Subject: NJ legislation trying ban sales of M Rated games to children under 18.
AloneSoul
Fanatic
Posts: 522 Registered: 6/7/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 1/11/2002 at 10:05 PM
I'm just copying and pasting this in a few different BBS's and e-mails.
This is something I think that anyone who enjoys their freedom of speech
and choice should read.
NJ legislation trying ban sales of M Rated games to children under 18.
Please excuse any literary errors in this message, it was written in haste.
I was eating breakfast this morning and I saw in the front page “Video game
curbs urged. State lawmakers have proposed a bill to keep ‘mature’ games
from kids.” Yes you read it right, a group of lawmakers in New Jersey are
trying to promote a law which will ban the sales of M rated games to “under
aged” gamers. (As they are in New York, Illinois and Florida.)
They are CONTINUING to wage the dog with the unbacked argument that video
games demoralize the innocent minds of youth. Assemblyman Gary Guear is
speaking for this group of bastards stating “Clearly children should not be
subjected to this level of violence and aggression.”
If that wasn’t enough the article in this paper featured a ludicrous quote
from Ronald Coughlin, a “child psychiatrist.”
“Violent images on television and the movies cause aggression in children
immediately after being viewed.” (-which is true but those effects are very
temporary and the aggression show by children is not towards another child,
studies proved that their temporary and often THERAPEUTIC aggression was
taken out upon their toys. Now, here comes the lies.) “But the effects of
on-screen violence pale in comparison to those in video games, he said,
leading to increased hostility that often lingers for up to two years.”
It gets even better:
“What video games do is teach (youngsters) how to kill someone,” said
Coughlin, who drew a direct link between video games and the Columbine
shootings.”
They’re fabricating facts YET again to bring leverage towards their
arguments and at the same time they are trying to bring life into a dead
media cashcow, Columbine, yet again.
First off these idiots are trying to ban the sales of M rated games to any
minor under the age of 18 even though the M rated label states that it is
for ages 17 and older. Secondly these “lawmakers” are again trying to step
into your homes and are trying to control your choices in a dictator
fashion.
We all know about why this is simply wrong, we know the facts about gaming
violence and youth...we need to act now.
Now, if you don’t live in New Jersey, New York, Illinois or Florida where
similar legislation is trying to be passed you may wonder why you should
care? Well it’s simple folks, there are fifty states in this great country
and it only takes ONE to start a chain reaction...sooner or later, state
after state after state, they will add up to fifty.
This article was produce from the Gloucester County Times: www.nj.com
The writer of this article is Terrence Dopp: [email protected].
The editors page of this paper is [email protected]
I do not know the e-mails and names of the lawmakers who are trying to pass
this bill but the assemblyman Gary Guear’s e-mail is [email protected]
Games had nothing to do with the columbine shootings. Colubine was about
inattentive parents and school administrators, the ensuing and probably
already existing emotional problems, and bullies. PERIOD.
Videogames/music my ASS.
It's the 21st century tipper gore bandwagon...first it was music and it's
evils, and now it's video games. What was it called? "House wives with
stationery"? Sounds like it to me, but now it's more than that it's all
about the politicians and gaining votes by the people that are stupid
enough to believe that they as parents don't affect their own child's
outcome, through, well PARENTING!
I second the "cencorship is BULLSHIT" comment. What people want to do is
pass of the responsibility, when in actuality they are passing off their
RIGHTS...and so EAGER to do it..."Please make it safe for us, we're too
stupid to think for ourselves". ANd then it'll go on and on until someone
smacks another on the head and says "HEY, DIPSHIT...you realise that
because it was deemed "unsafe" everyone, kids and ADULTS have a national
CERFEW?"
I fought tooth and nail to "grow up" I'll be damned if I'll let someone
take the ability and right to take my OWN "adult" decisions away.
____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas.
Xaoswolf
Fanatic
Posts: 463 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 2/11/2002 at 02:28 AM
ok, first, there are games that shouldn't be played by children, BMX XXX
being one of them. Games like that should have the M rating, and should be
considered adult entertainment. Games like mortal Kombat, which I believe
has an M rating, isn't really all that adult, and should have a t16, or
whatever you want to call it.
NJ is a fucked up state to begin with, anybody following the election news
there?? I wouldn't expect anything good to come out of there.
____________________ Sometimes I dream about dinosaurs shopping for cargo shorts at the Gap.
Does that make me a bad person?
Dolorosa
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 856 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 2/11/2002 at 06:37 AM
I know this one...I could gripe on and on about how fucking stupid people
are, in general, especially the old ones (You know, if nature had continued
on in the pattern it usually does, old people would be so much velociraptor
food by now)...but I wont, well...fuck, like hell I wont!
Hearing stuff like that, and how damn often and repetitive it is makes me
want to play seventeen hours straight of resident evil, trip out on acid
and go outside to shoot people...again and again.
Violent people do not need an excuse to be violent...and whats
worse...every freaking "official" (which is such a bullshit term when it
comes to anything, ANYTHING psychological) swears up and down that children
are getting worse and worse...bullshit I say, big steaming bullshit...
Violence is a hell of a lot less of a problem then during any era in
American or world history.
Parents in Eastern Europe didn't care if little Billy and Isolde were
running around killing things or reading dirty passages out of the bible as
long as they could handle themselves against the Mongols...
Ack! Suck blinding stupidity robs me of any eloquence or cohesion of
thought! It makes me want to bust out a Johnny the Homicidal Maniac stunt
and just start nailing things to walls. Things that bleed.
Whats worse, theres shit we can do about it...
I for one, buy just about every interesting video game I can get, or steal
it anyway...and the vast majority of them are M rated.
Besides, whats better family fun than watching my little three year old
nephew play GTA 3, and giggle and cheer when he intentionally or otherwsie
offs some innocent bystander than laughs so hard he wets himself...it's
freaking hilarious.
As far as Violence goes, I think this world needs some more honest
violence.
Why can't people just fucking kill eachother, and not have to make excuses
or hide behind others ideas of entertainment.
I also think I need more acid...
____________________ In the valley of the Goats, the Goat Fucker is King
Well video games are like television, there's a lot of stuff kids probalby
shouldn't see until a certain age, and if the parents pay attention to what
they're watching/playing then it won't be so much of an issue. I mean hell
who didn't have toy guns when they were little? The more realistic the
better right? I had LOTS of toy guns and I KNEW they were toys, and that
real guns kill, not to touch real guns, if I saw a real gun to tell my
parents, etc. I had toy guns so I didnt' have a dying curiosity over real
guns.
Hell, I played Evil Dead: Hail to the King and did it make me wanna go chop
shit with a chain saw? NO.
I played frogger every day as a kid. DId it make me wanna go play in
traffic?
I played mario brothers every day, did I find brick ledges and jump up to
slam my head into them? okay, maybe I did do that a couple times, but it
wasn't because of the game....
People just need to pay the fuck attention and get over themselves and
their "theories" about today's kids. THere were gangs 50 years ago, there
were toy guns 50 years ago, there was rape and murder 50 years ago.
Pleasantville NEVER existed...EVER.
____________________ Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas.
DarkMistress
Member
Posts: 170 Registered: 6/6/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 2/11/2002 at 11:02 AM
This topic pisses me off more than ever and I don't even PLAY video games.
People are fucking AFRAID of everything, we are the MOST protected country
in the world and I'm thinking of leaving the god damn place. "What you
don't know can't hurt you" like hell it can't. We watched this thing
before school on Good Morning America about how terrible the video games
are now adays. If your kids can't distinguish between what's right and
what's wrong then it's your own god damn fault. I was a violent kid up
until fifth grade and I hardly ever watched tv, never played video games.
I read a lot though, and I played with toy guns. Guns don't kill people,
people kill people and some people NEED to die. The columbine thing-they
tried blaming the shootings on Manson but the kids didn't even LISTEN to
Manson..stupid fucks. This is like when my brother was 14 and I was 10 and
my parents tried taking away his Pantera CD. He fucking flipped about how
they're infringing on his rights because he IS a citizen in this country
and it is HIS right to listen to whatever the hell he wants. Of course
they pulled the "not under my roof" shit so he took his CD and left for a
while..but yeah..same thing.
We debated on violence on tv and in video games last year and there is no
proof that tv and video games cause violence. I have a sick, twisted
imagination and I don't blame anything or anyone for that except myself. I
scare people with my english compositions and my art, but it doesn't
fucking matter because I'm not going to go stab someone through the heart,
or torture someone relentlessly. Trying to stop kids from playing video
games because of some paranoia is as bad as turning Paul Wellstone's
funeral into a fucking political debate. And to think-most of the kids in
my grade AGREE with the politicians. We SHOULD have named our school
newspaper conformity.
Bastards.
____________________ "Pity no one was there
No angels in the air
And the morning paper ran
One more suicide"
IamSquid
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 658 Registered: 27/5/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 2/11/2002 at 12:05 PM
I hate this shit. The thing is, people are ACTUALLY going to get carded
trying to buy video games. I got carded trying to walk into an R rated
movie a little while ago. Carded? First of all, I'm obviously over 17,
second of all, WHO THE FUCK CARES?
It's not like yoo can be fined for selling a movie ticket to someone
underage. I understand carding mee for cigarettes, in MN yoo gotta pay
$4000 and go to court. Fine, cover yor ass and card mee for smokes. But an
R-rated movie? It's going to be the same damn thing for video games.
Yoo know, when a guy walks in to buy a copy of GTA3 covered with piercings,
brandings, and tattoos yoo'd think people would figure there's not alot
that could be in this game that he isn't vaguely aware of.
Okay kids, give mee the money and I'll buy yoo video games (include
shipping and handling).
grimlore
Occasional Poster
Posts: 32 Registered: 20/9/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 2/11/2002 at 06:44 PM
All the more reason why I hate this conformist country. To get into rated
"R" movies around here in Buffalo New York, you have to be 21 years old.
Now exactly why the fuck did that happen? I'm 17 and I can't get into a
rated "R" movie which is supposed to be 17 and older. The mall where this
theatre is located just passed a rule stating "No one under 17 can be in
the mall without a parent."....
Rated "M" video games never influenced me at all....I ALWAYS played video
games that had alot of blood in them...and to be quite honest...they're the
most entertaining of all the games I own. Even if that law was passed,
there is a way around it...at least for me...my mom never had a problem
with the games I played...if I had to be 21 all of a sudden...I'd just give
her the money, and she'd go get it...and bam its in my hands...even though
I'm 17 and should be allowed to buy it anyway. But she did that when I was
alot younger..so go figure. I haven't shot anybody.
____________________
Shade
Fanatic
Posts: 289 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 3/11/2002 at 07:27 AM
Technically speaking, most (Not all, butmost) age related laws have an
"actual parental consent" rider on them, like R rated movies are actually
restricted to those 17 and under with a parental escort. You are totally
allowed to drink at home with your parents consent *And presence* in most
states. the thing is, for most of those the parent has to be present. It's
a basic adult supervision law. The reality is most parents don't want to
watch GTA3 all afternoon, and I have enough trouble getting my friends to
go watch the latest Hellraiser movie with me, I can't imagine how little
most parents want to go watch the thing.
As far as making it a necessity to have a parent present to get that M
rated vid game...how many people under twelve can see over the counter,
much less buy the game themselves anyway, and beyond that...well, i was
shoulder-tapping the local drunks for booze and smokes by the time I was
thirteen. Well, smokes then; beer later, but you get the idea.
____________________ It is only through the lack of sex that humanity derives the need for an
all encompassing blind love. And in that moment of extreme horniness with
no relief in sight, in that moment can be found the birth of religion.
-Me
AloneSoul
Fanatic
Posts: 522 Registered: 6/7/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 4/11/2002 at 11:25 AM
I think I figured it out, this is simply a plot to distract attention from
the numerous blunders in NJ gov and DMV.
I hate NJ. Stay away from here, PLEASE! Save yourselves from this state!
As a somewhat contrary point...I suppose I must admit it finally...
My name is Dolorosa, and I'm a Halo Addict...
It didn't really hit me until I was at the grocery store and I suddenly
lost control, rifle-checked the bag dude with a frozen kielbasa and threw a
plasma grenade into the feminine hygiene aisle...
Whats really bothering me is where did I get that plasma grenade...I want
more...
Censorship is the dilution and manipulation of knowledge...
Twisting knowledge is the greatest sin I know...unfortunatly it's also one
of the most fun...
Bummer huh?
____________________ In the valley of the Goats, the Goat Fucker is King
Ironboots
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 893 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 4/11/2002 at 04:30 PM
Yeah Dolo! Addicted to Halo! *cheers*
My friends and I coerced a teacher into letting us play Halo in his
classroom during lunch, before school, and during break. I'm pretty much a
master at Hang 'em High... I love that level. DAMN THE SNIPERS IN BLOOD
GULCH! Unless I'm one of them, of course.
We also got into a pine-cone chucking battle in his classroom. I don't know
where we got the idea from, but it hurt.
Damn the censors!
____________________ Piggy's got the Conch!
Xaoswolf
Fanatic
Posts: 463 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 4/11/2002 at 07:10 PM
NOOOO!!!!!
The only thing more evil than the NJ government. People that like the
Xbox.
____________________ Sometimes I dream about dinosaurs shopping for cargo shorts at the Gap.
Does that make me a bad person?
grimlore
Occasional Poster
Posts: 32 Registered: 20/9/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 4/11/2002 at 10:33 PM
BAHAHAHA...xbox sucks
How's that for random vagaries?
____________________
Xaoswolf
Fanatic
Posts: 463 Registered: 31/12/1969 Status: Offline
posted on 5/11/2002 at 07:31 AM
Quickly Grimlor, you man the PS2, I'll grab the Gamecube. We must play
good games to defend humanity.
Damnit, they're attacking on the southern front, someone grab the NES to
keep them at bay.
Get on the radio, we need Dreamcast support, and we need it fast...
____________________ Sometimes I dream about dinosaurs shopping for cargo shorts at the Gap.
/>
Does that make me a bad person?
Starlight
Extreme Fanatic
Posts: 618 Registered: 27/9/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 6/11/2002 at 02:41 AM
This is my view on the whole cause effect thing of video games and
movies...
Inherently evil people are inherently evil.
Inherently good people are inherently good.
Evil=conscience doesn't apply.
Good=consciece applies.
Wanting to read, watch, play, talk about, write about sick, sadistic,
delusional ideas and actions=what you're into.
Actually doing harm to people, animals, property as a result of the
above=someone who is evil and has no conscience and is in no way affected
by anything he/she has read, watched, played, talked about, written about
no matter how sick, sadistic, delusional.
Censorship is pointless in reality. Teaching children the difference
between fantasy and reality is what matters and it's their
parents/guardians/people they live with's jobs to do it.
I was raised around guns, swords, daggers and alcohol. I was taught the
dangers of all of the items and taught to handle them safely and that
killing is bad. I was taught the difference between fantasy (ie:games,
books, etc.) and reality, and expected to understand the difference and not
be an idiot. Being exposed to something doesn't make you do bad things.
It's genetics or never being taught what's good and bad that makes all the
difference.
____________________ "When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've
never
tried before." ~Mae West
AloneSoul
Fanatic
Posts: 522 Registered: 6/7/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 6/11/2002 at 02:55 AM
Funny how they say that videogames cause young males to shoot people but
these idiot politicians make me want to shoot them!
*takes a deep breath*
One a brighter note, GTA Vice City is incredibly fun! Nothing better than
chasing people down the streets with a chainsaw. Pick up a copy when you
see it, you'll love it.
f">
HREF="http://www.pathetic.org/library.php?i_memberid=2042">
size=1> but at least you know, just how much pain there is in living
Merry_Widow
Fanatic
Posts: 598 Registered: 24/8/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 6/11/2002 at 10:37 AM
The most violent people I have ever known have come form homes with
a) Violent parents
or b) innattentive parents.
Children mimic what they see adults doing or act out more and more in order
to get attention. Yes, it's cliche, but it's what is happening all over the
country in homes across suburbia. According to politicians everywhere, I
should have flown of my rocker by now, grabbed one of the many guns in my
house and shot several people including myself. But it hasn't happened. My
father has sat me down several times over my life, shown me how to load a
gun, fire a gun, and then clean the gun when I was done. They let me play
video games of all types, and god forbid, my dad even encourages me
roleplaying.
I hate politicians who decide they need some sort of new crusade because
elections are coming up.
And for the record, the game cube doesn't suck.
____________________ Okay, dazzle me.
DarkMistress
Member
Posts: 170 Registered: 6/6/2002 Status: Offline
posted on 6/11/2002 at 03:15 PM
My parents are violent and I'm not even phased by it. Kids today, so
desensitized by their families. Heh..
I wrote a story that somehow corresponds to the happenings of my summer
though it was sick and delusional and I loved it. Now I'm not really going
to go stab some girl or watch hounds eat the legs off of a guy I know. I'm
not going to torture someone relentlessly or any of that.
My friend wrote an in-depth story on how he would go about shooting up the
school (relating to columbine) but he's not actually going to shoot up the
school.
*sigh* If I was going to kill someone I would have already done it.
Outside influences like video games and television and music and books
isn't going to make me do anything. Just because something implies/talks
about violence or commits acts of violence does not mean it's saying "go
out and kill as many people as you can."