Dulcet Tongues Whisper Fast
(In response to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's statements, I've written my congresswoman, in a show of uncharacteristic activism)
Good evening, Ms. DeLauro,
Recently, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal spoke out in support of California's law to prohibit the sale of M-rated video game titles to minors. I wholeheartedly disagree with his statements, and urge you to do the same.
The problem with the law is two-fold. First and foremost, this law grants a non-government entity (the Entertainment Systems Rating Board) the power of law. This sets a terrible precedent, making it possible for other such entities to gain similar law-like authority.
Second, and (in my mind) the more glaring, the law faults the retailers for problems the parents should have more control over. Blumenthal states, "Parents deserve tools to protect children from games that showcase digital decapitation and rape." The problem is that a tool already exists (the aforementioned ESRB), but parents fail to utilize it. And the answer to that isn't turning the tool into a law; no, the answer is to educate the public better about the tools as they currently exist.
So, I urge you, do not support such a law, as it would only exacerbate the existing problems. I urge you to motivate the parents into taking an active role in their child's entertainment. I urge you to convince your compatriots in Congress and the Senate to strike down such laws. And I urge you, don't support Richard Blumenthal.
-John J. Gillick
Life-long Gamer
Good evening, Ms. DeLauro,
Recently, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal spoke out in support of California's law to prohibit the sale of M-rated video game titles to minors. I wholeheartedly disagree with his statements, and urge you to do the same.
The problem with the law is two-fold. First and foremost, this law grants a non-government entity (the Entertainment Systems Rating Board) the power of law. This sets a terrible precedent, making it possible for other such entities to gain similar law-like authority.
Second, and (in my mind) the more glaring, the law faults the retailers for problems the parents should have more control over. Blumenthal states, "Parents deserve tools to protect children from games that showcase digital decapitation and rape." The problem is that a tool already exists (the aforementioned ESRB), but parents fail to utilize it. And the answer to that isn't turning the tool into a law; no, the answer is to educate the public better about the tools as they currently exist.
So, I urge you, do not support such a law, as it would only exacerbate the existing problems. I urge you to motivate the parents into taking an active role in their child's entertainment. I urge you to convince your compatriots in Congress and the Senate to strike down such laws. And I urge you, don't support Richard Blumenthal.
-John J. Gillick
Life-long Gamer