Comments on: Federal judge throws out Minnesota’s video game law http://jdallen.org/politics/federal-judge-throws-out-minnesotas-video-game-law/ "To Bigotry No Sanction, To Persecution No Assistance" Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:49:34 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Hogfantoo http://jdallen.org/politics/federal-judge-throws-out-minnesotas-video-game-law/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Hogfantoo Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:18:17 +0000 http://jdallen.org/politics/federal-judge-throws-out-minnesotas-video-game-law/#comment-11 I'm an Arkie, as well, and agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments. Videogames aren't the problem, nor is playing videogames that are not "age appropriate" according to the ratings. I find the rating system to be about four to five years "off" anyway, and while I police what my kids play, there are a number of games that they are allowed to play that are rated "older" than they are, but I have reviewed the games, sometimes played them (to get an idea of what caused the rating), and discussed any questionable content with them. We don't allow what we consider exceedingly violent games, or those that are excessively crude, etc... The point is, we're involved, and our kids know what the rules and limits are. Statutes like the one overruled in Minnesota are desperate attempts to provide some measure of protection for children who aren't being properly protected by their parents/caregiver. The problem is, as you say, much deeper than video games. If I let my five year old play, and learn how to socialize, from GTA, then I'm likely to be the type to not set appropriate boundaries for my children, which is the real problem. It's sad that anyone can have kids, but you gotta have a license to drive a car. BTW, we do have a "minor in possession" statute here in AR. I know from personal experience that you can, indeed, be fined for having alcohol underage. And, as a fellow Arkie, I'm sure you feel the pains of Paul Eels demise. Razorback football will never be the same. I’m an Arkie, as well, and agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments. Videogames aren’t the problem, nor is playing videogames that are not “age appropriate” according to the ratings. I find the rating system to be about four to five years “off” anyway, and while I police what my kids play, there are a number of games that they are allowed to play that are rated “older” than they are, but I have reviewed the games, sometimes played them (to get an idea of what caused the rating), and discussed any questionable content with them. We don’t allow what we consider exceedingly violent games, or those that are excessively crude, etc…

The point is, we’re involved, and our kids know what the rules and limits are. Statutes like the one overruled in Minnesota are desperate attempts to provide some measure of protection for children who aren’t being properly protected by their parents/caregiver.

The problem is, as you say, much deeper than video games. If I let my five year old play, and learn how to socialize, from GTA, then I’m likely to be the type to not set appropriate boundaries for my children, which is the real problem. It’s sad that anyone can have kids, but you gotta have a license to drive a car.

BTW, we do have a “minor in possession” statute here in AR. I know from personal experience that you can, indeed, be fined for having alcohol underage.

And, as a fellow Arkie, I’m sure you feel the pains of Paul Eels demise. Razorback football will never be the same.

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