Plan for N R Bharathae

Hello folks. First-time caller, long-time listener. I'm posting to introduce myself and share something disturbing I found in the news.

The Associated Press wire is carrying an article about Illinois lawmakers attempting a ban on the sale of violent and/or sexully explicate video games ( http://enews.earthlink.net/article/bus?guid=20050528/4297ecc0_3421_1334520050528-968656336). The justification stated is the state government wants to take action to protect children from what they see as a bad influence. Previous attempts in the state of Washington were struck down by a federal judge as a strain on the First Amendment but now Illinois is trying it and there are indications that this may be a trend starting with state governments.

Whatever your take on this may be I think its important this community keep on eye this particular development. Why? Because once in a while politicians lurch into 'witch hunt' mode after they've singled out a particular genre they can use for scapegoat material. Some of you will remember the attack on the music industry in the 80's. Now video games have appeared on the radar of legislators with a growing interest in rehashing old free speech issues.

So I'm not posting to cry wolf but rather to aire my own opinion on what I see as a farce. I'm a parent. I have four boys, the oldest being 12 with the youngest at 7. Video games have been a part of my children's development since the first Tomb Raider. Currently my kids enjoy a continuous, if not glutinous barrage of video game violence. But has this affected their perception on reality? Absolutely, but not in the manner state lawmakers would have most people believe.

While its true my kids have been desensitized to movie and video game violence they have, at the same time, developed a genuine understanding of what's possible in a game environment versus what can happen in the the real-world. My kids have an extraordinary ability to problem-solve and possess an active reservoir of visual creativity and excellent hand/eye coordination. As a proud parent I'd also like to say my kids have been straight A students for as long as I can remember... really, I'm not kidding. Personally, I attribute this to the inherient prompt games give players to think about the situations they find themselves in and deduce a solution to it. Sure, video games can't take all the credit for my kids stated abilites but they shouldn't be singled out either as a source of discontentment in the populace. Lawmakers should look to their own activities as a cause for that.

So what's my point in bringing this up? Frankly, I'm offended by this statement; "Don't let them become the monsters that we see in these violent games," quote, Democratic Rep. Monique Davis, unquote. My kids aren't monsters. In fact they are fairly well adjusted as I suspect the majority of other kids are who dwell in the after-school malaise of video-game addiction. The trouble I see in the AP news article is legislators ganging up on a fast growing industry, one that I have a particular fondness for. So if this strikes a cord with you out there in Torque-land I urge you to write your state representatives, not once but repeatedly, and voice your concern about a trend that could and most likely will affect what everyone here does. Contrary to what lawmakers believe its not up to them to dictate morality through legislation. That's my job as a parent and I take that responsibililty seriously. I play games with my kids and when questions of morality come up I answer them as best I can, then we keep on playing. Doesn't that sound less complicated than passing a law which makes a criminal out of all of us?

Thanks for listening.