Utah Politician Admits Game Legislation Defeat

[vansau]

Utah Politician Admits Game Legislation Defeat

The man who introduced a bill written by Jack Thompson has decided that it's not worth trying to defend the law's constitutionality after the SCOTUS verdict.

This week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling was a serious blow to several politicians who have tried to/are still planning to restrict the sales of violent videogames across the country. One notable effect, though, is that a Utah politico has announced he will not pursue a similar law he attempted to pass in his state back in 2008, even though he feels his bill was very different from the one drafted by Senator Leland Yee.

Rep. Michael Morley (R-Spanish Fork, Utah) was interviewed by the Deseret News, where he opened up about his own law and his abandonment of it. Morley's law (<a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/89178-Jack-Thompson-Authored-Game-Bill-Introduced-In-Utah>which was actually authored by infamous disbarred attorney Jack Thompson) didn't impose a fine on retailers who sold M-rated games to kids; it did give parents the power to file a lawsuit against the store, under a claim of false advertising. However, even though both houses passed the bill, Governor Jon Hunstman Jr. vetoed it and was backed by the state's attorney general because of concerns about how these lawsuits would affect local businesses and how the bill would impede free speech rights.

Even though Morley still defends (and believes in the constitutionality) his failed piece of legislation, he explained that he's not planning to pursue getting the law passed. "It's not on my radar to fight that fight," he stated.

Of course, other politicians and groups in Utah are less-than-thrilled about the Supreme Court decision and the fact that Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff refused to "protect Utah's children from ... violent video games."

On Monday, the Utah Eagle Forum blasted Shurtleff for supporting the Supreme Court's decision, and for failing to protect Utah's children from violent images depicted in some video games.

Shurtleff said that any form of government intervention into our lives should be considered with care and that he encourages parents to take an active role in what movies, music or video games they buy and play. "To say that he's anti-family, that's just ignorant," said Scott Troxel, spokesman for the attorney general. Troxel said protecting children has been the focus of Shurtleff's administration

Of course, readers shouldn't be surprised to hear about the Eagle Forum's bashing of Shurtleff. This isn't the first time the group's <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103031-Utahs-Attorney-General-Under-Fire-in-Videogame-Case>tried to sully the man's reputation, and it stands to reason that it won't be the last time they try to do so. Or, y'know, <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Schlafly%27s_social_policies>make ignorant statements.

Source: <a href=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705375311/Lawmaker-says-he-wont-pursue-video-game-bill.html>Deseret News via <a href=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2011/06/29/utah-politician-gives-video-game-legislation>GamePolitics

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[Macgyvercas]

Wait wait wait...A politician who is actually admitting defeat and taking this loss gracefully??!

When was the world supposed to end again, 'cause I'm fairly certain this is a sign of the apocalypse.

 

[Worgen]

"the govt should stay out of our business but the govt should stop children from buying this filth" and then your head explodes

 

[KeyMaster45]

Is this going to be like the ending to the third LOTR movie where the eye of Sauron blows up and Mordor just sorta collapses in on itself taking every troll and orc with it that weren't smart enough to run; except this time it's with politicians?

Because if it is I want a blu-ray copy of the carnage.

 

[Korak the Mad]

Wait wait wait...A politician who is actually admitting defeat and taking this loss gracefully??!

When was the world supposed to end again, 'cause I'm fairly certain this is a sign of the apocalypse.

It depends; Was it a democrat or republican who admited defeat?

Democrat: Unusual, but nothing else

Republican: Holy Crap! It's the end of the world! Run for your lives!

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

...That's weird, I never thought I'd ever see a politician take that defeat gracefully, well, good for him. Now I wish more of his comrades would do the same....

[sub]I'm just a bill, yes I'm only a bill, and I'm sittin' here on capital hill...[/sub]

 

[MetallicMonkey]

Wait wait wait...A politician who is actually admitting defeat and taking this loss gracefully??!

When was the world supposed to end again, 'cause I'm fairly certain this is a sign of the apocalypse.

I think it's safe to say if hell hasn't frozen over, it's at least gotten very, very cold.

 

[Lightning Delight]

Wait wait wait...A politician who is actually admitting defeat and taking this loss gracefully??!

When was the world supposed to end again, 'cause I'm fairly certain this is a sign of the apocalypse.

Oh my! Quickly! We must go check to see that the sky is not falling, and that the seas are not running red with blood!

While I don't really understand the bill (how on Earth can parent's sue for false advertisement?), at least this guy isn't wasting tons of taxpayer's money on stuff only he cares about.

 

[Citizen Snips]

Wait wait wait...A politician who is actually admitting defeat and taking this loss gracefully??!

When was the world supposed to end again, 'cause I'm fairly certain this is a sign of the apocalypse.

It depends; Was it a democrat or republican who admited defeat?

Democrat: Unusual, but nothing else

Republican: Holy Crap! It's the end of the world! Run for your lives!

Did you even read the article? It was a Republican who dropped it, and Jon Huntsman Jr. (also a Republican presidential candidate right now) who shot it down in the first place.

As far Democrats being able to admit they're wrong. Bill "I. did. not. have. sexual. relations. with. that. woman." Clinton disagrees.

On a side note: "Video Gamers for Huntsman '12"? It was a pretty ballsy move to veto a bill approved by both houses that advocates cutting the sell of violent video games in what is a very conservative and religious state.

 

[Korihor]

I live in Utah and it is humiliating how many people that actually play video games are voting for this moron.
They vote for these dim wits because they think they support their values.
When in reality they oppose free speech that they as gamers are currently enjoying.
By the way they are all Republicans or pro-Republican.
These people are what I like to call radical right wingers.
They say they want less government but in reality what they want is more government for you and less government for them.
This issue is a great example of this.
They do not play video games and so it is an easy target to demonize.
But these are the same people who are completely against gun control.
In my state someone with a concealed weapons permit can legally carry it anywhere except churches.
This law includes public schools and private property.

 

[Jumplion]

Wow, I never knew how many idiots (read: politicians) this affected. I thought it was only a few loudmouths whining about this, but there are a bunch of dolts decrying this thing.

This almost makes me want to get into politics so that the next generation of politicians won't be pants-on-head retarded.

Almost.

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

I live in Utah and it is humiliating how many people that actually play video games are voting for this moron.
They vote for these dim wits because they think they support their values.
When in reality they oppose free speech that they as gamers are currently enjoying.
By the way they are all Republicans or pro-Republican.
These people are what I like to call radical right wingers.
They say they want less government but in reality what they want is more government for you and less government for them.
This issue is a great example of this.
They do not play video games and so it is an easy target to demonize.
But these are the same people who are completely against gun control.
In my state someone with a concealed weapons permit can legally carry it anywhere except churches.
This law includes public schools and private property.

This, this, and more this. Living here in Utah makes me want to move to Japan sooner than ever.

 

[Fayathon]

I hate this state's politicians. Stop trying to mix religion with law you jackasses. At least this law's being left to rot.

 

[Char-Nobyl]

Stop the presses! Mormons are upset at the idea of people having fun! This'll make the front page across the country!

There's a reason why the mob would put Mormon's in charge of their casinos. But in pretty much any other aspect of life, this sort of crusader-like fervor against games is rather annoying.

 

[Xodyac]

Shurtleff said that any form of government intervention into our lives should be considered with care and that he encourages parents to take an active role in what movies, music or video games they buy and play. "To say that he's anti-family, that's just ignorant," said Scott Troxel, spokesman for the attorney general. Troxel said protecting children has been the focus of Shurtleff's administration

Wait, wait, wait. Someone in politics actually said that parents should do parenting, and not the government?! In Utah?! I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a lovely state and I have a bunch of Mormon friends, but still! The world must be ending!

 

[cerebus23]

You know this is more about should we let parents raise their kids, or should we have the law raise your kids also.

Put all the free speech and other stuff aside, why should the politicians use fines and prison to keep violent games out of the hands of kids, put a burden on businesses that will cause them to either shrink or remove all violent games together just to save the hassle if something did happen.

video games have a rating system already. It tells you what is on the game heck the covers of most games give you good idea of what games got blood and guts in them. All digital devices have pw lock outs and parental controls, why do we not not do some ad campaigns to educate parents to all the tools at their disposal to protect their kids and keep them out of stuff they do not want them playing.

Retailers are generally inclined to not sell M rated games to kids already because of the ratings system, yea if your 16 or 17 you might be able to walk in and get call of duty or w/e, but a 8 year old walks in to walmart alone and wants mortal combat he is not walking out with it.

We do not need more laws. Parents need to do their jobs.

 

[II2]

Half Full: It's nice to see a politician showing respect for consensus and being willing to change their opinion.

Half Empty: Politicians only ever do what they THINK will put them in the best light. Since there are already a lot of 'we will not surrender' anti videogame advocates, it's a (potentially) smart move to appear to be in a progressive mindset, regardless of your personal feelings on the subject.

 

[Low Key]

Good. I'm glad at least one person at the capitol has a minute sense of what's important. Our country is going to shit and these fuckers are worried about video games. Great priorities. It's as if politicians need to keep attempting to pass pointless bills to show they are doing something to earn that six figure income.

snip

This, this, and more this. Living here in Utah makes me want to move to Japan sooner than ever.

Just using your post as an example...you'd rather move to a country where radiation levels are climbing than be in America and deal with our government. I think that speaks volumes about the people we put in charge.

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

On Monday, the Utah Eagle Forum blasted Shurtleff for supporting the Supreme Court's decision, and for failing to protect Utah's children from violent images depicted in some video games.

This is the part that really gets me. As a long time student of American history I'm all aware of the origins of America's general distrust for government intervention and their belief in the free market, and I do my best to keep that in mind when people here roll their eyes about the public healthcare debacle or something, rather than just go 'lol Americans'. But this is just a clear cut case of wanting to have your cake and eat it to. They're anti government intervention when it suits them, but when they simply can't be fucked to be responsible for parenting their own kids they start blaming the government for not stepping in and circumventing their precious constitution. That's amazing hypocrisy of the highest order.