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Recently at school, we had a discussion board about our thoughts of what Washington DC was trying to do: limiting the sell of video games. Putting age restrictions on the sell of video games is one thing. Not letting anyone buy the game because it would be rated Mature is entirely another. The reason they are saying this is so they can put another limitation on the freedom of speech in the First Amendment. Here is my post.

"The first amendment pertaining to the realm of video games and media under freedom of speech is a major part of why there are so many video games to choose from. If that freedom didn't exist, would we have games on the shelves besides the 'Dora the Explorer' and 'Hannah Montana' video games for children? More than likely, a majority of the games would be taken out. My personal opinion of video games is that of high regard. I own several games that would be under many categories, including the one being discussed. These 'violent video games' include 'Grand Theft Auto,' 'World of Warcraft,' 'Ghost Recon,' and similar titles.

I happen to have 'Grand Theft Auto,' and for me it only brings entertainment and fun. It does not bring things like hate, increase in want of violence, delusions that what happens in the game is okay in reality, or any of the 'side effects' that are listed. In fact, I think it actually helps things like creativity and problem solving. The reason I think this is because you have to figure out how to complete a mission successfully.

The approach they are taking to this creates even more negativity. Games are seemingly being frowned upon because there are guns in them, like 'Area 51' and such, and are supposedly the reasoning they came up with for things such as Columbine and Virginia Tech. I believe they want something they can place the blame on so the parents and others like them do not have to take the responsibility of messing up their kids, or not recognizing signs of depression or another underlying factor that caused the incidents.

In all actuality, the responsibility for the children gaining access to these games falls upon the parents. If the parents were to take action and monitor what their children while minors do, then responsibility and blame would be placed appropriately.

Why video games though? They are the only ones under fire from the law. The FCC monitors movies and television and music. With appropriate labels, all of this can be avoided. In some video stores, they have special adult sections in the back rooms. Yes, you have to be a legal adult to rent them, but you have to be that age anyway to be able to rent from the store. You also have to be that old to buy it at the store that sales the game. Why would a law like this go into effect under the circumstances they are in.

If this law did pass, then the only place one might be able to get these games would be specialty stores that you have to have ID to even enter into. I can understand limiting the availability somewhat, that's what they do with pornography after all. However, these games are popular and do not influence kids into thinking all the crazy, idiotic things that the politicians are saying.

In the link, a politician is quoted saying, "repeated play of violent video games desensitizes one to cruelty and instills violent reflexes." In my opinion, this guy is a complete moron. I myself have played these types of games over and over ever since I was a kid. Some of the titles coming to mind are 'Jurassic Park,' in which you are a human avoiding being eaten by dinosaurs. Another is 'Zombies Ate My Neighbors,' which is violence galore. However, these titles were always fun and are nowhere near 'desensitizing to cruelty and instilling violent reflexes.'

If that were the case, horror, action, and lots of other movies wouldn't exist. Much like the titles of 'Friday the 13th' and 'Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Halloween,' all of which are cult classics that children watch on a daily basis. My cousin and I watched them when we were young and laughed at them. Many children that watch them do.

Overall, the point is that the video games' connection with the freedom of speech is ridiculous. It should be stated as unconstitutional, and the laws should not be able to tell video game makers they can't make a game if it has a gun in it or cuss words or violence. That would be like telling Stephen King he can't write anymore books that have someone being killed in the book. It's just not right."

On a side note, for the 2012 Presidential election, Donald Trump is running for the Republican party seat.