louisiana
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CNN, Golf / Versus finally added to Cox's New Orleans lineup
Although Cox inked a deal to snag CNN HD (and TBS HD, mind you) some three months back, it seems as if customers in New Orleans, Louisiana are just now getting a taste. According to a tipster, Cox has just recently threw CNN and Golf / Versus into the high-definition lineup, but stations such as History Channel HD, Science HD and NHL Network HD are still sorely missing. Anyone else enjoying the (admittedly late) newcomers in the area?[Thanks, Jose R.]
Charter upgrades Louisiana to 44 HD channels
If you're a Charter customer in Louisiana for whom the addition of Wealth TV wasn't enough to sate your HD appetite, don't despair. Turns out that when Charter was forced to rebuild its LA plant after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it designed around higher capacity from day one. The upshot is that the company has doubled its HD channel count in Louisiana, bringing the channel count to 44. Those of you in LA, enjoy your HD-bragging rights over the L.A. crowd. Seriously, this is good news for you customers, and a definite sign that the company is serious about the SDV rollout.
Charter adds WealthTV to 11 Louisiana cities
Although WealthTV has been available in select areas for awhile now, the channel is finally making its way down to the Bayou. Reportedly, Charter Communications added the station to the HD lineup in 11 Louisiana cities, including Thibodaux, Bourg, Slidell, Hammond, Marksville, New Roads, Pointe Coupee, Opelousas, Jennings, Church Point and Eunice. Unfortunately, Charter failed to mention if it would be rolling WealthTV out to other areas, but as we always say, we'll take any additions that we can get.
Failed Louisiana video game bill sponsor speaks out
Following an embarrassing defeat of his unconstitutional video game bill, Louisiana Rep. Roy Burrell (D) wrote an op-ed piece in this morning's Shreveport Times. The newspaper had previously criticized him and it seemed he was attempting to explain himself. The naive representative worked with Jack Thompson to pen the bill that would not only eventually get defeated, but would force Louisiana taxpayers to pony up the $100,000 in legal fees to the ESA for wasting their time fighting the bill. From the op-ed piece Burrell still doesn't quite get what's wrong.Burrell (pictured with Jack Thompson) writes, "I am offended The Times and one federal judge would question state legislators' commitment, integrity and legal knowledge because of a controversial constitutional court ruling on the protection of the First Amendment Right of free speech. Like me, during the legislative process, legislators never knew they would vote unanimously on HB 1381, only to have it struck down by a federal district judge, then publicly criticized by him and the media for doing their legislative duty. This is appalling. Conversely, they should be commended and not humiliated on standing up finally for children and families against the powerful entertainment industry."So, not only was Burrell "humiliated," but he ended up costing taxpayers 100 grand. He says it's worth it if it stops one child from being harmed by "mind-altering harmful ultra-violent video games." Burrell closes saying, "It is difficult for me to ignore the facts that explicitly sexual and ultra-violent video games are severely and adversely affecting our children's behavior." Sorry Roy, no facts, you just got Jack.[Via GamePolitics]
Judge: Louisiana must pay ESA's legal bill, Taxpayers: Crap.
"The Court wonders why nobody objected to the enactment of this statute. In this court's view the taxpayers deserve more from their elected officials."We've heard some harsh criticism of video game legislation before, but this holds just a bit more weight than the others. It's not just that it was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge James Brady (represented here by the lovable [yet honorable] Judge Harry Stone). No, this criticism is special thanks to the price tag of $92,000 attached to it that the state of Louisiana must pay to cover the Electronic Software Association's legal fees. It's the latest shockwave from House Bill 1381, which would've banned the sale of "violent" video games to minors. Surprising no one, the bill at the heart of the controversy was written by fear-mongering superstar, Jack Thompson, attorney-at-lawl. Also of no surprise: It was ruled unconstitutional. But don't get excited just yet, as bill sponsor Rep. Roy Burrell (D) says he might try again with a similar bill. Well, why wouldn't he? When a bump in your approval rating among frightened parents (read: voters) is on the line, is $92,000 in taxpayer dollars really such a high price to pay?
Federal judge stops Louisiana game law
No sooner do we post an in-depth column on the road to video game legislation in Louisiana than the AP reports that a federal judge has ruled the law unconstitutional. I swear, these federal judges are just out to spite us.Us and, er, Louisiana Rep. Roy Burrell, the bill's sponsor, who hoped Louisiana would have "the additional adrenaline and testosterone ... needed in the upcoming 'cockfight' over the constitutionally of this bill."Oh, and Jack Thompson, who told GamePolitics, "This law is constitutional, as it addresses all of the complaints raised by federal courts which have struck down other state video game laws." Guess not.For those keeping track, this is the seventh separate federal ruling defending video games as speech. You'd think that by this point state politicians would begin to consider this settled law. That is, unless these laws are more about scoring political points than actually meeting any sort of constitutional test. Hmm ...
Louisiana guv signs JT-penned bill into law
... and we dance ...Just a couple days ago, the governor of Oklahoma signed a bill restricting the sale or rental of violent video games to minors, effective November 1st. Today, Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco signed into law a bill written by outspoken anti-video game opportunist Jack Thompson that would essentially do the same thing. The only difference, the Louisiana bill is effective immediately. That means like, right now. Game Politics points out the new law borrows language from the Miller Test for obscenity (I know it when I see it) to classify whether or not the level of violence in it is appropriate for children. These are in accordance with "prevailing standards in the adult community" and "contemporary community standards." This is always the problem with these laws: whose standards. I can guarantee you my standards (and I imagine most Joystiq readers) are radically different than Uncle Jack's.GameDaily BIZ is reporting that the ESA has wasted no time in mounting a lawsuit against the bill. ESA chief Doug Lowenstein said, "Both parents and industry are working together to ensure that video games are purchased responsibly. The Federal Government has found that parents are involved in game purchases more than eight out of ten times. Retailers already have increasingly effective carding programs in place to prevent the sale of Mature or Adult Only games to minors. Legislators know full well that this bill is destined to meet the same fate as other failed efforts to ban video game sales."Let's review: St. Louis unconstitutional Indianapolis unconstitutional Washington State unconstitutional Illinois unconstitutional Michigan unconstitutional Maryland (doesn't really count, so we'll let 'em have it) California (currently under review by Federal District Court Judge Ronald Whyte) Minnesota (lawsuit has been filed) Oklahoma (lawsuit has been filed) ... and now ... Louisiana (lawsuit has been filed)
