FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!

freespeech

KreacherOfBloodandRank

You're right. Just because anyone may have paranoia doesn't mean they're NOT after you.

Granted, Mark Wilson does NOT seem paranoid, and most likely notes that there is room for concern as to why he's preaching to the pulpit, when he himself is not a wholesome person.

@Gagamus: I would view a politician as "rational people" if they acted rationally. Instead, most of them don't. At least where I live...

It is more than just a hobby that has me look at Barry's preaching with a jaundiced eye, since the rallies that I have attended are seemingly staged (Who faints at a political rally, seriously?), often sells political snake-oil (mere preaching to fill time.), and less substance (Like, what exactly would he do as President that would be worth a damn?)

To me, it is more of him telling Americans what they should do, instead of him telling Americans what HE should be doing as Senator and what he WOULD he doing if he becomes President.

And the truth will remain this: People WILL defend the things they like. Be it games, guns, pornography, orientation, beliefs, etc.

People in general WILL be skeptical of politicians who use subtle and/or head-on use of rhetoric towards "values", especially if there are those of us who believe that the candidate has no place holding a "holier than thou" view, when their own ethics are askewed.

From at least one voter's standpoint, I was not screwed up from playing many hours of video games, still did extracurricular activities, have always maintained pretty decent grades (from Kindergarten to Law School), did not let it affect my military service, nor did it affect my civic duties working in civil service. My parents nor I never dealt with unscupulous landowners, used our positions for unethical gain, nor have we costed jobs (Actually, as pro-union activists in OCSEA/AFSCME, we have helped saved good paying jobs in Ohio.)

My family's success occured IN SPITE of playing video games. In some ways, I'd argue that it even helped. (It certainly beats being a druggie as a teen.)

Those games were the drug of my (and my family's choice.)

I wonder if Barry and Pickles could say the same thing?

Soldier_CLE

michaelb1

He is saying that kids should put down the controller and participate in real life a little more. That is how you become a well balanced successful person. (you can still play some video games)

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.

michaelb1

@JustThisGuy: You're right. Laud is the wrong word. I meant lewd, but the fact that I typed Laud makes it wrong. Thanks for the correction.

@Gaff: I will also concur. Where I got off saying "Examplo Ductus" is beyond me, aside from an old joke that we used to use in Ft. Sam Houston. (I used to be a medic in a previous time.) It's an inside AMEDD joke "up the hill".

However, I did state areas where Pickles Obama were one of 13 Vice Presidents at the University of Chicago Hospitals.

Here's from their own website:
[www.uchospitals.edu]

How do you spin what has already been on their website for a couple of years now? This is NOT old knowledge, and I have even done the research for those who are too conveniently lazy to look it up for themselves. Not saying that YOU are lazy, but I do find that people in general don't look up nearly enough information for themselves. This is just one set of facts to put up with anyone elses. (Again, previous articles pasted on earlier commentary from me have articles from Chicago Sun Times, and NY Times, respectively.)

The fact that she has been Vice President of Community and External Affairs SINCE MAY 9th, 2005 means that she had the chance to make healthcare affordable for her husband's local constituents, BUT DID NOT.

Those uninsured patients paid in excess of 350% more than those insured that were treated at The University of Chicago Hospitals.

Now, I am willing to admit when I am wrong on my comments, as I have twice on this post. Now, when will you correct yourself in saying that she were NOT a Vice President AT THE HOSPITAL?

As far as listening to sermons, it would be wise for the parent to pick a place of worship that is less condemning, and more concentrated towards ethical and spiritual development. (Yes, I went there with "Jeremiah-Gate".)

It's also funny that you imply that I (or at least those who are skeptic of Obama's rhetoric) are right-wing "conservatives", when some of us are actually Moderate-Independent. I for one don't do the flagwaving for any candidate, don't go to the rallies to cheer (I usually go to listen to what they have to say instead of blindly clapping.), and am critical of political fanfare (I criticized it with the A Bushite Country, and today I criticize it with An Obama Nation.)

Being the moderate, I am critical of far leftists, just as much as I am of the far right. That were a wide generalization of Obama's pundits, don't ya think?

Soldier_CLE

"Oh, and another thing, kotaku: I am NOT YOUR PERSONAL ARMY. I do not wish to take part in fearmongering, scapegoating or rallying the faithful. Your qualms and peeves are your own: write about them, make your case, but do not present your observations as being either objective or factual.

Gaff

Oh yeah, the 1950s. McCarthy, Communism, witch hunts, when women knew their place in the world.

"It is widely apparent that he never know what "Examplo Ductus" is or means." That's because it's Ductus Exemplo (This is the motto for the United States Marine Corps' Officer Candidates School located at Marine Corps Base Quantico; Quantico, Virginia. Apparently). Genitives in Latin always follow the noun it's referring to.

[oig.hhs.gov] That's just one case. Ctrl + F on a page will do wonders.

"In 1996, Michelle Obama served as the Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago, where she developed the University's Community Service Center.[16] In 2002, she began working for the University of Chicago Hospitals, first as executive director for community affairs and, beginning May, 2005, as Vice President for Community and External Affairs. She still holds the position, though is working part time in order to devote more time to being a mother." I repeat, she is NOT the Vice-President of the Hospital.

"I add on to making the commentary that it is indeed very hippocritical that a parent tell parents how to parent when he and Michelle demonstrate their example to their kids with unscrupulous example in hippocritical fashion."

I think it's more "hypocritical" to advocate banning violent video games while allowing the movie industries a lot of leeway, than going to church with your children on sunday and listen to a preacher and saying parents should take responsibility.

I know it is a lot to ask for but can people please be correct in their references and concise or to-the-point? It makes quoting and rebutting army worshipping, right-wing conservatives a real pain in the posterior.

From the sound of it, he's basically saying the same thing as in february. "We're going to have to parent better, and turn off the television set, and put the video games away, and instill a sense of excellence in our children, and that's going to take some time." Videogames are not the crutch to the stump of parenting.

Oh, and another thing: Your readership is NOT

Gaff

JustThisGuy

Gagamus

Actually, he's a Marxist prick, but him being a "prick" is my opinion. And being that he co-wrote the "Communist Manifesto" with Fredrich Engels, that leads me to believe Barry to be more communist-leaning or just downright Communist (Frank Marshall Davis being Barry's ongoing mentor since his younger days should clarify what I mean on this subject.)

The difference in the designer's words and Barrys in this instance is that the designers give reminders, and do not tell the parent what they should/shouldn't do in a stump speech. For that matter, the manuals all spell out a reminder to take rests past 45 minutes of gameplay.

Barry, on the other hand, is suggesting parental skills that are critical of the ethics of parenting, when I believe that he and Pickles should both look themselves in the mirror abouy their own ethics, and how it applies to parenting.

Until Barry and Pickles undo the even more serious damage that they have done to demonstrate towards their children what "ethics" is, I will continue to say that he has no place to tell other parents what they should/shouldn't do with their kids. I will also say that it has no place in stump speeches, as it takes away from what HE should be doing, and instead talks about what others should do.

Stump speeches are supposed to be about how he improves, and not just preaching to the masses about their activities.

@voltronad: Having read the article over and over again, along with Tori's, I see the militation of the article, and if you read the context of the speech, he is identifying that within Barry's own militation, there is cause of concern that he's using a easy target hobby as a means of stumping in a subtle negative way.

The issue that Mark brings out is within Barry's militation of context, and it's convenient usage.

I add on to making the commentary that it is indeed very hippocritical that a parent tell parents how to parent when he and Michelle demonstrate their example to their kids with unscrupulous example in hippocritical fashion.

My examples above are IMHO good instances.

It is widely apparent that he never know what "Examplo Ductus" is or means.

But the continued metronome beating of the video game issue is there, and I have heard it used evangelically in three speeches (2 Ohio, 1 Pennsylvania)

The delivery of a speech of this in a speech would make one think that it's nothing, but the repetitiveness of the message makes it worth bringig to forum.

It's a shame that some do not see this topic in the different shades of gray that this topic covers. I mean, I know that this is the sister site of Wonkette, but c'mon!

Soldier_CLE

YUYU

So if we want to debate what issues are most important I'd say healthcare is definitely right up there. If we want to debate that, "Obama Monotonously Bangs Game Drum", well thats just plain wrong.

And I still think that Obama makes a great point, maybe not on a topic as big as the mortgage crisis, but a great one none the less.

voltronad

It is a filler topic that subjectively points a finger, when there are far worse matters at hand.

Example: It would be wise for parents to use the "good neighbor" method when engaging in business practices that affect good paying jobs in neighborhoods that need it.

Another example: "If we are to succeed making our country healthy, we must provide good healthcare to those who cannot afford it, and punish healthcare organizations that are more concerned about paying their execs 300+ million at the expense of the poor who pay 350% more than the insured."

How about this example: "One of the problems with this great nation is that we often conduct unscrupulous business with landowners that are corrupt at the expense of the American taxpayer. If we are to thrive with value, we must never commit to this practice!"

These are things that NOT ONLY should be said, but practiced as well. Sadly, all I got from this is what parents should do, and not what a President needs to do instead.

Soldier_CLE

As for the use of the word "carnival barking", since it is apparently useful for Barry to reiterate the use of the words "change" and "hope" to ring in voters minds, that the truth of him "carnival barking" and using "evangelist-style politicking" would somewhat ring just as true for those who are able to say "Trick no good."

@YUYU: Since you brought it up, notably in MGS2, the proxy of Colonel Campbell did suggest putting down the game and turning of the console.

What you conveniently forgot to add is that the game's character that suggested this, was trying to use a method of suggestive control. However, since the protagonist knows that the antagonist were attempting this method, that the player (at least most of the time) continued playing, and most likely, beat the game shortly after.

Poor journalism on Marks part, or poorer apologetic rhetorical spin from you?

I'd debate that it's the latter, no offense.

Soldier_CLE

voltronad

More when this spin gets posted again, in a week.

Andrew831

Also, did you JUST learn what "carnival barking" means or something? You've been using it an awful lot, as if you're a young kid proud of a new fancy word he's just learned.

Just wondering.

In any case, Mark Wilson said nothing about Obama's economic plan on this site. Nothing. That's just you and your little opinion.

YUYU

Even the MGS series encourages the player to put it down. At least 5 times in the past I've had an NPC in MGS remind me that I've been playing the game for too long, that I should eat, take a piss, and get some rest. And as freaked out as I got from it's constant breaking of the fourth wall, I realized that it was absolutely right.

YUYU

What Mark is saying is that Obama's carnival barking in his stump speeches is unfairly attacking the video game hobby capreciously in a subtle form of rhetoric just to get voters to rally with a formatted way that people can agree upon.

But it isn't subtle enough, since he doesn't slam other entertainment formats that are arguably more damaging that would hurt his "keeping in touch" with the young voters.

The fact that it is stumped upon is what is concerning, when he doesn't even show how his economic plan (which seemed thrown together at the last minute.) is the better strategy.

Soldier_CLE

raptorsrevenge

And you're basing this opinion on two sentences Obama has said in the past two months? Which have been overplayed by the same gaming both times?

Your response is almost the perfect example of why this sort of reporting is not a good thing. They've taken two sentences (not even, a sentence and a sound byte) and have effectively convinced you Obama's entire platform revolves around gaming.

He has been buddy buddy with lobbyists in Chicago, he has a mentor which plays the race baiting game, and he disses America.

And Clinton lied about being shot at in Bosnia, and is playing the gender card as a means of gaining support. See, I can regurgitate the 24hr news hyperbole too!

TRT-X

It's a clever double bluff if that's the case and certainly seems to be working...

If, for example, I was an American citizen and knew nothing about the upcoming election, being a gamer I'd be more prone to vote for the candidate who least threatens my "way of life", or at least the guy who all my fellow gamers/kotakuites are supporting, in this case Obama. In this hypothesis I'm merely one out of a whole relatively large untapped demographic... wasn't there that article recently that mentioned something like 75% of the US being gamers? (Im fairly sure that's an inflated figure)

To openly support Obama as the best thing since sliced bread would raise far more flags in our already cynical 'cabal' (we're all raised on metal gear style conspiracies!), to pull a double bluff would set less people off...

I dunno, enough hypothesising... perhaps I'm looking too far into this.

exion

Insomnia Bob

+ Watch video

ncv

Pinhead

Less power to him, from those who seek more substance than presence.

Soldier_CLE

You know he's not blaming them for violence or making absurd claims more power to him.

Jimbo4

Games, since you have generalized the topic, spawn productivity through creativity, and even open a forum on social commentary in some instances, like the MGS series, or the cynical views of the GTA series.

Games, also sometimes create a social atmosphere, as demonstrated in social games like Super Smash Bros series games, Mario Kart, and others, that are fun for the whole family, and with people of ALL ages.

Add to the fact that you have people who have social anxieties and/or mental illnesses and or traumas that inhibit their physical social abilities, and you have social networking through games being a viable alternative for a step in the right direction in terms of rehabilitation. While it is not a cure all, there are social advantages to games in general.

There are also developmental advantages as well that create productive thinkers. Some games require strategy that are not as rehearsed as in games past, and alot of games now require deductive reasoning to succeed in objectives. Some games even offer a more free atmosphere that offer forms of operant conditioning as a sense of reward or punishment.

I'll even dare to say that some games will also teach people rudimentary concepts of the pros/cons of consumerism and the art of being an economist.

It depends on what you're subscribing to, and it is also a means to be entertained. But I refuse to accept that games are a means to end productivity and close off people from the rest of the World.

I'll end this reply with this much... In the different continents that I have been, do you know how I used to open dialog with foriegn nationals as a Soldier?

With a Game Boy and a candy bar.

You'd be amazed to see how games will bring down stand-off stances from two people of different nations in a foreign land.

Not productive and limits interactivity with the rest of the World? That's a little dismissive, don't you think?

Soldier_CLE

You see, I believe that he fails to see where it's a mere device in rhetoric that carnival barks to voters without substance. No matter how minor or major, it's still throwing the hobby under a bus.

He could've just as easily said "Stop bowling, don't go to movie theaters, quit taking multiple naps, and don't malinger", but then he'd get more jeers from the voting public.

It's conveniently fashionable to speak unfavorably about video games, even if subtle.

And I will say again that I disagree, as I believe that it is a factor in my education level, my GPA, the educational opportunities that I've had, and the hand/eye coordination that I developed that helped me in my previous job as a Soldier (Yes, it kept me alive.)

The rhetoric, though strategically subtle, is still evangelism to a degree that dismisses the benefits of gaming as a hobby. It also spurns the question of why he hadn't thrown today's music videos (or music industry, for that matter)under the bus yet? Is it because he'd look "out of touch" with his target voting demographic?

There are arguably many more dangerous media targets than just video games. At least video games will help you develop in some ways...

Soldier_CLE

Not that I'm saying I support Obama. I don't know a thing about his politics to even begin to support his campaign or not... Just...why the fuss over this comment?

Ajh

The fact is that there has been no "change" in their current activities, as demonstrated in my examples given above. Sure, people CAN change, but until he demonstrates sufficient proof of said "change", I will not believe it.

I remain cynical of his rhetoric because recent actions by "Barry" and "Pickles" suggest that he doesn't practice what he preaches.

I am just as equally entertained by some of the commenters, since no one has yet to convince me how Obama practices what he preaches in terms of his stump rhetoric, and some skeletons in the closet are more harmful than others. As we have also learned in the last 7 1/2 years, lack of accountability is just as equally dangerous.

And for a politician to lack his/her own personal accountability as use video games as a stump device to blame other parents on lack of accountability is just downright hypocritical.

Soldier_CLE

But you are right on something... I should've addressed the previous mentioned post as a reply to "Xcite79"

Soldier_CLE

ANyways, what can i say that hasnt been repeated in the thread. Its been fun reading the comments because its been less knee jerk reactions but rather reasoned analysis. thanks for making my day, commentors

meltyman

YUYU

ratix240sx

Obama's camp denies being marxist. However, through Frank Marshall Davis, Obama had an admitted relationship with someone who was publicly identified as a member of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). The record shows that Obama was in Hawaii from 1971-1979, where, at some point in time, he developed a close relationship, almost like a son, with Davis, listening to his "poetry" and getting advice on his career path. But Obama, in his book, Dreams From My Father, refers to him repeatedly as just "Frank."

The reason is apparent: Davis was a known communist who belonged to a party subservient to the Soviet Union. In fact, the 1951 report of the Commission on Subversive Activities to the Legislature of the Territory of Hawaii identified him as a CPUSA member. What's more, anti-communist congressional committees, including the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), accused Davis of involvement in several communist-front organizations.

Obama's Marxist (Communist) beliefs are also held true in his speeches, as read and actually observed in stumps throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania (Yeah, I watched him at a couple of rallies to try to see if he could win my vote over.) He created a populist message that appealed to the proletariat. He told them that they were being exploited by a rigged system that favored the bourgeoise. That system of course was capitalism. In a sense he was right. Capitalism ultimately favors the few at the expense of the many. That's because capitalism forces competition, and in any competition there are mostly losers and only a few winners. It is of course this competition that has lead to most of the innovations that we enjoy today.

But Obama's rhetoric is flawed, since he and Michelle "Pickles" Obama have been favored by people who exploited the working and poor classes, like University of Chicago Hospitals, whom had Michelle Obama $316,962 as a Vice President of their organization (an increase of $195,000 shortly after Barry got elected to U.S. Senate. -- Source Chicago Sun Times -- September 26th, 2006), and routinely marked up their heathcare to 350% of the normal fee to uninsured minority patients in need of care as insured white patients FOR THE EXACT SAME CARE. (University of Chicago Hospitals is a not-for-profit hospital, by the way.) As a vice-president, they could've helped make change there, but it were probably less profitable in the pocketbook for them to do so.

Let me add the issue of their "Patient dumping" from a government website -- The Office of The Inspector General
[oig.hhs.gov]

Adding another thing:
2005 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
[www.guidestar.org]
2007's FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
[www.uchospitals.edu]

This made me question his views on "Healthcare Coverage"

About the same time, "Pickles" Obama recieved compensation of $100,000 as a part time director of Treehouse/Bay Valley
Foods, Inc. (Crain's Chicago Business -- December 11th, 2006), in which she were partially responsible for the closing of a plant that costed direly needed jobs in La Junta, Colorado, which sorely relied on them to continue good paying jobs in their area. It were a major employer for that town.

This made me question his "sticking up for the little guy." rhetoric.

Same company did big business with Wal-Mart, which accounts for 11.7% of sales. The same companies' CEO made a profit of $26.2 Million to Wal-Mart's CEO making $10 Million

Made makes me wonder AND question why he didn't use Treehouse Foods as a primary example of his speeches, along with Wal-Mart, since Treehouse Foods also exploited their workers.

The same stumping makes me question his fundraising, and how it makes him true to his rhetoric. www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-galesburg_obama_webfeb01,1,6024020.story

Obama's accountability issues make me wonder about how he'd hold himself accountable in ANY office:

[www.suntimes.com]

Barry's handling in U.S. Senate:

[www.nytimes.com]

Add the potential First Lady's profile:

[www.nytimes.com]

And you have a few reasons why I believe that Barry and Pickles should account for their own messes before they start talking about everyone elses. Note that I didn't add Jeremiah-Gate, nor did I add the Axlerod Mess in this. Those abominations already speak for themselves.

Soldier_CLE

I also refuse to believe that games make for a less productive society, as it spawns creativity, develops hand and eye coordination and in some cases, improves reading.

Also, since the first time gaming has made the forefront, I have had time to read some of the other Gawker Media blogs, and I am not suprised to see a rather Pro-Obama backlash on ANY of the blogs that might shed an unfavorable light to a candidate that is shown favorably on Wonkette.

Be it as it may, I HIGHLY disapprove of Obama's use of recreational activities as a means of platform in politics, especially when it does not involve anything that shows how he WILL improve the state of American affairs.

It's more rhetoric and less offering of how HE will repair America, and it's speeches like this that continue to make me believe that he's more song and dance with a pony show than a person with any real substance.

But again, since this is the sister blog of Wonkette, I am far from shocked to see that Mark would face backlash on this article.

Soldier_CLE

Xcite79

Amen. It bugs me constantly how people think he's like a savior our country needs. He hasn't even served one full term in Congress and everybody acts like he's Christ or something.

Fireblast

Games make a less productive society, and can limit kids interactivity with the rest of the world. However, there are caveats to this like there are for a lot of things.

More or less everyone else jumped on this before I got to it, so nothing else to comment.

Kounji

He's alluding to the fact that video games can be used as babysitters for kids. Just plop them down in front of the tv and let them play.

I'm an avid gamer, but I agree whole-heartedly.

Games aren't bad, and obama isn't saying they are, he's saying that its time we take a look at the way we're raising our kids and change it. " Thats what the first person said, and I totally agree.
Is kotaku.com owned by fox news??? Do you guys (kotaku bloggers) even watch debates and victory speeches that Obama give? Do some real research.

omegaA18

BobbyDigital00

oM5o

TruPhan

svexo

svexo

Robbotron

Clinton? Who worked with Lieberman to scapegoat gaming for votes?

McCain? Mr. Family Values that wants us to stay in Iraq for decades?

Andrew831

doing

anable

Seriously, just give him a break. :)

Nexus-6

Darthvinder

R3load

Samos42

I haven't mentioned a word about his "experience"

Torokun

I always tell people, I don't know what I could of been in life if it weren't for Starcraft. Barack has it right. And no, games are not that educational. And if one is, its probably not that fun.

snoozyboi

Didn't learn from the immense response to Tori's original post, eh?

Again, Obama is 100% correct in this matter. I'm sure a good number of us Kotaku readers are not the "children" Obama is referring to. He's referring to kids in grade school who are still developing.

I played games back when I was in grade school, but my parents would no way let me play as much then as I do now. In fact, if I did - I'd probably be hurting just as bad in grade school as I am in college now! /self-zing

PepsiPerfect

Hey, I'd be full of shit if I said that I've never stayed up playing a new game with friends and been pretty useless during early morning meetings. It's not the fault of videogames, but they are a distraction.

Also, we can't jump down everyone's throat about videogames whenever someone mentions a fault in public. I visit Kotaku nearly every day, but the rampant defending of all aspects of the medium lessens the impact of a real stand that may need to be taken.

Again, it looks like he merely said that we should spend more time away from television and videogames. He didn't say they're a cancer. He didn't blame deaths on them. Let it go.

I wonder if HBO.com's forums are worked-up about this...

GorbyGipper

mfelps

When I was younger and moved to my Aunts and Uncle's house, we were only allowed to play video games on the weekends and summer, as opposed to all day like my grandparents(also only given an hour to watch t.v). Because of that, I started to do a lot better in school, and exercised a lot more. When I moved back to my parents house, my mom made me do book reports and bought learning plans for us to do during the summer, which helped us not forget anything, and have easier starts when school started.

Thats what parents need to do, parenting.

manashima

gaslamprephaim

Why such a negative spin on an issue we should be united on, Wilson?

cybereality

iao_

HaydenTenno

Mainstream media bashing video games: BAD
Gaming sites becoming easily offended and spreading hate: EQUALLY BAD

labrats5

Ron Paul is the only real Republican still in it that is running on a platform of Liberty and Freedom. He's the only one who sees WHY our country is as messed up as it is now, because of big government, and he knows what to do about it. Electing a Democrat on feel good policies isn't going to change anything... at least not for the better. It's just going to make the problems bigger and the government more intrusive and invasive.

z0mbi

McWhertor did it for Brokaw. Wilson does it for Obama.

Who's next?

Homard

z0mbi

What is relevant here though is what Obama said about games and I think it is funny how almost everyone here agrees with the statement, except for Mark Wilson.

What I would like is for him to explain how this is a "jab" against video games in general or how the idea how parents actually being involved with their children is a bad thing.

I doubt we shall see such a thing, but it is good to have dreams.

ProfWho

That's funny because it's the OTHER candidates that want to have government regulation of video games. Not Obama.

Guitaratomik

D Mitsuki

I now eagerly await the tangentially-related Apple-bashing posts. Don't let me down.

JustThisGuy

I'm voting for Obama because he's the first politician running for president in the last decade who isn't obsessed with the war on terror. Yes, we all had a bit of a scare from 9/11, but we've gotten so far off track since then that the phrase "fighting terrorism" has lost all meaning. It's the new Communist witchhunts; we go after people not for legitimate reasons, but because they're suspected of terrorism. And just like the McCarthy witchhunts, we're so terrified of the terrorist bogeyman that we're ignoring all of the more important things, like the economy and the environment and education and law enforcement. I'm not willing to accept another 4-8 years under Republican management, atleast until those guys get their act together, and Hillary's demonstrated that she's just as messed up and wishy-washy as most of the Republicans. Obama's the only one running for office who's still talking sense. Granted, I don't agree with him about everything; for example, I'm not Christian and I like videogames. But as they say, in the land of blind, the one-eyed man is king. I'll take this guy with one eye over a bunch of blind idiots any day.

GhostWhoWalks

Also I think he's a socialist.

He's actually a Democrat. If you'd like to know more about the Socialist Party, check out:

[sp-usa.org]

Brian Moore is the Socialist candidate for President.

doubtful

Schoolimangooli the doogie mag goosie!

Went and heard him speak in Indianapolis and he used those exact words. This article twists them to sound like he's anti-games and that is not at all what he's saying. Obama just realizes that the vast majority of kids have access to some form of game and that parents need to make sure their kids don't over do it. Study at school and work hard first.

Weak Article, Kind of Weak Post Kotaku. A little to inflammatory.

MasterSauce

Sgoast

BlackConvoy2k8

Compare his views to Sen. Clinton's opportunistic use of video games as a boogie man, and you just look damn foolish for saying he's the one we should beware.

Sgoast

chibixleon

Schoolimangooli the doogie mag goosie!

z0mbi

Nedus

Just messin' with ya. =D

HaydenTenno

YUYU

It was a bad idea with the first article and it's a bad idea with this one too. Haven't the responses gotten that across yet?

Ninja-Z

This is politics and elections to you folks! It's more about getting what people want to hear right, than actually stating what will and won't be done after the candidate is elected.

But it would be very nice to hear some candidate saying stuff like "Be better parents, and you won't need to be worried about videogames". Or even: "A better option to stop your kids from playing games, is to actually play games with them".

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

_Ted_

rabidkeebler

+ Watch video

Heh... 34 Points, someone buy that man a Wii w/Wii Sports so he can suck in the privacy of his own home.

randygbk

MikeH

Chewbenator

dumptruck

Basically what I got out of it is for parents to be aware and involved in their kids life.

With all the people out there truly bashing games this seems like a really weak "anti-game" comment to single out

Sihaya

HaydenTenno

Thank you.

I understand that there is difference in letting video games being you're babysitter and letting video games be a tool to help you. The way I see, most lazy parents rather be the former. Not only babysitting, but letting their child get whatever they want and not understanding what's in the game and the likes.

Then there are the parents who are involved with their children, and uses the things their child likes as a tool to help them raise up in life. It all depends on parenting, moderation, with understanding their child as well.

Chikebo

moonbunnychan

HaydenTenno

pasquinelli

KM91

which one, gamespot? Alex Narravo is that u?
and i hope they don't go down that line cuz then the backlash would be worse than Gamespot's last year...

Jmontilla2786

(anyway, ALL entertainment, in excess, among other things, is a downward spiral for any society. For the US, it will be it's government's arrogance of global interference. Deterrent's are one thing. Offensive is another)

SigmundTheSeaMonster

jporter313

davikken

burnblue

Nothing. There was no editorial comment, none of the e-mails were replied to. And now someone is posting the exact same out-of-context, hyperventilating, screamingly oblivious story, linking to the exact same freaking speech from almost two months ago.

I worked at a pretty popular gaming site about six years back. If something like this had happened, it would have at least been addressed, and you can bet your bottom dollar it wouldn't have happened again a month later. When I saw Miss Floyd had left, I figured maybe they had handled it internally. That may or may not be the case (and that's no business of mine or anyone else's), but it doesn't really help at all if you're going to have someone else do it AGAIN the day after the last offender has buggered off.

Gaming journalism is a tricky beast as-is. Let's not lower it to FOX News levels if we can possibly get around it, please.

Citizen_Insane

Funny how you say that the Democrats want big government in your life, but you are the one putting government over parenting. You say you want government out of your personal life, so do I. Hopefully you are in favor of right to die, you are pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, anti-Patriot Act, opposed to the FCC and to flag burning legislation, etc. Or maybe you just don't like someone suggesting that maybe, just maybe, parenting could be improved in this country.

kingofallcosmos

Generalize much?

Fonic

@Chikebo:
I'm happy to hear about how your mother worked with you with your autism, that's good parenting. However I'm sure you realize that with the normal use of video games, nothing is accomplished except entertainment or relaxation and for many gamers and too many kids, this is hours and hours of wasted time that will not get you a raise or get you better grades, etc. Parents let games babysit their kids, that's not good parenting.

@HaydenTenno:
Surely you don't believe that a child's success is determined more from their time at school than their time at home? I promise you, if parents are not instilling a sense of excellence in the kid, the school can't make them stars. The only exception is exceptional, inspiring teachers, which government cannot legislate into being.

burnblue

HaydenTenno

We need to do something now before it's too late, and if that means some type of law that makes it harder for younger (impressionable) children to play games where they can hear and say these types of things then so be it.

As a Hardcore Gamer I know a lot more about the games my daughter will and should be playing, and understand my responsibility for her growing up to be an outstanding member of society.

I refuse to allow a dope-fiend hick parent in a trailer somewhere in middle America, allow there Child to spread their Hateful bigotry onto my child.

When people allow the bigots to spread their filth without reporting them or even laugh along with them, just know you are helping the Anti-Gamer's cause.

WE NEED CHANGE NOW!

JUBEI21

I didn't mean to sound like my comment was about Obama, its targetted toward some of the commenters I read that say games are a waste of time with no value. Those types always bring me down because I know otherwise for myself.

Chikebo

fuchikoma

PearceShea

That as far as I am concerned gives him a huge pass in belittling video games in broad strokes campaign rhetoric.

Dude knows technology and why it is important to our country's future.

noamjamski

That doesn't mean games are bad, it just means that parents should parent. A lot of times, parents are so exhausted from work and such, they just plop their kids in front of the TV because it keeps them quiet, it's easier than encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle.

Games are wonderful, but they are not substitutes for outdoor activity.

YUYU

Talk is cheap, Obama. The man hasn't done a damn thing in his entire political career...

Google is even cheaper.

Research. You're doing it wrong.

doubtful

And not only Obama that would go for anyone who say that kind of comment and not mean with this site is misinterpreting.

and mind u I'm a diehard readers of this site. I just don't want it to become another gossip site.

Jmontilla2786

HaydenTenno

They couldn't have been serious with this. Probably making up for the lack of hits with all the kaketaku stuff from yesterday. Luckily most of the commenters can see through the yellow journalism.

I wouldn't take this article too seriously.

YUYU

Fonic

Still, we have at our hands an instrument, like guns, drugs, (or taxes or tax cuts, to get super-political), or nearly everything else in the whole world, where there is great potential for evil as a result.

So what are you going to do, Kotaku? How are you going to make the world safe for gaming and gaming safe for the world?

Slatz_Grobnik

Seiru

These posts are misguided.

As someone pointed out in the morning thread, you *can* make $$ off of gaming but how many people can say that out of the millions playing CoD4 and Halo right now? C'mon.

All these people are saying is "All things in moderation, and there's a propoer time and place for it in your life" and gaming is not very allowing of this.

GhaleonUnlimited

Also, if you read the source article it about the government part it says

"Identify at-risk parents when they go to the hospital to deliver a baby, teach them to read and encourage their child to get a good education. He emphasized the importance of reading to children at a young age. He noted that "government can't do everything," and offered this advice for parents: "Turn off the television, turn off the video games." "

That really only sounds radical if you have never been to the hospital and been handed all the stuff they hand you when you child is born. I see nothing wrong with having a social worker or someone there going to the parents and making certain they know how to read and telling them how they can learn to read so that they can be a better parent. Even then it is simply making options available and informing the parents of the option. It is still up to the parent to make that effort to parent better. The government cannot make them parent. It can only provide resources to help the parent.

ProfWho

Fonic

atrimus