Our Public Officials In Washington Had Better Wake UP

The company responsible for putting Grand Theft Auto IV on the market is getting filthy rich, and the game is doing great harm to young people and to this country. The release of the video game has also been a financial success for a number of corporations – in addition to the outfit responsible for putting this video game on the market – and that has been largely overlooked. Microsoft, maker of the Xbox 360, brags that the release of the video game drove up sales of gaming console hardware by 54%. When you consider what this video game is all about, it is reason for concern. I am greatly concerned over what it can do to young people. Many adults don’t have a clue what this game is all about. Videogame reviewer Lou Kesten reports:

Eight hours into Grand Theft Auto IV, I’ve stolen 17 cars, run over 20 people and killed another 15 (some of whom had it coming). I’ve shaken down a couple of store owners and beaten up an old lady…It has lots of blood, some nudity and a nearly constant stream of filthy language. And it’s very entertaining.

That’s a pretty sad commentary on what young people are seeing and thinking while playing this video game. It’s high time that the public officials in our nation’s capital wake up and start doing their job. They must put a curb on the sale and use of video games of this sort. If they don’t take action, present and future generations will be adversely affected by such things as Grand Theft Auto IV. There must be a limit on the violent content of video games as well as with the content of television programming. It makes no sense to allow a video game to portray gangsterism and violent criminal behavior in a positive and acceptable light for youngsters. Can you believe that this game actually awards points for killing police officers? Strong regulation of the industries that are making a financial killing teaching young folks how to kill is an absolute necessity. If you agree, let your U.S. Senators and House members know how you feel.

Source: Public Television Council