230 W - + 7 - 8 Spitzer disappointment
I liked Spitzer - he seemed like a good, young, energetic, idealistic guy. He actually took on corruption, all that good stuff.
And now this:
Gov. Eliot Spitzer will take a shot at violent videos and video games as part his remaining 2007 legislative agenda that includes campaign finance reform, streamlining the courts, and energy development. Spitzer said he will soon provide a bill that would target the ratings of video movies and video games "'that are often violent and degrading"' and can hurt children who repeatedly use and view them.
Yes, think of the children! God knows that we can't, you know, have parents raising their own children in this country! I mean, somebody else, some big, bureaucratic organization, oughta step in and fix thinsg!
When it comes to free expression I take a pretty libertarian view, and when it comes to videogames, well, I play them. I know about them. I know full well that if a kid is "screwed up" by videogames, he was *actually* screwed up by something else first. This sort of "think of the children" political cashing-out is becoming all too comfortable for democrats who feel like they need some way to get "moralistic" appeal. Hillary Clinton is the pro at this, but I was surprised and saddened to see Spitzer follow suit. He should focus his energy on corporations, not consumers.
I agree that it’s sad that Spitzer is doing this, but to his mind I imagine he
does view this as focusing on corporations — it’s pretty typical to consider this issue as one of corporations selling unsafe products.
skip (URL) - 18 April '07 - 20:08
I do agree that at least he’s focusing on punishing stores for selling it, rather than condemning consumers for buying it. Still, the effect is the same – it becomes a “forbidden good”, when in reality it’s just another medium of expression.
Aaron () (URL) - 19 April '07 - 08:39