If you don't want some anger to go with your corn flakes this morning, look away now. A new bill has been proposed by congressman Joe Baca which would require a health warning on videogames, telling consumers that gaming could lead to aggressive behavior, despite the fact that research on the subject is utterly non-conclusive.
The democratic Senator introduced the "Video Game Health Labeling Act of 2009" last week, declaring that the games industry has failed to act enough like a surrogate parent to kids. Apparently putting pseudo-truths and blatant scaremongering on the covers of games would make everything better and there'd be no more violence EVER ... apart from State approved violence, of course.
Game packages would come with the following message if this bill passes: "WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior."
Baca puts the blame solely on the videogame industry, not on the parents who let their kids play violent games. "The videogame industry has a responsibility to parents, families and to consumers – to inform them of the potentially damaging content that is often found in their products.
"They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility. Meanwhile research continues to show a proven link between playing violent games and increased aggression in young people. American families deserve to know the truth about these potentially dangerous products."
Apparently the very obvious ESRB labels aren't good enough.
The Senator believes that the industry "must be held accountable" for the rare instances of violent behavior that games have had tenuous-at-best links to in the past. America is the most powerful nation in the world, and there are people in charge of it who are panicking over videogames. This has gone beyond pathetic and into the realm of the farcical.
Contest:
9:00 AM on 01.13.2009
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"WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to but has NEVER been proven to cause aggressive behavior."
People like this are exactly why we need to just nuke Washington D.C. and start over. Well, maybe not nuke it. The buildings are quite nice, but the people are a hell of a stain, as this moron is proving.
Awesome!
Here's a link to contact Joe Baca.
I think this chronic lack of accountability in the US is going to have to go out of style eventually-- I swear, listening to my brother's tales as a HS teacher makes me long for a return to corporal punishment.
Thing is, once that was on front covers you had a guaranteed hit!
So bring on this label, it'll only make games even cooler you pen pushing square motherFFUUUUUUUUCKERS!
Good thinking, Baca. The parents who ignore ESRB ratings are going to pay attention now that it has an extra label on the packaging.
"I am very interested in hearing your views on issues of importance to you. Due to the large volume of US Mail, email and faxes I receive, I am only able to accept messages from residents of the 43rd Congressional District of California."
Fucking coward.
Here's something that would be totally original: a politician that comes out and tells parents TO DO THEIR FUCKING JOBS. You, the parent, needs to use some intelligence and realize that maybe a game titled "Grand Theft Auto" isn't appropriate for a 6-year old. Adding more warnings isn't going to do squat if the parent just doesn't care. I've seen it many times: kid whines enough in the game store and the parent opens their wallet to buy them a violent game.
Also...what has already been said...there is no sure-fire, concrete proof that playing a violent game will immediately turn a kid into a blood-thirsty monster.
So please, Mr. Baca...go do your job and figure out how California can avert a complete financial meltdown. Quit screwing with my hobby.
If this bill would come to pass, every politician would have a tatoo on his or her's forehead saying: "WARNING: Excessive douchebaggery and overall lying has been linked to world's hunger, wars and scarcity of resources in the name of profit margins."
"Warning: May cause adject stupidity by those who have no clue what they are talking about"
I don't agree that this is the way it should be, because... well, it's bollocks. But you have to roll with the punches, I guess.
Is this the same Obama that is bringing an RIAA laywer into the Department of Justice? Get ready. This is just the beginning.
And is it just me or does BACA sound a lot like BAKA?
"Congressman Joe Baca Sued by Videogame Industry for Defamation"
everyone
TO SWEDEN