The blame game (without any reference to Plame)
Two local idiots with idiot parents fired their 22 rifles into traffic on the interstate and killed a guy a while back. Now, the parents of the victim are suing the makers of Grand Theft Auto for $246M:
The controversial “Grand Theft Auto” video game series is central to a $246 million lawsuit against the game’s makers and the family of two teenage boys who went on a fatal shooting spree in June.
In Monday’s lawsuit filed in Cocke County Circuit Court, the parents of Aaron Hamel argue that the game’s manufacturers allegedly concealed from users that it “inspires and trains copycat violence” and that children are particularly vulnerable to the game’s alleged effects.
This is just about the dumbest thing I’ve ever . . . no it isn’t. This crap happens all the time. Abysmal.
October 22nd, 2003 at 1:30 pm
GTA III? That’s so gauche. It’s GTA Vice City these days.
October 23rd, 2003 at 1:41 am
We must remember that the victim is the real loser here. Maybe we are a bit tough on the victim’s family, but you can’t blame them for seeking some kind of restitution.
It is unfortunate that there is such a demand for that genre of games that fuels their production. Our psyches are for sale.
ps–Thanks for the link.
October 23rd, 2003 at 11:12 am
You know, I understand the parents feelings. I dont agree with the lawsuit, but from their perspective it makes sense: GTA encourages kids to commit violent acts, the manufacturer knows this, and becasue some other parents let their kid play the game, our son is dead. Why shouldn’t the manufacturer be held responsible?
Again, I don’t agree with it, but I can see why angry parents would feel that way.
October 23rd, 2003 at 11:17 am
But i can also see why some hardcore israelies want to nuke palestine.
October 23rd, 2003 at 5:52 pm
And your point? It does no good going around saying “Thats dumb!” That doesn’t help understand why people react they way they do. If you look at things from the standpoint of how others see them, you might just find out that there really is a legitiamte problem. I don’t think a lawsuit is the the appropriate response, but I dont think anyone can deny that there is some awful crap sold to kids in the form of video games. Thats a real problem, even if the solution proposed is poor.
October 23rd, 2003 at 5:54 pm
Crap- posted before I was finished.
At anyrate, if you look past the lawsuit, you find a real problem, and you might start thinking of ways to address that problem that isn’t ridiculous.
October 23rd, 2003 at 9:09 pm
That’s kinda the point. Finding a solution that’s not ridiculous, like holding those responsible to account. The parents in this case.