I told you I was going to be the Bully flagbearer, and so I am. A tip from reader Matt points to this San Francisco Chronicle article on the game, titled "Bully a Far Cry From Columbine":

Even if you agree that video games are too violent, focusing energy on Bully is like trying to raid a crack house and accidentally smashing in the door of the doughnut franchise across the street. Bully may have been the game CNN's Lou Dobbs was getting apoplectic about, but I can name 50 other titles released this year that featured far more gratuitous blood and mayhem.

The article also mentions that "lessons are being learned", a phrase that clicked with me. Bully seems like Rockstar's revenge. Eliza Gauger

Bully is a far cry from Columbine
Controversial game takes place at school, but creative energy, fun characters rule [SFGate]