Rep. Marsha Blackburn shocked by the violence she's seen ...

[robometal cowboy]

Rep. Marsha Blackburn shocked by the violence she's seen in 'Call to Duty'
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I can't think of a better example of grabbing for a scapegoat than this. Rep. Marsha Blackburn is more than ready to blame video games for violence. What's her perparation for this? She watched a few minutes of footage of a video game, completely out of context. She then blames that game, which she can't even give the right name for.



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[Buzzeh]

"Lets keep children safe" Its rated 17+ for a reason... NOT for children.

[Cassidy]

Congratulations, Marsha Blackburn. You have brought nothing useful for National Television.

[ecco6t9]

Who keeps electing these out of touch people?

[MegaMan64]

She should watch some "Gears for War 3" gameplay.

[coffeewithchess]

She did start off with mentioning the drugs issue first, so it wasn't just the games issue. Saying that Call of Duty is rated 17+ makes sense, IF the shooter was under 17. He wasn't, but I would agree that the first issue that should be raised with the games is, "Parents, read the ESRB rating first." "Parents, read the ESRB rating first."

Now, if "Call to Duty" was being played by him and other games as well, then sure, it might be good to know and bring that in as a piece of the puzzle. I haven't seen a confirmation of drugs/games he was on (or playing) though, so it seems like speculation and really just looking for a scapegoat. Just early reports that he was on some drugs (prescription), and then that he played games.

[ridleysaria]

Personally, I think the blame lies with music. Kids these days don't listen to their parents, instead they listen to their Enema Man and Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dog.

[kdognumba1]

How ignorant and oblivious are these people? Video games are like movies, they have a ratings and don't find their way to minors without an adult and lets be honest here, games have higher royalties then any other media out there.

Unlike movies, tv shows, music, even porn, where you have easy access to all of it without the high payments, with video games you need a lot more just to get started.

In order to play a video game you need, a dedicated system (which isn't cheap) or an even more expensive gaming grade computer or mobile device, cash to buy the game at stores, a credit card to buy the game online, an email account a good knowledge of installing games and messing around with computer files for free games, and even more computer skills then I just mentioned to get the game illegally.

[Super Missile]

Who keeps electing these out of touch people?

That fact that Congresspeople aspire to live life in the Washington Bubble-World, means they aspire to be out of touch on purpose. They don't want to know you. They don't care about your family's problems. They want to hang out with Bill Clinton or John McCain. So, who're you going to vote for?
There's a couple of default scapegoats that can be bounced around every time a tragedy happens. It beats thinking about the problems, solving the problems because the solution may take more cycles in Washington than these weirdos may be around for. Searching for a psychological answer to a psychological problem (which this is) that doesn't require selling most of your possessions and future plans for meds, doesn't make their donors rich. It's not like they can blame it on parents or ask parents to spend more time parenting. The system requires maximum work hours from parents for very little money and no job security. Couple that with the fact that people just don't want their parenting skills criticized...ever. Who could blame them? So blame video games! It's not like anyone is going to step up and defend them. I don't think the video game lobby is all that powerful, if it even exists. And the solution is Jesus for some reason.

[WesFX]

I watched the Jimquisition about being desensitized to violence not even 2 minutes ago.

This story makes me frown.

[shmuga9]

I watched the Jimquisition about being desensitized to violence not even 2 minutes ago.

This story makes me frown.

That was a fantastic episode because it puts everyone's negative thoughts about video games (or at least the violence part) to shame, even some of my own thoughts.

[MrPofVania]

Line of the video: "Let's protect our freedoms."

And what a marvelous job the U.S. House of Representatives has done over the last 100 years. But, hey--why even have the discussion? They could always just round up game developers, call them a "terrorist organization," and have the President kill them without even so much as due process.

And they can do it in the name of "freedom."

[komicturtle92]

lol Because CoD is SOOO targeted and marketed at children.. When that's not the case. And TBH, I've seen violence in video games FAR worse than CoD. She's just naming something very mainstream to make her point. Silly cow.

[Tork110]

Sure are a lot of clips from CNN lately. For a low-rated cable channel, it sure has inserted itself into the gun prohibition debate.

[The_King_Up_North]

I wonder what her reaction would be if she saw Manhunt 2.

[stoopeed]

I didn't watch it (don't care for republicans), but there's one thing I'd like to say:

I'm not so happy that you're always so quick to dismiss the dangers of video game violence, RMC. No, it should not be the scapegoat for everything, but it is at a disturbing level today. And the assumption that repeated exposure to cruel imagery does something to a person's mind is not far-fetched.

If I may say so (being European), you may not be aware that entertainment of all sorts tends to be much more violent in America. I notice that every day, cause most gaming websites are U.S. based. Cultural difference, you may say, but I think taking a look at it from an outside perspective is not a bad idea.

[joshb1983]

Personally, I think the blame lies with music. Kids these days don't listen to their parents, instead they listen to their Enema Man and Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dog.

Amen there! What passes for music these days is horrid.

[coffeewithchess]

Line of the video: "Let's protect our freedoms."

And what a marvelous job the U.S. House of Representatives has done over the last 100 years. But, hey--why even have the discussion? They could always just round up game developers, call them a "terrorist organization," and have the President kill them without even so much as due process.

And they can do it in the name of "freedom."

They don't even need to round them up, just send a few drones. If they killed a U.S. citizen over seas without arresting him or a trial, why would it be any different here? Just add them to the President's "kill list", and call it a day.

The wording is key though, and you have it correct: "terrorist organization".

I can even write the news pieces for the night:
"The U.S. government acted quickly upon known terrorist organizations within the U.S., protecting citizens and minimizing collateral damage. These terrorist organizations were known to release some of the most violent propaganda around the world, targeting young children with their terrorist propaganda and trying to recruit millions into their networks. The terrorist organizations reportedly were amassing billions of dollars, to help them continue spreading their propaganda, not just in the United States, but around the world. We can thank our representatives and President for acting quickly, keeping the rest of us safe and helping us to sleep soundly at night."

[Tork110]

Line of the video: "Let's protect our freedoms."

And what a marvelous job the U.S. House of Representatives has done over the last 100 years. But, hey--why even have the discussion? They could always just round up game developers, call them a "terrorist organization," and have the President kill them without even so much as due process.

And they can do it in the name of "freedom."

Thanks for bringing in foreign policy into a debate about guns and media, Michael Moore.

[MaggotCakes]

Not gonna lie... I was a bit taken aback too... def not a kids game...

[delpiero]

Obviously there is a lot of violence there. Other than getting the name wrong, I don't think she said anything incorrect. Having said that, it doesn't mean that people shouldn't be allowed to play video games or own guns because it's part of their liberty and freedom. Kids probably shouldn't be allowed either of them, if one can enforce that, and everybody probably agrees about that too.

[stoopeed]

Having said that, it doesn't mean that people shouldn't be allowed to play video games or own guns because it's part of their liberty and freedom. Kids probably shouldn't be allowed either of them, if one can enforce that, and everybody probably agrees about that too.

But kids and adolescents and adults will never be totally separate, a lot of kids will still play games they should not see.
What's more: it's not only kids, the ultra violent games are messing with adolescents' heads too. I really want to emphasize that the level of cruelty in video games today is not a normal thing. Go back 20 years, and I would happily have played an "Aliens" game or R-Type and whatnot. Violence was abstract. Today it's hyper-visceral, and developers show an alarming inventiveness in killing, crushing, dismembering, slicing, ripping bodies... reminds me of the perversions of spanish inquisition. A game like God Of War should not exist, in my (humble personal) opinion. It's vile.