Clinton and Lieberman make nice with ESRB ... why?

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 7th 2006 at 8:00AM }

GamePolitics reports that Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) in a press conference today at 3PM will announce, with ESA President Doug Lowenstein and ESRB president Patricia Vance, a national campaign to raise awareness about video game ratings. Clinton and Lieberman have both been outspoken critics of the game industry and this certainly shows that a change is in the air.

Now is certainly a convenient time for Clinton and Lieberman to bury the hatchet with the gaming industry. Nobody can deny that the political winds in the United States have shifted since the last election and these two have grander ambitions. Lieberman, who originally lost his party nomination in Connecticut, rallied during the election as an Independent to get his seat back -- although he's still a pseudo Democrat at heart. With the House and Senate under Democratic control perhaps he feels he can actually focus on issues that matter, rather than trying to pander to some bizarre wing of his constituency that believes the best way to protect America's youth is by going after the gaming industry. Sen. Hillary Clinton ... well, for you non-Americans out there, she is gearing up to run for President of the United States. However you may feel about this, the point is, the last thing Senator Clinton needs is the youth of America telling their parents that the crazy lady hates video games and not to vote for her. Also, with the average gamer being 30 years-old according to the ESA, there are a lot of gamers out there with the right to vote. People have voted for and against candidates for stupider things and the Democrats want the White House, so it's time to make friends, build bridges in the 21st century and start using the village to raise the children -- that sounds oddly familiar. We'll get more answers about what's going on today at 3PM Eastern.

Tags: clinton, esrb, lieberman, lowenstein, psa

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

J.Goodwin @ Dec 7th 2006 8:11AM

Or, it could be that the industry's court victories are finally sinking in.

If you can't beat them in court, you pretty much have to join the industry bandwagon for policing itself.

If they do that, then they will have ammunition to create legislation that uses the industry ratings system as a benchmark. For instance, actually requiring stores to stop selling M rated games to kids (like cigarettes), then using undercovers to bust stores that don't comply.

stubbymonkey @ Dec 10th 2006 3:37PM

Its about time America had a female President

Ignatius @ Dec 7th 2006 8:15AM

Well, I think I'd agree with Goodwin, if you can't beat them, join them. Thing is, once they join them, they will start creating legislation. The ratings system was never intended to outlaw certain ages from playing games.

What kind of way to judge maturity is how many times we've sat on this planet for another revolution around the sun? I will never understand people.

Oh, and it's about time we got a -new- President, the Kingdom of Busherica is starting to make me sick.

D @ Dec 7th 2006 8:35AM

Obviously trying to get more votes. As soon as they get elected video games will be banned for life.

the Brayn @ Dec 7th 2006 8:37AM

First let me say to some *cough* Ignatius *cough*, if you don't like what Bush is doing with America then by all means feel free to leave. I won't try to stop you.

On topic, this is merely a shameless ploy to garner the votes of gamers. As soon as the election is over you can be sure that neither of these will interested in the gaming industry apart from making more laws to try and ban violent games. The sad part is it will work and people who don't agree with the Democratic view on games will be swayed by this faux attempt at looking sincere.

hegemonyhog @ Dec 7th 2006 8:47AM

"First let me say to some *cough* Ignatius *cough*, if you don't like what Bush is doing with America then by all means feel free to leave. I won't try to stop you."

Wow, I didn't realize that in a democracy, if you don't like the leadership you should leave the country rather than advocate for change. Thanks for the heads up!

Amauriel @ Dec 7th 2006 8:52AM

Many of us will not forget what they have said in the past, whether or not they change their tune now. I think that although I agree that it is time for a female president, or a black president, or a gay president, or an atheist president (I hope you get the idea, as a white female the straight white male christian presidental roles we've seen thus far are sad at best) I also do not think that Hilary Clinton is the right woman for the job. It's like that episode of Futurama where Leela becomes the first female Blurnsball player...just because you are the first doesn't necessarily mean that you deserve to play.

OtakuCODE @ Dec 7th 2006 9:14AM

"People have voted for and against candidates for stupider things "

Because we all know that not wanting the government to take their guns and use them to control creative speech is just some crazy stupid idea only nerds and complete retards get behind, amirite?

Edge of Blade @ Dec 7th 2006 9:31AM

Finally.

Good choice politicians. Wow, that's something you don't hear everyday.

crono141 @ Dec 7th 2006 9:26AM

Besides, Hillary was already president once. They say behind every good president is a good first lady. In this case, Bill was the figurehead and Hillary called all the shots.

Buckshot @ Dec 7th 2006 9:21AM

Just Dems lying to your face, taxing you, and giving out free cheese. But wait, they like video games now.

Like Chuck D and Flav told me long ago, "Can't Truss it"

And a big "Hell Yeah" to #8 OtakuCODE for the "Because we all know that not wanting the government to take their guns and use them to control creative speech is just some crazy stupid idea only nerds and complete retards get behind, amirite?"
-That is the real deal

Insomnia Bob @ Dec 7th 2006 9:23AM

"It's about time America had a woman President."

Yeah, maybe. But it wouldn't hurt if she wasn't a video game hating nazi. The whole argument about violence in video games corrupting the youth of america is bullocks. Work in a game store for a week or two. I flagged down EVERY single M rated game purchase, going out of my way to describe, IN DETAIL, what the ratings systems meant to parents of children under the age of 15 who were buying the Guy Game, or Grand Theft Auto. 8 times out of 10, I got a blank stare for my trouble.

Stop blaming the artists and the industry behind an entertainment media, and start putting the blame where it belongs...FEMALE POLITICIANS!

...wait...that wasn't my point at all...damn anterograde amnesia. (thanks, wikipedia!)

thegrey @ Dec 7th 2006 9:26AM

Wow, i think my IQ dropped a few points after reading some of these comments.

the Brayn @ Dec 7th 2006 9:29AM

"Wow, I didn't realize that in a democracy, if you don't like the leadership you should leave the country rather than advocate for change. Thanks for the heads up!"

Wow, I didn't realize that in a country with free speech that I couldn't speak my mind when I don't agree with what someone says. Thanks for the heads up!

BlindsideDork @ Dec 7th 2006 9:34AM

I don't want Hilary as president and it figures she would try to be nice to get gamers not to vote against her!

Unless the other person is a complete moron who is 100% against video games, I am thinking she won't get MY vote!

I am also afraid they are saying this to gain our support(us gamers) and then after elected turn on their REAL feelings and try to slam us with something stupid.

polly @ Dec 7th 2006 9:35AM

Flip floppa!

@Brayn .heh..irony...

hegemonyhog @ Dec 7th 2006 9:41AM

"Wow, I didn't realize that in a country with free speech that I couldn't speak my mind when I don't agree with what someone says. Thanks for the heads up!"

Free speech doesn't mean you get to say blatantly stupid things without comment. You have every right to believe that people who don't like the president should leave the country. And I have every right to tell you that I believe that's a fundamentally anti-democratic statement. Sorry if you believe your right to free speech allows you the right to revel in your own ignorance untouched, but that's not the way it works.

JayCubCO @ Dec 7th 2006 9:52AM

Wait a Minute...isn't this the same Senator (Clinton) who was proposing a federal tax on video games to help pay for the crimes she (Clinton) was blaming on video games? Or is this an attempt to befriend us before she taxes the hell out of us? I think this is an issue that us voting gamers should keep an eye on!

Insomnia Bob @ Dec 7th 2006 9:53AM

"Unless the other person is a complete moron who is 100% against video games, I am thinking she won't get MY vote!"

Bad news, brother. Have you seen the last couple presidential candidates?

Scythe @ Dec 7th 2006 9:55AM

If she is elected this country will become the biggest pussy whipped country in the world. Men of this country I would think to have enough sence then to vote for a women as the president of the USA. First let me say I have no problem with women being leaders, my mom is a mayor of my town and she does a great job.

But this women isn't looking out for anyone other then her own self. She could careless if Video games were banned from being made. She doesn't care about you, all she wants is to become the first women to be a president. Do you have any idea the power trip she would be on and the size her already big head would become?

Men if you are thinking of voting for this women for any reason, reach in your pants and feel around if you have three objects down there then good that means you haven't lost what this country was founded on.

1. Having the balls to fight for this country and do what it takes to take care of your family.
&
2. Being dick sometimes to get things done regardless of what the other countrys think or what some hippies beleive.

Be smart and don't vote for this women unless you want your balls removed and dick chopped off. Because she will do just that to this country and I sware the last thing I want it to see how big of a pussy the USA can become over night.

God Bless our Troops Keep up the fight.

32_Footsteps @ Dec 7th 2006 10:01AM

And Insomnia Bob manages to show that Godwin's Law is still in effect.

As for Bush... I'm not the one who baked intelligence (or to be charitable, who believed the baked intelligence). I'm not the one who got us stuck in Iraq. I'm not the one who drove the economy south. Why should I be the one asked to leave?

Anyhow, for this post...

While I trust neither one (particularly Weepin' Joe... great choice of prefixes, since "pseudo-" means "fake"), I'm going to hold out to the glimmer of hope that these two are finally seeing the light and will finally stop blaming video games like idiots.

Mind you, it wouldn't surprise me if I was wrong, but maybe, just maybe, they'll stop being such total jerks.

Insomnia Bob @ Dec 7th 2006 10:03AM

Dear Scythe. A scathing rebuttle, old chap! I particularly enjoyed how you improperly spelled the word 'sense'. The irony was palpable. Truely, your commentary paints an accurate picture of the current political climate.

Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go smoke a shotgun shell.

Sid Icarus @ Dec 7th 2006 10:07AM

#5:

If I dont like what Bush is doing I am free to leave... Is that really what you said?

Sorry bitch, but if I dont like what Bush is doing me and every other like minded person can vote the retard out of office. However, since that is not really an option as he is on his second term, voting his party back to the stone ages will do just fine.

Remember this folks, Clinton is taking the correct aproach to dealing with video games by teaming up with the ESRB.

Keep in mind that Jack Tompson is a Republican cocksuker.

Insomnia Bob @ Dec 7th 2006 10:07AM

And one more comment before I take the Hemmingway option...32_Footsteps, I didn't compare a single person to Hitler. What are you, the Godwin's Law nazi?

...dammit!

the Brayn @ Dec 7th 2006 10:19AM

Hegemonyhog, There's a few things wrong with what you have said so far in this discussion.

First,when exactly did I say that my views shouldn't be criticized or commented about? By all means if you don't agree with my statement then say so, I won't stop you. To me "the Kingdom of Busherica is starting to make me sick" is blatantly stupid and I made a comment.

Second, how is my comment anti-democratic in any way? I think you really need to go do some research about democracy. I don't recall ever telling him he has to leave the country. I do believe I gave him a possible solution to the problem he faces of not liking the President.

Third, (actually going back to my first point) when did I ever say that free speach means my comments shouldn't be criticized? You seem to focus on something that I never said.

The only person I see being ignorant in this discussion is you.

Brian O'lyaryz @ Dec 7th 2006 10:22AM

although I do agree that Hillary is a commie-nazi bitch I don't think Joystiq is the right place for the arguement. I mean yea, this is the comments page but people come here to read about the next zelda, not to read comments like "our so and so president suxrs because I don't agree with him" and others with "well that's unpatriotic".

Zach @ Dec 7th 2006 12:25PM

I may be mistaken, but I believe the ESRB was largely created as a result of Joe Lieberman's video game hearings in the early 90s. That is to say, the industry created the ESRB as a compromise with the Senate to stave off direct government regulation. I also seem to recall that throughout the 90s Joe Lieberman had almost universally positive things to say about the ESRB and the video game industry's job regulating itself. It's only in recent years, with Hot Coffee and such, that political hay has been made attacking the ESRB.

Which is to say, I don't think this is a flip-flop, insofar as Lieberman has always been supportive of the ESRB, only threatening government regulation when he believed the industry was failing to properly self-regulate.

Moogle @ Dec 7th 2006 10:30AM

"Now is certainly a convenient time for Clinton and Lieberman to bury the hatchet with the gaming industry."

I've never like that particular turn of phrase. It's suppose to mean putting aside differences, but usually it just makes me worry about *who* they're going to bury the hatchet in. In this case, I worry about how apt that interpretation is.

Oh, and insomnia bob makes me laugh. :)

Scythe @ Dec 7th 2006 10:40AM

Insomnia Bob I thought you was going do us all a favor and smoke a shotgun? Oh well he's to wishful thinking.

I find it funny that out of that entire rant I made you found 1 word that slipped in after I quickly typed it up.

BTW while you have that barrel in your mouth don't forget to load it take off the safety and pull the trigger. I know people like you can't live without someone telling you how you should live your life and do things for you. Heaven forbid that you have to make your own choices, without someone holding your hand.

Clinton in 0never'

32_Footsteps @ Dec 7th 2006 11:35AM

"And one more comment before I take the Hemmingway option...32_Footsteps, I didn't compare a single person to Hitler. What are you, the Godwin's Law nazi?"

Just FYI, Insomnia Bob, Godwin's Law states that the longer a discussion on the Internet lasts, the likelihood of the Nazis being mentioned reaches one - or in other words, someone is eventually going to do it.

And you did call Hillary Clinton a, and I quote, "video game hating nazi." So yeah, Godwin's law still holds.

Buckshot @ Dec 7th 2006 10:45AM

Sid Icarus, I saw some homeless minorities on my way to work, maybe you should help them with my money.

And 32_Footsteps who in the hell says the economy is south? In Texas, I am making more money than I ever have, plus my home has doubled in value. Maybe you should blame the Kia owners.

The 2 party system is long dead, free your mind, vote Libertarian. Michael Badnarik was by far the best 2004 presidential candidate. Yet he was lost in the 2 party flip/flop same old song and dance

Scythe @ Dec 7th 2006 10:47AM

here's

Wouldn't want to make you rant about one more word.

hegemonyhog @ Dec 7th 2006 10:51AM

"First,when exactly did I say that my views shouldn't be criticized or commented about? By all means if you don't agree with my statement then say so, I won't stop you. To me "the Kingdom of Busherica is starting to make me sick" is blatantly stupid and I made a comment."

Here was the conversation:

He said he didn't like Bush and wanted a new president. You told him to leave the country. I commented that it was anti-democratic to tell people to leave the country if they're dissatisfied with the leadership. As I've said, you had the right to say that, and I had the right to criticize you. Nothing wrong there.

"Second, how is my comment anti-democratic in any way? I think you really need to go do some research about democracy. I don't recall ever telling him he has to leave the country. I do believe I gave him a possible solution to the problem he faces of not liking the President."

Of leaving the country. I'm not sure what you think democracy is, but advocating that those who dislike democratically elected leadership leave the country and remove themselves from the democratic process rather than voice their opinion is pretty much the definition of anti-democratic.

"Third, (actually going back to my first point) when did I ever say that free speach means my comments shouldn't be criticized? You seem to focus on something that I never said."

You accused me of trampling on your free speech because I criticized you. If you think that my criticizing you is infringing on your free speech, then it's a pretty basic conclusion that you think criticism of you is infringing on your free speech. Actually, less a conclusion than a nearly identical restatement of exactly what happened.

"The only person I see being ignorant in this discussion is you."

You tell someone who exercises their right of free speech and proposes to exercise their right to participate in the legally and constitutionally determined electoral process that they should leave the country. You then proclaim that your free speech is being attacked because your attack on someone's free speech is being criticized.

Believe me, friend, I'm not being ignorant. You have the right to believe what you do and say what you do. However, understand that you do how those beliefs and say those things, and stop trying to run from them when you're called out. Okay?

machewchew @ Dec 7th 2006 12:00PM

Scythe,
Care less is two words, there's no reason to capitalize video, you consistently use the word "women" (plural) to talk about one woman, countrys should be spelled countries, believe and swear are misspelled, and you're missing a period in the last sentence.

Oh, and to be fair, Insomnia Bob misspelled "truly" in his own spelling criticism.

interrupted @ Dec 9th 2006 5:34PM

"Michael Badnarik was by far the best 2004 presidential candidate."

seems like you and i were the only people that voted for him buckshot

BlindsideDork @ Dec 7th 2006 11:06AM

I liked the new Zelda: Twilight Princess game! It's great!!!

shivr @ Dec 7th 2006 11:09AM

...hegemonyhog for supreme court!

bryan: you're kinda fighting ghosts here with your arguments

on topic: I very truly have no idea about clinton's views or voting record, but there are a lot more important things than video games to consider when choosing a president to vote for >_> Not to say it isn't an important issue for me, but it's a little low on the list... But you know, sometimes it's those low-list items that can become deal-breakers on two similar candidates :)

iocomposer @ Dec 7th 2006 11:58AM

Stick to games, Joystiq dudes. Political commentary is gonna bite ya.

Shiro @ Dec 7th 2006 11:41AM

I don't trust a Clinton. Especially one named Hillary.

These are people who go to mosques and temples to "pray" with cameras all around them in order to make them look religious, even when they profess to not be.

If sacrilege gets votes, I don't think I like the system. >_>

Firegirl @ Dec 7th 2006 11:26AM

And I guarantee you that as soon as we elect her president, she'll turn on the gaming community. Dirty, dirty politicians!

Shiro @ Dec 7th 2006 11:41AM

*Had to comment on the argument at hand...*

Hegemony... He never TOLD you to leave the country. He suggested it, yes, but as he's free to do that, your whole... argument thing... is void.

Basically you're both running around yelling "I can do whatever I want!" So you're both dumb. Stop it. This is a GAMES discussion (or rather, in this case, a games politics discussion.)

doubtful @ Dec 7th 2006 11:38AM

She may address her views on the videogame industry, but probably not until she's addressed a few other things:

1. Iraq War
2. Global War on Terror
3. Medicare
4. Social Security
5. Climate Change
6. Health Insurance Crisis
7. Uncontrolled Deficit Spending

I'm sure once she's got all of that under control, then she will focus all of her attention on video games.

Of course, it's a moot point anyway because Obama will be the next Democratic nominee.

Bob @ Dec 7th 2006 12:01PM

While a female president can be a good thing, voting for the first one that throws her hat into the ring is a bad idea. Especially if that first female is Hillary Clinton.

The last thing America needs is an extremist, from either end, running the show. Despite what anyone may want to think, Hillary is heavy left leaning. After some heavy right leaning, stressing the struts the other direction won't fix anything, just make it worse.

Just look at the long standing implications of their actions. The pre 9-11 economic meltdown, 9-11 itself, rising mid-east tensions, bloated government spending (War on Terror is nothing compared to social handout programs), and the list goes on, all orchestrated by Hillary and her puppet, Bill. We already had 8 years of Hillry, we don't need 8 more. I'd rather Europe go on hating us (not that I care Europeans don't like Americans) than suffer another 9-11, which happened mainly because the great and wise Clintons thought the CIA and FBI needed major budget cuts and pandering to whatever mid-east terror group reared its head to avoid a conflict.

This game pandering won't make me see you as anything else than what you are, Hillary. Just give it up and start doing something novel in the political world - tell us exactly what you intend to do. But, you can't do that, you'd never get more than 10% of the vote.

Matt @ Dec 7th 2006 11:55AM

"Its about time America had a female President"

She becomes friends with ESA and ESRB and shes president? No thanks I don't like Hilary... Shes a moron who quotes Karl Marx... No thanks.. If I vote for a female presidential canidate I rather it be Condi Rice.

DiahrreaMan @ Dec 7th 2006 12:03PM

Yeah...all I can say is I have no trust whatsoever for any politician, especially when they say they LIKE videogames, then you really know they're bluffing. I mean, come on, look at history, politicians have ALWAYS tried to outlaw videogames as a whole, or attempt to place censorships. But its never worked, 'cause it's like with any other media out there, if a ban was successful, does that mean violent music, tv, and movies would be banned too? That would never happen. It started way back when with "Myst", I think, they tried it with comic books, Elvis Presley, and now its videogames that are "evil". Whatever you do, they can't be trusted. Unless its someone who actually has had experience with videogames and is an avid gamer, then you could trust a bit. But even then, they're still merely politicians. My two cents.

STILL WAITING FOR GOLDEN SUN 3 DAMMIT!

crono141 @ Dec 7th 2006 12:03PM

Political parties were never part of the founding fathers vision. Its unfortunate they didn't have the forsight to ban them. Now that we have said 2 party system, the people are boned, as neither part will vote to break themselves up. A term limit for house and senate members would be nice too.

To bad the only way we'll ever get these changes is to have another revolution. This is why the 2nd amendment is your friend: when the government becomes hostile to its people, our right to keep and bear arms will allow us to overthrow said government and set up a new one.

MercWorks @ Dec 7th 2006 12:07PM

hegemonyhog is sweet, brayn fucking sucks. Those who don't question authority are doomed to be subjected to that authority's ridiculous regulations.

Furthermore, of the many people I've heard make the argument, "if you don't like this country/administration/system then you can just get out," every single one was a fucking dumbass, who I assuredly hated with every fiber of my being.

Insomnia Bob @ Dec 7th 2006 12:00PM

Dear 32, I reread my earliest comment, and you're right! Damn anterograde amnesia!

And Scythe, please don't take my critique of your comment personally. I just feel threatened when strangers on the internet suggest I reach into my pants and feel myself up. Like that creepy guy on post 20. I'm just wired that way. My bad.

Insomnia Bob @ Dec 7th 2006 12:08PM

Count me in, crono! My years of experience with video games have made me a skilled marksman and left me indifferent to human life! Grossly indifferent! You can't imagine how indifferent I am to human life!