Congressman Plays League of Legends, Backs Riot Games' SOPA Opposition

[Greg Tito]

Congressman Plays League of Legends, Backs Riot Games' SOPA Opposition

Riot Games came out against the flawed legislation, and a "fan" quickly posted his position.

Videogame companies generally don't like the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115005-EA-Sony-and-Nintendo-Withdraw-SOPA-Support-UPDATED] because it restricts the creativity of individuals on the internet. Riot Games has a particular horse in that race, as sharing and networking amongst the community is a big part of what makes League of Legends so popular. Riot Games announced its official opposition to the legislation today, but the surprising bit is the 5th post in response on the LoL forums is from a representative in the U.S. Congress - Rep. Jared Polis. He proclaims his love of LoL and his desire to see SOPA fail, thereby becoming the coolest congressman I currently know about.

"As a member of the League of Legends community (partial to Anivia and Maokai), and as someone who made his living as an Internet entrepreneur before being elected to Congress, I'm greatly concerned about the future of the Internet and gaming if Congress doesn't wake up," Polis said.

"I'm particularly concerned that SOPA might stifle the kind of innovation that brings us games we love, such as LoL. The bill makes it far too easy for angry competitors to sue good law abiding companies out of existence," he continued. "It threatens any company or website that depends on user-generated content, even companies like Riot. Instead of coming up with great ways to keep making games like LoL even better, companies will have to spend their money hiring lawyers."

Polis said he's working on an alternative to SOPA, but he called for intelligent gamers to head to websites like KeepTheWebOpen.com [http://keepthewebopen.com/] to join in the conversation.

Not only is Polis a gamer, but he also earns respect for being the first man elected to serve in the United States House of Representatives as an open homosexual in 2009. He and his partner have an adopted son by the name Caspian Julius - which gives Polis double points for naming his son after a Narnian Prince.

Source: League of Legends [http://na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=1696462]

Thanks for the tip, [user]Slycne[/user]

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[SovietSecrets]

Finally someone in politics I will gladly give my support to.

 

[The Random One]

I would like to honourably high five that guy.

 

[Korten12]

I saw this earlier. Why can't we get more congressman's like him? More congressmans/womens need to play Video Gamez.

 

[CapitalistPig]

A Congressman who video games? I would like to play this man in LOL. Can he move to my district so i can vote for him? (kennen/shyvana are my favorites)

 

[Sylveria]

Well that's one representative who isn't a a total scumbag. Hopefully we'll get more like him someday.

 

[Sneaky Paladin]

Bonus points for being against SOPA, immediately taken away for playing Anivia, I hate you sir.

But seriously good on him, I would love to play a match with this guy.

 

[Irridium]

Saw Polis during the SOPA hearings. Dude is really, really awesome.

Seeing him bring up porn during the hearings was hilarious.

 

[Yeager942]

So epic...

I'm moving to Colorado.

 

[Tzekelkan]

He can't be real. He must be a publicity stunt to... erm, by... that is to say he's surely a...

Oh I can't joke about this IT'S SO GREAT TO HEAR THERE ARE STILL REASONABLE PEOPLE IN CHARGE!

 

[Neverhoodian]

I saw this earlier. Why can't we get more congressman's like him? More congressmans/womens need to play Video Gamez.

Well that's one representative who isn't a a total scumbag. Hopefully we'll get more like him someday.

Don't worry, I think we're going to see more and more of this in the future. Most of the legal/political opposition to gaming and free speech on the internet come from the "old guard." They don't understand such things because they come from a bygone age, before such devices and forms of communication existed. They have not learned to adapt to the changing times, nor do they wish to. They are afraid of such changes, thus they lash out against it by supporting things like SOPA.

As they grow old and step down from office, the younger generations that grew up around such things will take their place. They will take a more measured, reasonable approach because it's familiar to them.

If we can just weather out another few decades, Congressmen like Jared Polis will end up being the norm rather than the exception.

 

[Ragnarok185]

we must worship him!

for HE IS GOD

 

[Thyunda]

Good to see that somebody with an ounce of power is still relevant. Also - on a different note, I guess the Caspian Sea is a gateway to Telmar?

 

[killa_kid]

If you watched any of the SOPA hearings, Rep. Polis is one of the only people who understands the Internet. In terms of use and how it works. They constantly turned to him to explain things, he used terminology correctly and was very clear about his points. This man is my favourite congressman, and I'm Canadian

Hell, I wrote his office (I couldn't write him directly, because it requires a US address) just saying that the world is watching and he is working his ass off and deserves a lot of respect for that. I got a response within a day (I have never gotten a single response from an MP back home, kind of sad when I think about it).

I saw this post a few hours ago, and my jaw literally dropped. I didn't expect it and it was awesome. This man is a face of the newer generation in the US government. Hopefully we'll see more people like him.

 

[Nimzar]

How the fuck did this man get elected?

All those traits while gaining him points with people who frequent sites like the escapist would (as far as I can tell) lose him the support of most of the American electorate.

Good on 'im. We (as in gamers, nerds, and internet savvy people) need more representation in government.

 

[Worgen]

Damn I want to vote for this guy, too bad he would have no chance of even getting on a ticket in this stupid state.... but then again we did elect a lesbian to mayor of houston so I guess anything is possible.

 

[Beryl77]

Don't worry, I think we're going to see more and more of this in the future. Most of the legal/political opposition to gaming and free speech on the internet come from the "old guard." They don't understand such things because they come from a bygone age, before such devices and forms of communication existed. They have not learned to adapt to the changing times, nor do they wish to. They are afraid of such changes, thus they lash out against it by supporting things like SOPA.

As they grow old and step down from office, the younger generations that grew up around such things will take their place. They will take a more measured, reasonable approach because it's familiar to them.

If we can just weather out another few decades, Congressmen like Jared Polis will end up being the norm rather than the exception.

I agree with everything you've said but I'd like to add something. Many don't just support SOPA because they don't understand the internet but because they get paid by companies who support it. That will continue to happen whether it's a new generation or an old one. We can just hope that there will be more reasonable people than money-hungry idiots.

 

[Double A]

Saw Polis during the SOPA hearings. Dude is really, really awesome.

Seeing him bring up porn during the hearings was hilarious.

Wait, what?

This guy has officially become the face of gaming.