June 21, 2007 -
Despite claims by Miami attorney Jack Thompson and followers of Lyndon LaRouche, a federal government report on issues related to the April 16th Virgina Tech rampage makes no mention at all of video games, much less as a causal factor.The 26-page report to President Bush was issued on June 13th and was a joint effort by Health & Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt (left), Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez.
Leavitt was certainly aware of claims that video games were involved, so their lack of inclusion seems especially pointed. In particular, the video game issue was raised during Leavitt's April 22nd appearance on Meet the Press as well as during a subsequent joint press conference with Utah Gov. John Huntsman.
Meanwhile, a state-level commission continues its own research into the rampage. As the federal government report notes:
This report does not seek to investigate the specifics of the Virginia Tech tragedy itself. That work is currently being done by the Virginia Tech Review Panel appointed by Governor Kaine. Instead, this report summarizes the major recurring themes we heard in our visits across the country. It includes critical steps state and local leaders identified to address school violence and mental illness at the community level.
As reported by GamePolitics the Virginia Tech Review Panel has heard testimony blaming video games on three occasions from members of the Lyndon LaRouche PAC.
Comments
That said, it IS good news at least that initial reports appear to have been keeping up to speed with the whole 'Cho and Computer Games' thing.
After all, even if the 'specifics' of Cho's case HAD involved compulsive computer-gaming, it would be considered individual to this case, and not taken as a general affector? Kind of like how we can be pretty sure that Basketball won't be blamed despite the fact he DID play it compulsively?
In particular, the video game issue GAME up during Leavitt’s April 22nd appearance
Surely its came? (thought it was worth pointing out before to many people saw it)
@Radio Guy:
Come on dude, that's a bit sophomoric, isn't it? How about your thoughts on the actual article?
"I’m proud to be a gamer. and I’m proud to say I support any industry that suffers from fools that desire to censor it."
That's great! I like you, I like your spirit!
Digital Devils: Crap! How the hell did you find us out so soon? They're on to us guys, RUN!
XD Sorry Have too much sugar in me for my own good at the moment. Good to see that not everyone hops onto the "Blame them darned vidjamagames" bandwagon in serious matters.
I suppose this result is hardly surprising, although I am interested as to the true causes of the incident are and how the organsisations they apply to will react.
NRA anyone?
I support that idea too.
@GP
Thanks for tossing this story up! There is absolutely nothing about it on Fox/CNN/MSNBC.
I had stopped thinking that was possible in today's political world.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/6/20/112817.shtml?s=ic
But, surprisingly, he doesn't mention "murder simulators" once either. In other news, pigs fly, cats are sleeping with dogs, more at eleven..
Speaking of the NRA, if you check out the report there's a whole section relating to controlling firearm distribution to mentally unstable individuals. They want to tighten up gun control, but they're backdooring the issue by putting the focus on more accurately assessing who the "crazies" are, and making sure they don't get to pull any triggers.
"The Lad… I mean Larouche-ites and Jack Thompson trying to defraud the report or misquoting it in 3. 2. 1…"
0 !! Check it out here : http://www.larouchepac.com/pages/breaking_news/2007/06/22/bush_va_coveru...