Ever wonder what the world would be like if laws created by anti-game lawyer Jack Thompson were actually enacted? The folks in Louisiana are about to find out.
It seems Louisiana’s anti-game law, written by Thompson, has made it through the state’s House and Senate and will now go to Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Remember folks, this is the same lady who thinks she did a good job in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She’s expected to sign the bill.
Thompson’s law is similar to all the other laws that have been overturned by the U.S. federal courts. It calls for a ban on the sale of games to minors that are deemed by the average person to appeal to a minor’s “morbid interest in violence.” Those games that lack “serious literacy, artistic, political or scientific value” would also be banned. The cost is between $100 to $2,000 for a violation and up to 12 months in prison.
Beyond Nintendogs and similar titles, I’m finding it hard to name a game that might actually meet the muster with this one, but here’s the real kick with this doomed-for-overturning-by-the-courts bill: It passed the Louisiana House in May unanimously, according to Kotaku.
The fact 102 politicians actually voted unanimously for a bill they know will land them in a losing court battle is baffling to me. Evidentially, Louisiana lawmakers not only think they have the authority to trample the Constitution, the powers of parents and free and legal commerce, they also seem to think the state has lots of money to throw away. I sure hope they paid for the shoring up of New Orleans before voting to write this blank check to lawyers.
The Entertainment Software Association is expected to fight the law if it’s signed by Blanco.
Poor Jack, he finally gets some serious attention for his personal witch hunt, and there’s little doubt the courts will overturn his work. And, if they don’t, maybe the game criminals in Louisiana can serve time with the kiddy gamer chain gangs Minnesota is trying to create.
Related:
ESA Says Leave Those Kids Alone
Getting Tough On Video Games
California Judge Strikes Video Game Law
Jack Thompson On Another Witch Hunt
Comments >>
Add Igniq.com to your MySpace Friends
