They’ve repeatedly lost in the court system, so now it seems the anti-video game camp is trying to get through the back door.
Rather than make another attempt to pass unconstitutional legislation, the anti-gaming folks now want to “study” the issue. This, of course, will require Americans fork over lots and lots of taxpayer dollars so more inconclusive and inconsistent studies about the effects of games on people can be discovered.
At hand is a bill that was recently passed by the Senate. This measure, the Children and Media Research and Advancement Act, or CAMRA for short, will have the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigating how electronic media affects children. This masterful work was sponsored by the usual suspects – U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman, Hillary Clinton, Rick Santorum and Evan Bayh.
The goal, according to Ars Technica, is to “examine the role and positive and negative impact of electronic media in children's and adolescents' cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and behavior development."
It seems the fine senators are upset their Family Entertainment Protection Act proposal was left dead in the water. This new route to getting government’s fingers in the video game business sounds like a horrific waste of money, which means it will likely pass much to the detriment of a lot of tax payer dollars. Before it becomes final, however, it needs to go through the House of Representatives for approval.
This, along with the barrage of failed anti-video game legislation, speaks volumes about the need for efforts such as the Play For Real voter registration drive. Americans who don’t want to see their dollars wasted on studies that will be refuted by more studies in an endless and mind-boggling quagmire can make a difference by getting involved.
Perhaps if enough people voice their disdain, our fine legislators in America will finally remember that violence was around long before video games, television sets, gaming consoles and even America and it’s likely to remain long after.
Related:
Louisiana Denied Anti-Video Game Law
Video Game Industry 2, Illinois 0
Opinion: Say 'No' To Family Entertainment Protection Act
Find more...
Comments >>
