Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game Bill Veto

March 26, 2009

A nationally-prominent conservative has given props to Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) for vetoing HB 353, the video game/movie bill crafted by disbarred Miami attorney Jack Thompson.

Earlier today, Grover Norquist (left), president of Americans for Tax Reform, forwarded the Guv a congratulatory letter, and GamePolitics has obtained a copy. From Norquist's message to Gov. Huntsman:

In vetoing such a clearly unconstitutional bill you have spared the taxpayers of your state the fate of too many others, picking up the legal tab for those that challenge the bill...

Your veto spared not only the legal costs states like the now nearly bankrupt California ($282,794) and Illinois ($545,078), but the harm to retail outlets in these difficult economic times, as well as the interference of parental rights by the state...

I know there is a push by well-intentioned groups... to override your veto, but that is a bad idea. Beyond the obvious First Amendment violation this bill presents and the dubious nature of making legally binding voluntary industry ratings, H.B. 353 violates the Dormant Commerce Clause of the Constitution as well...

As you know, Americans for Tax Reform opposed passage of H.B. 353 and supported a veto. I thank you for standing up for the taxpayers of Utah in this matter and encourage you to stand strong and fight against attempts to override that veto.

DOCUMENT DUMP: Grab a copy of Norquist's letter to Gov. Huntsman here (pdf).

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Comments

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Shoehorn Oplenty on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 17:01.

I wonder where this man fits into Jack's little conspiracy plan, along with the Florida bar, the gays, the video game industry, Dennis, Kotaku, Penny Arcade, et al.

I wonder if any of this congratulating will actually penetrate Jack's feeble little mind, coming as it does from several sources outside of the video game industry, and make him realise that he's actually in the wrong?

It's very unlikely, but surely it's some kind of sign to him that not only the video game industry are against him, but all of these other people as well.

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Luvian on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 21:03.

Impossible. If he were to stop his crusade against violence in the media, what would he have left in his life?

Nothing.

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Krono on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 08:12.

One would hope that he'd at least still have his family.

-Gray17

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by GoodRobotUs on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 20:33.

Ah, but Jack stands alone in seeing the dark hand of conspiracy pulling the strings, the New World Order, comprised of companies so focussed in their goals that they never miss a release date, release every project in a finished state, use faultless technologies, have exceptional PR and approach every problem with a totally unified front.

Of course, what the sane part of the planet sees is the gaming industry, a loosely affiliated group of organisations in competition with each other, that cannot even agree on a DVD format, let alone some over-arching conspiracy to corrupt the youth of America...

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Craig R. on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 16:49.

Good to see there's still some common sense in the world.

Jack, you know what "common sense" is, right?

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Zerodash on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 15:21.

Jack must be installing extra phone lines at his (wife's) house so he can add extra fax machines.

It must suck to be him- everyone in the world is an enemy to him. The conspiracy deepens...

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by gamadaya on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 15:08.

"Your veto spared not only the legal costs states like the now nearly bankrupt California ($282,794) and Illinois ($545,078)".

Does this make sense to anyone? Should there be maybe a "have incurred" at the end of that or something?

--------------------------------------------------------

Believe in something! Even if it's wrong, believe in it! -Glenn Beck

-------------------------------------------------------- Believe in something! Even if it's wrong, believe in it! GET OFF MY PHONE! -Glenn Beck

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by DarkSaber on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 18:13.

Reads fine to me.

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Wormdundee on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 15:12.

Or perhaps an 'of' between 'costs' and 'states'.

I think it gets the point across though. I believe in every state that some sort of video game legislation has been passed, it was defeated in court? Or at least a lot of them. I mean, you would think that state governments would get a bit discouraged from spending millions upon millions of dollars in court costs.

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game Bill

Submitted by killatia on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 15:07.

Glad to know that there are people beyone gaming that has the Govenor's back over the veto. I know he has my support too.

http://www.magicinkgaming.com/

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Andrew Eisen on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 15:03.

All legal, constitutional, and enforceability issues aside, the bill is simply unnecessary.

Look, most retailers have a "don't sell M games to kids" policy and not only are most doing very well, all are continually improving.

Plus, it doesn't matter if kids do manage to buy M rated games anyway (an occurrence that's very rare to begin with). Why? Because games do not harm children and there are plenty of other parental tools in place such as parental controls. Don't want Junior playing M rated games but can't be bothered stop him from stealing $60 and your car? Set the parental controls and even if he does manage to buy an M rated game, he won't be able to play it when he gets home.

Andrew Eisen

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game ...

Submitted by Ryno on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 23:32.

You forgot the very important part that it's not illegal to do so either.

Saying that Jack Thompson is impotent is an insult to impotent men everywhere. They've got a whole assortment of drugs that can cure their condition; Jack, however...

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game Bill

Submitted by Michael Chandra on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 15:01.

DAW! How adorable, the governor gets compliments! ^_^

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game Bill

Submitted by Rodrigo Ybáñez ... on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 14:57.

Look Jack, another enemy! The conspiracy just got even more thick.

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

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game Bill

Submitted by Bennett Beeny on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 07:59.

Hmmm. The pro-video game side gets a nutcase on board to combat the nutcase the anti-videogame crowd has in their corner. I'm just not sure this is the right way to go. I'm certain we should not be crowing about this.

Re: Grover Norquist High-Fives Utah Guv Over Video Game Bill

Submitted by mdo7 on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 07:38.

Jack Thompson saying this guy is bribed by the video game industry in 3...2...1

I would agree with you for this one. The conspiracy thickens for this one. Jack's probably going to add this guy on his list.

Shout box

Zen: http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130614/OFFDUTY02/306140030/New-Xbox-sin-against-all-service-members-06/18/2013 - 7:33pm

Zen: Been out for a few days, but has anyone brought up the possible ban on Xbox One on military bases because of security concerns that it could be a listening device by Commanders?06/18/2013 - 7:33pm

Andrew Eisen: Sleaker - Fixed.06/18/2013 - 6:34pm

MechaTama31: CMiner: Another issue is that every camera/webcam combination is going to be pretty different, in terms of the software/hardware exploits available. A homogenous hardware/software combo like a console, in millions of homes, will be a much juicier target.06/18/2013 - 6:31pm

Sleaker: Vox pay what you want link is busted.06/18/2013 - 6:27pm

ZippyDSMlee: Mics have to breath put tape over it.06/18/2013 - 6:25pm

NyuRena: You nailed it James! Yikes..06/18/2013 - 1:56pm

james_fudge: With MS willing to share with the government, an always listening device should give everyone pause.06/18/2013 - 1:37pm

james_fudge: you can't turn off the Microphone on the Kinect and it has to be plugged in. It's not rocket science.06/18/2013 - 1:35pm

E. Zachary Knight: The Humble Bundle Guys just don't like me having money in my pocket do they? https://www.humblebundle.com/06/18/2013 - 1:12pm

E. Zachary Knight: CMiner, I know that my Android camera is off unless I am using an application that turns it on. Same with the microphone.06/18/2013 - 12:38pm

CMiner: Can you turn off the camera on an iPhone? Like, -really- turn it off, not just change a setting that -tells- you the camera is off?06/18/2013 - 12:13pm

james_fudge: when they make it a requirement, yes they are06/18/2013 - 12:10pm

CMiner: I just don't think Microsoft bears any more (or less) responsibility for privacy with its Kinect camera than do the makers of laptops or smartphones with integrated cameras.06/18/2013 - 12:00pm

Imautobot: The ability to operate the console without the camera is key. It's a peripheral, not directly integrated into the console, and yet it behaves as if it is. Thankfully I don't have kids, and won't have an Xbone either.06/18/2013 - 11:49am

CMiner: Oh, I agree that the decision to make the kinect mandatory/always listening is terrible.06/18/2013 - 11:48am

E. Zachary Knight: CMiner, and the easier the provider makes to do such things, the better. The fact that the XBone will not even funtion without it plugged in and turned on in some fashion makes a world of difference from a PC Webcam.06/18/2013 - 11:38am

CMiner: It takes steps on the user's part to ensure 100% privacy (unplugging, uninstalling, putting tape over it, not putting it in the kid's rooms, etc)06/18/2013 - 11:29am

CMiner: My point is that no webcam producing company can guarantee that no one will ever ever ever be able to access video from that webcam without your knowledge and permission06/18/2013 - 11:28am

E. Zachary Knight: Of course at that point, you are still opening up yourself to Windows zero day vulnerabilities and back doors that they are happy to share with the government before Windows users.06/18/2013 - 11:26am

All shouts

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