissive. Yes, the ESRB and retailers do a bang-up job making sure M games are only played by the mature, but to someone who has never been into a Gamestop and doesn't know about the ESRB, claiming no law is needed would sound similarly troublesome. I feel it's best to welcome government cooperation, assuming they can work a deal with the ESRB that both improves the existing system and prevents the vultures from targeting our industry after every tragedy.
by TOGNick Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 01:17 AM

I really can't agree more with the point about educating yourself on the laws and discourse being held in this country as a result of the events in Newtown. I actually stand somewhere in the middle in terms of what I think should be done regarding the gun issue, the 2nd Amendment is extremely important, but as I've said before, perhaps not here, but the problem isn't that guns are legal, it's that almost anyone sane or insane without a criminal record can easily buy several guns with the right amount of money, and pending a waiting period in most states be free to do what they want with them at that point. Yes legally you can't "do whatever you want" but you get the idea of what I'm saying. I won't talk on that subject here, because I don't have the answers, all I know is that most of the guns used in these events have come from the homes of where these people lived and that those guns were purchased legally by someone in that household. As for the video game side of things, I see way too much post Columbine in this talk. Essentially it boils down to the idea that video games are an easy target, since gamers are easy to point to and say that they are "different" from everyone else it must be those video games. Problem is, and I thank Michael Moore for pointing this out, all these violent games and all these guns, and all these movies are all sold in every other Westernized Society. GTA, Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, Doom, every game is available in other countries where the murder ratio is no where near as high as it is here. You know what else they have in those countries, especially in Canada, the ability to buy guns. So if they have the ability to buy guns, the ability to play video games, then there must be something else that is keeping their sick desires at bay. I analyzed news stations, primarily BBC and American News Stations, and I found that startling enough America is obsessed with the celebrity. We live in a culture that strives on this idea that to make an impact you have to be bigger, better, and more unique than the next. So what happens when people feel pushed aside with no where to turn to, and a news media that is more than happy to direct its captive audience away from understanding the crazy and messed up stuff our government is letting slip by, we broadcast tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. Quick news, quick ratings, quick revenue, and an instant distraction. If these politicians want to blame anyone ask the corporate stranglehold on our media and government why they continue to celebritize these killers and events?
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by Kyle Wadsworth Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 03:42 AM

You need to stop reading the news LOL. Honestly I'm to the point where I'm starting to avoid it. Not only because of the grandstanding of state political demagogues like Leland Yee, Darrell Issa or David Dreier, or the media's glorification of sex and violence for ratings supremacy as TOGNick wisely suggests, or the scapegoating that corporate sponsors of both encourage them to use to divert attention from their own malfeasance. Indeed there are plenty of reasons to avoid reports that masquerade as news today. But the main reason I'm more cynical and disillusioned than ever is how shrill and disrespectful public discourse has become. And sorry to beat a dead horse but your spot-on examples are yet another demonstration of the degree to which people at all levels of society are so eager to blame each other and attack one another instead of listen with an open mind and discuss constructively. We have serious issues facing government, business, our institutions and society as a whole but everyone's so defensive, so combative and so intransigent that I see little hope for bridging differences, and little hope for finding solutions to our common problems. At the end of the day, I wholeheartedly endorse your call for people to educate themselves and applaud your efforts in that regard. However, for too many it serves only to reinforce pre-existing beliefs at the expense of respect for each other and appreciation of opposing viewpoints and, then, it's all for naught. Of course I know you, Saint, and many others here won't fall prey to that practice, and it's one reason I love this community. Still, I'm discouraged by the prospects for enlightened public discourse in general and real progress toward a more safe, humane and civil world.
by xking595x Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 04:27 AM

Idk what to say about this anymore. Seriously though you have got to stop reading this crap, it's making a monster out of you lol. Guns are not what kill people, people are what kills people. I'm not saying it's right and I darn sure don't know who to blame, but If I had to take an educated guess.....its the individual. Some people in this world just don't have that "grip" on life, they have a hard time telling the difference between right and wrong. There's a million reason behind this mindset, whether it's a terrible upbringing, an easy access to weaponry, bullying, or very simply a chemical imbalance. The fact is at the end of the day It's the individual who decides to pull the trigger. Sure their life might have been rough, and things didn't go their way. Either way, there is that moment when they have the choice to do the wrong thing, or the right thing. It is their choice, therefor I believe the responsibility should fall solely on that individual. Wooh, didn't mean to rant.
by Brittany Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 07:18 AM

Nice blog as usual.

I just wanted to say that making the ESRB ratings legally binding won't change anything. Every time I go to buy an M rated game I get asked for ID. And the people at my two Gamestops know me! But they still need to see my ID. Also, every place I go to that sells video games have posters hanging that describe the ESRB ratings and what they mean. This law won't do anything in that department. Parents need to actually care about their children and what their children play.

I've read reports saying the video games industry is the best one at enforcing ratings and making sure children don't buy games not meant for them.

Regarding Leland Yee, you can tell he has never played video games and does not like them. We need to be quiet? We have no credibility? What? We have more credibility ion video games than he does. And I am not going to be quiet when ignorant politicians try to do something about an industry/hobby they don't understand.
by White Angel Dragon Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 08:28 AM

Wow I um... Wow. I have read this I think a dozen times to really let it all soak in. I'm not going to go off and rant about this it's not my style. What I will say is that you are right. Our industry and very way of life is for the moment at least under attack. I for one am by your side Saint. Thankfully as my generation of gamers grow older and gain postitons in congress and other law making bodies, It'll hopefully be with a bit of understanding as most of us grew up with Video Games in our lives.

I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about everything thats been said after the last few incidents, but I will say this 70+ years ago Hitler made the jews into scapegoats, and that is what the media and politician are doing to gamers now. The only ones to blame for these incidents are the people who commit them. I've always lived my life believing that it isn't our struggles that determine who we are, but how we act.

Hehe I said I wasn't going to rant so I will stop for now since I try not to blog when angry.
by The_DASHing_RockMan Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 08:48 AM

Quality blog. I do find rather disgusting how much of the traditional media, and a decent number of politicians, dismiss gamers as being uneducated slobs, when their every waking moment are used to attract those very same sorts of individuals to watch their programs or vote for them....
by tj2424 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 08:53 AM

Hey isn't least if we're playing video games to quench our lust for violence were not doing it in the real world lol. Wasn't tap music the cause of all violence years ago now they moved on to video games? This is why I don't watch the news always negative stuff and just ridiculous claims that have no truth. Nice blog as always saint
by chsmn775 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 09:00 AM

I can't make any point that hasn't already been made, so I will just say thank you Saint.
by markus1142 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 09:15 AM

This is why I hate politics in this country; it's become so bitterly divided that people working towards a moderate compromise is actually frowned upon these days. Worse, politicians build on that divisiveness by hijacking topics like these and using them for politican gain. Once partisan politics show up, common sense and decency ask for the check so they can head out the door. The result is people screaming and unwilling to listen because they're already convinced "the other side" is wrong, because it's what we've been conditioned to accept under a two-party system.
by John Jones Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 09:57 AM

remain vigilant my dear friends and gaming companions. We will see the light on the other side of this battle.
by Shipmaster777 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 03:35 PM

Hold the line!
by metalsonic_69 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 04:51 PM

Why is there a screen from Maplestory at the top of this blog?
by ace13 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 06:57 PM

"Gamers have no credibility." That makes me feel especially disappointed, but I also want to laugh at the same time. It's ridiculous that politicians can be so misinformed about a topic, yet still are allowed to make decisions that affect so many people.

You've said this to me before, and I'm saying it to you now: Keep fighting the good fight. I appreciate the light you shed on this important issue.
by John Wrek Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 07:18 PM

Go Team Saint!
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by Saint Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 08:58 PM

@AshaMan3000 - Yeah, I've never been more nervous for our country. This extends beyond just politics...our country is really divided on so many issues right now.

@mojomonkey12 - Nice. Good point on had he lived. I can't for the life of me understand why the politicians and media aren't looking into the prescription drug connection. As far as the ESRB legislation, I don't know about you, but I have been in Game Stop many times and parents just buy their kids...young kids...whatever they want with no regard to the rating. I've heard about NYC with their conceal carry scanners. That is unbelievable. If you want to read something even more maddening, delve into the studies done by the so called "experts" that link video games to violence...you might be surprised how they actually test the connection. It's ridiculous, or at least the ones I've read were. Oh yeah, I love how they quote gun violence in other nations is so low, but they never stop to consider they also don't have the same kind of freedom we have either. Sounds like you and I agree pretty much on everything. I thank you for the rant.

@Robert Hansen - It's a great comment and valid point...but at the end of the day all it will do is make the lawmakers feel like they achieved something when really they haven't. Frankly, I don't care if this bill passes, it doesn't hurt/help us at all.

@TOGNick - Yup...I think my perspective is clear, but in most of these pieces I just try and put the info out there, the legit info...so people can make their own informed decisions. I debated a fellow member here who was for limited gun control...and he was a very knowledgeable gun owner. I can respect his perspective since he knows what he's talking about. It's the people who are so vocal that don't have a clue what they're talking about that get me. Meh, I was with you until you mentioned Michael Moore...I should probably stop there before I have to ban myself...

@Kyle Wadsworth - I really do, but I can't. Before I started blogging about video games I used to blog about current events and politics and the military...I need to go back to just games. You ain't lying about shrill and disrespectful public discourse. These issues, not just gun control and video games, but the budget, the economy and immigration...these issues are tearing our country in two. Nearly all the polls on these issues are 50/50, or close to it...and I think the dialogue gets even more poisonous when its so close in the divide.

@xking595x - Hah Hah...I try to avoid it but it calls to me. Hey, I didn't even bring guns up this time...it was all video games this round. Oh wait, maybe not. :) Couldn't agree more. Thanks.

@Brittany - Thanks. Yup, same for all the Game Stops (and Target) I've been to. Target, as soon as the game is scanned it sounds an alert and prompts the cashier to check your ID. Definitely agree about parental influence. Ah, the "experts" would argue that you're biased because you like video games, so you can't represent video games with an unbiased perspective.

@White Angel Dragon - It's only a matter of time before every politician in Washington DC is going to be a gamer, or have played video games at some point in their life. Then what will they say?

@The_DASHing_RockMan - Thanks. Yeah, I bet they'd be surprised to know most of their employees and family and kids are playing video games. I read today Mr. Yee came out and apologized, I'm sure after he realized how many potential voters he offended. He said something to the effect of not all gamers. Hah, so which ones then? He just keeps digging himself in deeper.

@tj2424 - Funny you mention that because one of the studies on violent video games and the affect they have on kids tested this, and what one study found is kids are less likely to engage in violent behavior while they're playing games. Makes sense if you're a gamer, you don't want anybody distracting you, right? Thanks for the comment.

@chsmn775 - You're welcome.

@markus1142 - Well, as disappointed as I am over it all, it's still the best. But yes, bitterly divided. There is no compromise, neither side wants it.

@John Jones - Amen. Middle name isn't Paul is it?

@Shipmaster777 - Or toe the line!

@metalsonic_69 - That's my profile image...your profile image shows up at the top of every page. But good eye for recognizing that as Maplestory.

@ace13 - Thanks. Great advice...hah hah.

@John Wrek - Hah, it's not my team...it's our team...Team Gamer maybe.
by doomsday1155 Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 12:43 PM

Well spoken as always. Personally, I don't think laws mandating the ESRB rating system would make it worse, but I don't think they'd be improved either. So it may be just a waste of money, in the end.

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When The Dust Starts To Settle, Don’t Let It…