I heard a quote from someone the other day that "the easiest way to lose an argument is to overstate it". Although that was relating to anti-smoker groups, I think it's starting to play into our hands here as well.
The politicians have all been jumping round like monkeys on crack shouting "violence! harm! danger!" and making up studies, using emotive hyperbole rather than reasoned logic and pushing the constitution farther than it will go. They've drawn so much attention it's starting to swing back the other way, and we're seeing more and more of these newspaper editorials now. They may not have our game-related reasoning, but they all have a very clear idea that this is all something that is the responsibility of parents.
I suppose it's too much to hope that all parents will read these clearly-stated conterpoints, and instead continue sucking up a diet of fear from their TV news, but it's a good sign that the politicians aren't fooling everyone. I think the public are probably a lot more awake than the idiot Congressmen realise.
Re: Of course, this administration was the first to do this right?jabrwockMarch 22 2006, 17:59:46 UTC
I mean, it's not like the Kennedy administration didn't do the same thing on Civil Rights leaders or anything.
Difference here being that the Kennedy administration KNEW what they were doing was wrong, they just believed that it was for the good of the country, so history would forgive them.
This administration is trying to argue that it's perfectly legal, whether it's for the good of the country or not...
I agree. I've noticed that recently we're starting to see a bit more of these. People who probably aren't gamers, but are still reaching the same conclusions we do. He doesn't align with our views 100% (if he did, he'd probably have brought up the fact that no other medium of media is looking at any kind of legislation), but in some ways, that just makes this all the more comforting. This is a man from another walk of life, but he's still not being swayed by all the showboating politicians.
I heard a quote from someone the other day that "the easiest way to lose an argument is to overstate it". Although that was relating to anti-smoker groups, I think it's starting to play into our hands here as well.
And thus, the easiest way to win an argument is to cause the opponent to overstate it. ;)
suppose it's too much to hope that all parents will read these clearly-stated conterpoints, and instead continue sucking up a diet of fear from their TV news
Yep, too much to ask. :P
Until the US media loses ratings for doing a story on how common household items can give you cancer, where the medical expert didn't even flunk out, let alone attend med school, I think there will always be a market of easily-scared soccer moms to pander to...
The politicians have all been jumping round like monkeys on crack shouting "violence! harm! danger!" and making up studies, using emotive hyperbole rather than reasoned logic and pushing the constitution farther than it will go. They've drawn so much attention it's starting to swing back the other way, and we're seeing more and more of these newspaper editorials now. They may not have our game-related reasoning, but they all have a very clear idea that this is all something that is the responsibility of parents.
I suppose it's too much to hope that all parents will read these clearly-stated conterpoints, and instead continue sucking up a diet of fear from their TV news, but it's a good sign that the politicians aren't fooling everyone. I think the public are probably a lot more awake than the idiot Congressmen realise.
Reply
Isn't the administration already doing this? Something about search and seizure with un-monitored secret wire taps.
Reply
Reply
Difference here being that the Kennedy administration KNEW what they were doing was wrong, they just believed that it was for the good of the country, so history would forgive them.
This administration is trying to argue that it's perfectly legal, whether it's for the good of the country or not...
Reply
You, sir or madam, owe me a new shirt, as I was drinking coffee and spilled while laughing. What an amazing visual image you evoked with that line.
I seriously laughed out loud. My 'cube-mate' think's I'm insane.
Reply
DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER WILL ROBINSON
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
And thus, the easiest way to win an argument is to cause the opponent to overstate it. ;)
Reply
Yep, too much to ask. :P
Until the US media loses ratings for doing a story on how common household items can give you cancer, where the medical expert didn't even flunk out, let alone attend med school, I think there will always be a market of easily-scared soccer moms to pander to...
Reply
Leave a comment