Hillary's priorities
The late Sean Bell
December 7, 2006 - In an image that few expected to see this holiday, two of the loudest advocates against violent videogames, Senators Hillary Clinton and Joe Lieberman, stood with ESRB President Patricia Vance, Best Buy President Brian Dunn and GameStop President Steve Morgan as partners. The unexpected alliance announced a new campaign aimed at educating parents about game ratings. "
We all share in the responsibility of making sure our children play age-appropriate video games, and I'm pleased that the ESRB and retailers are working together to educate parents about the video game ratings and make sure they are enforced," said Senator Clinton. "As we enter the holiday shopping season, it is important that parents have the information they need to make informed choices that are right for their families."
Television ads have been sent to 800 stations nationwide which are intended to encourage parents to monitor the games their children play. The ESRB also released a radio PSA campaign and is continuing its print ads that deliver the same message. "
I continue to be concerned about the impact on minors of playing violent video games intended for older players. Thus, I am very pleased that the ESRB and the retailers are taking these positive steps to reach out to parents to educate them about the rating system," said Senator Lieberman. "I have long said that the ESRB ratings are the most comprehensive in the media industry. There are many age-appropriate games that are clever and entertaining. Parents should understand and use the ratings to help them decide which video games to buy for their families." "
The ESRB ratings are a helpful guide for parents, and this PSA campaign is the latest of our efforts to educate parents about the rating system and why it is important for them to use it," said ESRB President Patricia Vance. "We're excited to have the support of Senators Clinton and Lieberman, Best Buy and GameStop in this significant initiative to help ensure that parents choose appropriate games for their children."
Now, if you've been reading the New York papers, you'll notice that we've been discussing other things, like the death of Sean Bell and the wounding of two others, you will notice that most of our elected officials have been mute. While Sen. Clinton had expressed her condolences to the family, but has made no public statement, appeared at no press conference or even discussed this in an interview.
But we have to tolerate her lectures on fucking video games.
Understand this, the police gunned down three men with 50 rounds in a crowded Queens neighborhood and her office is more concerned about Rockstar Games than the NYPD. Her office is a wee bit defensive about this, but my God. One of your constituents is shot, there is no evidence of a crime, and you don't make a public statement? You can go up to the House of Justice and pander for votes, but you can't make a statement when an unarmed young man is killed?
Which is why any run by Hillary Clinton being discussed is about as meaningful as who Jen Anniston's next rich boyfriend will be.
Here's a question: when has Hillary Clinton, confronted with a tough question, not shown signs of cowardice first. She refused to oppose the doomed Iraq War, even with a safe Senate seat. At every turn she hedges and hems and haws instead of standing her ground and taking a stand.
And when she does, it's on the pointless, like video games. As if the first amendment doesn't apply to them, when every single video game case has been bounced like a drum from federal court.
Hillary thinks she can bullshit and bluff her way through, but that isn't going to happen. People will be held to account, on Iraq, on the NYPD.
posted by Steve @ 1:33:00 PM
