California State Senator Leland Yee (D), the man behind the original legislation that has now made its way to the United States Supreme Court, released a short piece of audio (MP3 here) in which he offers reactions to SCOTUS’ decision to review the law.
Yee termed himself “thrilled” with yesterday’s news, calling it an “affirmation of some of the things that I have been thinking about, working on…”
He called the law a “balanced bill,” saying that “it tries to do what it can to protect and help kids, but at the same time, not trample on our First Amendment.”
Yee on the surprise most felt when hearing that SCOTUS would review the case:
After so many of these bills are coming through, the U.S. Supreme Court is now saying ‘there’s something going on in this country. Individuals are concerned about this and we’ve got to then weigh in and provide some direction for these elected officials.’
Along the way Yee compares the industry-governed ESRB to the “fox guarding the hen house,” and to “having the student pay the teacher to give you the grade.” Yee termed that kind of "conflict of interest" as “unacceptable.”
Yee continued:
At the very least, what’s going to happen out of this Supreme Court review is that the Supreme Court will then provide a pathway for not only California, but for other states as to… if you want to move in this particular direction, how do you do it and protect the First Amendment.
Yee believes the law does not violate the First Amendment, since it is narrowly tailored to the subset of only “ultra-violent” games and because it is not an outright ban, just a form of protection for youths.
Comments
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
I wonder whta Yee's face will look like when the SCOUTS will say that this bill voilates freedom of speak.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
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Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
The Diane Rehm show on NPR is devoting an hour to this issue, and has Yee on there, as well as some psychologists, Constitutional law professors, and I think someone from the ESA. I don't particularly like the show in general, since Diane is hard to listen to, but whatever.
http://thedianerehmshow.org/
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Here's a link to the actual segment: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-04-28/violent-video-games
I think it is really worth listening to because Craig Anderson was on it and I was pleasantly surprised that Diane Rehm's first question to him was "what is the difference between agression and violence?" Anderson initially tried to avoid answering the question but then Rehm reasked the question and Anderson admitted that while violence is generally understood as an extreme form of agression, it is very rare for agression to actually turn into violence. I think that it really key because in that statement Anderson (who also in this CNN video says that videogame-caused "agression" isn't really any worse than film or television-causes "agression" http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/26/scotus.violent.video.games/index.html ) says that videogames don't really make kids violent.
If the most well known person who thinks videogames cause agression doesn't think they make you violent then that makes the case that they are so bad that we need laws against selling them much harder to prove.
http://www.popularculturegaming.com
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
I don't particularly like the show in general, since Diane is hard to listen to, but whatever.
That's the same reason I don't listen. Not that she is not informative, but that her voice drives me insane.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
I feel kind of bad about it. I mean, she has some sort of speech disability, and I suppose we're supposed to be supportive that she works in radio dispite that. But I really find it irritating.
But listening to the show now. It sounds informative and balanced, and would be good for people that don't know much about the issue. One of the psychologists is really playing up the "connection" between video game violence and kids beating each other up and learning to kill. The other child psychologist is more reasonable and is saying that "aggressive behavior" is not the same as "violence." and some aggressive play is healthy for young people and adults alike.
Yee is sticking to the "think of the children!" defense, the ESA guy is talking about how the voluntary system already in place already works to inform parents, and the Constitutionalist leaned towards it be protected free speech, but then started rambling a bit.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Me not saying anything...I will only wait to see what the surprime court might have to say.
However I do believe that Senator Yee should be voted out of office, or at least retire if this final attempt for a bill fails and once again runs into 1st Admendment issues.
It is for this reason why I kinda wish that Australia had the 1st Admendment, as least you guys in America don't have the internet filter looming over your heads...
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
I say that we ban all newspapers. It wouldn't violate the First Amendment as it doesn't ban all printed word.
Yeesh. One genre of a media being targeted for censorship is still censorship. You can't claim that you aren't a murderer because you only murdered one guy.
-Ultimately what will do in mankind is a person's fear of their own freedom-
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Yee's off being delusional again, I see. The man should get a life. Yee, "What you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Hornets, Jack Thompson can geaux chase a chupacabra. Hell will stay frozen over for quite a while since the Saints won the Super Bowl.
Geaux Saints, Geaux Tigers, Geaux Pelicans. Solidarity for the Saints = No retreat, no surrender. 2013 = Saints' revenge on the NFL. Even through the darkest days, this fire burns always.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Yee: "Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine."
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
“having the student pay the teacher to give you the grade.”
Isn't that what college is all about? The student pays the university, who pays the teacher to grade the student. Doesn't guarantee you get the grade you *want*...
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
I wonder if Yee also thinks private schools have a conflict of interest.
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
This from the guy that accepted HOW much in "campaign contributions" from film/television studios again? It's a good thing they have a real watch dog who can be trusted to not have any interest in "guarding the hen house" in the MPAA for film which has absolutely no ties to the studios of the programs they rate, no sir!
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
"Yee believes the law does not violate the First Amendment, since it is narrowly tailored to the subset of only “ultra-violent” games..."
Who gets to decide what is and is not "ultra-violent"? Would the original Doom with it's lower res graphics be "ultra-violent"? TF2 has people blown to bits but in comical cartoonish looking ways, "ultra-violent" or not?
Then there's just personal taste. What is "ultra-violent" to one person might just be strong to another.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
"You needn't take it any further, sir. You've proved to me that all this ultraviolence and killing is wrong, wrong, and terribly wrong. I've learned me lesson, sir. I've seen now what I've never seen before. I'm cured! Praise god!"
I've read "ultraviolence" too many times today to not quote this.
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Chris Kimberley
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Chris Kimberley
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Love how he's playing it off like he already won this. And he isn't kidding anyone, it won't be parents winning at all, this is only for him.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
What a disgusting sack of human waste.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
That's a bit much. Sure his opinion sucks but I am sure he has some useful function somewhere.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
You know what... you're right. It's just that it pisses me off to see the guy portray the law as something it is not. He probably believes it, though, so I guess I should feel sorry for him instead of detesting him.
PS - Funny how he only cares about "the fox guarding the hen house" when it comes to video games and not when it comes to movies (the MPAA).
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
He lives/works in the states where most big movie production companies are, so no big surprise.
He may be among those that see game developers as nothing more than stereotypical nerds.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
He IS among those people. Remember that James Cameron himself said that Avatar was nothing but a multi-million dollar political message about gamers not caring for their own bodies.
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With the first link, the chain is forged.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
"Yee believes the law does not violate the First Amendment, since it is narrowly tailored to the subset of only [INSERT THING YOU WISH TO CENSOR] "
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Pretty much.
"With the first link, the chain is forged." Hey, I think I'll quote that.
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You KILL Vampires. You don't DATE them.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Yee, you don't need a law to help parents be parents.
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
He isn´t doing it for the parents or the children. He is doing this circus just for himself, pretty much as Jack Thompson.
------------------------------------------------------------ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
After so many of these bills are coming through, the U.S. Supreme Court is now saying ‘there’s something going on in this country. Individuals are concerned about this and we’ve got to then weigh in and provide some direction for these elected officials.’
Yep. They will slap you accross the face and tell you that you are an idiot.
Along the way Yee compares the industry-governed ESRB to the “fox guarding the hen house,” and to “having the student pay the teacher to give you the grade.” Yee termed that kind of "conflict of interest" as “unacceptable.”
Does he feel the same way about the Movie rating system? Doesn't look that way as he has not authored any bill that would regulate film in the same way.
At the very least, what’s going to happen out of this Supreme Court review is that the Supreme Court will then provide a pathway for not only California, but for other states as to… if you want to move in this particular direction, how do you do it and protect the First Amendment.
He is right there. They will provide a path. But it will not be one that he wants as they wil lstrike this down.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
http://www.theeca.com/chapters_oklahoma
E. Zachary Knight
Divine Knight Gaming
OK Game Devs
Random Tower
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
"'Along the way Yee compares the industry-governed ESRB to the “fox guarding the hen house,” and to “having the student pay the teacher to give you the grade.” Yee termed that kind of "conflict of interest" as “unacceptable.”'"
I would call such assumptions that ESRB is for some reason biased in such a way that allows for lower ratings as unacceptable. Game studios have had to alter their games for ESRB, but ESRB doesn't alter it's own rules just to allow a game that is meant to be "M" as "T".
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." -Albert Einstein
Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Politicians...a good reason to not to trust them,pay them let them be in office for longer than 400 days and allow others to lobby them.....
Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy! CP/IP laws should not effect the daily life of common people! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.
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Re: Yee on SCOTUS Decision
Would somebody please think of the children!?
Pwnage of Empires