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You will have to pry my Video Games out of my cold.. (Original Post) HipChick Dec 2012 OP
Ha! nt ZombieHorde Dec 2012 #1
I'm with ya. TDale313 Dec 2012 #2
double negative Motown_Johnny Dec 2012 #3
+1! BarackTheVote Dec 2012 #4
Amen! white_wolf Dec 2012 #5
Here's the debunking of that myth nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #6
And here Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #7
Read the PBS link nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #11
I read the pbs link Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #17
Well, proof is in the pudding nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #27
right Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #40
Well, you are correct. earthside Dec 2012 #42
Wow very well stated Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #44
Thanks. earthside Dec 2012 #46
You are an adult, aren't you? If you want to play Doom and Mortal Kombat, Honeycombe8 Dec 2012 #8
We have a rating system for that. white_wolf Dec 2012 #12
You may have grown up healthy not eating vegetables, too. But in order to be sure Honeycombe8 Dec 2012 #23
That's not excatly accurate. white_wolf Dec 2012 #28
Actually we have poured millions of dollars in research nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #30
You do know the current version of doom is rated M nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #13
I will say this the game industry is very good at self regulating. white_wolf Dec 2012 #16
I have to show ID and trust me nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #20
I got carded when I bought Fallout New Vegas: Ultimate Edition Friday. TheMightyFavog Dec 2012 #33
You kid you!!!! nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #34
Columbine killer Eric Harris actually created some levels for Doom... PoliticAverse Dec 2012 #52
Most people who played the original Doom did Posteritatis Dec 2012 #58
Your post implies he worked for ID software. white_wolf Dec 2012 #59
I didn't imply he worked for the company that made Doom, as you note PoliticAverse Dec 2012 #62
What about the recent football player who killed his girlfriend and himself? white_wolf Dec 2012 #66
He also played Battletech and. nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #63
would be really hard WooWooWoo Dec 2012 #31
Nice one. white_wolf Dec 2012 #32
I am impressed that you figured out how to post to the internet from 1993 cemaphonic Dec 2012 #48
How about duck hunt? snooper2 Dec 2012 #50
I haven't been able to go back to them. Barack_America Dec 2012 #9
So you're saying you are a mass people killer. MrSlayer Dec 2012 #10
I am right there with you... Comrade_McKenzie Dec 2012 #14
I,I,I,I,I, Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #15
So we should support censorship based on your suspicion. white_wolf Dec 2012 #21
Censorship No Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #22
Except the vast majority aren't killing and none are killing because of games. white_wolf Dec 2012 #37
You should, seriously I mean it, go check minecraft nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #38
'I love violent entertainment' ....wow spanone Dec 2012 #25
You will have to pry my Steam account from my cold dead 18 tentacled body. Initech Dec 2012 #18
A-fucking-men. backscatter712 Dec 2012 #19
If you Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #24
Your concern is noted. backscatter712 Dec 2012 #35
oh Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #36
What a bland world you live in. GLaDOS: Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at Katashi_itto Dec 2012 #39
bland world? Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #41
You go hiking? But there is proof that some people die on hiking trips. white_wolf Dec 2012 #43
Oh I am not anti gaming Livluvgrow Dec 2012 #45
A fellow who is so certain of things! Good for you! Katashi_itto Dec 2012 #49
You are a mass murderer waiting to happen .... oldhippie Dec 2012 #26
You can say it on the internet if it's not true (nt) Jeff In Milwaukee Dec 2012 #47
*Holds Vintage Atari Joystick aloft* TheMightyFavog Dec 2012 #29
I kill zombies hollysmom Dec 2012 #51
My beautiful and brilliant college educated certified social worker daughter DainBramaged Dec 2012 #53
I play CoD every night after work WilmywoodNCparalegal Dec 2012 #54
Funny, I have maybe 100 video games… none involve killing people. You can either KittyWampus Dec 2012 #55
I'm a big boy, and can thus walk and chew gum at the same time. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2012 #60
Odd. I play shooter games, and yet I'm a hippie pacifist who can't stand actual guns. Warren DeMontague Dec 2012 #65
K&R Jamastiene Dec 2012 #56
I'm just gonna note how gamer-y Canada is and how murder-y it isn't. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2012 #57
I like video games too Shankapotomus Dec 2012 #61
If someone had killed 20 kids with a copy of Halo 4, I wouldn't be here defending it Warren DeMontague Dec 2012 #64
I'm a gamer from the 80's bwood Dec 2012 #67
Yet your state has a higher death rate from fire arms nadinbrzezinski Dec 2012 #68

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
2. I'm with ya.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 10:48 PM
Dec 2012

Yes, I'm a gamer too (although not really a fan of first person shooter games.)

Ratings are fine, but censorship would be a mistake. And I think it's totally misguided to blame these acts of violence on games or movies.

BarackTheVote

(938 posts)
4. +1!
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 10:52 PM
Dec 2012

For those of you living under a rock for the last decade, video games have evolved into a full-fledged art-form, and they deserve the same respect and protection as any other art! The video game industry has a rating system and as far as I've seen, it's even more accurate than the MPAA ratings on movies. It's up to parents to keep their kids from inappropriately mature video games, or at least to put them in the correct context. But no government-imposed censorship should be tolerated in art!

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
11. Read the PBS link
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:11 PM
Dec 2012

The studies that have found any linkage have been taken to task for methodology. And if they were correct. Tell me, why are Japan and South Korea not running in rivers of blood? FYI you think grand theft auto is violent...(and it is) you have not seen some South Korean tittles. .

Livluvgrow

(377 posts)
17. I read the pbs link
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:23 PM
Dec 2012

first thing I noticed was the 2002 date cited in the study. Graphics, realism, and audio of the games have changed immensely since then. Much better for the end user obviously and probably much more detrimental to a psychotic mind. Will we ever find out if there is a correlation to realism and violence amongst psychotics from the responses here probably not. People would rather do nothing it seems.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
27. Well, proof is in the pudding
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:47 PM
Dec 2012

Quick, what is the death rate from violent crime in Japan and Korea? You think our tittles are violent, you have not lived.

People have been looking for this connection since Columbine. My god, Harris and Kleebold played Battletech...oh my...

In fact, it goes much farther back, in the 1950s the exact same claims made today about video games were made about Comics. The senate even held hearings and considered an outright ban. Why comics were approved soon after by a censorship board.

You know why games are rated? 1999.

It's easy to blame a fringe element in the society, gamers and comic geek are fringe, and try to ban that, instead of looking at why they mostly reflect the rest of the media and provide a not too kind mirror to society.

People have been looking for the holy grail that video games are Dangerous. After now thirty years they have not...research and money has been poured into this. Hell, the senate, just like comics, has even held hearings.

You know, instead of chasing after a red herring, as ridiculous as evolution and gays cause this, we should focus on what does actually work.

But you say people don't want to do anything...literally millions have been poured into this wild goose chase.

earthside

(6,960 posts)
42. Well, you are correct.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:25 AM
Dec 2012

We are talking about the impact of violent video games on U.S. culture --- not the cultures of Japan or Korea.

The U.S. has its own unique cultural pedigree that may predispose us to violence, i.e., the 'frontier' aka the 'wild west' ... since World War II and especially since Vietnam, we have witnessed a marked increase in the violence in popular culture.

As has been noted in the past couple of days, something like 43 people are killed by guns everyday in this country ... does any other nation compare?

If we are going to ever dial back this rise in mass slaughter and the tragedy of gun violence, we've got to be willing to look at all aspects of culture that may contribute to destructive tendencies.

It is not rational or scientific to stubbornly wall-off the potential influences of violent video games and gratuitously violent movies and TV shows -- just as the gun nuts try to do about their object of obsession -- from further investigation and study.

Frankly, I am concerned that too much time in front of computer, TV screens by America's youth is having an effect on human-to-human socialization (not to mention our obesity problem as the First Lady has pointed out).

Nevertheless, I am all for using social and economic pressure on entertainment corporations that market violent game products to young people --- I would never support any kind of forced, governmental censorship or product bans.

earthside

(6,960 posts)
46. Thanks.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:41 AM
Dec 2012

There is a reasonable, measured way to discuss this.

And, in the end, it will be the rational, open-minded position of liberals and progressives that will win the day because we do not turn all points of view into "I'm right, you're wrong" contests.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
8. You are an adult, aren't you? If you want to play Doom and Mortal Kombat,
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:09 PM
Dec 2012

go to it.

Just don't give it to the impressionable 13 year old boy down the street.

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
12. We have a rating system for that.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:12 PM
Dec 2012

If parents choose to buy and let their kids play Doom and Mortal Kombat that's their choice. I played both those growing up so I really don't see the big deal.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
23. You may have grown up healthy not eating vegetables, too. But in order to be sure
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:43 PM
Dec 2012

you'll grow up healthy, it's probably best to eat vegetables.

Just because you grew up healthy doesn't mean others will.

The studies are numerous and fairly conclusive. There is a strong predictive reliability to violent behavior in kids who participated in violent video games. You can Google that. There are a number of studies on it. Doesn't mean a kid will become a murderer. But one thing is certain - there is no harm in NOT playing violent video games.

BTW, a # of countries have banned them. Australia had a mass killing problem. It addressed assault weapons and made many violent video games age 18 and over, and banned outright the more violent ones (like Mortal Kombat - can't bring them into the country). Their method of handling the problem seems to have worked.

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
28. That's not excatly accurate.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:48 PM
Dec 2012

They aren't sold in Australia, but they aren't illegal. A lot of gamers simply order them internationally. And I think Australia's strict gun laws have a lot more to do with their lower gun violence than banning videogames. Face it, this talk of banning videogames is as pathetic as people who used to try and ban comicbooks or rock music.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
30. Actually we have poured millions of dollars in research
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:52 PM
Dec 2012

And these studies are all but conclusive

See the post above.

And anyway these violent games are NOT MEANT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. If a kid has his or her paws on an M game, let alone an Adult Only tittle...blame the parents, not the industry. Ratings exist for a reason.

Now here they are just for you.

Early Childhood - Games with the EC mark are geared towards children ages 3 and up.

Everyone - Games marked E are well suited for a general audience. They have minimal violence but may contain some crude language.

Teens - Games with the T mark are for older kids, ages 13 and up. These games often have violent content and can contain strong language.

Mature - Games marked M are for people 17 and older. They usually have very violent or gory content, strong language and possible nudity.

Adults Only - Games with the AO mark are not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. They may contain graphic violence, language or sex. To date, no game has been published with this rating.

Compare this to your movie ratings.

G — General Audiences. All Ages Admitted. A G-rated motion picture contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture. The G rating is not a "certificate of approval," nor does it signify a "children’s" motion picture. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. No stronger words are present in G-rated motion pictures. Depictions of violence are minimal. No nudity, sex scenes or drug use are present in the motion picture.

PG — Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable For Children. A PG-rated motion picture should be investigated by parents before they let their younger children attend. The PG rating indicates, in the view of the Rating Board, that parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, and parents should make that decision. The more mature themes in some PG-rated motion pictures may call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity and some depictions of violence or brief nudity. But these elements are not deemed so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated motion picture.

PG-13 — Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13. A PG-13 rating is a sterner warning by the Rating Board to parents to determine whether their children under age 13 should view the motion picture, as some material might not be suited for them. A PG-13 motion picture may go beyond the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities or other elements, but does not reach the restricted R category. The theme of the motion picture by itself will not result in a rating greater than PG-13, although depictions of activities related to a mature theme may result in a restricted rating for the motion picture. Any drug use will initially require at least a PG-13 rating. More than brief nudity will require at least a PG-13 rating, but such nudity in a PG-13 rated motion picture generally will not be sexually oriented. There may be depictions of violence in a PG-13 movie, but generally not both realistic and extreme or persistent violence. A motion picture’s single use of one of the harsher sexually-derived words, though only as an expletive, initially requires at least a PG-13 rating. More than one such expletive requires an R rating, as must even one of those words used in a sexual context. The Rating Board nevertheless may rate such a motion picture PG-13 if, based on a special vote by a two-thirds majority, the Raters feel that most American parents would believe that a PG-13 rating is appropriate because of the context or manner in which the words are used or because the use of those words in the motion picture is inconspicuous.

R — Restricted. Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

NC-17 — No One 17 and Under Admitted. An NC-17 rated motion picture is one that, in the view of the Rating Board, most parents would consider patently too adult for their children 17 and under. No children will be admitted. NC-17 does not mean "obscene" or "pornographic" in the common or legal meaning of those words, and should not be construed as a negative judgment in any sense. The rating simply signals that the content is appropriate only for an adult audience. An NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children

One last think, doncha think that having a gun ban has a tad more to do with this in Australia?

Logic fail of enormous proportions.





 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
13. You do know the current version of doom is rated M
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:14 PM
Dec 2012

The original version was rated m as soon as the ratings came out. Same for mortal combat, right.

M means mature audiences, over 18.

So if your 13 year old neighbor got it, ask which adult got it for him. Hell, I owned a copy, and before the ratings came out I had the good sense to keep doom away from teens, and the Barney mod IS Hysterical.

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
16. I will say this the game industry is very good at self regulating.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:20 PM
Dec 2012

I still have to show ID for every M rated game I buy. I'll admit it's annoying if I forget my ID, but it's worth the trouble.

TheMightyFavog

(13,770 posts)
33. I got carded when I bought Fallout New Vegas: Ultimate Edition Friday.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:56 PM
Dec 2012

Gamestop policy, even though I'll be 33 in a couple of months.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
34. You kid you!!!!
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:58 PM
Dec 2012

When I was a young kid we landed the lunar lander at the hotel lobby and played Galaga!

I got carded when I bought Wolfestein 3D ( new version) fancy graphics, lousy game.

Posteritatis

(18,807 posts)
58. Most people who played the original Doom did
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:18 PM
Dec 2012

The custom level community was vibrant to say the least, if occasionally tasteless even by their own standards.

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
59. Your post implies he worked for ID software.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:20 PM
Dec 2012

He didn't. He was a modder. Tons of people do it and I can download mods for pretty much any game on PC. Nice try, though.

PoliticAverse

(26,366 posts)
62. I didn't imply he worked for the company that made Doom, as you note
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:31 PM
Dec 2012

Doom levels can be made by anyone (using a level editor) and the discussion at link I provided
indicates Harris was an 'enthusiast' (not an employee).

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
66. What about the recent football player who killed his girlfriend and himself?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:38 PM
Dec 2012

Should we blame sports for that since he was obviously a sports "enthusiast?"

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
63. He also played Battletech and.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:33 PM
Dec 2012

The link between games and shootings as a causative event simply do not exist.

We have ONE that might actually be close. That is one murder of 34000 for that year.

cemaphonic

(4,138 posts)
48. I am impressed that you figured out how to post to the internet from 1993
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 01:15 AM
Dec 2012

Hope you are enjoying your Snoop Doggy Dog, and Clinton Presidency.

PS. Sell your stocks in 1999. And again in early 2008.

Barack_America

(28,876 posts)
9. I haven't been able to go back to them.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:10 PM
Dec 2012

We do super mild shooters. But the appeal is now gone.

I guess we'll stick to Mario Kart or something.

 

MrSlayer

(22,143 posts)
10. So you're saying you are a mass people killer.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:10 PM
Dec 2012

That's kind of tricky there. You have yourself saying the opposite of what you meant.


But I agree with you. Blaming games or movies or music or teaching evolution in schools are equally as idiotic.

 

Comrade_McKenzie

(2,526 posts)
14. I am right there with you...
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:17 PM
Dec 2012

I love violent entertainment.

Never punched anyone.

Never held a gun.

Avoid even verbal confrontation.

Livluvgrow

(377 posts)
15. I,I,I,I,I,
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:20 PM
Dec 2012

is it all about the individual is it O.K. because you weren't impacted negatively so how can anybody else possibly be impacted negatively? It is going to be cold here tomorrow so you know global warming cant possibly be real. Good day.

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
21. So we should support censorship based on your suspicion.
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:40 PM
Dec 2012

So we should support censorship based on your suspicion that videgoames COULD cause violence.

Livluvgrow

(377 posts)
22. Censorship No
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:41 PM
Dec 2012

Common sense yes. Government intrusion no. Greater expectations of decency yes. Or should everybody just Kill on

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
37. Except the vast majority aren't killing and none are killing because of games.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:01 AM
Dec 2012

As for greater expectations of decency well why is your opinion of decency any better than mine? Do you consider Lord of the Rings indecent? How about Beowulf?

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
38. You should, seriously I mean it, go check minecraft
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:07 AM
Dec 2012

All that building and player created content is so violent...really.

Oh never mind the low res zombies...

Livluvgrow

(377 posts)
24. If you
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:44 PM
Dec 2012

are in favor of death and killing even if in your fantasy world well i actually then feel sorry for you. Play on

 

Katashi_itto

(10,175 posts)
39. What a bland world you live in. GLaDOS: Cake, and grief counseling, will be available at
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:09 AM
Dec 2012

the conclusion of the test.

Livluvgrow

(377 posts)
41. bland world?
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:17 AM
Dec 2012

You kill people on a screen for enjoyment I play a mandolin and Banjo, Hike in my mountain community and cook guess I need more excitement to counter my bland life

white_wolf

(6,238 posts)
43. You go hiking? But there is proof that some people die on hiking trips.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:29 AM
Dec 2012

By your logic we should ban all hiking. It make as much sense as your anti-gaming crusade. I swear you are as out of touch as the people railing against comics in the 50's or DND in the 80's.

Livluvgrow

(377 posts)
45. Oh I am not anti gaming
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 12:36 AM
Dec 2012

got my ps3 sitting right in my home theater and lets put the statistics of gun violence next to the statistics of death by hiking and see how poor your argument is. The realism in games or simulated killing is on a whole different level today than DND or the comic book argument used here today. The sick fact is people really enjoy killing on their computer and TV screens, they love extreme violence in movies, obviously love their guns and death by gun happens to be the 2nd leading cause of death in this country. We have a large problem and you just want to bury your head in the sand

 

Katashi_itto

(10,175 posts)
49. A fellow who is so certain of things! Good for you!
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 06:45 PM
Dec 2012


Never Be certain of anything. It's a sign of weakness.
-Dr Who
 

oldhippie

(3,249 posts)
26. You are a mass murderer waiting to happen ....
Mon Dec 17, 2012, 11:47 PM
Dec 2012

I saw on DU that all gun owners are a crime waiting to happen. Such things must be true.

hollysmom

(5,946 posts)
51. I kill zombies
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:03 PM
Dec 2012

and bounce balls around or burst balloons for on-line amusement. But killing zombies was first.

DainBramaged

(39,191 posts)
53. My beautiful and brilliant college educated certified social worker daughter
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:12 PM
Dec 2012

has been playing PC and video games since she could hold a controller for Super NES in the early 90's and she's a VERY well adjusted young lady. She has NEVER held a gun nor wanted to.



Those of you who think using video games or mental health issues as a distraction to the REAL issue, fucking guns everywhere, have another thing coming.

WilmywoodNCparalegal

(2,654 posts)
54. I play CoD every night after work
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:15 PM
Dec 2012

and for several hours on the weekend. But I would never ever buy that for a minor. If I had a child, he or she would be monitored when playing videogames. If I can't do that because I have to work or cook or whatever else, then I won't buy a gaming system or games.

On the subject of banning things, I think we should ban most of the stuff some old Brit - Bill Shakes-something or 'nother - wrote. Some of the stuff is full of blood, violence and mayhem, not to mention witchcraft, incestuous thoughts, ghosts, profanity and cross-dressing... Vile stuff, I say.

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
55. Funny, I have maybe 100 video games… none involve killing people. You can either
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:16 PM
Dec 2012

spend your time focusing on peace or violence.

People who habitually consume violent media choose to focus their attention on violence and associating it with fun.

You didn't say what video games you play.

And it's funny… you won't support any kind of censorship.

Every single one of my posts on this concern SELF censorship. Being aware of the media you consume and choosing wisely.

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
65. Odd. I play shooter games, and yet I'm a hippie pacifist who can't stand actual guns.
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:36 PM
Dec 2012

I also like Fantasy Movies and I've never actually killed an Orc.

Shankapotomus

(4,840 posts)
61. I like video games too
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:29 PM
Dec 2012

but I'm not glued to 'em or anything. And there's plenty of video games that aren't violent.

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
64. If someone had killed 20 kids with a copy of Halo 4, I wouldn't be here defending it
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:34 PM
Dec 2012

that said, such a thing has never happened.

I think all the "Look! Over here! video games! movies! Athiesm! Prayer in schools! SSRIs!" are all diversionary tactics from people who really, really, really don't want to talk about the elephant in the room:


bwood

(2 posts)
67. I'm a gamer from the 80's
Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:51 PM
Dec 2012

I don't think the ratings mean anything significant. If so, then why limit them to one or two forms of art? Frank Zappa comes to mind... I believe we all hide from the savage problem at hand - growing up and taking responsibility for what we have accepted, inspired, formed and created; our society.

The constitution has nothing to do with the accelerating gun-nuttery that has eclipsed all forms of reason. The NRA is that smallish loud cousin that keeps trying to get your attention, but has far more yap than power. I'm no scholar, but a well regulated militia does exist here in Kentucky and other states. Here it's called the Kentucky National Guard and is referred to as a state militia. I thought that's what the amendment meant, but oh well...

Anyone, anywhere has the power to do great evil. Our American conscience allows it. Hell, news makes money on it. I don't watch television anymore, but I listen to NPR on occasion. It's pretty sick. It sickens me to think about networks whoring over a tragedy and selling commercial space in the gaps. Its a God damn shame. But we accept it.

One of my best neighbor-friends voted for Romney. I still love him and I'll just have to work harder to get him to reason, but I will not quit being a good friend and neighbor. We have an isolation issue in this country that allows people to drift into an entropic person hood. If someone cared about that kid when he needed it most, this may well have never happened. I don't know. I'm not telling anyone what to do. I just hope we can learn to be civil again.

However, I will tell y'all this; I live in a small town in KY. As far as I know (and I mostly know), there is a gun in every house on my road. We have our share of crazies and what not, but I have never heard of nor witnessed an attempted homicide in this county in the 34 years of my life. I have never owned a house with the doors locked at night either, but that's another story...

I really do believe gun violence is a mentality problem. There are so many different perspectives out there and it is hard to justify only one. I'm afraid this will lead to a make or break moment in our history.

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