Court Wraps Video Games in First Amendment

Townhall.com ^ | July 5, 2011 | Phyllis Schlafly

[LearsFool]

Well you've certainly defeated a lot of arguments. Unfortunately, none of them have been made in this discussion. You seem to be arguing with someone who isn't here.

That being the case, there is one point on which we're in total agreement:

this conversation is pointless

[scan59]

We are not dealing with violent video games per se. We are dealing with their their sale to minors can be banned. Different argument. There are many things that can’t be sold to minors.

Might as well give it up Sarah. For some reason most of the posters seem to think that requiring stores to honor a parent's wishes is a symptom of a nanny state. Some think that they are "super parents," and can control everything their children do at all times, both inside and out of the house.

I think it's because this has to do with video games, and a lot of the posters like to play. I wonder if they'll be whistling the same tunes when the ACLU sues the government into rescinding all "R" movie ratings and access to porn in the name of free speech. Requiring parental permission is not the same as banning a product. Personally, I don't think violent video games are harmful. I do however see this as yet another step in taking away a parent's right to control what their kids see and do.

[ilovesarah2012]

My kids are in their 20s now so it doesn’t apply to me. Even when they were younger, my son played football and basketball video games. He still does. Never wanted the violent ones and I wouldn’t have allowed them anyway. But I am not so naive to believe he could not have been exposed to them outside of home. I see this law as protecting children, not as an end run around parents’ authority. One thing I did learn as a parent was that my children could not always be trusted to do the right thing.