Republicans Luring Youths With Video Games

[Nuke_em_05]

1. Have videogames at conference
2. ???????
3. MOAR VOTES!

I find it hypocritical regardless of party.

 

[TheDoctor455]

So... wait a minute... the same political party that has been demonizing video games every time there's a slow news week... is trying to use video games to attract younger people in... can anyone say "double-think"?

ANY political party using games to push their agenda is wrong.

I'm not a republican or a democrat (I'm canadian, so I'm not a liberal or a conservative, or an NDP), but it's not just the fact that it's the stuffy republicans (which as a group generally are against big government nanny state projects, like the ones that ban video games for being evil).

Politicians using games to attract kids seems to me like an ugly troll wearing a teddy bear suit saying "HUG ME! I'M CUDDLES MCBEAR! YOUR HAPPY SNUGGLE FUN FRIEND"

just.. creepy.

Umm...
You haven't seen much of the conservative media in the U.S. have you?
Because, generally, as a group... Republicans seem to be in FAVOR of banning games. Fox News, I think, tried to get Mass Effect pulled from stores because of one asshole's lies about it; a bunch of laws have been passed recently that really tried to impose stricter penalites for retailers selling M rated games... some states have even tried to ban a few M rated games out right. And, as far as I know, any game that gets an "Adults Only" rating in any other country, will not be released here. Oh and then of course there's Jack Thompson... whom I believe is a Repblican... and while he has been disbarred from practicing law (thankfully), he simply refuses to shut his mouth and do some ACTUAL research, because that might conflict with his agenda... speaking of which... there's also that Frumpy Mother woman... ugh... sorry... but all of her arguments sound EXACTLY like the kind of crap I'd expect from the Religious Right. No, I'm not trying to troll anyone here. I'm just stating my opinion.

 

[Lt. Dragunov]

Well it's about time that start speaking our language.

 

[Cody211282]

The same ppl who bash videogames at every misstep or turn, using it to lure gamers into politics. My god these ppl really are EVIL.

If I rember correctly Hillary Clinton and Jo Biden about 2-3 years back tried to use a few million tax dollars have the CDC call gaming a dangerous addiction, so its really on both sides

 

[Spekter068]

Where does the Republicans hate videogames stereotype come from anyway? Isn't it just politicians in general?

Nonono, it comes from the rants from southern Baptist mega-churches about how Pokemon and Harry Potter teach children to use eeeeevil magics. These people are almost exclusively conservatives, and most conservatives are Republicans.
As I've stated on other threads, I have nothing against Republicans, conservatives, or southern Baptists, but the preachers in those places really need to do some better research into the things they rant about. I remember seeing a video of a guy condemning kids who played Pokemon, and right as he said that they were the devil, a picture of Jigglypuff popped up on the screen behind him. I almost pissed myself from laughing.

OP: This schtick carries the fingerprints of the more moderate Republicans out there. Not a bad idea, all in all, but I'm not interested, and I actually am a little offended about them thinking that all it takes is a screen and some buttons to push to get us to vote. I didn't turn eighteen in time to vote in the last election, but I certainly plan on voting in 2012.

 

[Altorin]

So... wait a minute... the same political party that has been demonizing video games every time there's a slow news week... is trying to use video games to attract younger people in... can anyone say "double-think"?

ANY political party using games to push their agenda is wrong.

I'm not a republican or a democrat (I'm canadian, so I'm not a liberal or a conservative, or an NDP), but it's not just the fact that it's the stuffy republicans (which as a group generally are against big government nanny state projects, like the ones that ban video games for being evil).

Politicians using games to attract kids seems to me like an ugly troll wearing a teddy bear suit saying "HUG ME! I'M CUDDLES MCBEAR! YOUR HAPPY SNUGGLE FUN FRIEND"

just.. creepy.

Umm...
You haven't seen much of the conservative media in the U.S. have you?
Because, generally, as a group... Republicans seem to be in FAVOR of banning games. Fox News, I think, tried to get Mass Effect pulled from stores because of one asshole's lies about it; a bunch of laws have been passed recently that really tried to impose stricter penalites for retailers selling M rated games... some states have even tried to ban a few M rated games out right. And, as far as I know, any game that gets an "Adults Only" rating in any other country, will not be released here. Oh and then of course there's Jack Thompson... whom I believe is a Repblican... and while he has been disbarred from practicing law (thankfully), he simply refuses to shut his mouth and do some ACTUAL research, because that might conflict with his agenda... speaking of which... there's also that Frumpy Mother woman... ugh... sorry... but all of her arguments sound EXACTLY like the kind of crap I'd expect from the Religious Right. No, I'm not trying to troll anyone here. I'm just stating my opinion.

the media isn't republican. I'm not stupid. It may look it but I'm not.

The bottom line is, democrats are the ones who have pushed all of the anti-gaming bills.

On the whole, Fox news had a pretty major slipup with Mass Effect, some pretty stupid Jack Thompson-esque scares over GTA, but republicans don't want the government interfering in the lives of the people any more then it has to - from a philosophical viewpoint.

Democrats DO.

The conservative media is retarded. I'm not arguing that. They're sensational and stupid.

But my point is just that republicans attempting to get kids via video games isn't any more creepy then democrats doing it. It's not even more ironic. It's an equal amount of irony.

 

[Julianking93]

Wait a minute, I thought they were all about "VGs r teh devel!!!11!!!"

Since when do uptight conservatives advocate the use of video games.

 

[Cody211282]

So... wait a minute... the same political party that has been demonizing video games every time there's a slow news week... is trying to use video games to attract younger people in... can anyone say "double-think"?

ANY political party using games to push their agenda is wrong.

I'm not a republican or a democrat (I'm canadian, so I'm not a liberal or a conservative, or an NDP), but it's not just the fact that it's the stuffy republicans (which as a group generally are against big government nanny state projects, like the ones that ban video games for being evil).

Politicians using games to attract kids seems to me like an ugly troll wearing a teddy bear suit saying "HUG ME! I'M CUDDLES MCBEAR! YOUR HAPPY SNUGGLE FUN FRIEND"

just.. creepy.

Umm...
You haven't seen much of the conservative media in the U.S. have you?
Because, generally, as a group... Republicans seem to be in FAVOR of banning games. Fox News, I think, tried to get Mass Effect pulled from stores because of one asshole's lies about it; a bunch of laws have been passed recently that really tried to impose stricter penalites for retailers selling M rated games... some states have even tried to ban a few M rated games out right. And, as far as I know, any game that gets an "Adults Only" rating in any other country, will not be released here. Oh and then of course there's Jack Thompson... whom I believe is a Repblican... and while he has been disbarred from practicing law (thankfully), he simply refuses to shut his mouth and do some ACTUAL research, because that might conflict with his agenda... speaking of which... there's also that Frumpy Mother woman... ugh... sorry... but all of her arguments sound EXACTLY like the kind of crap I'd expect from the Religious Right. No, I'm not trying to troll anyone here. I'm just stating my opinion.

The same ppl who bash videogames at every misstep or turn, using it to lure gamers into politics. My god these ppl really are EVIL.

If I rember correctly Hillary Clinton and Jo Biden about 2-3 years back tried to use a few million tax dollars have the CDC call gaming a dangerous addiction, so its really on both sides

its used by both sides, so dont narrow your thinking to one party is evil and start thinking accross the lines that politicians are subhuman slimeballs no matter what side they are on

 

[goldenheart323]

1st point:
Going by the description of Republicans from most people in this forum, a person would get the impression there's no such thing as a Republican who isn't an uptight Bible thumper under the age of 50. Talk about falling for a stereotype. The ignorance here is massive.

2nd point:
The wording in the article couldn't be more biased. "...XPAC Lounge is not unlike how a creep would lure a kid into a van..." That's a pathetic and sick way to say a political party's trying to attract more young voters!

There is such a thing as a young Republican who likes video games. And no, XPAC themselves don't use the word "lure".

 

[TheDoctor455]

So... wait a minute... the same political party that has been demonizing video games every time there's a slow news week... is trying to use video games to attract younger people in... can anyone say "double-think"?

ANY political party using games to push their agenda is wrong.

I'm not a republican or a democrat (I'm canadian, so I'm not a liberal or a conservative, or an NDP), but it's not just the fact that it's the stuffy republicans (which as a group generally are against big government nanny state projects, like the ones that ban video games for being evil).

Politicians using games to attract kids seems to me like an ugly troll wearing a teddy bear suit saying "HUG ME! I'M CUDDLES MCBEAR! YOUR HAPPY SNUGGLE FUN FRIEND"

just.. creepy.

Umm...
You haven't seen much of the conservative media in the U.S. have you?
Because, generally, as a group... Republicans seem to be in FAVOR of banning games. Fox News, I think, tried to get Mass Effect pulled from stores because of one asshole's lies about it; a bunch of laws have been passed recently that really tried to impose stricter penalites for retailers selling M rated games... some states have even tried to ban a few M rated games out right. And, as far as I know, any game that gets an "Adults Only" rating in any other country, will not be released here. Oh and then of course there's Jack Thompson... whom I believe is a Repblican... and while he has been disbarred from practicing law (thankfully), he simply refuses to shut his mouth and do some ACTUAL research, because that might conflict with his agenda... speaking of which... there's also that Frumpy Mother woman... ugh... sorry... but all of her arguments sound EXACTLY like the kind of crap I'd expect from the Religious Right. No, I'm not trying to troll anyone here. I'm just stating my opinion.

Seriously, if you pulled the average person on the street and asked them what they thought of Jack Thompson, I'm quite sure they would not know who you were talking about. Similarly, asking them about Frumpy Mom might also derive confusion.

It really isn't fair to lump all conservatives in with the likes of Jack Thompson. (I'm actually unable to confirm what political party he belongs to.) He's pretty much an ambulance chaser who specializes in social issues for his own gain. No one has any real respect for him, and he was disbarred in 2008, which severely limits what he can do. He's basically a toothless pitbull, all bark, no bite.

I'm a moderate conservative and I love video games. I refuse to believe that I am the only person of that nature and I am insulted that you lump me with the likes of Jack Thompson and Frumpy Mom. Follow your own advice and do some actual research, or just take the shortcut and stop stereotyping people.

I'm sorry...
I didn't mean to offend you.
I wasn't actually trying to say what I think ALL conservatives are doing. I'm pretty sure that many of Stardock's head employees are Republicans as well.
And yes, I would do research on this topic for myself... if I had the time or even the slightest idea of where to begin...

But again, I'm sorry if my post offended you, that wasn't my intent.

 

[Spekter068]

Democrats simply want to have the government run everything ever.

*Coughs politely*

Not true: We DO want the federal government to do more than it's currently doing, but we're hardly Socialists.

I've been to CPAC before(last year actually) and it's a great gathering if you're a conservative, which I am. That said I'm only a moderate conservative (And as such greatly dislike such characters as Rush and Glenn Beck)

I'll admit this idea is kind of lame, really. Perhaps I also detect a bit of hypocrisy in that McCullough was the one who had such a cow about ME, and now video-games are fine.

In conclusion, I'm slightly pissed at the way the writer or OP or whatever seemed to be talking down to those gamers who happen to be conservatives. Not all conservatives are old douches who hate video-games, and I would guess there are more than a couple conservatives who use this site.

Of course you're not. I know plenty of conservatives who are very intelligent people under thirty. CPAC sounds like it was set up by more middle-ground conservatives who have grasped that this is the twenty-first century, where technology is king. I don't blame them for trying to connect with us through gaming, and I hardly think it's hypocritical: political parties have ALWAYS had conflicting internal opinions- I'd be very surprised if any of the people at CPAC had anything to do with the Mass Effect shitflinging.

Keep in mind, though, that many of the people on the Escapist aren't Americans, so most of what they know about current American politics is what they see on TV and online, which is the really nutsy stuff.

 

[IHateDaManSkirt]

Republicans Luring Youths With Video Games

The XPAC Lounge is reportedly equipped with Nintendo Wiis and Xbox 360s.

No PS3? Oh my God, the bafflement!

Seriously. No PS3?

I always thought the PS3 was a much more liberal console.

 

[hvitulf]

wait I thought republicans hated video games???

Actually, a lot of younger conservatives do enjoy that sort of thing. You know they're conservatives not bible thumping whackos.

The same ppl who bash videogames at every misstep or turn, using it to lure gamers into politics. My god these ppl really are EVIL.

Not really, most people here took one [small](und precisely von)[/small] unfavorable story by FOX news and decided to turn it into a rallying cry against the evil conservatives. When most conservatives probably couldn't care less and some, like myself, just flat out disagree. Don't lump us all in with the right-wing radical idiots like the conservative media watchdog groups.

Considering how republicans lead the games are destroying our youth bandwagon, I find the hypocrisy of using games hilarious.

It's really about equal. The Family Entertainment Protection Act, for example, was introduced by Senator Hillary Clinton, and co-sponsored by Senators Joe Lieberman, Tim Johnson and Evan Bayh, all democrats.

An excellent point. It's not really wrong to think that there are some conservatives who would throw us under the bus for political gain. But don't think we don't have enemies on the left, we do.

A good idea, not poorly, horrificaly executed.

It justs sounds like there going for there votes.

Also I can kick any Republicans ass at DDR.

Hmm, votes. Isn't that the point of conventions and public gatherings like this? To drum up support? I mean, it's rather unfair to low-blow the GOP for doing something to garner youth vote when the Dems have been doing it for years now. (Rock the Vote anyone? Don't tell me those people are trying to get you to vote for the other guys.)


Stephen Baldwin doing something like this makes perfect sense. I mean, he certainly isn't going to stand out by following his idiot brother around like a puppy and mimicking the crap that comes out of his mouth. Oh and I liked Bio-Dome. =P

I think this is a good idea for the GOP, albeit poorly executed. As I've stated I think there's a lot of silly stereotypes about conservatives that are flatly untrue. But persist because they sell to radical left-wingers and because foul-mouthed shock comics like Janeane Garafolo, who defy that their 15 minutes has long been expired, need material to stay on T.V. because they'd never go over in Branson, MO.

By the way, I'm an independent voter. Which takes away the counter-argument that I'm spewing rhetoric or talking points.

Edit: I noticed that the title of this thread is really selling it. It's almost like suggesting that the GOP is a fat, hairy child molester trying to lure a six-year old girl into his busted down 1971 Chevy Nova with a lollipop.

Seriously, I don't expect anyone here to agree with me. I imagine it might be easier to find the Holy Grail then it would be to find another moderate conservative on these forums. But, oh well.

Hey, ya might wanna start looking for the Holy Grail. I have to say though, I dislike politicians in the same way that I dislike crocodiles. I know that they are only out for themselves(99.9% of the time anyway) and so I have no reason to trust any of them. Its their nature to be backstabbing, lying, crooks that would just as soon shake your hand as throw you to the wolves.

 

[Spekter068]

Considering how republicans lead the games are destroying our youth bandwagon, I find the hypocrisy of using games hilarious.

Seriousloy, lol, how quickly people can U-Turn!

Not at all- a political party is in no way governed by a hive mind. There are plenty of internal disagreements over what should be done and what shouldn't, but the people within it have more in common with each other than the other parties. This event was most likely organized by members other than the 'Vid'ya games are the devil' group. The people who were flinging shit at Mass Effect probably haven't changed their views in the least bit.

 

[RJ Dalton]

Well, another day another story about the GOP that makes me go WTF?

To be fair, I remember hearing something about this back in january '09. So it only took them a year to get from, "I think we should do something" to "how can we embarass ourselves more" or something.

EDIT: As an aside, when I first glanced at this story, I assumed there'd be something along the lines of a conservitive counterpart to Deus Ex, or the like. Which is, honestly something I could respect, if not enjoy. This just... I don't know, I think it broke my brain.

A conservative counterpart to Deus Ex? Is the implication that Deus Ex was liberal? Because I don't buy that at all. Deus Ex was about conspiracy theories, which exist in their own little world, separate from other ideologies (kind of like the people who ardently believe in all of those conspiracies). I don't think Deus Ex had a really strong political bent in either direction and I would not support the game if it did, regardless of which way it swung.

That aside, I really wish politicians would leave the gaming industry alone. In fact, I wish they'd leave all entertainment media alone. Movies and games should be about the expression of ideas in a manner that is enjoyable to view, not trying to preach political ideologies.

 

[RJ Dalton]

1. Have videogames at conference
2. ???????
3. MOAR VOTES!

I find it hypocritical regardless of party.

Agreed.

 

[Captain Pancake]

Sounds like American politicians trying to "get with it" with the cool kids.

*facepalm*

 

[Spekter068]

Republicans Luring Youths With Video Games

The XPAC Lounge is reportedly equipped with Nintendo Wiis and Xbox 360s.

No PS3? Oh my God, the bafflement!

Seriously. No PS3?

I always thought the PS3 was a much more liberal console.

Hmm...

I'm a Liberal, and I have a Wii and a 360...

I have thought about getting a PS3, though, because I've gotten the R.R.O.D. four times now. Whatever happened to the good old days when you could shoot your Xbox with a twelve-gauge and it would still work with absolutely no change in performance? Now it makes grindy noises whenever I poke it.

 

[QuickDEMOL1SHER]

I would go JUST to play Modern Warfare against George Bush.
I imagine it would be akin to playing someones mom.