New York state considers two bills banning sale of violent games to minors

It's about time. We're just sick and tired of all those whipper snappers, running amok in our deatmatches and stealing all our kills. Rep. Aurelia Greene (D) and Rep. Keith Wright (D), patron saints of mature gamers, have both proposed laws which ban the sale of violent video games to minors in the state of New York, and hide them away in an adults only section of the store. Rep. Wright's law concentrates on more scandalous forms of violence and racism, while Rep. Greene seems generally down on the whole general of video game violence. Keith Wright's law would require an ID check for anyone appearing under the age of 30 attempting to buy a violent video game, which seems to work so well at keeping alcohol and cigarettes out of the hands of minors.

[Via The Inquirer]

[Jonathan Keim @ Jan 18th 2007 12:50PM]

""It's about time. We're just sick and tired of all those whipper snappers, running amok in our deatmatches and stealing all our kills.""

Great article, this made me laugh.

[Nando @ Jan 18th 2007 12:50PM]

I love that picture of that eleven year old kid smoking.

[telepheedian @ Jan 18th 2007 12:51PM]

democrats

[chris @ Jan 18th 2007 1:00PM]

Games like GTAIII in the hands of kids who already have violent tendencies is quite believably dangerous. I'm not a supporter of censorship, yuk, but being a teacher of some of these kids and seeing how those that are playing the violent (for the sake of violence, like the GTAIII, which I love) are extremely more violent than those who play other types of games or play more general fighter games.

I don't know what my opinion is, but I do believe there is a correlation.

[Anonymouse @ Jan 18th 2007 1:05PM]

is the solution not to educate the children and correct these already bad behaviors then as opposed to regulate their purchase of video games? I love the people that argue violent games in the hands of violent kids breeds violence. #$@#$%@#% they are violent already spend the money in better ways like improving therapy or something for these kids. This is not an attack on your comment as you said you aren't sure of your stance just my opinion on the matter related to your thoughts.

[John @ Jan 18th 2007 1:08PM]

Don't complain. Remember...these are the same Democrats that were voted in by a MAJORITY back in November. The same Dems that
push for personal liberties and yet encroach on them.

Personally, this is a lot of 'same old, same old'. Back in the 50's Elvis was considered worthy of censorship...now the guy is
total Americana. Another 50 years from now GEARS OF WAR will be the "Carl Perkins" of our generation. By then of course
murder will probably be legalized anyways...

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 18th 2007 1:12PM]

Murder is illegal?

Hm... awkward...

;) Kidding- but seriously. Violent video games are an outlet, just like... any other outlet.

Frankly- I welcome our younger generation of psycho-killer overlords.

[Matt @ Jan 18th 2007 1:21PM]

Jesus Christ. A woman can choose to kill an unborn child, but god forbid I want to shoot a gangster in a video game or eat some trans-fat filled french fries.

This is getting out of hand.

[chris @ Jan 18th 2007 1:34PM]

The point I was trying to make, baddly I guess, is that some kids can't tell the difference between the fantasy world of the games and the real world they must interact with. If in the game there is no consequence for committing heinous acts, some think they can carry that into real life.

SOME.

That doesn't mean a ban on kids playing these games. But I think their parents should know they are playing them. So, the might mean a parent is needed to get them the games and make their own choice if the kid is already screwed up or not - and then to let them play or not.

Would you rent your kid a movie that glamorizes rape? Some of these games glamorize violence. Not just use it as a tool, but make IT the entire point. Well adjusted adult types and even young adults shouldn't have a problem with that, but a kid whose brain is barely developed doesn't get it.

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 18th 2007 3:37PM]

Chris- about your comment about a 'rape-based' game.

Think about it- in our current society, sex is far more taboo than rampant violence. For example, Grand Theft Auto : San Andreas was, like the rest of the series, consistently violent. People started really raising hell, though, when the 'Hot Coffee' addon was developed. Violence? Ok... we'll deal. But sex? Woah! Now hold on there.. our kids are obviously old enough to blast people to all hell, but not enough to watch some video-game sex.

Granted, it was an unintended feature, which what all the fuss was really about.

Still, this is interesting to contemplate.

[NHAnimator @ Jan 18th 2007 1:43PM]

Heaven forbid parents take some responsibility.

[trev @ Jan 18th 2007 1:45PM]

Its easy dead easy folks, give each game an age rating (exactly the same as for movies) and wack an age sticker on the box - prosecute any shop which sells a game to anyone underage.

However, this system is already used in the UK and politicians and parents still complain about violent games being played by kids - so some kind of campaign to inform parents to look at the freakin box before they buy "Grand Theft Auto" or "Man Hunter" for little Johnny.

[andy @ Jan 18th 2007 2:02PM]

I don't think that requiring an 18y/o ID to buy a game marked M is too big a burden to anyone who should be playing an M rated game. It just makes a kid explain what's in the game and why they want it to a parent (or go to the black market for it).


Now putting them off in the porn section; that I have a problem with. I don't want to go and look two places for my games. I want them all right together where I can select one. On the flipside though; all the games I actually WANT to play would be in the section I usually go to anyway, so I guess this rule is kind of convenient really.

[wow. @ Jan 18th 2007 2:34PM]

It's stupid. Sometimes, you have to trust people to make their own decisions. Violent games should be treated no differently than they already are. It's all crap.

GTA is considered counterproductive to the development of children, but COD isn't. One is a gang-style game, the other is a WWII game...but you don't see anyone really pushing to keep kids from recreating the war on their tv.

I love how people want to blame an entire party for one's idiotic action. Generalizations such as that are the reason people PUT shit like this into motion in the first place. Pot. Kettle. Black. Thanks.

[Richard @ Jan 18th 2007 2:38PM]

Do it, Solly. Dooo it! (That's my Republican perspective)

And if you think Dems love free speech, just wait and see what they try to do to talk radio now that they are in power.

[Karl @ Jan 18th 2007 2:56PM]

They've tried this in several states, and it's been ruled unconstitutional. Not only that, but lately the judges have been saying that the states SHOULD HAVE KNOWN it was unconstitutional, and are awarding legal fees to the groups that challenge these silly laws. So, in other words, the law will accomplish little more than funneling state money to a few lawyers.

-kd

[jack @ Jan 18th 2007 3:22PM]

are murder rates going down and the amount of "violent" video games being sold going up? so wtf these people dont go waste MY tax money on stopping real killer companies like tobacco and/or gun companies??

[Matt B @ Jan 18th 2007 3:28PM]

HAHA PWNED you age challenged hax0r!!!!1

[Alexander @ Jan 18th 2007 3:43PM]

This is G@y NY is the best to live in Cause I do but I hate these laws they propse I dont plan on stealing a car or killing anyone my arents let me play Grand Theft Auto since I was 9 years old (first one I played was GTA 3) and I still play rated M games its retarded people under 15 maybe should not be allowed to buy rate M games but 15 and up come on who does not have common sense by now?

[Tim Marman @ Jan 18th 2007 4:32PM]

Couple of quick comments. First, as you guys correctly reported but The Inq mixed up, the bill does not forbid the sale to those under 30, it forbids sale to those under 18 and requires ID to those appearing to be under 30. The Inq's interpretation would obviously be tougher to justify under strict scrutiny analysis. (This is, after all, a suppression of speech).

I'm generally against this kind of regulation, but we should at least properly understand what is being proposed here. Much like similar restrictions on movies, this is just codifying in law what the industry already recognized: that some games are not appropriate for younger children to play.

Today, enforcement of those ratings are subject to retailers policies. WalMart and Target may chose to forbid the sale, but nothing (apparently) prevents some small retailer from doing as he pleases.

I'd also point out that, like those movie restrictions, it's not an absolute ban either. It bans the SALE to a minor, but it doesn't prevent him from PLAYING it.

[DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 18th 2007 4:57PM]

Well put... all you PARENTS out there should have the final say... you don't want your kid playing these kinds of games, then BE A PARENT and be involved in what your kids are doing... pay ATTENTION to them.
It's lack of parental discipline and attention that drives kids to real violence. I would argue that parents can play GTA with their 12 year old and not worry as long as their kids basic needs of attention and love are being met. Ignore your kids and don't be surprised about what happens to their moral compass.
Enough of my 2 cents... I need to go play GEARS with my 9 month old son on my lap... CURB STOMP HIM SON!

[Andy @ Jan 18th 2007 5:02PM]

There are laws in place already in most places. You can't (usually) buy a M rated game if you are under 17.

We don't need more laws. Parents, just control your kids!

I agree with the comments about Dems. I try my best to be middle of the road, but how can I support a party that loudly fights for free speech through the ACLU, etc; while at the same time quietly knifing the American public in the back with more and more meaningless legislation (which, by the way, costs taxpayer money to enforce).

I really think that legislation like this will make the games more appealing. I know the same argument was used with tobacco use, but think about it, this is digital media. You can't fake an ID if you are 13 and buy cigs, but you can download a game that you aren't supposed to have and pass it out to all your friends. Believe me, kids know how to do it. We're trading one problem for another.

[John @ Jan 18th 2007 5:48PM]

This simply encourages the violent minors to go beat up kids the playground and take their video games.

[Cory Moravits @ Jan 18th 2007 5:48PM]

Isn't sale ALREADY banned to minors? What the $%^# is the rating system for? Why not ticket the parents/responsible party and/or the 3rd party vendors (Best Buy, Gamestop, etc.) when a child is found in possession of these materials? Last I checked, the M rating titles are not to be sold to minors, so, um, isn't there already kind of a law *in place*? It would be like a legislator going before the New York Senate and proposing an additional law on selling explicit lyric music, cigarettes, or alcohol to minors. Sigh.

[kev @ Jan 18th 2007 9:25PM]

I sent an e-mail to my representative. The only thing I want to state that I did in my message is that BAD PARENTING and being a NUTCASE TO BEGIN WITH are the cause of video games acting as a catalyst for real violence. That is all, and that will probably be as close to the truth as possible. No spin from me.

[james o @ Jan 19th 2007 1:06AM]

seriously now, has a kid ever said "i did it in gta, why not here?"?
my friends can be considered the most anti social game induced ppl out there, and i would expect more violence out of the teachers at school than them. seriously. name one kid with these games that doesnt have access to the internet where if you look for anything, you can find it. violence in game will NOT make these people violent!! in fact i think that if you keep your kids away from any particular thing in life, when they finally encounter it, it will be a fanatical realization for these people, and they will be all over it!

[stanhope @ Jan 19th 2007 10:45AM]

oh for fk's sake banning badass games because of age is as fkn stupid, biased, and cowardly as the frail weaklings who want to ban them. What a bunch of stuckup spineless maggots! its ppl like that are tryin to make the usa an absolutist, monotonous, and constrainng frailty prison.

[Jordan @ Jan 19th 2007 5:35PM]

Everybody here is talking about censorship, but this is not censorship. There is nothing wrong with this law. If the game is made by the video game companies for an "M" rating, then it shouldn't be sold to minors. If a parent wants to go out and buy the game for a kid, because they think their kid can handle it, then i think its fine.

[BatteryAcid @ Jan 20th 2007 10:09PM]

How bought on line retailers and ebay? Outrageous if you ask me.

[chae s. sone @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:20AM]

The Lamenters’ Petition According to the Gospel.


Dear Pastor, seeker and fellow traveler:

Greetings in Jesus Christ.
I am petitioning to you for your intervention into a situation of great injustice taking place in the looting case as well as for the Petitioned written response to this letter for our common good and interest, according to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. The story is:

RE: Recover the looted Building Trust Fund from the looters
Korean United Methodist Church and Institute
633 West 115h Street, New York, NY 20025

According to information, the church Paid part of the former Board Chairman’s embezzlement of $70,000 of the church money and his legal fees. Why it subsidizes the embezzler?

Also the church paid the legal fees for the six plaintiffs who
took a legal action, demanding $4,000,000 damages, in the name of the church, against the innocent family which tried to protect the Trust Fund. They usurped the name of the church for extortion. Eventually the case was sanctioned as frivolous and fined.

At the sanction hearings, the judge ordered that the church could take action to recover the damages from those who disgraced the church. But the church officers did not do anything about the possible recovery. Rather, without any remorse, they laundered the immigrant’s pennies to rewardingly pay even their penalties and attorney fees. Thus, the victory sadly short-lived.

Another case, one plaintiff put the defendant on trial at a full jury with the charges of felony which falsely accused him and his son attempted murder of Steve Park, his family and other church members. He demanded $4,000,000 extortion. Reverend Won Tae Cha, Mrs. Steve Park and his underlings come to support the falsely created felony case on the trial, a satanic ritual at best. Paradoxically, the church paid his legal fees too.

According to the court records, the church hierarchies - the bishop, superintendent or pastor – illegally convened an ex parte conference with Judge F. D. Winslow and confirmed the criminality. However, the bishop refused to name who were at it when repeatedly written requests to him.
What travesty is this?

Another question is still lingering on how the $180,000 building repair contract lost for nothing through related party transactions.

The looting of the fund led this historic church into a financial and moral bankruptcy –– belief degeneration - for more than a decade that personally benefited which triggered by his mentor who, he said, sent him to this church.

The New York State Attorney General advised it could recover the abused fund from them. But the trustees did not do it, stating it would be costly for the church to do so.

The church officers seemed to have blessed the abusers with attorney fees, cursing the falsely accused. Thus, the looters had the cool lunch with blessings under a comradeship.

Why the church paid even the abuse-investigation while demonizing the protector of the church? Needless to say they dumped the Ten Commandments, ambushed the truth in order to make a cool shelter for the looters.

Didn’t they make UMC an illicit outlaw-church? –. “Robbers’ Den”? (Mt 21:13)
The looting is against the donors’ will.

If the church officers are not interested in protecting the church’s interest. How could they expect any further assistance from the civil authorities whom they so heartlessly contempt?

While in discussion of the looting with the Superintendent, the pastor asserted the request for the recovery of the looted fund was “anti-church” and “anti-church interest.”

He should have known such assertions had no Jesus cool in contrary to the historical iniquities. For they were defamatory and insult to the Christian community standard under any circumstances. It does not fit to be a pastoral reasoning as if spitting to the pulpit.

Now, those who supported the litigation with false affidavits in a Taliban way against the innocent are still ominously holding saintly positions in the church.

It appears they could re-enact the looting drama of the Building Trust Fund with cool faces as ignored the church rules, the civil authorities. It rewarded them, placing the innocent in the perilous position again in order for them to justify the wicked looting. Is the fund open for free cool looting again?

In addition, there appears his pressuring to re-establish elder system as a new power structure in this small congregation. He should have known there are many elder hungry and power starved which could shield his position. It is questionable if the church could succeed coolly with such questionable human qualities in this morally troubled season.

Remember such ambivalence to the truth could undermine the prestige of the church hierarchies, the United Methodist Church denomination and the Christian value system. In a sense, the church leadership seems to be on the way to “God is dead.”

Recently, the Church Council decided that the auditing of the Building Trust Fund should be done by a CPA from the financial transactions of 2000, which could be done effectively without delay, according to the Audit Manual of UMC. Remember the Bible said, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1Ti 6:10).

The Bishop appointed him to lead the church according to the teachings of the church (Book of Discipline). Why could he not do it right now?
Clear the accounting fraud in good faith!

Our church history, aged 85, is often falsely glorified to others in contrary to the dark images as the mother church in the City. Needless to say, the negative image in the recent history is well known to the Korean immigrant community. It is questionable, at this point, any refined rhetoric could convince them otherwise.

Now, it is Biblically clear that they are common liars, embezzlers and, perhaps, the greatest scabs and cancers on the face of Christianityin the twenty first century. The amnesiac Church sadly become a joiner of them, who denied a legal relief for the beaten Samaritans.

It is about the time for the ministry to dissect the Jesus injustice and discover the naked truth of the moral and religious iniquities of the leadership to deliver the amnesiac Church from the cancer, insanity and scandals.

Ignoring or stonewalling to the legitimate ecclesiastical inquiries is unwise, “If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”(Mt 15:14.) They are indeed fallen into a pit – A very dangerous, stinky pit.

This petition is to sincerely remind them again the reality of the situation demands our moral renewal and repentance under their faithful pastoral leadership.

Didn’t Vick’s dog have more human rights than real human beings? Shouldn’t the church be a place more humane than Vick’s dog house? Is the Gospel reversed in UMC? Where is the replacement?

We must stop placing our church on the way to “God is dead” as once did by Rudolph Kos, Henley Lyons, Tammy & Bakker, Hae Jong Kim and Ted Haggard. We must pray God for our rehabilitation with them from the deadly temptations.

If you, readers keep quiet, “the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:39-40). Please help the church to be revived. She badly needs your supporting prayers. Every reader’s response is a petition for better tomorrows of our souls in UMC. There is a choice for the Jesus readers on the issue. May God bless you all!!

Yours in Christ.


X==================================================================-X
EMAIL RESPONSE TO PETITION:

The Bishop Jeremiah Pak. [e-mail],
Metro N. District Superintend. [e-mail],
The pastor Chang. [e-mail] and others
Feedback Chae S. Sone. [e-mail]

FAITH POLL:

1. Personally abused trust fund should return to the church. A) Yes__. B. No__.
2. The bishop should honor the donor’s will. A) Yes__. B) No__.
3. No comment__
X==================================================================X

[chae s. sone @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:27PM]

Dear Sir:

Bckward clergies and his followers just play games, the progressive and advanced guys play real violent games to destroy fellow members in order to make money within the church.
the state should step in to control these fake clergies and rachteers. The true story is like this:

The Lamenters’ Petition According to the Gospel.


Dear Pastor, seeker and fellow traveler:

Greetings in Jesus Christ.
I am petitioning to you for your intervention into a situation of great injustice taking place in the looting case as well as for the Petitioned written response to this letter for our common good and interest, according to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. The story is:

RE: Recover the looted Building Trust Fund from the looters
Korean United Methodist Church and Institute
633 West 115h Street, New York, NY 20025

According to information, the church Paid part of the former Board Chairman’s embezzlement of $70,000 of the church money and his legal fees. Why it subsidizes the embezzler?

Also the church paid the legal fees for the six plaintiffs who
took a legal action, demanding $4,000,000 damages, in the name of the church, against the innocent family which tried to protect the Trust Fund. They usurped the name of the church for extortion. Eventually the case was sanctioned as frivolous and fined.

At the sanction hearings, the judge ordered that the church could take action to recover the damages from those who disgraced the church. But the church officers did not do anything about the possible recovery. Rather, without any remorse, they laundered the immigrant’s pennies to rewardingly pay even their penalties and attorney fees. Thus, the victory sadly short-lived.

Another case, one plaintiff put the defendant on trial at a full jury with the charges of felony which falsely accused him and his son attempted murder of Steve Park, his family and other church members. He demanded $4,000,000 extortion. Reverend Won Tae Cha, Mrs. Steve Park and his underlings come to support the falsely created felony case on the trial, a satanic ritual at best. Paradoxically, the church paid his legal fees too.

According to the court records, the church hierarchies - the bishop, superintendent or pastor – illegally convened an ex parte conference with Judge F. D. Winslow and confirmed the criminality. However, the bishop refused to name who were at it when repeatedly written requests to him.
What travesty is this?

Another question is still lingering on how the $180,000 building repair contract lost for nothing through related party transactions.

The looting of the fund led this historic church into a financial and moral bankruptcy –– belief degeneration - for more than a decade that personally benefited which triggered by his mentor who, he said, sent him to this church.

The New York State Attorney General advised it could recover the abused fund from them. But the trustees did not do it, stating it would be costly for the church to do so.

The church officers seemed to have blessed the abusers with attorney fees, cursing the falsely accused. Thus, the looters had the cool lunch with blessings under a comradeship.

Why the church paid even the abuse-investigation while demonizing the protector of the church? Needless to say they dumped the Ten Commandments, ambushed the truth in order to make a cool shelter for the looters.

Didn’t they make UMC an illicit outlaw-church? –. “Robbers’ Den”? (Mt 21:13)
The looting is against the donors’ will.

If the church officers are not interested in protecting the church’s interest. How could they expect any further assistance from the civil authorities whom they so heartlessly contempt?

While in discussion of the looting with the Superintendent, the pastor asserted the request for the recovery of the looted fund was “anti-church” and “anti-church interest.”

He should have known such assertions had no Jesus cool in contrary to the historical iniquities. For they were defamatory and insult to the Christian community standard under any circumstances. It does not fit to be a pastoral reasoning as if spitting to the pulpit.

Now, those who supported the litigation with false affidavits in a Taliban way against the innocent are still ominously holding saintly positions in the church.

It appears they could re-enact the looting drama of the Building Trust Fund with cool faces as ignored the church rules, the civil authorities. It rewarded them, placing the innocent in the perilous position again in order for them to justify the wicked looting. Is the fund open for free cool looting again?

In addition, there appears his pressuring to re-establish elder system as a new power structure in this small congregation. He should have known there are many elder hungry and power starved which could shield his position. It is questionable if the church could succeed coolly with such questionable human qualities in this morally troubled season.

Remember such ambivalence to the truth could undermine the prestige of the church hierarchies, the United Methodist Church denomination and the Christian value system. In a sense, the church leadership seems to be on the way to “God is dead.”

Recently, the Church Council decided that the auditing of the Building Trust Fund should be done by a CPA from the financial transactions of 2000, which could be done effectively without delay, according to the Audit Manual of UMC. Remember the Bible said, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1Ti 6:10).

The Bishop appointed him to lead the church according to the teachings of the church (Book of Discipline). Why could he not do it right now?
Clear the accounting fraud in good faith!

Our church history, aged 85, is often falsely glorified to others in contrary to the dark images as the mother church in the City. Needless to say, the negative image in the recent history is well known to the Korean immigrant community. It is questionable, at this point, any refined rhetoric could convince them otherwise.

Now, it is Biblically clear that they are common liars, embezzlers and, perhaps, the greatest scabs and cancers on the face of Christianityin the twenty first century. The amnesiac Church sadly become a joiner of them, who denied a legal relief for the beaten Samaritans.

It is about the time for the ministry to dissect the Jesus injustice and discover the naked truth of the moral and religious iniquities of the leadership to deliver the amnesiac Church from the cancer, insanity and scandals.

Ignoring or stonewalling to the legitimate ecclesiastical inquiries is unwise, “If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”(Mt 15:14.) They are indeed fallen into a pit – A very dangerous, stinky pit.

This petition is to sincerely remind them again the reality of the situation demands our moral renewal and repentance under their faithful pastoral leadership.

Didn’t Vick’s dog have more human rights than real human beings? Shouldn’t the church be a place more humane than Vick’s dog house? Is the Gospel reversed in UMC? Where is the replacement?

We must stop placing our church on the way to “God is dead” as once did by Rudolph Kos, Henley Lyons, Tammy & Bakker, Hae Jong Kim and Ted Haggard. We must pray God for our rehabilitation with them from the deadly temptations.

If you, readers keep quiet, “the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:39-40). Please help the church to be revived. She badly needs your supporting prayers. Every reader’s response is a petition for better tomorrows of our souls in UMC. There is a choice for the Jesus readers on the issue. May God bless you all!!

Yours in Christ.


X==================================================================-X
EMAIL RESPONSE TO PETITION:

The Bishop Jeremiah Pak. [e-mail],
Metro N. District Superintend. [e-mail],
The pastor Chang. [e-mail] and others
Feedback Chae S. Sone. [e-mail]

FAITH POLL:

1. Personally abused trust fund should return to the church. A) Yes__. B. No__.
2. The bishop should honor the donor’s will. A) Yes__. B) No__.
3. No comment__
X==================================================================X

[CHAE SONE @ Nov 9th 2007 4:10PM]

DEAR SIR"

WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO IS GOING TO INTRODUCE THE BILL TO CONTROL THE VIOLENT GAMES?
C.SONE