Utah Congressman Says He's Way Better at Halo Than Rock Band
Utah Congressman Says He's Way Better at Halo Than Rock Band
May 7, 2009
Perhaps more than any freshman congressman in recent memory, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) has a knack for getting his name mentioned by the media.
Here at GamePolitics, we've covered Chaffetz for his Rock Band duet with Stephen Colbert. The Republican Congressman is also an active Twitter user (jasoninthehouse) and just a tad to the right of Attila the Hun. After all, he is from Utah.
But his conservative rants got the best of GP yesterday and we couldn't resist sending him a jab via Twitter:
Will you be doing anything with Rock Band again any time soon? Otherwise I may have to stop following your updates.
Chaffetz is nothing if not a good sport. He quickly followed up with a private tweet and we couldn't help but laugh:
I suck at Rock Band. Best if I stick to Halo.
By the way, Chaffetz isn't kidding about his Rock Band suckitude. Check out that 24% score from the Colbert show appearance. In any case, it's reassuring to know that at least one member of Congress enjoys a round of Halo now and again.
A PUBLICATION OF THE ECA
SUBSCRIBE
LOGINGamePolitics ShoutBox
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:16pm
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Andrew Eisen: Shouldn't be. Spirit of anti-discrimination laws would seem to include sexual orientation (and eye color). Plus there's always equal protection and such. Never know until you try.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:10pm
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Andrew Eisen: Should have sued (unless that wasn't an option given her financial situation or something). Might have won.
Posted 02/09/10 at 01:00pm
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Valdearg: Story about a Male to Female TG who was expressly told she wouldn't be given a job because she was TG. Its not the main point of the story, but explicit, perfectly legal discrimination like this exists.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:53pm
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Valdearg: Lol, I don't know. It may very well be legal to do so. Though that might able to fall under the "race" restriction, depending on how that point is argued.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Valdearg: I don't think they do have any legal recourse. I'll have to dig around, but I seriously believe that if the law doesn't specifically mention Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity, they can still be discriminated against in those 29 states.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:51pm
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Andrew Eisen: Eye color isn't covered either but I doubt it would be considered legal to refuse to hire people with green eyes.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:48pm
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Andrew Eisen: My explanation is longer than the Shoutbox will allow. Suffice to say that while those who are discriminated against do have legal recourse, anti-discrimination law should specifically cite sexual orientation so that there’s no question about it.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:42pm
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Valdearg: "There is no federal law that consistently protects LGBT individuals from employment discrimination; it remains legal in 29 states, and in 38 states to do so based on gender identity or expression." From the Human Rights Campaign.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:40pm
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Valdearg: @AE: Why don't you think I'm correct? I know Wiki could be flawed, but as far as it says, its up to date as of June 2009.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:39pm
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
Andrew Eisen: I don't think you're right but I really don't know and don't have the time to find out. However things actually are, it's very clear how they actually should be.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:34pm
Valdearg: "just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal." I would disagree. If there's no laws against it, it makes it perfectly legal. It's definitely not right, but perfectly legal to do.
Valdearg: "just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal." I would disagree. If there's no laws against it, it makes it perfectly legal. It's definitely not right, but perfectly legal to do.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:33pm
Valdearg: Meaning in 29 states, private sector discrimination against gays is perfectly legal.. Sickening.
Valdearg: Meaning in 29 states, private sector discrimination against gays is perfectly legal.. Sickening.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:33pm
Valdearg: 19 states have no protections, and another 10 only have protections for public sector jobs.
Valdearg: 19 states have no protections, and another 10 only have protections for public sector jobs.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:32pm
Andrew Eisen: Well, most businesses have equal rights policies in place and just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal. Still, no argument against adding such protections.
Andrew Eisen: Well, most businesses have equal rights policies in place and just because there's no specific state level protection for it, doesn't make discrimination right or legal. Still, no argument against adding such protections.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:28pm
Valdearg: More information. Apparently, it's worse than I actually thought.
Valdearg: More information. Apparently, it's worse than I actually thought.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:28pm
Valdearg: Check the link. Apparently, its more like 20 states that have no protections.
Valdearg: Check the link. Apparently, its more like 20 states that have no protections.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:26pm
Andrew Eisen: In the US? Not that I'm aware of. Sad if true.
Andrew Eisen: In the US? Not that I'm aware of. Sad if true.
Posted 02/09/10 at 12:25pm
Valdearg: @AE: Actually, I think, at least for now, businesses can still discriminate against gays in a few states.. Something like 5 or 8. Its part of why Gay Rights Advocates are in support of the Employee Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA.
Valdearg: @AE: Actually, I think, at least for now, businesses can still discriminate against gays in a few states.. Something like 5 or 8. Its part of why Gay Rights Advocates are in support of the Employee Nondiscrimination Act, or ENDA.
Copyright © 2007 ECA. All rights reserved.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
Fortunately, as time passes, more and more people who grew up with Computer games, and don't see them as 'that new fangled Video thingy' will get into position, and this whole stupid Scapegoating routine will finally come to it's drawn out, and yet inevitable end.
I understand that a freshman Congressperson isn't usually overwhelmed by their Committee responsibilties, press appearances, Cloak Room conferences and the like, but Chaffetz still seems to have more than his fair share of free time to spend Twittering. I wonder if he's on the Floor of the House, Twittering away during debates and votes. Maybe Nancy needs to give him the Chairmanship of a Commttee, if he's got nothing better else to do.
And whether you agree with his politics or not, it's hard to deny that he's got all the neccessary ingredients of an up-and-comer. Like it or not, he's got a future on the Hill -- provided he doesn't get caught in bed with a leprechaun.
Did GP just create their own story?
Slow day?
No, that actually happened.
Seriously, dude, stop saying that they make up their own stories when there's no news. If there's no news, there's no new articles, not made-up articles to make it look like they're finding news.
-----------------------------
"The sun will always rise tomorrow. We can only live for today, and hope more days will come." -Unknown
That's the first time I have ever said that, nor did I say he made it up. Defensive much?
And sorry if I misconstrued a real news story as a jocular back and forth between two individuals, which is what this looks like to me.
Does that matter? It's a politician who makes a comment about a video game. Hobbies have been reported multiple times up here, because it may influence someone's decision making.
The comment was prodded, which is what I meant by created. But I will agree to disagree as this is the first time since I have been reading GP that I have seen something that made me raise an eyebrow. Maybe I am having an off morning.
Well with that argument the articles where GP asked people for their opinions on things are created articles as well.
So reporting on what someone else reported is a genuine story, but reporting on what you investigated and learned yourself is not a story?
There's been days GP went almost without any updates. Why would he have to bother creating stories for slow days? It's not as if he earns money with it.
I don't blame him. I find Rock Band/Guitar Hero hard as well. Too many buttons.
When Jack Thompson runs his mouth, does anyone really care what he has to say anymore?
Easy mode on GH/RB-guitar is the best for me. Not surprisingly, I failed out of T.T.F.A.F. on Easy mode in GH3 when I did a real performance. I don't mean the credits, since they don't let you fail out of that. Even so, that shit is hard as hell. Mic and drums are parts of RB that I absolutely fail at.
-----------------------------
"The sun will always rise tomorrow. We can only live for today, and hope more days will come." -Unknown
Its not too hard just takes getting used to. The main thing is to remember you don't have to let go of fret buttons between strumming. too often i see people coming up on a string of green or something simple and they let got of the green fret and try to press it and strum at the same time, why? :P
Then again when i first got GH i played till my fingers hurt, so i might be a little obssesed O.o I prefer RB now cause RB=Harmonix :D
------------------------------------
I am a signature virus, please copy and paste me into your signature to help me propagate.
Story time!
I'm a veteran Halo player, but I never cared for Guitar Hero or Rock Band, so other than the demo, I had never really played them. And when I did play them it was with a good old fasioned controller.
So, I'm wandering through Wal-Mart for whatever reason when I see they have Guitar Hero up on display, Guitar and everthing. I had never used the guitar so I was intrigued, and walked up to the display, taking the guitar off it's stand. I start a song and get ready to rock! Notes approach, I ready myself, and!! Nothing.... The buttons weren't working! What the heck? Was it not on? Was it broken? What was going on?
I try for a couple minuetes to find out what the problem is untill I get fed up and leave it. While I walked away, some 15 year old looking kid walked up, picked up the guitar, and started to play it as if there was no problem. Then he looked towards me with what seemed kinda like a "What's wrong with that guy?" face. I became very annoyed and thought "I dare you to face me in Halo, boy!".
You have to use that switch-thingy to play a note. Press the right buttons, then use that switch-thingy to play the pressed notes. Tutorials explain it nicely. RTFM, dude! =P
(I suck at GH because I don't make those two steps fast enough.)
Aaah. I get it. It was at Wal-Mart, I had no way to RTFM. =(
Kaidan once suggested I RTFM before playing with a nuetron bomb...
Your story reminds me of my experience with Ephemeral Fantasia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephemeral_Fantasia). Its an RPG where you're a bard of sorts. There are parts where you play your guitar or whatever they call it in game and for the LONGEST time i could not figure out why I kept failing songs miserably. I pressed the right buttons on my gamepad but... nothing! the king was very displeased with my pathetic songs (or lack of song) :( It took a while since i didn't have the manual (rented it from block buster) but i FINALLY figured out i had to "pick" with the circle... sigh.... after that it was a very interesting game :P
------------------------------------
I am a signature virus, please copy and paste me into your signature to help me propagate.
Rock on Jason Chaffetz, not in rock band ofcourse.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
I remember that episode. I felt bad for him, because I would have done just as bad. I freaking suck at Rock Band.
--------------------------------------------------------
Believe in something! Even if it's wrong, believe in it! -Glenn Beck
Why is the "right of Attila the Hun" dig necessary? If this were about someone like, oh, I dunno, Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama, or some other liberal Dem, would GP be obliged to point out that they are slightly to the left of Stalin?
It's typical liberal media crap and it adds nothing to the story, except to point out what a libtard the reporter is. We should be excited that a member of congress, no matter the party, is an avid gamer.
And, BTW, I'm decent at Rock Band, as long as the difficulty is set to Medium. Anything above that and I fail out every time. My 40-year-old fingers can't handle the fifth fret button.
I was kind of wondering about that comment as well. Didn't really seem all that needed... Also, maybe I just don't know enough about Attila, but, what makes him conservative...?
If we want to break it down to it's most fundamental arguments, Attila seems to be exactly OPPOSITE of it... but, oh well.