Its time to go to war! ...But we need some information first. (I'm dead serious.)

[Bloodseeker]

And yes, I did say [b]we[/b]. I'd appreciate any help that I could get.

There are politicians that are trying to increase restrictions on media. I love my videogames, and I love my anime, and I sure as hell don't want to start seeing violent videogames and anime on store shelves getting censored by a bunch of paranoid idiots that don't even know what they're talking about! I've been in their shoes before (I used to be paranoid about gangster rap music), and I know that blind conviction dirven by a mixture paranoia and ignorant views of the culture can be a very dangerous thing. That's why we need to take action as soon as possible.

Now I could sit down and argue with these politicians all day, but without some solid information to back my arguments, I'll just be another irritated internet jocky running his mouth.

This first bit of information was easy enough to find... and its solid enough to work as our main argument.

[url=http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/gvc.htm#Violence][color=red]The Bureau of Justice Statistics speaks...[/color][/url]

If violent videogames really encouraged kids to go out and get violent in the real world, then violent crimes would be increasing with the growing videogame audience and the growing amount of violent videogames on the market. On the contrary, the amount of violent crimes have been decreasing over the years. It didn't even jump during 2001-2002 after the controversial smash hit that was GTA3!

A lot of kids that commit violent crimes play violent videogames? No *****! That's because most kids play videogames, and most of those kids play violent videogames! The Columbine shooters played Doom? So did millions of other people, but you don't see them going to their school campuses and shooting 20+ people dead! Too many people play violent videogames and too few people commit violent crimes for it to be a solid argument.

However, I fear that these arguments alone might not be enough to convince some hard headed politicians. We need enough information to prove without a shadow of a doubt that violent videogames are NOT a threat.

We need the statements of an esteemed psychologist or two. I used to have a counselor that I was pretty close to, so I could probably ask her who I should look up. Her cell is currently turned off and her old home phone has apprently been disconnected, but I'll try to get into contact with her sometime soon. But I'd prefer it if I could just get the information here without having reestablish old contacts. (getting reacquainted with people is always awkward)

On top of finding information to use for our arugments, we need to identify which senators we need to meet with. Now there 435 representatives within the House of Representatives and 100 senators within the Senate. On top of this, there are also state and local politicians that could be as dangerous when speaking to the right audience. That's a lot of ground to cover. That's why I'm going to need help.

I want three things from anybody that reads this:

1. Post any information that will help our argument. Information is fire power in the realm of politics. The more information we have supporting our arguments the bigger the chance that they'll be taken seriously.

2. Once we've decided that we have enough information for a solid, unquestionable argument, I want you to seek out and meet with any reputable politicians in your area that have taken a stance against violent media.

3. After you've met with politician, tell us how it went. We want to know about any arguments that he or she brought up defending his or her stance against violent videogames so that we can better prepare to counteract those arguments.

Does anybody have any information that we could use?

[Adahn]

[size=2]Could you expand on the specifics entailed in, "increas[ing] the restrictions on the media"? If they're just going to make games more age specific, then I really don't care. However, if they're going to try and ban every form of violence in computer games, video games, and anime, I'd be with you. However, since something like that is nigh impossible, I'm guessing that my former statement is true.[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]Can you not wait a few years to be able to buy your own violent video games? It's not like you can't get someone to buy them for you, anyways.[/size]

[AnimeFront]

[QUOTE=Bloodseeker]

A lot of kids that commit violent crimes play violent videogames? No *****! That's because most kids play videogames, and most of those kids play violent videogames! The Columbine shooters played Doom? So did millions of other people, but you don't see them going to their school campuses and shooting 20+ people dead! Too many people play violent videogames and too few people commit violent crimes for it to be a solid argument.
[/QUOTE]


That one part isn't true, The average videogamer is 28 and single. Most kids that do play videogames, which is less than 30%, are casual gamers, 7% of these kids are hardcore gamers. I support what you are saying, videogames are the easy thing a parent, or someone else who could have prevented the crime, can blame to get themselves out of the spotlight. Like those kids in London who shot 7 people. "he played Manhunt alot that is why he was so violent, i remeber hearing in this case that manhunt had barely come out and the kid didnt even own a PS2, hole in the story. WE must standup for videogames and anime, and music. Fight on i support you.

[Gavin]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting.

I have to admit reading the thread title I had the distinct feeling that the is exactly the kind of statement President Bush might make to his cabinet if he wants to start another war. I may regularly lament the state of Irish politics and particularly our ineffectual or perhaps completely incompetent government, but thankfully we don't have the same kind of everlasting media uproar that seems to rage in the United States. The only game that I recall being publicly berated in the newspapers was Manhunt and in all fairness there was a least some basis to the complaints.

I think honestly what's needed in the States is for people to take a step back, relax their breathing and then go back and look at the issue in a calm manner, coolly and logically without either side getting worked up over it. And often what people will find is that it is only a small percentage of either side is purely antagonistic in the argument and the rest are willing to look at the black and white facts and accept that both sides may have valid points. In the case of certain games, such as Manhunt, the content or the violence becomes purely gratuitous without bringing anything to the game except controversy.

One the one side, there are indeed individuals who will snap, kill people and then try to use videogames as a defence for their crimes, though in a vast majority of the cases it is actually the defence attorney advises such a move. On the other hand there are levels of content, whether that content be violent or sexual in nature that is unnecessary to the point of being downright wrong. As I said the people on both sides need to stop roaring their points at one another, calm down and look at the black and white facts without bias.[/SIZE]

[2010DigitalBoy]

First off I would like to state that the most they could do is raise age restrictions, considering that banning of anything media related goes against our freedom of speech (not that the government cares)

Secondly, I don't think the government actually believes that video games are making kids to violent things, its just an excuse... the government just wants to control what we buy.

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=DarkOliveGreen]
I guess I am a bit confused by your request. Are you trying to fight a particular law that is being considered regarding video games? Or just a fight in general on how they don?t make kids violent? I haven?t seen any laws being considered where I live at the moment.

As for the three things, well I haven?t really done any research on the subject so I don?t have information to post. It?s next to impossible to actually meet any of the higher up politicians in my state. I live in a state that is pretty much influenced by the dominant religion to the point that they are trying to ban High Schools from forming a Gay-Straight Alliance club even though it violates the Federal Equal Access Act.

They are pretty much a state where if you aren?t of our religion then your opinions on any subject does not matter. It?s even a waste to vote as close to 70% of the population belongs to the main religion in the state and they all vote like the church tells them to do regardless of whether or not it discriminates against others that are not of the same religion.

So even if they were trying to pass a law banning violent video games my vote would not be able to stop it as it takes far more than a mere 30% to stop a new law.

Now if you are referring to them considering restricting teenagers from buying the videos until they are at least 18 years old, well I agree with that so I wouldn?t be of much assistance as I think it?s a good idea to rate them better than they currently do.

And it?s not just video games I think the current ratings given out to movies are poorly done as well. You see more garbage in PG-13 movies than you did in rated R movies just 10 years ago. It?s not that I think they shouldn?t be allowed to be part of the movie, I just think they should be rated R and not PG-13.

Anyway, further clarification would help me better understand what you are trying to achieve.
[/COLOR]

[Retribution]

[size=1]I always question the effectiveness of these petition "fight-for-your-right" sort of things. In all reality, your one voice won't really be enough among the din of politics and conservatism in America to change anything. That, however, isn't to say that people shouldn't participate in our government - if no one did, nothing would get done. But most of all, the country is run by Republicans who don't share your point of view. If they want it done, it'll get done, and there's nothing you can do about it. True, you can get your representative for where ever you live to vote against such a bill, but it's one in the sight of many.

All we can [i]really[/i] do, is just wait until the next presidential election.[/size]