In yet another instance of politicians pretending to be tough on shallow issues just to make themselves look better, Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright has proposed a new bill in New York aimed at restricting the sale of games with “racist stereotypes” and oh-so naughty language in them.
Bill number A01474 “Prohibits the sale to minors of certain rated video games containing a rating that reflects content of various degrees of profanity, racist stereotypes or derogatory language, and/or actions toward a specific group of persons.”
As is so often the case, this seems like a rather pointless and redundant bit of cuddling up to parents by a politician who doesn’t really know what he’s talking about and offers no solution of substance. So, it’s politics as usual.
This isn’t the first useless bill to come through NY. In 2008, one was actually passed which demanded that videogames display their ratings and that consoles offer parental controls. Of course, that’s like demanding Activision to start milking franchises dry — the games industry was already doing the things that New York ordered it to do.
One day, a politician will tackle things that actually matter. In the mean time, just remember that during a financial recession, our money is being wasted on bullsh*t like this.
[Thanks Powerglove]
