BREAKING: Utah Governor Vetoes Video Game/Movie Bill

To be honest, this was not what I antcipated. I thought it would pass, go to court, die. But the smart gov said "screw that" and killed the bill before it ever wasted taxpayer dollars in legal fees. So, the good news, bill dead. Bad news, Gov Huntsman will now have to put up with JT endlessly calling "Conspiracy" on him.

Kudo to the gov. Mans got some brains.

Yukimura is still here. "Well done Yukimura. You are japans greatest hero. Now, the chaos ends." Spoken by Tokugawa Ieyasu to Yukimura sanada just moments before Yukimuras death in Samurai warriors 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR9qIUXOjYY

That was a smooth move by the game industry.

"Well, you know, if this passes, I guess we can't put any ratings on the games ... sigh ..."

"Alright I'll veto, I'll veto!"

Thompson completely freaking owned again. I love it.

Congratulations to Gov. Huntsman for actually thinking through the ramifications of passing this bill, rather than just the ramifications to his political career.  He made a bold and wise judgment call on this one and think he should be aplauded (and I do NOT say that often about ANY politician let alone a Republican one, lol!)...

Tavin.

I'm glad he's seen the idiocy behind the act.  Keeping kids safe is great, being stupid about it is bad.

Here are we -- and yonder yawns the universe.

Excellent news :) Why can't Thompson and his cronies in the Eagle forum see that this botched attempt at legislation would have the opposite effect to that which they desire. The Governor rightly saw that it would be unconstitutional, and as we have been saying again, and again, and again, would lead to retailers abandoning any attempts to enforce ESRB ratings as store policy.

You know that a law is stupid when it punishes those who try, and ignores those who don't bother.

Wow, considering even the gamers expected it to pass (issues on why it didn't do shit not withstanding)  this is quite a shock.

Common sense prevails once more.

YES!!!!!

"HEY! LISTEN!"

Thing is, the Gov. was in a difficult position, no matter what he chose to do with this Bill, he would have been accused of being influenced by one side or the other, he's either under the thumb of the Video Game industry, or under the thumb of the Eagle Forum.

The thing is though, the gaming Industry didn't force his hand, it was pressure from the Eagle Forum et al that led to the creation of this law, and the retailers responded to that attack, so this looks more to me of a case of refusing to buckle to the Eagle Forums' demand than buckling to the Retailers' defence of it.

My congrats to the Gov. for looking at the law from a point of view outside the Thompson-generated rumour-mill.

The fun will start when Jack starts to calling names on the governor. I really hope this happens so they have a good view of who really is Jack Thompson.

The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com/

I honestly thought this could go either way. I never thought Huntsman was such a bad guy. It's amusing to step back and see that all the people who were bashing him and thinking he'd pass it just because he's Republican are now singing his praises.

www.gameslaw.net

AHAHAAHAHAHAAAHH @ JT.

Thats all i have to say seriously.

The guy is an utter failure.

After reading the goeverners leter, his reasons for vetoing are exactly what we have been saying. Shame Thompson is too much of an idiont, and to arrogant to actually listen to anybody.

Well done JT. you have struck a massive blow to 'the industry' and their 'conspiricy to deal pornography to minors'. Well done indeed. You have us gamers right where you want us now dont you , y'know, with your disgraced ex-profession, and growing collection failed legislation. I mean you must have a hefty paperweight collection now. Nice one. good for you.

Yep, it was vetoed, and the Gov's reasons were exactly what they should be. I just posted his letter on my blog:

http://saintless.com/2009/03/25/gov-vetoed-hb-353/

 - M

Huzzah! Huzzah!

I raise my sword at thee, Governor Huntsman.